oops! so sorry ....

The updated version of

Our Lady Of the Roses

a work in progress...

(out of practice posting new work!)

Our Lady of the Roses ...wip

Phase 2 ... still working it out....

Stay tuned.

:)

It's Only A Beginning

"Our Lady of the Roses"

****

You need to start somewhere, and for me, it is always difficult to return to painting when I have been away.

The only thing a painter can do is put some paint on the canvas and get to it.

This piece is in the works and we'll see where it leads...it is a start.

10x10 oil on canvas

As always thanks for looking.

feel free to comment or email me anytime.

Inspiration....YO Adrianne!

You just KNOW you are going to have a great time with this crew!

This pic was taken just before we took off on a walking tour around the city.

The little whipper snapper in pink on the far left (Mom) kept up with everyone ...80 is just a number she says!

***

Most of us know the message of the " Rocky " movies... to keep going, to keep trying your best to be better no matter what roadblocks life can put in your path. My Hiatus from painting is coming to an end and I found some things to feed my Muse while I was away.

I just returned from a fun family vacation to PA, particularly the Philadelphia area.

Thought it would be fun to show a few pics of what inspired me.

I had my trusty iPhone cam to snap a few shots and here are some of them. :)

***

The steps of the Art Museum was on our bucket list. Inspiration comes in the form of my Mom (the figure in pink) who just celebrated her 80th birthday climbing the steps with her grand daughters! (I stayed at the bottom to take pics ;o) )

People I know re-creating the famous training scene from the movie "Rocky"
***

Here is Mom again in the Independence Visitor's Center with her French Lieutenant...it was her idea to take this one. :)

The center is full of greeters in period costumes who stay in character.

***

Just one of the MANY fabulous pieces of art in Philly. This one is near the art museum and it was incredible.


***

I just like to call this one "The Three Graces"... my glass flowers (!)...my beautiful nieces. They are my heart!
Just before we got on the most fun ever duck boat tour.
Ask for Capt. Stormin' Norman if you get to go! I'm STILL laughing.

***

One gorgeous shot inside Indepenence Hall. As I say...I am inspired!

***

This gem is where the founding Fathers did their work ...everyone should visit the city where so much began!
The chair on the dais to the left is the one George Washington used while they worked on our rights.

***

Some shots of the very beautiful city of Philly. Wonderful architecture. My Mom (in pink) and cousin are the little figures to the left of the statue...look at the size scale!

***

More of the beautiful architecture showing juxtaposition of Old & New design.

City Hall on the left.

Another view of the City Hall. It has statues carved into all the alcoves and ledges around the entire building. So beautiful.

I hope I get a chance to see this city again

We had a wonderful time in Philadelphia.

Big thanks to my brother who sent us off on this trip he surprised us and joined us on the last day :o) ...great blessing to be able to all be together and enjoy it with my Mom!

Lizzie Update :)

This is Lizzie a few minutes ago making believe she does not see Emmi walking by ...LOL!

The vet trip was a good one. Not only did I get an appointment first thing in the morning with the Vet we like but she was only half as anxious as she usually is!

The exam was done, the urine spec was handed over and suggested a possible UTI.

She got a manicure (it takes a village to clip her nails!) and an antibiotic and is doing well.

No further bloody drainage noted from that first incidence ...when she finishes the med we resend a new urine spec two days after she is off the med.

Hoping everything keeps going in the right direction now. She seems back to normal and our best girl!

thanks for all the good thoughts and emails!

we so appreciate it... HUGS!

My Girl...sunshine on a cloudy day....

Lizzie is "our" girl, "daddy's girl" and my very special Muse.

While I worry with today's latest finding that she needs to have a vet check tomorrow, and that we pray will be easy to correct a problem she is having.... We are so keenly aware of her age and the changes that come with it.

Up front we are thankful for a healthy, illness free life for her almost 12 yrs. More than many get. Still hard to accept when things change. And they always change. Thanks for all the well wishes and thoughts from our friends.

I thought I would share the "real deal" pic of Liz below and some of my inspired (you have seen them before but indulge me) by Lizzie works on canvas.

She is one of the greatest Blessings of our lives.

:)

Photo from this winter.

I'll post how she makes out in the next few days.

keeping the faith

Along the way... and here and there....

Above... Keyhole desk under the stained glass window of the front entry.

The front door is open here to let in the light for the pic. This is a light yellow "Whisper Yellow" that I really liked. Nice and soft. My portrait of Leo hangs in the entry.

The house was actually built around this window. It was a Christmas present from Leo the Christmas before we looked for land to build the house on.... '78 I think. He found it in an antique shop in Newport RI. Probably from an old church.

Coming up to the top of the stairs ...I found a nice chest for this little space and I was happy.
Pottery by Leo in college art class. :)

Lizzie demonstrating the Snooze before lunch. We are very casual in all things as you can see.

The little half wall behind her houses shelves with her toys :)

Liz in the kitchen. There are 2 paintings I kept of mine for the Kitchen. The other is on the tall wall ober the fridge.

