Contemporary Modern Abstract and Figurative Artist

Tuscany by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista

2011-05-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

Tuscany by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic Zatista

This is one of my newer paintings. I really enjoyed working on this one, I love working with texture. I use plaster on canvas and etch or push shapes right into it. Once I've added the colours I want I complete the piece with a darker wash over top which collects in the textures adding to the details of the piece. It takes a bit of patience to complete one of these as there are quite a few drying stages and many layers but so worth it in the end because the organic look is fantastic. I wish you could see it in person. It's the kind of painting you just want to touch!

Handmade Goodies, Art, Etsy Sellers, Window Shopping and A Rainy Saturday

2011-05-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

So today it's a rainy day and I've been doing some window shopping online. I wanted to share some really cool finds from etsy! These are items I love and sellers I admire. If I had the money I would buy each and every one of these handmade goodies!

This is a seller from Barcelona, Spain. Very unique pillows! http://www.etsy.com/shop/lacasadecoto

Wouldn't you love to have this out on your patio table! Such a beautiful candle holder! http://www.etsy.com/shop/earthsteps

The colours of this photograph are amazing! I love the aged look of it! A fellow Canadian as well. http://www.etsy.com/shop/chagnonimages

I love all the pillows from this seller! They are at the top of my wish list!! I have a window bench that needs filling and I've been trying to decide if I want an eclectic collection or keep them all similiar colours and styles. With all the different pillows I've fallen in love with I'm leaning towards eclectic! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChloeandOliveDotCom

Love, love, love this!! Check out his shop because there are alot more to choose from! http://www.etsy.com/shop/paulrungstudio

This bowl is so beautiful I can't imagine it being filled with anything. I think I would display it as the piece of art it is. Wonderful items in this shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/khphillips

These are just a few of the things on my wish list! Etsy is filled with beautiful, unique and fun products just waiting to be discovered!

Teaching the Importance of Social Media and Applying It To Ourselves As Well

2011-05-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

So I've been teaching my better half how to set up an etsy shop, how to tweet, put together a facebook fanpage and blog. The funny thing is it turns out I know alot about all this stuff, lot's of research over the years, lot's of trial and error (okay less trial, more error) but I myself don't apply even half of what I told him are his must haves. I don't really have alot of time to spare to cover all my bases, tweeting, blogging, promoting my fanpage, keeping up an etsy shop, keeping my other selling venues current. Not to mention painting the commissions, packaging and shipping sold work, etc, etc. It's alot of work!! So here I am lecturing him on the importance of being consistent just to pull up my own blog and see the last post was in November! Shameful!! I think I will take my own advice, give myself a good old kick in the butt and get busy on at least one thing on my list of to do's.....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauracarter

Abstract Painting With The Kitchen Sink And A Few Swear Words Thrown In For Good Measure

2010-11-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

This abstract diptych painting was quite a challenge. At the beginning of the process, when I had laid down the background with ALOT of colour I accidently dropped both panels face down on the floor! Everything ended up smeared so I scrambled to the kitchen sink and ended up rinsing away all the work I had done. After some colourful, choice words I noticed remnants of that beginning background were left behind which gave me the inspiration and vision to paint what you see here. It's one of those things you might call a happy accident!!

My Story, My Life Path, An Artist And Proud Of It

2010-10-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

We all have a story, what brings us to choose our path। Was it a conscious decision or something more subtle? I went through some rough times and with the heartaches I found myself itching to break free and define myself. I’ve had a retail business, it felt like me, like my life path in the years I was there. When it didn’t feel like me anymore, when it drained me instead of sustaining me I moved on. Now I’m here, I’m doing what years ago would have been the impossible. I’m doing what I dreamed of when I got my first compliment in an art class in high school. What drove me while I sat through art history and still life study in college and dreamed; could I one day call myself an artist? It happened slowly, painting and hiding the results. Painting and showing my kids, then my spouse until one day I had the confidence to hang a few where friends and family would see. OH MY, what a step! I used a site called deviant art to post work and get some feedback. It was so hard at first to put myself out there but it helped shape my talent and my self confidence. I was shy to approach actually listing my art for sale. I will never forget the experience of seeing my first item sell, to a total stranger, in a different country. What bliss!! Now I am out there, I’ve defined myself, I’m an artist and I’m proud of it. http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauracarter

