The Art of Cara and Christi Brown

     Identical twin sisters, Cara and Christi Brown, grew up in Claremont, California. Their grandfather collected books of artwork by classic artists and the girls were particularly inspired by the surreal and fantastic art of Walt Disney, Salvador Dali, and M.C. Escher.  Artistic creativity was supported and encouraged in the family and it was clear that the girls had a passion for creating original art from a very young age.  Over the years they taught themselves the art of drawing and watercolor painting by studying artists such as Daniel Merriam, Arthur Rackham, Brian Froud, Amy Brown, Jody Bergsma, and Mary Englebrite... just to name a few. 
     After high school the girls moved to San Luis Obispo, CA where they finished school, became RNs, and began to sell their fantasy art at local arts and crafts  fairs.  They quickly went part-time as nurses and became regular vendors at Renaissance, Celtic, and fairy festivals all along the west coast.
     With the love of art came the love of music, and the girls started their duo, Forever Green, in 2000.  Both played acoustic guitar and various hand drums. Being twins, they had a knack for vocal harmony.  Artistic creativity led naturally into song writing and the creation of their own original music. They recorded a CD of original songs self titled  "Forever Green" at Avalon studios in San Luis Obispo in 2001, produced by Grateful Family Promotions.
     In 2010, they opened their first ETSY shop, The Elfin Forest, and began to sell their art online. They released a beautiful book of watercolor fantasy art and poetry, The Fairy's Song, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, in 2011. Around this time, becoming very inspired by retro, vintage, atomic era and mid century modern art, Christi started a new style and ETSY shop called Mid-Century Maude. Cara, of course, also got involved and now both girls paint mid century modern style paintings and design under the pen name "Maude".
    During these busy years, and for many years following, there was not enough time to work and stay focused on art and music, so Forever Green got put on the back burner.  When the pandemic hit in 2020, Forever Green was fully resurrected and the girls retired from nursing. They have been able to find a good balance between art and music and are now doing both of these things that they love so dearly.  Forever Green has become a professional music duo for hire on the central coast of California. They play shows a couple of times a month at local wineries and festivals. They have also began working on a new album of original songs.