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by Carla O'Connor
Carla's DVD workshop stresses the importance of the steps you take to create a painting, not the final product. To Carla, the process is the most important aspect of her art. Her approach is one of incredible discipline and expressive free thought. She follows the "what ifs" but focuses on a different design principle at every stage of her work.
In the tradition of the old masters, she brings up the entire painting at every stage. She starts big and broad then slowly adds detail.
Each stage of her thinking focuses on a different design principle. She starts with a quick gesture drawing of her model. This loose, abstracted sketch, which Carla calls the "set up," serves as the framework for her painting. Carla works flat, integrating her main shapes into the background before transferring her image to watercolor paper. As she works with gouache, Carla shows you how to break down the steps of your painting process and concentrate on one aspect of design at a time. She demonstrates building rich color and texture through many layers of paint.
Carla delves into more than just the technical aspects of laying paint onto paper. She discusses the importance of emotion in your work and when to tackle difficult subject matter. She offers ideas on making your paintings more personal and encourages you to take risks as an artist.
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Books
Carla's work has appeared in the following books
Watermedia Painting with Stephen Quiller, by Stephen Quiller 2009 (image used " Beach Walkers ")
Confident Color, and Exploring Color, by Nita Leland 2008 (image used " Before and After ")
Finding Your Visual Voice, by Dakota Mitchell 2008 (image used " the Dancer ")
Carla's work also appeared in "Splash5 - The Glory of Color" published by Northlight Books and "Exploring Color" by Nita Leland.
 Other Publications (Partial List)
Carla was featured in an article for American Artist Magazine in 2008 (online at artistdaily.com). Carla's article, "The Mark of Experience," appeared in the August/September 2000 issue of International Artist Magazine. Her work was included in "When Figures Emerge" in the Winter 2001 issue of Watercolor Magazine. Carla also contributed to "Charting a New Course in Watercolor" written by Joanne Moore in the September 2001 issue of The Artist's Magazine, "Launching A Workshop-Teaching Career" by Beth Patterson in the Fall 2002 issue of Watercolor Magazine and to “From the Inside Out”, June, 2004 issue of Watercolor Magic Magazine.
Carla was also among the artists featured in "Creativity - What Inspires 5 Top Painters", The Artists Magazine, Oct. 1998; "What Is Abstract Art", International Artist Magazine, Oct.-Nov. 1998; and Watercolor Expressions, Rockport Press 1999.
Contact Carla by email at art@carlaoconnor.com
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