Carol Sue Witt

June is just over and can I say phew?!  We managed to find a lovely new one story home in Austin just 3 miles from our current peeps. We wrapped up the entire process of buying, down sizing and moving while summer sizzled. Grandsons, neighbors and Square Cow Movers were all great help...and I can't say enough about our Realtor, Elicia Michaud. She is now focusing on selling our 1 1/2 story ( we really don't want 2 homes) ...let me know if you are looking. And, of course, I had agreed to paint a whiskey keg during all of this. Garrison Brothers Distillery had the awesome idea to use their barrels as a fundraiser to benefit the west Texas fire victims from earlier this year. I got mine at Art Direct and here is a little of the process... I envisioned our stunning prickly pear cactus in bloom so used photos from our yard to scatter on all sides of the barrel. At a certain point I knew a soft blue background would be an excellent border The barrel was heavy & a little awkward t

 I never understand painters who can't find something to paint.  That simply does not happen to me. I have more paintings planned than I have time.  Sometimes it only takes an everyday chore to inspire a watercolor.  For example, I decided to polish my Mother's silverware, while Spring cleaning. It really needed it. It was tarnished. This silver is a treasured gift that I rarely use. It's a pattern called "First Love"by Rogers and it makes me smile to think of my parents saving to buy these pieces back in 1942. I wanted to have others enjoy this heirloom so I polished the items, arranged them in a specifiic way and shot many photos at all angles. At a March 23 rd one day workshop in Bastrop, Texas I was able to share the processes I used to create the lower 2/3 of this painting. We masked certain areas so that we could begin with an underpainting of Hansa yellow, French Ultramarine Blue and Opera Pink. With 6 enthusiastic painters, we set out to explore the reflec

 I say... go to nature for inspiration. SIMPLISTIC, BUT NOT SIMPLE! When I think of growth and renewal, bright colors and crisp smells, I think of seasonal landscaping, spring greenery and ripening fruits and vegetables. These may have a short life but it is undeniably fresh! And a reminder to all of us to refresh especially at the start of a new year. Colors in nature are ....well, perfect. Especially at each end of the spectrum of their growth periods as they mature. Look at California and Florida farms in the height of their growing seasons. They are rippling blankets of color that are, at first, a solid but, at closer inspection, almost pixilated versions of color that make me understand  pointilism as an art movement just a little better. These strawberries are a perfect example. Note that even in the leaves the variation is from tip to stem, topside to underside and in proximity to other adjacent colors...so take a good look!  I have had fun painting this close-up of these luscio

"Dairy Queen" If you have lived in Texas, you might love Blue Bell. Even our cows do.  I hope you have considered merchandising your images. Not only is it fun to see products with your artwork on them but it is lucrative and makes a longer lasting impression of your intention and talent. It's a great gift from you, as well. Where can you get this work created? One artist website is Fine Art America. I let the people at Fine Art America print my images on notecards, prints of all sizes and on surfaces of all kinds. For example, tote bags are a popular item. Many folks aren't collectors of hanging art but they like color and uniqueness in other areas of their homes. Mugs are  another popular item because they are practical and inexpensive as a gift. You can include beach towels, tapestries, masks and notebook covers and more. Pros: It doesn't cost much, (I set my own prices) and it is working behind the scenes making income for me. You can order personally from he

 It has been a month of travel for us! I brought a small tray of paints and some favorite brushes and did a little doodling on flights but for the most part, I enjoyed other artists' works. Time for my creating later. Some very clever ideas are out there if you go into galleries that feature local artists. I did that in Maui last week mostly at the Lahaina shops on Front Street. The restaurants are not bad either! Shouts out to Duckine, Mala and Star Noodle for their creativity with food and drinks. And did I mention the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful? Don't forget to take a sunset cruise...it's amazing. And soooo relaxing... Artists on site : I was very impressed with some of the local artists' works in an especially competitive arena. Tourists were invited to cool off and shop in lovely settings with many featuring artists on hand to chat while they explained some special details about their works. This always increases the activity in the gallery and likely resu

 A funny story here...my girlfriend , Nancy Kay, might be the world's greatest Christmas enthusiast. Not only is there A LOT of stuff inside and out but it is lovingly hung just after Halloween, annually refreshed and then carefully stored ( for a short while anyway) in mid January. The traditional party mix is a baking ordeal done early and given to lucky recipients. It has so much bacon fat, its best to take an antacid before munching. The candy, the wrapped staircase, the tree, the music, the smells!!! are all at their home displaying an abundance of Christmas ambiance. This silver service is always draped with pine cones and a bow and has a place of honor in the Dining Room which is lavishly decorated , set for immediate guests or for a potential drop in by royalty. This year , in June, ( painted in April) will be the Malone's 50th wedding anniversary so I decided to paint this "family heirloom" minus the pine cones for them and asked the "story" behind