Carrie Lee Wendt is More Than Words.....

Hunter, gatherer...

2012-02-15T13:58:00.001-06:00

I am hunting and gathering. Inspiration is my prey! Okay maybe this is an excuse to spend far to much time on Pinterest. Being at home during the winter months can get a a bit monotonous you know.... So While I am here hibernating in my usual fashion, I am at least trying to learn some new things. You know me.... lovin the learnin.

I had resigned from Gallery 4 to focus on some new goals and see where my art would lead me ( i may return soon though... i miss my peeps). I basically was open to everything and loving to learn.... as you know. So I had these big aspirations to start writing again. But then I became stumped. Going back and forth in my mind. Asking myself what is the story. But I was fighting myself too much. So I just went back to the drawing board and immersed myself in everything I love.... I am creating myself from moment to moment and it feels right to have things develop organically instead of forcing things.

I realized a few things in the last few months.... I love to sculpt... and am experimenting as we speak! I just made some cold porcelain.... i love it... the kids love it... you can make a bunch for cheap!!!! Here you go.... my first video tutorial.... no judging! I am no pro... that I am sure, is obvious. lol

I love sharing, I love stories, and feelings.... I love making people happy and hopeful. So I am exited to work on some dioramas and such.... I am not sure how these stories... or works will develop but I will just let it happen.... here is what has been inspiring me lately.....

Paper Theatres = LOVE

You can find out everything about them here :

http://www.kannikskorner.com/toytheater/photos.htm

I really, really, REALLY want to make one... and start making more dioramas... 3D art seems to have my heart doesn't it? I can't wait to see what I can create.. my own worlds!!!! Ahhhhhh ... I can't stand it... so much to do... so many ideas.... I better rein myself in... whoa girl!

Then there is the art of art of Sandra Arteaga...

she is so inspiring.... Wish I could step into her dreams and see what happens there.

I think we could be kindred spirits.

The Last Chapter by Sandra Arteaga

Then there is also the work of Paola Zakimi from Argentina.

I found her through an article in the Art Doll Quarterly.

She also doesn't limit herself to just sculpture... showing me that you can do it all!!! Wonderful. xxoo

Art doll by Paola Zakimi

I have been spending a lot of time learning and experimenting with how to make moveable dolls.... The best and hardest option being learning how to make a ball jointed doll.... Im not going to lie.... it takes some practice, I have yet to be happy with my own results so far. I am very impatient and a little OCD! lol

But here is a good tutorial on how to make ball jointed dolls in the Asian style.

So go ahead and give it a go... let me know how it works for you!

Noah gives a really nicely detailed explanation.

And if that isn't enough well.... don't even get me stated on Etsy!!!!

I love Etsy. It is my favorite way to shop for friends and family!!!! It is also my favorite way to be inspired. The talent and creativity out there is amazing... and so easily available!!!! I find the most fun way to shop on Etsy is to peruse the Favorites of sellers and buyers on Etsy! Here are some of my favorites above.... I just love that you can start at one place then fall in love with another and another.... checking out other peoples favorites can lead you all over the world to the most inspiring places!!!! Give it a try... start looking through my favorites... then look at another... and another. You will be surprised at what you find. It is so much fun!

Then there is Pinterest.

MY CURRENT OBSESSION!

Same principle idea... hunting and gathering inspiration from every corner of the web... from all over this ever shrinking world of ours.....

So go Hunt and Gather and see what you find... then go create... use your imagination and see where it takes you. Whole new worlds await you.

xxoo

Carrie Lee

Don't feel bad... I still love you.

2012-02-06T16:55:00.001-06:00

My poor little sweet blog... have we been feeling a bit neglected? Are we beginning to feel the sting of jealousy every time I post to Facebook or pin another something on my ever expanding this of fabulous bits of inspiration onto Pinterest? I know, I know.... it doesn't seem fair does it?

Well... I guess I have just been feeling as though I don't really know where to start! So much has happened this year... So sit back and relax so I can bring you up to date shall I? Seems fitting to recap the last year and start fresh anyways right?!!! So here it goes ...

