Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Work in progress Wendesday

work in progress original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller
Hi Everyone,

Happy Halloween!!!  It's an exciting day in the Waller house.  After more than a week being sick with strep throat I do believe that I have a couple happy little boys that have been cleared to go trick or treating.  This year we have a skeleton/ghost and a knight.  Pictures to follow on Monday.
work in progress original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller
work in progress
Thought I would share my work in progress.  I'm pretty excited about this little 6x6.  I had such a great photo shoot with these objects and I think I will probably paint  a few versions and sizes of this composition.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone on the East Coast, especially all my artist buddies and military friends.  Having lived in Hurricane/tornado alley for a the last 7 years I can greatly sympathize.

Update::  Here are some Halloween trick or treaters:)


Carrie

Monday, October 29, 2012

Oysters on the Half Shell

"Oysters on the Half Shell" original watercolor on 260lb Arches 6x6 by Carrie Waller
Hi Everyone,

I have been wanting to paint this picture ever since I took the photo reference 2 years ago on Mother's Day.  I'm not a fan of oysters, but for some reason I was drawn to this photo.  It was a challenge to get the oysters just right and the ice.   I also had the best time with the background.  I think I'm finally handling the blurred background well.

"San Pellegrino" original watercolo on 260lb Arches 6x6 by Carrie Waller

In case you missed it here is the 6x6 painting I did last week.  They're kind of shaping up to be a series.  I must be longing for Summer as the onset of colder weather is eminent.  Wait til you see the painting I'm working on right now.  Can't wait to share wip pictures on Wed.

Carrie

Friday, October 26, 2012

Friday Feature: Diane Morgan


"Raindrops on Roses" watercolor by Diane Morgan

 Happy Friday my friends.  It's time again for another Friday Feature.  Today is the multi-talented artist Diane Morgan.  She can do it all, oil, watercolor, photography and do it all very well.  She has won major awards, been in the big magazines and today she's sharing with us how she's done it all.

To see more of Diane's work visit her website and blog.

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far?

I've drawn and painted for as long as I can remember.  My father was a talented artist, but he only painted as a hobby.  As a child I remember seeing some of his wonderful drawings at my grandmother's house.  Later, watching him paint influenced me to want to try. I started college as a language major, but switched to art my junior year.  I decided to pursue what I loved rather than what I thought I should do.   I majored in painting, but was offered a job in advertising before I graduated.  I eventually owned my own advertising agency and loved my career.   I never tried making a living as a fine artist until later in life. Wish I had tried it sooner!

Where were you born?  I was born in Detroit.  My family moved to the suburbs before I started school.
"Rainy Day Roses" original watercolor by Diane Morgan
 If you could live anywhere where would you live?  One weekend many years ago I spent the entire two days writing down my goals.  One of them was move to California to enjoy warm sunshine year-round. Michigan is often cloudy and the winters are long.   It wasn't long before just about everything I had written down came true.  I think it's very important to write down your goals.   I love where I live and never think of moving somewhere else to retire.  This is exactly where I want to be. I don't plan to retire either!

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why? I envision a painting in almost everything I see.  I want to paint everything.  I suppose if I had to choose I would select a still life.  I love taking a normal everyday object and getting people to take a closer look; view something in a different light. I like to add strong shadows, contrasts and often reflections....turn the ordinary into something more.
"Just Glorious" original oil by Diane Morgan
 Could you talk about your painting techniques?  My techniques are pretty traditional.  My work is quite realistic so I spend a great deal of time on details.  I first do a small thumbnail to determine the positioning and the values and use colored pencil to work out the color choices.  Then, on 300# Arches cold press watercolor paper I do a very detailed drawing. The paint is then applied in many, many layers.  I usually do the background first so if it's not successful I haven't spent a whole week on the main subject only to ruin it with a bad background wash.  It helps me to do the background colors first as they can also influence color selections for the objects.  I generally work from left to right, top to bottom so my hand does not rest on wet paint.

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?
I tend to stick with a few old-time favorites.  Alizarin Crimson, Payne's Grey, Cobalt Blue, Sap Green, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, and Cad Red.    I love making my own blacks and grays with varying mixes of red/yellow/blue.  There are so many wonderful new colors available.  I'm trying to be more adventurous.  I've recently added Lavender and Cobalt Turquoise to my palette.  The Quinacridones are also fun, as are the new metallics.
"Organized Chaos" original watercolor by Diane Morgan
 Do you have a favorite artist?  Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My two favorite artists are Georgia O'Keeffe and Leonardo daVinci.  Georgia's large florals were my biggest inspirations.  Leonardo was a genius. He was so curious about everything.

