More Family Pics

We had fun taking portraits of Little Man A (Ansen) and his folks Jessica and Richard this morning. Even Maggie the family dog got into the act.

Happy Holidays and Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Thanksgiving

Holidays are just more fun with a little kid around aren't they? This Thanksgiving our Niece Jessica and her Husband Richard and of course Little Man A came to visit from Va.

Wenderina got this great shot of Little Man A at the park while the turkey was cooking. Then after Dinner we had fun playing the mandolin. All in all a great day!

Thanksgiving

To all of my family and blogging friends. I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy this time with your family and loved ones. Please also take a moment to think about those less fortunate than us. Even in these troubled times we have so much to be thankful for.

Safe travels and a wonderful holiday!

(To my Canadien friends I hope this greeting finds you safe, warm, happy and with the people you love.)

Peace,

Carl

Hat Boxes - Painting

Wenderina took a picture of some hat boxes in an antique store on Cape Cod and tasked me with painting them. Here is the result. I am pretty happy with it.

Keep Makin' Art,

Carl

Cape Cod - Art

One of the things I love about Cape Cod as an artist is that any where you go you can find art to be photographed or painted. I saw these four jars outside of an antique store in Barnstable and I just loved the composition. All I had to do was come back when the light was right. I picked a cloudy day to get the most saturation and detail. Then all I had to do was let this New England scene speak for itself. I just love this image for its balance and simple lines.

Keep Makin' Art

CS

PS - I worked on a painting of hat boxes Wenderina photographed while on the Cape this summer. I will finish it this week and post here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

CS

Stream - Harriman State Park

I have always been drawn to streams. Water running over rocks just makes me want to set up my tripod and take picture after picture. I know these shots can be overdone. I have been accused of that several time in my life. My answer to that is I like them and I will continue to shot them because they make me happy. However once I got the technical hang of shooting these images without having them too contrasty with blown out white water I got more selective. I now look for what can make the image special. So not only does the image have to have rocks and running water. Now it is about color, I look for the reflections of the trees and surrounding countryside to make the image interesting. Next I look for the best composition. I am now at the point where I will go out for a few hours and if the shot is not there I will leave it alone. I am not disappointed when this happens because I have learned more about the area I want to shoot and have spent a quiet morning in in the woods. What could be better.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

All Talk

Yesterday I spoke bravely of going out in the cold and shooting this morning. Well I decided to keep to the confines of my warm studio today. First of all it looks like a bomb went off after I gathered all the images for my portfolio review at CCAA. So it needs a good cleaning. Also I want to paint a Little once I decide what to work on. If I get anything done. I'll post it here tonight.

Keep Makin' Art
Carl

Scituate Harbor

This painting is of one of my favorite places. Scituate Harbor on the South Shore of Ma. Not far from Cape Cod. It is a great little New England harbor town. I just loved the red fishing boat and the red cottage roofs. I need to go back and spend a day shooting the buildings, lighthouse and the harbor. Maybe this spring I'll make the trip.

What do you like to paint or photograph. I find I am always drown back to the same places and that is ok. The more you know about a place the better you can plan to be there when the light is just right.

Keep Makin' Art
Carl

Winter Art

I will be the first to admit that Autumn and Summer are my favorite and most productive outdoor art months. However this morning I was driving upstate and it was bone-chillingly cold. There was a great sunrise and just a hint of frost on the ground. I suddenly wanted my camera. I went back and found these two shots that were great results of getting out early on cold mornings, shooting and then editing the pictures in the comfort of my studio with a worm cup of coffee. Perhaps tomorrow morning I'll go take some shots. The take-away from this post is to make the most of the artistic opportunities the world presents to you. Everyday there is a chance to make great art.

Keep makin' art.

Carl

Watercolor

People often ask me... "Why watercolor?" I have asked that too on occasion. I think I could and someday will be a great oil painter. After all the process of laying the shapes and the darks first and adding the details and highlights seems like a natural progression and the idea of having months to get a subject just right seems wonderful... So why watercolor? First and foremost it is the luminous quality of the light and color. I was drawn to watercolors long before I started painting. Watercolor is fast and exciting. You are always working on the razors edge between a masterpiece and a total mess. It is a curious mix of planning and freedom all at the same time. Once I finally decided to try it and watch two colors mix, mingle and dance on a sheet of 140lb. cold press paper I was hooked for life. Watercolor is controlled chaos.... and what could be better.

If you have always been afraid to try watercolor I say give it a try. You'll get hooked!

Keep Making Art,
Carl