Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Night Before Christmas

"The Night Before Christmas" original watercolor on paper 9.75" x 9.75" BUY NOW
Hi Everyone,

I have just burned the midnight oil to complete my painting "The Night Before Christmas".  Crystal Cook and I pose a challenge to each other each month and this month it was my turn to come up with the theme.  Immediately the word "Believe" popped into my head.  So that was the inspiration for our entries this month.  Ironically even though I came up with the challenge I really had no idea what I was going to paint. But my idea quickly came to me as I was watching my little boys get so excited about Christmas.  These are fun years.  It is such a magical time when you have little people to experience the Holidays with.  So even though the components of my still life were becoming clearer to me I still had to round it all up.  That took some time.  We didn't own a copy of The Night Before Christmas that I could readily find, so off to the bookstore we went.  Once I settled on a copy that I liked the cover art, I then had to bake cookies and find the perfect dishes to display the cookies and milk in.  I of course went to my old standby the Candlewick dishes.  Oh, and I also had to wait for a day with sunshine to get the perfect photo reference.  There was a lot of planning in this painting.  But finally it all came together.  So I present to you my answer to believe "The Night Before Christmas"
"Christmas Magic" 6x6 original watercolor on paper by Crystal Cook
"Prince of Peace" 6x9 original watercolor on paper by Crystal Cook
 Here are Crystal's answers to the challenge.  I have to say my jaw always drops when I see her new paintings.   She does the most beautiful portraits.  The light she captures and glow are just amazing!!

"Anticipation" 23.5 x 32 original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller
I also wanted to share with you that my painting "Anticipation" received the award of Outstanding Watercolor in the November Fine Art Studio Online Bold Brush Competition.  I am extremely grateful and each time I get validation, it pushes me to try harder and push myself to the next level.

I'll see you Friday!!!  Hope you're Holidays are in full swing and you're not up to your eyeballs in wrapping paper and tape.

Carrie
Posted by Carrie Waller Watercolors at 5:52 AM
Labels: , , , , , , ,

15 comments:

  1. hmuxoDecember 21, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Gorgeous painting, Carrie!! This is definitely the Magical time of the year!! I still believe and my children as well!! Now the "Magical" time begins all over with their children!! Life is good!!. Congratulations on receiving your award with "Anticipation"!! That was always one of my favorites!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RH CarpenterDecember 21, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    What a beautiful painting - sure to become a holiday treasure (think about cards and things for this one). Such a wonderful time to still believe :) We lose that so quickly, don't we. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year (waving from knee-deep in wrapping paper and things still to do!) And congratulations on your award!!! May 2012 be a year of even more accomplishments for you and a wonderful year for your family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carol BlackburnDecember 21, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    So awesome, Carrie. And, that's absolutely wonderful about "Anticipation" getting an award. Can you put some of your talent and ambition on one of those jars and send me some, please! Good thoughts and prayers for you and yours this Christmas and for the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Studio at the FarmDecember 21, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Carrie, "The NIght before Christmas" is perfect, well worth chasing down the book, and waiting for the right light! I wish all of you a most wonderful Christmas and the Best in the New Year!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kara K. BigdaDecember 21, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    OH MY STARS!! This is AWESOME! I'm totally dumbfounded -- you do amazing work!! I can't stop looking at it! (and I can't stop using exclamation points!) :) And congratulation on your honor! Delightful! (ok . . . now I'll stop shouting) :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. carol morgan carmichaelDecember 21, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Yikes! So perfect!! I think you need to keep this one. Love Crystal's painting too. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kathy CousartDecember 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Carrie- Can you say "over the top amazing?!!" So, the question for Leslie perhaps IS....is that painting so incredibly beautiful and amazing because of all that you put into it? I mean, a hard found special book, HOMEMADE cookies and then the bubbles in the fresh milk:) Oveeeeeeer the top amazing! Answer, I bet would be you put everything into this one and made is special and it shows! Love this. Merry Everything and Happy Always to you and the boys and everybody stay safe:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. martinealisonDecember 22, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Toutes mes félicitations... Vos oeuvres sont toujours un vrai régal... Vos bocaux vides sont remplis d'énergie, votre énergie.
    Vous êtes très talentueuse.
    Je vous renouvelle mes voeux et que la nuit de noël soit douce...
    gros bisous

    ReplyDelete
  9. PrabalDecember 22, 2011 at 3:42 AM

    Carrie,
    Wish you a very happy Christmas and a great year ahead. Congratulations on the award. I hope Steven gets this award next time. :)

    I just loved both the 'Beleive' paintings. For a moment I thought Night before Christmas was a photo. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. birdsofafeatherdesign.comDecember 22, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Beautiful painting! I also thought the first image was a photo! Love the award winning ball jar painting. I'm a new visitor- off to cruise your blog! Merry, Merry...-Ann

    ReplyDelete
  11. BarbaraDecember 22, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Just gorgeous, Carrie!! Great job & Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Laura Casey InteriorsDecember 22, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Believe is a great word - I was inspired by it to write my holiday post. Happy Holidays Carrie!
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  13. Crystal CookDecember 23, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Hi Carrie, just wanted to take a minute to tell you how much I love ya and how glad I am we're friends. :))) Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family, I hope you have a wonderful time. And your painting is just the most beautiful thing. It is SO magical. I adore it!! One of my favorites. *hugs*

    And if I haven't told you already then CONGRATS on the Boldbrush award!! That is AWESOME!!!!! Huzzah!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Alvin RichardJanuary 1, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Congrates on your award, that painting has is really paying dividends for you....much deserved! I AM ABSOLUTELY LOVING ''THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS'', what a GEM! All my favorite elements, glass, book, red and the composition is fab! Santa has never been so lucky to stop at your house.....with this offering, he might not be able to make it back up the chimney! Happy 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sandra BusbyJanuary 3, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    I just knew this was going to be amazing when I saw the WIP. The milk blows me away - I mean, I could really drink it, surely!
    I'm sorry it's been a while since I've been to bloggyland. It's been a difficult time for us as you know. Thank you so much for your kind words to me. They meant a lot :0)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)