In Carole LaRoche's First Wolf presents a powerful and early exploration of a key motif in her work. The subject, a wolf-like figure, is rendered in a striking, vibrant shade of cobalt blue that dominates the canvas. The artist uses a bold, almost graphic simplification of form, giving the creature a sense of primal energy and symbolic weight. 
 
The wolf is set against a fiery landscape of red and orange hills, creating a dramatic and emotional contrast. This tension between the cool blue of the wolf and the warm tones of the background gives the piece a dynamic energy. The wolf's head is tilted slightly forward, its mouth open as if in a howl or a snarl, capturing a moment of raw, untamed instinct. This work marks a foundational point in the artist's exploration of animals as symbols of power, freedom, and the wild spirit.

Carole's First Wolf

VIDEO-2025 40 YEAR EXHIBITION

Carole LaRoche 
First Family 
Acrylic on Canvas 
 
In First Family, LaRoche blends human and animal forms in a dramatic vision of kinship and protection. The vivid figures—at once guardians and companions—speak to ancient bonds of spirit, strength, and belonging.

First Wolf Family

Carole LaRoche 
Colorful Shamans 
Acrylic on Canvas 
 
Alive with radiant color and expressive forms, Colorful Shamans captures the mystery and spirit of guardians watching over unseen realms. LaRoche’s bold imagery invites us into a world where faces become symbols of energy, wisdom, and connection.

Caroles First Piece

In Abstract Warrior Face, Carole LaRoche channels a powerful and raw energy into a dynamic painting of a shamanic or warrior figure. The artist forgoes a realistic depiction in favor of a gestural and symbolic approach, using a riot of bold colors—fiery reds, yellows, and oranges, juxtaposed with cool blues and greens—to create a sense of passion and movement. The horse's form is defined by thick, dark lines that seem to vibrate with life, while the frantic, visible brushstrokes convey a sense of immediacy and emotion. 
 
The title, Abstract Warrior Face, adds a layer of intrigue and personal narrative to the piece. It suggests a theme of authenticity or a search for truth, transforming the energetic image of the horse into a symbol of unbridled honesty and primal instinct. The painting is a vibrant and compelling example of LaRoche's ability to imbue her subjects with a profound emotional and spiritual weight.

Abstract Warrior Face

In Tell Me No Lies, Carole LaRoche channels a powerful and raw energy into a dynamic painting of a horse. The artist forgoes a realistic depiction in favor of a gestural and symbolic approach, using a riot of bold colors—fiery reds, yellows, and oranges, juxtaposed with cool blues and greens—to create a sense of passion and movement. The horse's form is defined by thick, dark lines that seem to vibrate with life,and convey a sense of immediacy and emotion. 
 
The title, Tell Me No Lies, adds a layer of intrigue and personal narrative to the piece. The painting is a vibrant and compelling example of LaRoche's ability to imbue her subjects with a profound emotional and spiritual weight.

Tell Me No Lies

In The Cross Face, Carole LaRoche creates a powerful and deeply symbolic portrait. The central figure is a face with a long, thin nose and deep-set eyes, rendered in a heavily textured, earthy medium that gives the work a sculptural, almost ancient feel. The face is positioned against a background of a bold, dark cross, framed by four luminous, square-shaped planes of brown. 
 
The face itself is a study in solemnity and introspection. The title, The Cross Face, alludes not only to the background composition but also to the burden or spiritual weight the figure carries. The eyes, rendered with a light, reflective quality, seem to gaze into the distance with a profound sense of knowledge and calm. LaRoche’s use of texture and simple, powerful forms transforms this portrait into a contemplation on faith, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit.

The Cross Face

n this powerful mixed-media work, Carole LaRoche creates an enigmatic and ancient portrait. The face is a textured, three-dimensional form, built up with what appears to be a combination of materials that give it a rough, earthy surface, as if it were a found object or a relic. The palette is dominated by muted browns and grays, which lend the piece a sense of history and timelessness. The face is a study in solemnity, with two large, expressive eyes and a thin, downturned mouth. 
 
