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

Masquerade

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

Finally finished, just in time for Carnevale!  I titled this one Masquerade, aside from the obvious reasons, the song from Phantom of the Opera kept playing in my mind.  The reference photo for this picture was taken while Brian and I were in Venice during Carnevale.  It truly is like being in a live real, live musical.  I found it to be magical.  Costumed creatures arriving on their gondolas and strolling through the city, stopping at perfect photo op points and posing for everyone's enjoyment.  I have not attended one of the actual balls, I'm sure it is amazing.  For me the costumes are just beyond belief.  The most creative that I saw were an entire family decked out in period clothing made entirely of bubble pack, down to the tassels on the shoes and the big curly wigs.  That was a sight to see and unfortunately none of our pics turned out. 

watercolor on paper 10 x 10

Steven completed another colorful creation this week.  He is loving his new paints.  Another masterpiece, unfortunately painted on the flip side of last weeks.  Oh, well guess we'll have to frame it in between glass.  He has his own gallery in our house.  We have a china hutch in our entry way  and it houses a sampling of Steven's artworks.

Hope everyone has a great week!  It's a celebratory time at our house, we have a new nephew, Joshua Charles, born on the 31st.

Carrie

Buone Feste

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

 Carnivale in Venice is an absolutely magical time to visit.  While we lived in Europe we went every year.  It is out of this world.  People in costume drive up in their gondolas getting out at the dock and walk the streets posing for you in the most amazing places.  As an artist I was in heaven.  I didn't want to go back to the hotel because I didn't want to miss anything.  It's really like being in a movie or some fantasy world.  The entire city is alive with festivities and the scene above captures a street adorned in its festive lights.  The rainy night made for some great reflections.  This painting is a lovely memory and a promise to go back.  What are your favorite travel memories?

 Steven got back in the game this week.  He did a lovely watercolor, he said it has all of the Fall colors in it.

Also check out the Artists Helping Artists November challenge, I submitted my Illuminated Pumpkins.  Don't forget to tune into their blog radio show every Thursday, can't tell you how much information I have learned listening.

Illuminated Pumpkins watercolor on paper

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Fall.  See you next week.

Carrie

Venetian Canal

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

This week I decided to take us on a trip to one of my favorite places on this planet.  I fell in love the first time I went to Venice and became even more enamored every time we went back.  In my eyes it is one of the most magical places.  Canals that lead you around  an enchanted city.  I mean wouldn't you want to have dinner here.  This painting appeals to the voyeur in me.  Looking into these beautiful windows I can't help but want to visit, see what is going on inside this building.  It gives a whole new meaning to waterside seating. 

Next week I'll be sharing another Venice memory.  Can't wait to get it onto to paper.  Where is your favorite spot?  Where would you visit if you could go anywhere in the world?  I'm anxious to hear:)

Carrie