What have been some of your crowning achievements? 
Having a painting selected for the Blossom II Art of the Flower competition and traveling show.  Winning an award in an National Watercolor Society exhibition.  Getting a 10-page feature article in International Artist Magazine. Being selected as President of the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society. I've learned so much and have made so many wonderful friends there.  I've gotten back so much more than I have given.
"Surface Tension" original watercolor by Diane Morgan
 What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
I'd like to be in several more galleries around the country.  Signature status in NWS and/or AWS would be nice.  Travel to France and Italy to paint. Teach more classes and maybe even workshops around the country...I love teaching.  Spend more time with friends, especially getting together with my painting pals to paint.
"Head on 57 Chevy" original watercolor by Diane Morgan
 What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?
The most important thing is to paint, paint, paint.  The only way to improve is to keep working. It has been suggested that if you want to learn to paint...go paint a hundred paintings.  One challenge I created for myself was to do a painting a day.  For six months I completed a small painting every day and sold them on eBay.  I quickly passed the 100 mark. This daily self-imposed assignment increased my productivity, improved my creativity and painting skills and opened up several opportunities for me that would not have happened.   I highly recommend the daily challenge.  It's also very important to network.  No one will know about your work if you just stay home.
"57 Chevy" original oil by Diane Morgan
 What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?  My college professor told me to paint big.  I think of that every time I pick up a brush. Even a 6" x8" canvas can have a big impact if the image is close-up. This advice really helped determine my style.
"Red Rocket Caddy" original oil by Diane Morgan
 SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla?  Vanilla

Your dream vacation spot?  Anywhere with an ocean and palm trees and a golf course.

Book or movie?  Old movies from the 30's and 40's

Favorite author?  Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Favorite movie? Gone with the Wind

Romance or comedy?  Comedy

Favorite dessert? Strawberry shortcake

Night owl or morning person?  Night owl, but I'm trying to quit.

Monday, October 22, 2012

San Pellegrino 6x6 with a video demo

"San Pellegrino" original watercolor on 260lb Arches by Carrie Waller
Hi Everyone,

Anyone else crazy busy?  I sat  down last night and did a visual calendar, which I will discuss on Wednesday, to try to organize myself.  I needed something very visual and right-brained to get my rear in gear.  And to just see how over committed I am to everything:)

In the mean time I have finished my "San Pellegrino 6x6", as I prepare to enter things into the Randy Higbee 6in squared competition.  Painting these 4 bottles in a 6in squared format was quite the challenge.  Holy magnifying glass Batman, there is some tiny print in this composition.
"Tall Drink of Water" 20" x 35" original watercolor by Carrie Waller SOLD


I'm also sharing a video with you of my other San Pellegrino painting, this one was not to small.  Leslie and I are doing a show on video demos tomorrow on Artists Helping Artists so I thought I would share a video I did on Animoto. And here is a link I did for video of a workshop last year.  I would love to hear about any of your experiences doing live or video demos, I'm sure there are some great stories out there:)

And I would greatly appreciate your vote in the 11th Annual Daniel Smith Customer Art Contest.  I won the weekly contest, I'm now on to the monthly contest.  Just click here, put Carrie Waller in the search bar and my painting "Celebration" will come up.  Then click the yellow vote button.  Thank you so much!!

Carrie

Friday, October 19, 2012

Friday Feature: Mary Maxam



"Palouse Canola" original oil by Mary Maxam
 Hi Everyone,

It's time for another Friday Feature:))  Today I have the superbly talented Mary Maxam. Mary works in watercolor, acrylic and oil for her landscape and still life works. Her paintings are a response to familiar subjects, seen daily and discoveries that take place through the painting process.
  
Mary's work has shown in many juried national exhibitions, including Oil Painters of America, the Midwest and National Watercolor Societies. She has won signature membership in the National, Northwest and Montana Watercolor Societies, and has contributed both painting and written work for book and magazine articles on painting and design. Publications include "Watercolor Magic","Gray's Sporting Journal", and "Paint Mixing, the 12-Hue Method" by Rockport Press.  She also recently guest co-hosted Artists Helping Artists.

