While artists can be known for their desire for solitude and for locking themselves away to create, at least two painters find inspiration in numbers.

Carolyn Blaylock of Lewisville and Karen Evans of Clemmons are among seven area artists who have united to form Working Artists Studio in Winston-Salem.

"We want to have a place to paint together," Blaylock said. She added that the studio concept is to bring several artists together to share the same space and then regularly open up the studio to the public for viewing.

Blaylock, 46, spent more than 10 years designing whimsical greeting cards. Her designs in watercolor include children and animals in cutesy formats. Once she hit 40, she began to long for more serious work, turning to vibrancy and boldness in bigger formats.

She categorizes herself as a colorist, focusing on the relationship of colors and the brilliance of colors in collaboration. She gets her inspiration from the world around her.

"I love the Southern culture," Blaylock said. "My paintings represent our Southern culture, people of the South, architecture like the columns, rolling green hills and big oak trees - things that represent our lifestyle."

Recently honored by the National Pastel Society of America, Blaylock said she looks forward to opening up the new studio and letting the public see the active, working environment of artists.

Evans, 51, is a retired art teacher who moved to Clemmons from Atlanta. She works primarily in oils and enjoys landscapes using bold colors and textures. She is a self-described impressionist; her latest work is a series of paintings that capture baby boomers sunbathing. Her series includes several scenes of "fiftyish" women enjoying fellowship, lounging in black bathing suits. The scenes, inspired by a group of friends, show real women with real bodies enjoying the ocean and each other.

Blaylock and Evans met about two years ago while attending a plein-air workshop in Tanglewood. They immediately hit it off and looked for ways to paint together. The two often go on excursions, cameras in hand, looking for new inspirations. Blaylock said she returned from a trip to Charleston, S.C., with more than 300 photos.

The new studio is a renovated house at 404 Harvey St. in Winston-Salem. The artists enjoy working together, but each one will have a private work space in one of the rooms. The Working Artists Studio will have a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 13. The public will be able to see finished work and works in progress and mingle with the artists, getting a glimpse into how they do what they do.

She added that the atmosphere of the studio is warm and familiar. "People will be able to come in here and see our art work and get to know us," Blaylock said. "They'll also get to see what our art work looks like in a home."

The other artists are Joyce Corns, Melissa Day, Marsha Thrift, Martha Harrington and Nelly Flatow. After Nov. 13, the studio will be open on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, and at other times by appointment. For more information, visit the studio or call 768-1119.

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