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| "Little Hummers", watercolor and gold leaf, 8" x 18" by Carrie Waller Buy Now $125 |
Carrie
Original Watercolor Paintings by artist Carrie Waller that are bold, dramatic, and vibrant. Compelling compositions and beautiful light are incorporated in each painting, making an ordinary scene or object an extraordinary work of art.
Showing posts with label paintings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paintings. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Little Hummers
Carrie
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday Feature: Suzie Seerey-Lester
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| "Setting Off" by Suzy Seerey-Lester |
Today I'm bringing Suzie Seerey-Lester. Suzie Seerey-Lester is a distinguished wildlife and landscape artist whose works depict large mammals, birds of prey, magnificent underwater creatures and environmentally sensitive tableaus. She is a master in the art of Plein Air painting and is in the process of painting throughout America.
To see more of her work visit her website.
How did you get your start? What's your artistic journey so far?
I was born in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Springfield, Virginia when my parents divorced – I was about 3. We lived with my grandmother who was a wonderful inspiration to me.
I was the first woman Scuba Diving Instructor Trainer in the early 70s, while I was still in High School. That’s when I really started to paint. I was lucky enough to see whales, sharks, dolphins and all the magical creatures that live in the sea. So I decided to paint them so I could share them with the world. I wasn’t very good. I took the paint right out of the tube, never mixing colors! I did sell quite a few paintings, even though they were very primitive.
I continued my career as a Diving Instructor for 18 years, including working for the CIA. I taught CIA agents, FBI, Park Police, and local police, how to do “special” things underwater. I trained President Gerald Ford’s Secret Service Agents to dive as well. So I traveled to exoitic locations to teach diving, and continued to paint on the side.
In 1990, while living in San Diego, I took my first real art class. It was amazing to me that you could make things look close up, or far away with the use of color. You could make things round, or in perspective. I continued with the school every weekend that I was home. By this time I was working for DHL (international courier company) traveling around the world. In 1994 a friend suggested I take a painting class with her, in Guatemala! So I did!! John Seerey-Lester and Alan Hunt were the instructors for the 35 students that traveled to Tikal. The first night John explained that a group of four students with go with him at 4:00 am to climb a 200 foot tree to see the canopy wake up – toucans flying by, parrot waking up, and the temples come out of the mist. I was in that first group. It was magical!!
I continued to do mixed shows and museum exhibits both domestically and internationally, including some shows that John was showing in as well.
I became a professional artist in 2000 when I married John.
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| "Morning Flight" by Suzie Seerey-Lester |
If you could live anywhere where would you live?
I love the gulf coast of Florida, on the beach! To me that is paradise. As artists we could live anywhere. John choose to live in the Venice area when he arrived from England in 1980. I had lived in San Diego for 25 years, but loved the quiet life in Florida. With more birds than people.
What's your favorite thing to paint and why?
My favorite things to paint are old barns and birds, and sometimes old barns with birds!! I feel that these barns are our vanishing treasures and need to be captured in paint before they disappear. I love the light coming thru the slats of the barn or the open door flooding the floor with the brilliant morning light. There are so many interesting things to be found in barns. Birds are just so elegant and beautiful – in Florida we are surrounded by wonderful birds – Great Blue Herons, Rosetta Spoonbills, Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, Wood Storks, Barred Owls, Egrets, Ibis, just to name a few that we see almost every day.
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| "Nosin Around" by Suzie Seerey-Lester |
Could you talk about your painting techniques?
I paint in both oils and acrylics, depending on what I am painting. If I want strong bright colors, I will use oil. If I am painting atmosphere – mist, rain, snow, etc., I will use acrylics. In both oil and acrylic I start with a Masonite panel. I then apply at least one coat of mid gray gesso. This seals the panel, gives a tooth to the surface (some “pre gessoed” masonite is so slick the paint won’t stick – its like painting on a refrigerator), and the surface is now a mid-tone. When painting on the mid-tone, I can immediately see my whites, my darks and mid-tones. When painting white birds (in acrylic)– like ibis or wood storks, I will use the gray of the panel as the base for the shadow of the bird. So the white part of the bird may have 100 layers of white gesso, while the shadow area will have reflected light and warm colors in fewer layers. The same with snow. I use the background as the shadow, and layer the gesso over the shadows. I paint with acrylic in thin layers, over and over, which gives the painting that soft feeling. Acrylic also gives me the control to paint in lots of detail, quickly. When using oil, I also paint very thin, so I can change shapes easily. When I am happy with the painting, I will start to apply thicker paint.