The surface of the artwork is deeply textured, with visible cracks and ridges that add to its primitive, mask-like quality. The artist's focus is not on a realistic depiction but on the spiritual and symbolic nature of the subject. Set against a deep black background, the face seems to emerge from the darkness, a quiet and contemplative presence that holds a mysterious power. The work is a testament to LaRoche's exploration of primal forms and her ability to evoke a sense of the spiritual feelings.

The Shaman Face

In Floral Winds, Carole LaRoche captures the delicate and fleeting beauty of a garden in motion. The painting is a study of light and movement, with flowers and grasses rendered in a soft, ethereal palette of pale yellows, pinks, purples, and greens. The artist uses a fluid, gestural style, with visible strokes that suggest the rustling of petals and the swaying of stems in a gentle breeze. 
 
The background is a wash of soft light, creating a dreamy and impressionistic feel, as if the viewer is looking at a memory or a fleeting moment in time. LaRoche's masterful use of color and texture, blending the pastels and acrylics, gives the work a sense of depth and translucence. The piece is a beautiful and serene celebration of nature, inviting the viewer to pause and appreciate the quiet, ephemeral moments of the natural world.

Floral Winds

In Red Circles, Carole LaRoche delves into the realm of raw emotion and subconscious thought. The painting is an intense study in color and texture, dominated by a powerful palette of deep reds, maroons, and blacks. The visible, frantic brushstrokes create a sense of movement and turmoil, as if the canvas is alive with energy. A central black shape, resembling a vortex or a void, draws the eye inward, surrounded by the fiery chaos of the reds. 
 
The work is an exploration of abstract form, but also hints at a hidden, almost figurative presence. The title suggests that it is a part of a series, as if the artist is working through a particular theme or emotion. The piece is a testament to LaRoche's ability to create a deeply personal and evocative experience through the pure language of color and gesture, inviting the viewer to a profound and visceral encounter with the painting's raw energy.

Red Circles

Young Panda

Deer in the Garden

Young Panda II

n Red Striped Warrior, Carole LaRoche presents a powerful and monumental figure with a solemn, introspective presence. The figure, a stylized representation of a warrior or shaman, is rendered with a simple, almost childlike form, yet it emanates a profound sense of strength and dignity. The body is a study in subtle color, with strokes of white, pink, and red that create a sense of glowing internal light and energy. The figure's left hand and forearm are a deep, saturated red, a striking contrast that suggests passion, courage, or even sacrifice. 
 
The warrior's face is a key focal point, split with a dark vertical line and adorned with red streaks that resemble tribal markings or emotional tears. The figure holds a staff or spear, a symbol of authority, purpose, and a connection to the earth. The background is a minimalist landscape of grays and off-whites, emphasizing the figure's central importance. The piece is a compelling exploration of inner strength and spiritual power.

1990-Red Striped Warrior

In Blue Wolf Under the Stars, Carole LaRoche presents a captivating and mystical portrayal of a wolf. The artist utilizes a vibrant cobalt blue to render the wolf's form, giving it an otherworldly presence that stands out dramatically against the deep black of the night sky. The background is speckled with luminous yellow dots, creating a sense of a vast, star-filled cosmos that the wolf inhabits. 
 
The most compelling feature of the painting is the wolf's eyes, which are a piercing, electric green. They glow with an intensity that suggests a deep connection to the spiritual or natural world, imbuing the creature with a sense of wisdom and ancient power. LaRoche's use of bold color and a simplified, almost iconic, form transforms the wolf from a mere animal into a symbol of intuition, freedom, and the wild, untamed spirit of nature.

Blue Wolf under the Stars-SOLD

Red Abstract Collage

"Ravens in the Garden. The ravens, often seen as messengers or guardians, are perfectly placed among the delicate flowers, hinting at a connection between the ancient, wise spirit of the bird and the fleeting, beautiful growth of the natural world. It's a statement piece that is both powerful and whimsical, capturing LaRoche's signature ability to make her subjects glow with an unmistakable, spiritual presence.

