Carol has a series of photomontages called “The Secret Valley” and this painting is from the series.  Based on photographs of houses she shot in rural Pennsylvania, they include images of ceramic figurines and cut flowers from vintage handkerchiefs.  Carol Markel is an artist living and working on the Lower East Side. She works in various mediums including collage, painting and drawing and also makes hats and dolls. Whimsical portrayals of women and fashion figure prominently in her art. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and shops throughout New York City.