"Incandescent" 18" x 24" by Carrie Waller

"Incandescent" 18" x 24" watercolor by Carrie Waller

I may not have slept in the past 24 hours but I have a completed painting!  Yay!!!  And I completed by my competition deadline.  Just have to drop the entry in the mail tomorrow, phew!

It's hard to believe that I started this the day I came down with the flu.  I should probably title this "Tamiflu" because without it I wouldn't have this painting,  miracle drug I tell you.

I want to thank everyone for the comments that you've been making.  If I weren't so sleep deprived I would e-mail you all.  I appreciate every comment and trust me when I'm tired and in the home stretch of a painting your comments pull me through.

Now I'm going to sleep!  Tomorrow the Christmas trees come down because I have a newspaper photo shoot on Wednesday!  Love my crazy life:)

Carrie

"Incandescent" 18" x 24" work in progress, watercolor by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

"Incandescent" 18" x 24" work in progress, watercolor by Carrie Waller

After pulling an all-nighter.  I am in a much better place with this painting and I may just make my competition deadline.  Feeling slightly relieved:)

Carrie

"Banned" 18" x 24", watercolor by Carrie Waller

"Banned" 18" x 24" watercolor, completed by Carrie Waller

In spite of a little boy with 104 fever last night, I finished my painting.  Sam is much better today and I was staying up to monitor him during his sleep so I thought I may as well paint.  I'm hoping he just had a 24 hour thing.  Can I tell you how done I am with the winter and sickness at our house.  Bring on spring and summer!

So I present you after 12 days of working on this painting a completed "Banned".  I love the color scheme and I will be doing at least one more lightbulb painting.  But I'm taking a break and painting another painting in the mean time.  If I were not participating in the 30 in 30 challenge, which I've adapted to 30 day of continuous painting.  So I'm doing the drawing for my next painting today.

Carrie

"Banned" 18" x 24" watercolor, work in progress by Carrie Waller Day #10

"Banned" 18" x 24" watercolor, work in progress by Carrie Waller

So stinkin' close to be finished:)  But these reflected areas of light on the left side of the painting require me to take my time.  I want them to be beautiful.  So I'm stretching it out one more day.

Carrie

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress watercolor by Carrie Waller Day #7

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress, watercolor by CarrieWaller

Today is the perfect example of why I decided to take part in Leslie's 30 in 30 challenge.  I knew from the beginning I would not be attempting to complete a painting a day but I wanted to keep myself on track while I pushed through working on some larger competition pieces.  Today I am so glad I decided to take part in the challenge.  I normally would not of put brush to paper.  I am on day 2 of a migraine.  I had to drop some art off today and spent a bulk of my day running errands and having lunch with a friend (and yes I can function with a migraine, it's just not fun and I did take meds and a nap to try to get rid of it)!.   On a normal day I would have just chalked it up to a non-painting day but I decided to make myself paint for  few hours this evening.  It may not look like I got a lot done but I did get about 3 hours in and I feel really good about tomorrow.  I have an entire day planned of painting, yay!!!!

Carrie

"Banned" work in progress Day #6

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress, watercolor by Carrie Waller

Here is my progress for Day #6.  Not too bad considering the kids had their first day back, I had a migraine most of the day and I got all of the laundry done.  It's a balancing act:)

Carrie

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress by Carrie Waller Day # 5

"Banned" work in progress, 18" x 24" watercolor by Carrie Waller

School starts tomorrow, aghhhh!  Not ready for the 7 a.m. wake up call.  Anyone want to volunteer to take the kids to school:)  I'm moving along on my painting.  A little slow.  I took part of the day off.

Carrie

"Banned" work in progress Day 4

Hi Everyone,

"Banned" work in progress, watercolor 18" x 24" by Carrie Waller

I'm moving along.  I was up until 4 a.m. painting last night.  I find it easiest to paint when the house is quiet.  Can I tell you how much I'm going to miss Christmas break, no getting up at 7 a.m.  I am looking forward to getting back into a routine but why can't the kid's school start at a reasonable hour like 9 or 10 a.m. ?

Carrie

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress watercolor Day #2

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress, watercolor by
Carrie Waller 

Here is my progress so far.  I'm trying to paint at least 2 lightbulbs a day.  Each one takes 3-4 hours.  I told you I paint slow:)

Carrie

Leslie's 30in 30 challenge "Banned" work in progress

Hi Everyone,

"Banned" 18" x 24" work in progress watercolor by Carrie Waller

I'm participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge again.  This time I have several competition pieces I'm working on so I won't be completing a painting a day but I will be posting my work in progress paintings each day.

