Work In Progress Day 7/30 painting challenge

work in progress original watercolor by Carrie Waller

I'm working on a commission and I knew it would take longer than one day.  I would not want to rush it, so I'll be posting the work in progress pictures as I go.  I think the goal of the challenge is to be pushing ourselves and painting every day.

This painting is a favorite things painting for the client, her favorite flowers, author, her garden and her favorite mug and coffee.  When she said her favorite flower was zinnias I had to go on a hunt to find some.  A local florists, Curly Willow Designs in Cabot, AR picked these from her garden and gave them to me in a lovely arrangement for free.  I just love the kindness of strangers:)  In return I brought her and her staff cupcakes from a local baker.

Stay tuned for more work in progress pics:)

Carrie

Friday 30/30 Feature: Barbara Davis and Day 6/30 French Faces

"A is for Apple by Barbara Davis

"For the Boys of Summer" by Barbara Davis

"Wake Cup" by Barbara Davis

"A Good Dog" by Barbara Davis

"I'm Broke"  by Barbara Davis

It's Friday Feature time!  Since I'm participating in the 30/30 painting challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta, I decided to feature a fellow 30/30 participant.  Today I have Barbara Davis.  I just love her work and I thought her first 5 paintings have been spectacular.  I asked Barbara a few questions about doing the challenge for todays interview.

To see more of her work or to purchase her paintings visit her website, blog and facebook page

"I decided to do the challenge in September because I did it in January and it was a great experience.  At the end of the month, I was amazed at what I had accomplished and it was so good to really push myself.  I ordinarily do paint every day...or about 95% of them....but it's different to make that commitment to do it without fail.  I realized in January that knowing I'll be posting it on Facebook, on Leslie's blog and on my blog when I'm done pushes me to work harder to come away with a piece each day that I'm happy with and proud to show.  They certainly don't all turn out that way, but that goal is always before me".
 
"This time I decided to work through the alphabet.  I remember Karin Jurick did this a few years ago on her blog and I loved it and always thought it would be fun.  Knowing though that there are only 26 letters and we have 30 paintings to do, my plan is to finish up the month with four 'apple' paintings to celebrate this 'back-to-school' month and 'apple time'!"
 
"At this point, I'm five days in.  I have already learned that most every single time, I think my painting is a scraper.  I think there's no way I will be able to pull it off and make it something.  I try to spend at the most about two hours on the daily painting because I have some commissions I'm trying to finish.  So, a little panic sets in.  Time is slipping by.  I envision everyone posting these great paintings and I come up with absolutely nothing for the day.  I keep on working, though, and slowly it starts to come together and hope is restored.  So my BIG lesson is to stay positive and every painting has an ugly stage, so don't let it get to me! " 
 
"I want to thank Leslie for the challenge and for inspiring all of us and I thank you, Carrie, for introducing me to Leslie and Artists Helping Artists when we first met a few years ago.  It's been a great help to me! :)  
Happy Painting to all of the participating artists!"

Thank you so much Barbara!

I'm also going to share my 6th painting and the last of the French Faces, on to another theme next week.  

French Faces:  Andre original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" on sale $40  Buy Now
reg price $75

Meet Andre, he is the 4th brother.  Andre decided to go his own way and is not part of the Canarde Dynastie family business.  How was he supposed to know his bearded brothers would become a phenomenon.  Now he' wondering how he can get in on all those endorsement deals.  Poor guy has a baffled look on his face, you know what your Mom always said, "Be careful the faces you make because it might freeze that way".

For today only I'm offering all of my French Faces on sale for $40.  Tomorrow the price will go back to the regular price of $75.

