Carol Braden is a self-taught mixed media artist. She’s nationally recognized and has a leaning toward found objects, recycled materials, and all things Americana. Her work reflects who she is and where she’s from. She has studios in both Portland and Seattle, and she loves the West and all things associated with it. Although her reputation is primarily as a “license plate artist,” she also dabbles in just about all things collectible and vintage and is regular at most of the antique and malls salvage yards dotted along Interstate-5. She finds inspiration everywhere she looks and is always scouting for rodeo posters, old tools, reclaimed hardware, punched tin, soda cans and other finds. The things that make her tick include mixing textures and patterns, layering materials and finding useful things in the worn and flawed. This is the attribute that makes her art unique.
About a decade ago she started making decorative guitar sculptures out of license plates. She started this as a hobby but it has now become a full-time business. She makes each piece with real license plates, so no two pieces will ever be alike. Carol says the guitars are comfort food; they embody road trips and music, and perhaps simpler times. Everything she offers is hand-made, made from authentic materials, and made in America. She’s a member of Austin Art Alliance, the American Craft Council and the Country Music Association. Today, her artwork is found in every corner of the world. The green-leaf icon on her products means that these products are made with eco-friendly and certified materials.