My work in progress today is called "Banned".  That is the working  title.  I was out shopping for lightbulbs the other day and had the hardest time finding regular old incandescent bulbs.  My husband informed me that they won't be selling them in the U.S. anymore because they've been banned.  This made me want to paint them.  They are really beautiful.  Stay tuned for each day's post because the reflections and shadows cast are really quite beautiful.  It really feels like a dance.  Can't wait to show you more:)

Carrie

"Red Light, Green Light"

"Red Light, Green Light" 8" x 10" watercolor with gold leaf background
Buy Now $59

Another view of "Red Light, Green Light"

These beautiful leaves are in my own yard.  I had my husband assisting me while I photographed these leaves.  He held them up in front of a strong light so I could get the light filtering through.  He held them straight up and down and I said it looks better at an angle.  He replied but it looks like a stoplight this way:)  I love when my family comes up with good ideas:)  When I was titling this one my oldest son said how about "Red Light, Green Light".   How clever!  This leaf painting a favorite of mine.  I just love it!

I also thought I would show you the collage of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  I managed to squeak out 25 paintings because a few took more than one day.  It is the first time I have ever challenged myself like this and I have to say even though it was a roller coaster of a journey I am so glad I did it!

Carrie

"On Fire" Day 30/30

"On Fire" 8" x 10" watercolor with gold leaf background

Another view of "On Fire" 

It's the last day of the 30 in 30 challenge and I'm so glad I did it;))  It has been a roller coaster.  I hit a wall at day 20, had to regroup and boy was that a blessing.  Out of that came my gold leaf series.  They are so much fun to paint and people love them.  I am overwhelmed by the response and it makes me so happy:)

Today I have "On Fire".  It's a glorious red leaf.  Nature is such an amazing showcase of colors right now.

Thank you to everyone that has been following along and thank you to those that have purchased leaves.  I plan on painting a few more:)

Carrie

"Time To Change" Day 28/30

"Time To Change" watercolor with gold leaf background 8" x 10"
$59

Another view of "Time To Change"

This leaf was so much fun to paint.  I love all the colors.  The song "Time To Change" kept running through my head.  Remember that episode of the Brady Bunch?  The Brady crew had formed a singing crew Peter's voice was changing, what was the group to do?  They sang "Time To Change" and Peter's adolescent cracking voice could shine through:)

Carrie

"Nothing Gold Can Stay" Day 27/30

"Nothing Gold Can Stay" watercolor and gold leaf 8" x 10"
$59

This project has really put me in touch with nature.  On my daily walk I am in constant search for changing leaves.  With all of this inspiration from nature I thought this poem was a beautiful accompaniment to this piece.

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

       ___Robert Frost

Carrie

Friday Feature: Carolyn McDonald

Carolyn M

Today my Friday Feature is Carolyn McDonald.  I have been enjoying her paintings during the 30 in 30 challenge.  

To see more of Carolyn's work visit her facebook page and website

What made you decide to participate in the 30 in 30 challenge?

  I had been in a slump after my car accident and I knew that the advice Leslie Saeta gives is true.  So, I decided it would be good for me to publicly announce that I was going to do the challenge.  

What have you learned so far painting every day for the challenge?

I have learned several things from painting 30 paintings in 30 days.  1) Just paint the shapes; it all makes sense at the end; 2) Mix all the paint left over each day and use the gray in the next day painting; 3) How to loosen up strokes and keep the harder edges where I want emphasis; 4) New color combinations; 5) I have a wealth of subject matter in my classroom; 6) Painting student's feet is a great way to connect with them.

Did you have a theme in mind when you started?  What was your plan of attack for the challenge?

I decided to paint portraits at first, but I was painting large and found out quickly that I would not get to keep up with the challenge. I moved to an old theme, bow ties, because my gallery in Nashville asked that I paint more bow ties for the gallery.  While looking at the collection I realized that the neck/tie composition was unique and asked myself what other body part I could paint that would be interesting.  I found an old photo of a student in high heels and realized that was my next move.  It has been successful and I plan to do more.  Next, I looked at the portraits I had done and cropped in on one, immediately recognizing the possibilities. It never fails, painting everyday improves the quality of my work.  For now, I plan to continue the shoes and cropped faces.  Personally, those bring the most joy!

