Paintings Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Rochelle Weiner Carr

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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Rochelle Weiner originals on Network TV

Wow - I am super thrilled. Jean Leigh of The Leigh Gallery in Chicago sold 2 of my paintings to the set of NBC's new series, Chicago Fire. I can't wait to see my work on TV! If you're watching, keep an eye out for these two fall scenes. They're about 15" x 15" in size. I'm hoping to see them in some recurring set - an office space, one of the featured stars homes... something like that. But I'm only guessing here. (Really hoping they don't burn them!)

The pilot premiers tonight on NBC - and will be showing Wednesdays at 9pm Central.

Here are the paintings:

"Birches" sold to the set of NBC's Chicago Fire

"Fall Birch" sold to the set of NBC's Chicago Fire

Post Update: The paintings have been spotted! They are in lead role Matt Casey's living room, hanging above his couch! As far viewed clearly on Episodes 14 and 15.

Post Update: More paintings to be on NBC's Chicago Fire!

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Monoprints / NBC's Chicago Fire / Paintings - 10/10/2012

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

90 degree winter

It's been so hot in Chicago lately that I was inspired to paint a couple winter landscapes, below. Nearly monochromatic, these were created using only four paint colors - 3 blue hues and one red. I am totally digging the stark quality.

"Winter path" - original watercolor painting by Rochelle Weiner

"Frozen Morning", original watercolor painting by Chicago artist, Rochelle Weiner

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 06/11/2012

Spring further

I have continued working on the study from the previous post, "Spring Forest". I have posted both versions of the painting below for comparison.

I deepened shadows, pulled out yellows and whites and created more of a focal point with dappled light filtering through the right side of the painting. I experimented with a new medium as well - gouache - which is a water-based paint like watercolor only opaque. So I can retrieve some lights that I'd lost in the process of working out this composition. I also added a lot more details in the foreground and in the tree tops. I think it's made a very big difference to the success of this painting.

I plan to try it large scale next.

Spring Forest, study in watercolor and gouache on paper, by Chicago artist, Rochelle Weiner

Earlier version of same painting

Experimentation / Gouache / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 06/05/2012

Chicago spring

This spring has been so unusually warm and pleasant that Chicago has sprung into green more quickly than usual. I snapped a few photos recently in a forest near my house and here's first attempt at capturing the moment in watercolor. This painting is basically a study - a small version (11" x 15") working out some ideas - I'd like make a much larger painting based on this composition. Fun though.

By Rochelle / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 05/21/2012

"Discarded Memories" - opening reception May 19

(Pictured above, “The Spinster Sisters Do Mexico”, 40" x 40", acrylic)

I'm thrilled to be able to invite you to the unveiling of my newest series of paintings, entitled "Discarded Memories" at the Phantom Gallery on May 19.

I've always been drawn to vintage photography, often standing for ages in antique stores sifting through boxes of discarded family memories now for sale for 10 cents apiece. I have been collecting some of these photos, which have inspired this series of narrative works. Every picture tells me a story, and I try to bring it to life on canvas to pay respect to the person whose memories have been tossed aside.

Also on display will be works from artists representing the International Artist's Group - Lewis Rice, Piotr Wolodkowicz, Alan Emerson Hicks, Jolanta Nawrocka, Ruyell Ho and Mark Matejko. It's going to be a fantastic show!

Opening Reception

When: Saturday, May 19 2012, 7pm - 10pm
Where: Phantom Gallery at 4161 North Damen, Chicago
RSVP: rochelle@rochellewcarr.com

This group show runs May 19 - June 10.

Gallery hours are as follows:
Monday through Friday, 6pm - 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm
Also available by appointment

acrylic paint / Art show / canvas / Discarded series / Materials / Paintings / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 05/09/2012

A new direction

Painting from life

I am thrilled to report a new direction in my art. Back in art school I used to really look forward to my painting from life classes. I love the immediacy of standing there and painting what you see and feel from another human being, right on the spot. It's amazing to me that there would be a class full of students, all painting the same model, same pose, each ending up with a totally different interpretation. Everyone's painting was different, because everyone's experience is unique and individual - even when the stimuli are as controlled as a single person sitting in a single pose for 3 hours time.

No opportunities

I've not had an opportunity to paint from life like this since I was in school - nude models aren't exactly knocking on my door (that's probably a good thing...) But I've always had it in the back of my mind that if I'd ever find this opportunity again, I'd jump on it. Well, the opportunity presented itself through a brilliant artist I met recently, Piotr Antonow. He and I are currently in a gallery show together in Chicago and he does these remarkable, large scale, colorful, energetic, abstracted nudes. Stunning work, I am blown away by his talent. On meeting him and discussing his work he has now invited me in on the live model sessions he attends 1-2x a week.

What joy!

Finally the opportunity has presented itself, and I am having a ball. A third artist is also working with us - Marina Nemtseva - and between the three of us we present three totally different points of view of the same model, same pose. This is just like I remember from art school. Cool!

I thought I'd show an example of this. Below is an example of two paintings I did during last week's 3 hour session, and also an image of Piotr's painting done of the same model at the same time. Alas I do not have an image of Marina's painting because I didn't have the idea to write this blog until a few days after she - shockingly - destroyed her painting! What?! Bummer! it was really cool! I guess she must not have liked it! (I'll have to be faster next time.)

Susan at the Window - original acrylic painting by Rochelle Weiner

Susan in Glowing Light - original acrylic painting by Rochelle Weiner

Nude in Natural and Artificial Light by Piotr Antonow

acrylic paint / acrylic paintings / Art show / Bristol paper / By Rochelle / Materials / Painting from life / Paintings - 04/06/2012

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