These are a few of my favorite things

Thought I'd share some favorite things of mine:)

Favorite Fall Painting:

I love this painting of Heide Presse's "Oliver's Porch".  Heide paints with watercolor, casein and oils.  After seeing her works I bought casein paints, I didn't have much success with them, I may have to give it another go sometime.

Favorite Paints

 It was love at first sight with Daniel Smith's quinacridone paints.  Couldn't live with out them.

Favorite Candle

I love candles and this is what I'm burning this month.  Smells so good!

Favorite Fall Candy

I hate to admit this but our family has already been through 2 bags of candy corn and it's not even October yet.

Favorite Artsy Flick

Watched this documentary while painting this month.  It's fascinating.  I was thrilled when I found out that the Arkansas Art's Center just had the opening for an exhibit "50 for Arkansas: the Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection." The couple's gift to Arkansas is part of the Vogels' "50X50" donation of 50 works to all 50 states, to institutions of their choice, making the Arts Center lucky as well. The remainder of the Vogel collection went to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  Can't wait to see it.

Favorite Project Around the House

I decided to spruce up the front door of our house.  Left is the before picture it was pretty bland so I decided to paint it, Right shows the after.  We have a lot of stone work on our house so I wanted to pull some of that color for the door.  I was thrilled to find the perfect shade of paint in the Oops section at Home Depot for $2.  Pretty great improvement , money well spent:)

What are some of your favorite things?

Carrie

Reminiscence original watercolor

original watercolor on paper 19 x 27

  

rem·i·nis·cence –noun 

 1.  the act or process of recalling past experiences, events, etc.

2.  a mental impression retained and revived.

Since I've been visiting family recently, I had the opportunity to revisit this old chair.  I love that this chair has history and has been in the family for several generations.  During my visit a few weeks ago my Grandmother was telling me that my Great Grandmother used this as her wash tub chair.  I guess that might explain the wear pattern on the seat.  I was a baby when my Great Grandmother died, but I've heard she was a real spit-fire and I'm named after her, so in some way this painting connects me to her.

When I showed my Grandma pictures of my paintings of this chair she said "why didn't you paint the whole chair?".  So here it is the whole chair.  I really enjoy painting the layers of paint on the chair and the beautiful colors that are layered on each other. Can I tell you that Daniel Smith's quinacridone paints are quickly becoming my go to paints.   They are so beautiful and vibrant, can't get enough of them.

What is your favorite childhood memory?  Have you used that memory as a source of inspiration for you?  I'd love to hear your stories.

Carrie