Thank you Carolyn for your interview:)  Can't wait to see the last 5 paintings:)

Carrie

"Rain Flower" Day 20/30

This is an appropriate painting for today because we had our first day of rain in a long time.

Carrie

Friday Feature: Kara Bigda

"Kara Bigda's Fisher Price People Series, original watercolors.

It's Friday Feature Day. Today I'm featuring Kara Bigda. She has been participating in the 30/30 painting challenge and I just love this whimsical series. I have always been a fan of her Fisher Price paintings, in fact I own a few.

To see more and to purchase one of her paintings visit her website, blog and facebook page.

1-Why did you decide to do the challenge? I had wanted to do a series of these Fisher Price paintings for awhile now, but something would always come up. This challenge was a good way to stick to my commitment and keep me serious about it. I always stay a little more disciplined when I think that someone might be "watching" me -- whether or not anyone really is, well, who knows!? -- It makes me more accountable.

2-What have you learned so far from painting everyday? This is really hard. More difficult than I ever imagined. But I've learned how important planning is - especially for me - if I ever want to do a series again, which I am planning for. In the area of painting, specifically, I've learned some things about color mixing, values, details vs. vague areas; all things that have to do with creating contrast within a painting, making it your own, not being a slave to the photograph (although I still kind of am, but I'm getting better I hope).

3-Do you have a theme, what was your plan of attack for painting 30 paintings? I think I kind of answered this already. Yes, Fisher Price Little People is my theme -- they never get old for me. Before the challenge started, I sorted through all my references, cropped and sized about 15 paintings. I cut my paper and drew out the first 15. Then I began painting painting about 4 of them. I've tried to maintain about 3-4 paintings at a time, so as soon as I finish one, I start a new one, while I still have others in various stages of completion. But it's really easy to get behind when life stuff gets in the way. Like right now, I only have one painting going, so I need to sit down and actively plan out my remaining paintings. Some will be a couple of commissions, so I already know what I'm going to do, I just have to do it - set up the still life, photograph, etc. But by the end of Friday, I'll have most all of the remaining paintings started -- that's the plan anyway. I don't like scrambling and feeling pressured. And I have a couple other commissions that I'm working on also, so I have to be organized.

This has been a really great experience and I thank Leslie Saeta for hosting it. She's very inspiring -- her blog, AHA, etc. And thank you too, Carrie, for inviting me to share what I do.

Thank you Kara so much for doing the feature:) I'll have my painting posted for today, soon:) Happy painting everyone!

"Flight of the Bumblebee" Day 19/30

"Flight of the Bumblebee" 4.5" x 5.5" watercolor by Carrie Waller
Day 19/30
Buy Now

I saw this cute little bumblebee the other day while we were out.  I love having my iphone because it snaps pretty good pics.  I did find it funny that while most of the bumblebees were crawling into the flower to get to the center there was one bumblebee that would just extract it from the exterior of the flower at the base, he really knew how to save time:)

I'm also sharing a group shot of my paintings from this week.

Carrie

Sepia Pears

"Sepia Pears" 7.5" x 8.5" original watercolor by Carrie Waller
Day 18/30
Buy Now

Today I started teaching private lessons with a student.  The first painting I have my students do is a monochromatic painting (with the exception of the background which is a sepia/indigo mix) in sepia.  I do this so that students can learn to establish their values immediately.  Plus it eliminates having to think about mixing colors because you only get one.  I have always loved sepia paintings.  I spent the first 6 mos to a year to a lot of sepia paintings when I first started painting.  I have talked with other artists that began that way as well.

We had a good first lesson and I'm looking forward to working with him.

These are 4 monochromatic paintings that I did from architectural details I found all over Europe.  I was always on the hunt for these round details.  The top one from was a church in Cambridge, England, the next one down was found in Prague, the 3rd one down was a manhole cover in Paris (they design everything), and the bottom one was from the Palace Versailles.

These have hung in every house we have lived in during our 12 years of marriage and I will not part with them:)

Carrie

Summer Rose

"Summer Rose" 4.5" x 5.5" original watercolor by Carrie Waller
Buy Now

"Summer Rose" is Day 17/30.  Steven, my oldest son, picked this for me out of his Grandma's garden and they cut a water bottle down to make the cutest little bud vase.   Just goes to show you that even a water bottle is beautiful!

Carrie