CRATE & BARREL Gator Print now in Store

The GATOR print has finally come to St. Louis Boulevard Crate & Barrel.  It was so cool to see the two of them hanging in the furniture section of store.

You can also order the prints online !

Let me know if you see either of these prints in your town.

Oxygen revisited

I worked additionally on the OXYGEN watercolor to bring some resolution to the depth and distance in the reflection.  I got rid of a lot of saved white... and added color and value to areas throughout the background.

I am doing this to enhance to foreground.... allowing the figure to emerge front and center-- and the background to recede in a kaleidoscope of color and activity.

There is one more day of consideration of the piece before I call it finished!

Come back to see the end result.


Oxygen
watercolor
22" h x 30" w
2013

Watercolor of OXYGEN

I have done a few more darks on the OXYGEN watercolor.  The line melding the water with the figure reflection has been softened and deepened by deeper blues and grays.  I want the painting to be evocative and mysterious-- rather than bright.

I still have work to do on the bubbles.. and several other areas to tweak.    Those areas will be addressed in days to come.

So far... I like it.. and I like the concept and psychological message.

Perfect statement for this time of year!

Oxygen
watercolor
22" hx 30" w
2012

Tye Dye Swimm- Watercolor

Tye Dye Swimm is a new painting from the Swimmer Series.  It's a fun piece... full of life, colof, joy, and pattern.

Perfect to start your sunny summery day!

Tye Dye Swimm
watercolor
11" h x 15" w
2012

Barely Above a Whisper

Here is the final version of the new swimmer watercolor.  It will develop itself into a larger watercolor one day soon.

I often do smaller paintings to work out colors, patterns, composition, and intensity before attempting larger pieces.

Barely Above a Whisper
watercolor
15" h x 11" w
2012

Firefly-- swimmer watercolor in progress

The watercolor has been worked and reworked for days and days.  Yesterday-- I finally wetted the entire paper--- drenching it in Prussian Blue and Trasnparent Yellow.  I added a touch of Quin Burnt Orange.. and a little Opera.

I could not "babysit" the overall glaze-- but left it in the studio to dry on its own.

Today-- I spend a huge amount of time developing and painting in the jewel like dazzles of color in small passages.


Firefly
watercolor
30" h x 22" w
2012
in progress

Underwater Swim

A watercolor from an older series was delivered back to my studio this week.  It was fun for me to see what I had done a few years before.   The underwater swimmer is hidden in this piece--- and the abstract bloom almost takes over.  [There is a slight reflection on the painting due to the glass]


I will post others from this series in the next few days.


Underwater Swim
watercolor
10" h x 10" w
2004

Oldies but Goodies

I had the opportunity to see some older work in a client's home this weekend. Most of it I hadn't seen for years!

It was gratifying to see the images... and sometimes I think I was a BETTER painter way back when!

So.. here they are.
I will add more images later.

Traveling Swimmer
acrylic
55" h x 75" w
1992

Manatee
watercolor
22" h x 30" w
1995


Underwater
watercolor
40" h x 30" w
1990

Swimmer
watercolor
60" h x 30"w
1989

nocturne

this watercolor.. on unknown paper.. has been slightly a challenge for me. there were many times i felt like giving up.. and actually did.......
but... another day.. and another try and bringing it to conclusion.

at the end.. i used a scrub sponge.. and wiped out many areas to lighten the darks and add more shimmer and sparkle.

i can't say that it's finished.. but i can say.. that it's posted here.. and tomorrow.. perhaps.. will bring on another day's efforts.



Nocturne
watercolor
30" h x 22"w
2009
unfinished

Shattered- Watercolor

I am developing a very detailed image of an energized leap out of the pool. it is a metaphor for life. sometimes... with activity.. there is no rhyme or reason --- all is in flux.. and all we can do is capture the verb.




Shattered
watercolor
30"h x 22" w
2009 almost finished.

Looking Inside/Looking Outisde- acrylic

almost done with this painting.. promise!

i keep revisiting this painting... i don't know why... perhaps it represents a challenge!

however.. i really like it now.. and am glad that i stuck with it.

i plan to have it photographed professionally.. so that all the sides of the painting are in focus. my digital camera can't seem to do this.

so... here's to persistence!


Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2009

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

Carlos' Office in City Hall- Coral Gables

My dear friend Carlos -- is Chief Architect for Coral Gables. His office is in City Hall. I went to see him yesterday-- and two of my watercolors are there. It was a thrill -- as it's been a while since I've seen them. We had lunch with another City Planner -- who's also interested in getting a portrait done of his wife.


Untitled Swimmer
watercolor
30" h x 40" w
2000 [?]


Reeds
watercolor
30" h x 22" w
2000 [?]

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

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

How to Order my Book

1. www.blurb.com

2. type in CAROL CARTER

3. see book

4. order

5. enjoy

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

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