Crawfish on Newsprint

watercolor and ink on paper 6x6 $195.00  BUY NOW

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.  We traveled to Louisiana last week to spend Easter with my husband's parents.  We had a lovely time.  We celebrated by having a crawfish and shrimp boil.  As soon as I heard that we were going to do this my mind went to where my mind always goes-- to art!   So while everyone one was drooling over dinner, they had to patiently wait while I photographed these beauties.  It wasn't until I got home that I realized they were sitting on a newspaper discussing the oil leak and the 1 yr anniversary of the BP oil spill.  So a painting was born.  I will probably revisit crawfish because they are really gorgeous in color and I got some great shots of them. 

I'm also happy to announce that my painting 'Nostalgia' the 6x6 version sold at the Randy Higbee Gallery.  The 6"squared show is in full swing and chalk full of gorgeous available art.  'Dinner at Eight' is still available as far as I know, so check out Randy's site and take in the fabulous art. 

'Nostalgia' SOLD                              'Dinner at Eight' Available

Steven got his crayons out and created a nice picture for you this week.  I'm glad we're back into using colors:)

Hope everyone has a fabulous week,

Carrie

Spring Offering

watercolor on paper 6x6 "Spring Offering"

Hi Everyone,

Oh, what a week this has been.  So many exciting events have taken place.  It started off as a fabulous week last Sunday.  I won 1st place in the LWS (Louisiana Watercolor Society's ) Captial Waters Art at the Archives show.  My painting "Venetian Canal" was the winning entry.  I also recently found out that my painting "Urban Abstraction" was juried into the LWS' International Show.  I'm shocked and amazed that I got in first time, it's very competitive.

Venetian Canal

I also had several e-mails come rolling my way congratulating me on my article in the "Military Spouse" magazine.  A month or so ago I was interviewed by the magazine, I had put it in the back of my mind, but it's out for those who subscribe.  I'm still waiting to get my copy so I haven't seen the article yet, but I've heard its good.  It was fun getting e-mails from other military spouses that art artists.  Good to know I'm not the only one out there:)

Mid-week I got my acceptance e-mails from Randy Higbee.  I am absolutely thrilled that 2 of my paintings will be in the Higbee show in April.  Some stiff competition let me tell you!!  He received 1200 entries and only accepted 400.  Thank you again for all of you that helped me decide which paintings to enter.  "Dinner at Eight" and "Nostalgia" will be in the show:)

Montgomery Museum of Fine Art

Friday my wonderful and supportive in-laws drove in from Baton Rouge to spend the weekend and babysit the boys so that Brian and I could attend the opening reception for the Montgomery Art Guild's museum exhibit.  I was fortunate enough to have a painting juried into an exhibit at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art.  It is a spectacular museum, one of the top fine art museums in the US, and I have a painting hanging in that beautiful space.  I'll post some pics soon.  The exhibit is terrific.  Saturday the juror held an art talk.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, I wasn't sure I could handle super critical feedback.  I decided to go and I'm glad I did.  The talk was very beneficial and I learned that the judge isn't a fan of literal art.  I am flattered that she chose my painting to be part of the exhibit since it's really not her style. She predominately chose abstract pieces as the award winners.  I'm not going to change my style, because I like representational art but I did take from that, that I'm going to strive to have more of an emotional meaning to my work.  It was a bit nerve wracking to give a spontaneous presentation about my work, especially since I followed an abstract piece and the artist ended his presentation with the statement that "literal art annoys him" such a great intro for me:)  I restrained from beginning my talk with and now for some "annoying literal art"

 Sunday, Brian and I attended the reception for the Energen art competition in Birmingham, AL.  I have to say it was the swankiest reception I've been to so far, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art's is a close second.  Energen had live music, terrific food, beautiful decor and an open bar.  It was a very fun afternoon.

I hope everyone has a fabulous week!  I'm completely inspired after my super arty weekend!!  I'm off to paint:)

Happy Creating,

Carrie

I Need Your Help--Vote for your Favorites

A

B

C

D

E

F

Hi Everyone,

I've just finished the last of my 6x6's for the Randy Higbee contest.  I'm titling this one 'Nostalgia'.  This chair is my Grandma's chair.  It has been sitting on her back porch for as long as I can remember.  The last time I visited, I decided to photograph this chair because I love all of the age and layers of paint.  My Grandma asked me why I wanted  to take a picture of that old chair, she said she's been meaning to refinish it.  I told her I thought it was beautiful and to please not refinish it, I'm hoping one day to own this chair.  I photographed it in front of her hydrangea bushes.  These also remind me so much of my Grandma's house.  I thought it was fitting that the blooms were at the end of their life, very fitting for the chair.

Now I need your help, I'm going to enter 4 out of the 6 and I really need your opinion.  I have each one labeled with a letter, please choose your top 4 and let me know.  You can leave a comment below, e-mail me at carriewallerart@gmail.com or leave me a message on facebook.  I value your opinion:)

Thanks everyone!  Hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Oh and the deadline is Monday, so please respond in a timely fashion,  I'm very grateful for your opinions and comments!  Please Vote:)

Carrie

Dinner At Eight

original watercolor 6x6 Reserved

The table is set, Frank Sinatra is playing in the background and a gourmet meal is waiting for you.  You are cordially invited for 'Dinner At Eight'!
I love pulling out my fine china and entertaining.  After my husband and I got married we moved to Germany.  We move with an old lazy boy and a fully stocked kitchen (wedding gifts), but we did not have any wedding china.  It didn't take me long to stumble onto the Villeroy and Boch outlet store on the border of France and Germany.  It was love at first site and we frequented  the outlet A LOT!!!  We bought our china a few place settings at a time until we had service for 12.  I love my china and I hope you will too:)

Carrie