Monday, October 3, 2011

I need a title, mini-print giveaway

Hi Everyone,
watercolor on paper 14 x 20
I just put the finishing touches on my newest painting.  I'm struggling with a title so I thought I would have a little fun.  I'm asking for your help.  Please leave a title in the comment section.  Everyone who enters a title will have the chance to win a collection of my mini-prints.  Once you've left a title I'll put everyone in a drawing for the prints.  Make sure you leave your e-mail address in the comments also so I can get in contact with you.

My friend Crystal Cook asked me what the inspiration behind my jar paintings are, so I thought I would share what keeps drawing me too them.  It also might help with a title inspiration. 

When I was kid I spent most summers in Southern Illinois at my Grandma's house.  Next door to my Grandma's house was my Great Grandma's house.  She passed away when I was a baby so for all of my childhood the house was vacant and dilapidated.  My cousin and I would dare each other to go into the house, which of course we had built up in our imaginations to be haunted.  We were not allowed into the house for safety reasons but we still broke the rules from time to time and went exploring usually on a dare into the house.  One of my vivid memories is of a pantry in her kitchen.  There was hole in the roof above the pantry but the shelves were still lining the walls and there were numerous jars of canned food still sitting on them.  With the placement of the hole in the roof and my height I had to look up at them and the sunlight would filter through these jars making them look like a stained glass window.  This year I've been on a bit of a journey to remember and capture some of these memories in my art.  My jar paintings are an interpretation of these memories.

I appreciate any help with a title:)

I also want to say a big Thank You to everyone that has been leaving comments.  I try to personally e-mail everyone, but I've been so busy lately I haven't been able to.  I'm trying to play catch up.  I really loved reading everyone's own struggles with their inner critic from last Wednesday's post.  It feels good to know I'm not alone!

Hope everyone has a great week. 

Carrie


21 comments:

  1. Hi Carrie, I loved your story. I thought about this title :
    " Summer light in jars for winter ". Why?
    Jars are usually used to keep summer fruits or vegetable for winter. Your story means you kept this souvenir like a ray of light in your mind.
    Maybe in winter days, you will be happy to think about this summer light in your jars...and remember. Bises Carrie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well Carrie that is simply a beautiful story. :) I'm so glad you shared it, and I can see the influence that has on your work this year. And the painting is gorgeous, there's something about these jar paintings of yours that is simply mesmerizing.

    I suggest "Containment" for a title. I like the idea of these empty jars with a lid on. I think it gives the viewer something to think about. Why are they empty? What's hidden that we can't see?

    Sorry I haven't commented lately, blogger's been giving me problems. :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am sure memories of that house will continue to be a great source of inspiration for you!

    My title suggestion has nothing to do with the story behind them...I thought of it when I first saw the painting: Chorus Line.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was a busy and unusual summer and blog visiting was put on the back burner. I am just now beginning to visit and catch up. Love this painting and your story. Also, looking forward to your Friday posts. Should be interesting! Your 5 ways to silence or cope with inner criticism was on target. Don't we all need that?!!

    "Waiting" is my suggestion for your painting. They look clean and waiting to be filled with summer's bounty.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Carrie,


    "Jars ready to hold all childhood memories."
    or
    "Sparkles of childhood memories"

    These are my favorite titles for this delightful, luminous full of mystery watercolor.

    Definetly you are not alone! Kisses from Greece :) Evie

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think this is fun! Carrie, I have no artistic talent whatsoever and I really enjoy reading all about your art and the details that go into the entire process (framing, shipping, making the paper, etc). I tried to think of a good title and laughed at what originally came to my mind at first glance without reading further...."Fill 'Er Up!"My grandmother always filled up these kind of jars with cucumbers from her garden that became pickles once in them. She would dole them out amongst my mom and my aunts and uncles. We always had these in the refrigerator and other left over cucumbers and tomatoes as a kid.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love these paintings, Carrie. My title would be "Four to Go"
    Carol Blackburn
    Limitedspaceartstudio.blogspot.com
    Micbburn@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great story Carrie. I too have memories of going into my Grandmother's cellar to look at the many jars lined up ready to be used. My title suggestion is "More, Please"

    ReplyDelete
  9. My title suggestion: "4 Balls, Take a Walk"...so very awesome of a piece my friend. And thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's breathtakingly gorgeous, and so is your story here! Wonderful post!

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1) "Unfulfilled"
    2) "Winter Home"
    3) "Do We Have Enough, Eva?"

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gorgeous piece, Carrie!! You did an amazing job on this. I'm not good with titles but maybe "Summer fruit in Winter"

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely work, Carrie. The only name I can come up with is "Just Glass Jars ...".

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful, Carrie. It is amazing how certain smells, sights and objects trigger childhood memories of grandparents. :-)
    "Having a Ball"

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great story Carrie. It's so much fun to hear artists' inspiration. The quality of light in this painting is amazing. You are SO talented! I don't know what to call it but "Illuminated" or something like that comes to mind.

    ReplyDelete
  16. First thing that came into my mind : ' Four green Bottles Hanging on the Wall...' hope you know the song. But in any case they are just fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am such a fan of your beautiful jar paintings and now more so. Love the story:) I was thinking, "The Line Up" for a good title:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. "Canned"

    Carrie, I love the story and all your jar paintings. These just fill me with nostalgia because my Grandma canned, my Mom and aunts. Wait - my Grandma didn't can her children - I didn't write that correctly...lol. Anyway I now make pickles with my sister so we keep some up it going. Gorgeous work.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm sticking with "FOUR TO GO" or "ONLY FOUR TO GO"
    Carol B.
    Limitedspaceartstudio.blogspot.com
    Micbburn@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I still use Ball jars for all my dried goods, beans, crackers in my pantry. Here are a couple of titles: Fill Er Up, Canned Heat, Yes You Can!

    ReplyDelete
  21. How about 'Memories Ajar'?

    What can I say? Each one intrigues me more :0)

    ReplyDelete