Cherry Esplanade – Brooklyn Botanic Gardens – watercolor on 140# Arches coldpress
Now, I’m not one to complain but…oh wait, I AM one to complain. So let me begin. It’s a new year and after we’ve finished wishing each other a happy, healthy and prosperous new year it’s now the middle of January and really, what’s changed? I work. It’s cold. It’s dark. I haven’t lost the 8 lbs I gained over the holidays. I’m tired. Everyone one the subway seems to be sick and breathing on me. But, looking on the bright side, the days are actually getting longer. Yay!
I’ve been working on a few paintings and finishing up other ones. Since it’s been so cold, nothing says Spring to me but cherry blossom trees. So I decided to paint some. This is of the Cherry Esplanade in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
I also decided to do a painting from a Charles Reid book for practice. It’s a wine bottle with an orange and lemon. Charles Reid is always fun to study from. For fun I changed the writing on the label.
I finished FATE on the Gowanus Canal and the Red Tulips.
Hope you are all hanging in there! Stay warm. Stay healthy. Spring will be here soon.
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
20 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 12, 2015 at 12:23 am
lesliepaints
Oh my gosh, I’m going to pick a favorite! I love the Fate one on that Gowanus Canal. I get so impressed with your paintings of New York and especially the ones I don’t see in the photos of New York. Your tulips are beautiful and the King wine bottle caught my attention. Plus the cherry blossoms are always so good when you do that scene. I especially like how you painted the shadows in this one. Fun post! …;and don’t get sick on the subway!!!!!!
January 12, 2015 at 12:56 am
jobzagoodun
Reblogged this on its-in-the-doing and commented:
These are nice. Since the UK portrait artist of the year finalist working on watercolour this year I have been inspired and frankly jealous of anyone who can is watercolour. Off to find a link. Laters
January 12, 2015 at 4:20 am
padmaja
Loved all these beautiful works Carol, the label on the bottle put a smile! That is my favorite.
True , nothing changes, the new year started for me losing a dear cousin..But life has to go on n hope is the anchor that keeps us rooted.
January 12, 2015 at 4:25 am
nicsearth
Carol you do make new laugh! I think January is just that sort of blah month, the excitement of the holidays is give along with all our money and it’s just a waiting game till spring. I am just fed up with the lack of daylight so can’t wait for those longer days. I love the diversity of your subject matter and actually can’t quite choose a favourite although if pushed I’d say the fate one just swings it. Happy New year!
January 12, 2015 at 4:43 am
designsweet
January here in the UK has been just grey for much of the time and I’ve had no inspiration…. so your trees and flowers brighten it up! I love the wine bottle and fruit… inspiration – I could paint that!
January 12, 2015 at 4:44 am
anne farmer
Know exactly how you feel! I always find a look at a Charles Reid book inspirational, and I love your paitings. Top score from me!
January 12, 2015 at 4:49 am
Susan Feniak
Carol, I think between your red tulips and cherry blossoms you are thinking more about spring then even I!! Both are lovely paintings. Its always nice to see flowers in January. I do like the canal and wine bottle as well. Yes the days are getting longer and spring will eventually arrive. The trick will be to stay healthy and avoid sick people breathing on you!!
January 12, 2015 at 6:41 am
judylobo
Love them all – cannot wait for the Carol King restrospective.
January 12, 2015 at 8:24 am
jotsfromasmallapt
Your site won’t let me *like* this more than one time. What’s up with that?
January 12, 2015 at 8:41 am
elenacaravela
Wow, your watercolors are excellent. I also have taken many tips from Charles Reid, the go to guy in watercolor. I’m excited to see what you’ll paint next.
January 12, 2015 at 8:53 am
neihtn2012
Outside it’s terrible, and so are some parts of the world. Your paintings bring some beauty and sanity to us all!
January 12, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Joan Tavolott
Glad to see you are making good use of this terrible weather we’ve been having and finishing paintings. I LOVE the one of the Gowanus Canal…perfect spot and well done! I know the days are getting longer but not fast enough. I’m glad I have so many references for my 30 Paintings challenge since all I seem to be doing lately is painting indoors in my kitchen. lol I’m ready for someplace sunny and warm!!!
January 12, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Mary
Love your watercolors – wonderful tulip painting, but love the cobalt blue bottle still life. Happy week to you Carol!
January 12, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Cindy
I love your work Carol. Love the cherry blossoms and the tulips and the King wine bottle.
Some things change. I remember a time you wouldn’t take the subway only the express bus even though it was so much more money.🌷🌷🌷
January 12, 2015 at 10:22 pm
hw(hallie) farber
Wow–I especially love the tulips; no–wait, I especially love Fate. They are all gorgeous; maybe winter is your season.
January 13, 2015 at 6:45 am
jimmyboi2
Lovely all around! And I keep going back to your girders!!!!!!🚊🚊🚊🚊🚊
January 13, 2015 at 9:24 am
Irina
Looks like someone is very productive after holidays. Which is great.
January 14, 2015 at 3:13 pm
RHCarpenter
Well, I know it’s cold but you are a HOT DOG with this paintings! I can’t tell which one is my favorite because they all are so good. Now that should warm you up a little – praise always makes you warm inside, doesn’t it? ha ha I’m serious – these are three really good pieces. I know what you mean about January, though – pretty much sucks and you get through it until February and then, maybe spring….and those gorgeous cherry blossoms 🙂
January 16, 2015 at 2:30 am
cathgatland
You’re going great guns in the new year Carol – all wonderful, Fate and the tulips my favourites and I might take out my Charles Reid books to get going again too. Stay well and complaining 🙂
January 19, 2015 at 11:54 am
doronart
Love your work lady in the cold… blowing warm air from my fire… Talking of blossom I saw few trees round here dressing up with them… I think there is some confusion here as I wear my thick jumper 🙂