Friday, May 31, 2013

Friday Feature: Suzanne Lago Arthur

"Conner on Summer Break" oil by Suzanne Lago Arthur

Today's Friday Feature is Suzanne Lago Arthur.  Her work is gorgeous and inspiring.  I met her through facebook.  I love that I have been introduced to so many artists through social media.  

Suzanne is a contemporary realist painter who earned a BFA with honors at the Corcoran College of Art + Design and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Her subject matter includes still life, landscape, and conceptual figurative work as well as portrait commissions. She has exhibited to critical acclaim in both the United States and internationally in such venues as the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC, The Museum of the Americas, Washington DC, EuroAmerica Galleries, SoHo, NYC, and The United States Special Interests Section, Havana, Cuba. Suzanne is a member of the Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America and is in the copyist program at the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.

To see more of her works visit her website/blog.

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

As as child I drew and painted often. When I was in middle school I found out about local artist Tina Blondell and began taking private classes with her. Ultimately I went on to get a BFA from the Corcoran College of Art + Design located in Washington DC and studied with some wonderful, modern inclined artists including William Christenberry, William Newman, Janis Goodman and Franklin White.
"La Natalie" oil by Suzanne Lago Arthur

Where were you born?

Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. But I should mention that my parents are Cuban and lived in Puerto Rico briefly when they were first married. 

If you could live anywhere where would you live?

My husband and I both grew up in the Washington DC area and this is still very much home to us. However, lately I have had an itch to live abroad for a year or so in a European city.  Madrid, Paris--either one would do nicely. 

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

Portraits! Because of the human connection and also because it is one of the most challenging subjects. Anyone who has a done a portrait before knows that getting the features of a person off by even a fraction will result in a totally different likeness. I find that aspect fascinating especially considering there are not many variations in our genetic code as far as DNA is concerned. I have had my client's get emotional upon seeing my finished portraits of their children. To me there is no bigger reward.

Could you talk about your painting techniques?  

I paint in oil (although I will also work on occasion in watercolor) and often paint on a toned middle grey canvas or panel. It helps me judge accurate color & value relationships. Then I block in my subject matter in burnt umber if I am working from life or if I am working from a photograph I will grid out my under drawing in pastel pencil. Personally I never project and trace out my drawing because I feel like I would be cheating myself on the challenge of drawing it out. Drawing is a lot of muscle memory and learning how to see accurately. If you don't use it, you lose it. And this is the part where it gets interesting. At the Corcoran I was taught a more modern approach to painting of working up the entire canvas at the same time, taking it from more generalized applications of paint to the more detailed stages. However, after having taken some classes and workshops with modern day master realists such as Robert Liberace, Daniel Sprick and Dan Thompson, I began to notice that they would often work up one specific area to almost a full finish and then move on to the next area. This is especially applicable if you are trying to work alla prima meaning wet on wet and in one session. My recent work has been done in a similar style of painting. But I also use and love the look of scumbling wet paint over dry. Kurt Schwarz, an Instructor I once had referred to scumbling as "the other side of the coin" to wet in wet painting--meaning it is an essential component to dynamic painting. I completely agree.
"Will" by Suzanne Lago Arthur
Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

I really love the Williamsburg brand of hand made oil paints (Williamsburg--are you listening? If so, holler back at your girl!) for their texture and colors. For instance, their Egyptian Purple (Dioxazine) has a beautiful pearly luminosity to it. And I had an "aha" moment recently when I switched to using their Zinc Buff white because it is a nice warm white which works really well in flesh tone highlights--almost straight from the tube! For warm flesh tones I like Cad Red, Yellow Ocher and Burnt Sienna as a base mix. For cooler, extra fair flesh tones I like Naples Yellow, Alizarin Crimson (or Rose Madder ) and Burnt Umber. You can also alter any of the above by adding varying amounts of White, Dioxazine Purple, Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue or Chromium Oxide Green. 

