Sneak Peek

So here is a sneak peek at the painting I'm currently working on.  Finally getting around to painting my hydrangeas.  Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers.  I'm taking my time with this painting.  I'm hoping to have a high quality painting in the end worthy of entering into an exhibition in New Orleans in October. 

We went on a quick trip this week to Little Rock, Arkansas.  A friend of ours and former boss of Brian's is taking over as the Group Commander for a C130 group at the AFB, so we were invited to attend his change of command ceremony.  I wasn't super excited about the location that we were visiting, but thought we'll make an adventure out of it. Little Rock turned out to be a pretty interesting city.  We visited Bill Clinton's presidential library, and wondered around the downtown area.  I stumbled upon an art exhibit for the Mid-Southern Watercolorists.  I immediately recognized a painting by a blogging buddy of mine, Crystal.  I couldn't believe it.  Crystal doesn't live anywhere near Arkansas, so I wasn't even thinking about finding not one but 2 of her paintings in the exhibit.  It was awesome to see her work in person.  I realized that I had never actually seen a watercolor exhibit in person,(I've seen one here or there in museums) I'm pretty new to this whole game.  I was very encouraged and motivated to push myself and enter some exhibits and competitions.  I hope to learn a lot from this next venture.  I've already been in contact with some amazing artists throughout this blogging journey.  I really feel like I'm on the right track and am excited for what the future holds.

This week Steven played with his watercolor markers and his regular paints.  We also incorporated the use of a spray bottle, I think he enjoyed that part the best.  I was trying to show him some watercolor techniques.  Wet on dry, wet on wet.

See You next week.

Carrie and Steven

Annika's Enchanted Forest and Seurat

Acrylic on canvas 20 x 24

This week I completed an enchanted forest painting for a little girl's room.  This was so fun to paint.  When I was a little girl I always wanted a tree house, to me this is the ultimate fantasy tree house, with enchanted surroundings to boot.  I will admit I had to restrain myself when I got the glitter out.  It's hard to tell in the photo but the fairy wings and the garland around the door are sparkly.  I would love to live in this world, at least visit it on a regular basis.  My now 4 year old also loved this painting.  He kept telling me he wanted to get in the painting. 

close up


As I mentioned earlier I now have a 4 year old little boy.  Steven's birthday was on the 7th.  Since he's a little older now and more mature, I decided to pull out my lesson plans from when I taught art for the Boys and Girls club.  I taught all ages.  I always incorporated a little art history into the lessons, so this week we talked about Georges Seurat and pointillism.  "Seurat did the dot" was our catch phrase.  So I broke out the watercolors and q-tips.  He embraced the idea and had fun with it.  I think I'll make some flash cards up as we go along learning about artists.

watercolor on foam board 4 x 4

The bottom one is another painting Steven did this week. 

mixed media 5 x 7

See everyone next week.

Paul Jackson Workshop

watercolor 18 x 24

Last week I didn't post a painting, I was attending a 4 day workshop in Baton Rouge given by Paul Jackson.  This was the first workshop I've taken and I learned a tremendous amount.  This painting of Sam is also my first portrait in color.  I'm not sure I'm totally done.  I may need to add a few more washes.   It was very interesting to see how Paul Jackson paints.  There were also quite a few very talented artists taking the workshop, so I learned from them also.  Everyone was very generous, sharing their techniques and even their supplies.  I think some of the most valuable things I learned were that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, Original are a watercolorists best friend.  You can pull up paint, it doesn't damage the paper and you can paint back on top of that area.  I also realized that I'm not utilizing my masking fluid.  I need to mask in many different levels and during different stages of washes.  Paul Jackson only paints on Arches, 260lb, cold pressed paper.  He stretches his paper.  This is a process that I used to do but got out of the habit of because it's a lot of work.  I will probably go back to this arduous task because it really does make a difference.  The paper is absolutely drum tight and completely flat when you are finished painting.  I did like the 260lb paper, it takes a lot of abuse.  He also uses Daniel Smith and Windsor Newton paints.  I picked up a few tubes of Daniel Smith paint.  I went around and asked everyone their favorite colors of paint to use and I assembled a palette of those.  It was great to devote several days to a workshop.  It reinvigorated my painting passion.  Made me realize I need to find a painting group here and get more involved in the arts scene in Montgomery.  I did join the Louisiana Watercolor Society while I was there.  The President of the LWS was taking the workshop.  My new goals are to paint, paint, and paint some more.  I want to start entering into shows.  I also realize that I may have to re-evaluate my painting a week deadline.  To produce a higher quality painting I may have to take more time.  So I will still post every week, but it may be more works in progress posts.  I'm ready to take it to the next level. 

watercolor markers

Steven tried out his new Crayola watercolor markers that he got for his birthday.  We celebrated a little early this year.  This is his newest creation..

 Hope everyone had a terrific 4th of July.
See You next week!

Father's Day

watercolor 8 x 10 "Oil Change"  Sorry it's a little crooked!