Last year brought a great many changes for me....

*I started doing more group shows with some wonderful Ladies of Lowbrow..... like Tanna Lee Hill and Amber Noel Parsons.... and just generally spending more time with my friends, peers, mentors....

(My friends are wonderful, crazy and extremely talented... I'm so lucky!)

*Resigned from Gallery 4 to focus on expanding my horizons and family!!!!!

(Yes, this is how I focus on family)

*My trips to Georgia, Florida, Colorado and the Cities kept me busy!!!

*Started keeping Bees.... it is amazing and a learning process that we have not yet mastered!! LOL

*Jeremy and I celebrated 15 years together which I think is amazing... I have been with him since I was 17 years old, crazy huh?!

(he is so bashful... and so cute I might add)

*Had a chili cook off... it was a tasty event! One word... YUM.

*Added onto the back porch , a craftsman style pavilion (my mister is quite talented, \(^.^)/ !)

*I started sculpting!!!!! I love it and am so excited for what the future may bring... I feel like my art is growing organically and just seeing where the journey will take me, just focusing on doing what I love!!!!!!

(as you can see I changed up my blog a bit to reflect my ever changing art!)

*Of course I took a bit of a sabbatical after I butchered my hand.... I still have some nerve damage, but that hasn't stopped me from doing what I love..... If you really want some advice... DONT EVER RUN A KNIFE THROUGH YOUR FINGER/HAND!!!!! It was a real pain, but also a blessing in that it showed me how grateful I am to have the use of my hands.... I can't imagine not being able to do what I love!

(It went through two fingers... yuck! Luckily it is almost better now.)

* My kids are getting to be young amazing people...

who teach me daily the joys and pains of parenthood!!

Cass is a regular comedian as is her brother!!!

Did I mention they are both double digits now?

I know, crazy right?

(Connor in Football gear, and enduring 'Phase Three' from Grandpa, awww life lessons are fun aren't they?! Cass in her autumn Head wreath and goofy bison hat! lol)

* Our newest adventure.... FLYING!!!!!!!

Jeremy asked me one day...

'I am going to start taking flying lessons....Do you want to learn how to fly with me?'

Um, hello.... yes please.

So there it is ... well, the highlights anyways.

Now that we are all caught up I am going to try harder to share my daily inspiration, progress, and just some bits and pieces of my everyday life!

Hope your last year was full of fun and adventure!!

XXOO

Carrie Lee

Hi- ya!

2012-01-29T23:44:00.001-06:00

I will be revamping the blog a bit and if you haven't already... you should subscribe to me on Facebook! I am always updating there.

xxoo

Carrie Lee

$#!* Girls Say - Episode 1

2011-12-24T21:41:00.000-06:00

I have been away from the blogging world for a bit... so maybe you can watch this video... remember I am a girl and forgive my procrastination! xxoo Carrie Lee

The Company of Wolves

2011-10-30T20:40:00.001-05:00

We closed our show last night and then went out on the town... Ate pizza... Watched the crazy people staggering around downtown.... It was an experience, and it was fun. I also sent another piece I did to a group show in Minneapolis at the CSG for a group show. Here is the poster....

I was supposed to go, however, my mister came down with the nasty stomach flu and needed a little TLC. So here I am sitting next to my bed ridden boy and catching up on the latest news... Thinking about what I should tell you... Hmmmmm, well most of you already know that I shish kabobed my fingers on my left hand a week and a half ago.... It is finally getting better now, still has a long way to go and no feeling in my left index finger yet. So I think I will be taking a break for a week or two then go back to work. But hey.... No worries!
Oh and...
Here is the piece I did for the group show at a CSG.....

It may surprise some of you to know that I don't actually celebrate Halloween... I belong to a somewhat orthodox religious background and have never been a part of most mainstream Holidays... So when I do my art I am not swayed by holiday themes... Nor do I want to be. I look for morals, or moments of truth, understanding, storytelling....
We were supposed to pick a scary movie as a theme and I picked a very B class movie,(i am a bit of a chicken when it come to seriously scary movies... What can i say... I am a wuss) it is dark and strange and has a very very good point in the end..... Little Red says....

