https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blogBLOG RSSFri, 17 Jun 2022 03:09:32 GMTFri, 17 Jun 2022 03:09:32 GMThttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/lake-byronIt is way bigger than it used to be, but it is still more of a pond than a lake!Every time I pedaled by these palms on the north side of Lake Byron they would catch my eye.Finally, I decided to try and capture what I saw.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:57:24https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/lake-byronhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/a-now-inaccessible-viewThis is from the top of a parking garage on campus.I really enjoyed seeing the place where I spent over 30 years of my life from this vantage point.But sadly, it is not possible anymore.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:49:30https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/a-now-inaccessible-viewhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/sometimes-you-need-a-joltI needed a jolt to my routine.So I bought some new-to-me materials and used them in an ill-advised way.It didn't turn out exactly the way I imagined, but it is close enough to continue forward!But, why am I even questioning it?A jolt is a sudden surprise that acts as a catalyst for change whether needing to break a routine or find inspiration.DONE.Sun, 22 Feb 2026 16:22:20https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/sometimes-you-need-a-jolthttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/slow-start-to-the-yearAfter squeezing in a surprise show house portrait before Christmas, I was tired.But, I am waking up and have finished 4 pieces and am winding down on a 5th.Hopefully this year will be productive!Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:47:01https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/slow-start-to-the-yearhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/beautiful-cracksAfter a couple of years of drought, all the shifting clay has really heaved the pavement.Fire ants always find their way in, but so does grass and pretty weeds!Thu, 14 May 2026 00:33:01https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/beautiful-crackshttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/portrait-of-a-houseThis was my second house portrait and I think it came out great!I worked really hard on this and it took some time to settle on the best composition.How much foreground?  How much Background?​Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:00:06https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/portrait-of-a-househttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/finally-fall-weatherI love to ride around and marvel at all the spectacular color this time of year.I CANNOT get enough of it!Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:31:16https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/finally-fall-weatherhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/thankful-and-tiredThank You to the sponsors, organizers, and everyone who came downtown to attend!I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to see my work, ask questions, and buy.Hopefully, I will see you next year.Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:44:46https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/thankful-and-tiredhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/more-scratchingMore scratchboards for Artist's Way event:I sincerely hope these go over well!Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:11:33https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/more-scratchinghttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/one-month-awayI am busy preparing for the Artist's Way show downtown onNovember 1, 2025.I am making these smaller pieces as alternatives to my watercolors!Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:51:40https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/one-month-awayhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/water-is-the-mirror-of-natureWhile riding my bike, I stop and admire this pond on S. 34th Ave. frequently.It is quite beautiful and I am jealous of the nine houses that have view of it![Mostly because it is quiet... except for the geese.]I don't want to live in the country, but this location is both serene and located in a very busy part of town.Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:05:31https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/water-is-the-mirror-of-naturehttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/you-zig-i-zagThe sharp angles against soft grasses made this idea really appealing to me.Hard verses soft.Straight verses curved.Red verses green.Thu, 28 Aug 2025 22:45:13https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/you-zig-i-zaghttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/signs-that-you-areWhile at a show last fall, a woman lambasted me for having signs in every painting... especially stop signs.[After I was next door viewing complementing her artwork.]Yeah.So I started a subseries of signs around town.They are small, but I bet other people will like them!Mon, 28 Jul 2025 21:43:42https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/signs-that-you-arehttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/back-door-alumniYes, I am an alum.I am the kind of alumni that quietly worked there for 25+ years after graduation.The many iterations of "current" students looked down on me more as the years progressed.[However, most of the humiliation was not doled out by students!!]I suffered many indignities over the years.I lived paycheck to paycheck.I had to pay to park at work.I destroyed my body working on things no one cares about anymore.I was never invited to anything at the Alumni House.This image isMon, 28 Jul 2025 21:28:10https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/back-door-alumnihttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/8x8-showI took some time this year to work on some small-scale works for an annual 8x8 show with the wonderful folks at NUESTRO ARTE.I showed 9 pieces and sold 4 of them.[Obviously, my new scratchboard "phase" is resonating with people!]Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:56:31https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/8x8-showhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/sometimes-they-take-foreverThis piece took too long!I am glad to move on from this one.Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:55:42https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/sometimes-they-take-foreverhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/still-scratchingStill figuring out the scratchboard thing.I think I really like the medium!This is a little 5" x 7" panel.I find it pretty amazing what can be made with some pointy implements a handful of inks.Mon, 24 Feb 2025 23:37:29https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/still-scratchinghttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/the-domeI saw the Administration Building on campus thousands of times.I saw Aubrey K. almost every day for almost 32 years.[More times than I saw my parents or grandparents... put together.]So painting the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building was a no-brainer!Fri, 21 Feb 2025 03:35:01https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/the-domehttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/everything-looks-better-at-duskThis simple image posed a challenge for me: How do I depict cast light in watercolor?I think I pulled it off!Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:07:43https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/everything-looks-better-at-duskhttps://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/trying-my-hand-at-scratchboardI decided to try out a new medium this year.[I need to shake things up!]Not a bad first attempt...Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:11:35https://www.carlacarlson.com/my-blog/trying-my-hand-at-scratchboard