Preparing For Thanksgiving!

This time of year calls us to realize all of our blessings. It's been easy for me--with the colorful fall we've had. A most awesome display of the original Creator's work. There is one last tree that I pass going downtown to my studio that still has just a few magnificent golden leaves on it. It has just taken my breath away so many times. I'm so thankful for my family--my husband, my two precious daughters, my parents--and ALL of my family. And also for my family of great friends. All we really have in life are our relationships--never forget that...Spend time this holiday season nourishing and growing relationships.

I'm preparing dough with my precious little son above in a photo shoot with my make-believe family. My husband got a kick out of how they made shots of me cooking look believable!! ha!

These photos are from a shoot I did through my agency Real People in Birmingham for Cooking Light Magazine in 2005. They were shot by a great photographer who truly fascinated me with her passion for food photography. And OLD school photography. She still shot large format film. Her name is Becky Luigart-Stayner. Check out her site and work!

Cooking Light did a huge spread on Thanksgiving recipes. This shoot was so much fun--torture too as we sat around in a gorgeous home in Birmingham smelling the aromas of the actual food that they photographed for the magazine for 2 days. We models were only secondary. The food, table decor, and beautiful dishware were the focus for sure! We DID finally get to eat--while we acted like a family eating together and talking, etc. Lots of fun. One of my favorite acting jobs for sure!

My scanner wasn't able to work for these. So forgive the quality--the magazine was shot with my iPhone. The shots in the magazine are very clear. :)

Missed Everyone While I Was Gone!!

Whew!  Last week was a week of unexpected turns!  My twin sister Claire came to Athens to meet up with my cousins and aunts who were coming up from Louisiana until one of my aunts landed in the hospital.  So, all bummed and sad, we pondered for 2 seconds and decided to jump in the car and head to Baton Rouge!  No problem--just had to rearrange a couple of classes with my most awesome students and clients, and Claire's flight home and we were off to visit the sick!  It ended up being a most wonderful trip getting to see so many relatives!  We just love our family--most of them are artists like we are.  Crazy like we are too! :)

After Aunt Jerry got out of the hospital, we decided not wear out our welcome at Cousin Carl's & Blinda's house (awesome hospitality!!) and head to the Big Easy.  Can't be THAT close and not go to New Orleans, right?  The Hotel Monteleone was wonderful.  The gallery-hopping was fun.  The food was delicious, of course.  But a highlight was finding an artist who I had found online about  3 weeks ago and realized she was in New Orleans.  We set out to find her and voila!  We did!

If you haven't seen Ashley Longshore's work, you have got to see it!  It is so fun!  And if you get the chance to see it in person--you will want to touch, caress or even bite her art!  Yes!  Each piece has the shiniest gloss you've ever seen!  It's hard to tell it viewing her work online, but in person--it's an experience!  Ashley is a beautiful girl with a fun spirit too.  Get by to see her at 4848 Magazine Street.

If You See Tears in my Eyes...

I just got word that my friend and client Nancy Campbell passed away this week.  This photo was shot the day I delivered her house portrait that she LOVED.  We had never met until that day--we had only emailed each other for the entire year it took me from commissioning to finishing.  We had a blast.  When I got to her house, she had her friends there ready to celebrate the painting being done.  We had coffee, played with all her wigs and share a really blessed time together.  She will be missed.  Nancy was full of life despite her cancer, and she gained the greatest faith in God.  Please be in prayer for her children that she leaves behind.    Heaven gained an angel...

Just LOVE My Hometown!

Several years ago, when I moved back to my hometown of Athens, Alabama, I wanted to paint a series of paintings of downtown.  I had never seen any original art of Athens other than graphite drawings, pen & ink drawings, photography--but nothing colorful and expressionistic and FUN!  That is where my crazy, funky style was born--in those paintings!  They were so much fun to paint, and now are owned by one collector.  The favorite painting from that series is this one that depicts downtown from a Western perspective, just West of beloved Kreme Delite and looking toward the beautiful courthouse square.  Leaning into the painting only buildings I wanted was lots of fun.  For years, I have sold art mugs and prints of this painting.  I am now offering new mugs (with the same image, but an updated signature), fine art paper prints and stationery/greeting cards.  These gifts are very affordable and make awesome holiday gifts!

Mugs: $15

Paper Prints: $45

Greeting Cards (5-5x7) $28

If YOU love Athens, then consider one of these gifts and plan to attend my next Paint Night where we will paint a painting of our gorgeous courthouse!  It is going to be so much fun, and a large portion of proceeds are going to The Spirit of Athens revitalization organization. The Paint party is half reserved, so reserve YOUR spot soon!