Do you have a favorite artist?  Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Man, I have so many! The list would start with Velazquez, Rembrandt, Sargent, Andrew Wyeth and Antonio Lopez Garcia but recently my eye has been drawn to what I would call a more "edgy" style of contemporary realism such as Alex Kanevsky, Jeremy Mann and Eve Mansdorf. It is their paint application that really rings with me. I see my own brush work headed in a similar direction. 
"Sunset Unfurled" oil by Suzanne Lago Arthur
What have been some of your crowning achievements?

Most recently I was a finalist in the Art Renewal Center's 2011/2012 International Salon  and won third place honors in the regional portrait competition, "Expressions" at Artspace Herndon which was juried by Palden Hamilton. I have exhibited in several museums including the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Museum of the Americas, both in Washington DC. In 2000 I had a special opportunity to visit Havana, Cuba to see my painting hanging in an exhibition of Cuban American painters as part of the Art in Embassies program with the US State Department. My brother (who accompanied me on the trip) and I were the personal guests of Ambassador Vicki Huddleston and stayed at her residence. During our trip we saw both the houses where our parents grew up and our family mausoleum in Cementerio Colón which is an above ground Unesco protected cemetery.  Emotionally that trip was like a pilgrimage for me, illuminating where I came from. Because of that show I appeared in articles in the New York Times and the Miami Herald. I am still very grateful for having had the opportunity.

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)

Easy! I already got those figured out. 1. Become a finalist in the PSoA's International Competition, 2. Be a finalist in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's Outwin Boochever competition. 3. Paint the portrait of a member of Congress, 4. Collaborate with my writer husband to illustrate one of the many children's book manuscripts he's written, 5). Gain gallery representation for my own work with a major gallery (or two or three).

"Independence Day" oil by Suzanne Lago Arthur
What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

Stay humble and do not lose your drive to improve. Becoming an accomplished artist is a life long pursuit and requires getting acquainted with your weaknesses so that you can make them your strengths over time. And here is the rub--the more you know, the more you realize you still have a lot to learn. Seek improvement in any way you can by reading, following blogs, taking classes, workshops and of course painting! 

Also, you can build a career under the most demanding schedules so don't let anyone or anything deter you. I have built my career one hour at a time while my son slept as a toddler or these days while he is in half day kindergarten. In fact, I believe in that "one hour at a time" philosophy so much I may request to put it on my tombstone.

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?

Recently I received the following advice about entering competitions. Try and try again! My good friend Elizabeth Floyd clued me in that often these organizations expect you to enter again and again until they feel you have proven yourself worthy of the commendation through years of solid work. It totally opened my eyes to some competitions I had sworn off because I didn't get in the first time! Also, my friend and mentor Jonathan Linton pointed out to me that certain organizations lean towards a certain aesthetic. For instance, The Oil Painters of America seem to lean towards a more brushy, painterly approach in their selections. If you are a photorealist with little or no apparent brushwork, you may not even register on their radar and it doesn't even mean your work isn't any good! Study the work of those that do win these competitions to help you figure out why you are not placing and perhaps give you a goal to work towards next year.

Suzanne's work as a National Gallery Copyist

SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla?

French Vanilla! Yum-O! My Dad growing up made the best French Vanilla Ice Cream I have ever tasted. To this day it reminds me of my childhood.

Your dream vacation spot?

St. John USVI. My parent's honeymooned there in Caneel Bay and have taken us on family vacations there many times. When I need to go to my "happy place" in my mind, it is usually on a beach in St. John.

Book or movie?

Books. I read constantly--especially with my Kindle app on my IPad.

Favorite author?

I read a lot of dry art books for business so when I am reading for pleasure it is purely fiction. I like a lot of paranormal fiction authors such as Jeaniene Frost and Karen Marie Moning. What can I say? Vampires, faeries and shifters make me happy.

Favorite movie?

I don't think I have one! Probably whatever I have seen recently. I just saw the new Star Trek movie and highly recommend it.

