Carla Thompson is a freelance painter, mixed media artist, and a new business owner! She studied fine art and graphic design at St. Cloud State University and graduated with a graphic design major from Bemidji State University. After college she worked as a graphic designer for various businesses, including her own. She has been painting murals in homes and business for several years. Her true spirit began to show when she became friends with bright colors and whimsical designs. By incorporating words into her artwork, humor and simple thoughts on life became a part of her style. She sold her artwork in SWAG (Northfield, MN) and took part in various art festivals in the surrounding areas.

One beautiful afternoon she was wandering around with her daughter on Division Street and noticed a FOR RENT sign in the window of a charming little space tucked in between buildings in the heart of Northfield. She thought, "I should rent that! Why not? I would rather try this now instead of having regrets later on." After a few phone calls and family meetings (including the dogs and cats…they had an opinion), the Barefoot Studio moved from country home to Mainstreet.

Simple? Hardly! After a lot of hard work and planning, the new studio was a colorful, warm and inviting space. It changed daily and was worth a visit! It bacame a very successful working studio with a LARGE consignment shop.

During the amazing year on mainstreet, Carla met hundreds of artists, thousands of people, laughed a million times, shed a few tears, and learned enough to write a book. (hmmmmm.....)

HOWEVER....life happens and intuition takes over and she decided to move to a "quiet" space to continue painting without the disctraction of a consignment shop. 3 other artists signed a lease to take over the 418 spot and continue the shop under the name of ECLECTIC GOAT. It will be a consignment shop...just like Carla had....only better! Barb Matz will also rent the back space. She moved her studio there from "down the street". It is called RIGHT BRAIN VENTURES.

So now....after another MOVE....the barefootstudio is in a wonderful space in a quiet neighborhood...136 steps away actually. It will be a place to get work done, clients can place an order, pick up an order, or stop in to say hi. Once a month there will be an "OPEN STUDIO" time....for shopping, visiting and LAUGHING!!! Plans are in the making for some REAL classes and events. Oh boy!!!!!