"French Faces, Jacques" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" sale price $40 Buy Now,  reg price $75

"French Faces, Philippe" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" sale price $40 Buy Now, reg price $75

"French Faces, Jerard" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" sale price $40 Buy Now, reg price $75

"French Faces, William" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" sale price $40 Buy Now, reg price $75

"French Faces, Cyrano" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" sale price $40 Buy Now, reg price $75

"Cyrano" French Faces, day 5/30

Hi Everyone,

"Cyrano" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"  $75

Today I'm introducing you to Cyrano, you can call him Cy.  He's Philippe's brother and the Uncle to William, Jacques and Jerard.  You can tell from his cheshire grin that he is always up to trouble.  With the mischievous twinkle in his eye, he is the family jokester.

Read yesterday's post to hear about the rest of the family.

Carrie

French Faces 4/30: Philippe

Hi Everyone,

"Philippe" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"  $75.

Meet Philippe, my newest French Face.  He is the head of the family.  The original Canarde Comandant.  He can be cranky, who wouldn't be putting up with these other block heads, but for the most part he is heureux, heureux, heureux (happy, happy, happy).

To read about the rest of the family click here.

"Jacques" watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"  $75

"Jerard" watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"  $75

"William" watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"  $75

French Faces: Jerard 3/30

"Jerard" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7" $75

Hi Everyone,

I'm participating in Leslie Saeta's 30/30 painting challenge.  I didn't do this the first time around, so I'm attempting it this time.

I decided to paint some architectural features that I photographed years ago when we lived in Europe.  I just loved this French Architecture and the amazing amount of detail that went into the building.  As I was pondering a title it occurred to me that all of my French Faces have beards, which got me thinking about the latest bearded fascination, Duck Dynasty.  So I have my own Canarde Dynastie (Duck Dynasty in French).  Day 1 I painted William he is the Canarde Comandant.  He has to put up with the rest of these blockheads and all their shenanigans.  

Today I painted Jerard.  He is the youngest brother to William and Jacques.  He is the constant butt of all the jokes.  But don't let his sad face fool you, he is good at playing the victim.  

I painted "Jacques" also knows as Jac.  He's William's brother and will do anything to get out of work at the family Canarde call business.

"Jacques" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x7"  $75

"William, Canarde Comandant" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"   $75

Carrie

Jacques 2/30

"Jacques" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x7"  $75

"William, Canarde Comandant" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"   $75

Hi Everyone,

I'm participating in Leslie Saeta's 30/30 painting challenge.  I didn't do this the first time around, so I'm attempting it this time.

I decided to paint some architectural features that I photographed years ago when we lived in Europe.  I just loved this French Architecture and the amazing amount of detail that went into the building.  As I was pondering a title it occurred to me that all of my French Faces have beards, which got me thinking about the latest bearded fascination, Duck Dynasty.  So I have my own Canarde Dynastie (Duck Dynasty in French).  Day 1 I painted William he is the Canarde Comandant.  He has to put up with the rest of these blockheads and all their shenanigans.  

Today I painted "Jacques" also knows as Jac.  He's William's brother and will do anything to get out of work at the family Canarde call business.

Carrie

Canarde Dynastie: William, Canarde Comandant 1/30

"William, Canarde Comandant" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 5" x 7"   $75

Hi Everyone,

I signed up to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 days painting challenge, what was I thinking?  I've already had a conflict, we went out of town over the weekend for a funeral.  So to make up for my lack of painting time I painted in the car.  It was actually better than I thought it would be.  I mean it was a little tricky trying to paint and keep my eyes on the road, but since I was only a back seat driver I was able to concentrate mainly on my painting:)

I decided to paint some architectural features that I photographed years ago when we lived in Europe.  I just loved this French Architecture and the amazing amount of detail that went into the building.  As I was pondering a title it occurred to me that all of my French Faces have beards, which got me thinking about the latest bearded fascination, Duck Dynasty.  So I have my own Canarde Dynastie (Duck Dynasty in French).  Today I have William he is the Canarde Comandant.  He has to put up with the rest of these blockheads and all their shenanigans.  Can't wait to introduce you to the rest of the crew:)

Carrie