Skyy

"Skyy" orignal watercolor by Carrie Waller 30" x 20" on Arches 260lb paper

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holidays!  I can not believe that 2014 is knocking on our door.  2014 is already starting off with a lot of change for us.  It will be an interesting year.

Here is my newest painting "Skyy".  I painted this for my mother and father in-law.  They just celebrated their 40th anniversary.  I decided to paint a large painting for them for a combines anniversary/Christmas present.  I got delayed in starting the painting because our whole family came down with the plague right before Christmas!  So I had 6 days to finish this painting.  I paint slowly so I was pushing it.  I had a conversation with my 7 year old, hoping he would give me a nice little pep talk and assure me that I could get it done in time but the conversation went more like this, Me-"Steven do you think I will get this done in time?" Steven-"Well, Mom you have 6 days and I've seen it take you 2 weeks to get a painting that size done.  And you're not even done with the drawing, so, no, I don't think you'll get it done in time."  But even with my critic I managed to finish just in the nick of time:)

I named this one "Skyy" because most of the bottles in the painting are Skyy vodka bottles.  My in-laws had been collecting blue bottles for me.  When it came timer to set this up I thought boy they went through a lot of vodka.  But as I was cleaning all of the bottles I started seeing permanent marker notations on the bottles and remembered that these had been confiscated from the dorms at the University where my father-in-law works.  So I have a bunch of alcoholic college students to thanks for the subject matter:)

I saw on Annie Salness' blog that she shares what she's listening to while she paints so I'm borrowing that idea because she introduced me to a new podcast that I love, so I thought I would share with the class what I was listening to and watching while painting this painting.  Podcasts--Artists Helping Artsits, Alec Baldwin's, Here's the Thing.  Movies-  "The Family Stone", "It's Complicated"
TV Show--"The Foster's" on Netflix.

I'm already on to my next painting and I can't wait to share it with you.  My subject matter is something that will no longer be available in the U.S. soon, any guesses?

Merry Christmas

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Carrie

Carrie's Favorite Things

Hi Everyone,

Since I'm slow on the painting front at the moment I thought I would share my favorite things list:)  I would love to hear (read) some of yours in the comment section.

I'll start with the most life changing tool I use for my art.  My Ipad, full sized, please!  It has truly transformed how I paint.  I use it for taking reference photos, and I paint from my I pad.  The image is amazing way better than any printed off photograph.  If you haven't tried it you need too!!!

My favorite paints are Daniel Smith watercolors.  Their Quinacridones are the best.  They are limited and will run out in the next few years so stock up now.

My favorite brushes are Richeson brushes.  Daniel Smith sells a set that I've been using.  It's the Laurin McCracken set and it has a size 2, 4 and 6 kolinsky sable.  But I've been hearing so much about
Rosemary brushes that I'm going to have to try those as well.

My favorite pencils for drawing are mechanical pencils.  You can get the tiny details without having to sharpen your pencil all the time.  I'm cranky if I can't find a mechanical pencil in the house:)

My favorite paper is Arches 260lb.  Because 140 is too thin and buckles and 300lb is too thick and soft.  260lb is just right:))  Thanks to Paul Jackson for turning me onto this paper.  I did hear that Canson bought Arches so I'll probably be purchasing quite a bit of this before Canson starts making it.

My favorite thing to watch while I'm painting are movies.  I love streaming movies and shows through Netflix and Amazon video which comes free if you sign up for Amazon Prime.

My favorite movie at the moment to watch while I'm painting is "It's Complicated" starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.  Love, love, love this movie and have watched it a thousand times.

Another favorite movie I watch is "Something's Gotta Give".  I know you're probably wondering how can you watch a movie and paint? Well, I'm not a music person.  It gets on my nerves when I'm painting.  So I love having movies or shows on.  I mostly listen but am able to watch too, I'm a multi-tasker.  Talking to other people that have trouble listening to music while creating I think that I have to have by brain engaged, listening to talk, or pod-casts, or talk radio.   Music makes me think to much and I need to be able to zone out to paint.

Not only do I love Something's Gotta Give for the movie but who wouldn't want to create here

Or live here.  I just love the interiors in this movie and would love to have a house that looked just like this!!

And because I love her desk so much in Something's Gotta Give I had to buy this one when I found it at an antique store.  It's my painting desk.  It was in a legal office in New Orleans and is solid wood and really old.  I love it!  I put the glass top on it, it doesn't quite fit so I'll have to order one.

If you haven't listened to this podcast you have too!!!  Artists Helping Artists is the best blog radio show out there.  Tons of free marketing information and interviews with amazing artists.  There is something for every artist.  You can find it on itunes for free or you can listen right on the website.  You must tune in.  A new show airs every Thursday and I've co-hosted often.

And this is what I use every day.  I love EOS sweet mint.  It's an organic product.  It's amazing and addicting.  Love it!!  I also love Burt's Bees, I'm for anything that is all natural and not tested on animals and that is an amazing product.  I wear the color rhubarb and raisin in lieu of lipstick because it does just as good a job.

I hope to do a favorites things list more often because it's just fun:))  Tell me some of your favorites:)

Carrie

Friday Feature: Olivia Quintin

Hi Everyone,

'Self Portrait' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin

Today I'm featuring Olivia Quintin.  Her art work is so expressive and beautiful!  The way she handles her watercolors are inspiring and I am thrilled to say I own an Olivia Quintin original.  Olivia is French and her English is much better than my French will ever be.  She has kindly answered my questions in English.

To see more of Olivia's work check out her blog  .

How did you get your start?

What’s your artist journey so far?

I am drawing since I was a young girl, but I didn’t have a regular practice.