'Little Girls this seems to say, never stop along the way, never trust a stranger friend, no one knows where it will end, as your pretty so be wise, danger lurks in every guise, now as then tis simple truth, sweetest tongue hides sharpest tooth.'

Here is to taking the right path....just be careful of all the wolves along the way.

Xxoo
Carrie Lee

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

October Show ~ Rock, Paper, Scissors

2011-10-10T17:31:00.001-05:00

I almost forgot to post this here! Ug...

Well here you go:
'Rock, Paper, Scissors'
At Atomic Coffee
Downtown Fargo
All October!

Drop by if you can... I think it really turned out great! I am so lucky to work with talented ladies like Amber Noel Parsons and Tanna Lee Hill.

I will post pics from the show later.
Xo
Carrie Lee
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Light and Shadow

2011-10-10T16:56:00.001-05:00

'Where there is light... There is always a little shadow'
Mixed media sculptures
By Carrie Lee Wendt

I am really having fun working three dimensionally. I never really wanted to work with clay.... I am afraid I have always been leery of the medium. But guess what? I love it.... I am obsessed! I can't believe I have been missing out. But this is old news to you guys.... What can I say.... I am so EXCITED!!
Lol, What a dork I am. Oh well, live and learn. So now, alas, you can see the progress I have made.

Anyways, you knew I was experimenting with it....

No more worrying about wether or not my sculpting would end up looking like Abe Lincoln or the elephant man.... Not that they wouldn't be someone else's idea of a good project... Just that those gentlemen were not what I was going for and luckily am happy to report that my ideas came to life the way I had hoped. (wiping sweat from brow)

And yes... you can still see my work is always reflecting my feelings toward balance... Towards past and present.... Towards happy and sad... Good and evil.... Yin and yang. I think my work will always have a story.
I never really go into a project knowing exactly what I am doing. Things usually come as an idea, a quote or short story I've come up with..... then I develop it as I go on. I basically go on a wing and a prayer. (procrastination is also key to getting inspiration revved up...Lol)

I hope you are in your life... Learning, living.... loving. Doing what you're destined to do.
Xxoo,
Carrie Lee
BlogPress from my iPhone

Once upon a time....

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me:

I am a free human being with an independent will..."

-Jane to Mr. Rochester (Ch. 23)

Jane Eyre

I love this story... it is one of my very favorites.

Jane Eyre is the Heroine.

If you haven't seen it yet, you should.

Here is a clip.. you can visit the site here.

I am not sure why it is a favorite....
Yet there it is.

the first Jane Eyre I saw was the 1943 version with my mom.
She passed on her love of classic movies to me.
Thanks mom.

Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine

I mean hello? This was one of those moments I realized that

I could never be a regular kid watching scooby doo.... although I have.

Hi, my name is Carrie Lee, and I am a movie-holic.

Not just any movies... the old ones, the weird ones,

sci-fi, cult classics.... and some just plain bad movies.

I am not too picky... not much for war movies or horror though.

Yeah, they pretty much freak me out.

But give me a movie with English accents or

overly dramatic characters and I am probably sold!

Well, anyways, you get the idea....

Go.

Now.

Watch it.

Carrie Lee

Working Girl.....

2011-09-15T19:11:00.000-05:00

So I thought I would just let you

see the progress on this piece I am working on....

It is evolving into something that

I am pleasantly surprised with.

for some odd reason

I was always under the impression that

I could not or rather should not work with clay....

I have always loved sculptures..

well, maybe envy is a better word.

Well, the ladies and I had recently
talked about doing a more 3D show.

While that scared me in all honesty,
I really did want to challenge myself.

(or rather prove to myself that i could do this)

I mean after all,
I love love love Asian ball jointed dolls.

Have for a looonnng time.
Don't have one because they are so very expensive.

So why not give sculpture a go?

So, you can see here

I am having lots of fun!

It just goes to show that you

shouldn't be afraid of trying new mediums!

