Sunday, October 25, 2009

Commission Completed! Song of Angels is Done!

Okay this is the final product.  We worked on Mary's nose a lot.  It helped me to hear what details were important to the buyer- Mary's nose was.  As you other artists know there are a million details that we could noodle and it could take years to do one painting if we let it!  She also asked if I could add the headbands which I thought was a great touch.  I added the Dove in the corner- actually the Dove added Himself - he kind of appeared in the brushstrokes but he did take work so that it didn't distract from the rest of the painting.  The original painting had a lot of warm tones in the foreground which I morphed into flowers.  I like flowers and I wanted them to grow around Mary and Jesus.  Well - hope I didn't ramble too much but read what you want and leave the rest behind.

Carrie

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Commission in process - Song of Angels



Okay this was the second step.  Flushing out color and movement of color.  Also you get to see a teensy bit of where I paint. To see the beginning of this story, check out the post below.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Song of Angels

I just finished a big comission.  This is why ebay is a little lean this week.  The buyer wanted to be a part of the process which was great.   We worked together on this one and it turned out beautiful.  I emailed pix of the process as I went and she gave me such great input.  I feel like she should sign it too!  This was day one - the underpainting and composition.  If you stay tuned I will show the finished painting.  It is big 24" x 36" and is my interpretation of Song of Angels by William Bouguereau.  The copyright is up on his work so I was free to re - interperet.  I know these early phases can look a little raw and a bit ugly.  But this is how the birth begins! 

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Is there a bustle in your hedgerow?


Since I can't dance or sing well but love music soooooo much, I thought I would do some paintings inspired by song. I put this up on ebay this week and in the subtitle I wrote Sprinkling for the May Queen.  One of my buyers kindly pointed out that it was Spring Clean not Sprinkling.  Well I couldn't change it because the painting already had bids.  Instead, I noted at the bottom of the listing that sometimes words have two meanings.  My kind editor said ooooh it made her wonder!  So she found this great video clip of an NPR interview where Plant talks about this very line.  If you don't want to listen to the whole thing he speaks about Spring Clean at about 4:00.   Thank you to this awesome ebayer for finding this and sharing!


Wednesday, October 14, 2009


Jeanne of The Candy Corn Chronicles  has given me this wonderful award!  She actually gave this to me over a week ago - sorry I have been so late in passing it on. Thank you Jeanne. I'm honored! Jeanne has the greatest stuff going on for Halloween.  Stop by and visit this very talented lady!

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award:

Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's quite tricky to use only one word answers! Once you have filled it out be sure to pass it on to 6 of your favorite bloggers. Alert them that they have been awarded! Have fun!

One word answers have got to be the hardest.......
1. Where is your cell phone? Hmmm?
2. Your hair? Long
3. Your mother? Funny

4. Your father? Hmmmm?
5. Your favorite food? Italian
6. Your dream last night? Hmmmm?
7.Your favorite drink? Wine!
8. Your dream/goal? Peace

9. What room are you in? Den
10. Your hobby? Crafts
11. Your fear? Fire
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren't? Singer
15. Muffins? Cranberry
16. Wish list item? Spa Day

17. Where did you grow up? Illinois/NY
18. Last thing you did? Dogwalk
19. What are you wearing? Sweats
20. Your TV? OFF
21. Your pets? Cat and Dog
22. Friends? Yes!
23. Your life? Full
24. Your mood? Happy
25. Missing someone? Nope
26. Vehicle? VW
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? AC Moore
29. Your favorite color? Mood?
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Last week?
32. Your best friend? Hubby
33. One place that I go to over and over? AC Moore
34. One person who emails me regularly? Mr. Spam

35. Favorite place to eat? Back Porch



Okay I tried to stick to one word but cheated with two a couple of times.


Now I am passing this wonderful award on to.........
Please stop by and visit these wonderful artists.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Storytime


Storytime
18 x 18

I have gotten so many comments on this one so I thought I would post about it.  This painting started with such a zestful feeling in my  heart - that usually bodes well for a painting.  I was a little concerned about the composition since the whole painting was taken from my memory and imagination.  I didn't use any studies or pictures. .. so I had to get creative with light and color to achieve balance and focus.  The dog is based on our dog Finnbar and the cat on our cat Jackson.  
I painted this right after I was recovering from the flu and I wanted to paint comfort. 

Thank you to all the artists and art lovers who emailed me about this one.  Sometimes it is hard to know how well you did in that solitary studio.

Carrie

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Mary!


Well this one was a suggestion from one of my wonderful patrons.  I just love the way this one turned out.  I  put it up on ebay as Buy it Now or Best Offer so she had a chance to buy since we were co-creators with this one.  However, like Angel Helen I think I am having another ebay glitch.  The buy it nows doesn't seem to be showing up in the search.   Hmmm..... Here's the link and if it doesn't appear by tomorrow I will have to do some revising and put it up on Etsy or as an auction. 
Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!!!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Sunflowers


A friend of mine said she liked the Sunflower painting that is up on Etsy so I got on a bit of Sunflower jag.  There is something so happy and well I guess sunny about them.  I used some pictures and sketches I had from when we were in Tuscany last year.  When we were there in September the flowers were really just fading but I used my imagination and brought them back to life.  I just wish you guys could see these in person - the paintings are so much more vibrant -- ah well.