In Carole's Studio

Blue Belle

2008-06-23T22:45:00.007-05:00

Encaustic - Red & White

2008-05-29T08:29:00.003-05:00

Ta da! I received my paintings on Tuesday from my workshop in Carmel, and I've been so excited about it. I am really proud of some of them since abstract subjects have never come easy to me. But with the encaustic technique of paintng quickly and fusing each layer with a blow torch, abstracts were pretty fun and easy to try. It takes a little bit of going with the flow as you learn to use the torch as a tool or paint brush. So much fun! So this one was one I worked really hard to get smooth and a pure white. That wasn't easy, as I realized that "dinking up" your colors is very easy to do and something I try to avoid in my usual painting. So keeping a pure white was a challenge. So tell me what you think! I plan to show them all in July at my "Twins & Friends Show"--so stay tuned for all the details and plan to come!

I'm Back!

2008-05-27T07:23:00.003-05:00

California was beyond amazing--I learned encaustic painting from William Harsh, and the bug has bitten me. I am setting up my encaustic studio and will be learning more and producing some NEW work! Check back for some examples as I hope to receive my paintings that I did in Carmel today.

Also, see that I've got a new look with my site and blogs--I hope that you find all that you are looking for. Just email with any questions.

Today's thought:

May He strengthen in you the inner self through His Spirit, according to the riches of His glory; may Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; may you be rooted and founded in love. Ephesians 3:16,17

Headin' Out!

2008-05-10T21:32:00.005-05:00

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!

2008-05-07T14:08:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-05-02T21:57:00.013-05:00

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

2008-05-02T10:46:00.006-05:00

2008-04-24T10:01:00.003-05:00

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 :)

2008-04-24T09:55:00.003-05:00

2008-04-15T11:04:00.004-05:00

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

2008-04-14T09:13:00.005-05:00

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!

2008-04-13T16:53:00.006-05:00

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

2008-04-10T18:36:00.004-05:00

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

2008-04-10T12:51:00.006-05:00

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!

2008-04-08T21:50:00.001-05:00

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

2008-03-24T14:26:00.006-05:00

Takin' a Break!

2008-03-16T22:21:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-13T19:04:00.007-05:00

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!

2008-03-07T17:10:00.007-06:00

Sorry no new posts!

2008-02-29T13:05:00.002-06:00

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

2008-02-22T12:46:00.006-06:00

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

2008-02-21T14:12:00.005-06:00

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!

2008-02-18T17:42:00.004-06:00

Beignets & Coffee

2008-02-16T11:16:00.004-06:00

Been Busy!

2008-02-15T19:45:00.003-06:00

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!