Headin' Out!

I'm leaving tomorrow for what is going to be a dream come true! I've had the dream of going to take a fabulous workshop from another artist somewhere else in the U.S., but I've never found the right artist or workshop. But a few weeks ago, I was flipping through a magazine and found Artista Creative workshops in Carmel, California. "Perfect!" I thought. So the stars aligned, no kidding, and my twin sister Claire and I are going tomorrow on Mother's Day (Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!) to beautiful Carmel to begin our week of relaxing, artistic luxury! I will let you know how it goes. I plan to be away from technology as much as I can be--phones, email, laptop....I'll see you when I get back next week. Please pray for us to have a safe and enlightening trip. I plan to bring back all that I learn to share in my future workshops! Can't wait....

If you're wanting to visit the gallery in Athens, feel free! Leslie will still be there Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm.

Welcome me back by enrolling in one of my workshops or Wine & Paint Nights coming up! They are going to be fabulous, and I'll be sharing my experience in Carmel too! Read more on my site...

Bee-autiful Day!

Oh my.  It couldn't have been nicer outside today.  While I took my puppy out to do his business this morning, I noticed an area of our backyard that seemed suddenly so inviting.  It's the entrance to the backyard that we rarely use with steps coming down from the porch.  To my surprise our oak tree has grown enough to give some pleasant shade and the breeze was just right that I decided to take my easel outside with my lunch and have a cool "artist's date" right at home.  Since I've been babysitting Gus, our new boxer puppy, this seemed like the perfect thing since I've been attending to him like a newborn baby so that he'll potty-train as soon as possible.  Besides, Gus really likes being outside.  Something cute and funny--the breeze was blowing my sundress, and Gus was following the hem of it with his eyes, then jumped up and chomped down on my dress and hit the ground with it.  He is really much like a pirana right now. Ouch!....Ok, I "lied" in the painting--there really aren't pretty pink flowers in the pot.  But thank goodness for being able to use my artist's license!  The painting is in Oil on cradled board, 6x6.  Not selling this right now. But let me know what you think of it! Below was my set-up...

Paintings for Charity!

These paintings of Big Al and Aubie one are going to be sold to raise funds for my friend Kevin Derryberry's ministry. He held a golf tournament last month, which Leslie and I shot photos for, and I also told him that I would sell these to raise money for his ministry. So, grab one of them for yourself--the money is going to a great cause! And check out Kevin's site and read about all the great things he does through his musical talents. He is amazing....This is one way I could help. I hope you enjoy these paintings! (Let me say that the photos of these paintings are not as vibrant as the pieces are in person. If you would like to see them, they are in the window in my gallery!)


So, before anyone freaks out that I've gone crazy, I haven't! I'm still a die-hard Auburn fan, BUT, I am going to start painting other college paintings too. So, why not start with the beloved Big Al from the University of Alabama? I did always like Big Al driving his little car when I was a young girl before I decided to go to the other school.

Big Al, Acrylic on Cradled Board, 6x6 $100 plus $10 shipping


And then there's my favorite and most beloved Aubie! I love this guy--he is the best mascot in the nation! I'm not kidding--he really has won awards for being the best, but just ask the kids who love watching his fun antics during the football games. Me for one, well, I love wathching Aubie. War Eagle!!

Aubie, Acrylic on Cradled Board, 6x6 $100 plus $10 shipping

Big Al SOLD

Aubie SOLD

Granny in Blue Bowl

Painted on my back porch in the spring air, this granny smith apple called my name to paint--rich green and shiny skin. It made it even better that is was sitting in one of my favorite bowls made by an awesome potter and friend of mine, Conrad Lippert.

You can see this one in person at my gallery in downtown Athens!

Oil on Cradled Board, 6x6, $95 plus $5 shipping

I got to paint alot yesterday--yay!  A large one I finished is going to the Commissary in Birmingham AL.  But the other thing I've been working on are some charcoal drawings for my Dad's latest book.  This is the last one, and it's off to the publisher.

