Carterville Celebration

The Carterville book cover and my pages in the book on the right--The first times my paintings have been published in a book--such an honor

"Hayton Theater" 18 x 24 original watercolor on paper SOLD

"Hampton Drugs" original watercolor on paper 18 x 24 SOLD

Last weekend my family and I traveled back to my home town of Carterville, Illinois.  A former teacher of mine, Sheri Hunter and an alumnus, Jennifer Spence launched their book on Carterville.  These two amazing ladies took on the insurmountable task of writing a book on the history of Carterville and its surrounding towns of Crainville and Cambria.  For the passed year they have been researching, writing and compiling this gem of a book.  What started as a couple hundred page book in black and white ballooned into a 400 page, full color, astounding piece of Carterville history.  The book is absolutely fabulous and I will treasure my copy. 

The book launch turned into a full blown celebration.  The festivities began with a parade, followed by an open house at the old high school--scheduled to be torn down this summer.  There was also a program based on the history of Carterville, which one of Carterville's finest, my cousin, Ryan Patrick presided as the "Master of Ceremonies".  And a crepe paper social to round out the day.  It was a fabulous day!!

Last year Sheri (co-author of the book) contacted me about contributing some watercolor paintings of Carterville to the project.  I of course was honored and said yes.  The paintings were included in the book and the originals were auctioned off during a silent auction for the book launch.  In addition the superintendent commissioned a painting of the old high school.  The 1st print of the limited edition prints was also auctioned off during the silent auction.  The original will hang in the new high school.

Top Left:  Mrs Samuel and I my high school art teacher Middle:   Jennifer Spence, Me, Sheri Hunter (J&S co-authors of the book) Right:  Ryan Patrick Master of Ceremonies aka my cousin, Bottom my paintings up for auction

Carrie

Carterville High School

Hi Everyone,

original watercolor 24 x 36 SOLD

I wanted to share with you the commissioned painting that I've been working on.  I can happily say that the client received the painting and is thrilled with it.  It was an honor to be asked to paint this piece.  I graduated from Carterville High School so this was close to my heart.  This year was the last class that will graduate from this building.  No other students will walk down the un-air-conditioned hallowed halls.  I will say after working with the super superintendent on this project that he was the perfect person to undertake building the new high school.  The new school is beautiful and he really worked hard to keep the history of the old school alive.  Some of the architectural details of the old high school have been preserved and put on display in the new school.

I'm very proud that my painting will be hung in the new school to remind everyone of Carterville's history.

Last Day for this auction June 28 SOLD

Carrie

Carterville Heritage Celebration

original watercolor on paper 18 x 24 for auction Sat. June 25th, Carterville, Illinois

original watercolor 18 x 24 up for auction Sat, June 25, Carterville, Illinois

This weekend my hometown of Carterville, Illinois is having a huge celebration.  There will be a parade, tours of the old high school that just graduated its last class, a special program celebrating the town, a book launch, a silent auction, a crepe paper social and lots more.  Some very talented ladies, Sheri Hunter and Jennifer Spence have written a book about Carterville and the surrounding towns and will be selling copies.  I had the honor of contributing some paintings to the cause.  My paintings will be auctioned during a silent auction Saturday.  It should be a fabulous time, I'm proud to say I'm a Carterville alumnus--Go Lions:)

Here is the link to the original post which gives a little more info about each painting.  Click Here

Pink Hydrangea in Bird Pitcher original watercolor on paper 8x8 BID NOW

 I also have "Pink Hydrangea in Bird Pitcher" up for auction at Daily Paintworks.  Don't miss out on this one:)

See you Monday,

Carrie

Pink Hydrangea in Bird Pitcher

Hi Everyone,

watercolor on paper 8x8 BID NOW

Here is my finished painting.  Isn't it sweet:)  Something so delicate about this one even though it's so dramatically lit.  I joined Daily Paintworks and this painting is in my first auction on their site.  So head on over and check it out.  I'm excited about being part of this site.

I'm ever so optimistic that I will have a work in progress to share with you on Friday.  We shall see.  Tomorrow I'm taking the boys to the zoo.  They've been crazy little monkeys this week so I feel a visit to the zoo is appropriate.

Hope you're having a fabulous week.

