Luke

watercolor on paper 8x10

I've been in a Holiday bubble, today I emerged and realized it's Monday, and that it is time to get back into the grind.  Laundry, dishes, rinse and repeat, oh and try to get some painting time in there too.  It's been a great Christmas, my Mom and brother came for a visit.   They are sadly leaving today:(  The boys have had a blast.  It was so fun to watch Christmas through their eyes.  I've been reading a lot of things about it being bad luck to leave your tree up after Christmas.  I do not adhere to this myth and I think it is tad on the Grinchy side strip everything down immediately, so at our house we will still be enjoying the decorations for a little while. 

This week I'm posting a painting I did as a gift for my brother and sister-in-law.  I painted my adorable nephew Luke.  I painted this portrait in black and white watercolors.  I just love black and white portraits.  I think it's timeless and elegant.  Even in my home I have mostly black and white photographs framed.  I may venture into some color portrait paintings, but I think I will stick with a very clean, limited palette.  And I really love leaving a plain white background.

I hope that you have enjoyed your Holiday and are looking forward to ushering in a New Year.  I am looking forward to 2011, a whole new year of endless possibilities.

Carrie

Merry Christmas

6x6 watercolor on paper Mini Masterpiece Apples in Candlewick

 SOLD

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  I can not believe how fast this year has gone, sigh!  I'm sure you are all knee deep in gift buying, wrapping, and Holiday cooking,  I wish you the best of luck and the speed of Santa's elves:)  Things are in full swing here also.  My oldest son Steven (4yrs) has been in heaven.  He loves to decorate, go out of drives to look at the lights, and of course it's about to kill him to wait to open the presents under the tree, any present , even if it isn't his, he just wants to rip one open:)  It is such a fun time of year.  Steven was concerned this morning that Santa might hurt himself coming down the chimney so we have come up with a solution, we will be placing some pillows around the fireplace.  He's so thoughtful, I just love how kids minds work:)

Even with all of the Holiday hub bub, I have managed to complete some commissioned pieces and gifts.  This weeks painting is another 6x6.  And yes it does look familiar.  Since I won't be selling the larger version of this painting, I decided to paint a mini version as a commission for a special lady.  This is one of my favorite paintings and tackling it in 6x6 was a lot of fun.  I wanted to see how much detail I can get at that size, and so far it isn't driving me too crazy.  Painting larger is easier, but it's also a lot more time consuming, so got to weigh the pros and cons.  I am going to be pursuing this 6x6, Mini Masterpiece idea this year.  There is a great sense of accomplishment to finish one of these guys the same day I started it.

Our tree this year.  I like white lights, Brian likes colored lights, so we alternate years.  We've done this every year we've been married.  Oh, and it's Brian's year this year.

I'm sharing some of our Christmas decor pictures.  I also took on the task of  making the boys some stockings.  Let me tell you I'm not a seamstress and this is a pretty challenging endeavor.  But, I do want my boys to have Mommy-made stockings, or Santa socks (that's what Steven calls them).  And lucky me, both my boys names start with "S" so I only had to make one pattern:).  Inside of the "S" I used strips of their baby clothes.  I think it is a really good use of the baby clothes I just couldn't part with.  I still have some adorning to do.  I plan on adding sequins around the "S" and their names at the top.  With my sewing skills I'm just glad it resembles a stocking shape.

Our mantle, we have our Swarovski snowflake ornaments suspended above the mantle.  We've been collecting them each year that we've been married.  We have 10 this year:) Notice the Christmas picture to the left.  I love changing up art and incorporating Christmas pieces.

close-up of our mantle

My Mommy-made stocking WIP:)

Steven also painted some ornaments this year.  We did this last year also, so it may become a yearly tradition for both boys.  On last years ornaments I printed out a little picture of him painting the ornament and attached it with the year printed on the card.  I'll be doing the same with this years.  They were of course a hit with the Grandparents.

Steven's masterpieces this year.

Well friends, I wish you the Merriest of Christmases, and the best Holiday Season!!!  Take time to enjoy yourselves, and remember the Reason for the Season!

Carrie

Pomegrantes and Cranberries

Pomegranates and Cranberries original watercolor on paper 6x6
SOLD

 This week I'm trying something new.  I painted my first 6x6 painting.  All of the daily painters pretty much adhere to that size so I thought I would try it out.  I plan on doing a few of these now and then.  I'm trying to decide if this is an avenue I should  take next year, painting a mini masterpieces on a daily basis.  Hmmmm, what do you guys think?  What are the pros and cons?  This is also a preview into a still life that I will be working on soon.

We are all under the weather at our house.  Not only do we all have colds it is super cold here, it's just not natural for it to get this cold in the South.  And I am in disbelief that next Christmas is sooooo close.  So much to do still, Agggh!!

Even though Steven stayed home from school he still managed to muster up the strength to do a painting today.  He's really getting into including patterns into his paintings.  I think they're pretty fabulous:)

I hope you are all well, and staying warm.  Good luck with the last of your Holiday prep.

See you next week.

Carrie

Believe (Macy's Illumination 2010)

watercolor on paper 15 x 19
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Macy's Illumination 9 x 12

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 Magic is in the air!  Christmas is right around the corner.  It's such a festive, wonderful time of year.  The Christmas spirit is alive.  I'm enjoying this year so much, my boys are 4 and almost 2 and to see the Holidays through their eyes is invigorating.  They love it so much and it makes me want to make it extra special for them.  We take nightly drives to see all of the lights and the decorating process at our house has been an all out event.  My four year old absolutely loves to help.  He is so excited, I love this age because it's not about the gifts for him, he just loves the magic of it all.  So this week I'm painting an accompanying piece to last weeks.  It's another Macy's Illumination scene that my friend Pat captured in photo on her recent trip to New York.  When I saw her photos I was so inspired so I'm very grateful to have them as a reference.   So my question to you this week is do you Believe?  because I know I do!!!

Steven's version of Macy's Illumination

Yellow Elmo :)

Steven did his own version.  I've been amazed lately his progress.  He is now incorporating patterns.  He drew a picture of Elmo for his brother.  Sam was so excited!  I was shocked when I saw it and it did look like Elmo.  He then proceeded to color the whole thing yellow.  I told him Elmo isn't red to which he replied "Mommy this is a different Sesame Street and on this Sesame Street Elmo is yellow"  Gotta love the way his mind works, I am a little concerned that this non conformity will become an issue in school, but I can't help but admire it.

Thought I'd show you, the paintings displayed in my foyer above and antique china hutch.

A close-up

 Well I hope everyone has a fabulous week.  Don't forget to check out my new website.  I'll gladly take any suggestions.  And thank you for all of my new followers!!!  I appreciate every one of you and LOVE reading your comments:)

See you next week,

Carrie
carriewallerart@gmail.com