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| "Morning Mist-Great Horned Owl" by Suzie Seerey-Lester |
Do you have go-to paint/colors, what are your favorites?
My pallet, in both oil and acrylic is: Payne’s Gray, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber, Transparent Brown (acrylic), Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Naples Yellow, Cad Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Viridian, Titanium White (oil) Gesso (Acrylic). We use Rembrandt Oils and some Richeson Oil colors, and Rembrandt Acrylics. I use a lot of Payne’s and raw umber.
Do you have a favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My favorite artists are Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh – the old masters, and Andrew Wyeth. Because my jobs allowed me to travel all over the world, I was lucky to visit some of the best museums. The Louvre, in Paris, The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, in Amsterdam, Dali in Barcelona, and of course all the wonderful museums in the US. I love Vermeer and Rembrandt for their use of light, and Andrew Wyeth for his minimal use of color.
My biggest inspiration as an artist is my husband, John Seerey-Lester. He is one of the world’s top wildlife artists and an incredible artist. He has taught me most about painting than any else. He inspires me to get better and better, to paint every day. We paint side by side every day, and feed off each other as we paint. If he sees something that needs to be worked on (in one of my paintings) he makes me figure out what is wrong, so I can correct it. What a great way to learn. We are each other’s extra set of eyes.
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| "Out of Gas" by Suzie Seerey-Lester |
What have been some of your crowning achievements?
Some of my crowing achievements are:
I wrote an award-winning book: My Painting Is Done, Now What Do I Do? It is a business book for artists.
Exhibited in Birds In Art 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011
Master Artist two man show at the Waterfowl Festival 2012
Exhibited in Artists for Conservation 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Honored by the NRA for my artwork at the 2013 Women’s Leadership Forum.
2012 Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition, Finalists Award, with an honorable mention in the wildlife category for Sudden Flurry
2011 Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition, Finalists Award, with an honorable mention in the wildlife category for Swan Song
Top 100 in Paint America for two different paintings, Juror’s Award in Paint America for the judges’ favorite painting of the entire show,
Judges Award from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine,
Artist of the year for The Ocean Foundation,
Two Top 200 and Top 100 in “Arts for the Parks”,
The Bennington Art Museum, Animals In Arts Tour,
Coos Bay Art Museum, where she received an Award of Merit,
Grant’s Pass Museum,
Florida Museum for Women Artists first juried show,
Society of Animal Artists - Art and the Animal Show
Honored by The Raymond James Companies as their first “Women In Arts” wildlife artist.
Two-man show in a castle outside Barcelona Spain in 2002 and 2004.
Member of Strathmore’s Who’s Who.
Artwork published in “The Best of Oil Painting” book.
John & I were on the cover of Wildlife Art News,
Featured in Sporting Classics Magazine, and the SKB News.
Sold paintings at Christie’s and Sotheby’s Art Auctions in London, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the Honolulu Zoo.
Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists (SAA), Artists for Conservation (AFC), Oil Painters of America (OPA), American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA), The Wildlife Artists Association (WAA), a founding member of Southern Plein Air Artists (SPAA), and The PhArtists.
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| "Swan Song" by Suzie Seerey-Lester |
What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
- I would love to win a $400 million lottery so I could set up an anonymous safety net for artists in need. If an artist has big medical bills – to pay them without them knowing. If an artist looses a love one, to help them with counseling or paying their bills. If an artist is about to loose their home, to step in and save it for them, again with out the artist knowing who helped.
- I would love to build a home with a separate studio building. Custom designed studio for what works for us, at least 3000 square feet.
