Christmas Angel

                              Glory to God and merry Christmas to all! 

This sweet angel is featured in the 30 days of Christmas display at the LocAL Market in downtown Auburn.  Stop by to see this collection of inspirational Christmas paintings by local artists.  Each day a new card will be displayed by a LocAL Market maker. 

Yearling

Deer hunting season has arrived, and my family is happy to be in the woods.  I prefer to see these beautiful creatures, rather than hunt them! 
This painting might be a nice gift for the deer hunter on your Christmas list.  Email me at bettycarrollart@gmail.com for more information.

Samford Hall

This painting holds memories for me of my wonderful college experience at Auburn University, just a few years ago!  I gathered with artist friends recently to paint this iconic tower on the lawn at Samford Hall.

You will find this painting in a fun new gallery, LocAL Market, directly across College Street  from this tower.  It's vivacious owner, Lauren Duncan, showcases work from 80 Alabama "makers".  All of her offerings are handmade from local Alabama artisans.  Please stop by to visit, as we are often in her shop painting or helping out.

Painting Plein Air

We learned a lot at the Tallapoosa School of Art this week painting plein air with David Boyd. It was a treat to paint in Jim Scott's lovely gardens.  Many thanks to Dorothy and George Littleton for hosting us in this beautiful place!

We began by selecting a spot that spoke to us. I choose a stone archway framing the entrance to yet another delightful garden area. Then, drawing with markers I created a value study on grey sketch paper. This approach allows the artist to make decisions before painting on canvas. 

The weather didn't allow me to finish, but I have enough info now to complete the painting in my studio.

Time for Pumpkins

It is harvest time!  I have been painting pumpkins this week for Halloween and Thanksgiving events coming up at the LocAL Market on College Street in downtown Auburn.

Please come by for trick or treating on October 31 and for Punkin' Fest with Frou Frou on Nov. 21.  There will be treats and holiday decor items galore.  Check out www.localmarketauburn.com to learn about participating makers (artists) and for details of ongoing events.

Storyteller

If old barns could talk... I wonder about the rich stories they would tell about bygone days.  For some time I have been wanting to paint this barn that I often drive by en route to our home at Lake Martin.

I am happy to share that I have discovered a talented local framer, Scott Moody.  He owns Chirpwood, Opelika's newest art gallery. He custom made this attractive hardwood frame. Scott shared this photo with me of Storyteller hanging in his gallery.

He is located just past downtown next to the Farmer's Market at 405 S. 10th Street.  I hope you can stop by to see his handiwork enhancing paintings from regional artists.  He also offers fresh coffee, pastries, fruit, and wifi in The Nest, a cozy den for the reader or thinker.

Honey

Meet Honey Bunny.  She is ready to help decorate the nursery for sweet baby girl due to arrive this fall.

Plein Air in Samford Park

The weather was perfect Saturday morning for our first annual Plein Air Meet Up in Auburn at Samford Park.

Many thanks to the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art and LocAL Market for organizing a fun day!  Stay tuned for another painting event in October when the museum reopens.

Anne Irwin Fine Art

                 

Chatting with two of my favorite guys at the Emerging Artist Show Friday night at Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta...
Many thanks to Anne Irwin and Emily West for a lovely reception and for the opportunity to be a part of this special show!  For purchase info, please contact staff@anneirwinfineart.com.

Jakes

These young male turkeys are called jakes.  They are on an early morning jaunt shadowing an older male in search of a hen.

Jakes will be in the Emerging Artist Show at Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta next week.  The show will open with a reception for the public on Friday from 6:00-8:00 EST and run until August 31. Please visit anneirwinfineart.com for more details.  We hope to see you at the show!

Emerging Artist Show

I am excited to be invited to participate in the Emerging Artist Show this summer at Anne Irwin Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia!  It will feature a vast range of beautiful paintings from thirty five new artists.

It opens with a reception on August 4.  Please be our guest at the gallery on Miami Circle at 6:00 to meet the artists, have cocktails and lite bites.  The show will run until the end of the month.

Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel

Nestled in a serene forest setting on Falls Creek Lake, this beautiful chapel was planned by Cason Callaway as a tribute to his mother. It is located at Callaway Gardens near Pine Mountain, Georgia. With its lovely stained glass windows, hardwoods, and a custom built pipe organ, it has been the scene of weddings and concerts for many years.  This painting is available at The Flower Store in Auburn, AL.

The LocAL Market

I am excited to be one of Lauren Duncan's artists in her new gallery, The LocAL Market, at  127 S. College Street in downtown Auburn.  She brings energy and excitement to  Auburn families looking for a venue to gather and showcase an eclectic mix of artistry.