Carrie

Work In Progress and FAV 15%

Hi everyone,

watercolor on paper WIP 8x8

This week I have a work in progress.  I found this little birdie pitcher and I knew I just had to paint it.  So I paired it with one of my favorite flowers, hydrangeas.  I think it's going to be a sweet little piece.

"Nostalgia" watercolor on paper 23.5 x 37.5

I was very happy to hear that my painting "Nostalgia" made the FAV 15% for FASO's (Fine Art Studio Online) Bold Brush contest for the month of May.  It's one of my favorite paintings so I'm thrilled to have it recognized.

Hope to have a finished piece up soon:)

Carrie

Orange Day Lily on Grecian Plate

watercolor on paper 11 x 14  $850.00 BUY NOW

 I love this time of year because our backyard comes to life with a rainbow of blooming day lilies.  They are stunning.  Last Summer I painted a similar painting so I decided to have an accompanying painting.  I picked one of the gorgeous orange blooms and placed it on a plate that my husband I bought when we made a trip to Greece, which was a life long dream of mine.  This plate is a hand-made plate from Rhodes, Greece by Bonis Pottery.  All of that information is carved in the back of the plate.  It hangs in my kitchen along with another hand-made plate from Greece. 

watercolor on paper 11 x 14  $850.00  BUY NOW

Here is the other day lily painting.  I think they'll look great together.

Thought I would share some pictures of our backyard.  Just love when the day lilies are in bloom.  Wish it lasted all year:)

Hope you have a great day, I'll be posting again on Wednesday,

See you then,

Carrie

Watercolor Work In Progress and Technical Difficulties

Work In Progress watercolor on paper 11 x 14

Do you ever have those weeks that seem to be full of technical difficulties?  I'm having one of those weeks.  On a  positive note I finished a large commission and got that shipped off, but the difficulties come in to play with trying to get prints made.  I've been frequenting a printer that is an hour and a half away from my house to get the prints made.  This is no easy feat with 2 small boys, it's a lot of time in the car not to mention the gas.  Since I move all of the time (military family) I have to find new companies every time I move, so I had never used this printer before.  Their website is impressive and the samples he had also impressive.  So I was very surprised when I saw the proof and it didn't look any better than something I could have printed on my home printer.  He promised to tweak it and have me come back.  Well after a few days of ignoring my call and e-mails I'm going to assume that he's through with the project.  I'm back to square one.  I found another company and am anxiously awaiting the proof from them.  Crossing all fingers, toes and eyes here:)

In conjunction with all of my printer woes, my boys have both started a Summer program which adds another level of stress.  My youngest son has never been away from me.  The first day was great, no issues, day 2 my youngest guy had an allergic reaction to something and broke out in hives.  I'm not sure what he's allergic too, but he still has some hives on his legs.


On top of that there is always the endless laundry, dishes and dirty diapers, a thankless, never-ending job.  Calgon take me away, serenity now, serenity now!  But it is officially the weekend, so I'm declaring a fabulous weekend and a stress-free week next week.

Hope you have a fabulous, stress-free weekend also,

Carrie

Carterville High School

Carterville High study, 8x10 watercolor on paper

Carterville High drawing of the high school 24 x 36 This is the actual drawing I used for the painting.

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had  a terrific weekend.  It's extremely hot in Alabama.  We've been in the 100's.  It's great weather for swimming but not much else.  So we've had the boys in the pool non-stop, Summer is definitely here:)

Today I'm going to share a study that I've done for a project I've been working on.  I did this study just to show color and style the drawing below is the drawing I used for the painting.   The study is a small painting of the high school I graduated from, class of '94, I guess soon I'll have to clarify and say 1994.  They have built a new beautiful high school and are in the process of tearing the old one down.  Bittersweet, the building has been there since 1924 and  I really think the up and coming classes should have to suffer through in the non-air conditioned building just like every other Carterville High graduate.  I was commissioned by the superintendent of the schools paint a picture of the old high school to be hung in the new high school.  I'm very honored.  I have finished the commission and will reveal that at a later date, until then here is a little glimpse of the project.

A huge celebration has been planned in Carterville to say good bye to the old high school and open the new one.  Some amazing ladies (Sheri Hunter and Jennifer Spence)  have been working on a book about Carterville and that will also be launched during the celebrations.  They have a jammed packed day full of activities and I'm excited to make the trek to attend. 

I'm hoping to paint a few things this week so check back I may have several posts:)

Carrie