Spin the Bottle and Emerald City

"Emerald City" 11" x 14" watercolor by Carrie Waller BUY NOW 

"Spin the Bottle" watercolor by Carrie Waller BUY NOW

Thought I'd feature a couple of paintings today.  I'm getting closer to painting as our house is on it's way to being unpacked.  We had our first company this weekend, we had a few hiccups, some things still packed away that haven't been found, but we'll get there:)

Carrie

Having A Ball, Again:)

"Having A Ball, Again" 6" x 6" SOLD watercolor by Carrie Waller

I revisited my ball jars again for this commissioned piece.  I had fun saturating the colors even more than in the "Preservation" painting.  These are both from the same reference photo I just played with the color.   I love seeing how many gorgeous colors I can get reflecting and pouring through these vessels.

"Preservation" 14.5" x 20 watercolor by Carrie Waller  available for sale

I've had some recent sales.  So happy to have my art going to happy homes:)

SOLD "Summer Kaleidoscope" watercolor by Carrie Waller

SOLD "Hemingway" watercolor by Carrie Waller

Carrie

Emerald City

"Emerald City" original watercolor on 260lb Arches 11"x 14" by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

Here is my completed painting, "Emerald City".  It is 11" x 14" original watercolor on 260lb Arches.  I decided to revisit my green glass series.  I couldn't help thinking of The Wizard of Oz while I was painting this.  I hope the title isn't to "out there".

I also wanted to show you the picture rail in my studio area.  I really enjoy utilizing these shelves.  They were very affordable at IKEA.  Also thought I would show you my new painting next to the larger version "Going Green".  Also pictured are my paintings "Italian Heritage" and "Summer Kaleidoscope".

I'll share the work in progress pictures of "Emerald City" on Wednesday.

Carrie

Going Green original watercolor 18" x 30"

"Going Green"18" x 30" original watercolor on 260lb Arches by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

I can finally share my completed painting:)  I had so much fun with these glorious greens.  I just love incorporating dramatic natural light in my compositions and this painting was a great vehicle to do just that.  The inspiration for this painting came when we were trying to find a bottle of red in our collection that didn't go bad during our move this summer in 116 degree temperatures.  So even if the wine was a loss at least the bottles were put to good use. 

Getting wine labels off bottles is no easy feat.  After a warm bubble bath they were still stubborn so I had to bust out the goo gone.  It worked like a charm.  Among the wine bottles there are also some small Perrier bottles and a Tabasco bottle as a nod to my Louisiana crew.

This painting is the beginning of a new series I am going to be doing.  I really want a cohesive body of work with some continuity in my subject matter, so expect some more glass bottle paintings.  I've already been scoping out the flea markets for bottles.  I hit the jackpot on amber glass the other day, and my in-laws are looking for cobalt bottles:)  My father-in-law found several cobalt bottles of Riesling and Vodka,

I do have a few commissions coming down the pike and a couple smaller projects intermixed. 

Come back Wednesday for the work in progress pictures of "Going Green".

Sam graciously offered to be my model.  Thought you could get a better sense of the scale.

Carrie

Summer Kaleidoscope 11 x 14

Hi Everyone,

"Summer Kaleidoscope" 11" x 14" original watercolor on 260lb Arches by Carrie Waller

Here is my latest painting, "Summer Kaleidoscope".  I have painted this before in a 6x6 format.  I really like the bird's eye view of this composition.  I photographed the reference pics in all different angles but in order to get the bottles, glasses and grapes in a 6x6 format I had to get my trusty ladder out and photograph from above.  I love taking pictures from all angles and this composition is the reason why.  The cut crystal glasses are showcased beautifully from this angle.  I just love all the colors from the grapes that were picked up in the glass and with the light coming through the cut crystal there is some beautiful refracted light on the grapes.

Wednesday I'll have all of work in progress pictures posted showing you the step by step progress.

Carrie

Work In Progress Wednesday

Hi Everyone,

"Summer Kaleidoscope"  11" x 14" WIP watercolor by Carrie Waller

"Summer Kaleidoscope" 6" x 6" version SOLD

Here is my latest work in progress (WIP).  This may look familiar because I did a 6x6 version for the Randy Higbee show, which I'm happy to say sold and my body of work was recognized in the show by Executive Director, Jean Stearn of the Irvine Museum in CA as some of the best works in the competition.

I'm working away on some competition deadlines.  Why do these always sneak up on me  when the dates don't vary too much from year to year.  Some day I'll be organized:)  Speaking of disorganized I attempted to take Steven to school today only to find out he doesn't go until tomorrow.  We'll just consider that a practice run, Ha!  Steven was thrilled to have one more day off and we all got up and dressed early so maybe it will make for a smoother day tomorrow.

Carrie

Summer Kaleidoscope

Hi Everyone,

"Summer Kaleidoscope" original watercolor on 260lb Arches by Carrie Waller

I'm sharing my latest 6x6 "Summer Kaleidoscope" with you today.  On this drizzly, cold day this painting certainly looks inviting.  The challenge for me on this painting was to get wine glasses and bottles into a square format.  I took LOTS of photos, and I have to say it was a very successful photo shoot, so I'm sure there will be more paintings coming out of the series.  In order to get the square format I wanted I went for the bird's eye view which ended up beautifully capturing the cut crystal of the wine glasses.

I also wanted to share that I am now in a gallery in Little Rock , AR, Local Colour.  They have a big Fall show coming up this week so I had to scramble to get things together to hang for the show.  So if anyone is in the area please stop by Thursday, November 8 from 5:30 - 8:00.  5811 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Carrie

Work in progress Wendesday

work in progress original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

Happy Halloween!!!  It's an exciting day in the Waller house.  After more than a week being sick with strep throat I do believe that I have a couple happy little boys that have been cleared to go trick or treating.  This year we have a skeleton/ghost and a knight.  Pictures to follow on Monday.

work in progress original watercolor on paper by Carrie Waller

work in progress

Thought I would share my work in progress.  I'm pretty excited about this little 6x6.  I had such a great photo shoot with these objects and I think I will probably paint  a few versions and sizes of this composition.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone on the East Coast, especially all my artist buddies and military friends.  Having lived in Hurricane/tornado alley for a the last 7 years I can greatly sympathize.

Update::  Here are some Halloween trick or treaters:)

Carrie

Work In Progress and What A Happy Day

Work in progress watercolor on paper 6 x 8

Hi Everyone,

I'm sharing my current work in progress today.  This piece accompanies the painting from last week.  It's a commission and this is my clients favorite wine.

 I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day yesterday.  It was just about the best one I've ever had because my hubby came home from Afghanistan after a long deployment.  The boys and I were overjoyed, we're so happy to have the family back together.  Now it's time to pack up and move.  Wish us luck going to be a crazy month of May:)

The sign the boys and I made

Our first Brian sighting, fresh off the plane

Happy to have Daddy back

Back together again

Til next time,

Carrie

Bacchus The Wine God

SOLD "Bacchus The Wine God" original watercolor on paper 6" x 8" by Carrie Waller

Hi Everyone,

Today I have part 1 of a 2 part painting commission.  It was fun to paint red wine.  My client brought me her favorite wine and accoutrements and I photographed them.  I presented several photos and they picked out their favorite reference photos.  I'll also be framing these for them so I'll share the pictures of the frames after it's all put together.

Here are the work in progress pics.  Thought I'd share my process:)

 Now on to the second painting.

Carrie