When the TV bites the dust we will have lots of room for the flat screen spectacular. But ...no hurry. :) this is looking back from near the sofa bed.

Views of the living area on the second floor. Yes we did everything backwards...kitchen and bathroom on the second floor. It is where the view of the yard and river are. So again lots of light and space and yes...a kingsized platform bed (sofa?) in the living room. We gave up a normal couch and chair for a place where we can all hang together at night and watch TV or read or just relax and all fit together with lots of room.

We got rid of the table and chairs and built the island instead ...the pic is deceiving...it is 8 ft long and 4 wide. I do all my shipping and wrapping duties for paintings here. It has lots of storage under it with 2 cabinets on this side with drawers and 4 big cabinets on the other side.

And the last room I painted (pics at top) was the entry (foyer) all paint was BEHR premium plus. If you want great wall paint... I recommend it.

If Life goes as planned or near to it I should be back to the studio by middle of June. Some little things to wrap up and some family things at the end of this month to do ... Thanks for looking and see you soon. :)

Peace and Cheers!

Carol

It Is All About The Journey ...part 1

I started this project in March but the long and winding road has had a few unplanned detours.
Here are pictures of the 1st two rooms and you will note that they loaded backwards...
Not in the order I thought these would load, the BEDROOM was the second room that I rehabbed. The STUDIO was the first ...it seems so long ago!

Below is 3 shots of the bathroom with the new color "Minted Lemon" I am very happy with the way it turned out. The very tall ceilings were a challenge ...the light is fabulous.

Nothing like having family photos in the bathroom. LOL! I used to have books there. There is so much space on that tall wall...there is a window up at the top so lots of glowing afternoon light. The color of the paint deepens and lightens as the light changes all day.

Lots of mirrors in this house. Have them on the closet doors and the one over the sink shows the shelves over the toilet.



It is nice that the toilet is in that alcove so the view from the living room is a bit more scenic! LOL!
****
(below)
The Bedroom was repainted a lighter color than previously painted...we now have "Hosta Flower" ...it has a soothing light. There used to be a ton of paintings in the space above the closet, they are now in my Niece's hands so just a few keepsakes up on top now.

Cleaning and polyurethaning those louvered doors was a real treat.

(above) Looking from the studio doorway, Lizzie looking back at me.

(above) Looking from the bedroom door back to the studio. Emmi is sleeping on the pillows.

Note the basket that she steps on, to the trunk and then up to the bed. She is 16!

The cat-tree allows her to sit up high and watch the birds. :)

more to follow in the next installment!

Off the Grid...Studio redo.

This is the in-progress pic of the old color with the new color..."Grecian Urn" but I call it "blueberry" because that is what it looks like to me. I am leaving the aqua behind for clean and crisp. That rack is where I keep some supplies and drying paintings etc. Today I finished my declutter and it is super neat and peaceful. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

These are not quite in order but you get the idea. You see my chair and table easel and my "media center" LOL a little HD TV and a dvd player and my iPod A bazillion movies a painting of my angel face niece Brittany and boxes with a variety of mediums all nicely labeled. That is my Emmi cat's perch where she lays in the sun while I paint. I had to keep that there. :)

Better look at my corner with the light behind me. I put up frosted panels when I need to.

Emmi herself. Monitoring my progress. She hates disorder and disarray in her world.

Another in-progress pic of my old colors vs new.

I am on to the next room ...purging more stuff and foolishness as Niecy Nash says!

:) so happy to start over fresh.

TIME OUT! ...Announcement

I have been trying to decide how to possibly get some much needed work done here in my home and still try to keep all the balls in the air.

It has come down to taking one of my jobs out of the equasion.

***

I am going to close the studio for the month of April to give me a chance to do some work in in the house without the guilt and worry of not getting artwork done for my favorite rescues.

***

So when I return to painting in May I hope to be eagerly refreshed and ready to jump into my work with wild abandon and a freshly painted and organized studio, house and spring cleaned yard.

At least that is my plan.

***

STAY TUNED....I will be back soon.

THANKS TO ALL WHO FOLLOW MY WORK, HELP RESCUES WITH ART AND ARE JUST

ALL AROUND GOOD FRIENDS!

you are truly appreciated.

Point of View

POINT OF VIEW

is the title of this painting that will be part of a mini-exhibit in Atlanta GA soon together with my fellow ART HELPING ANIMALS artists. Artist Andy Mathis is hanging this exhibit for us.

I was thinking about the Glass Half Full vs Half Empty way of looking at the world and thought that since it was a personal point of view it my be interesting to ponder...from a different perspective.

This was recently finished in oil on canvas.
more info will follow when all the paintings are together in Atlanta.

thanks for looking!

Feel the Burn...Out....?

Ziegfeld Girl

circa 1920's

a look, an attitude...those eyes, those lips!

By now you are wondering...what the heck is she doing these for????
LOL! well simply put, I am pulling myself back from the edge of burnout.

These are my exercises of something to clear my mind, regroup, refresh, and just take a pause.

