Carol Abitabilo Ast is presenting a variety of pastel paintings depicting some of her favorite subjects: waves, Maine Coastal scenes and her special oyster “portraits.”

Carol resides in Damariscotta. She received her B.S. and MFA in art education and sculpture from the Pratt Institute. She also holds a PhD in education from Cornell University.

Carol cites the work of Edgar Degas and other impressionists as inspiration for her interest in pastels. Pastels are a spontaneous and fresh medium and allow for subtle nuances of color in dry form. The artist is entranced with the natural world and has been depicting nature in pastel since she was a teenager. Now she is delighted to live close enough to the ocean to depict the flow and crash of waves.

Saltwater Artists, River Arts, Port Clyde Art Gallery, and the River Grill have all featured Carol's work. She is also a member of the Pastel Society of Maine and the Degas Pastel Society of New Orleans at the Signature  Membership status. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Degas Pastel Society.

In recent years her work has been included in shows in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico; Old Forge, New York;  Albuquerque New Mexico; and the Northeastern National Pastel Exhibition in Ithaca, NY. Her “Breast Cancer Series” was exhibited in Boothbay Harbor in 2020.

Carol Abitabilo Ast’s artwork is for sale. A portion of all purchases supports the Miles Hospital League Art Fund which regularly provides permanent original artwork at offices and public spaces at the hospital.