Venetian Canal

watercolor on paper 18 x 24

This week I decided to take us on a trip to one of my favorite places on this planet.  I fell in love the first time I went to Venice and became even more enamored every time we went back.  In my eyes it is one of the most magical places.  Canals that lead you around  an enchanted city.  I mean wouldn't you want to have dinner here.  This painting appeals to the voyeur in me.  Looking into these beautiful windows I can't help but want to visit, see what is going on inside this building.  It gives a whole new meaning to waterside seating. 

Next week I'll be sharing another Venice memory.  Can't wait to get it onto to paper.  Where is your favorite spot?  Where would you visit if you could go anywhere in the world?  I'm anxious to hear:)

Carrie

Me and My Shadow (still life Red Hen)

Watercolor on paper 10" x 10"

I have been on a two week painting hiatus due to a lot of traveling.  I have to say it was a little nerve racking trying to get back into the swing of things.  I had the best intentions to paint on the road, but one excuse after another I talked myself out of it.  I painted this painting to get back in practice.  I really like this little red hen and I had so much fun painting my Illuminated Pumpkins I wanted to paint some more colored glass. 

I mentioned we have been traveling.  We have been to Baton Rouge, New Orleans, back to Alabama for a night, and off again to Orlando.  It's been a lot of together time in a car for our family.  My youngest son Sam is obsessed with Elmo so we have watched 'Elmo in Grouchland' non-stop during our entire vacation.  Sometimes I think that is the only word he knows, Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!  Brian had a convention to attend in Orlando so the boys and I did some site seeing.  We did spend one family day at Sea World, but the rest of the time was just Steven, Sam and I.  We visited the Orlando Museum of Art, small but nice, the Morse museum, which was beautiful, it has mostly Louis Comfort Tiffany works, the Leu Gardens, which were fabulous, and we went to Downtown Disney.  We did Disney World last year so that wasn't on our agenda this trip.  It was a nice trip but I'm glad to be home. 

I have a lot of painting to catch up on I'm planning on entering a few exhibits so get your passports out because I'll be taking you on a trip to Italy next week.

Carrie

Exhibition Success

"Apples in Candlewick" ( I think that may be the 3rd title for this one)  My 1st place painting.

This week has been a chaotic week.  We headed off for Baton Rouge where my in-laws live last Sunday.  On Monday Brian and I head out to New Orleans to drop off my art at the Crescent City Brewhouse located at the French Quarter.  Drop off was at 9 a.m.  I was so nervous about my first exhibit that I forgot my paperwork.  I was so scattered I couldn't even remember the names of my paintings, in fact I wrote the wrong title down for my Apple painting.  It was fun to watch everyone's work pouring in that morning and I have to say it was beautiful.  I went home glad that is was delivered and just happy that I had participated in my first show. I'll back up for a minute and tell you that the week prior I was a mess.  I was doubting myself and while trying to scramble and get everything matted and framed I was thinking is this some hobby gone horribly awry.  Do you have those moments of doubt?  I know I sure do.  So anyway getting my art there was a relief and I was glad that I pushed myself to participate.  Thursday night was the reception.  Brian and I once again headed to New Orleans to the Brewhouse.  The reception was terrific, the food was great and the venue was just magical for an exhibit.  The reception was from 5-7 and when 6:30 rolled around I didn't think that they were going to announce winners, but just about that time they started announcing the awards.  Since I'm the new kid on the block and there was such amazing art there I was thrilled just to participate, so you can imagine my surprise when they announced my name as the 1st place winner.  I am so happy and grateful, it was just the validation and motivation that I needed at this point.  A fabulous perk to winning is that they will have my painting as the home page for the Louisiana Watercolor Society.    I am ecstatic about my first success and I am more motivated than ever.  I can't wait to delve into my next painting.

Carrie

Louisiana Exhibits

This morning Brian and I dropped off my art in New Orleans.  The exhibit is running at the Crescent City Brewhouse, located in the french quarter until November 1st.  This is my first exhibit and it was exciting to see all of the terrific artwork pouring in this morning.  I'm very excited to attend the reception on Thursday.  I'm also participating in another exhibit in Abita Springs, LA.  I have a picture of all of my work framed.  I entered the pumpkins, hydrangeas, and apples into the New Orleans show and I entered the other 3 in the Abita Springs show.  Last week was a very busy just trying to get everything matted and framed.  The picture is a little deceptive, the pumpkins are huge and we barely got them into our vehicle to get them here.  It was quite the clown car coming to Louisiana, 2 kids and all their stuff, 1 very large dog, Brian and I and 6 framed artworks with our luggage.  We made it and everything was in tact the ride home should be a lot easier:)  Even though this exhibit is a ways from home I'm always happy to visit New Orleans and a stop at Cafe du Monde was a treat.