Little known fact but I never, ever, ever draw. I haven't since I was a tween. I went straight to Oils at 13 and never looked back. That was a million years ago.

On and off over the years I have taken long breaks from painting and most all other art work and as I have mentioned in other posts, have been distracted by Life and situations that took me down other paths.

Right now, after 4 intense years of total focus on small, collectible paintings or large commissions I have found a need to step off the path a bit and just stop and take a breath.

So for a little while I am moving at a slower speed, taking a pause and playing with some ideas and just relaxing my very tight grip on the brush.
I think in the end it will be a very good thing for me and the causes I serve.

I hope you stay tuned ...it will be as much a surprise for me as for you.

It is all about the HATS...

As I continue to follow the Muse along with pencil drawing I am being lead (no pun intended! LOL) down this path to the beautiful Black and White photography and lighting of the vintage beauties of the early 1900's into the 40's.

I love everything about the 30's & 40's and swear my last life was during that time.

These renderings are based on images from that time with some redesign on my part when it came to the hats, particularly.

They were mad about hats in those days. I love them. It took some kind of self confidence to wear some of those styles!

In any case, these are fun drawings for me as I teach myself some textures and just ENJOY the process of working on these old beauties.

I have researched through some of the copyright free vintage image sites to pull some of my favorite classic beauties from the early 1900's and will use some of those public figures to do some more work in graphite.

I'm am interested to see where this is going...even I never know.

Stay tuned.

Back to the Drawing Board

Vintage Beauty

pencil

CARO CHRETIEN

***

this is absolutely becoming fun for me.

I love the classical images and statues of angels and the look of vintage beauties.

today I was inspired by some vintage photography

and this drawing is based on a photo of a 1900's image.

I used elements from the original but put my own ideas into it as I drew.

Thanks for looking!

Today is for Charcoal....

My exploration of different mediums continues.

My attempt at Charcoal today is a portrait of Trinity...a dog that is currently available for adoption through RIMROCK Humane Society in Montana.

Please consider adoption when looking for a wonderful pet.

***

50.00

To purchase the drawing,

50% or 25.00 goes to this rescue

email me to purchase

carolchretien@aol.com

TO READ ABOUT TRINITY OR THE RESCUE
http://www.rimrockhumanesociety.org/

Another day, another pencil...

The exercises continue...today's work.

depicting glass with pencil.

Pencil work: Graphite (above) and Colored Pencil art (below)

Just for the Heck of It....rather sketchy

As you can see ....not my typical work or choice of medium...this was an exercise of about 5 hrs of pencil drawing. Just wanted to see what it was like for a pencil artist to do their work. My hat is off to those who have the patience of saints to work in graphite. Not kidding!

Many painters do detailed sketch work before they start applying oil or other colored mediums to their supports ...I never do. You have seen the Work In Progress postings here, I may have an outline here and there but I leave all the creative happenings to the application of paint as I go. Lots of seeing as I paint.

Frankly I admire those who sketch out a whole plan...it is the map they use to get to their destination. I have always been in awe of that process but I think I have that urge to jump right in with color right off the bat that keeps me away from that path.

In any case, I did enjoy the exercise for the most part. Thought I would share it as I had nothing new to show in oils and it was interesting to me, thought it might be for you.

Today I am back to the oil paint. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It is fun to take a field trip once in a while and the multi-media artists are so fortunate to be able to do their best work in many different ways...applause all around. :D

Me? I'm just an Oiler...dyed in the wool, paint clothes stained, squeeze those tubes out...oiler.
Back to the easel.

Stay tuned...something different coming up next. ;o)

COOL BLUE - First Look! UPDATE...

RESERVED!

COOL BLUE

8x10

oil on canvas

This new piece is painted to assist DALMATIAN RESCUE TAMPA BAY...they are one active, engaged and dedicated bunch of rescuers you could ever hope to meet.

ANGELS AMONG US

***

I will be posting the finish and the story of my model "Lucas"

he waits for his forever home.

Have a pool? Need a great companion Dal?

contact the rescue!

http://dalmatianrescuetampa.tripod.com/

STAY TUNED!

Screeching Halt? or Life Gets In The Way...

" Like A Spiral In A Spiral..."

(original sold)

You know that song...Like a Spiral in a Spiral, Like a Wheel within a Wheel... that is where I am today.

I have been digging through old computer files to find some of my favorite paintings before they are lost forever. Learning some more about print image sizes and my own camera (all time consuming things) that I didn't know.

Also...allow me to whine a little about the lousy cold wet weather (not as bad as if it were 40 ft of snow like mid-Atlantic states have gotten, I freely admit) but the rain did produce a rather large leak in my studio ceiling the last couple of days and that has pushed me back a bit in my production of work. Lucky for me that the paintings are out of harms way...my brushes and paint tubes all need to be rescued.

Always something. The weather is not looking good for a few more days...roof can't be fixed until the rain stops ...it is just being "managed" ...oiy!

Please stay tuned as I work around the maze.