Now, this is actually turning out the way I want....
but Tanna and Amber will tell you
that the first face I made
looked a bit like Abe Lincoln...

the second was better but a
little more 'Beetlejuice' than I was hoping for.

And here she is getting all
primed up and ready to play with...

I have to tell you.... this is the most fun....
almost like giving a friend a makeover!

She is almost done....

she is not going to be a doll but

rather look like she is growing into or out of something.....

I will post more when she is done.

I cant wait to see her come together!

wish me luck...

Carrie Lee

Let the autumn days begin....

2011-09-07T15:25:00.001-05:00

Enjoying the relaxing sound of my kids NOT arguing.... They started back at school.... Ahhhhhhhh

Picked some pretty flowers....

Working on my first ball jointed doll... Been wanting to do this for awhile!!! Hopefully it will turn out..

Just me sayin hi... How are you?

Xxoo
Carrie Lee

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Girls trip.... photo dumping!

2011-08-07T23:07:00.000-05:00

So the Girls and I had

talked

and

talked

and

TALKED

... about going to the twin cities for a bit of fun....

Well finally we just up and did it!

And it was about time.

We were excited.... and maybe a little afraid.

(snicker... heheheheh)

we saw arty cars...

and water falls....

We had such a great time. Just being girls...

Drinking Beer... Relaxing...

Tip toeing through the stream... trying not to fall over.

Then it was off to Ikea...

( I hate that I love that store so much!!! I cant help myself!)

to imagine ourselves in different settings...

me napping?

I guess so.

Apparently it is a very Zen place to be.

Especially for Amber....

not sure what she was channeling here though...

Pahahaha.

Meanwhile....

I got a second wind and we skipped right outta Ikea

and to the sculpture Gardens to have a picnic.

There they go..... its the catwalk....

'Yeah on the catwalk, on the catwalk yeah

I do my little turn on the catwalk....'

Oh boy now that song is stuck in my head.

Bummer.

okay.... picnic time.

Cheers!!!!

To amazing women everywhere!

I'll drink to that...

and I did.

Oh what kind of picnic?

The yummy kind. Of course.

We decided to indulge and be naughty.

desserts make everyone happy...

Okay then...

why so angry Carrie?

Your hair?

Yes always...

but this time, mostly my stomach.

It was not very pleased with me.

But those desserts were so good!!!

Whats that Amber?

Do the bicycle? It will help?

Are you sure?

Okay so it helps....

But I wasn't happy about it...

and I did not enjoy it one little bit!!!!

But as you can see....

We all felt great after a snooze in the shade...

keeping balance on sculptures...

peeking out windows....

But then the time came to get back

into the car and head homeward.

What I learned on this trip...

Not to take so long to plan another one!!!

xoxoxo

Carrie Lee

Drowning in Domesticity....

2011-07-18T22:42:00.000-05:00

Hanging Cassidy's blanket out to dry on the clothesline....Old school!

Yes...

drowning in domesticity...

I mean that in a good way... Partial excuse, part ...Me, just sharing life.... finally.

Sigh... these last couple months have been delightful. But, I know, I have a 'lot of esplanin to do" , cue the I love Lucy music now. Well, hmmmm where do I begin? Oh yeah, no longer a member of Gallery 4. I wont go into too much detail, rather... just say, it was my decision, they are still wonderful friends, I wish them the best.... they really helped me grow and now it is time to move on. So after leaving G4 I took some time to just be domestic.... enjoying my DIY life to the fullest.

So I have been thinking about what I want in my life and where I want it to go. In the meantime, I am keeping myself busy with everyday life, taking time to smell the roses and reboot. I haven't been slacking.... no, no, no. I have been a Busy Bee ... actually a busy beekeeper! Yes... I am a beekeeper. Adding to the list of a girly girl, red lipstick wearing, mom of two not so little beasties (no... I am not talking about my two dogs or the bunny... I am referring to the human beasties running around calling me mom), wife to the true blue Brawny man, gardener, foodie, indie music lover....... and of course artist!!!

OOOooooof..... oooof ah doooof.

*sigh*

Really, I could probably add to it but you get the idea....

I have added bee keeping to my long list of adventures....

Why?