Autumn Colours, Original Art and Hot Chocolate; Bring On The Cozy

2010-09-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Today I am struggling for inspiration। It’s been a rainy week, there’s a nip in the air, and fall is definitely here. I miss the warmth of summer already, even though I’m an autumn girl (favourite colours). The rain and cool air brings with it the urge to turn on the woodstove, smell the scent of burning wood and coziness; maybe a hot chocolate thrown in the mix! Or I could pull out the paints and thrown all the colours of fall onto a canvas, see what pops out!

Inspiration for this blog came from the treasury my painting was included in on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca3f47529de6d9107ec9d27/cozy-by-the-fire thank you TornNotions!!!

Keeping Up With The Masses, An Artists Struggle To Social Media and The Art of Engaging

2010-09-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve spent my morning trying to get organized, listing art on new sites, keeping up with the social media sites, tweaking my twitter, stumbling my pictures and finally updating my blog. There is so much to keep up with......aggghhhh. I want to simplify, downsize, reign things in a little but I find myself afraid to miss an opportunity. How many of you feel lost on twitter? Do you feel like your tweets are just going out into the unknown, never to be noticed? Engage we are told; show you are a real person. Does anyone REALLY want to hear about my kids first day of school, how I burned the oatmeal this morning or how fat my kitten is getting? I just don’t see it but I’ll keep tweeting just in case there is someone likeminded out there actually listening. I just want to paint, lock myself away and paint until I run out of supplies. But what’s the use of painting for a living if I don’t find a way to share it with the masses. I’ll cross my fingers and send new artwork out to cyber space in the hopes someone out there will connect with it enough to press that buy button. I’m just trying to make a living, pay some bills, buy the kids some cloths for school, afford a piece of salmon once in awhile. And maybe, once in blue moon I will find myself engaging with someone else floating around in this vast cyber space who’s also trying to connect and make a living off their handmade goods. Now I’m off to tweet!

Under Siege by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista

2010-08-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Under Siege by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic ज़तिस्ता

My newest painting, I love doing abstract cityscape paintings. Lately I've been incorporating what appears to be barbed wire, I love the rustic way it makes the artwork look.

Ten Things I Learned While Painting A Highly Textured Piece Of Artwork

2010-07-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

1. Patience! There were exactly 8 different drying periods during the making of this painting.

2. Everything dries faster outside on a warm, sunny day. Although when I was feeling lazy and didn’t take it back inside to add my third coat of colour it was drying to fast and I had to run for water to take off what had adhered to places I didn’t anticipate.

3. A quick look around the house and you will find all sorts of objects that can be embedded into the plaster for a very cool, textured look. I had to sneak by my 3 year old daughter with her butterfly spoon so she wouldn’t object to my use of it.

4. Use lots of water, not only to press your objects into the plaster but to clean your hands, face, the floor, the tops of your shoes, the edge of your sleeve the will inevitably drag through it all and possibly your teeth (don’t ask) haha

5. Find something else to do between coats so you will LEAVE IT ALONE, very crucial to the success of the overall painting.

6। Kick the kids out of the house, the project looks like far too much fun for little hands and as soon as you turn your back I guarantee there will be new brush strokes or textures!

7. Plan ahead for your colour choices, really take a moment to decide what colours will work well together and give enough contrast to stand out against each other.

8. Varnish in between coats, really helps to wipe away the additional paint colours. Again patience is a key factor here. Wait until the varnish is completely dry or it just takes off the plaster when you start rubbing off the paint.