Romance or comedy?

Romance, every time.

Favorite dessert?

Cheesecake. Mmmm.

Night owl or morning person?

Definitely not a morning person.  My son when he first began really talking knew to ask me in the morning, "Mama, more coffee?".  We still laugh at that.  Is there another option between night owl and morning person? How about afternoon person? I really don't "wake up" completely until close to lunch and am definitely asleep on the couch by 10 PM. Wow--did I just admit that out loud? I am quite the party animal apparently!

Thank you so much Suzanne!  

Carrie




















Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day


"Love Letters" original watercolor by Carrie Waller.  Painted during Brian's most recent deployment to Afghanistan.  The photo was taken as Brian was leaving for Afghanistan.  Included are letters that he wrote to the boys.
In honor of Memorial Day and everyone currently serving or has served in the past, I thought I would share all of the military inspired paintings that I have painted.  My hubby is active duty now and so is his brother.  So our family is very aware of the sacrifices that are made by anyone that has served.  Fortunately we have been spared the ultimate sacrifice, but my heart goes out to those families.   So thank you to all that are serving or that have served.  My husband and I have a long line of service members.  My Dad, Brian's Dad, and several Grandfathers.  Enjoy your Memorial Day and the Freedom provided by the Armed Services.
"Elephant Walk" original watercolor by Carrie Waller. 
"Shoo Shoo Baby" original watercolor by Carrie Waller

Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday Feature: Ashley Longshore


"Box of Blue Birds" 48" x 72" by Ashley Longshore
I came across Ashley's work via facebook.   Her art is just so much fun I had to find out more about her.  She's as original as her work.   There is so much joy and fearlessness and reckless abandon that just exudes from her work.  I'm drawn to her work and evidently I'm not the only one she has created work for Eli manning, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, and Blake Lively.  She also partnered with Anthropolgie where her works have been used on home items.  She creates amazing furniture as well.  Her work was recently seen in Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1.  This lady has it all and I'm so glad to feature her today.

To see more of her work check out her website/ blog and facebook page

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

Ive always been a wild theatrical spirit. I harnessed this energy into painting when I was 18.

Where were you born? 

I was born in pensacola florida. Grew up in Montgomery AL. I had a lot of sassiness for a small southern town.

If you could live anywhere where would you live? 

I live where I want to right now. New Orleans is a great affordable place to be an artist. ( now dont think I wont be raising hell about how hot it gets in the summer. It is like living in hell) I travel two weeks out of every month. I am in NYC for about a week of every month and then I go on some little excursion in addition to that, either for work or inspiration. Or I am on inspiration trip for 4 to 5 weeks and then I am back here. I would hope that EVERYBODY would live where they want to! Life is too short to live somewhere you hate.
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"Trophy Wife Recession" 48" x 48"by Ashely Longshore

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

I love painting conversation pieces. I love things that make me laugh. I will get an idea and then giggle like a nerd the whole time I am at my easel. Then I LOVE to paint my Audrey series. She is so beautiful. It makes me happy to play with color and different hat ideas.
Could you talk about your painting techniques? I use acrylic, mixed media glitter and I finish everything with thick coats of resin. I LOVE SPARKLE AND SHINE! I always see an idea very clearly in my mind and then I start to paint. I never start not knowing what to do.

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

I LOVE RED! I don’t use it enough. I am also very into pinks. and gobs of GLITTER THAT SAME COLOR! I love oranges and chartreuse. This morning I am painting something with a curry and lavender color! I CANT WAIT! ( I am getting very excited to get to my studio this morning..can you tell?)

"Madonna With Nuts On Her Chin" 24" x 24" by Ashely Longshore

Do you have a favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?

