Splash 14

"Anticipation" included in Splash 14.

I finally got my copy:)  I'm so honored to be in this publications with so many wonderful artists.  The whole series is amazing you should pick them up if you don't have them in your art book collection.

The books are available through Amazon and North Lights Books.

Carrie

"Blue Skies", Show acceptance and there is a first for everything!

"Blue Skies" 6" x 9" watercolor by Carrie Waller

Here is the last of my rainbow bottle series "Blue Skies".  The last one for a while.  I have the coolest idea for a painting, and it will be my next painting after I finish moving!  Trust me I would much rather be painting.  Doing a self move is painful folks.  I have gained a huge respect for movers and am more than grateful to my amazing mother-in-law for putting on her Super Mom cape and saving the day.  She  came in and packed a majority of our house while watching our rug rats so that we could load and unload stuff at the new house.  Our saving grace is that we are only moving up the street.  The life of the military, we can now check of DITY (Do It Yourself) move off our list--well we will be able to check it off next week, I'll let you know if we survive:)

"Reminiscence" watercolor by Carrie Waller accepted into the 43rd Mid Southern Watercolor Society's  Exhibit.

I also got word that my painting "Reminiscence" has been accepted into the 43rd Mid Southern Watercolor Society's exhibit.  I had a first experience with this show.  The show coordinator called me to let me know the only reason she didn't accept "Anticipation" is because of trademark issues.  I'm assuming that is a legit concern but since that painting has been published in Watercolor Artist, Splash 14, and a different Ball jar painting was accepted into NWS's show I was a little surprised.  So one more thing to think about.  She also didn't accept another artist's painting with Coca Cola bottles (not mine).  I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.  I think it would be extremely difficult to eliminate all trademarked items from still life paintings.

"Anticipation" my painting rejected for trademark issues

Carrie

Anticipation 6 x 8 and The Big Move

Hi Everyone,

"Anticipation" 6 x 8 original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller

I want to start off by thanking each of you for continuing to follow my blog and leave your fabulous comments.  I love, love, love reading them:)  I promise as soon as I'm a little more settled I will be able to correspond with you!  I realize how much time it takes to comment and surf blogs so I greatly appreciate your time, support and friendship:))

I managed to finish up a few commissions during my move.  I have a few to go but they'll have to wait until my studio is unpacked.  I painted another ball jar painting.  It's a 6x8 version of my large painting "Anticipation".  I'm pretty sure I can paint ball jars in my sleep now, which is a good thing because I was up until all hours in the hotel finishing this piece up.  It was interesting:)  But this painting went to a very special lady so I'm thrilled to have her add it to her collection.

Our Move

 I am now officially living in Arkansas!!  So far it is a beautiful place to live.  I will admit I wasn't too thrilled when I heard that was where the Air Force was sending us, but so far I'm really enjoying AR.  I love our house, I'll share pics soon, and I have a designated studio space.

Some of my broken china--first time we've had china broken since we've been moving

And a majority of my picture frames were damaged.  Either tape on the frame pulling the finish off, or stacking multiple pictures together without paper in between them. 

 Our move has been not so thrilling.  This has been the worst move in the 11 years that Brian and I have been doing the Air Force thing (Brian's been AF his whole life-the son of a retired AF Lt Col.).  I am currently on page 3 of our claims form which is not a good scenario.  Usually you have a handful of items that you have to claim but this has been ridiculous.  It was the most incompetent packing crew I have ever had.  So if you are thinking of moving with Swanee/Benkins think it through especially coming out of the Montgomery, AL area.

This is my new studio space--As you can see it needs a bit of work:))

 Thanks again for continuing to read and comment.  Miss you guys and I'll be over to your blogs soon!

Carrie

Anticipation 6x6

Hi Everyone,

"Anticipation 6x6" original watercolor on paper 6" x 6" $195 BUY NOW

Was your weekend filled with Holiday decorating and shopping?  We are almost all decked out at our house.  Steven and Sam have been having so much fun helping me with all the festivities.  It's such a magical time of year, especially when you're seeing it through the eyes of a 5 and 2 year old.

"Anticipation" 23.5 x 32 original watercolor on paper

Today I have another jar painting for you.  I just love painting these guys and they keep selling so it's a win, win!  This is a smaller version of "Anticipation".

This passed Saturday was the opening of Randy Higbee's 6" Squared show in Costa Mesa, California.  From the pictures Randy has posted it looks like it was a fabulous opening.  My paintings look great and I even have sale from opening night.

Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Show, Costa Mesa California all 3 of my paintings displayed so nicely

"Having A Ball" SOLD

"Candy Apple Red" original watercolor on paper 6x6 Available at Randy Higbee Gallery 714.546.2156

"Stacked" original watercolor 6x6 Available at Randy Higbee Gallery 714.546.2156

I had another jar painting sale last week.  So happy to see the jars flying out of here:)

"Can It' SOLD

See you on Wednesday, Have a great week:)

Carrie

Winner Announced and a Sunflower painting:)

Original watercolor on paper 4"x4"  $75 BUY NOW

 Hi Everyone,

I want to Thank You all so much for contributing some absolutely terrific titles.  If you came up with a title suggestion I put your name in the proverbial hat to win a set of mini-prints.  Using random.org, Linda Popple is the winner!!  Congratulations, and I'll be in contact with you to get your mailing address.  I plan on doing some more give-aways in the future so stay tuned:)

As I was saying, I got some terrific titles, and I'm thrilled because I am stashing them away to use on future paintings.  The title that I chose for the painting was "Preservation".  My hubby actually suggested it and I thought it was very fitting and went along with my other large jar painting title, "Anticipation".  Like I said I will be using some of the other titles, you guys are awesome!!!!

This week I have a 4"x4" painting.  The smallest I"v painted so far.  I"m gearing up for a Holiday Show and I want to have a variety of price points available.  So you will be seeing more of this these little guys:)

I have been so blessed this last week and half and I wanted to share with you some of my successes.

"Anticipation" original watercolor on paper 23.5 x 32 1st Place in the Louisiana Watercolor Society Crescent City Brewhouse Exhibit

"Apples in Candlewick" watercolor on paper 18 x 24 last year's 1st place winner and 3rd place winner in the Montgomery Art Guild Alabama National Fair Exhibit.

Last week I traveled to Louisiana to take part in Louisiana Watercolor Society's Crescent City Brewhouse Exhibit.  Last year this was my first exhibit I ever participated in and I placed 1st.  This year I feel like I've come full circle and I am ecstatic to say that I placed 1st again!  "Anticipation" is the painting that won.

I also was chosen as Dick Blick's feature artist for the month of October, how lucky does a girl get:)

"October Bounty" watercolor on paper 18 x 24 Honorable Mention in the Montgomery Art Guild Alabama National Fair

And if that was not enough I also took home 2 ribbons in the Montgomery Art Guild's Alabama National Fair Exhibit.  Third Place went to "Apples in Candlewick" and Honorable Mention went to "October Bounty"

It's been an exciting time!  I feel so fortunate and grateful!

See you Wednesday!

Carrie

Happy Monday:) Jars work in progress

Hi Everyone,

Work in Progress, watercolor on paper 14 x 20

Today I'm sharing with you another work in progress.  And yes it is another ball jar painting:)  I'm just not done with them yet!  This one has a lot of drama and great colors filtering through these jars.  I love the amount of color that is captured in these empty jars.  It's almost like I captured some rainbows!  Truly a kaleidoscope!

I also framed "Can It" and "Can It Too".  I wanted a contemporary look.  And I love leaving that crisp white border around my paintings, it allows me to get the look of double mat without the cost.

I had a meeting at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art this week and I am happy to announce that my original paintings will be for sale in their store.  I'm also excited to be part of their Holiday Market in November.

"Anticipation"  framed very simply with white mat and a contemporary black frame

I also had an art critique this week for the show that "Anticipation" won a ribbon in and the juror spent a lot of time discussing the importance of framing.  So with that in mind I will be doing a post of framing on Wednesday!  I'll share her thoughts and mine:)  It really can add or detract from a painting.  So stay tuned:)

"Hand Shapes"

 Steven's really into his hand prints right now.  I probably have 10 - 15 pages filled with them, he calls them his "hand shapes".   I really love the colors he puts together.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Carrie

Can It Too

"Can It Too" original watercolor on paper 6x6 Buy Now

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a relaxing weekend.  Our weekend was pretty busy. I really didn't think I would have a completed painting to post today, because of the craziness I've been experiencing for the last few weeks.  My hubby has been out of town and everything got chaotic the day he left.  I don't even think his plane was off the ground yet when our washing machine broke.  And it all went downhill after that.  Sam busted his chin and had to be glued back together.  Steven got sick and was out of school for a few days.  Then Sam got sick and he was up for 48 straight hours.  We went to the Dr and he got antibiotic for an ear infection and bacterial infection.  He still has a bad cough and in conjunction with his very sensitive gag reflex I have been thrown up on more times than I would like to discuss.  All of this has been going on while we've been getting used to Steven's school schedule.  I'm so glad that I don't work outside of the house because boy would it have been an even greater challenge.  Also Steven has been in school for 2 weeks and already been invited to 3 birthday parties, I'm going to go broke at this rate.  So this weekend we had to squeeze in birthday parties, a friends bbq, and my art reception.

Even with everything going on I forced myself to sit down and finish this painting.  So what it's 2:37 a.m., as I'm writing this, sleep is overrated:) 

"Can It" watercolor on paper 6x6 Buy Now

This weeks painting is an accompanying piece to Can It.  I thought it would be great to have a pair of these guys.