9. Don’t eat over the painting, trust me, not a texture you want in there and it’s time consuming to pick out crumbs!!

10. Remember you are making this for re-sale, it looks really cool on the wall but you already have enough paintings, this was made to sell for profit!!

Don’t forget to have fun!

REASONS WHY I WILL NEVER SET FOOT NEAR A DIRT BIKE RACE AGAIN

2010-06-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Stephan, I saved Nathan's bike when he fell into the water at the finish line। Imagine if I had left it in the water। NOW, it's your fault Stephan what happened next as you never once told me what to do once I pick up a running dirt bike. How was I to know that the gas was on the handle bar, how was I to know that the reason it took off like a wild horse was because I had to let go of said handlebar??!! You never once told me how to shut the damn thing off. Now I have to go through life knowing I am the laughing stalk of the whole racing circuit, that a little itty bitty girl is afraid of me because I almost killed her. I have to go through life knowing some teenage girls in white tank tops and white shorts will forever hate me because I COVERED them in mud. I have to endure the life long memories of screaming at the top of my lungs "I don't know how to shut it off" The memory of the faces of the crowd I cat walked the bike into, mud spraying in their faces. Until finally the bike flew from my hands and I was left with people laughing at me, people staring with gaping mouths and children crying while their mother's picked mud off their faces and out of their mouths. It's all your fault Stephan that my six year old son looked at me when it was all over and said "mom, you embarrassed me" I blame you and you alone for leaving me at the finish line assuming that if something went wrong I would know what to do, I NEVER know what to do! Lesson learned for Stephan! Now I will apologize to the little girl who was almost run down by the out of control dirt bike, to the teenage girls who had to spend the rest of their day (and it's a long one in teen years) covered in mud, to the pregnant mommy who had to yank her screaming child out of my way and snap her brother back to his senses so he could stop the bike. I apologize to Nathan for embarrassing him, to Bailey who saw it all from the top of the track and therefore had to wait hours to be able to show her face again. To Sarah who heard all the screaming and her mother apologizing to a crowd (CROWD) of people. To the spectators who paid to watch a dirt bike race and instead witnessed a circus. To all those I scared and all those that peed their pants watching me, I apologize!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauracarter

Tote Bag Whimsical Abstract Figurative Art Design from Zazzle.com

2010-05-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

Tote Bag Whimsical Abstract Figurative Art Design from Zazzle.com

I really enjoy using Zazzle for some of my images. It's an interesting way to get a peek into the world of licensing. It also provides a fun way to make product mock-ups in order to show how your designs can “work” on products, not just on the paper or canvas. Definately a great thing if you are thinking about approaching potential art licensing companies.

Moon Goddess by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista

2010-04-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

Moon Goddess by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista
16x20 inches

This abstract figurative folk art painting has a dark gothic feel to it. I've titled it Moon Goddess which seemed fitting to the theme. The colours are strong and bold adding to the overall element of mystery. This figurative painting is done on a gallery stretch canvas that is 1 1/2 " in depth. This painting would make a unique and original gift!

This painting is ready to hang with painted sides and a gloss varnish top coat that protects it and brings out the vibrant colours

Letting go of fear by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista

2010-04-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Letting go of fear by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista

24x30 inches

**COMMISSION ORDER**

This piece is being offered as a COMMISSION ORDER. I will paint one similiar for you but note that no two paintings are ever exactly alike. Yours will be very close, I will use the same colours and composition to recreate what you see here.

Do you need a larger size? Let me know and I can work out the details.

This contemporary abstract figurative painting is the second one I've done with this theme. It is a very earth toned, bright painting that really draws your attention. For me this piece represents many things, the feeling of letting go, of hope and renewal but also of loneliness.

It is finished with a high gloss finish that protects it and brings out the colours. The sides of the canvas are painted making the painting ready to hang.

