Hydrangeas in blue crock

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

So hydrangeas used to be my favorite flower, until I spent several weeks of my life staring at each individual petal until I practically went blind.  This is the second installment of my hydrangea paintings.   This time I set my still life up in an antique crock from one of  my husband grandmothers.  Even though I have spent a tremendous amount of time with hydrangeas lately, I still love them.  I'm having trouble coming up with a title, so I'm enlisting all of your help.  If you have any ideas please leave a comment here or on facebook and share your titles.  I used to always make fun of paintings in museums with obvious names, but I now understand.  By the time you are done painting, you are creatively drained.  So as of now they are Hydrangeas in a blue crock, please, I beg you help me come up with something more imaginative.

I also have a dilemma every time I paint a picture, maybe a fear more than a dilemma, where and how to sign my name.  I thought it was a really silly fear, but when I went to the Paul Jackson workshop he said that he plans his signature into his composition and masks it out.  So this time I did just that.  I like this idea, and will do it from now on. 

acrylic on canvas 11x 14

Steven got back into the swing of things this week and did an 11 x 14 canvas.  The largest one he's done so far.  He did a lovely job!

Hydrangeas in blue crock work in progress

work in progress 

Here is the current state of my new painting.  I was hoping to be further along, but life got in the way:)  We are having a busy week already.  My oldest started preschool:(  He loves it, but I'm having a hard time not worrying that he isn't being cared for the way I would.  It took everything I had not to sit in the parking lot the entire time he was there on his first day.  Aside from that Sam and I have a summer cold.  Nothing is worse than a summer cold, well I guess there are worse things, but it sure isn't fun.  He hasn't been sleeping well, therefore neither am I.  It stinks that babies can't have any kind of cold medicine, poor little guy.  Brian, the hubs, lost his wallet last night, so that pretty much has absorbed any left over time.  The kids and I had to take him to work, because he has no military ID or license.   Fortunately, someone turned his wallet in to Security Forces this morning on base, so he should get it back this afternoon.  Hopefully I'll be feeling more human this evening and can plug away at my painting. 

Carrie

Hydrangeas

watercolor on paper 14 x 20

Ella supervising

 I'm proud to share my labor of love this week.  Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers and when we moved into our house here I was thrilled to find out we had two very established bushes.  The first year we were here they were blue my favorite color of hydrangea, so I was a little disappointed when they popped up purple/pink this year. (I am now aware that I can alter the properties of my soil to achieve the blue ones next year)  I had to ask my neighbor for some of her blue hydrangeas.  I set up multiple still lives and spent an afternoon photographing them.  So, don't be surprised if you see a few more hydrangea paintings.

So enjoy my painting and please leave a comment:)

Carrie

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.