"Smitty"

Hi Everyone

"Smitty" watercolor by Carrie Waller 16" x 20"

I finished my painting:)  I present you "Smitty" 16" x 20" watercolor on 260lb Arches.

"Smitty" is my Grandpa.  He is prominently featured in the center of the composition.  I found this photograph this passed Summer when I was visiting family and acquired some of the family photos.  My Grandpa passed away when I was 6 years old but I have lots of memories of him working on cars at his auto body shop.  This photo was taken when he was visiting Indianapolis, where I was born.  He got the opportunity to visit the Indy 500 test track.  I knew when I saw this photo I wanted to paint it, but how could I incorporate the photo with my love of still life painting?  I'm sure anyone that has kids, boys in particular, have lots of Hot Wheels around the house.  So I didn't have to go to far to find the rest of my composition.  I blew the photo up and surrounded it with several of the cars.  I tried to find vintage cars, in fact the Independence car, bottom, center, kind of represents me.  I was born in 1976.  The old red truck off the left of my Grandpa reminds me of him for some reason.

This painting was a fun challenge and I wasn't sure how it would turn out until the very end but I think my Grandpa would be proud.

"Emerald City" 11" x 14" watercolor by Carrie Waller

I also got some good news that my painting "Emerald City" won a purchase award from the Arkansas Small Works competition.  I delivered the painting last week.

I also had my painting "Going Green" featured in an Arkansas publication Soiree.  It looks great!  I love it when I get such amazing free coverage:)

Carrie

Work In Progress Wednesday: "Painted Ladies"

"Painted Ladies" 6" x 9" original watercolor copyright Carrie Waller

Here are the work in progress pics for "Painted Ladies".  I have to thank Sherry of Crimson Leaves blog for the title:)  I think it's perfect and went well with the "Rainbow Row" title I have of Charleston SC fame.

Is it only Wednesday, feels like Friday!  I'm ready for Friday:)  I'll be heading out to see the Louisiana Watercolor Society's International show at the Garden District Gallery in New Orleans.  I'm excited to see my piece hanging in person.  In the mean time one of my friends sent a pic of the space and my painting.

LWS International Show, my painting is the one in the corner the green bottles "Going Green".

Also had an unexpected delight this week.  I was working at the gallery I'm part of this weekend and dropped one of the local magazines and it popped open to  a full page print of my painting "Summer Kaleidoscope".  The painting is in a local show here in Little Rock and the gallery sent in images and the magazine decided to use my painting as the full page opener for their events sections.  They of course talk about my painting at the bottom and gave me credit.

My painting "Summer Kaleidoscope" in Soiree a Little Rock magazine

If you're in the Little Rock, AR area my gallery Local Colour is having an art show Thursday, May 9th from 5:30-8:00pm, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock.  Spring into Art is the name of the show and there are some wonderful paintings.  Stop by if you can.