To see more of her works visit her blog and website

How did you get your start? 
I have been playing with art materials for as long as I can remember, and began using a lot of varied drawing materials, then watercolor, acrylics and oils. My parents gave me an oil painting set when I was about twelve, but I didn’t have much idea as to how to handle them and just kind of experimented until getting some instruction in high school.
"Hill Horses" original oil by Mary Maxam
What’s your artist journey so far?
Experimenting with varied materials has always continued and my high school art teacher encouraged that. He created projects that taught us a lot about paints, paper, sculpture and  the elements of design, and also how to choose paints and paper as part of the expression or idea. I went to Boise State and then taught high school art myself for over 30 years. All the while, I continued to paint on my own, experimenting with style, and for the most part concentrated on watercolor then oil. Over the years I’ve shown work in cooperative and commercial galleries and various shows.

Where were you born?
Boise, Idaho

If you could live anywhere where would you live?
I’d like to have lived on the east coast for a while as a comparison to being in the west. But overall, I think the Northwest has been great. Of course, everyone dreams about that second home, with the perfect studio, on the beach or at the lake somewhere - haha!

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?
Oh my….. you just had to ask, didn’t you!? It is one of my ‘issues’ that I enjoy painting too many different subjects. But right now I think I’ve got it down to northwest landscapes, figures (both fly fishing and costumed women) and florals. That doesn’t sound much reduced, but believe me, it is!

Could you talk about your painting techniques?
 I have so much fun with the contrast of transparent and opaque paint which I think started with watercolor. I could rarely get myself to work with transparent glazing alone, even though I greatly admire it.  I have transferred that to oil and frequently put down a wet transparent wash of color to work into. Then, I sketch with a brush to get the placement and proportion of the subject. I lay in the darks first and try to keep them transparent as well. Then the opaque middle and lighter values are put in and I go back and forth trying to balance it all out.
My second approach is to start with a brush drawing on white, then develop each area and blend edges as I go.
"River Talk" original oil by Mary Maxam

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?
If I were a stranger looking at all my work together, I’d be saying “Wow, this painter really likes green!”  But, in reality I almost can’t paint without having alizarin or permanent rose to keep warming and cooling various color mixes. My palette is basically a warm and cool version of the primaries plus white. The exceptions are the yellows, which also include ochre and then transparent red oxide.

Do you have a favorite artist?
Too many to select, but Sargent, Sorolla, Degas,Van Gogh, N.C. Wyeth are all favorites….probably for the stories their paintings tell as well as the mastery of paint.

"Window Box Floral" original oil by Mary Maxam
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I think my mother, for both overcoming some struggles in her life, but also for her tenacity and kindness. She wasn’t a painter, but had an excellent artistic eye. I think she influenced me in my art more than I realized while growing up.

What have been some of your crowning achievements?
When I worked in watercolor, I achieved signature membership in the National Watercolor Society as well as a few others. In oil it has to be the inclusion of work in the national Oil Painters of America Show and more recently the OPA western regional to be held in Denver next month. And, I was recently contacted by Simon & Shuster with a request to use one of my paintings on an upcoming novel by James Burke. Those are all exciting ventures!
"Sunflower Field" original oil by Mary Maxam
What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
To become an OPA signature member
A new house with an organized studio space and LOTS of built-in storage!!
A gallery show that is a sell-out ( hey you said dream BIG)
To paint with the Putney Painters for a week
It would be a hoot to have a very well known collector or ‘famous type person’ buy one of my paintings- I have no idea who that might be J

"Lemon Trio" original oil by Mary Maxam
What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?
Line up all your work and look at it together. Determine your common strengths, those things that you continually do so well. Then, look at the weak points and list them separately. Keep building on your strengths and figure out a plan to work on those areas that need attention. And…paint as often as possible.

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?
I don’t know whether it was specific advice or just an attitude engendered by my parents, teachers and friends…that art and creating things was part of my identity. So, if you feel that….there is no quitting, no putting down the brushes and pencils…. it’s just what you do and who you are, and you practice a lot!
"First Crop" original oil by Mary Maxam
SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla?
 Chocolate

Your dream vacation spot?
If you see the movie “Enchanted April” (5th question) - you’ll know the place


Book or movie?
Book

Favorite author?
Nora Ephron


Favorite movie?
Enchanted April

Romance or comedy?
Romantic comedy…?

