Cole Carothers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received a B.A. from Colorado College 1971 and a M.F.A. from American University 1978.

His paintings reflect an interest in direct observation and imagined reality that constitutes consciousness and direct experience. Often, they engage still life, interior spaces and landscape simultaneously.

His art has been exhibited nationally in New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and throughout the Midwest. He is a recipient of numerous grants, fellowships and awards including an NEA Arts Midwest Fellowship, two Ohio Arts Council grants, three Summerfair Artists Grants and a Rome Prize Finalist. His paintings are included in the permanent collections of the Cincinnati Art Museum, University of Kentucky Art Museum, Lakeland College, and the University of Cincinnati’s George Elliston Reading Room and numerous corporations. He currently has an exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum entitled Cincinnati Everyday.