When: Thursday Night, November 12th

Time: 5:30pm - -8pm

Bring: Nothing but your fun spirit

Includes: Hors d'oeuvres and all supplies (11x14 canvas)

Take Home: Your own Courthouse Masterpiece!

Call the studio (256-232-2521) to reserve OR reserve with Paypal right on the sidebar of this blog.

It's that easy!  Can't wait to see YOU!

Going Back to my Roots

Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Chair

I have been perusing design blogs the past week or so and have found such joy in reading about design as I did for my degree in Interior Design from Auburn University-20 years ago. Yes, my degree (with Honors) is actually in design and not art. How many of you knew that? Anyway, when I studied Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier--I always wanted to own their designs as art pieces. The lines are so simple and evocative. I will have pieces like these one day! But in mind is churning a really cool painting series! You'll have to wait and see what it is in the new year! I have too many commissions to do before years end to really get this one going, but stay tuned!

Le Corbusier sofa

Christine Keeler in an Arne Jacobsen chair

My sentiments exactly! Sexy design.

CHANEL NO.5 COMMERCIAL

5 of my favorite things!

Chanel No. 5

Audrey Tautou

Billie Holiday Music

Romance of Trains

Fashion

This commercial has all 5.

If you haven't seen Audrey as Coco Chanel in the movie Coco Before Chanel--you must see it. If you like fashion history, it should be your next movie to see. It is out in select locations only. I happened to see it on my flight back from Italy last month!

Paint Nights Coming Up!

Paint Nights:

November 3 at The Ledges, Huntsville, AL : Tuscan Landscape 8x8 Canvas

70% Reserved

Call Emily at the clubhouse: 256.883.0860 $85

November 12 at Carole Foret Fine Art, Athens, AL : Our Beloved Courthouse 11x14 Canvas

To benefit The Spirit of Athens

40% Reserved

Reserve easily thru Paypal in the Sidebar! $75

December 1 at The Ledges, Huntsville, AL : Simple St. Nick 8x10 Canvas

40% Reserved

Call Emily at the clubhouse: 256.883.0860 $85

December 8 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Florence, AL: Aubie

To benefit The Shoals Area Auburn Club $75

What is going on THIS weekend in glorious downtown Athens?

The Athens Storytelling Festival. Don't miss a moment of it!

The huuuuuuge tent is going up as we speak-so you don't have to fear rain. Grab a bite to eat at any of our downtown restaurants. Browse through gift shops and even my art gallery!

Here is the schedule of our awesome storytellers:

(Click to enlarge)

Thursday's & Friday's Schedule

Saturday's Schedule

Happy Big 50th Anniversary!!

Today is my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary! This is their wedding photo after eloping on October 26th, 1959--and it was a Monday night, just like it will be tonight when we celebrate! I love my Mom & Dad and am so happy for them. God bless them with many more.

Changes to CaroleForet.Com!

If you haven't visited my site lately, you should--there is new info on there including a tour of my building and a new Q&A section in my "Carole" section. Some may find that interesting. Some my find it boring. I understand. Let me know what you think. Some info is arranged differently. I want to be sure that it is very easy to navigate and answers your burning questions about me, my work, my classes, etc. So let me know! Find out my pet peeve. I tried to limit it to only 2! :) I sneaked this picture of me with my hubby onto my site too. Shh. Don't tell him. We were leaving for my birthday getaway evening to Birmingham this past June, and Sarah, our younger daughter shot this. :)

FUN Weekend!

What a weekend! War Eagle!! We are no fair-weather fans. How can you be when Auburn is such a special place filled with such tradition, spirit and a beautiful sense of family? It feels much like going "home" when I arrive there. I almost burst into tears at certain thoughts, like:

How long it's been since I was in school there. Ugh!

That my daughters might go to school there.

The sense of pride in the legends who have played and coached for Auburn. Including my father-in-law!

The great times I had while there and pride of being an Alum. :)

And what formative years those were being there.

Knowing the foundation of our team led spiritually by Chette Williams. Have you read his book Hard Fighting Soldier?

And more...

Pre-game field

War Paint :) on my daughter, Caroline

I hope you were able to feel such warm feelings over your weekend and that it was great! Fall is here, and I couldn't be more excited--my favorite time of year.

Latest Paintings!