- Have one of my painting sell in excess of $100,000.00.
- Have a book of my paintings published.
- Get better painting my favorite subjects.
What is your advice for other artists whoa re just getting started in their career?
My advice for an artist just starting is to do your best work. Do not let anything go out of your studio unless you are proud of it. No mater what (deadlines, cash flow)– make sure it is your best work. If you start taking short cuts, your work will suffer.
What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?
The best advice that I received as an artist is to paint every day. The more you paint, the better you will become.
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| "Born Storming" by Suzie Seerey-Lester |
SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla
Dream vacation spot?
Hawaii
Favorite Author?
James Patterson
Favorite Movie?
Out of Africa
Romance or Comedy?
Comedy
Favorite dessert?
Red Velvet Cake
Night owl or morning person?
Morning Person
This was fun, thank you so much.
Suzie
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Friends
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| "Friends" 5.5" x 10"original watercolor by Carrie Waller |
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| "Bunny O'Hare" 6" x 6" original watercolor by Carrie Waller |
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| SOLD "All My Eggs in One Basket" 6" x 6" original watercolor by Carrie Waller |
Friday, February 8, 2013
Friday Feature: Lisa O'Regan
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| "Playing with Fire" watercolor by Lisa O'Regan |
Get ready for a fabulous Friday Feature! Lisa O'Regan's work is stupendously spectacular. I just can't get enough of it and absolutely love following her works in progress on facebook.
To see more of her work join her on facebook.
How did you get your start? What’s your artist journey so far?
I have been drawing
and painting since a very young age, for as long as I can remember really. My mother was a painter, and my father also
had talent but never practiced (other than the few caricatures that we would
draw of one another for fun left to decorate the refrigerator door). I knew before entering High School that I
would continue my education in Fine Arts, and was very fortunate to have both
my parent’s support and encouragement in doing so. I received my BFA from University when I was
21, but at such a young age, I had no idea what to do with it, and eventually
succumbed to a nine-to-five position, which I’ve held for the past 24 years, completely
unrelated to my field of study. I had
basically secluded myself from the art world, even while in University. I would hide behind my easel, feeling daunted
that I wasn’t following the norm (in any respect whatsoever) and feared any
piercing eyes looking over my shoulder, so unsure of what it was that I was
doing or needing to say. I didn’t want
to follow artists at all, not wanting to mimic anyone else’s style. I took up watercolour painting, without much
direction from schooling, and proceeded to paint mostly for the pure enjoyment
of painting tied in with the occasional commission piece, until I gave painting
up altogether for a full fifteen years to raise my three beautiful
children. Fifteen years is a long time,
and I was pretty much kicking myself the whole time for neglecting it, and my
degree, but no regrets. It was almost
five years ago that I finally took out my brushes again, and have not laid them
down since. I no longer hide, or shy
away when someone ogles while I work, and I rather welcome the abundance of art
displayed daily in my Facebook newsfeed – I just simply can’t get enough of
it! I still have no idea what I’m doing,
or needing to say, but it doesn’t matter so much to me anymore – I simply want
to paint. Whatever, wherever, whenever. Much of my recent adventures have included
the rebuilding of my portfolio, taking on commissions, as well as entering and
being successfully juried into art competitions. It’s a solo journey that I’ve embarked on,
and I have absolutely no idea where it will take me, but I’m enjoying every
second of it along the way!
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| "Standing the Test of Time" watercolor by Lisa O'Regan |
Where were you born?
I was born in St.
Lambert, Quebec, a town on the south shore of Montreal.
If you could live anywhere where would you live?
I am a proud
Canadian, and love my heritage, and even though I complain about the cold snowy
winters, I wouldn’t have it any other way – but the views are much more
spectacular out West, and wouldn’t mind eventually settling in British Columbia
or Alberta one fine day.
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| "Sepia" watercolor by Lisa O'Regan |
What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?
