Patches, Stay Put

My friend, Carol Mazurek of Huntington, West Virgina doesn’t have much of an internet presence.  If you Google her name you she may be part of a list of Carol Mazureks throughout the country.  Now Carol does have a web page thanks to her publisher Mid-Atlantic Highlands, an imprint of Publisher’s Place.  Her web site is part of the promotion of her new book Patches, Stay Put.  If you know to look for the book, you will find Carol on the web. 

I met Carol when hosted an Artist’s Way group in her home.  Carol is  a master gardener, photographer, painter, and multi media artist, and now she has used her talents as an artist to illustrate the story of her pet cockatiel, Patches.  The book begins with Carol and her son in her garden (perhaps taking a hike) making plans for the season, when they find Patches.

“It seems someone took the time to teach him an array of tricks. Patches proved to be smart, silly, sassy, sociable, and always made his presence known. He also had a moody side that would keep you at a distance. I omitted that side of him in the book. Aside from those bouts he was sweet and brought much fun and joy to us,” said Carol.

Patches was her only pet, until she went back to work and purchased another cockatiel to, Bernie, to keep Patches company.  It turned out Bernie, was really Bernadette.  Patches was aloof with her.  Patches found a friend in Carol’s father who came to live with her in 2008 or 2009.   A small timid stray dog also joined the family around this time.  But only Patches inspired her to write and illustrate a book.

“Doing both writing and illustrating is not common but I felt no one else knew Patches like I did. It was uncharted territory, challenging and rewarding at the same time,”  said Carol.

What is Carol’s artistic background?  ” I remember oil painting in the 70’s and other art projects. Not until the early 80’s did I pursue a degree in art from State University of New York at Buffalo. I loved painting but received a Fine Arts Degree in Photography in hopes to be more employable. Today, watercolor is a medium I enjoy but my first love is photo collage which I incorporate watercolor and other mix media.”

“Back in 2001 I won first place ($400) in a juried photography exhibit sponsored by physicians in a hospital I had been employed. Interestingly it was my very first photo collage. I had taken photos of a Victorian garden and was published in “Victorian Magazine”. Through the years honorable mention and monetary prizes have been received for my watercolor art including purchased works.”

“With the writing of “Patches” I have been honored to be juried into “Tamarack”, West Virginian’s prestigious art center,” said Carol.

All ages will enjoy the adventures of Patches.  I hope you will share this book with the children in your lives.