PAINTING OUTDOORS; SPRING FEVER AND ART DISASTER WITH MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER

2010-04-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Spring is here, the flowers are almost in bloom, the leaves peeking from their respective branches. It feels great to be outdoors, the sun in my face, the wind whipping my hair as I cart my paint supplies out to the picnic table by my flagstone patio. Seems like a great idea, romantic even. My three year old daughter wants to paint with me and the wind is knocking everything off the table. I try to persevere and keep up the facade of painting outside like a true nature loving, artistic soul. I start the painting but the wind is blowing my hair straight across my eyes making visibility difficult. I take a quick run into the house for a hair elastic and come back to find my daughter "painting" on my canvas, the one I had already started. I start over, placing a tiny canvas board in front of her so she can paint also. I spend about half an hour on the painting, trying to re-capture what I had originally started. Then the wind picks up and tips the water container, dirty paint water and all across the whole painting and into my lap. My daughter giggles. I don't. After mopping that up I'm still determined to make this work. After all, it's a beautiful day and I want to be outside. I move the water container to a safer spot and start over....again. This time everything falls into place and the afternoon flies by. My daughter jumps from painting on her little canvas to playing with her toys on the vast lawn. I complete my painting; it looks exactly as I wanted it to. I decide to leave it to dry on the picnic table knowing it will dry fast in the sun. My daughter and I started carting the painting supplies back into the house, stopping for a drink and some cookies. When we go back out we are blasted by a fierce wind, it takes our breath away, almost knocking my daughter off her feet. Hand in hand we walk around the side of the house, back to the flagstone patio and there is the painting, face down in the grass about 10 feet from the picnic table. Afraid to pick it up myself I ask my three year old; she happily bounces over and picks it up. "Look Mommy at all the pretty colours." The mixed, smeared and smudged painting, grass and dirt stuck to it, the face of the figure unrecognizable; leave it to a three year old to find beauty in the wreckage!

Emotions in Art - Painting Sadness - A Visual Diary - by Laura Carter

2010-03-16T12:01:00.001-07:00

absolutearts.com Portfolio

I've been asked what inspires me to paint and while I struggle to come up with the obvious answers like my surroundings, the beauty of nature, my love of life what truly drives me to paint are my emotions. Sometimes the more emotional or stressed out I am the better the painting turns out. It seems I'm painting sadness. I have had more than a few people tell me that my artwork is packed with emotion. I guess I wear my heart on my sleeve; at least when it comes to painting. In life I keep my emotions to myself on the most part. I don't share my inner pain with friends or family or even my spouse. Maybe from an artistic point of view that is a good thing. For my aching soul it's a terribly lonely feeling. When I paint from an emotional frame of mind the end product is so drenched in sadness I don't think I could honestly call much of my art therapeutic. Mostly it's a visual diary to the ups and downs of my life. A life filled with love and betrayal, struggles that reach beyond just the financial burden I often face. When someone buys a piece of my art they are truly buying a piece of my soul, my very own visual diary.
My art can also be found at www.lauralcarter.com there you will find links to all the online galleries I currently sell on.

absolutearts.com Portfolio

Abstract Figurative Art on Long Sleeve T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

2010-01-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

Abstract Figurative Art on Long Sleeve T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

SIX KIDS, ONE ARTISTIC PAINTER TRYING MY BEST TO COPE WITH CHAOS. HOW THE LOVE OF ART AND STORYTELLING BRING PEACE TO A CHAOTIC HOME.

2010-01-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

With four kids at home and two step kids part time I often use my painting time as a an artistic release from the chaotic life that so many children under one roof provide. I have many stories about life with six kids. Here is one, unfortunately it is a true story! haha

It's funny really; you bring home this tiny package, bundled snug in a blanket, ready only for your love and care. Then you lose a little sleep, gain a little weight, blink for just a moment and your wonderful, sweet little baby is two and calling you names that would embarrass a sailor. You break out into a sweat at the thought of entering any public domain with your child. The "F" word, that dreaded word that you most fear always slips out of his tiny lips at the exact moment an old lady bends in for a closer look. The words "aren't you a darling" hang empty in the air as she "tsk, tsks" her way to the cash. This is not a word he learned in a picture book, or one of his movies, if you are lucky like us you could blame it on his teenage brother but for most it is obvious that this word was learned by you, the parent.

