Carol Carter

new materials

2008-07-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

After returning from Ecuador... i decided i needed infusion of new materials and pigments. i went to the art store.. and bought all sorts of paints and mediums that were foreign. this is the best for experimentation!

i took a couple of paintings [that i had given up on]... and tried the pigments and techniques.

it's good to do things at times...with only the expectation of discovery. it takes the pressure off of 'making something work'... or finishing a painting with the deft handling of familiarity.

sometimes it's better to risk everything.. and 'get lost'...

it's the sort of abandon we used to have as children... no?

Untitled
acrylic/panel
20 x 24
2008

Untitled
acrylic/panel
16 x 20
2008

mucho caliente

2008-07-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

here's a self portrait that i began years ago. i just recently reworked parts of it.. to make it more subtle [is that possible?].. and delicate. i like it now.. and will be shipping it to Ecuador for the show.

i will be gone for a couple of weeks in South America... but will resume blogging after the 17th of July!

happy day.. and happy fourth.

Self
watercolor
15 x 22 arches 300 cp
2005-2008

reeds

2008-07-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

finished!!

yep... all the small details and colors have been knitted in. i still might add a few shades to round out the edges.. but.. for now.. it's finished.

Reeds
watercolor
40 x 60 arches cp 555 lb
2008

reeds

2008-06-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

here's a large scale watercolor-- of reeds and marsh. i'm not quite done with it.. there are hours more work in detail. but.. the layout and feel is positive.. and i like the way the painting is going.

so far.. so good.

stay tuned for the final result.

Marsh Reeds
watercolor
40 x 60
arches cp 555 lb
2008

Final Version

2008-06-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

reworked the background... it's very similar to the previous painting... but presents a cleaner edge around the ears and head of steer. i didn't like the fussiness of the previous contour -- hence .. the rework.

you always lose something.. when you rework -- but ... you always gain something too!

i like it better... but plan to leave it alone.. and move on to other things.

Snort
acrylic
45 x 50
2008

Skyy Trails and Kow Tails

2008-06-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

this rework of the cowscape -- was particularly invigorating....

i had sold this painting last summer... but for whatever reason -- the client returned to me for a savannah landscape. being momentarily disappointed -- i put it away. but... months later -- i returned to it .. and saw new potential that had to be explored. i dropped in the graphic sky -- popping our the napa cows and forcing them to be closer.

leaving a simple horizonline helped anchor the painting to the rest of the color field.

i've had SO many people stop by the studio to see this one!

Sky Trails and Cow Tails
acrylic
24 x 48
2008

Snort

2008-06-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

this acrylic is a rework of a piece i did a couple of years ago. i added background.. and am simplifying the transition between the two. it's almost finished... and i'm getting closer to what i want. i will finish tomorrow. and photo the end result. in the meantime.. the 'in your face' cowscape is quite commanding.

Snort
acrylic
45 x 50
2008

Looking Through

2008-06-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

a differing state of this painting. i'm inching forward to completion.

Looking Through
acrylic
16 x 20
2008

final version

2008-06-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

hollyhocks -- final version -- i think!

we shall see.... nothing is ever finished until it's sold... no?

hollyhock
acrylic
42 x 17
2008

Seeing The Future

2008-06-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

this painting was originally inspired by a gate in st. thomas, VI. the painting took on a dreamlike quality - to describe a narrative.

each stage of this piece was an outgrowth of an earlier series of work. the butterflies are about change... and the figure looking through the stairwell is largely in the foreground... looking out and looking through. the stairwell is reminiscent of the stairwell of long ago -- one that i captured about a passage way on a cruise liner.

Looking Beyond the Veil
acrylic
16 x 20 panel
2008

Full Bloom

2008-06-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

here is the first of a series of acrylic hollyhocks for a summer show. i've become intrigued with this architectural flower.... and have set about making a small visual documentary. this painting is about 3/4's done -- i need to add richness -- and also blend the foreground with the back.

all in all - it captures the spontaneity and freshness which makes it easy on the eyes... there is also a blend of the arbitrary non-objective design with the playful realism.

oh my gawd! hollyhocks
acrylic/panel
42 x 17
2008

Ecuador

2008-06-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

These tulips are the last of the paintings for my show in Ecuador next month... i think.

the show has a lot of work... now.. i think i have to cull it down.

the vase is a sentimental one -- bought when i was still in graduate school.

