Masquerade

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Finally finished, just in time for Carnevale!  I titled this one Masquerade, aside from the obvious reasons, the song from Phantom of the Opera kept playing in my mind.  The reference photo for this picture was taken while Brian and I were in Venice during Carnevale.  It truly is like being in a live real, live musical.  I found it to be magical.  Costumed creatures arriving on their gondolas and strolling through the city, stopping at perfect photo op points and posing for everyone's enjoyment.  I have not attended one of the actual balls, I'm sure it is amazing.  For me the costumes are just beyond belief.  The most creative that I saw were an entire family decked out in period clothing made entirely of bubble pack, down to the tassels on the shoes and the big curly wigs.  That was a sight to see and unfortunately none of our pics turned out. 

watercolor on paper 10 x 10

Steven completed another colorful creation this week.  He is loving his new paints.  Another masterpiece, unfortunately painted on the flip side of last weeks.  Oh, well guess we'll have to frame it in between glass.  He has his own gallery in our house.  We have a china hutch in our entry way  and it houses a sampling of Steven's artworks.

Hope everyone has a great week!  It's a celebratory time at our house, we have a new nephew, Joshua Charles, born on the 31st.

Carrie

Work In Progress

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

I hope everyone enjoyed my little game as much as I did.  I certainly enjoyed reading the guesses I got on my blog and facebook.  One person used the words venetian blinds, which was sort of close since the word venetian was in there:)  My work in progress this week is a scene from Venice during Carnivale.  With February rapidly approaching, I thought it wold be a fitting. 

watercolor on paper 10 x 10

I'm also posting Steven's painting today.  He's been back in the swing of things this week.  He broke out his new set of paints he got for Christmas and created a beautiful piece.

Thanks everyone for participating:)

Carrie

What in the World is Carrie Waller painting :)

 I have a work in progress this week, so instead of posting a work in progress photo, I thought I'd play a little game.  So I want everyone to take a guess at what I'm painting.  I won't hold you in suspense for an entire week, I'll post the entire work in progress pic tomorrow.  Can't wait to see what you come up with:)

Since becoming a blogger last year I've had the honor of being featured on several blogs.  So today I want to feature a fellow inspirational artist on my blog.

  The first artists I'm featuring is Crystal Cook.  Crystal's art is amazing.  She is a fellow watercolorist.  Her portraits are just breathtaking.  Not only is she a superb artist but she is also always there for advice and support.  So Thank you Crystal for being such a great blogging buddy.  




Here are two of my favorites.  Make sure to stop by and check out her blog:)

I'll post my answer tomorrow.

Carrie

A step back in time

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

 This week I took a departure from my regular subjects.  I completed a project for my hometown.  I was approached by a former high school teacher to paint some pictures of Carterville, Illinois, circa 1940.  Mrs. H is working on a book for our hometown.  She's been hard at work with a partner Ms. S compiling photos and information so that Carterville's history is preserved.  It is a wonderful project and I'm honored to be part of it.

The first painting is the interior of Hampton Drug. I wanted it to have a vintage feel, like a hand tinted photograph.  I had a blast painting this one and stepping back in time.  I just love that soda fountain and the old cars through the window.  I also included the neon sign into the composition.  Mrs H and Ms. S actually found the sign in one of the town's downtown buildings.

The second painting is of the old movie theater.  I had few photographic references to go on for this one.  The building lacked architectural interest, so I played up the very interesting marquee and decided to paint a night scene.  I also added the car to give a sense of the time and add a focal point. 

