Small Nude

This beautiful watercolor is in museum framing-- recessed linen mat, archival backing, flat elegant moulding.

It is from an exhibition I did on small nudes several years ago.

I am offering it for sale now -- but have kept it close to me for a few years-- because I like it so much.





Small Nude
watercolor
6" h x 11" w
16" h x 20" w
$$850

State of the Arts Gallery: Sarasota FLORIDA

These two huge swimmers are packed and ready to ship to STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY in Sarasota, FLORIDA.

They are testing the waters of the art market there [so to speak...] ....

and I can't wait to hear of the response.

If you are anywhere near the area... and want to see large scale watercolor up close.. please check out this gallery!

State of the Arts Gallery
1525 State Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
http://www.sarasotafineart.com


One to Leave
watercolor
40" h x 60" w
2006
$4800


Memory Lane
watercolor
29" h x 40" w
2008
$3300

De-Installation

I had help today.. taking down my exhibition at East Central College-- it went quickly-- and now the work is safely back in my studio.

It was a great show... and I'm glad I did it.

Thanks to all those that helped.

Still Holding On-- acrylic

this is the latest version of my acrylic. i don't plan to work on it anymore.... because i'm getting ready to frame.

i like some of it... i like the effort i put into it... and i really like the fact that it taught me something.


Still Holding On
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2009

Bad Girls

a painting from my GOOD GIRL/BAD GIRL show. it's one of my favorites.. and one that doesn't get seen a lot. i love the perspective.. and i love the attitude of the women.

rock on!


Bad Girls
watercolor
40" h x 60" w
2006

available for purchase

Acrylic work

A day in the studio -- balmy, warm ... perfect for working. i had time to reconsider some older pieces-- before moving on to some new work for the weekend.

Untitled
acrylic
20" h x 24" w
2009

Untitled
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2009

Untitled
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2009

Limited Edition Giclee

Half Empty/Half Full
limited edition giclee on Arches 100% rag paper
15" H x 22" W image size
22" H x 30" W paper size

please see my home page on website for more details!

www. carol-carter.com

The Saga Continues!.... acrylic

so... after returning home.... i had the chance to sneak back in the studio for the afternoon.

there was something refreshing about being back to work... with a new perspective. i had absolutely no hesitation about jumping in and mixing things up.

i took a former painting -- and reworked the background. the painting changed course dramatically.... and now it's time to address the foreground. tomorrow.. i'll have additional hours to bring the foreground out with layers of glaze.


i like days like these... where being frivolous and decisive make good artistic progress.

an artist must always remember to 'allow the process to be the teacher'... and not get too precious with the results.


Still Holding On
acrylic
40" H x 50" W
2008

Seeing Through Surface Tensions- acrylic painting

This smaller acrylic is incorporating a few new techniques-- mostly a softness and matte finish to the face. Also, harder, more graphic approach to other areas. This adds drama and an abstract quality. I'm also trying out Cobalt Teal -- Golden Acrylic paint in the water.

It's not quite done... but I wanted to get something on the blog before i take my trip to Tampa/Naples FL tomorrow. I like finishing a painting up to a point... and then letting it "sit" for a while. It gives it a chance to breathe... and allows me a chance to get perspective on how to finish.

I will be returning to the studio in a couple of weeks. I am flying south to check out a few places for art marketing and inspiration. When I return-- I'll be driving an exhibition to Annapolis MD for a show in December.

http://www.americancontemporarygallery.com/ will be the venue! All are welcome to come. The opening is December 5, 2008 6 - 10 pm. I will be there... and look forward to seeing you.

Please come!


Surface Tension
acrylic
16" H x 20" W
2008

acrylic

Still working on this acrylic. i'm adding other layers and value. it's coming along.... but not quite done.

so... this is a bit of evolution of a painting!


Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
40" H x 50" W
2008

Looking Inside/Looking Outside- acrylic painting

this is the start of a new direction -- laid out by the self portrait of a few days ago. the figures define a strong diagonal composition. i began with a cadmium yellow and orange underpainting.

this has been quite freeing for me -- allowing the paint to develop under it's own power -- without a lot of layering that i've been used to doing.

there's a spontaneity to the final result.... a flatness or matte appearance to the paint -- sort of like a gouache.

tomorrow... i will see how much i approve of my efforts.... that's always the best critic.

