Barbara J Carter

“Two Pines”, 2008, acrylic on paper, 5×5″ matted to 14×11″

This is the other pine-themed painting inspired by all the trees I saw while hiking in Sullivan Canyon last summer. Its “companion” is “Pines at Sullivan Canyon”, though of course the two don’t necessarily have to stay together.

This painting is available matted $115, or matted and framed in a simple black frame $145.

Email inquiries welcome: info@barbarajcarter.com

“Pines at Sullivan Canyon”, 2008, acrylic on paper, 5×5″ matted to 14×11″

Last summer I hiked in Sullivan Canyon, took lots of photos, and eventually painted a large painting of some of the trees I saw up on the ridge above me. Those were sycamores, I believe. But there were other trees growing above the canyon, including pines. So here’s a mini painting of some of the pines. Actually, there is another mini painting of the pines. I think the two paintings would make a nice pair.

This painting is available matted $115, or matted and framed in a simple black frame $145.

Email inquiries welcome: info@barbarajcarter.com

“Broad Tree”, 2008, acrylic on paper, 5×5″ matted to 14×11″

The next in my new series of mini-paintings.

Because I work on several paintings at the same time, it’s not unusual for me to complete several around the same time. This is happening with these mini paintings. I finished painting a few of them late last night. I’m not quite done gluing up the mat assemblies for all of them, but at least I got this one finished and ready for its day in the sun.

I really enjoyed the unusual combination of colors in the lower part of this painting. Pink and orange and turquoise and indigo, oh my!

This painting is available matted $115, or matted and framed in a simple black frame $145.

Email inquiries welcome: info@barbarajcarter.com

“Tree at Pacheco”, 2008, acrylic on paper, 5×5″ matted to 14×11″

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m painting a series of “mini” paintings. This is the first to be finished.

I paint these little 5-inch square paintings using a very small brush. There’s something very freeing about this tiny format. These paintings come together much more quickly than my larger ones, allowing me to be more spontaneous. Also, I do enjoy the simpler compositions that allow the pointillist dots to shimmer.

The format of these paintings is important to their appeal. Most of my time is spent painting, but a large chunk also goes into putting together the “package” with the mat and frame. I glue foamcore spacers between the mat and the painting to float the mat above the surface of the painting. The process is rather fussy (I’m very nitpicky about getting everything perfect) but I think the final effect is worth it. (Note: the photo above shows the real mat in a mock frame. The real frames are on order and should be available in time for my next show.)

It’s hard to show in a photo, but the effect of the mat is quite three-dimensional, floating 1/4 inch above the painting. It’s like looking through a tiny window into a different world. It’s much cuter in real life, so I hope you’ll stop by one of my shows and see for yourself!

This painting is available matted $115, or matted and framed in a simple black frame $145.

Email inquiries welcome: info@barbarajcarter.com

“Trees on the Ridge”, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 24×36″

On a hot sunny day in Southern California, hiking can be either a hot dusty ordeal or a cool shady pleasure, depending on where you choose to go.

One good place to go when the temperature soars is Sullivan Canyon in Los Angeles. Much of the canyon is shaded by large sycamores, gnarled oaks, and other native trees. The trail snakes along the bottom of the canyon where the shade is most plentiful.

Not all the trees are to be found deep in the canyon. This picturesque grove growing along the ridge above the canyon caught my eye, and I snapped a few shots of it as I walked by. Now, half a year later, in the depth of winter (as deep as winter gets here, which admittedly isn’t all that deep!) I’ve finished the painting based on those snapshots. Can you feel the shimmering heat?

This painting is available (unframed only) $870. It is wired and ready to hang. The edges are finished so framing is not necessary.

Email inquiries welcome: info@barbarajcarter.com

All my paintings are priced by size; prices increase periodically. If you are viewing this more than a few months after my posting, please consult my website for current prices: www.barbarajcarter.com

“Windswept”, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 18×24″

The westbound stream of smoothly flowing traffic abruptly comes to a halt. Mile upon mile, cars inch forward a few feet at a time, then wait. In what appears to be the middle of nowhere, for no discernible reason, there is a perpetual traffic jam.

Pacheco Pass is one of the worst-designed highways in California. Traffic backs up for miles waiting to get through a truly frightening intersection. The Old West is still alive here: there are no signal lights, just a big game of “chicken”. At highway speeds.

While awaiting my turn through this Russian Roulette of intersections, I had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. The hills here, so characteristic of California, are dotted with wonderfully craggy oaks.

One oak tree in particular caught my eye. It had grown, bent by the prevailing winds, into this fantastic windswept shape. Stuck in traffic with plenty of time on my hands and nothing else to do, I gleefully snapped several photos of it. One of those photos formed the basis of this painting.

I don’t advise driving through Pacheco Pass unless you absolutely have to, but if you do, keep your eyes peeled for this tree. It’s on the north side of the road, some ways east of the traffic jam.

This painting is sold, but there are plenty more at www.barbarajcarter.com

Fresh off the easel: “Pink Tree”, 12×9″. Available unframed $280 or framed $330.

Wired and ready to hang. Framing is optional, edges are finished.

Email inquiries welcome: info@barbarajcarter.com

All my paintings are priced by size; prices increase periodically. If you are viewing this more than a few months after my posting, please consult my website for current prices: www.barbarajcarter.com