Monday, March 28, 2011

Spring Offering

watercolor on paper 6x6 "Spring Offering"


Hi Everyone,

Oh, what a week this has been.  So many exciting events have taken place.  It started off as a fabulous week last Sunday.  I won 1st place in the LWS (Louisiana Watercolor Society's ) Captial Waters Art at the Archives show.  My painting "Venetian Canal" was the winning entry.  I also recently found out that my painting "Urban Abstraction" was juried into the LWS' International Show.  I'm shocked and amazed that I got in first time, it's very competitive.

Venetian Canal
I also had several e-mails come rolling my way congratulating me on my article in the "Military Spouse" magazine.  A month or so ago I was interviewed by the magazine, I had put it in the back of my mind, but it's out for those who subscribe.  I'm still waiting to get my copy so I haven't seen the article yet, but I've heard its good.  It was fun getting e-mails from other military spouses that art artists.  Good to know I'm not the only one out there:)

Mid-week I got my acceptance e-mails from Randy Higbee.  I am absolutely thrilled that 2 of my paintings will be in the Higbee show in April.  Some stiff competition let me tell you!!  He received 1200 entries and only accepted 400.  Thank you again for all of you that helped me decide which paintings to enter.  "Dinner at Eight" and "Nostalgia" will be in the show:)
Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
Friday my wonderful and supportive in-laws drove in from Baton Rouge to spend the weekend and babysit the boys so that Brian and I could attend the opening reception for the Montgomery Art Guild's museum exhibit.  I was fortunate enough to have a painting juried into an exhibit at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art.  It is a spectacular museum, one of the top fine art museums in the US, and I have a painting hanging in that beautiful space.  I'll post some pics soon.  The exhibit is terrific.  Saturday the juror held an art talk.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, I wasn't sure I could handle super critical feedback.  I decided to go and I'm glad I did.  The talk was very beneficial and I learned that the judge isn't a fan of literal art.  I am flattered that she chose my painting to be part of the exhibit since it's really not her style. She predominately chose abstract pieces as the award winners.  I'm not going to change my style, because I like representational art but I did take from that, that I'm going to strive to have more of an emotional meaning to my work.  It was a bit nerve wracking to give a spontaneous presentation about my work, especially since I followed an abstract piece and the artist ended his presentation with the statement that "literal art annoys him" such a great intro for me:)  I restrained from beginning my talk with and now for some "annoying literal art"

 Sunday, Brian and I attended the reception for the Energen art competition in Birmingham, AL.  I have to say it was the swankiest reception I've been to so far, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art's is a close second.  Energen had live music, terrific food, beautiful decor and an open bar.  It was a very fun afternoon.

I hope everyone has a fabulous week!  I'm completely inspired after my super arty weekend!!  I'm off to paint:)

Happy Creating,

Carrie

22 comments:

  1. Well...all be...you are the woman of the year! Congratulations...so well deserved!

    P.S. thanks for the sweet comment on Facebook....but really its "how cool is it that Carrie and I will be in the same show"....wouldn't it be great if you could come out for the Randy Higbee reception and we could meet face to face?

    ReplyDelete
  2. My oh my Carrie, you must be on Cloud 9....over the top excited with so much good stuff happening. I am so very happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a wonderful and exciting time for you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Animo Carrie, realmente lo mereces. Eres una gran artista.
    Un saludo desde Sevilla.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am inspired by your post as well- we all should be. Your hard work and commitment to painting are paying off and good for you. Your work is beautiful and now you will believe it too with more confidence! Congratulations on all the happies and today's painting is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on all your great happenings, Carrie!

    Re the juror - I think the fact that she doesn't like realistic art is a preference she should have kept to herself. A juror is supposed to judge the art on its own merit, not on his/her likes and dislikes. That was unprofessional, IMO. Kudos to you for getting past her bias and being accepted!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congradulations on your watercolor win, Carrie, and the other kudos as well, of course.BRAVO!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You SO deserve all these wonderful things, Carrie! I am absolutely thrilled for you. You are amazing, and finally, maybe, you know it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Huh............
    So many things. :)
    COngratulations for everything..

    ReplyDelete
  10. Carrie, congratulations from Galicia.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! It's up, up and away for you!! And so well deserved too. I'm really happy for you :0)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are such an inspiration on so many levels. of course your incredible skills, seemingly endless awards and entries and your very skillful handling of the comment about "annoying literal art!" congratulations you are a brilliant artist!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congratulations on such a wonderful eventful week! Your paintings are amazingly beautiful. I love the distressed chair . . . your work is so deserving of all your awards.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. What a dream weekend you've haved....when everything falls into place, including a well deserved 1st place....WOW! Your success is a result of all the hard work, perseverence and being fearless....well done Carrie!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome Carrie! When it rains it pours and those are some really terrific "raindrops!" I'm so very, very happy and excited for you! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow Carrie!!! Look at all the amazing things you are accomplishing!!!!! I'm just so excited for you and proud of you. YOu deserve every single good thing that comes your way. Your work is beautiful and I think it has a lot of feeling in it. It doesn't ever come across as just literal to me. I always feel that there's a story there. I love all of them.

    I've missed you!!! And this is another beautiful painting Carrie. Good for you! :):):)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, congratulations! All you hard work is paying off. I agree, very deft handling of the "annoying literal art" comment. That person was probably just bitter because representation art has made a comeback. Anyway, congratulations again!

    ReplyDelete
  18. CONGRATULATIONS!!! SO WELL DESERVED.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oooh, pompous artists annoy me! What a jerk. (Pardon my French.)

    Congratulations on getting such well-deserved recognition, Carrie. You are so talented, and it's nice to see that others are recognizing and rewarding your hard work.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulation Carrie! This is always so great to show your paintings. Then more people see your art then better :)
    Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post!
    Irina

    ReplyDelete
  21. A big congrats to you on all the exciting accolades, Carrie. That is a gorgeous painting! Have a great week. xo

    ReplyDelete
  22. WOW!
    How wonderful..all of it! "annoying as it is" ;}
    I love the painting of the white daffs. You are kicking' it. Keep up the good work and hug your Military husband for me and thank him for his bravery.

    ReplyDelete