My Dad approving it...the messy desk of an author :)

I love chair paintings so much--my sister Claire does some great ones!  I added a purse to this one, making it a little more colorful.

Oil on Canvas, 10x8, $295 plus $8 shipping

This small board was a great shape to paint one of my favorite subjects--a Tabasco bottle.  Unlike most of my others, this one isn't as crooked, but very textural with lots of golden-greenish color in the background.  It would make a perfect piece of art for any Cajun's kitchen!  Or anyone who loves Tabasco like I do! 

on Board (ready to hang), 9.75 x 3.75, $95 plus $5 shipping

A common subject for me--Gustav's most awesome creativity--the Eiffel Tower. It was so powerfully beautiful to me when I saw it many years ago--saw it, photographed it, went to the top of it and photographed Paris from there--really experienced the glory of it. Do you have a story from when you saw it?

I began this painting as a demo for an interview that a young girl was doing about me for her class. She had chosen me as a hero--imagine that! ha! I painted this while she filmed, didn't finish it, and finally finished it last week.

Acrylic on Canvas, 30x10, Available at The Commissary Design Warehouse, Birmingham, AL

Workshop Schedule!

Notice all of my offerings for workshops from now through September. One of the most popular and rewarding workshops I offer is the Creative Spirit class. This class approaches our creativity in painting from the very source of our desire to paint--our great Creator God.It has just been announced for August 12 - September 30. This is the fastest-filling workshop I have ever offered. So, if you're interested sign-up soon. I would love to have you!

Bottle Parade

This painting is a study I did of glass with a line-up of some of my favorite bottles. My husband had enjoyed the beer in the green beer bottle the night before, and I told him, "I'm going to paint that tomorrow!" So, I did--plus a bunch of other bottles. I love the colors in this. The labels were fun too. My class was inspired and decided to paint this too earlier this week.

Acrylic on Canvas, 10x20, $325 plus $8 shipping SOLD

Wine & Olives

This past week in my Creative Spirit class, we painted still lifes with bottles of all kinds. I added some olives and salt & pepper to the collection of glass (our study) and made this subject--one of my favorites. Look for another painting coming of bottles--the girls enjoyed painting them and did a fantastic job on their paintings. Forgive me for not posting so often, I am teaching alot and also working on some commissions that really need to be done. I'll post those when I finish them!

Oil on Canvas, 18x18, $400 plus $10 shipping SOLD

New paintings!

I have about 3 new paintings to post, but have had no time to do so. Things are busy for me right now teaching alot and planning workshops. I'll have some fun news and new paintings to post soon! Sorry to keep you waiting though...Keep checking back!

Froth

Today's painting is one that I demonstrated for my Creative Spirit class--I love these women who have been studying with me since the end of January about spirituality and creativity. We have all learned so much! We have bonded in such beautiful ways too--if only you could hear the beautiful things that God is doing through these girls! Awesome!

Coffee still lifes are pretty common for me to paint, and Sabrina in the class began one, and I couldn't resist painting along with her. Hers turned out beautifully AS DID ALL OF THE GIRLS' PAINTINGS TODAY. Yes, I'm stressing that point.

Acrylic on Canvas, 11x14, $395 plus $10 shipping

Takin' a Break!

I'm headed out of town to Valdosta, Georgia with my band, Sister Grace for the next couple of days.  We are having a concert, sharing our music ministry Tuesday night.  Please pray for us, if you will, that we will glorify God through our music...After that, I will be meeting my family for a much-needed vacation at the beach.  Have a blessed Holy Week, and I'll return by Easter Sunday and begin a new week that Monday. I'll leave you with links to Sister Grace's site and music.

Handmade in Mexico

My cowgirl boots that my husband gave me for Christmas about 5 years ago. They have made such a good painting subject. This painting is reserved for a friend who helps my band out in so many ways and never wants any compensation for his work. He is a true angel. Finished it today! Pleaes contact us if you are interested in a giclee on canvas of this one or any of the paintings on my site or blog!

