Dr Phil Tomorrow!

Just a reminder - we'll be on the Dr Phil show tomorrow, on CBS (times differ based on location). Above is the photo they took of us after the show. Ack - so much makeup!!

"Raw Breakfast 2" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

Today we are in Sedona and I am having major painting withdrawal. We drove all this way and I just couldn't abandon my family to paint on our first day here. Maybe afterwards I'll get to paint the beautiful red rock!

Above is another blue egg from the farmers market back home, done a week ago.

"Best Buds" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I've gotten a few emails since I left from those who ordered books and say they look good and that Blurb got them out quickly and well packaged. Thanks so much for letting me know, and for your overwhelming support! If you didn't get the link, you can preview and order my book here, Carol Marine: 100 Small Paintings.

We are in Scottsdale, AZ tonight, and will drive the rest of the way to Sedona tomorrow.

"Cozy Up" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving ... and didn't eat as much pie as I did. I am writing from El Paso, stopped for the night on our way to Sedona for a workshop. We are driving (my husband, son and I) and will be gone for about 2 weeks. Unfortunately I won't be able to ship any paintings until I get back - I apologize for this inconvenience. I did paint a few ahead so ... well, so you wouldn't miss me. : )

"Red Light District" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

This little red, glass cup is another great find from my recent thrift store excursion. I really enjoy painting the shadows of colored glass.

"Raw Breakfast" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I went back to the Farmer's Market this weekend and got some more of those blue eggs. This time I didn't tell them what I was going to use them for ... they gave me funny looks last time. Also, I went thrift store shopping and found, among other things, this awesome little red plate!

"Round the Bend" & "Apple Harmony" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

Last weekend my buddy Randi came over and we drove for a ways out in the country looking for a spot to do some plein air painting. We came across this scenic spot, but unfortunately had to park in the driveway to capture it. Sure enough, after an hour or so, the guy who lived there came home and we had to move out of the way. But, he graciously allowed us to keep painting. Thank you! See Randi's take on the same scene.

Below are three apples, singing in harmony. Can you hear it? : )



Click Here to Bid

"Interspecies Love" & BOOK - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

My painting book is finally ready! See all 102 pages and order it here.

To answer some popular questions: I used Blurb to create my book. I was going to order a bunch and ship them myself, but then I found Blurb has an online store and they will do all that for me! Which is good because we are driving out to Sedona next week and will be gone for 2 weeks ... this way there will be no delay for those who order. The book is $30 for softcover. I am going to order a bunch myself to sign and sell at workshops (and for gifts). Blurb will ship to lots of places outside the US - check to see if your country is on the list.

"Four Bits" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

Wow, I got quite an overwhelming response about the book! Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and support. I decided today, that to make this book more substantial, I am adding 50 more paintings, to make it 100 total. It'll cost just a little more, for twice the content. I spent most of today on that, and tomorrow I hope to give you the ordering information. I just need to work out one little detail.

"Two by Two" & book! - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

Recently I put together a little book of 50 small paintings I've done in the last 3 years. I ordered just one to see how it would turn out, and I got it today! It's 7x7in and it looks reall good! My husband took a picture with me in it so you could get a feel for the size. (see below) Please let me know if you'd be interested so I can get a feel for how many to order - the more I get the cheaper they'll be for you guys - thanks!

"Apple Bowl" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I am quite happy with this one. Another that seemed to paint itself. The title ... a little less inspired, I admit.

"On the Green" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

So, finally, I have the air time for our Dr Phil episode! It'll be Tuesday, Dec 1st. Here in Austin it plays at 3pm ... not sure if it's the same elsewhere. I'll actually be teaching in Sedona at the time, but someone will tape it for me. If you see it, since I can't remember for the life of me, please let me know if I made a fool of myself!

Also, in reference to frames, another good source for floater frames (that I got A LOT of emails about) is Frankin Frames.

"Among the Folds 3" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I won't say I've figured out folds, but I have figured out why they're so gal-darn difficult to paint. Well, especially white cloth. It's because they have such subtle shifts of color and value. This part over here is a light orange grey, and this part over here is slightly darker and bluer. But just SLIGHTLY. And these subtle shifts are really hard to capture accurately. Not that I'm making excuses ... I swear! : )

Some of you asked about places to get floater frames after my frame post yesterday. I've never used them, but I've heard really great things about www.metroframe.com. They even have frames for panels (vs. canvas).

"Among the Folds 2" - SOLD

I've heard from a lot of you that 6x6 frames are hard to find, so I've teamed up with a framing supplier, King of Frame, to offer some really nice frames with my paintings. They will be optional - no obligation. I've got 9 styles on hand at the moment, will try out more later, and as soon as I find out what the most popular ones are, I'll have a stock of them. They'll each be $35, including any extra shipping, and will be shipped directly with the painting.