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
34" H x 44" W
2008

Desales Neighborhood Group

This painting is going to auction this evening. Donated by a patron -- who purchased it a number of years ago... from Elliot Smith Gallery. It's from the
B & W Series of nudes and figures painted during the 1990's. I was asked to verify its authenticity and value.

i hope it generates income for the neighborhood organization!

Hearts and Palms
watercolor
28" H x 35" W
1995

put yourself in your paintings- acrylic

this portrait is a new approach [for me] to acrylic painting. i'm doing more ground work.... preliminary stuff -- BEFORE i even begin painting. also.. i tried putting in a warmer ground-- the cadmium orange and yellow light -- underneath the total painting ....makes the image warmer and adds richness and glow.

i like the composition and the energized brushwork in the background. i'll try this again in a different palette. i'd like to bring out the eyeglasses more prominently.

Makin' Mischief
acrylic
18" H x 20" W
2008

watercolor portraits

Two portraits i worked on the last few weeks... for clients from Ecuador. the y are smaller format-- and straightforward in presentation. the goal is to capture "likeness'... without sacrificing watercolor technique. i love doing portraits. it's very satisfying to create a painting that resembles someone... and with that... creates an emotional attachment for them!

Cecilia
watercolor on Arches 300 lb cp
15" H x 22" W
2008


Adriana
watercolor on Arches 300 lb cp
15" H x 22" W
2008

Letting Colors Run- Acrylic Painting

Here it is! the latest painting i've been working on.... a moderate size acrylic of two swimmers in acrylic technique that i normally reserved for landscape.

it's always been a challenge for me... to work the figure in acrylic-- watercolor tends to lend itself naturally to figurative work.

there's something difficult about making an opaque pigment look fleshy and volumetric!

but... i do like this piece-- even though last weekend i had 'ruined it' and gave up.

i came back into the studio with new resolve-- humility... and let the 'painting teach me'.... i subsequently brought it back to completion.

well.. near completion....

i reserve the right to go back into it... after a time.. and make necessary, dispassionate changes.

Letting Colors Run
acrylic
40" H x 50" W
acrylic
2008

email for purchase

Black and White Nude

This small nude is a study I did... in preparation for a larger painting I plan to do this winter. I wanted to work out the format and the composition. The cast shadows are a particular interest -- along with the model's hair. I have a bit more detail-work... but otherwise it's largely finished.


two girls
watercolor on Arches 300 lb cp
22" H x 10 " W

email for purchase

Black and White Nude

This painting is from the Black & White series.... a mid size watercolor of two figures. I was glad to see how smooth the paint application appeared.

Black & White
watercolor on Arches 300 lb cp
35 " H x 45" W
1995

Figurative swimmer.........

this painting needed to be tweaked..... i started it over a year ago.. as part of the "Bad Girl" series of work. but.. after reinspecting it from the flat files... i decided it needed some fine tuning! in particular -- i added another Prussian Blue wash to the background-- and got ride many of the 'saved whites' in and around the figure.

with the current status of light in my studio-- i sometimes leave too many whites... which then flatten the painting.

i like the feel and mood of the figure. i also like the overhead perspective... and acidic palette fits the woman's attitude.

What Did You Say?
watercolor on Arches 300 lb cp
22" H x 30 " W
2008

email for purchase

Evan's Twenty Two Year Portrait!

Okay guys... here it IS-- a small tutorial on how i paint a portrait.

as many of you know.. i am painting a portrait a year... of my son. this is his 22nd portrait!
i feel privileged and honored to capture him as he marches from childhood to adulthood. it's been a wonder and joy to watch his personality emerge -- and his maturity evolve.
i hope you enjoy viewing them -- as much as i have painting them.
if you'd like to see the OTHER portraits--- please go to my web site:
http://www.carol-carter.com/ and look under GROWTH PORTRAITS.

Evan at 22
watercolor on Arches 300 lb cp
40" H x 30" w
2008

Evan's 22 Year Portrait- part deux

here are the final few stages-- there are many more -- but i condensed it down to these 9 digitals.
enjoy.!

voila!