Oysters on the Half Shell

"Oysters on the Half Shell" original watercolor on 260lb Arches 6x6 by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

I have been wanting to paint this picture ever since I took the photo reference 2 years ago on Mother's Day.  I'm not a fan of oysters, but for some reason I was drawn to this photo.  It was a challenge to get the oysters just right and the ice.   I also had the best time with the background.  I think I'm finally handling the blurred background well.

"San Pellegrino" original watercolo on 260lb Arches 6x6 by Carrie Waller

In case you missed it here is the 6x6 painting I did last week.  They're kind of shaping up to be a series.  I must be longing for Summer as the onset of colder weather is eminent.  Wait til you see the painting I'm working on right now.  Can't wait to share wip pictures on Wed.

Carrie

San Pellegrino 6x6 with a video demo

"San Pellegrino" original watercolor on 260lb Arches by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

Anyone else crazy busy?  I sat  down last night and did a visual calendar, which I will discuss on Wednesday, to try to organize myself.  I needed something very visual and right-brained to get my rear in gear.  And to just see how over committed I am to everything:)

In the mean time I have finished my "San Pellegrino 6x6", as I prepare to enter things into the Randy Higbee 6in squared competition.  Painting these 4 bottles in a 6in squared format was quite the challenge.  Holy magnifying glass Batman, there is some tiny print in this composition.

"Tall Drink of Water" 20" x 35" original watercolor by Carrie Waller SOLD

 Click Here to watch the video of the process of this painting

I'm also sharing a video with you of my other San Pellegrino painting, this one was not to small.  Leslie and I are doing a show on video demos tomorrow on Artists Helping Artists so I thought I would share a video I did on Animoto. And here is a link I did for video of a workshop last year.  I would love to hear about any of your experiences doing live or video demos, I'm sure there are some great stories out there:)

And I would greatly appreciate your vote in the 11th Annual Daniel Smith Customer Art Contest.  I won the weekly contest, I'm now on to the monthly contest.  Just click here, put Carrie Waller in the search bar and my painting "Celebration" will come up.  Then click the yellow vote button.  Thank you so much!!

Carrie

The Original Blizzard

Hi Everyone,

"The Original Blizzard" original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller BID NOW

The theme this month for the Cook-Waller challenge was "winter".  Now living in the South that word doesn't have the impact that it does in other areas of the country,  so it took a little thinking.  My brother was in town over the holidays and I asked him what word comes to mind when I say winter and he immediately said blizzard.  I responded, "The only blizzard you're going to get around here is at Dairy Queen".  So there you have it the answer to my challenge:)  It is after all "the original blizzard" it says so right on the cup!  My painting is up for auction through DPW.

"The Storm Breaks" original watercolor on paper by Crystal Cook 6"x6"

Crystal had a different approach, living in Utah, I would expect she sees a little more of this than a DQ blizzard.  She answered the challenge with a beautiful landscape, which is a departure for her.  I think it is beautiful and dramatic and I love her sky. Check out her blog here.

"Tall Drink of Water" original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller 20" x 35"

I also put the finishing touches on my painting "Tall Drink of Water" (thank you Kathy Cousart for the title).  My stars on the little labels weren't aligned, and it's never good when your stars aren't aligned.  I had to fix that.  I also softened the background a little.  Also had other little details I wanted to finish. 

We also found out that we'll be moving to Little Rock, Arkansas after Brian gets back.  So if anyone knows anything about the art scene there I would love to be in the know:)

See you Wednesday,

Carrie

San Pellegrino or Tall Drink of Water

Hi Everyone,

original watercolor on paper copyrighted Carrie Waller 2012 32.5" x 20"--There is a little white showing top right, I have to take a better pic tomorrow, my camera battery died.

I'm 98% of the way finished with this piece.  I have a little tweaking left to do.  I'm trying to decide if I should stick with the title "San Pellegrino"--straight forward or go with "Tall Drink of Water"?  What do you think?  Kathy Cousart left that phrase in a comment last week and I thought it was fitting and clever:)

"The Night Before Christmas" original watercolor on paper 9.75" x 9.75 copyrighted Carrie Waller 2012

My painting "The Night Before Christmas" was awarded Outstanding Watercolor for the FASO Bold Brush Competition month of December.  I'm thrilled and super excited about this:)

And on the home-front we're 2.5 months into Brian's 6 month deployment, almost half way over:))  And the big news is Sam, my 2 year old, peed in the potty for the first time last night.  If you're not a parent you may not be as excited about this, I understand, but for all of those that have been there or are yet to be there, that is a major accomplishment.  I for see a diaper free future, woooo hooooo:)))

Have a great Monday:)  See you Wednesday!

Carrie

Update!!! WIP and Give Away

Hi Everyone,

San Pellegrino WIP full sheet watercolor

 I trust that your week is going well.  It is gray and rainy here and it is making me tired.  I need my sunshine!!!  I'm plugging away on my San Pellegrino bottles, but I'm feeling like they're in that awkward adolescent phase right now.  I have almost started over sooooo many times, but I'm not giving up yet.  I will at least finish the first bottle and then re-evaluate.

Oh and I a few people ask what greens I'm using.  At the moment I'm using Schmincke Pthalo Green, Schmincke Sap Green and Daniel Smith Cascade green.  For the darks I'm using, DS Payne's Gray, DS Lamp Black and DS Indigo

I'm also wondering why it is I seem to procrastinate when it comes to competition entries.  I have several deadlines piling up and I'm scrambling to reach the finish line.  Definitely going to work on this, these deadlines are not a surprise and I do have an entire year to plan soooooo--Major goal for next year---PLAN AHEAD!!!  I want to have things finished a month out so I have some breathing room and a cushion for those unexpected things like commissions that pop up.

I'm still taking entries for my 2nd Blogiversary (is there a correct spelling for this? I think I've seen a dozen ways to spell this).  I'll be doing a drawing to give away a pack of Carrie Waller mini-prints.  Leave a comment with your e-mail address so I can contact you.  I'll announce the winner next Monday!

Carrie