 I have so many favorite artists. I LOVE Alice Neel. I LOVE Vanessa Beecroft. I LOVE Anh Duong. I LOVE Elizabeth Peyton. I LOVE photographers Terry richardson, Mario Testiono, David LaChapelle and Helmut Newton. I have a friend who paints for Jeff Koontz and I went in his studio and became obsessed. I love that artists can be very successful and ALIVE today! the web and social media have created a whole new world for the artist community. My biggest inspiration has been anyone who does what they love and gets paid for it. Everyday is a gift. Every moment in my studio is true bliss. Life is amazing and I am living it!
"New York Whisper" by Ashley Longshore

What have been some of your crowning achievements? 

Selling to movie stars, designing for a big corporation, not giving up 50%, traveling all over the world and painting different collections, really just having the freedom to travel and play all over the world and do exactly what I love. LIFE IS GOOD! I feel so “artgasmic” to be an artist!

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:) 

All I do is dream big..... Painting a cool skin for a corporate private jet ( prefferably veuve clicquot). Id like to do the same for a yacht, collaborate with Louis Vuitton, do all the artwork for an entire movie, direct a full length art film.

Recently you've been on the cover of some publications, how did that come about?

I got on the cover of two publications by making my presence known. working hard for opportunities, utilizing social media, having shows all over the world, meeting new people every day. Ive been in this business for 19 years. I am 37 now. Ive been doing this since I was 18. It about damn time dont you think! hahahahaha! and honestly...I am just getting started!

What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

REPRESENT YOURSELF! DO NOT GIVE UP 50%!!!!!! No one knows more about the art than the artist and people would rather buy directly from the artist. Most people do not know that galleries take 50% from the artist! also....use your social media! Have a good website!!! And HUSTLE! My father always said “ He who toots his own horn, controls the volume”. He is right! the world is small if you get out there and MARKET, SELL and MEET PEOPLE!
"A Moment Between Moments" 48" x 72"

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist? 

hmm. this is tough because I have done things my own way. best advice............. hmmmmmmm.......
 ( tick tock) ......I guess its my own advice: There a lot of different ways to make it in the world as an artist. It doesn’t have to be through galleries and museums in the beginning.....everyone needs art. this job is about relentless hard work and constantly pushing your internal limits and listening to the inner voice. hardwork always pays off. stay true to your own style but MAKE IT HAPPEN! Get the YES! Close the DEAL!
"Gold Jumping Goldfish Bowl" 48" x 48"

SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla? BOTH!

Your dream vacation spot? hmmm. I spend a lot of time traveling and going where my curiosity takes me. My next big inspiration trip will be Australia.

Book or movie? Movie FOR SURE!

Favorite author? I love the OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemmingway.

Favorite movie? Jesus..this is hard...I love Life of Pi right now. I also really love Wes Anderson....I am also obsessed with Documentary films

Romance or comedy? how about a comedic romance?

Favorite dessert? Salted caramel gelato.( this is why my thighs touch)

Night owl or morning person? morning person. I go hard all day and then crash at night..unless I am going out and then it is a tsunami of wildness.
Ashley's work in Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1


Thank you Ashley, can't wait to see what you're up to next:)

Carrie

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Work In Progress Wednesday-Oooops


"Sunset Boulevard" 6" x 9" watercolor by Carrie Waller Buy Now

So I think I forgot to take work in progress pictures of "Sunset Boulevard".  Ooopss!!  I was on a deadline what can I say:)


So I have a picture of the entire wall to share with you.  It was so good to paint a series and see it displayed the way I had pictured in my head.  You can see my work at Local Colour Gallery, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock AR.


Moose says Hi:)

Carrie

Monday, May 20, 2013

Sunset Boulevard and LWS International News

"Sunset Boulevard" 6" x9" watercolor by Carrie Waller
BUY NOW matted and framed $375.00
"Sunset Boulevard"the next to last in my bottle series, for now:))  I just love that little honey jar.  It picked up so many different colors in each painting.  Next week I'll be sharing my last jar painting and then I'm not sure what I'm going to paint.  I have a few ideas running around my head.

