Venetian Canal

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

This week I decided to take us on a trip to one of my favorite places on this planet.  I fell in love the first time I went to Venice and became even more enamored every time we went back.  In my eyes it is one of the most magical places.  Canals that lead you around  an enchanted city.  I mean wouldn't you want to have dinner here.  This painting appeals to the voyeur in me.  Looking into these beautiful windows I can't help but want to visit, see what is going on inside this building.  It gives a whole new meaning to waterside seating. 

Next week I'll be sharing another Venice memory.  Can't wait to get it onto to paper.  Where is your favorite spot?  Where would you visit if you could go anywhere in the world?  I'm anxious to hear:)

Carrie

Me and My Shadow (still life Red Hen)

Watercolor on paper 10" x 10"

I have been on a two week painting hiatus due to a lot of traveling.  I have to say it was a little nerve racking trying to get back into the swing of things.  I had the best intentions to paint on the road, but one excuse after another I talked myself out of it.  I painted this painting to get back in practice.  I really like this little red hen and I had so much fun painting my Illuminated Pumpkins I wanted to paint some more colored glass. 

I mentioned we have been traveling.  We have been to Baton Rouge, New Orleans, back to Alabama for a night, and off again to Orlando.  It's been a lot of together time in a car for our family.  My youngest son Sam is obsessed with Elmo so we have watched 'Elmo in Grouchland' non-stop during our entire vacation.  Sometimes I think that is the only word he knows, Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!  Brian had a convention to attend in Orlando so the boys and I did some site seeing.  We did spend one family day at Sea World, but the rest of the time was just Steven, Sam and I.  We visited the Orlando Museum of Art, small but nice, the Morse museum, which was beautiful, it has mostly Louis Comfort Tiffany works, the Leu Gardens, which were fabulous, and we went to Downtown Disney.  We did Disney World last year so that wasn't on our agenda this trip.  It was a nice trip but I'm glad to be home. 

I have a lot of painting to catch up on I'm planning on entering a few exhibits so get your passports out because I'll be taking you on a trip to Italy next week.

Carrie

Exhibition Success

"Apples in Candlewick" ( I think that may be the 3rd title for this one)  My 1st place painting.

This week has been a chaotic week.  We headed off for Baton Rouge where my in-laws live last Sunday.  On Monday Brian and I head out to New Orleans to drop off my art at the Crescent City Brewhouse located at the French Quarter.  Drop off was at 9 a.m.  I was so nervous about my first exhibit that I forgot my paperwork.  I was so scattered I couldn't even remember the names of my paintings, in fact I wrote the wrong title down for my Apple painting.  It was fun to watch everyone's work pouring in that morning and I have to say it was beautiful.  I went home glad that is was delivered and just happy that I had participated in my first show. I'll back up for a minute and tell you that the week prior I was a mess.  I was doubting myself and while trying to scramble and get everything matted and framed I was thinking is this some hobby gone horribly awry.  Do you have those moments of doubt?  I know I sure do.  So anyway getting my art there was a relief and I was glad that I pushed myself to participate.  Thursday night was the reception.  Brian and I once again headed to New Orleans to the Brewhouse.  The reception was terrific, the food was great and the venue was just magical for an exhibit.  The reception was from 5-7 and when 6:30 rolled around I didn't think that they were going to announce winners, but just about that time they started announcing the awards.  Since I'm the new kid on the block and there was such amazing art there I was thrilled just to participate, so you can imagine my surprise when they announced my name as the 1st place winner.  I am so happy and grateful, it was just the validation and motivation that I needed at this point.  A fabulous perk to winning is that they will have my painting as the home page for the Louisiana Watercolor Society.    I am ecstatic about my first success and I am more motivated than ever.  I can't wait to delve into my next painting.

Carrie

Louisiana Exhibits

This morning Brian and I dropped off my art in New Orleans.  The exhibit is running at the Crescent City Brewhouse, located in the french quarter until November 1st.  This is my first exhibit and it was exciting to see all of the terrific artwork pouring in this morning.  I'm very excited to attend the reception on Thursday.  I'm also participating in another exhibit in Abita Springs, LA.  I have a picture of all of my work framed.  I entered the pumpkins, hydrangeas, and apples into the New Orleans show and I entered the other 3 in the Abita Springs show.  Last week was a very busy just trying to get everything matted and framed.  The picture is a little deceptive, the pumpkins are huge and we barely got them into our vehicle to get them here.  It was quite the clown car coming to Louisiana, 2 kids and all their stuff, 1 very large dog, Brian and I and 6 framed artworks with our luggage.  We made it and everything was in tact the ride home should be a lot easier:)  Even though this exhibit is a ways from home I'm always happy to visit New Orleans and a stop at Cafe du Monde was a treat.

The Artists Helping Artists challenge is finally posted.  So take a look at all the entries.   Each month the theme is that month.  At the end of 12 mos we will have art for a fabulous calendar.  Pretty cool!!

Carrie