Like most parents, we dread our trip to the grocery store. It was on our last shopping trip that our son decided he wanted freezies, in the middle of March. Of course not freezies that you take home, freeze for a day and enjoy later; no, no, freezies at that moment, in that aisle. We tried to tell him just two aisles down he would find some already frozen. But he lay there, spread out on the floor, legs flailing, arms outstretched as if calling in help from the heavens above and I felt that familiar feeling. The shortness of breath, the pounding heart, the get me out of this moment now or I might lose total control feeling. I could have picked him up and endured some bruises from his swinging limbs. I could have grabbed him by the hand and dragged his limp body down the aisle. I could have threatened him with lose of toys, treats, life or limbs but then I would have been witness to an academy award winning performance at high volume, in surround sound. Instead I walked away and simply waved good-bye. It worked. Somehow, on that day, the clouds parted; letting out a little ray of sunshine I depicted as hope and turned my child into a sudden angel. We went merrily down the aisle on to the frozen section where he choose Popsicles, placed them carefully in the cart and proceeded to tell us to hurry. As I do not tell a lie you will believe me when I say we went straight to the cash and then straight to hell. He began his usual swing form the shiny silver "balance beams" which called out to him for at least one lick on its germ infested coldness. As he swung and slide on his bum across the dusty floor he started a rant. "Oh no, oh, oh, I can't take this. Oh no, oh, oh, I can't take this. Hurry. I can't take this."

I dared to ask, "What can't you take?"

"I want my treat."

The nice lady on the cash laughed and said "oh how cute. Well I think they are going to make you wait though."

I laughed with her, although my laugh quickly slipped into the hysterical laugh of a lunatic. I knew from painful experience that we were nowhere near home free. We packed our groceries into the cart, shuffled his little body along to distract him as we began our exit from the store; not soon enough though, for he yelled with great irritation, "hurry, you fucking idiot." Ah parenting, the job meant for a saint.

ART, FURNITURE, WALL COLOUR, WHERE TO START IN INTERIOR DESIGNED LIVING SPACES

2009-11-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Where To Start: The Art, The Furniture or The Wall Color?

By Nancy from Wall Spin - The Zatista Blog http://www.zatista.com/

In my work as an art consultant curating art programs for high-end hotels, my clients are interior designers who have worked for months selecting everything for a room, from fixtures to furnishings, before the topic of artwork is ever mentioned. OK, wait. To be completely fair, the designer had selected a style of artwork early in the design process, but the actual works of art aren’t selected until the final phase of the project.
This is a world in which art is very much like an accessory that makes a great outfit pop into a WOW outfit. Not considered an afterthought, the artwork is indeed an integral part of the room, it has an integrity of its own, yet it is selected after the overall interior has been established. On rare occasions I’ve seen a hotel space designed around a piece of artwork or seen the art inspire the interior design, but this is not the norm.
My guess is the order mentioned above (first interior, then artwork) is how most of us live. Our homes are already furnished with pieces we either want to keep forever or need to replace eventually, the walls are painted and occasionally re-painted, and the collecting of original artwork follows sometime after we realize that the posters we’ve had since college just aren’t cutting it.