This week I'm posting a Father's day post.  I painted this last year for my husband.  My husband is the best father to our boys.  He is loving, patient and always includes them in whatever he is doing.  This painting is a typical scene at our house.  Steven is the little pair of shoes next to the big pair of shoes, changing the oil in Daddy's truck.  When I took this picture I knew I had to paint it.  I am so grateful that our boys are growing up with such a wonderful Daddy!  To my husband, Brian, I want you to know that I love you more than words can express.  The best gift you can give me is being there for your boys.  I have no doubt in  my mind that you would do anything for them and that means the world to me.

watercolor 16 x 20 "Smitty"

The second painting I have posted is another  painting I did last year.  I have posted this one before, but I love it.  It has so much sentimental meaning to me.  I painted this from a photograph that my Dad took of my Grandfather on my Mother's side.  He passed away when I was 6, but I have wonderful memories of him.  This one is titled "Smitty", his nickname.  I wish I could have gotten the opportunity to grow up with my Grandpa, but the short time I spent with him has a special place in my heart.  My Grandpa owned his own shop and did auto body work.  He was always working on a car or truck, when I found this picture when I was digging through old photos it felt like the epitome of "him".  I remember those work pants that he wore and that jacket and I remember that pose.  This picture takes me back to my childhood.

watercolor and acrylic 4 x 4

Steven's painting this week reiterates the statement that I made that my child is an artistic genius.  He  started this canvas in watercolor, that is what the main surface is.  He then switched to acrylic paints and finished the sides.  He managed to mix a similar palette with his acrylics and paint a similar composition on the sides.  He did this during two settings.  I was completely impressed that he was able to do this.  I'm telling you he is a genius.  Watch out world, the next great artist in progress here.

I hope everyone had a terrific weekend.  We'll see you next week.

Knights Part deux

Acrylic on canvas 20 x 24

This week I'm a little late in getting my painting posted.  We had a few interruptions.  We took a spontaneous trip to Florida accompanying Brian on his business trip.  It was nice to get away for a few days.  We got to stay at a resort in Destin, so it was very nice.  The oil hasn't reached the beaches there, yet, so we got to hang out on the beach.  The kids loved it!  We also had a spontaneous trip the ER last night.  Sam swallowed and choked on an unidentified object.  After 4 hours of waiting they finally did x-rays and couldn't find anything.  He seems to be doing well.  I'm hoping whatever it was passes quickly.

Back the the painting this week.  This the 2nd of 3 painting commission. I'm posting a pic of them together, because if you're like me you want to see them side by side.  I'm hoping to finish the 3rd one up before next week, because I'm attending my first watercolor workshop.  I'm very excited!  It's a workshop on portrait painting with Paul Jackson.  I can't wait to learn as much as I possibly can.

Steven painted another beautiful watercolor this week.  I asked him what he painted a picture of and he said "It's just an abstract Mommy".  He's so cute.

Watercolor on paper 11 x 14

Sam also got in on the action this week and painted his first painting.  He wanted to join in on what Mommy and Steven were doing.  It's fun that he's interested in painting already.  Maybe I'll have 2 little artists:)  And the bottom picture is just for fun.  The boys were dressing Moose up this week, so I call this photo "Mardi Gras Moose".

See you next week.

Carrie

Knights and Oceans

This week I finished the first of my 3 paintings.  Hopefully this will make some little boys very happy:)  One more knight painting to go and then an enchanted forest.  The castle in this picture is one that Brian and I have actually been too.  They had a Renaissance festival there when we lived in Germany.  Have I said that I loved living in Europe.  I mean where else do you see sights like that? 

Steven did a wonderful painting this week.  I asked him what it was and he said that is was the saltwater in the ocean.  I truly think my child is an artistic genius.  He has a fascinating way of mixing colors.  I had to add a picture showing the side of the canvas, he wraps his composition around the sides.  I think he is just amazing!

We'll see you next week!  And Robin I hope you are feeling well soon:)

An Apple A Day

watercolor 9 x 12

This week I am posting another oldie but goodie.  We have been traveling and I just didn't have time to fit in a painting.  I painted this picture when we first moved to Germany and I started teaching watercolor class.  I had everyone paint an apple so I set this still life up as an example.

Steven painted a wooden croc this week.  I think this guy is adorable.  I found him at Michael's for $2.  They also had snakes and lizards.  Steven loved it so we bought several.  I also used this as an opportunity to discuss what is going on with the oil situation, such a mess!



I mentioned that we've been traveling.  We started our journey by accompanying Brian on a TDY to STL.   We didn't actually make it all the way to St. Louis, we stopped in So IL to visit family.  It happened to coincide with Brian's brother being on TDY also to Scott AFB.  So we met up with Jon, Sarah and Luke at Grandma Betty's.  Debbie and Amy made it too.  It was a mini family reunion, we don't get to see Brian's brother and family very often because they are stationed in Washington state.  Since a lot of my family lives in Illinois also we visited with Grandma's, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  So much fun!  It was really neat to see how much fun that the nephews had together.  I can envision lots of fun family gatherings in the future.

We then departed Illinois for Baton Rouge, LA where Brian's parents live.  Steven spent many an hour in Grandma and Grandpa's sand box.  It's funny, they have a pool, but because we have one that isn't the highlight.  Brian and I were able to get away for a night and go to New Orleans.  I really hadn't spent much time there.  It was a very nice trip.  It reminded me of our pre-kid lives when we gallivanted all over Europe.  New Orleans had a similar vibe as some European cities.  New Orleans is a dirtier version without a clean bathroom anywhere, but it was still lots of fun to visit.  Seriously the city needs to invest in some of the self sanitizing porta potties, there is a lot to be said for clean bathrooms with toilet condoms, as far as I'm concerned.

I enjoyed looking for painting inspirations.  I found lots of interesting ideas.  I really enjoyed checking out the hotels, they always have great design ideas.  I found some fascinating lighting, pictured below.  We also had a terrific meal at Bocca.  I had lobster and shrimp ravioli with caviar in a champagne sauce and Brian had Bocca shrimp.  It was very tasty.  We had a terrific time just wandering around the streets of New Orleans.  Brian introduced me to Cafe Du Monde, the beignets were out of this world.  We visited artists galleries and antique shops.  It was a great mini-vacation.

Below are lots of pictures from our trip.

See everyone next week:)