Because they are cool damn it.

Just look at them.....

Okay take a closer look...

They are crazy cool.... fascinating in fact!!!

We have two colonies... one is awesome, while...the other is struggling.

It is all very educating, for sure!

In the meantime.... I have been baking nummy foods (Like this torte.... Evil!!!!), riding my bike downtown Fargo and everywhere else, swimming with the kids, giving hand building a go at Midwest Mud - a fabulous ceramic studio, planting a flower garden, and planting a regular garden full of wonderfully delicious things that are finally producing some goodies....

just look at my yellow beans...mmmmm...

A little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper... toss them around in a skillet.. Sooooooo good!!!

I think the bunny wants some.... Sorry bunny-bunny.

I did already give you lettuce and a carrot.

No... sorry.. you can't even have some of these nummy berries.

mmmmmm..... my first berries of the season!!

I have been making sun tea and sitting on my porch...

okay so most of the time I am drinking beer not tea...

I have good intentions.

Speaking of tea...

Best sun tea recipe ever....

Fresh Lavender and Mint from the garden..

Organic green tea...

set it in the sun...

refreshing and cool.

So there you have it.... that is what has been on the agenda the last couple months.

I guess I have been channeling my inner Betty Crocker.

Don't hate me because I am domesticated... it happens to the best of us.

It may seem silly to you, but this life of mine.... it is all I ever wanted. It is a perfectly messy, chaotic, adventurous life and it is mine.

Ours really... I get to share it with him....

the Goofball....

Captain Jeremy on our 15 year Anniversary in Duluth, MN!!! Pahahaha

And girl beastie.....

And boy beastie....

Right now things are changing.. and wonderful.... I am excited about the tomorrows. Luckily I have lots of energy and passion....And I am especially lucky to have these two ladies in my life....

Tanna (that is me in the middle)and Amber...

We are heading to the cities this weekend...

making plans

Doing more art shows...

Living life to the fullest.

I am excited.

I hope you are living your dream.

I hope you are scratching things off the bucket list...

eating all the best berries right of the bush...

smelling the roses..

drinking a beer...

watching your family laugh and grow.

I hope.

I dream.

I am going to my grave with red lipstick on.

xxoo

Carrie Lee

Last Call...

2011-05-09T21:03:00.001-05:00

I can't even explain how fun it has been to work with my friends, Tanna Lee Hill and Amber Noel Parsons. We have been having a blast together. We went to a masquerade together this weekend at the Plains Art Museum.... hilarious!

Yeah, that is me in the bird mask.... what can I say.... I get a hold of paper and I go all crazy!!!!

Tanna is the Darling Doe and Amber makes even a skeleton gorgeous .........

Some of our other friends are back there .... including my dearest bestie... Karman.

We had so much fun... dancing... walking around in our crazy masks..... good times....good times, I tell ya.

We are such dorks.... Pahahaha.....

So, soon we are coming to a close....

On the one hand, it will be so sad to see our group show come to an end.... However, I really feel it is a new beginning. We have loved working together and look forward to doing more in the future. We even have our own website now!

www.ladiesoflowbrow.com

So if you haven't had a chance yet, you should stop by Dead Rockstar and check it out.

We will be setting up at the end of the week and having a closing party on the 16th of May, from 7 to 10pm! The show will be up until the end of May then that is it for now. You can go to the new website above to keep tabs on us.

XXOO

Carrie Lee

Let your tears fly away...

2011-04-26T12:17:00.000-05:00

Every year during Passover I reflect. I reflect on the last year, I also reflect on my life as a whole. Where my journey in this life has taken me. My disappointments and my achievements. I am thankful for the opportunity to take a side out out and just breath it all in. The happiness.... the sadness..... then let it go.