Whatever the reason, once you’ve decided it’s time to incorporate original artwork into your daily life and living space, start with the art.
You have already established your style at home, so get out there and shop for art for art’s sake. Go to galleries, shop on line, look around and get exposed to art. The more you see, the better. When you see something you like it will stand out. But I beg you, do not select artwork just to match your furnishings or your walls. That would be starting with the furniture. Let’s face it, people move from house to house, furniture gets moved around, and wall colors change. Start with the art and buy what you love.
If you start with the furniture and buy art to match or even coordinate, you will probably tire of the combination in a short time. This equates to buying disposable artwork, and we don’t want that! If you want to invest time and money into original artwork, and I suggest you do, buy artwork you love, don’t try to match the couch. You have a sense of style already and your tastes will draw you to certain artwork. If you trust your visual instincts, your furnishings and your artwork will naturally come together in the end.

I promise you will always find a place in your home for art you love and you will enjoy it for a long, long time. Isn’t that more satisfying than knowing you’ve matched the sofa?

For a full range of artwork please visit me at http://www.zatista.com/store/artist_profile/items/1195/LauraCarterOriginals

WITH A HEAVY HEART - ABSTRACT FIGURATIVE FOLK ART by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic | Zatista

2009-11-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

WITH A HEAVY HEART - ABSTRACT FIGURATIVE FOLK ART by Laura Carter, Painting - Acrylic Zatista

This contemporary abstract figurative art piece is a colourful, lively painting. It's a whimsical, folk art styled abstract painted on a deep canvas that measures 1 3/4" deep. The red and purple paint continues down the sides.This painting is ready to hang with painted sides and a gloss varnish that protects it and brings out the colours.

TRAPPED, IN YOUR BODY, MIND OR SOUL, ANOTHER IN THE SERIES OF ABSTRACT FIGURATIVE ARTWORKS

2009-11-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

This contemporary abstract figurative art painting represents to me that feeling of being trapped. It's a feeling that everyone has felt at some point or another in their lives. Maybe you are in a job that you despise but can't find the courage or the means to leave. Perhaps your relationship makes you unhappy but your desire to not hurt another human being leaves you with no choice but to tough it out. Or your body has betrayed you in some way, through a sickness or injury. You feel trapped within your own body or mind, numb to the world around you. That is how this painting makes me feel, it reminds me of the terrible burden that trapped feeling has on our souls. How we owe it to ourselves to let go and choose the path that truly belongs to us alone. How each one of us longs for true happiness and freedom.

ART IS AN INVESTMENT AND A WAY TO SHOW YOUR ORIGINAL PERSONALITY

2009-10-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Art is an investment and a very personal choice. The best way to buy art is to choose artwork that reflects your personality, taste and beliefs. Contrary to popular belief, art is not meant to match your couch but to enhance and brighten your space. To give anyone who visits your home or office a great sense of who you are as a person. If you are lucky enough to find a piece of art that moves you in some way, do not hesitate to buy it because you worry someone else may find your choice strange. How you see your world is personal and reflects who YOU are. Be unique and own a piece of original, one of a kind art!

Laura Carter's Profile on BoundlessGallery.com

2009-10-08T07:06:00.001-07:00

Laura Carter's Profile on BoundlessGallery.com

Shared via AddThis

Tips For Hanging and Fitting Artwork Into Your Home Decor and Decorating Scheme

2009-10-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

In general, artwork should be hung so that the center point of the picture or grouping is at about eye level for the average person. While this won't be possible in every situation, it's a good guideline to keep in mind.

Another technique to remember is that a grouping of pictures should be thought of as one unit. Test an arrangement of pictures by laying everything out on a large table (or on the floor), playing with combinations until you hit upon one that works. Laying them out on paper is even better since you'll be able to trace around each object and determine where picture hangers should be installed. Tape the paper up on the wall as a template for picture hangers and you'll be done in no time.

You can also lay out pieces of scrap molding (or tape) onto the floor to form the "outside" bundaries of a picture grouping -- the measurements within which the smaller pieces of art will be set. This is useful when a particular wall has certain boundaries that must be observed (such as a chair rail, windows, heating vents, and the like) and helps keep your arrangement the proper size.

Choose smaller pictures for narrow walls and larger works for big wall spaces.

In general, when hanging art over a piece of furniture it should not be longer than the width of the furniture.