Favorite dessert?
Ice cream

Night owl or morning person?
I’d be hard pressed to choose either, since I get my best work done about mid-day!

Carrie, thanks you so much for the opportunity to talk with your followers. It’s been fascinating to think about the varied questions you’ve posed and it helps me to focus in my own work and goals as well!

Thank you, Mary for your fascinating interview.  

Carrie


Monday, October 15, 2012

Hopper and Halloween

"Hopper 8x8" original watercolor by Carrie Waller SOLD
Hi Everyone,

I have finished my commission so I thought I would share it with you.  As soon as my first Hopper painting sold I had someone wanting to buy it, so I told them I would paint it slightly different and in a larger size and they agreed.  It's always an interesting journey painting the same image twice.  I think you always learn from it and it takes less time.  I tried to video my whole process and it was a bit of a fiasco.  I have some figuring out to do in the video department.  But I will try again, it sure would help if it didn't take me soooooooo many hours to paint my paintings.  I ran out of video space, Ha!!

I also wanted to share with you Steven's project this weekend.  He absolutely loves to get involved in the Holiday decor, so we made a spooktacular Halloween garland.

Also I have my Fall Specials going on right now for a limited time 50% off.


"October Bounty" original watercolor on arches paper 18 x24 BUY NOW
"Candy Apple Red" original watercolor on arches paper 6x6 BUY NOW
 Carrie

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Friday Feature: Amanda Spencer



Hi Everyone,
"Paradise" original watercolor by Amanda Spencer
 Today I'm featuring a beautiful watercolor artist, Amanda Spencer.  Her paintings are just amazing, she utilizes a lot of techniques such as pouring and batik to create her amazing compositions.  

To see more of Amanda's work go to her website and blog

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far?

I went to art school and qualified as a graphic designer. However after only working in this field for a couple of years I retrained as a secretary and this has been my “career”. It has only been for about the last 7 years that I started painting and only for the last month that I have started to work full time as an artist.

Where were you born?
 I was born in Dover, UK

If you could live anywhere where would you live?
 Hever Castle, Hever, Kent
"Sentinels 2" original watercolor by Amanda Spencer
 What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?
 Flowers for the infinite variety of form and color.

"Two more for lunch" original watercolor by Amanda Spencer

Could you talk about your painting techniques? 
  
I love playing with color. I like variety in technique, sometimes I like to spend hours on details other times I just want to throw paint at the paper and see what happens! I do a lot of watercolor batik work, producing a painting by building layers of  hot wax and paint. I also like pouring, collage and making a mess!

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?
 I am drawn to bright colours especially pinks and reds – I adore permanent rose and quinacridone red! 

"Positano" original watercolor by Amanda Spencer
 Do you have a favorite artist?  Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Nicholas Simmons and Nicholas Simmons! Fell in love with his work on first sight, it was so different from anything I had ever seen. I love his use of color and his subject matter appeals to my “design” side. I have wanted to take his workshop for years and  I finally did so in France this year, it was fantastic. His generosity of advice, enthusiasm, skill and wit is totally inspiring.

What have been some of your crowning achievements?

Exhibiting with the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolor and the Shanghai Biennial are right up there for me! Giving my first workshop was also amazing.

"Tropical" original watercolor by Amanda Spencer
 What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)

I would like to teach lots more workshops, I recently gave one in Norway which was a big success and I enjoyed it so much. I would love to travel more. I would like my health to continue to improve. I admit that I would like to win an award of some kind at some stage, it seems to indicate that you have “made it”.  A “small” lottery win would be nice, to fund the above of course!

"Rhodie" original watercolor by Amanda Spencer
 What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

Don’t give up, practice, practice then practice some more. Experiment and enjoy.

"Rhodie" original watercolor on paper by Amanda Spencer
 What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?

Grow a thick skin and have faith in what you do!

SPEED ROUND!

Chocolate or vanilla?
 Chocolate

Your dream vacation spot?
 Isle of Capri, Italy

Book or movie?
 Movie

Favorite author?
 J K Rowling

Favorite movie?
 So hard to pick one! Schindler’s List

Romance or comedy?
 Romance

Favorite dessert?
 Cheesecake

Night owl or morning person?
 Morning person

Thank you so much Amanda!

Carrie