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

Self Portrait

this self portrait i did a couple of years ago. it's currently being exhibited at DRAGONFIRE GALLERY in Cannon Beach OR. i found it recently on my computer -- and thought i'd share it here. i like it -- because the gaze is a bit distant and wondering. you sense a bit of vulnerability in her expression--


self portrait
watercolor
40" h x 20"w
2007

available for purchase

Still Working

I had time today.. to take some big risks in two paintings that were hanging around the studio --

I enjoyed adding depth and richness in ways that were unseen to me before.

i have a dispassionate distance from the work now -- and that enables me to risk the total painting to learn something.. and therefore -- come up with a better statement.

both of these paintings have been on the blog before... you may be familiar with the.

now i feel fairly certain about the direction they're heading in... i feel challenged and enthused by work on them today.

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2008

Still Holding On
acrylic
40" h x 50 " w
2008

New Book!

Hey everyone.... I made a new book of figurative swimmers. I am in the process of finalizing the layout this week. In the next few days -- I will offer it on my blog and website. it's been fun to work on -- and a challenge!

So, those of you who are interested in a cross section of my watercolor to keep and review -- here's a pint sized version of images!

[ the book has a few more pages than what is posted here...]

Carol Carter
Watercolors from the Heart
7" h x 10" w
new book
2008

Two Still in the Works-- acrylic

so.. .i'm still working on these paintings. it's been slow -- as the weather is cold and makes me want to hole up inside and NOT paint!

but... i managed to make a few decisions -- despite my reluctance.

i have loads more work to do ... but i feel that the swimmer one has a real chance to move now. i took some risks by changing the water.. and now i have to bring out the highlights and richness.

the upper swamp painting... needs to be set aside at this point -- so that i can gain a perspective. i'm too attached to what i've already done... and that's never good! i may even totally rework the water... so that it has a different cooler palette. but.. all in good time!

check in again later.. and you'll see progress.

Corkscrew Swamp
acrylic
25" h x 50" w
2008

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2008

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

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

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 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

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