Carla has enjoyed art her whole life, and began painting associated with sketching as a way of recording places she visited on business or pleasure. Eventually, the engrossing management of color and light led her to a more serious study of watercolor. A great deal of her work originates en plain air,resulting either in a painting that she touches up back in the studio, or in an entirely new work inspired by the original sketch. She enjoys adding new media to the watercolor palette, such as sumi ink and soluble graphite. Influences come from instructors with background in architecture and illustration. After a long career in habitat restoration that has carried her throughout the American west, she is enjoying retirement with increased opportunities for travel and for painting. She is a member of the San Diego Watercolor Society, where she serves as Membership Show Publicity Coordinator. Her work is frequently juried into the Member's Monthly shows there, as she received an Honorable Mention for one of her paintings. She is also a juried member of the La Jolla Art Association.