Illuminated Pumpkins

 watercolor on paper, 20 x 24

I think Fall is finally here!  The temperature has finally dropped from the triple digits into the 70's all in about a 24 hour period.  Inevitably our allergies are in full swing, but maybe our electric bill will be lower:)  I've been burning the midnight oil to get this painting finished.  I'm getting ready for my first two exhibits.  I have a lot framing to do in addition to everything else.  I've been trying to decide what to enter.  I'm excited and nervous.  I'd love to hear everyone's stories and any advice about your experiences.

This week I decided to paint my favorite Villeroy and Boch, glass blown, pumpkins.  I just love them.  I bought them when we lived in Europe at the Villeroy and Boch outlet.  I loved, loved, loved shopping there.  We bought all of our china there and lots of other trinkets.  Our china was featured in my Hydrangea still life. I just love decorating for Fall and including these gems into my decor.  I think the glow that cascades across the marble is pretty incredible.  It's firey and glowing and just makes me feel like Fall is here.

I'm re-posting last weeks painting because it is my October entry for the Artists Helping Artists monthly challenge.  It's a great challenge, by the end of it, I should have enough paintings to have a calendar.

 Steven painted some wooden leaves this week.  We are going to do a lovely Fall project with these, so stay tuned to see what we do with these beauties.

Also this is your last chance to enter Crystal Cook's fabulous contest.  She does incredible work, who wouldn't want to have their own Crystal Cook original.  It's very easy to enter, only takes a minute.  When you enter please let her know I sent you:)

Thanks to all my followers new and old!  It is so awesome to hear such great feedback.  It is so motivational.  It is terrific to have a support system.

See you next week.

Carrie

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Halloween still life)

watercolor on paper 17 x 22

So my boys were really excited about this still life, can you imagine why?  Steven, my 4 yr old, couldn't wait until I was done photographing this one, so he could get his hands on the loot, and Sam, my 1 yr old, could not understand why he couldn't get the giant candy corns off of the watercolor paper.   The whole thing is very fun and Halloweeny!  I'm going to use this as my October entry for the Artists Helping Artists, monthly painting challenge.  The challenge inspired me to do themed paintings for each month, the idea being that at the end of a year you have art to put in a calendar. In addition to that I think it's pretty great to have revolving art.  How fun to keep it fresh and have 12 months art. 

Don't forget to check out my incredibly talented friend Crystal Cook's blog.   She is having a fantastic contest where she is giving away an 8 x 10 watercolor portrait of your choice, click here for details. Also, please let her know that I sent you her way:)

Steven is still on a crayon kick, since school started.  Here is his latest creation.  It looks like there is a red heart, too cute.  On another note, I'm probably the only Mom at preschool that was running late this morning because the light was great in my kitchen window and I had to photograph my newest still life.  Oh, well, Steven will have something to talk to his therapist about when he's older:)

Thank you to everyone again for all the great comments and support.  I also have some new followers, Welcome!!!

See everyone next week,

Carrie

Sneak Peek Halloween still life

watercolor on paper work in progress 18 x 24

I may be rushing things, trying to usher in Fall, even though it's still in the triple digits here.   But I'm having so much fun with the Artists Helping Artists monthly challenge that I'm bubbling over with ideas for each months paintings.  So you will probably be seeing Fall and Christmas paintings in the near future.  Just consider me like every other retail giant that already has their Holiday decor in place:)  This still life is so fun to paint, and in Sam's eyes (my 1 yr old) it is a success.  He climbed up to look at it and was highly irate when he couldn't get the large candy corn off of the page.

Steven is a busy school going dude these days, so I thought I'd share his pages from class.  I can always spot Steven's a mile away.  He's the only on in his class that colors the entire object.  Most other kids have a soft scribble here and there, but not Steven his colors are bold and bright and placed with confidence:)

Also don't forget to enter into Crystal Cook's fabulous contest, to win a free painting.  To enter click here, and please mention that I sent you:)

I hope everyone has a terrific week.  Thanks to everyone that is leaving comments, it's just terrific.  I love reading each and every one!!!!

Until next week,

Carrie

New Orleans Real Estate

watercolor 18 x 18

This week I did a street scene from our trip to New Orleans this summer.  We passed this little alley way and I thought it was very intriguing.  Rainy days may not be good for traveling, but they sure make for a nice painting:)  I'm gearing up for an exhibit in New Orleans, thought this would get me in the mood!

I also want to thank all of my followers, and regular viewers.  Last week I climbed from 33 to 60, Amazing!  I think it is terrific and am thrilled to have you following my blog.  Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful comments, I feel so loved:)

crayon masterpiece

Steven has been really into coloring lately.  I think because his teacher is constantly telling him how good he is at it.  So this week he did a great drawing on newsprint.  Interestingly he keeps tearing pieces of it off, maybe a collage in his future, hmmm?

Last, but not least, my friend Crystal Cook is having a terrific contest.  Check out her blog here, you will definitely want to enter, and when you do, make sure to tell her I sent you:)