Then we'll be moving to a new house up the street.  One of the draw backs of the military life is because you move so much buying a house really isn't an option.  We have bought and sold 1 time when we lived in Charleston, SC.  It was a great experience and we sold and made a profit at the beginning of the real estate debacle.  But it was honestly one of the most nerve wracking experiences, so we have decided not to buy again until we are in one place more than 18 mos - 2 yrs.   Which brings us to our current situation our current landlords (military also) sold our house--even though it wasn't on the market.  So we have to move in the middle of one of our moves.  This will be the first time that we have to pack it all up and move it ourselves.  I'm really hoping that because we are just moving up the street that it won't be too much of an endeavor.  I'll keep you posted:)
"Going Green" received 2nd place at the LWS 43rd International Exhibition
I also have some exciting news.  I attended the Louisiana Watercolor Society's 43rd International Exhibit.  I was really excited because this is my 3rd year entering and 3rd year that I was accepted which meant I achieved signature status.  So I am now Carrie Waller,  LWS:)  Achieving signature status was thrilling on it's own, but I also placed 2nd in the exhibition.  I was bowled over by this. The caliber of work is astonishing and to have one of the top awards is just baffling to me.  I'm grateful and exited.  For me entering these competitions gives me a push and motivates me.  I just absolutely love watercolor and painting!!

