Materials Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Rochelle Weiner Carr

Two sold from Snow Day series

I am very pleased to report that I have already sold two paintings from my new series, "Snow Day". Considering I only started this series about a month ago I'd say that's great progress!

First one sold was "O'Hare in the Park" (above) to my friends Scott and Roger - owners of the dog featured in many of the paintings. Thanks guys!!

Second one, "Snow Day" pictured below, was sold at The Leigh Gallery. Thank you Jean Leigh!

So far I've painted 10 in the series - some are hanging at the Leigh Gallery and I'll be hanging some more at the Andersonville Galleria, where I'll also have some prints available soon. Please stop by to see them in person!

"Snow Day" - prints available, contact me for details.

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / Paintings / Snow Day Series / Watercolor / Watercolors - 02/14/2013

Two large-scale watercolors now part of the Tony Odisho collection

So, how cool is this? The fabulous Tony Odisho, owner of Exsalonce Salon and Spa in Chicago as well as Tony Odisho Extensions and Ostia Hair Products (who also happens to be my hairdresser!) called me a couple weeks ago for a favor. He asked if he could borrow a couple of paintings as staging for a one-day photo shoot at his newly redesigned and expanded salon. I brought him over a couple paintings that he thought would work well, and they did, and the photos turned out fantastic! Even better - he liked the paintings in the salon so much that he ended up buying them! Yay! Thank you Tony!

Above, Tony Odisho, owner of Exsalonce Salon and Spa, standing in front of "Rainy Day" in the salon.

Masa Irises at Exsaonce Salon and Spa

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / Paintings / Portraits from photos / Watercolor / Watercolors - 02/14/2013

Now showing at Pizza Rustica, Chicago

Big announcement! My first 1-woman show has now officially begun. Juliana Montebello-Roman and Chef Stefano Roman invited me to show my work at their beautiful and delicious Italian restaurant - Pizza Rustica. The restaurant is located at 3908 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60613 (just 3 blocks north of Wrigley Field, one block south of the Irving Park "L").

The show will run for a couple months - no end date set yet. But if you are interested in viewing please stop by for something to eat and to have a browse. The food is truly amazing - rustic northern Italian cuisine including amazing pizza, fresh pasta and to-die-for sandwiches - Stefano is truly an artist.

We are having an open reception on Sunday, January 20 from 1-3pm which will include a craft beer tasting hosted by one of their vendors. I hope you will stop by, either for the reception or some other time during the run of the show!

Juliana met me yesterday morning and was a fabulous partner - couldn't have done it without her! - in helping me get the show hung. Below are photos of the finished product.

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Added 1/12/12 - Read the interview with Juliana Montebello-Roman in the Examiner - great write up!!

Art show / By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / OIl paint / Oil paintings / Paintings / Portraits from photos / R&F Pigment Sticks / Watercolor / wood board - 12/21/2012

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Just won an IWS Award of Excellence for my painting, "And then I lost it"

Big news - last night I was honored by winning an "Award of Excellence" at the Illinois Watercolor Society's Annual Member Show for my painting "And then I lost it" (shown below)! I am over the moon thrilled about this. My first award since taking up painting again 2 years ago.

I walked into the exhibition last night with my best friend Robin, took a look around and thought to myself - oh man, I don't have a chance. There were so many truly amazing paintings on display last night, by some incredibly talented artists. This show is really something to see - and I figured no way was I going to win anything.... but then I did!

The judge was Marilynn Derwenskus, NWS, IWS - I was told that my painting was chosen for the story it told, for the risks I took in the composition and for the "glow" I was able to achieve in the execution. Super thrilling for me to get such high praise from a nationally respected artist and judge.

The painting, "And then I lost it" is one of a series I've been developing from discarded vintage photos found in junk shops and antique stores, which I'm calling the Discarded Series. The resource photo I used for this painting was of a little girl, circa 1930s, standing on a hillside with a white dress blowing in the wind. I added the cliff in front of her and the kite, to tell a story of innocence lost.

If you are interested in seeing a truly wonderful show, it runs through December 5 at The Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 West 31st Street, Oak Brook, IL.

Art competition / Art show / Awards / By Rochelle / Collage paper / Discarded series / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 11/09/2012

Monoprints in oil

A fun side product of this new technique I learned from instructor Lisa Pressman at her recent workshop (written about in the previous post) are a series of monoprints.