Hope you enjoy my step back in time.  See you next week:)

Carrie
carriewallerart@gmail.com
www.carriewallerfineart.com (website)

Pomegranates and Cranberries Finito

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Here is my completed painting, Yay!!  I had a deadline to finish this by last Friday and I made it, double Yay!!!!  I'm entering a new competition (new to me)  and I was burning the midnight oil to get this puppy done.  I love to load my plate up and see how much I can get done (insert sarcastic tone here).  So amidst the Holidays, family visiting, Santa's visit and all that entails, decorating, baking, and a hubby's promotion and party I had to slip in some painting time.  I will admit I was up way to late many a night, but I got smart this time and roped a good friend into this madness with me.  It made me feel a little better to know that she was also up until 5 and juggling family and fun with her painting.  So on Friday we journeyed to the post office together beating the insurmountable odds that our deadline day had thrown at us. (extra long waits at my printing place, June's computer eating our disks, my jpegs not showing up my disk, children being crazy, various other technological difficulties, the city repaving her road and being right in front of her house, making me wait 15 precious minutes, June's husband getting in a fender bender on his way home to watch the kiddos) but we did it, we got our Jan. 7th postmark on our entries.  Now wish us luck that we make it into the exhibit after all that.

I'm not sure why it always seems to be so crazy around a deadline or why I'm always working up to the last minute.  Oh if only I could be more like my husband who is so much better at time management than I am.  But at these times I always cling to something a college professor told me, "Perfectionists are almost always procrastinators because we are never happy so we perfect until the last minute possible."  I think this is soooooo true, especially for me.  So my creative friends, I'm not going to beat myself up, but instead embrace my perfectionism and move on.

I hope 2011 is treating you well, and I'll see you next week.

**********BREAKING NEWS  :) *******************************************
Check out my feature on Annechovie blog.  Anne's work is fabulous and has been seen in the movie "It's Complicated".  
http://annechovie.blogspot.com/2011/01/artists-portrait-carrie-waller.html

Carrie
www.carriewallerfineart.com (my website)
carriewallerartr@gmail.com

Pomegranates and Cranberries WIP

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

This week I'm posting a WIP.  I did a small version of this painting recently and I'm working on the larger version as a competition painting.  I have to have it finished by Thursday.  So I have just pulled an all nighter and I'm only about half way finished, aggghhhh!!  Wish me luck folks, because this is a busy week.  My hubby is promoting to Major in the Air Force, so we have a party planned for that evening.  We also have family coming into town, to have a late Christmas and be here for the promotion.  I may be living on an IV of Diet Mt. Dew.  Oh, well, you have to do what you have to do.  I certainly could use some elves right now, I'm sure a few could be spared, it is a down time for them:)

Also check my post from New Year's here.  I have posted my top 10 paintings from 2010 and my top 10 goals for 2011.  What are your goals?  I'd love to hear them.  I'm so grateful for all of the comments on that post and I promise I will thank each of  you soon.  Happy New Year everyone!

Carrie

My Top 10's and Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!  One year ago I started a blog and committed to painting a painting a week.  I'm happy to say that I have completed my goal:)  So this year I am pushing through and continuing my commitment.  I'm striving to paint every day.  My friend Crystal Cook posted her top 10 paintings for 2010, she got the idea from Kim Rempel.  Such a wonderful idea I'm going to do the same.  I'm also going to post my Top 10 Goals for 2011. 

Hydrangeas watercolor on paper

Hydrangeas in blue crock watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Orange Day lily on patterned plate 11 x14

Apples in Candlewick watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Illuminated Pumpkins watercolor on paper 20 x 24

Me and My Shadow watercolor on paper 10 x10

Venetian Canal watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Buone Feste watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Carnivale Revisited watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Pomegranates and Cranberries watercolor on paper 6 x 6

Here are my Top 10 goals

1. Paint 5 days a week
2. Paint 15 6x6's a month and 2 larger competition pieces per month
3.  Enter 10 exhibits
4. Double my blogger friends and increase my e-mail contact list
5.  Sell more paintings
6.  Start a newsletter and do features on fellow artists
7.  Write an elevator speech
8.  Add to my blogger alliance, find a group for accountability and motivation
9.  Attend another watercolor workshop
10. Get on a daily painter site.  Become represented by a gallery.
And 1 to grow on.  Re-listen to Artists Helping Artists radio shows, take notes, and do what they suggest, 1 thing a week. 

Happy New Year my friends!!  2011 is going to rock!