The Night Before Christmas

Hi Everyone,

"The Night Before Christmas, In Texas That Is" 6" x 6" watercolor by Carrie Waller

Today I'm sharing a couple of new Christmas paintings:)))))  I think I have another one or two up my sleeve before it's all over this year.

When we were moving this summer I found this childhood book of mine, "The Night Before Christmas, In Texas That Is".  I knew that it would be the inspiration for this years painting.  I knew immediately that I wanted to find a glass cowboy boot to put the milk in, do they make those?  I stopped in at my local antique store that day and what did I find, a glass cowboy boot.  It was fate!!!  I was just about to make some star cookies to complete my set up and I found a box of star cookies at the grocery store--yay, made that easier and they had white frosting, I was going to do a gold color but I love the monochromatic quality of this piece with that pop of gold and red.  Anyway, why Texas you ask? I plan on doing a series of these Christmas paintings based on places I've lived and even though I was born in Indiana we only lived there for a year before moving to Texas.  Sooooo most of my early memories are of the Lone Star State.  Are any of you Big Bang Theory fans?  I get such a kick out of the fact that Sheldon is from Texas, he'll start singing songs from Texas that I had to learned in grade school, just love that!!  Living in Texas you learn songs like, "Deep In the Heart of Texas" and "The Yellow Rose of Texas".  You also learn how to "Texas Two Step" in the first grade and how to square dance.   When I was a kid I was fascinated that it was illegal to pick blue bonnets the Texas state flower and was worried I would accidentally pick one an end up in jail:)  I have very fond memories of my Texas upbringing (we lived in Dallas and Houston in case you were interested:)

Here I am in my Texas gear, I think it's state law that you own a cowboy hat:))

The second Christmas painting that I did was a smaller version of a painting that I did a few years ago.  It's slightly different but I just love this composition.  I think it was a huge help that I had painted this larger the first time, made all of those details like the balls on the candlewick dish and glass and the powdered sugar so much easier with this smaller scale.  This one is just alive with Holiday cheer:))

"The Night Before Christmas" 6" x 6" watercolor by Carrie Waller

Have a great week everyone:)

Carrie

Kugels

"Kugels" 6x6 original watercolor on 260lb Arches by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

Here is my newest painting "Kugels" 6x6.  When Brian and I were living in Germany I started collecting kugesl.  Kugels is the German word for ball or sphere and are the ancestors to the traditional glass Christmas ornament.  They're blown, thick, glass with many colors.  The colors aren't painted but melted into the batch of molten glass.  They are beautiful and I absolutely love them. 

I like this painting because it can be out year long, it's abstract and colorful enough to not be classified as a Christmas painting.

I will have a Friday feature up this week.  Last week I was running behind and was going to post it when I got home from dropping kids off at school and running a few errands.  By that time I had heard the news from Connecticut, and it just had me reeling.  I pray for the families of the victims today and I pray for all those Mom's and Dad's that had to make a brave journey to school today to drop off their precious cargo.  I held it together until I saw the flag at half staff.  Christmas break can't get here soon enough.

Carrie

 

Work In Progress Wednesday

Hi Everyone,

Everything is in progress.  I wish I could add some hours to the day or maybe extend December by about a month, how does that sound to you:))

I'm doing a larger version of a 6x6 I did for Randy Higbee's show.  This is 11 x 14 and rectangular.

This is the 6x6 "Summer Kaleidoscope" original watercolor by Carrie Waller

 

 

My Christmas decorating is also a work in progress.  I'm beginning to think the pumpkins add a certain charm:))

Carrie

Let It Snow *Carrie Waller

"Let It Snow" 6x8 BUY NOW

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had a great weekend!  This week I have a Christmas piece.  I know, I know, it's not even Halloween, but I'm getting ready for a Holiday show.  So here is "Let It Snow".  I had a blast painting this.  I even changed the colors of the original snow globe and now I wish my snow globe looked like the painting:)  Snowmen are my favorite and I decorate with them at the Holidays.

Steven (5) and Sam (2) got into the action this week.

Steven's Halloween pic  A scarecrow in a snow globe:)

Sam's pic

Sam's pic

Hope you have a great week, see you Wednesday!