Carrie

Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday Feature: Debra Keirce


  • "Handle with Care" by Debra Keirce 4" x 6"
    I met Debra through facebook.  She predominately paints in miniature which fascinates me.  I'm astounded by the amount of detail she can get into such a small space.  She has been influenced by the modern masters of photorealism and Trompe L'Oeil.  
    To see more of Deb's work visit her blog, website and facebook page
    How did you get your start?
    I started "arting" when I found a set of charcoal sticks and a book on how to draw perspectives (trains) in our basement when I was around 7 yrs. old. I haven't stopped since!
    What’s your artist journey so far?
    I have been painting and drawing commissions since I was in 10th grade. My art teacher actually bought my first painting - a watercolor of St. Basil's for $15! By the time I was in college, I was selling 5 to 10 pieces per year, and once I started working as a chemical engineer in the corporate world, I built that up to about one each month, sometimes more. Art was always a great escape and stress reliever for me.
    "Come Sit a Spell" by Debra Keirce 3" x 5"
    Where were you born?
    I was born in Detroit and escaped when I got an engineering job in Boston after college. I have not been able to convince the rest of my family and childhood friends to move, so they are all still there.
    If you could live anywhere where would you live?
    I'd love to get out of suburgatory and live right off the Main Street of a small town near a big city on the east coast. Cambridge, MA near Boston would be great, as would a smallish city just outside NYC, D.C. or Charleston!
    What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?
    Still Life and Urban landscapes are my favorite. First, I love painting them because after so many decades of painting commissions, I can paint portraits, pets, churches, schools and houses in my sleep. Second, I love finding street scenes or still lifes of objects on shelves in antique stores or in displays at retail shops.. The set up is already done for me, and there is something spontaneous about just picking an angle, photographing the scene and sketching the parts you know the photograph will distort. My painting process is so laborious. I love when my reference images come alla prima! Finally, I love painting colors! Flesh tones and earth tones do not excite me as much as reflections from light bouncing off colorful objects. Glass and wet surfaces are especially fun to paint.
    Could you talk about your painting techniques?
    I paint in oil or acrylic. When I use oils, I use alkyd medium to make them fast drying. So the two are pretty interchangeable for me. I paint dry on dry and with oil, I take full advantage of its blending capabilities. With acrylics, I find them so easy to manipulate and create special effects with. I do a lot of dry brushing and glazing and scumbling. With both media, I "cut back" with exacto blades quite a bit to create the tiniest of details, especially if I am painting in miniature under a magnifying lens. I also like to use substrates like wood panels, clayboard, or illustration boards that I can actually sculpt a bit with embossing tools. This is how I sometimes define edges or create sort of "living shadows" that change depending on where the viewer sees the painting from, and where the light source is.
    "The Triune" by Debra Keirce 3" x 4"
    Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?
    With oils, I like the Rembrandt translucents, the C.A.S. alkyds.
    I LOVE midnight blue and diox purples for darkening colors. For highlights, lemon yellow or cad orange mixed into whites can't be beat. I recently took a workshop to study colors with Dreama Tolle-Perry and she has me loving ice blue and permanent rose at the moment as well, for adding punch to highlights.
    Do you have a favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?
    There have been so many... Of course, all the representational artists of years gone by are an inspiration. But I have to say I am most smitten by contemporary artists. I was so inspired by M.C. Escher and Salvador Dali for the longest time. I went through a Terry Redlin phase. Then, I started studying the photorealists like Richard Estes and Chuck Close. Charles Bell had me with one gumball, and Eric Christensen had me with one glass of wine. If I could only pick one, it would be a toss up between Max Ginsburg and Daniel Gerhartz. I hope to meet them both someday.
    "Favorite Label" by Debra Keirce 7" x 9"
    What have been some of your crowning achievements?
    Besides marrying an amazing guy and raising 3 incredible kids, you mean? Besides being featured on your blog?! I guess I achieved some great things in my engineering career, and the uber volunteer mom years after it, but those would sound boring here.
    My crowning achievements art wise would be the wonderful societies that juried me in - Art Renewal Center, Hilliard Society of Miniaturists, Miniature Painters, Sculptors, Gravers Society of Washington D.C.
    Also, during the almost 30 year relationship with the custom puzzle company, Lucretia's Pieces in VT, I have painted around 60 to 70 pieces that have been mounted onto wood and cut into one of a kind puzzles for collectors who will no doubt pass them down to their children. I love when art is intimate. That is why I like miniature art paintings that fit in your palm so much. When your art is turned into a puzzle, people are looking at the details in each tiny piece, separate from the whole, and handling those pieces until they guess at the construct and put the whole image together. That feels like a really intimate bond between art and viewer, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
    What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
    Okay - you said big!
    1. I would love to be featured in a major art publication like Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art or American Art Collector magazine.
    2. I would like to win best of show in a major contest like Oil Painters of America or The Art Renewal Center Salon
    3. I would be tickled pink if at least one art gallery from a major art city like New York or Scottsdale came to ME and asked to represent me.
    4. I'd enjoy selling paintings at a price point that justified signed limited runs of giclees.
    5. I'd feel like "I made it" if I sold enough work to be able to donate a substantial amount of money to a charity like ARC that promotes emerging visual artists.
    "The Gaming Age" 10" x 20"
    What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?
    DON'T let the dogs out! I mean, only post, donate or exhibit work that you are 100% proud of. It's so easy to get sucked into that phenomenon where even your not so good art sells, so you think maybe you aren't sure what is good and what is not. I have art from 5 to 10 years ago that never should have seen the light of day, because with the internet, their images still come back to haunt me on occasion. Unfortunately, as humans, we are often noticed because of the one bad thing we do, not the 1,000 good things.
    What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?
    I think I heard this from several artists, but it took years before it hit home with me...The best advice was to treat my studio like a sacred place. My sons are taekwondo instructors, and every time you enter or leave the dojo, you have to bow as a sign of respect. I don't go that far, but I do now restrict who can be in my studio. It used to be a place that friends and visitors, my kids' friends, bunco participants, book club buddies and the whole world felt free to enter, nose around and play in. Not anymore. It's a place where I work, meditate, study, and live out my passion for art. I feel like this simple change in attitude really transformed the way I work.
    "The Grotto" by Deb Keirce 7" x 9"