"Anticipation" 23.5 x 32 watercolor on paper

My painting "Anticipation" that has inspired my whole series received a ribbon at the 45th Annual Montgomery Art Guild's Regions Bank Exhibit.  The way their awards work is they have a Best of Show and then a Best of for 5 categories and 5 honorable mentions in those categories.  I received honorable mention for the Transparency category--which also included gouache and acrylic (thought that was interesting).  Anyway I was thrilled!!

Have a great Monday, I'll see you Wednesday--I'll post some of Steven's creations on Wednesday:)

Carrie

Work In Progress, Anticipation and what a weekend

Work In Progress 6x6 watercolor on paper

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  I posted my completed painting last Friday but I'm putting it on here today just in case you missed it.

"Anticipation" watercolor on paper 23.5 x 32  Accepted into the 45th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibit

 Prints Are Available Click Here

We had a very eventful weekend at our house.  We started off with a bang, Sam, my 2 yr old, and the dare devil in our crew busted his chin open climbing on the bar stools.  So we spent a majority of Saturday at urgent care getting Sam glued back together.  He was such a trooper, he didn't cry or flinch when they were putting medicine on his chin or using Dermabond!  Amazing kid!

I also spent quite a bit of time last getting my painting "Anticipation" framed and running it to the 45th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition.  It's an interesting process, I had to deliver my painting Friday between 10 and 2 and then you had to come back in person Sat between 4:30-5:00 to see if it was accepted.  Talk about nerve wracking, nobody wants to do the walk of shame out of the bank with their rejected work.  There were lots of us standing around waiting to find out our fate.  There was a very intimidating hall with lots of stacked up rejected art.  Fortunately I was greeted by a fellow artist and she informed me right away that my painting made it into the show, phew!!!  I feel for anyone that had to take home their works, one artist said if she walked out of their with her works she was going home and having a stiff drink.  Fortunately I made the cut and didn't have to paint with my tears:)

Before I headed to the exhibit in Montgomery, I stopped to get gas.  I decided to multi-task and clean out my car at the same time.  I discarded a couple of bags with trash and left.  It wasn't until we were at home about an hour later that I realized I also threw away a bag from Target that I had just purchased.  So off we went to the gas station to dumpster dive.  Fortunately my bag was near the top, so we retrieved our bag and headed home.  Steven, my 5 yr old, was pretty upset because the bag contained a new DVD for him and Sam.  So crisis averted and I wasn't out $30.

Watercolor on paper 8 1/2 x 11

Steven painted a nice little piece for you this week.  He had a pretty good first week of school.  I think it's going to take a little adjusting to the daily grind, but I'm hopeful we will get into a routine.

"Buona Sera" SOLD

And my painting "Buona Sera" sold in a Daily Paintworks Auction.

See you Wednesday,

Carrie

Anticipation

"Anticipation" watercolor on paper 23.5 x 32

 I have finished my painting, Yay!!!  Trust me it wasn't easy this week since it was our first week of school everyday.   Steven's going to half day pre-K, by the time I get everyone dressed out the door and Steven dropped off, Sam and I come home do a few things and it's time to go get Steven.  I think this first week will be the hardest because we haven't gotten into a routine yet, but I'm sure we will.

I did manage to finish and because my wonderful Mother has a frame business I was able to place my order with her and have her mail me a frame.  Check out her site, she has terrific frames. She sent me the moldings and I just had to build it, it went really smoothly.

Also a tip for all of you watercolor artists--I found a copy store nearby that has a very large scanner.  They have the scanner for scanning large architectural drawings but they also scan in my paintings.  I learned about this when I work at an Architectural firm and they would have their design boards scanned in.  It is a blessing.  Sometimes the colors are a tad skewed but for the most part it is a terrific, high resolution copy.  The above photo is a scanned image. Also they only charge me a couple of bucks, seriously, I am thrilled.  You do have to stretch your paper because with their machine it has to be a flat piece of paper and not to thick, I don't paint on 300lb paper anyway so it's not an issue.  They do scan the 260lb paper that I paint on.

Also want to send a big thank you to all of you that sent in a title for my painting.  I really loved them all and plan on using several of them for a series that I'll be painting.  My cousin Diane came up with the title "Anticipation" and I thought it was just perfect for this painting.  Thank You, Diane:)

see the jars on the left bottom--gives you an idea of the size

Here is an image if my framed painting.  And for fun an image with a couple actual jars sitting next to it so you can see the scale of the painting.

When I was talking to my Mom she said I like that your reflection is in one of the jars.  I didn't know what she was talking about because I had gotten so engrossed in painting the  shapes and colors I hadn't really looked at the painting from a distance.  Anyway sure enough in the second jar from the right you can see an abstracted me taking a picture with the camera in front of my face.  Pretty cool!

"Buona Sera"  watercolor on paper 6x6 with a 1 1/2" white border making it  9"x9"

 BID NOW

I also have a painting up for auction at Daily Paintworks.  So head on over and check it out:)
I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Carrie