Monday, February 14, 2011

Alabama Camelias and a bloggy dream come true


watercolor 16 x 20
This weeks painting I whipped out to enter into an Alabama contest hosted by Energen (a utilities company based in Birmingham.  I found out about the contest about a week ago I wasn't sure I would finish this one, but I managed to pull if off and get it entered on time, phew!!  Camelias are beautiful and one of my favorite flowers in doing my research for this contest I found out it is Alabama's state flower.  I've rarely paint flowers in their natural setting, I've usually paint them in a still life setting.  I will say it was a bit of a puzzle to get all the shadows and lights in on all of those leaves.

This week was super exciting for me because I got to meet some of my favorite art bloggers.  Leslie Saeta and Dream Tolle Perry were in Atlanta hosting a workshop and took out time to have lunch and say Hi.  Leslie and Dreama have a fabulous and invaluable blog radio show you must check out if you haven't   I was beyond excited to meet them!  I also got the chance to meet Kelley MacDonald another blogging buddy.  It was a great day!!  If I ever convert to being an oil painter I will definitely take a Leslie and Dreama workshop.
Leslie Saeta, Me, Dreama Tolle Perry
Kelley MacDonald, Me
Steven created another wonderful painting this week.  He says it's the moon with clouds around it.

watercolor on paper 5 x 8.5

Valentine Cake-pops

Steven and I made some yummy cake-pops for his class last night.  So we're sending you a virtual Valentine today:)

Hope everyone has a terrific Valentine's Day and a fabulous week:)

Carrie


27 comments:

  1. You did wonderful! The flowers are absolutely gorgeous!!! :-)

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  2. This is really beautiful Carrie. Good luck with the contest.

    How fun for you to meet your blogging buddies. I was fortunate to take Leslie and Dreamas workshop here in Pasadena. It was so much fun and they are both so friendly and warm. I don't know Kelley but I follow her blog and love her paintings.

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  3. Felicidades Carrie, un trabajo extraordinario.

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  4. Just when I thought I couldn't be any more amazed by your art, you come up with this! It's so unbelievable, I can hardly believe it's not a photograph!

    Steven - WOW!!!! I just LOVE your painting of the moon! You are SO clever!!!!

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  5. I agree word to word with Sandra.. Cant say more..

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  6. It sounds like a perfect day! I'd love to meet some of my blogging friends :)

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  7. Your camellias are, needless to say, exquisite! And Steven seems to be getting bolder with his colors. Loved your post. Happy Valentine's Day, Carrie!!!

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  8. Dear Carrie, I wish you well with the painting competition. You have captured beautifully the glossiness of the leaves that I always associate with Camellias. The depth of colour that you have achieved using watercolour I find most impressive as it is such a difficult medium to control. Good luck!!

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  9. You should do quite well with that beautiful display of camelias! Your art is wonderful and I love the realistic style of your watercolors... so nice that you are bringing your son along to appreciate and enjoy art.

    Thanks for visiting my blog today... wishing you a wonderful Valentine's Day!

    Bisous,
    Genie

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  10. I saw your blog on Judy's 'The tread watercolors'/'De draad aquarellen' and have become follower immediately! Your work is very beautiful and your son is quite a talented painter as well!

    Greetings, Inge

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  11. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Your painting looks so realistic it could be a photograph. I am impressed by how you captured the shiny reflection of the sun on the leaves and petals! Amazing! And the colors are beautiful.

    Tell Steven he did a great job and I enjoy seeing his art work... :-)

    And those heart cakes are too cute. You are so creative. Steven's friends will love them!

    Good Luck in your contest......

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  12. Awesome painting, Carrie. I could just reach out and touch those blooms!
    Love Steven's piece. I see some modern art influences there--has he been reading up on art history while you weren't looking? Have a great Valentine's Day!

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  13. Beautiful, such life in those flowers)

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  14. De belles fleurs pour de belles fleurs...
    Bisous à vous tous...

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  15. Wow. Can't believe this is a painting. Really thought it was a photograph. Beautiful! Good luck in the contest!

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  16. Beautifully done, Carrie....and, so nice you were able to meet up with some other bloggers like that.

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  17. Beautiful flowers, Carrie!
    Thanks for your comment on my blog, I'm glad I found you! Great blog!

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  18. Carrie, your style is gorgeous ! You are a light master. You know what? You bring me spring...
    There is a lot of joy in your watercolors when you use red ! Steven's painting is a promise... Bises.

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  19. Carrie - My goodness I love your work!! I hope to see it in person some day. Nancy Goldman and I were bragging about you to a groups of ladies that paint at her house monthly. Your work is really impressive. I think Steven's abstract shows talent, too!

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  20. Oh, it was SUCH a pleasure meeting you and Steven last week! Your husband was such a doll to hang out while we chatted - with no place even to sit down!
    BTW I LOVE this painting - and the judges will, too....

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  21. Wow! This is so realistic...just wonderful! Isn't it fun to meet blogging buddies? Glad you had fun.

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  22. Love the composition and those bright colors Carrie, actually makes me want to use more color in my work! Good luck with this one!

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  23. Gorgeous painting and your meet up with fellow bloggers sounds like it was a lot of fun!! :))

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  24. The Camelias turned out beautifully! Really great mixture of light and dark and great color.

    Lucky you meeting 3 of my very favorite painters! I know that was a FUN lunch! Hope to meet you one of these days.

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  25. The Camelias are stunning!!! Wow! I also love Steven's painting of the moon. Very nice. He is on his way!

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  26. This is an amazing piece. Of course the light is the true star here. All of the subtlties in the colors in the foliage and petals....WOW! You paint at lightning speed...I'm envious!

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