The Artists Helping Artists challenge is finally posted.  So take a look at all the entries.   Each month the theme is that month.  At the end of 12 mos we will have art for a fabulous calendar.  Pretty cool!!

Carrie

Illuminated Pumpkins

 watercolor on paper, 20 x 24

I think Fall is finally here!  The temperature has finally dropped from the triple digits into the 70's all in about a 24 hour period.  Inevitably our allergies are in full swing, but maybe our electric bill will be lower:)  I've been burning the midnight oil to get this painting finished.  I'm getting ready for my first two exhibits.  I have a lot framing to do in addition to everything else.  I've been trying to decide what to enter.  I'm excited and nervous.  I'd love to hear everyone's stories and any advice about your experiences.

This week I decided to paint my favorite Villeroy and Boch, glass blown, pumpkins.  I just love them.  I bought them when we lived in Europe at the Villeroy and Boch outlet.  I loved, loved, loved shopping there.  We bought all of our china there and lots of other trinkets.  Our china was featured in my Hydrangea still life. I just love decorating for Fall and including these gems into my decor.  I think the glow that cascades across the marble is pretty incredible.  It's firey and glowing and just makes me feel like Fall is here.

I'm re-posting last weeks painting because it is my October entry for the Artists Helping Artists monthly challenge.  It's a great challenge, by the end of it, I should have enough paintings to have a calendar.

 Steven painted some wooden leaves this week.  We are going to do a lovely Fall project with these, so stay tuned to see what we do with these beauties.

Also this is your last chance to enter Crystal Cook's fabulous contest.  She does incredible work, who wouldn't want to have their own Crystal Cook original.  It's very easy to enter, only takes a minute.  When you enter please let her know I sent you:)

Thanks to all my followers new and old!  It is so awesome to hear such great feedback.  It is so motivational.  It is terrific to have a support system.

See you next week.

Carrie

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Halloween still life)

watercolor on paper 17 x 22

So my boys were really excited about this still life, can you imagine why?  Steven, my 4 yr old, couldn't wait until I was done photographing this one, so he could get his hands on the loot, and Sam, my 1 yr old, could not understand why he couldn't get the giant candy corns off of the watercolor paper.   The whole thing is very fun and Halloweeny!  I'm going to use this as my October entry for the Artists Helping Artists, monthly painting challenge.  The challenge inspired me to do themed paintings for each month, the idea being that at the end of a year you have art to put in a calendar. In addition to that I think it's pretty great to have revolving art.  How fun to keep it fresh and have 12 months art. 

Don't forget to check out my incredibly talented friend Crystal Cook's blog.   She is having a fantastic contest where she is giving away an 8 x 10 watercolor portrait of your choice, click here for details. Also, please let her know that I sent you her way:)

Steven is still on a crayon kick, since school started.  Here is his latest creation.  It looks like there is a red heart, too cute.  On another note, I'm probably the only Mom at preschool that was running late this morning because the light was great in my kitchen window and I had to photograph my newest still life.  Oh, well, Steven will have something to talk to his therapist about when he's older:)

Thank you to everyone again for all the great comments and support.  I also have some new followers, Welcome!!!

See everyone next week,

Carrie

Sneak Peek Halloween still life

watercolor on paper work in progress 18 x 24

I may be rushing things, trying to usher in Fall, even though it's still in the triple digits here.   But I'm having so much fun with the Artists Helping Artists monthly challenge that I'm bubbling over with ideas for each months paintings.  So you will probably be seeing Fall and Christmas paintings in the near future.  Just consider me like every other retail giant that already has their Holiday decor in place:)  This still life is so fun to paint, and in Sam's eyes (my 1 yr old) it is a success.  He climbed up to look at it and was highly irate when he couldn't get the large candy corn off of the page.

Steven is a busy school going dude these days, so I thought I'd share his pages from class.  I can always spot Steven's a mile away.  He's the only on in his class that colors the entire object.  Most other kids have a soft scribble here and there, but not Steven his colors are bold and bright and placed with confidence:)

Also don't forget to enter into Crystal Cook's fabulous contest, to win a free painting.  To enter click here, and please mention that I sent you:)

I hope everyone has a terrific week.  Thanks to everyone that is leaving comments, it's just terrific.  I love reading each and every one!!!!

Until next week,

Carrie