Our Frame of Mind

For painter Carolyn Latanision, every building, bloom, and portrait carries a story. Her paintings explore how people shape their surroundings and how those surroundings, in turn, shape them. It’s the same respect for craft and integrity that draws her to American Frame, where precision and artistry meet to preserve each finished work. 

A lifelong painter, Latanision has primarily focused on architecture and its human and social dimensions. In some paintings, people take center stage. In others, human presence is only implied, its absence just as telling. She captures everyday intersections, gentle ironies, cultural contrasts, and fleeting encounters that give structure to our experiences.  

Her work invites viewers in, asking them to linger, observe, and perhaps see themselves. 

A dramatic floral arrangement comes to life in this dark, moody watercolor, elegantly framed in our Black Linen Nielsen 97 metal. 

Why Carolyn Chooses American Frame

It’s not just about the frames, it’s about trust, quality, and care. Carolyn shares: 

“American Frame has far exceeded my expectations.  Beyond the varied selection of frames they provide, they are full-service, in terms of anything one might need for framing. There is an ample selection of mats, glazing, and tools to accomplish framing at a very reasonable price point.  I have occasionally needed to ask for help and, frankly, I don’t know where I have ever encountered better and more pleasant customer service. I have recommended American Frame to my classes to their praise and satisfaction as well.” 

Whether she’s framing a complex industrial piece or a quiet watercolor, she knows American Frame will deliver excellence. 

An industrial watercolor of machinery, framed in Black Linen Nielsen 97 metal.

About Carolyn Latanision, the artist

Carolyn’s passion for painting began early, likely inspired by her mother, also an artist and an art teacher. This influence nurtured her creativity with encouragement and the tools to explore different art forms. 

Growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, she lived blocks from the once roaring blast furnaces of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The gritty industrial landscape of America’s rust belt and the legacy of laborers in her own family influenced her art. When the plant closed in 1995, she returned, camera in hand. Those images would later become the basis for a powerful ongoing series of paintings.  

These pieces don’t just depict structures; they preserve memory, honor sacrifice, and reflect on a shared history now disappearing. Her work breathes life into steel and concrete, reminding us that even the starkest landscapes have warmth behind them. 

A serene moment by the sea, a woman in a green dress in Brushed Antique Gold Nielsen 130 metal.

Influence and Inspiration

Lantanision’s artistic style has been shaped by a beautiful mix of Eastern and Western traditions. Japanese art, with it’s emphasis on composition and suggestions, has long inspired her, along with the realism of Abrecht Durer and the intensity of Van Gogh.  

As a child, traveling seventy miles to visit her grandmother and aunt in New York City, her first request, even at four years olf, was always the same: “Can we go to the Metropolitan Museum?” 

That same curiosity and appreciation for art shines through in her work to this day.  

A colorful watercolor of a woman holding her dog, framed in Black Nielsen 93 metal.

Love for Watercolor

Though Carolyn has experimented with all kinds of media, watercolor is where her heart truly lives.  

Its unpredictability, fluidity, and demand for restraint offer a challenge she never tires of. She teaches watercolor classes from her studio in Woburn, Massachusetts, guiding students not toward a set “style,” but towards self-discovery. 

“Students often tell me they want to find their style,” she says, “ the style will find them, paint what most interests them, and learn from mistakes and mishaps.” 

That philosophy, of learning by doing, of letting passion lead, echoes through every brushstroke in her work.  

A watercolor of a boat leaning on a wooden wall, framed in Black Linen Nielsen 97 metal.

A Legacy of Recognition

Lantanision’s work has earned her national recognition and numerous prestigious memberships. Her consistent dedication to craft, message, and quality has been celebrated across the country.  

Her National Signature Memberships to art societies, include: 

American Watercolor Society
National Watercolor Society
Allied Artists of America
Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, member of Sylvan Grouse Guild
New England Watercolor Society
Northeast Watercolor Society
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (NYC)
Rocky Mountain Water Media Society
Philadelphia Water Color Society
Whiskey Painters of America
Copley Society of Art (Boston MA), Copley Master Artist designation
San Diego Watercolor Society

Carolyn Latnision’s paintings do more than fill a frame. They tell stories, stir memories, and spark reflections. Her deep respect for people, place, and time is evident in every piece she creates and the way she chooses to present it.  

By trusting American Frame, she knows her vision will be preserved with the same care and craftsmanship she brings to her own work. It’s an artist-to-artist connection rooted in shared values: integrity, precision, and heart. 

A small town watercolor featuring a railroad, framed in Narrow Antiqued Silver Leaf wood.

FAQ About Carolyn Latanision

Q: Where can I see Carolyn’s work?

A: You can explore her paintings through various art society exhibitions or inquire through the Copley Society of Art. Many of her industrial series pieces have been shown across the Northeast.

Q: Does she accept commissions?

A: Yes, Carolyn has accepted commissions in the past. It's best to contact her through her studio or professional network for details. Check out her website.

Q: Can I study with Carolyn?

A: Absolutely! She teaches watercolor at her Woburn, MA studio. Classes often fill up fast, so early inquiries are encouraged.

Q: What’s her advice for new watercolorists?

A: Don’t force a style, let it emerge. Paint what excites you. And when you mess up? That’s where the magic often starts.