Lately, I have done a lot of encaustic painting. You may have heard me talk about it before and not really know what it is. So here, I am hoping you'll post any questions you have about it. This is a shot of me using the torch on a finished layer that must be fused to the one beneath it. Below is a small body of work I showed at the Local Color show in Huntsville last night. "Dirty Red" sold. Yay! Thank you to all those who came and especially to the beautiful girl who bought from me!

Still Lovin' Satchmo!

From Wikipedia:

Louis^[1] Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901^[2] – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo^[3] or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans,Louisiana.

Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an innovative cornet and trumpet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence on jazz, shifting the music's focus from collective improvisation to solo performers. With his distinctive gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also greatly skilled at scat singing, or vocalizing, using syllables instead of actual lyrics.

Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and deep, instantly recognizable voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extended well beyond jazz, and by the end of his career in the '60s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general: critic Steve Leggett describes Armstrong as "perhaps the most important American musician of the 20th century."^[4] Flea once proclaimed that "Louis Armstrong was probably the greatest musician that ever lived...one note implies that if he wanted to he could play ten billion notes, but just one simple note is a beautiful thing."

Inspiration

As most people who know me know, I love music.  This week has been evidence of that in my painting as I am completing another jazz musician / singer--Louis Armstrong!  It's amazing how simply listening to a musician's music AS I paint them can really spark my painting.  I love when that happens, especially at times when my inspiration is lost, confused or in a rut.  Music helps me stay fresh!  See if some great jazz doesn't get YOU going!  Check my painting blog really soon to see my painting of Louis.

Courthouse Paint NIght!

On Thursday night, November 12th is a special Carole Foret Fine Art Paint Night! Join in and have a great time painting our beloved downtown Courthouse while supporting The Spirit of Athens! For a normal tuition fee of $75 per person, half the proceeds that night will support SOA and the downtown revitalization efforts.

All you do is call with your tuition fee, then show up at 5:30 that night! Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and mingle, then we'll begin painting at 6 and paint till 8. We'll shoot a group photo, then you leave with your own Courthouse masterpiece! Absolute fun! Reserving NOW: 256.232.2521

"Local Color" presented by Progress Bank!

You are invited to "Local Color"presented by Progress Bank in Huntsville.  Enlarge the invitation and read all about it.  Join me and several other artists as we enjoy great food, drinks friends while we exhibit our work.  What more fun can you have?  I am thrilled to have been invited along with other artists whom I love and admire so much!  So come on out.  Downtown Huntsville at 201 Williams Avenue next Thursday, October 15th, 6:30-9:00!

Wine & Paint At The Ledges Announced

Click to enlarge this flyer!

After tonight's Paint Night at my studio there will be one more in November, but I will continue to teach them in November and December at The Ledges atop Huntsville Mountain!  Plan to join me!  It is a beautiful, relaxing setting to paint and, as usual, we'll have a great time! Read the flyer for all the details and fun painting themes!

Tour the Place!

Gallery

Next time you visit caroleforet.com you will see some changes.  They have been undergoing for a while without mention, but I'd like you to visit and let me know what you think!  One feature is that I have a photo tour of my gallery and studio!  Take a virtual walk inside and see what my place looks like.  THEN, take time to come in for a visit, for a class or just to take a tour of my building and many other buildings that are cool in downtown Athens!

Studio

Surprise!

Today was a great day in the gallery!  I love meeting people that come in--especially when they are so interested in my work, are Auburn fans AND they buy something.  Yay!  That happened today and made my day.  It also made my day that I finished a project (on time!) that is a secret!  I painted something that will not be unveiled until Spring 2010.  It's tough to keep secrets, but here is a photo of me with it for all my blog readers! ;)

The Italy Experience is Posted!

Go to C&C Creativa Painting Journeys to read all about

our trip and see more photos! You will feel like you went with us!

Leave us a comment too. ;) Oh! And follow that blog.

Don't miss any exciting news!

Back from italy!

Oh! What an amazing time we had! There is no place like Cortona, Italy with the warmest, loving people, quaint shops and boutiques, awesome cuisine, and peacefulness the town has. It's just like Heaven. It really is.

Claire and I went to plan our Tuscan Painting Journey that will be held there next September. We reacquainted ourselves with people Claire knew while studying there for her Masters 15 years ago. And we also made new friends as well! Cortona is an hour Southwest of Florence, Italy.

If you would like to know more about what we're offering, please see our site and consider joining us for this journey--open to ladies. ;) It's all at CaroleAndClaire.com!