12 x 12, Acrylic On Canvas, SOLD

Weekend!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days--I have been teaching workshops like crazy and having a blast! Check out my Artful Living blog for the fun pics and posts. This painting is of a still life I set up for one of my workshops--my students painted this larger after I did this small oil piece. It portrays my idea of a nice Friday evening!

Oil on board, 8x8, $200 plus $7 shipping SOLD

Sorry no new posts!

I've been doing 2 things: helping my daughter through her tonsillectomy recovery and painting a large painting commission that I finished yesterday.  I need to photograph it and post it here.  I'll try to get that done today!  The small ones will return soon!  Thank you for checking back--can't wait to paint some new stuff!

Beach Study

In working on this really large painting for a client, I had run into an issue of working with the photos they gave me of each of the family members. Each is looking toward the camera, and I found it hard to not make the painting like a portrait. So, after looking at several photos of them, I came up with this idea that I really had envisioned for the painting--each of them doing something on the beach with a dramatic sky and other elements from photos they gave me--the island in the distance, a boat, etc. I'm pleased with this idea for them and am waiting to hear if they will go for this. The only thing I plan to do different from this study is to make the figures a bit larger, which will mean bringing the view in closer, eliminating a bit of the sandy area.

Oil on panel, 12x16, $450 plus $10 shipping SOLD

Dusk

Are good things every born out of anger and frustration? This was my painting from yesterday, a vase of flowers. You know there is something wrong when Carole paints flowers. People who know me know that I don't typically paint them. It's just that I received some pretty pink roses for Valentine's Day last week, and putting 3 of them in a simple vase inspired me to paint them. It was an okay painting, but in trying to "perfect" it today, I got angry and just did the scribble thing, ruining it. Anyone ever done that? I bet I'm the only one...Well, as I did that, I began doing a practice run of a beach scene that I am actually working on right now as a 3ft. x 4ft. painting for a client. I want my large one to be more like this. This painting, "Dusk" as I've named it, has turned into a study for my commissioned one. So good things can result from frustration. Or maybe it's perseverance?
What I love about this is the sky--it's that time of day on the shore where the clouds are glorious, but people aren't quite discernable as the daylight turns to evening. This is one of my favorite hours when I'm at the beach. This painting is very textural, painted in oil on canvas. Ahhh. Oil.

Can anyone tell I've been home caring for my baby who had a tonsillectomy this week? Forgive any negative vibes that you felt reading this...Blessings!

Oil on Canvas, 12x9, $295 plus $10 shipping

No. 5!

Fresh off my easel today is "No. 5!" It looks as though it is fresh out of its box too-how thrilling for those of us Chanel No. 5 lovers! Similar to one I painted last year, this one is richer in color--I used some rich oils on this. This painting is on a really nicely finished cradled board with finished black-washed sides. It is ready to hang too!

Oil on Cradled Wood, 12x12, $325 plus $12 shipping

Beignets & Coffee

Well, this morning started out okay, but not for my painting--I did one, that I ended up not liking and to salvage my confidence, I painted something that was on my mind--Louisiana. And that sometimes means Cafe Du Monde. So here it is. I had a 5x7 canvas ready to go, and I found this cool image on their website. I love the looseness I get when I paint fast. As a result, there is great energy and wild texture to the final painting! What do you think?

Oil on Canvas, 5x7, $200 plus $10 shipping

Been Busy!

The past several days I've been working on commissions, as these clients have been waiting a year or more now. But for now, enjoy this paintng OF me that my sister Claire painted from a shopping experience that we had in Seaside, Florida 2 weekends ago during our Rosemary Beach Getaway. It can be purchased on her blog!

Aubie!

The number one college mascot in the U.S. featured here. Auburn's own Aubie! I found a photo of him in his traditional #1 jersey running with the orange flag before the game as someone else (probably a male cheerleader) is running with the blue flag--and Nova has probably made his pre-game flight too! Traditions are what Auburn is all about...love it!

