I know that some of you may have already seen Carrie Waller and her amazingly realisitic watercolors here around the blogosphere. Carrie visited my blog for the first time a few months ago and that led me to her site and the opportunity to view her work. I was immediately impressed and she has been kind enough to agree to a little Q&A here so we can learn more about her. Carrie is not only very talented, but has a great deal of warmth and is consistently there to show her support for other artists and bloggers.
Where were you born?
Indianapolis, Indiana, I only lived there for a year, we moved a lot. I have lived in Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, Alexandria, Virginia, Carterville, Illinios, Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California. Since I've been married, my husband is in the Air Force, so we have been stationed at Ramstein, Germany, Charleston, South Carolina, Dayton, Ohio, and currently in Montgomery, Alabama.
What is your artistic background /schooling?
I have a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, from Southern Illinois University, however, I have studied Graphic Design at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Apples
What are your earliest memories of being involved making art or wanting to be an artist?
I didn't really have an interest in art until I was in the 3rd grade, our art teacher entered a collage I did into a Texas Rodeo and I won 1st place. A light bulb went off, and I thought maybe I'm good at that. Ever since then I have been creating.
What inspired you most as your subject matter?
Living in Europe really has been my biggest inspiration. Being around so much history and beautiful art was very motivational. We traveled so much I have years of material to pull from. I've also recently gotten into paint still life paintings. I love finding objects that are beautiful whether I find them around the house or at a flea market I love the challenge of a still life. That's is what I love about being an artist, we evolve and change and I can't wait to see where the inspiration comes from next.
Buon Feste
What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and artist?
My family is so supportive. My husband is my biggest supporter, he refers to himself as my patron:) I spend a lot of late nights painting and I'm lucky that everybody is so cooperative. My boys are still young 4 and 1, but my 4 year old paints with me and we have really bonded during his process. I just started my blog last January and that is when I started seriously painting again. I made a commitment to create a painting a week and I have stuck too it. I thought I would be burned out by now, but I am extremely driven and can't wait to see what next year will bring. I have to say the blogging world is fabulous. I have met people from all over the world and have several friends (pen pals), we support each other and the feedback is invaluable. That has been my biggest surprise over the year, just meeting such wonderful people and fellow artists. I have big plans for this year. I've launched a website and will be incorporating a monthly newsletter in addition to my blog.
Where would you live if you could live anywhere?
Japan, I've always been fascinated with the culture. With my husband being in the Air Force this could become a reality. I would love to live in Europe again, but I will say that anywhere we live is an adventure and I can find inspiration anywhere
Carnivale
What are the most challenging things for you about being an artist?
Their names are Steven and Sam, my 4 year old and 1 year old. They are my biggest challenges and the best thing that has ever happened to me. When you have little guys it's hard to have a strict schedule you have to be able to roll with the punches. So I end up painting into the wee hours of the night, so if you see me around and I have huge dark circles under my eyes you will know why. Also I can be my own biggest challenge. There are times when I get completely discouraged and unsure of my talents, I think everyone goes through bouts of self doubt. At the end of the day I just keep painting.
Thank you so much for letting us into your world a little, Carrie. Please check out Carrie's website .
You will enjoy it!
18 comments:
Anne, Carrie is very talented, I really enjoyed the interview!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
This is a very fantastic artist, watercolors look to be so hard. Not like oil where you can wipe it off
and redo. loved the interview too.
yvonne
I love that she paints with her young assistant. The amount of detail and patience required by (both) jobs of an artist and a mother are no easy task, but it does just seem to come naturally to her.
pve
Carrie does really beautiful work Anne, thank you for the interview! Always great to learn how artists and designers work and where they get their inspiration!
i love love love your artist interviews! This one was so inspiring. Being an artist with a degree and trying to inspire myself to create again can be hard. But when i read your interviews with other women artist it makes me believe in myself and gives me courage to leap into what i so desperately want to do with my life!!!
please keep them coming!!!
Eve
What a lovely interview Anne, thank you for introducing her to us. xo
Anne thank you so much for spotlighting me and my art. Your support is invaluable:)
Just beautiful! I too love that she paints with her son...off to check out her site!
nathalie
I've been following Carries blog for some time now and she is spectacularly talented - and she still finds time to support and encourage the rest of us too! She really does deserve recognition for her work :0)
PVE,
It's always so fun to learn about how others create magic in the world. This was a pleasant post and what a great artist.
Bette
A most talented introduction Anne. She sounds like a very-grounded lady and her paintings are gorgeous. XO
Beautiful work and terrific interview. I love her attitude and honest approach to her painting and life.
What a great interview. I can't believe that she does a painting a week! Talk about drive and motivation! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro
Hiya - did you see the pic on Anna Spiro's website with the "Keep Calm..." poster in the flood? If not, you should pop over and have a look. Put a smile on my face in what has otherwise been a very sad week:(
amazing artwork indeed! xo
Greats compositions
What a wonderful interview! I'm honored to be Carrie's 'pen pal' and I think her work is fabulous and that she is just amazing. I'm so glad to see her featured here.
I've been a fan of Carrie's for a while, and I'm so inspired by her! She gets so much done with those little guys still needing her so much! I am thrilled that you spotlighted her - I wish her every success, in every part of her life!
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