"Lone Apple" - SOLD

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My second workshop at Dena's was just as much fun as the first! Sadly, I neglected to take any pictures of the class in progress, or of student work. But I do have our final picture - all my kids together in the main house (below). The apple painting above is the first I did at the end of almost 2 weeks of being sick. I was feeling a bit rusty so I picked something as simple as possible to ease my way back into painting.

"Egg in Glass" - SOLD

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I am finally over whatever it is I've had for almost 2 weeks! It started out like the flu and then turned into nerve tingles and pain, which was weird. I've learned something - if you google your symptoms, you can always convince yourself you've got something WAY worse than it most likely is!! It turns out this is something that's going around. I hope you don't get it. I'm off tomorrow for another workshop in the Hill Country.

"That's Him!" - SOLD

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"That's Him, that's the tomato that sat on my sandwich!"

"Chillin'" - SOLD

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Recently I got an email from an online friend and fabulous painter, Richard Robinson, asking to use a few of my paintings in an instructional video he just made. I got to see the video and I gotta say, not only is he a stellar artist, his instruction is top notch. He puts things out in a clear, concise way, and he knows what he's talking about. It taught me a thing or two. I would recommend taking a workshop from him, but he lives in New Zealand, so check out his videos. You won't be sorry!

"Reaching Out" - SOLD

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There's a story to this one (not that I would ever admit to JUST having thought it up). The spoon is the bad guy and he's holding the cherry (on the plate) captive. But the spoon is asleep at the moment, and while he has the chance, the other cherry is about to free the first cherry.

"Bright Spot" - SOLD

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This flu keeps lingering, unfortunately. I am sad to say I haven't painted since my last workshop. I will keep posting paintings from before I got sick.

I want to highlight a workshop I'm doing Oct 18-22 that will be advanced (you are considered advanced if you've taken a workshop from me before or you've been painting at least 10 years). In this workshop we will learn about the more difficult aspects of a still life, as well as more advanced subjects. We will talk about the mysteries of reflections on a glass surface (or others), and in the sides of metal or other reflective objects. We will explore glass objects in paint and how they distort the world behind them. We will examine the illusiveness of white objects with their subtle shifts of color. We will discuss flowers, one of the most difficult subjects to paint. We will also spend a day on a more complicated, larger still life, alla prima. If you are interested, contact Eileen Corse at the Corse Gallery & Atelier in Jacksonville, FL.

"Hot Shade" - SOLD

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As you might have read on my blog, I have been sick with the flu since my last workshop. Sick as a dog! I'm well enough now to post and answer email, but not enough to paint - yet - I am still a few ahead and will post those while I heal completely. I read that you're catching even before the first symptom, so I am hoping fiercely I didn't get anyone at my workshop sick!!! Speaking of ...

Dena's Bunkhouse is an AWESOME place for a workshop. Ok, minus the drafty barn and heaters everywhere and rain on the tin roof ... we honestly had a blast! And the best part was half of us stayed at the ranch every night, so we drank and ate and arm wrestled ... and other silly things I won't mention here. : )

I got 2 photos of my kids. For the one below I had to stand on a table to take it, so obviously ... I'm not in it. I just had to include the second, silly one where we are trying to get the ranch dog, Roscoe Parker, in the shot, but he wasn't having any of it.

Down with the Flu

This is David, Carol's husband. I just wanted to let everyone know that Carol is down with the flu and will hopefully be back painting and posting soon. No worries, I am taking good care of her.

"In Plain Sight"

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I am off, here in a minute, to drive to Cypress Mill, Texas (in the hill country) for a 3-day workshop. I am really glad I remembered how to paint in time to teach. : )

"PDA" - SOLD

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PDA, in case you aren't familiar with it, means Public Display of Affection. So the two cherries are stealing a kiss out in public and everyone is watching, probably jealous of their love.

Today I got back into the studio and am happy to report ... I remembered how to paint! I think the break I took was JUST what I needed. Towards the end of it I started getting ideas about what to paint, and that was really what was missing. Well, that and how to do it too. But it all came back in a whoosh. I will sleep happy tonight.

"Cherryguards" - SOLD

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This is another pre-block painting. They are Rainier cherries and they are protecting the cute little white bowl I found recently at Pier 1. I just loved the colorful reflections on the outside of the bowl. My block has coincidentally coincided with a bunch of non-painting work that has to be done, so I have taken some good advice and abandoned my studio for the last couple of days. It feels wrong, but it is also nice to take a break. I will return, refreshed, tomorrow.

"Cracked Stacks" - SOLD

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I would like to send out a BIG thank you to those who wrote in with words of encouragement after my post yesterday. My dirty secret is that I am usually ahead with my paintings (some days I have time for several, some days just one, some none). I usually only admit this to my kids. The reason I mention this is to explain that this painting and a few more are pre-block. Today was more of the same block to the point my husband suggested we get out of the house and go to three of my favorite inspiration spots: the bookstore (for the art mags), the thriftstore, and Central Market (for great produce).

"I'll Take Two" - SOLD

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I'm having a rough time painting these last few days. For every one decent painting I do I also do about 2 or 3 wipers. This happens sometimes, and it is always extremely frustrating. I have to give myself little pep talks throughout the day: "Carol, this is part of the cycle - it's normal - you didn't forget how to paint - take a break - take a walk - don't hit the wall so hard you damage your painting hand" ... things like that.

"One Casualty" - SOLD

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David asked recently about signatures: "Would you care to comment on placement of a signature/choosing a color for the signature." David, I would and I will. My opinion is to choose an out of the way location (a bottom corner is traditional but not necessary) and a color that doesn't overwhelm the painting. I generally use gray - something with enough contrast to the color it will go on - usually dark because that seems to draw less attention. Someone told me once they'd found a painting they just loved but didn't buy it because the signature was too "loud." That convinced me.

"Choosing China" & "Halved to Make a Pear" - SOLD

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Something important came up yesterday and I wasn't able to post, so I am double posting today. I am particularly pleased with the titles this time. This one below is "Halved to Make a Pear." I thought'of 'em all by myself. : ) The photos aren't great ... not sure what I did wrong but I'll repost them later.

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"Off the Edge" - SOLD

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In case you missed it, Robert Genn posted a fabulous quote recently, by Garrison Keillor. When asked, "How did you master both writing and oral storytelling," Keillor replied: "I didn't. There's no mastery to be had. You love the attempt. You don't master a story any more than you master a river. You feel lucky to canoe down it." Replace writing/story with art/painting and it is just as true.

"Lite Breakfast" - SOLD

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I just posted a new workshop in Westford, MA, September 12th - 14th, 2010. If you're interested, register here or email Laurie Miller or call 978-692-6333.

"Parallel Universe" - SOLD

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My new friend and remarkable artist, Adele Ernshaw, gave me this little salt shaker when I was in Sedona recently, and I've been dying to paint it ever since. Isn't it cute!?

Thank you all so much for your support in 2009 - I wish you all the very best in 2010!!!