Oil on Panel, 8x8, $200 plus $8 shipping SOLD

Rosemary Bike

Still thinking of the great time we had in Rosemary last weekend. I shot a quick shot of my friend Kim's bike as she met us at the Town Hall to help us out (like she does at the drop of a hat). This is her bike--one of the many pastel-colored bikes you see around Rosemary, leaning against the Town Hall wall. I started this a few days ago and finished it this morning. It is painted in oil, and there is an ugly acrylic painting underneath. Any artists out there can relate to this "technique?" haha I love painting over a great underpainting. It allows for some great texture and scumbling, and it inspired me to stay loose!

Oil on canvas, 24x18, $400 plus $15 shipping SOLD

Sacrifice

With Lent here and attending the Ash Wednesday last night, I wanted to paint something I saw in my devotion book--this snippet of Jesus on the cross. I want this season to be a time that I realize my weaknesses and sin and lay them down at the feet of Jesus and improve my ways. I want it to be a closer walk with Him. Look at the peaceful, loving way he sacrificed for me. For YOU too. Each of us. There is no greater love than this.

Oil on Panel, 8x8, $200 plus $10 shipping SOLD

The Art Lesson

Today, I had a one-on-one art lesson with a most precious lady, Miss Horton. Her grown daughters gave her this as a gift for Christmas. I enjoyed being with her so much--she couldn't have been a more precious student--so talented, yet humble and worked so hard. She stood the whole time in her sneakers. She is 84 years old! I couldn't believe it when she told me. She attends the Silver Sneakers workout group at our local wellness center, she plays bridge weekly and attends a Bible study weekly. That sounds like the secrets she has in staying youthful. Let me tell you--she looks maybe 65. Amazing! I wanted to shoot a photo of her, but my battery was dead in my camera, so I just painted her. My studio has brick walls with a slathering of white stucco on the wall--that is where she is standing. There are wood floors also with track lighting casting the shadows....

Acrylic on Panel, 10x8, $100 plus $10 shipping SOLD

Rosemary Sugar Shack

Last weekend at Rosemary Beach, I took about 45 minutes to go outside and paint-- plein air out in the open area in front of the Town Hall--I was dying to get out with my French easel and just paint. Anywhere you look offers such a great painting idea. So, I did it! It was so much fun. The light was changing so quickly as it was near sunset. IT was exhilarating to paint fast and get the paint on there. That's why this painting is so loose--painted fast with alot of gestural strokes. The texture is due to thick and chunky underpainting. What do you think?

Below is a shot of me taken by my sister who had run and gotten us each a Starbucks at the cute little coffee shop right there. You can see the paitning of the Rosemary Starbucks below in another post.


Acrylic on Canvas, 12x12, $300 plus $10 shipping

Inviting Porch - Rosemary Beach

Claire and I just returned last night from the beautiful Rosemary Beach to teach our workshop and attend the Girls Getaway Weekend. What a fabulous time! We had 8 friends join us as guests in our house, and we all had such an awesome time! Thanks to Kim and Kathy for a beautifully-designed weekend--it was amazing to see faces from last year and meet new phenomenal women. Just loved it!

Well, here is a porch that I painted from a beautiful home there. The owner asked last year about a house portrait, and this is just a little piece I did in response...It is oil on panel.

Oil on Panel, 8x8, $200 plus $10 shipping

Rosemary Starbucks!

The beautiful sight when you get into Rosemary Beach--a Starbucks in the architecture of what you see in Rosemary. From a photo I shot when I was there last year for our painting workshop and Girls Getaway Weekend.

Oil on Panel, 8x8, $200 plus $10 shipping (unless purchased at Rosemary Beach this weekend)

Rocco and Me!

This may be my last memorial painting--it is from a photo I shot with a little camera of him and me a few weeks ago. I'm glad I shot it. It really shows his disdain in getting his picture taken and my love for him. He is trusting me in this shot. Funny, huh? Thank you for your patience in my painting and posting so that I could "grieve" by painting Rocco. Look for a couple of new ones I've just finished to take to Rosemary Beach. Blessings! NFS