Monique Carr Art

Demo at the French Broad River, Asheville. Note that I had a right eye injury so I only could see with my left eye. To me, an artist is a person who can see the world in different ways. When I create a piece of art, I look deep into my soul, and try to translate that gut feeling I have about my subject onto the canvas. Allowing my intuition to turn on, letting go of preconceived ideas and not being afraid of the weirdness, are parts of my creative process.  I want to convey a new reality that is uniquely my own. By doing that, it frees me to create my vision without pressure. There’s no need to make it perfect, or make it look like this or that. Freedom of expression! Photos: Sue Dolamore French Broad River, oil on panel, 12"X16" Talking about freedom, I want to take a moment to remember our veterans who have died in service to protect our freedom this memorial day.  Love y’all and wishing you a happy memorial day. PS: Many thanks to Sue Dolamore who t...

Skyfall, oil, 30"X30" Why some people are lucky and others aren’t? There is a proverb that says: The day you decide to do , it is your lucky day. It could not be truer for me. However, sometime I get discouraged, and I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is when I have to trust God and follow His lead on what I need to do next. One thing I know for sure is that God is in control (phew, what a relief!)…But I need to do my part and remind myself of a few things: Keep a positive attitude despite the odds. Persist even when I get rejected. Look for the right people who can help me, because it’s not just how good my work is – it’s about branching out. Keep up because eventually I will be in the right place at the right time. Pray, pray and pray! God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:1 Last week I did a painting with a lot of green. Perhaps I felt inspired by St-Patrick! See my process below. Ha...

From China with Love, oil on Canvas, 24"X24" I love painting because it forces me to be present in the moment. The life goes by so fast that we don’t notice the good little things because our worries cover them all. Today, let’s enjoy the moment. "Painting is like the cornerstone in a great arch. It takes the pressure of the day and holds all things together." -  Deborah Strandber See below my step-by-step process of my painting ‘From China with Love”. Wishing you all a fabulous February and a sweet Valentines's day. With hugs and kisses, Monique XX

What to do with your dying poinsettia?  I was clearing the last Christmas decorations off my house. There was a pitiful poinsettia staring at me. “Hmm! Just too bad that I have to get rid of it. Maybe I could do something creative with it before it dies” I thought. “Lets paint it!” I exclaimed! So I got a canvas on the easel and cranked up the Jazz music. Soon after, I went wild with the brush. Here is my creation with my soon to be gone poinsettia. I titled it: Live And Let Die, oil on canvas, 24”X24”. See below step-by-step process.  This year one of my goal is ‘paint BIG’. Have you set your goals yet? Write it down and share it with someone. Love y’all, Monique

Rhythm & Blues, oil on panel, 9"X12" When I paint en plein air, I’m not painting only what I see. I’m grabbing the generic design that the nature is providing me and I’m recomposing the scene to make it my own.  A dash of imagination and a pinch of exaggeration is my recipe for a colorful and an expressive painting that is my own creation.  See below images of my process. "If you can dream it, you can do it.  Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse."  ~  Walt Disney Co. As I pause on Mr. Disney’s quote, I feel energized by it. I need to focus on my dream and move toward it one step at the time. On this note, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. With Love, Monique XX

Conspicuous Lagoon, Oil on Canvas, 12"x24". Plein air, Linear Trail, Erwin, TN I feel as an artist that I'm finding my own path, my own style. I think it’s a matter of daring, trying different things and not worry about what people think. It seems like something clicked in my way of painting. Now, I need to keep doing it, developing it, until it becomes a second nature. November is the time to be thankful, a time to remember and to embrace those who enrich our lives. I'm thankful for a lot of things, but I'm most thankful for my wonderful husband and his support in my art. I couldn’t do it without him. Wishing you all a joyous Thanksgiving. With Love,  Monique XX

Enchanted Bank, oil on panel, 9"X12" Fall is my favorite season! Perfect days to paint outdoors. The beauty of God’s creation always amazes me! I'm challenging myself to be more abstract in my art lately. I have to disconnect myself of the reality, and just go with what I feel. It’s a matter of accepting of not being so literal. Instead, I need to focus on the elegance of light and form in my composition. See below the process of my painting that I did at Sycamore Shoals, Elizabethton, TN. You can view this painting as well as many others on my website at moniquecarr.com .  Have a wonderful day and happy painting! With Love, Monique XX