Hemingway work in progress

Hi Everyone,

So I'm working on the second in my three part series based on Edward Hopper.  The accompanying pieces to "Hopper" are about people that inspired his art.  Ernest Hemingway's short story "The Killers" was the inspiration for "Nighthawks" so I decided to run with that.  These 6x6 compositions are interesting, I want to put enough info in them to have a link and story to each other but still keep them visually strong.  For this still life I checked out the only Hemingway books our little library in town had, researched Hemingway's favorite drink and drinking hole and placed them in the composition as well as a nod to Hopper with the painting "Nighthawks" peeking out in the bottom right side of the composition. 


I'm working away like a crazy lady and enjoying my 2 days a week that both boys are in school.  I got a lot done today.  My process takes a lot of time with a lot of glazes but I was really happy with my progression today.

And  if you missed my last post, here is "Hopper".  I was so happy it was chosen as a Daily Paintworks pick on Tuesday.

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

See you Friday for a new Friday Feature:)

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

A Spot of Tea

Hi Everyone,

"Spot of Tea" original watercolor on paper 6x6 $195 Buy Now

A recent Daily Paintworks challenge was to paint you favorite mug.  I took the opportunity to break out my favorite dishes and paint a spot of tea.  I'm not a coffee drinker, never have been, love the way it smells not the way it tastes, so tea it was.  I love the color of the tea and I'm always happy when I get to use my Daniel Smith quinacridone colors, just love them--thank you Paul Jackson for introducing them to me. 

The cup and saucer in this painting are dishes that my husbands Grandmother gave to us when we got married.  As a child my husband loved her "marble dishes".  I'm so glad that my he has such great taste because I just love the Candlewick dishes also.  They have been the star of a few of my still life paintings.

Above is a detail of the painting.  I was happy with the way I captured the fraying tea bag string and the reflection of my kitchen window in the painting.

And here is a picture of the painting sitting in my kitchen with the actual cup and saucer.

"Apples in Candlewick" watercolor on paper 18 x 24 NFS

"Pomegranates and Cranberries" original watercolor on paper Buy Now

"Apples in Candlewick" Mini 6x6 watercolor on paper SOLD

Here are a couple of paintings where these beautiful dishes have been the star.  I can guarantee they will be in more paintings. 

I'm working on a mason jar painting.  Can't wait to show you work in progress pictures, check back Wednesday:)

Have a terrific week everyone:)

Carrie

Buona Sera

"Buona Sera" original 6x6 watercolor on paper $195.00 BUY NOW

Here it is in a home setting.  "Buona Sera" has a 1 1/2" white border around all sides of the 6x6 making the overall dimensions 11 x 11.  The fabulous thing about a watercolor is that you can mat large and make a very substantial piece.

 Today's painting is in response to the Daily Paintworks weekly challenge.  This week's challenge was to paint to music.  As soon as I read the challenge the song "Buona Sera" by Louis Prima popped in my head.  I downloaded the song and listened to it repeatedly while painting this piece.  I let my brush dance across the page to the rhythm of the music to create the ripples in the water.  Click on the you tube video at the bottom to hear the song by Louis Prima.

The reference photo for this painting was taken during a trip to Venice.  As we were walking back to our hotel during sunset this is the view we had.  So romantic!  I love Venezia:)

original 6x6 watercolor on paper with a 1" border of white all the way around making the overall dimension 8x8

"Hydrangea in Soup Tureen" up for auction at Daily Paintworks.com only a few days left BID HERE

 

Carrie

Artists Helping Japan

'All My Eggs In One Basket'  6x6 watercolor on paper All proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross BID HERE

Hi Everyone,

This week I'm participating in an on-line art auction where all proceeds will be donated to help the crisis in Japan.  My heart has been heavy hearing about such devastation, I can't imagine going through something so terrible.  When I heard about Daily Paintworks auction I jumped at the chance to donate a painting for the cause.  There are close to 200 paintings right now.  It is a win win for everyone, the buyer gets a piece of original art and the proceeds are donated to such an important cause.  So visit the site and bid on your favorite painting:)

I also want to give everyone a huge THANK YOU for helping me make my decision on which paintings to enter into Randy Higbee's 6x6 exhibit.  I was really surprised at the results and it actually swayed my decision from what I originally thought I would enter.  So wish me luck!  Oh, and I entered A, B, E and F. 

1st Place 'Venetian Canal'

Also this past Sunday my painting 'Venetian Canal' placed 1st in the Louisiana Watercolor Society's Capital Waters State Archives Exhibition.  I am humbled and so grateful.  Just when I'm having some doubts something like this happens and renews my motivation and determination.  Check out their site, my painting rests on the LWS home page until the next competition!

I also want to give a big Thank You to my in-laws Debbie and Steve Waller and Amy Palmer (aunt).  They schlep my art all over Louisiana to get my paintings into exhibitions and they attend receptions in my place. It's terrific to have such support:) 

Carrie