Carrie

Believe (Macy's Illumination 2010)

watercolor on paper 15 x 19
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Macy's Illumination 9 x 12

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 Magic is in the air!  Christmas is right around the corner.  It's such a festive, wonderful time of year.  The Christmas spirit is alive.  I'm enjoying this year so much, my boys are 4 and almost 2 and to see the Holidays through their eyes is invigorating.  They love it so much and it makes me want to make it extra special for them.  We take nightly drives to see all of the lights and the decorating process at our house has been an all out event.  My four year old absolutely loves to help.  He is so excited, I love this age because it's not about the gifts for him, he just loves the magic of it all.  So this week I'm painting an accompanying piece to last weeks.  It's another Macy's Illumination scene that my friend Pat captured in photo on her recent trip to New York.  When I saw her photos I was so inspired so I'm very grateful to have them as a reference.   So my question to you this week is do you Believe?  because I know I do!!!

Steven's version of Macy's Illumination

Yellow Elmo :)

Steven did his own version.  I've been amazed lately his progress.  He is now incorporating patterns.  He drew a picture of Elmo for his brother.  Sam was so excited!  I was shocked when I saw it and it did look like Elmo.  He then proceeded to color the whole thing yellow.  I told him Elmo isn't red to which he replied "Mommy this is a different Sesame Street and on this Sesame Street Elmo is yellow"  Gotta love the way his mind works, I am a little concerned that this non conformity will become an issue in school, but I can't help but admire it.

Thought I'd show you, the paintings displayed in my foyer above and antique china hutch.

A close-up

 Well I hope everyone has a fabulous week.  Don't forget to check out my new website.  I'll gladly take any suggestions.  And thank you for all of my new followers!!!  I appreciate every one of you and LOVE reading your comments:)

See you next week,

Carrie
carriewallerart@gmail.com

Ornaments

watercolor on paper 16 x 22

It's beginning to look like Christmas, everywhere you go, la la la.  I think everyone is rushing Christmas this year, at least in our neighbor hood. (I will add it does not feel like Christmas, it's still 75 degrees here)   Several neighbors have their lights up including us and a few have already switched the switch, we have not.  My 4 year old is just beside himself already.  He told me tonight "Mommy I just love Christmas".  And he does, just like his Mommy, he loves to decorate.   The lights, the colors, the decoration, the whimsy, Christmas carols,  what is not to love. Oh and the big man in the red suit, we can't leave him out and most importantly Jesus, the main attraction, the reason for the season.  I have restrained myself, we don't have our tree up or the decor in the house up, yet, that will wait until after Thanksgiving, now I can't promise that I won't have the tree up right after the turkey dinner is over.  So this week I'm posting my Holiday watercolor.  I took pictures of the entire process and I'm adding a  fun little slide show to the side of the blog.  The boys had so much fun flipping through these pics on my camera and it really did look like a little flip book, so I thought it would be fun to share.

I don't want to ignore Thanksgiving.  During this Holiday I do want to give a huge Thank you to all of my blogging buddies.  This year has been amazing for me in the blogging world.  I am so thankful for each and every one of you that follows my blog, leaves comments, and in general supports my creative endeavors.  I love hearing from each and every one of you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Well my friends, what are your Holiday plans?  Do you have favorite dishes you prepare for the Holidays?  Our Thanksgiving menu this year is  turkey (of course), mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing (this year we are trying a new twist and using jalapeno cornbread in the dressing), cream corn (from scratch), broccoli casserole (my Aunt Paula's recipe), cranberry jello mold (in place of cranberry sauce), rolls, fruit salad, pumpkin pie and pecan pie.  So I'm dying to know what is your menu, any family favorites you want to share?


Check this out.   PVE design has done a feature me and my art.  I'm so honored.  Her blog is wonderful and inspiring.

Steven is making up for his absence and created two beautiful drawings this week.  These pictures are of a waterfall, that's all I could get out of him.  They are bold and vibrant.  He does amaze me with his artistic eye.  He picked up a leaf the other day and said "Mommy there is every color in the rainbow in this leaf".  He was right, to the average person it is a brown leaf,  but if you really look at it there were flecks of literally almost every color in the rainbow.  He's amazing!!
  

I entered my Illuminated Pumpkins into an online contest hosted by Fine Art Studios Online.  I would love, love, love it if you would vote for me.  Please go click on this and hit the facebook like button.  Thank you so much!!!

Have a wonderful week!  Gobble Gobble, don't eat too much turkey and I'll see you next week:)

Carrie