RAVENS IN THE GARDEN

Carole LaRoche explores themes of spiritual connection and transformation through a powerful and symbolic portrait. The central figure, with its elongated, mask-like face, is rendered in striking, contrasting colors: a vibrant yellow on one side and a pale white on the other. This duality suggests a tension between light and shadow, and perhaps the conscious and unconscious mind. The eyes are hollowed and deep blue, giving the figure an ancient, all-knowing presence. 
 
Perched on the figure's left shoulder is a small, stylized white wolf. The wolf, a recurring motif in LaRoche's work, is often a symbol of a guide, a guardian, or the untamed spirit. Its presence suggests a deep, shamanic bond between the human figure and the animal, implying a connection to the natural world and a source of inner power. The background is a swirl of vibrant blues and purples, with a bold, zigzagging line of light blue that electrifies the composition and enhances the painting's mystical, spiritual quality

White Wolf Shaman

2000s Grey Abstract- High Res

NIGHT MOVES

WHITE SHAMAN

In Indian Joe #2, Carole LaRoche presents a captivating and stylized portrait. The figure, dressed in a black hat with a red feather, a rusty orange vest, and a brilliant red scarf, is a study in color and form. The artist uses a dark background to make the rich, warm tones of the clothing and face glow with an inner light. 
 
The subject's face is rendered with a thoughtful and calm expression, partially obscured by the shadow of the hat. LaRoche uses bold, gestural strokes to define the clothing, particularly the vibrant red scarf, which acts as a focal point and adds a dynamic sense of movement to the composition. The subtle use of color and light on the face creates a sense of solemnity and quiet dignity. The piece, with its simple yet powerful composition, is a tribute to the subject's spirit and character, transforming a simple portrait into a profound and memorable work of art.

Indian Joe

Green Shaman

Mystic Oracle

In Two Shaman with Golden Fish, Carole LaRoche explores themes of duality, wisdom, and spiritual connection. The painting features two androgynous, mask-like figures standing side-by-side. The figure on the left wears horns, and both are rendered with a powerful sense of symmetry and contrast—their faces and bodies are divided, one side light and the other dark, representing a balance between opposing forces. Their eyes are piercing and filled with an ancient knowledge. 
 
The figure on the right holds a, golden fish, which acts as a central and symbolic element. The fish, often a symbol of transformation, abundance, and intuition, seems to be a sacred offering or a source of shared wisdom between the two shamans. The background is a serene wash of lavender, blue, and black, which gives the painting a sense of peaceful contemplation. LaRoche's masterful use of form and color creates a piece that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Two Shaman with Golden Fish

Black Wolf with Daffodils

The Reader

Carole LaRoche 
Two Wolves with Leopards 
Acrylic on Canvas 
 
Two commanding red wolves stand watch, their piercing eyes radiating quiet strength. Cradling spotted leopards, they embody a balance of protection and tenderness, evoking a timeless harmony between guardians and the wild.

Two Wolves with Leopards

Since 1982, The Carole LaRoche Gallery has focused on iconic contemporary paintings in acrylic, pastel, monotype and mixed media. 

Carole LaRoche, a prominent artist based in Santa Fe, is celebrated for her distinctive and vibrant paintings that frequently depict animals such as wolves, birds, and other figures exuding an inner glow. Carole captures a world of natural magic in every bright image she paints. Her Wolves, Birds, Animals and people glow from within. Their still, vulnerable faces reflect their inner souls, conjuring up angels, oracles, shamans and various animals.

The Gallery also exhibits bronze and mixed-media sculptures inside the Gallery and our private outdoor Sculpture Garden to sit, relax, and enjoy the Santa Fe weather. 

The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. "Those words fit how I feel."

- Carole LaRoche

CAROLE LAROCHE GALLERY