Was very attracted by every manual labor and more generally, all creative things.

Since I am 10 years old, I sew and I knit !

When I met my husband, he was used to painting.

I looked at him with envy without daring really to try.

He likes painting very slowly and minutely.

This way of painting didn’t correspond to my character! You know we are both opposite characters...

I loved to see watercolors of landscapes end of sea subjects.

One day, I decided to try that medium. It seems to be so light and transparent.

I liked at once.  I bought all the equipment the same day (this day was a real ruin for my bank account) and since this day, I ‘ve painted in watercolor. Until 2009, I painted in a irregular way and for 2 years, I swim in the watercolor!

I hope it will be like that all the rest of my life .

'Elyse' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin portrait of her daughter

Where were you born?

If you could live anywhere where would you live?

I am born in Brittany, France. I spent my childhood in Saint-Malo but my parents were born in Morbihan, where I live today. Always near the sea. I can’t stand very well to stay too long time far away the sea.  I love the place I live the “ Gulf of Morbihan “, so beautiful. I don’t want to live anywhere else.  I am feeling so good here. Colors are beautiful here, always changing, and there are so quiet places!

A lot of painters love Brittany . Do you know Pont-Aven ? Do you know Belle Ile en mer?

'Sunset' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin (This is the painting I own:)

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

Well, I first painted Brittany and sea landscapes.

Last year I painted a series of fishes. I imagined their life. Sometimes with human characters.

I did the same with sea birds.  Then I begun to paint flowers, fresh or faded . Expression of how I feel most of the time .  Now, I paint more and more portraits, characters. Friends, family, figures that tells me a story.  Always in a colored mood.

'I Am Woman of 40' watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin

Which of your paintings was the most enjoyable to paint? Which was the most difficult?

The painting which was so joyful is “ I am a forty years old woman “. Expressed 40 years behind me and 40 years in front of me. Middle of my life. It was so personal.

The most difficult is not a painting. The most difficult thing is to stay free with the painting !

'Rain or Shine on Houat' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin

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

I love Klimt, Claude Monet, Van gGogh.

I love Monet’s look on nature.

What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your well being/success as an artist?

Arches paper, a lot of different colors, a good subject and good music ! I am so inspired by music. Jazzy mood, most of the time.  I paint in my studio which is in the attic of my old house .

'Amelie' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin

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

Indigo, van dyke brown,  vivid green, lemon yellow, perm magenta, cobalt blue deep, raw sienna.

Do you ever get artist’s block? And what do you do to overcome it?

I don't have an artist block all the time, but my head is going so far away sometimes. I note my ideas on a paper .

'The Red Floral Wall' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin

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

I’d love to live for painting all the day. If ever, my watercolors could allow me to live, it should be the most beautiful dream.

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

Painting what they want and how they want and not what people like.

I think painting has to be sincere to be loved.

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

Don’t be afraid ! Every time I paint I have to remember this sentence.

'Grand Duke of Sleepless Nights' original watercolor on paper by Olivia Quintin

SPEED ROUND!

Chocolate or vanilla?

Vanilla. I don’t like so much chocolate. But you know I live near the sea, I am a salt mouth !

Sunny beach or rustic mountain retreat?

Sunny beach ( I paint on the beach sometimes )

Book or movie?

Book !

I don’t watch TV. My daughter has to help me every time... My god !

Favorite author?

Eric Emmanuel Schmitt.

Favorite movie?

Into the wild.

Romance or comedy?

Both !

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Speculoos

Night owl or morning person?

Both ! Days and nights are not long enough to do all I want to !

But a bit tired sometimes....

Cake or Cupcakes?

Cupcakes : they are so pretty !

Hope everyone enjoyed this interview.  A big thank you to Olivia for taking the time for an interview, I've learned more about you and some day hope to visit your town in France:)

See you Monday,

Christmas Specials, workshops and Cabin Fever

Hi Everyone,

We have some serious cabin fever at our house.  The kids have not been in school since last Thursday and this Mommy is hoping for some ice melting today so that the kids don't go crazy.  You can't even go out and play in the snow because it's just ice:(

I'm offering a couple of Christmas specials.  If purchased by the 18th they will get there by Christmas:)
Both of these paintings are from the Macy's Christmas display in NYC.

Special Price $850. 00
Regularly priced $1450.00
Buy Now

Special Price $450.00
Regularly priced $750.00
Buy Now

They do come framed!  Here is what they look like

 I'm currently working on my newest painting.  Hopefully this will be one of the paintings that we work on in my workshop in February in Covington, LA.  The workshop is almost sold out if you're interested act quickly:)

 I also worked on my supply list today.  I thought I would share both the brochure for my workshop that I created and my supply list.  Since artists are visual I made it all in pictures:))

Carrie

CYBER MONDAY SALE, Backlit Beauties, and other news

Hi Everyone,

I'm so happy to announce my first ever  CYBER MONDAY SALE.  Please take a look:)

I have available paintings up to 50% off:)

I also am getting read for a gallery show tomorrow at Local Colour Gallery in Little Rock.

I've been working a little more with gold leaf.  I'm titling this piece "Backlit Beauties".  I photographed these gorgeous red pears in the beautiful golden sun and I thought that the gold leaf would be the perfect thing to set them off.

"Backlit Beauties" 10" x 20" watercolor with 22k gold leaf background
$350

Here it is in it's frame.  It's so hard to photograph gold leaf.

And I thought I would show you this view so you can see a bit of the scale.

I hope you all had a wonderful Turkey Day (for those of you in the US).  I can not believe it's Dec. 2.  We'll have to start writing 2014 before we blink.

Carrie