Thursday, June 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. she is hosting ART and APPS, a fundraiser for Nourish, AL, a non profit organization seeking to provide meals for families in need in Lee County.  Local chefs are providing a tasty array of appetizers, and artists will donate 50% of their sales.  There will be craft cocktails and music by The Hedgerow Folk.

Tickets are $30 each.  For details visit www.localmarketauburn.com  Hope you can come!

Geri the Giraffe

I am excited that my giraffe painting has a new home brightening the children's play station in the newly designed family center at Bethany House in Auburn.  We are so blessed to have this wonderful facility and caring professionals to help us through difficult times.

Magnolia Blossom

Lately I have been painting a series of individual flowers.  Rather then framing, I like to see them sitting on shelves or tabletops for a splash of seasonal color.  The Magnolia is the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana.  Not only does it have a lovely fragrance, but it makes me think of days gone by, Tara and southern belles.

Tallapoosa School of Art

 

 I enjoyed visiting with Qiang Huang yesterday en route to Lake Martin where he is

the inaugural teacher for the Tallapoosa School of Art.  His landscape workshop will include a session in Jim Scott's beautiful gardens.  Best wishes, Dorothy Littleton, and thank you for building your school to bring great teachers to us.  See below, Qiang's beautiful plein air painting.

Sam

Many thanks to Ron Bayens for our portrait class last week.  It is a privilege to learn from a masterful portrait artist!  This is my painting underway.  I will let it dry and return for several more layers before completion.

Honey Bunny

Spring is a time of renewal.   As we celebrate this season, we are reminded of the ultimate gift of our salvation.  As I was painting this bunny I looked out of my window and had a special surprise.  I saw a real one in our flowerbed!

Happy Easter!

Family Outing

Family Outing is one of my paintings included in Let There Be Art at the Museum in Columbus, Georgia this week.  The show opened Thursday night with a lovely reception and runs until April 13. Many thanks to the artist selection committee for allowing me to be a participating artist, to Bob Vardamon for his gala design, and to Martha Hicks for her elegant presentation and delicious culinary offerings.

Apples

What a great group we had in our art class yesterday at Auburn United Methodist Church.  We painted apples.  As a child I remember taking an apple to my teachers at school.

We talked about the impact that teachers have on our lives.  I am so thankful for the awesome teachers I have had on my art journey!

George

George is a laughing gull who resides on St. George's Island waiting for his prey.  I was lucky to hang out with him when I attended the Forgotten Coast Plein Air Event in Apalachicola, Florida.  I rented a house on this beautiful beach with art friends for our week long visit.  We were fortunate to meet and learn from an amazing lineup of artists, not to mention enjoying our down time on the beach with George!

I am excited to share with you that I have been invited to participate in Let There Be Art, a fundraiser for the Columbus Museum!  The show will open with a gala event on Thursday April 6.  Visit www.columbusmuseum.com for more information.  The show April 7-13 is free and open to the public.

Each participating artist will be creating and donating a unique 10 x 10 painting for the Art for Education Gallery.  These pieces will be displayed in a special exhibit and are for sale at $300 each. The artists have been asked to sign on the back only, so buyers will not know the identity of the artist until after their purchase. George will be my entry for this event.  In addition to this piece, I will have seven other paintings in the show.  I will be posting a few, but I hope you will come to the show to see the beautiful collection from artists across the southeast.

Cobalt

Complimentary colors go well together.  One of my favorite pairings is orange and blue.  It may be that being an Auburn graduate makes me a bit biased!  I loved the contrast in textures with this beautiful orange scarf, the bright shiny cobalt bottle, and organic quality of the tangerine.
Cobalt is available at The Flower Store in Auburn.

Belle

Belle is a four month old Red Golden Retriever.  I was privileged to paint Ellie, another dog in her new family, last year,  They are beloved pets, the subjects of oil dog portraits in their owners' art collection.

Loki

I was happy to paint this commission of Loki, a handsome black Labrador Retriever.  He lives in Iowa.  He is a valued guide and hunting companion.  He looks quite proud of his morning's haul!

Julia

Julia is my sweet granddaughter who lives in Mississippi.  She is four years old and always has a smile ready!  We like to paint rocks together when she comes to the lake.

Jake

Jake holds a special place in the hearts of his owners.  His "Dad" commissioned me to paint him as a special gift for his "Mom" for Christmas.  Below is my photo reference for this portrait.  This is Jake's begging pose.  Who could resist giving this cutie pie treats!