    Debra Keirce showing you the amazing size of her paintings

    SPEED ROUND!
    Chocolate or vanilla?
    I have been vegetarian / vegan since the 1980's and have been on a raw diet, which I am loving, for a few months now so raw ice cream is very different from the Baskin Robbins version. My favorite is frozen bananas whipped up into a sorbet in my Vitamix. (Sorry, I'm not so speedy, am I?)
    Your dream vacation spot?
    The Outer Banks of North Carolina. I've never been to Hawaii, but I dream it is similar, but with everybody wearing leis. Just noplace with Speedos - That would be nightmarish.
    Book or movie?
    Movie. Or a book on my kindle with speech enabled. I listen to both while I paint.
    Favorite author?
    Right now, Nicholas Sparks, but I hate that his books are not speech enabled on Kindle, so I have to wait for the movies and listen to them when they come out.
    Favorite movie?
    Lord of the Rings
    Romance or comedy?
    Romantic comedy (sorry to be difficult, but I think romance is funny)
    Favorite dessert?
    Currently, these Blueberry Cardamom Cream Pops by Lisa Pitman on RawFoodRecipes.com. Even if you don't think you would like raw food, you should try these! Since we have established that I suck at speed round, here is the recipe:
    Ingredients
    Cream layer:
    1 cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
    1/2 cup water
    3 dates, pitted
    zest of 1 lemon
    pinch of salt
    Blueberry layer:
    1 cup blueberries
    2 tsp cardamom
    2 tsp agave or honey
    2 tsp lemon juice
    1 tsp vanilla seed powder or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
    pinch salt
    Methods/steps
    1) In a blender combine all of the ingredients for the cream layer and blend until smooth.
    2) Remove a 1/2 cup of the cream layer and place in the refrigerator to chill.
    3) Add the ingredients for the blueberry layer to the blender with the remaining amount of the cream layer. Blend until smooth.
    4) Scoop 1 tbsp of the blueberry mixture into four silicon muffin cups (or any mold you have). Set in the freezer until firm (at least an hour).
    5) Scoop 1 tbsp from the reserved cream layer into each muffin cup and return to the freezer.
    6) Once the cream layer is firm divide the remaining blueberry cream between the muffin cups.
    7) Insert a lollipop stick in the center of each muffin cup. Return the muffin cups to the freezer to set.
    Night owl or morning person?
    Morning...At least I had this ONE short answer 

    Thank you so much Deb:)

    Carrie

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Work In Progress Wednesday: Emerald Waters and Gallery Pictures





"Emerald Waters" 6" x 9" watercolor by Carrie Waller
My gallery wall at Local Colour
Thought I would share with you my in progress pictures of "Emerald Waters".  I also have a picture of my gallery wall, you can see all the results of all my painting mania:)

Carrie

Monday, May 13, 2013

Emerald Waters


"Emerald Waters" 6" x 9" original watercolor by Carrie Waller
This is the 5th painting in my rainbow bottle series.  "Emerald Waters" is a favorite of mine, I really liked the cropped in compositions.  I just love these colors and could look at them all day.  I thought this was kind of beachy.  You have sunny yellow, the green "Emerald Waters" and the blue skies.  Pretty tropical.  Maybe I'm longing for the beach:)

Carrie

Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday Feature: Karlyn Holloway


Hi Everyone,


"Between the Lines" by Karlyn Holloway

It's Friday!!   I swear they come faster and faster each week.  This week I have Karlyn Holloway as my Feature.  Karlyn  lives in Arkansas as well.  We live in neighboring towns.  I just love Karlyn's work.  I love monochromatic pieces and she has added a twist.  They are beautiful.

To see more of her work visit her website and facebook page

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far?  
When I was very young I started drawing models out of the newspaper.  In high school I always had a sketchbook with me and drew portraits of friends. I had a dream to go to college but it took a few years after high school before I was able to go. I loved art history and learning the basics of drawing and painting. I think it helped me grow as a artist and a person. It was after college I realized what I didn’t know.
"No Leaf Unturned" by Karlyn Holloway
Where were you born? I was born in Little Rock, AR 

If you could live anywhere where would you live?                                                                                                                I’ve always lived in central Arkansas and its home. Seems everywhere has its advantages and disadvantages, though I would like to have extended visits everywhere. 

