Winner Announced and a Sunflower painting:)

Original watercolor on paper 4"x4"  $75 BUY NOW

 Hi Everyone,

I want to Thank You all so much for contributing some absolutely terrific titles.  If you came up with a title suggestion I put your name in the proverbial hat to win a set of mini-prints.  Using random.org, Linda Popple is the winner!!  Congratulations, and I'll be in contact with you to get your mailing address.  I plan on doing some more give-aways in the future so stay tuned:)

As I was saying, I got some terrific titles, and I'm thrilled because I am stashing them away to use on future paintings.  The title that I chose for the painting was "Preservation".  My hubby actually suggested it and I thought it was very fitting and went along with my other large jar painting title, "Anticipation".  Like I said I will be using some of the other titles, you guys are awesome!!!!

This week I have a 4"x4" painting.  The smallest I"v painted so far.  I"m gearing up for a Holiday Show and I want to have a variety of price points available.  So you will be seeing more of this these little guys:)

I have been so blessed this last week and half and I wanted to share with you some of my successes.

"Anticipation" original watercolor on paper 23.5 x 32 1st Place in the Louisiana Watercolor Society Crescent City Brewhouse Exhibit

"Apples in Candlewick" watercolor on paper 18 x 24 last year's 1st place winner and 3rd place winner in the Montgomery Art Guild Alabama National Fair Exhibit.

Last week I traveled to Louisiana to take part in Louisiana Watercolor Society's Crescent City Brewhouse Exhibit.  Last year this was my first exhibit I ever participated in and I placed 1st.  This year I feel like I've come full circle and I am ecstatic to say that I placed 1st again!  "Anticipation" is the painting that won.

I also was chosen as Dick Blick's feature artist for the month of October, how lucky does a girl get:)

"October Bounty" watercolor on paper 18 x 24 Honorable Mention in the Montgomery Art Guild Alabama National Fair

And if that was not enough I also took home 2 ribbons in the Montgomery Art Guild's Alabama National Fair Exhibit.  Third Place went to "Apples in Candlewick" and Honorable Mention went to "October Bounty"

It's been an exciting time!  I feel so fortunate and grateful!

See you Wednesday!

Carrie

How To Find Your Painting Style and Lose Weight At The Same Time!

Have you ever had a sleepless night, or if you're like me up till the wee hours painting?  If you answered Yes, you've probably seen an infomercial or 2.  In that hour of t.v. magic you are convinced that you can have fuller /straighter/shinier/curlier hair, look 20 years younger, have sparkling floors and be 20lbs. lighter all for the low, low price of $19.95.  Have you ever noticed the fine print?  *Results are not typical!  Do you know why that is?  Because there is no magic pill, no magic product :(  Just like everything in life it takes hard work and perseverance.  I know not what you wanted hear!!!

I've recently been re-listening to the podcasts of Artists Helping Artists radio show.  I've been listening to all of the artists interviews.  Leslie and Dreama do a fantastic job of grilling, I mean politely asking, these artists those questions that inquiring minds want to know.  Do you know what these artists have to say when asked the question, How does an artist find their artist style?  These master artists, Kevin Macpherson, Scott Christensen, Greg LaRock, Carol Marine, Karin Jurick, etc. all had something to say.  Guess what they all said, they all had a common thread--They just weren't that focused on finding a style!!!  In fact some of them weren't even sure they had a style, that's right folks, these artists, that we love and adore and can spot one of their creations from a mile away, weren't even sure if they had a style!!!  It just wasn't a priority!

What was priority was painting, painting with passion, painting what they wanted to paint and not what they thought would sell, and doing a lot of it.  Painting miles, and miles of paintings, painting daily, just showing up and doing the work!  Paint, Paint, Paint and then Paint some more, and guess what your artistic voice will emerge.  Just like everyone has a unique fingerprint and their own unique handwriting, that style will emerge!  And just like we evolve and change in our life our style will evolve and change with us!  So relax!  Problem solved, just take that task off your plate!  Isn't that freeing?  Focus on painting that is the answer! 

So I challenge you to ditch this notion that you have to have a style.  Let's try it together, for the next month, just don't worry about it, free yourself and the rest will follow:))) 

Now maybe if I could just figure out how to paint while on the treadmill I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone:)

I'm still running my mini-print give-away until Friday!  If you're interested in participating check out the Monday's blog post HERE

See you Friday Peeps:)

Carrie

I need a title, mini-print giveaway

Hi Everyone,

watercolor on paper 14 x 20

I just put the finishing touches on my newest painting.  I'm struggling with a title so I thought I would have a little fun.  I'm asking for your help.  Please leave a title in the comment section.  Everyone who enters a title will have the chance to win a collection of my mini-prints.  Once you've left a title I'll put everyone in a drawing for the prints.  Make sure you leave your e-mail address in the comments also so I can get in contact with you.

My friend Crystal Cook asked me what the inspiration behind my jar paintings are, so I thought I would share what keeps drawing me too them.  It also might help with a title inspiration. 

When I was kid I spent most summers in Southern Illinois at my Grandma's house.  Next door to my Grandma's house was my Great Grandma's house.  She passed away when I was a baby so for all of my childhood the house was vacant and dilapidated.  My cousin and I would dare each other to go into the house, which of course we had built up in our imaginations to be haunted.  We were not allowed into the house for safety reasons but we still broke the rules from time to time and went exploring usually on a dare into the house.  One of my vivid memories is of a pantry in her kitchen.  There was hole in the roof above the pantry but the shelves were still lining the walls and there were numerous jars of canned food still sitting on them.  With the placement of the hole in the roof and my height I had to look up at them and the sunlight would filter through these jars making them look like a stained glass window.  This year I've been on a bit of a journey to remember and capture some of these memories in my art.  My jar paintings are an interpretation of these memories.

I appreciate any help with a title:)

I also want to say a big Thank You to everyone that has been leaving comments.  I try to personally e-mail everyone, but I've been so busy lately I haven't been able to.  I'm trying to play catch up.  I really loved reading everyone's own struggles with their inner critic from last Wednesday's post.  It feels good to know I'm not alone!

Hope everyone has a great week. 

Carrie