Oh… the
choices!! I had heard that it was best to paint what you
know and love, and so, without any other forethought, my kids and cats would be
my favourite things to paint. I love so
many other things too, such as, nature and wildlife, that I could never say
that I focus entirely on any one type of subject matter solely, and hope to see
many other ideas to fruition as well.
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| "Harry" watercolor by Lisa O'Regan |
Could you talk about your painting techniques?
I’m not sure I can
describe my painting technique other than to say that I like to paint
realistically enough, but in a painterly manner so to speak. Even though I alter between watercolour and
acrylic, I think my technique remains the same.
I tend to build up shapes and forms, by layering the acrylic on the
canvas, much the same as I would glaze layers of watercolour on paper, and by
the same token, I will work wet-in-wet wherever possible or necessary for
either/or.
Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?
Windsor & Newton
Burnt Sienna for watercolour and Pebeo Indigo Blue for acrylic – both are musts
for every palette, and for every painting that I work on.
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| "Insignificant Boundaries" watercolor by Lisa O'Regan |
Do you have a favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I’d have to say that
Mary Whyte is my favourite watercolour artist.
There is just something about the figures that she paints, and the
emotions that speak to me whenever I view one of her paintings. My
biggest inspiration, without a doubt, would be my mother. It has been such a pleasure to follow in her
footsteps, sharing not only her love for painting, but photography and nature
as well. Of course I have a favourite
go-to list of artists that I am constantly checking up on as well, and couldn’t
live without a daily dose of artwork, in some
way, shape or form, which is so very contrary to my younger days.
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| "First Born" acrylic by Lisa O'Regan |
What have been some of your crowning achievements?
My kids, of course…
without a doubt! Are three enough? :)
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| "Life Goes On" acrylic by Lisa O'Regan |
What are five things you would like to happen in your
life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
Like most, I’d want to
win the lottery, travel the world, quit my job and paint full-time – whether it
be as employment, or enjoyment solely, doesn’t matter… but in all honesty, I
don’t play the lottery, and all I really want is a new house, with a big bright
room of my own, to call a studio – MY studio! :)
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| "Watcha Lookin At" by Lisa O'Regan |
What is your advice for other artists who are just
getting started in their career?
Practice makes
perfect. Just keep doing what you love
to do, and eventually, your passion will turn into a profession. At least that’s what I’m hoping for, for
myself!
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| "Mellow Yellow" watercolor by Lisa O'Regan |
Paint what you love,
and love what you paint.
SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate!
Your dream vacation spot?
I would love to go
to Ireland one day, but today, anywhere hot would suffice – it’s so cold right
now!
Book or movie?
Movie (no time to
read these days)
Favorite author?
John Grisham
Favorite movie?
It’s a toss-up
between One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Nightmare before Christmas… oh,
and anything featuring Tom Hanks!
Ew. Drama!
Favorite dessert?
Not really into
desert… but pecan pie, if I must!
Night owl or morning person?
Morning person,
definitely. It’s all about the light! :)
Thank you so much Lisa.
Carrie
Friday, October 26, 2012
Friday Feature: Diane Morgan
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| "Raindrops on Roses" watercolor by Diane Morgan |
Happy Friday my friends. It's time again for another Friday Feature. Today is the multi-talented artist Diane Morgan. She can do it all, oil, watercolor, photography and do it all very well. She has won major awards, been in the big magazines and today she's sharing with us how she's done it all.
How did you get your start? What’s your artist journey so far?
I've drawn and painted for as long
as I can remember. My father was a
talented artist, but he only painted as a hobby. As a child I remember seeing some of his
wonderful drawings at my grandmother's house.
Later, watching him paint influenced me to want to try. I started
college as a language major, but switched to art my junior year. I decided to pursue what I loved rather than
what I thought I should do. I majored
in painting, but was offered a job in advertising before I graduated. I eventually owned my own advertising agency
and loved my career. I never tried
making a living as a fine artist until later in life. Wish I had tried it
sooner!
Where were you born? I was born in Detroit.
My family moved to the suburbs before I started school.
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| "Rainy Day Roses" original watercolor by Diane Morgan |
If you could live anywhere where
would you live? One weekend many years
ago I spent the entire two days writing down my goals. One of them was move to California to enjoy warm sunshine year-round.