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why? 
I’ve been painting a lot of florals lately. Each one has its own unique character and a story to tell.
For me the light is very important because it’s a symbol of God’s love. 
"Call it Timeless" by Karlyn Holloway
Could you talk about your painting techniques?                                                                                               Each time I start a painting I plan out everything from composition to each color. I don’t have a set technique I just experiment till I get the effect I’m after. I tend to work slow.   I’m always on the look out for a subject that has a message to convey.   I take a lot of photos and look for ones with interesting light patterns. Sometimes photos don’t show the details so I paint from life if I need to. I like photos to paint from because that moment is then  frozen in time and can’t move or wilt. The details are the fun part for me. So my work leans toward being realistic usually with an abstract design. My love of drawing has influenced my work in the past few years. That’s the reason I started the monotone paintings, you can say a lot with just value. 

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites? I’m not real picky about brands but lately I’ve been using Gamblin and M. Graham for oils and Daniel Smith watercolors are my favorite.

Do you have a favorite artist?   Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I can’t pick just one favorite artist because I have a favorite for every style and movement through art history. My biggest inspiration has been Georgia O’Keefe more for her spunk and willingness to be frank about her life and work.
"After the Rain" by Karlyn Holloway
What have been some of your crowning achievements?
My most important crowning achievement is my daughter and my marriage.
Having a painting accepted into Watercolor USA is very high on the list.

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
  1. To continue to grow as an artist.
  2. To be accepted in a Oil painters of America juried show.
  3. To become better organized.
  4. Travel  everywhere.
  5. Learn to be bolder about teaching workshops.
"Imagine the Day" by Karlyn Holloway

What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?
Try to draw or paint everyday its important to stay in practice.
Learn the fundamentals of art.
Strive to be original, but true to yourself.
Join an art organization or at least get together with other artists, it’s amazing how much you can learn.

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?
Always strive to do your best and not beat yourself up when its not perfect.  There is only one creator that is perfect.
"A Unique Find" by Karlyn Holloway

SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla? Mixed with hot fudge on top

Your dream vacation spot? Europe

Book or movie? Both

Favorite author? Bruce Wilkinson and Max Lucado

Favorite movie? It’s hard to pick just one but Fried Green Tomato’s is on top of the list.

Romance or comedy? Both

Favorite dessert? Molten chocolate cake

Night owl or morning person?  My nature is to be a night owl.

Thank you so much Karlyn:)  Have a good weekend everyone.

Carrie

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Work In Progress Wednesday: "Painted Ladies"




"Painted Ladies" 6" x 9" original watercolor copyright Carrie Waller
Here are the work in progress pics for "Painted Ladies".  I have to thank Sherry of Crimson Leaves blog for the title:)  I think it's perfect and went well with the "Rainbow Row" title I have of Charleston SC fame.

Is it only Wednesday, feels like Friday!  I'm ready for Friday:)  I'll be heading out to see the Louisiana Watercolor Society's International show at the Garden District Gallery in New Orleans.  I'm excited to see my piece hanging in person.  In the mean time one of my friends sent a pic of the space and my painting.
LWS International Show, my painting is the one in the corner the green bottles "Going Green".
Also had an unexpected delight this week.  I was working at the gallery I'm part of this weekend and dropped one of the local magazines and it popped open to  a full page print of my painting "Summer Kaleidoscope".  The painting is in a local show here in Little Rock and the gallery sent in images and the magazine decided to use my painting as the full page opener for their events sections.  They of course talk about my painting at the bottom and gave me credit.
My painting "Summer Kaleidoscope" in Soiree a Little Rock magazine


If you're in the Little Rock, AR area my gallery Local Colour is having an art show Thursday, May 9th from 5:30-8:00pm, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock.  Spring into Art is the name of the show and there are some wonderful paintings.  Stop by if you can.