End of the Day Iris Watercolor

Iris's are my love.  I used to grow them in my garden.... and photograph them incessantly.  I painted them every spring-- because they usher in the promise of warmer weather.

Now... I go to the Missouri Botanical Gardens to photograph all the iris's.  There are so many lovely varieties!


This partiular iris was a challenge.  The use of complimentary colors helped me resolve the issue of making the background unify with the foreground.  I wanted to create scale and impact by having the bloom being half the size of the paper.  The petals and the buds are off-center -- and create an interesting composition.

I never tire of painting iris!


End of the Day Iris
watercolor
40" h x 30" w
2012
almost finished some tweaking needed

Hong Kong Express! My favorite Chinese Takeout!

I wanted to raise the bar on my watercoloring--- so I took on a difficult image to paint.

NEON!

and cars!

and reflection!

I love the Chinese Take Out up the street from my studio.  While I was waiting for my order-- I noticed the bright neon sign in the window.  It was gray outside--- so the colors in the neon were quite vibrant.

I took it upon myself to photograph-- and store the idea away to paint.

Here is my first stab at it!

It needs to be tweaked-- and I will do that in the next few days.

But for now... here is the 'first state'.

Hong Kong Express
watercolor
22" h x 30" w
2012
unfinished

NEW TEE SHIRTS!

Two new TEE SHIRTS hot off the press!

I am offering two new tee shirts to go along with my workshops!

They are super fun and will add a lot of life to your studio wardrobe!

JUST ADD WATER is on the frontside of the first TEE and RESPECT THE ARTIST is on the backside.


The second TEE SHIRT is the 10 WATERCOLOR RULES by me!  My students in BALTIMORE came up with the RULES... and suggested that I have them printed on a TEE shirt.

Of course, I loved the idea-- and had my graphic artist -  KRISTEN POWERS design this super TEE!


Buy yours today!

Just email me and request a SHIRT.  Please specify  SIZE and COLOR.  [most colors available]

I accept PAYPAL or check.

When I get an order for 10--I will place it-- and then personally ship you YOUR tee!

Each shirt is 100% Cotton pre shrunk

$20 each for TEE SHIRT
$10 Shipping/handling


ORDER TODAY!

carolcarter@gmail.com

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

My new Condo

My new condo is almost done and ready for move in!

Yay!  It's been a long journey to spruce it up and make it fresh!

How do you like it?

I am happy and excited to make the change next week.

Although it was in pretty good condition at closing...  I felt it needed to be repainted and some bamboo floor boards repaired.  Also... new appliances had to be purchased and installed.  I had the basement painted and a slopsink added.

All in all... it's pretty perfect for me.

Come back to see installation photos with furniture and ART!

Don't Leave Me Behind Tulips!

So...   I have been working on my third painting on FABRIANO paper.  I returned to Spring and familiar subject matter--- TULIPS!

I wanted to see how the paper performed and how the paint handled in the manner that I need it to-- Wet and loose!

So far-- I'm really pleased with the way it's turning out.

I deliberately stopped working on it-- so I could gain perspective.    I want the last tulips to be the center of interest and the most dynamic.  I need to make sure that they will be done with clarity and right color choices and value.


Don't Leave Me Behind Tulips
watercolor
25" h x 40" w
2012
in progress

I painted this watercolor self portrait for the online visual FRIDA Challenge!

I had such fun trying to think of a way to honor FRIDA -- but still being true to myself.


Fun time painting.... I think EVERY artist should enter this challenge!


Long Live FRIDA!!!



I Wanna Be Just Like Frida
watercolor
11" h x 15" w
2012