Lazy Tulip
watercolor on Twin Rockers 300 lb cold press
21 x 21
2008

Ft . Lauderdale Yacht Club

2008-06-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

this acrylic was a delight to paint.

yachts are a little off the beaten path for me... . but.. since it was a commission -- i'm up for the challenge!

the task was specific-- a small photo... tightly cropped -- painted in a realistic way.

since i grew up in FL -- i have a familiarity with the landscape. Florida is very close to my heart.

i dream of salty breezes... and waving palms all the time!

the robin blue sky .. and the turquoise water.. are all reminiscent of warmer days and gentler times for me.

Intercoastal
acrylic
12 x 36
2008
acrylic on panel

Sweet Cows

2008-06-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

Two cow paintings.... mooooooo..........

Each small acrylic measures 11" x 14"-- but with frame comes to a substantially larger piece.
the iconic subject has brought me much conversation and joy-- all of us is a farmer at heart.

Tulip Time

2008-06-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

this suite of tulip paintings being produced -- is for my exhibition in Ecuador-- in July. all the tulips are smaller in scale... and on differing papers also done with unusual pigments for me.

i'm testing new materials to see if i can broaden my supplies.

the tulips at the Missouri Botanical Gardens this year were quite striking.. and captured my fancy!

enjoy--

Tulip Time
watercolor 20 x 20
Twin Rockers paper- 300 lb.
2008

At Every Turn

2008-05-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Watercolor of tulips on Twin Rockers paper --the deckle edge is something else! i thoroughly enjoyed working this paper -- the forgiving quality was amazing.. and the color seemed to adhere nicely. The paper was thick enough to allow amazing blossoms.... and there was a "tooth" to the surface that made the painting different than Arches. i highly recommend this paper.

At Every Turn
watercolor

20 x 20 Twin Rockers 300 lb. cold press
2008

Tulips for Emily- final version

2008-05-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

i finally finished the last panel for the tribute triptych. i plan to show it to emily's parents later this week. i think it has movement and passion... and a real intensity.

the arrangement of blossoms is inviting.. and leads your eye all throughout the floral scape.

30 x 22 each panel
30 x 70 overall

watercolor on paper

Tangle

2008-05-24T06:53:00.000-07:00

here is the left side of new diptych. scroll down to see the rest!

enjoy....

Tangle of Tulips

2008-05-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

here's a new diptych-- watercolor on some unknown surface of arches paper. it was way absorbent.. so.. not CP and not HP.... actually.. i think it was a faulty sheet of paper! but.. i like the softer paint application and gentle transitions. i'll have to go to Kinsella paper.. and find out what surface it is.

the piece should really be displayed with about a 4 " separation between the two.. but.. you get the idea .

the blossoms make a wonderful jumpy composition throughout both paintings.

i like this piece. additionally.. i am also experimenting with Old Holland watercolor pigments.. and so far.. i like what they are.

watercolor- Arches 300 lb.
22 x 15 each panel
22 x 30 overall

Tulips for Emily- second panel

2008-05-18T05:47:00.000-07:00

i like the organic quality of paint created by this new paper. the scale and placement of the blossoms has an inviting quality.

i am looking forward to painting the third part of this triptych this week.

watercolor

30 x 22

Tulips for Emily - part 2 of a triptych

2008-05-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

i decided that the format for this painting needed to increase -- so i added another middle panel to capture the tulips. as i see it unfolding in my mind's eye -- i'm going to add a left panel to finish the statement. the original concept- Tulips for Emily remains.

paper is a gift from Bruce Macevoy

each panel is 30 x 22

i'll add the 3rd one this week- weather permitting!

enjoy.

Tulips for Emily

2008-05-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

this painting is on a new watercolor paper ...

this is a tribute to my young neighbor, emily starkloff-- who passed last week.

she was a fiery redhead-- full of life and laughter.

her joyful presence and bright eyes will be missed.

it was a sad day on Laclede Place -- the neighborhood is honoring her with a red-leafed maple -- which we are planting in the median.

watercolor

30 x 22
2008

if you could change....

2008-05-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

this painting is about 80 % finished. it needs a few final adjustments

i finish paintings best... when i let them sit for a few days/weeks. there's a freshness to my eyes.. when i look again...
about halfway through the painting... i get too attached to 'how' i painted it...
i need real freedom to make "right" decisions.

what do you think for a title?

watercolor 30 x 40 arches 300 lb cold press

calla lily

2008-05-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

i found this painting on the back of another painting. i obviously didn't think it was something i wanted to show -- so i flipped it and painted something on the back.

i feel it has a sincerity i'm looking for in figurative work.

acrylic/panel 11 x 14 2007

sultry day

2008-04-27T07:04:00.001-07:00

watercolor 12" x 12"

little painting from the Good Girls series