Using the R&F Pigment Sticks, draw on the surface of you painting, throw a piece of paper over it and use a rubber roller over the back - when you pull it up you have a monoprint. Or conversely, draw on the paper, throw it on your painting and roll the back and transfer your drawing to the painting surface. You can work back into the monoprint while it's wet or wait till it dries and continue drawing.

Love the fresh and free abstract quality of this by-product of the painting process. Here are a few of my favorites so far:

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By Rochelle / Materials / Monoprints / OIl paint / Oil paintings / R&F Pigment Sticks - 11/06/2012

Felines & Canines - a very worthy cause

Last year I met some wonderful people. An amazing group of people who dedicate their lives to taking care of cats and dogs who have found themselves without homes. And they were right around the corner from where I've been living for the last 6 years.

Tink

Felines & Canines is a no kill dog and cat shelter headed by Abby Smith and Kelly Thompson, located on Chicago's far north side. Their current temporary location is at 1962 W Peterson Ave. Chicago - but only until their year-long renovation of their real home is complete. At that time they will move back to their place at 6379 N. Paulina St.

As a donation I just completed a series of portraits of their residents - some with heart warming stories. There is Tink - short for Tinkles - who is the sweetheart of the people who work there and pretty much everyone who walks in. He came to them at 6 months old having been hit by a car, leaving the back half of his body paralyzed. He has found a warm and nurturing home with F&C - he runs and plays and is cherished as one of the family.

Nana

Then there is Nana - their first canine rescue. Felines Inc had been their name since the 70s but with the renovation they have expanded their space and therefore are now a cat AND dog shelter. Nana came to them off the street and everyone fell in love with her instantly, and she found her forever home within days of being taken in by F&C.

Then meet Thelma - a long term resident of F&C. She is not friendly with humans - one of the many feral residents at the shelter. She skulks around the place with her funny little face - taunting those such as me who want to scoop her up and give her a cuddle. Don't let her fool you, she's not having it. Because of this, she is unlikely ever to leave the shelter, but that is ok. F&C is a no kill shelter so Thelma will have a home with them as long as she wants it.

Thelma

Anyway - I can't say more about this place and these wonderful people. Following are the finished paintings. In time for the grand opening I will be getting these framed and they will decorate one of the walls of the newly renovated home.

I can't wait.

Click the thumbnails to see any of the photos up close.

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Art show / By Rochelle / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings / Pet Portraits / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 10/25/2012

Painting in thirds

Three years in a row I've taken a week-long watercolor workshop with Karlyn Holman, in Washburn Wisconsin. I find this woman so inspiring - not only is she a truly gifted artist and painting instructor - but she also has such a verve for life you can't help get wrapped up in her exuberance.

During the first workshop I attended in 2010 she told a story about teaching to a group of women in Ireland. She told us the same thing she told them - try dividing your full sheet watercolor paper in thirds, to make three separate paintings measuring 10" x 22". Karlyn claims that this odd size painting is very marketable, since most people have some awkward wall in their house that just needs something. Paintings this size tend to fit those spaces perfectly.

Between giggles Karlyn reported how confused she was at first when the Irish ladies kept asking about the turds... "Karlyn - are we supposed to be working on our turds today?"... "Karlyn - how do we make a turd again?"... Giggles all round. Oh yes, a little potty humor is not beneath us. Ever since then I can't call these size paintings anything but "turds". Karlyn - you are the best.

Following is a series of "Turds" that I have completed recently.

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By Rochelle / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 08/16/2012

Return customer

Brian Kozlowski hired me a few months ago do create a portrait of his partner's parents as a surprise gift. He and his partner Jonathan Carbonell were so happy with the result that they came back and commissioned a second portrait, this time of Brian's parents. I'm thrilled to present a photo they sent me of both portraits now hanging together in their house!

Looks great guys! This tableau looks fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂

And here are close ups of the completed paintings:

By Rochelle / Gifts / Materials / Paintings / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 07/21/2012

Sold!

I love it when a client sends me a photo of my work on their walls.

Leslie Anagnostakis of New York recently bought two of my original paintings (thank you Leslie!) She purchased "Autumn Shine" for her sister, and "Rita's Back Yard" for herself. I was so excited to get the following photo! I think it's fabulous in this spot!

Thank you Leslie, for sharing! Love it!

And here are close ups of the two paintings:

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 07/21/2012

More paintings to be on NBC's Chicago Fire!