Michigan is
often cloudy and the winters are long. It wasn't long before just about everything I
had written down came true. I think it's
very important to write down your goals.
I love where I live and never think of moving somewhere else to retire. This is exactly where I want to be. I don't
plan to retire either!
What’s your favorite thing to
paint and why? I envision a painting in almost everything I see. I want to paint everything. I suppose if I had to choose I would select a
still life. I love taking a normal
everyday object and getting people to take a closer look; view something in a
different light. I like to add strong shadows, contrasts and often reflections....turn
the ordinary into something more.
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| "Just Glorious" original oil by Diane Morgan |
Could you talk about your painting
techniques? My techniques are pretty
traditional. My work is quite realistic
so I spend a great deal of time on details.
I first do a small thumbnail to determine the positioning and the values
and use colored pencil to work out the color choices. Then, on 300# Arches cold press watercolor
paper I do a very detailed drawing. The paint is then applied in many, many
layers. I usually do the background
first so if it's not successful I haven't spent a whole week on the main
subject only to ruin it with a bad background wash. It helps me to do the background colors first
as they can also influence color selections for the objects. I generally work from left to right, top to
bottom so my hand does not rest on wet paint.
Do you have go-to paints/colors,
what are your favorites?
I tend to stick with a few
old-time favorites. Alizarin Crimson,
Payne's Grey, Cobalt Blue, Sap Green, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, and Cad
Red. I love making my own blacks and grays
with varying mixes of red/yellow/blue. There
are so many wonderful new colors available.
I'm trying to be more adventurous.
I've recently added Lavender and Cobalt Turquoise to my palette. The Quinacridones are also fun, as are the
new metallics.
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| "Organized Chaos" original watercolor by Diane Morgan |
Do you have a favorite
artist? Who has been your biggest
inspiration?
My two favorite artists are
Georgia O'Keeffe and Leonardo daVinci. Georgia's large
florals were my biggest inspirations.
Leonardo was a genius. He was so curious about everything.
What have been some of your
crowning achievements?
Having a painting selected for the
Blossom II Art of the Flower competition and traveling show. Winning an award in an National Watercolor
Society exhibition. Getting a 10-page
feature article in International Artist Magazine. Being selected as President
of the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society. I've learned so much and have made
so many wonderful friends there. I've
gotten back so much more than I have given.
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| "Surface Tension" original watercolor by Diane Morgan |
What are five things you would
like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
I'd like to be in several more
galleries around the country. Signature
status in NWS and/or AWS would be nice. Travel
to France and Italy to paint.
Teach more classes and maybe even workshops around the country...I love
teaching. Spend more time with friends,
especially getting together with my painting pals to paint.
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| "Head on 57 Chevy" original watercolor by Diane Morgan |
What is your advice for other
artists who are just getting started in their career?
The most important thing is to
paint, paint, paint. The only way
to improve is to keep working. It has been suggested that if you want to learn
to paint...go paint a hundred paintings. One challenge I created for
myself was to do a painting a day. For six months I completed a small
painting every day and sold them on eBay. I quickly passed the 100 mark.
This daily self-imposed assignment increased my productivity, improved my
creativity and painting skills and opened up several opportunities for me that
would not have happened. I highly recommend the daily challenge. It's also
very important to network. No one will
know about your work if you just stay home.
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| "57 Chevy" original oil by Diane Morgan |
What is the best advice that you
have received as an artist? My college
professor told me to paint big. I think
of that every time I pick up a brush. Even a 6" x8" canvas can have a
big impact if the image is close-up. This advice really helped determine my
style.
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| "Red Rocket Caddy" original oil by Diane Morgan |
SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
Your dream vacation spot? Anywhere with an ocean and palm trees and a
golf course.
Book or movie? Old movies from the 30's and 40's
Favorite author? Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Favorite movie? Gone with the Wind
Favorite dessert? Strawberry
shortcake
Night owl or morning person? Night owl, but I'm trying to quit.
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