"Among the Folds" - SOLD

I can draw folds in fabric like nobody's business, but painting them is a whole other matter. This was my second attempt, and believe me the first was a serious wiper. I am considering a larger painting with folds so I thought I'd do a few with these little paintings first and experiment some with my approach.

"Garlic Juice" & "Anticipation" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I got this little polka-dot vase from my husband's birthmother in Germany - she said she had too many nick-nacks, so I kindly took it off her hands. : )

Below is one of my "feast" themed paintings - a terrible photo - sorry about that. I'm calling it "Anticipation". My main problem was getting enough stuff into the composition. I kept taking things out one by one until it didn't look like a feast anymore ... so I decided it would be just a glimpse of the feast ... a suggestion of one. I do like the piled look and may try something like this again.

"Order by Size" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

I got busy with other things today and didn't get to take a picture of the "feast" painting. Sorry about that. More garlic instead.

"Mini Me" - SOLD

I've been on a bit of a garlic run lately. I peeled a clove off today and it had this perfect little "tail," for lack of a better word. Today I also worked on a larger piece for a group show coming up. The theme is "feast," which is open to interpretation. You'd think with me and food I'd have a perfect opportunity here, but I've had a bear of a time with it. I've done 2 now and I am much happier with the one I did today. I'll post it tomorrow.

"Blue Plate Special" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

After yesterday's post about reflections, I got a comment suggesting what I said wasn't quite true. So I did a little research today, (basically looking at objects on glass from many angles and measuring) and found that ... well it's complicated. The width of the reflection is always going to be the same as the object no matter what. But the height depends on what angle you're looking from, and what shape the object is. For example, if you're looking at a cup, the height of the reflection is going to equal the height of the cup from the bottom to the front rim (not to the back rim, if you can see it). The best way to get it right is to simply measure and compare. Sorry for the confusion!

Also, here is the panel holder photo I promised. The white arrow is pointing to the edge you would apply rubber cement to if you're having any problems with it sliding. This is NOT meant to glue this piece down, only to provide more friction with the bottom, fixed piece when you slide it, so let it dry thoroughly before putting it back in place.

"Supporting Cast" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

A friend recently asked me to post about reflections. I think the biggest thing to remember is that the reflection should be a mirror image, size-wise, of the object. So, however wide/tall the object is, the reflection should be that wide/tall, and it should be DIRECTLY below the object. You should be able to draw a straight line down from the sides of the object, and that is how wide the reflection should be. As for getting the color/value correct, these are going to be different depending on each unique lighting situation, so it's another place where you've got to squint and ... say it with me ... paint what you see, not what you think you see. : ) Hope that helps. Oh, and tomorrow I'll post photos of the panel holder slider peice (that I mentioned yesterday) - stay tuned.

"White Bulb"

BUY NOW $80

For those of you who have bought a panel holder from me or Karen Rike, this post is for you. It has recently come to my attention that the slider piece slips sometimes while painting. A recent student of mine came up with an easy solution. Simply brush some rubber cement onto the bottom, narrow strip of the slider piece (where it touches the bottom, fixed piece) and let it dry for about 10 minutes. This should solve the problem, if you're having it. Let me know if you're not sure what I'm talking about and I'll take and post some photos.

"Disperse" - SOLD

Our trip to LA was fast and furious and lots of fun! They put us up in the Renaissance Hotel, which is big & fancy and right in the middle of everything, on Hollywood Blvd. We did a little shopping after we got there and saw a lot of stars ... on the sidewalk. Here we are: Jen (my husband's ex), me and my husband, David.



Here's a part of the view out the window of my and David's room. Do you see the Hollywood sign top right?



I wasn't nervous much in the green room, even though we had to sign something saying they could film us with hidden cameras and use it (yikes!), but when I got on stage I froze. Dr Phil is very tall in person, but I don't think it was that ... just all the lights and people and ... cameras. Afterwards I was telling David and Jen how scared I was and they said "but you answered all the questions." I said "I talked?" I honestly can't remember that part.

They still haven't told us when it will air, but I will post about it here as soon as I know. I will also post the photo they took of us with Dr Phil after the show, when I have it.

"Team Effort" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid

We are off tomorrow morning for 2 days in LA! I will let you all know when the airtime is for the show (Dr. Phil) as soon as I hear - it won't be right away.

I wanted to say something real quickly here about shadows. Shadows are one of those things our brains try to trick us about. We think of shadows as dark. But often they are fairly light. They are the darkest where the least amount of ambient light gets in, so usually right where objects touch (each other, or the surface they are on). It's one of those times that you've got to really focus on what's there, and paint what you see - not what you think you see (I need to turn this into a song).