Ablution-- Triptych watercolor: Hot Off The Press

I've just finished my first figurative swimmer watercolor in a long long time.
It is different for me.  The figure is more fractured and abstracted with water.

It started out as one-- and kept developing.

I will have this on display at my Florida show in January.

Details to follow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~~Mosaic Swim~~

I was interested in trying out a new paper.... the Twinrockers brand... with handmade surface and edges. it's a gorgeous, receptive paper....which allows the paint to swirl and settle into the graininess of paper. i used a more organic pigment... Cereulean, Maganese, Veridite Blue, Opera, Transparent Burnt Orange... which held up magnificently.

i like the paper.. and i will use it again.

Mosaic Swim
watercolor on Twinrockers 300 lb cp
20" H x 20" W
2008