Coming or Going? - SOLD

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I am teaching a workshop in Sedona, May 23-27, a couple of months from now. They just had 4 people drop out, and apparently everyone on the wait list has made other plans. So, if you're interested in joining me in one of the most beautiful spots in the US for a 5-day, fun-filled workshop .... here's your chance! Contact the Sedona Arts Center to sign up.

And if you missed the radio interview today on Artists Helping Artists, you can listen to the recorded version here.

Arise, Fair Sun - SOLD

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If you're free tomorrow, Thursday, at 9am PST/noon EST, consider listening to the online radio show, Artist's Helping Artists. Tomorrow's segment is called: "A Conversation with Carol Marine" (that's me - tee hee). But the best part is, you'll get to hear from my husband, whom I've talked about at length, especially with my kids. He's the mastermind behind Daily Paintworks, and well, my best friend and ... the coolest person I know.

Considering Folds - SOLD

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I started this thinking: ain't no way I'm gunna do those folds any justice, but I'll givit'a whirl anyhow (yes, my thinking is this sofisticated). And though it was simple, I'm quite pleased with the result.

Caution: Hot - SOLD

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For Ebay I must keep my titles short, but what I really wanted to call this one was: "Caution: the contents of this cup may be hot".

Mini Egg - SOLD

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This is the last mini one for a while. I thought I'd paint one of my favorite subjects - a broken egg. Usually I am able to break them open so the shell is in 2 perfect pieces. This time things went awry, but I liked it.

Hot Bird - SOLD

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Another mini painting - 4x4in. I loved the red glow from the pepper, especially the one red eye. Like the bird is half evil. Heh heh heh ...

Mini Birdie - SOLD

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A while ago, on a whim, I bought a few teensy panels - 4x4inches. They sat around for a while until recently, when I decided to give them a go. So I thought, what would be better on a teensy little canvas than a teensy little bird?! I also thought - oh, this is so small and simple, it'll be a breeze. WRONG! It took me 2 tries and many hours to get this the way I wanted. Who'da thunk it.

Sweet Memories

Click Here to Bid - proceeds will be donated to Japanese "Aid for Bed" - Directly Helping by Providing Shelter for the Displaced

In case you haven't checked it out, Daily Paintworks has helped to raise over 14 thousand dollars for Japan, so far! The theme for the challenge is "home" and I decided this one would be appropriate as one of my best memories from my first home is fresh tomatoes from the garden. There's nothing like 'em.

Choosing Teams - SOLD

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I found these tomatoes in various shades from green to red at our Central Market. The tops were perfect. You can see they're mixing and matching for a game of tomato ball.

"Measured Tomatoes" - SOLD

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Well, despite some grumblings, my kids in Lake Zurich did really well this past weekend. As you can see (below) they were quite squeezed in, but the space was so well organized everything went off without a hitch.

Even Kirsten with her broken arm (above) and Livin'-life-on-the-edge-Cathy (in pink) made some major progress. Below is a happy shot - except I have to point out the one trying to hide, Corinne, is a sneaky devil indeed!

And as a special bonus, the last night I got to meet fellow daily painter, Michael Naples! It was an honor and a privilege. His art is amazing! And he's terrifically nice in person as well.

"Making Waves" - SOLD

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As usual when I am teaching, the rest of the world seems to disappear! I forget everything but my students. And this group is going to be tough to forget even after class. They are raucus, call each other names, laugh out loud at everything - deserving of the title KIDS! It's wonderful. : )

This painting is special to me because the birds came from 2 different people, both very important in my life. I think they go well together. The birds that is. Unfortunately the 2 people don't speak the same language. Literally.

To the Circus - SOLD

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This painting has absolutely the wrong mood for today's announcement. Please forgive me. The Challenge on Daily Paintworks this week will be: The Help Japan Challenge. Click here to read the details. Please consider painting something for it, and/or help spread the word. We'll be posting the challenge on Saturday. Thank you!

Tomorrow I am flying to Illinois for a 3-day workshop. I'll try to post while I'm there.

Elephant Herds Orange - SOLD

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I left the studio for one minute - came back to find this little, black elephant wrangling my orange slices! I think he wanted them all back in one piece. But that's ok, I've been wanting to paint the elephant for a while.

WORKSHOP update: I've added one more workshop for this year, in Aurora, IL - December. See my schedule (on right) for more info.

Too Beautiful - SOLD

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This is the last of the flowers for now. Can you see how the others are wary and jealous? These roses are just too darn beautiful for their own good.

Towards Romance - SOLD

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I've been reading Jane Austin's "Pride & Prejudice," so you'll forgive my sappy title. I've enjoyed these compositions with a flower laid down. It gives a simple setting to a complicated, maze of petals.

Pink Drink - SOLD

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When I was a kid my family had a tradition of drinking pink drink every Christmas. It's basically 7-up with a little cherry juice in it. And a cherry, of course. So I'm here visiting my folks and we all deliberated together on the title of this one. Pink Drink was the obvious choice.

Family Portrait - SOLD

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This was quite a challenge. Glass, glass, glass AND a rose. Dude.

Lie to Me, Rose - SOLD

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I've had a great time with these flowers! It's been a nice change of pace. I'm finally getting a feel for painting roses I think. My method this time: paint an overall, average color over the whole rose space; then paint in all the darker bits; then all the lighter bits. This seems to work the best of everything I've tried.

Alone in the Pool - SOLD

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I found a quote today I had completely forgotten about. I'd written it down and left it in a stack of papers ages ago. I probably even mentioned it here. But it's so great, here goes again: "Don't attempt to master a painting. Love the attempt."

Lay Down Your Tulips - SOLD

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After yesterday's post I got several emails asking if I had painted the split and curling stem. I did think about it, but while it was very cool, it wasn't terribly paintable. To help assuage your profound dissapointment, here is a larger painting I did recently from a photo I took in St. Augustine last year:

Glowing Tulip - SOLD

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I've mentioned bofore that I use two kinds of lightbulbs (see January 3rd archive). One is a spotlight, and the other is a softer, whiter light. I've found that flowers are usually overwhelmed by the spot, so for these I've been using the softer light. I did this one at the end of the day and left it as is overnight (lights off). The next morning I came in to find the bottom of the stem had split into 3 perfect sections and each had curled up in a perfect spiral, almost up to the flower! I've never seen such a thing.

Tulip Tea - SOLD

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This is one of my favorites of the tulips. It is often the simplest compositions that are the toughest to come up with, but can make the strongest statements.

GOOD NEWS! I've added 4 new workshops for 2012! Please check my schedule (to the right) for details on how to register.

Conjoined Twins - SOLD

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I'm all done with my latest workshop, and ready to report. Below are my demos from class (all sold). It's not the best image, but it's tough to get a good one amid the hustle and bustle of a workshop.

Below are my kids working - those slackers I was talking about in my last post. I know they look focused and dedicated, but 2 seconds after these photos I swear they were totally goofing off! : )

This has been a really awesome location for a workshop. The classes are held in a cool old barn, and every night we get together in the main house for wine and food and art and life talk. Despite their complaining, we had a ton of fun together!

Tutu Lips - SOLD

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I am really having to crack the whip with my class here in Cypress Mill, TX! They whine and complain, as if they've never done a hard day of painting in their whole lives. The only thing that seems to get them through is the promise of brownies or some other goody with lunch, but afterwards they talk of naps - pah! I'll post photos of these slackers soon. ; )

Meanwhile, two tulips I got at Central Market last week. Get the title?