Carol Brookens was born and raised a South Dakotan. She grew up on a farm South of Wagner SD where she graduated from high school. She did not have a chance to take any art classes as none were offered in her high school. She learned a lot from her artistic Mother until she attended college at Brookings SD, where she took every art class she could. Marriage put a temporary stop to her art classes, but not for long. She picked up classes when she could at every opportunity. 

     "The best gift I ever received was a box of Prang watercolors when I was fourteen. My love for painting was signed, sealed and delivered!"

     After fifty years of teaching grade school, high school, and college classes, Mrs.B. has retired but continues to paint! She especially loves plein air with a group of fellow painters.