Choose artwork that underscores the mood or theme of your room's decor.
Is the room vibrant, pastel, or neutral? Is your furniture casual, formal, modern, or traditional? These are clues that will help zero in on the type of artwork that compliments the color and scale of a room. Vibrant colors bring excitement to a room while neutral colors are more calming. Which do you prefer?

Keep in mind that one large painting makes a statement and keeps things simple. It can also call attention to the focal point of the room which is often the fireplace.

Landscape art is one good way to visually open up a smaller space. The view of a distant horizon acts as a sort of "window" giving the impression of a faraway vista. You can add the look of a "window" to a small or windowless area by hanging landscape art.

The use of line is sometimes overlooked by home decorators, yet proper use of line can set the mood in a room. Horizontal lines tend to elongate, widen, and emphasize a casual decorating scheme. Vertical lines however, tend to be more formal, add to the illusion of height, and can seem more elegant and refined.

You can find these and many more interesting tips on decorating your home with art by following the link to about.com-interior decorating.

http://interiordec.about.com/cs/homedecarticles/l/aaarttipsf.htm

Advice For Custom Framing Your Artwork Or Collectables

2009-10-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Advice for custom framing your new piece of art or collectable item. All of the paintings I offer for sale are ready to hang with painted sides on gallery wrapped canvas (meaning no staples showing). However if you choose to frame your new artwork here is some free advice. First off find a reputable, fully insured framer, if possible one that works out of a store. They can provide more frame choices and they are kept informed of the current trends and conservation techniques. Once you find a good framer you should find yourself using them for any repeat business. They will begin to understand your taste and budget and be able to choose colours and styles that will suit your home decor. The framing of artwork is meant to enhance the piece not take your eyes away from the art itself. A good frame choice is one that compliments the painting, may add a little interest while helping to draw your eye back into the painting. One mistake many people make is in choosing the width of the framing. Your eye tends to be drawn to the frame if it is out of porportion with the artwork. While it may be hard to visualize the final outcome with only a corner sample to view, trusting your framers advice will prove to be both economical (mistakes averted) as well as visually appealling.

Emotions In Art - Painting Sadness - A Visual Diary

2009-07-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

I've been asked what inspires me to paint and while I struggle to come up with the obvious answers like my surroundings, the beauty of nature, my love of life what truly drives me to paint are my emotions. Sometimes the more emotional or stressed out I am the better the painting turns out. It seems I'm painting sadness. I have had more than a few people tell me that my artwork is packed with emotion. I guess I wear my heart on my sleeve; at least when it comes to painting. In life I keep my emotions to myself on the most part. I don't share my inner pain with friends or family or even my spouse. Maybe from an artistic point of view that is a good thing. For my aching soul it's a terribly lonely feeling. When I paint from an emotional frame of mind the end product is so drenched in sadness I don't think I could honestly call much of my art therapeutic. Mostly it's a visual diary to the ups and downs of my life. A life filled with love and betrayal, struggles that reach beyond just the financial burden I often face. When someone buys a piece of my art they are truly buying a piece of my soul, my very own visual diary.
My art can be found at www.lauralcarter.com there you will find links to all the online galleries I currently sell on.

Coming Up With a Series of Abstract Figurative Art Paintings

2009-06-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Every time I sit in front of a canvas an idea forms in my head. Sometimes it's in the form of colours or shapes, usually abstract. I turn to my tubes of paint and choose the colours as they appear to me in my mind. When the mood strikes and the painting turns into a figurative piece I find myself these past few months doing the same lonely figure. Sometimes standing on a cliff like structure, always with a dripping moon and no features on her face.

For me they represent the feeling of sometimes losing that unique part of yourself were everything seemed possible and our dreams were within reach. As the years go by that person, that dreamer seems more and more like a stranger. When I find myself painting featureless faces it's as if I am still seeking to find my voice. I think I might be searching for the dreamer I used to be.