Letting My Tears Fly Away

A dear friend of mine has a son the same age as Connor, almost thirteen. ( I know crazy right?!) Well, we were talking the other day and her son asked me point blank.... 'if there is a God, why would he allow suffering?' Boy oh boy, kids really do hit you with the hard ones. I know, not everyone has the same religion, beliefs, what have you, but I do believe that life has lessons for us all, no matter what we believe or do not believe for the matter. So, back to what I was saying, I in return asked him a question... have you ever known someone who had everything handed to them? Really.... have you ever taken a good look at a person who was never allowed to fail, suffer and was given everything they ever wanted? I don't know too many myself, but I remember a few kids growing up and of course have seen the prime examples of many a spoiled rotten person on the multitude of shows we have on television right now. Then I asked, of any of those people, do you see kindness and compassion? Do you see character? Do you see wisdom? Do you think that is the type of person you want to be?

We talked more about the subject, but you get the idea. I am grateful for my life, the twists and turns, the good choices and the bad. If I want to learn, I have to except my life lessons and move on. I have to let my tears fly away....

Here is to a new start, everyday.

Let your tears fly away.

Carrie Lee

So you want to know.....

2011-04-21T11:09:00.000-05:00

I am going to break it down for you... because it is complicated..... it is part art, part geekery... That is me, part artist / part nerd, in a nutshell. So I am going to try to give you an idea of how my process works.

It is my process, not necessarily the right one. Remember, I am self taught, I have spent many a sleepless night making hundreds.... no wait.... thousands of mistakes. And when it comes down to it, a person may have a natural ability to draw, but if you don't practice you wont improve.... I have drawn and drawn and drawn.... I have pieces I love and pieces I hate (that will never see the light of day). And I might add that even if I feel like I am getting better at something, then I stop doing it for a while, well then... I have to work a little bit to get it back, it is the same with writing, singing, anything really... you know the saying, "if you don't use it you lose it".

So, do you remember this?

I did this sketch a while back...

I took a picture and threw it into Photoshop creating the silhouette I wanted to use. I create a transparent layer on top of my sketch. Then, I just used my mouse and a simple black marker PS brush to get the silhouette how I want it.

Until it looks like this:

Then it is back to the drawing board.... I sketch a face using regular old pencil and paper:

Most of the time I paint the face using Conté pastels (and always in my cutouts) , But recently I have been trying my hand at painting on my Ipad using Sketchbook Pro App.... I cant help myself... I love to experiment!

So then the face looks like this....

Then I put it all together and play with lots of textures and Layers until it looks like this:

That is one of my processes.... not really a tutorial but a glimpse of what I put into a piece. It involves many different elements all of which I enjoy... the need to feel a pencil in my hand and my love for all things tech! It is an uphill battle sometimes. Many art curators and critics don't like the influence of anything digital and that to me is nonsense! It is still art.... I still draw..... I didn't just wake up one morning and wish the painting into existence... many hours go into each piece. It is a new age in art and I think society should embrace it. Shunning art because it isn't traditional... well that just doesn't make sense.... art is supposed to be about the creative mind. So here is to all the rebels out there who dance to the beat of your own drum ... keep on marching my friends!!

Peace

Carrie Lee

And I'm back....

2011-04-21T10:08:00.000-05:00

SO FINALLY....

I thought I would share some of the work I have been up to recently.... We just had Passover, the flood is done and they are taking down the mud dike on our road, I finished 7 new pieces for the group art show and the house is clean (!!!!)... finally, I feel like I can breath again.

Why is it, as I get older, everything my mom said about time flying as you age now suddenly makes sense? I really could use an 8 day week just to get done all the things I want to do! Thankfully spring is here and even though we just made a snow man Saturday morning (after 4 fresh inches of sticky snow last Friday night)... it has melted and the birds are singing again (although, I am sure they are a bit pessimistic like myself right now).

And a special shout out to my 2 lovely blogging buddies, Felicia and Theresa, for not giving up on me.... you are the best... thank goodness for Facebook!! xxoo

So here we go... A sneak peek at the show....

Inner Workings

In My Bones

If You Love Me Let Me Go

Evolving

I will be doing another post here shortly...

to show you a more detailed look at my process.... so keep an eye open!!

Thank you for the support, your the best!!

Peace!

Carrie Lee

Testing, testing... is this thing on?

2011-03-22T15:41:00.001-05:00

I know. I have been MIA. I have no good excuses. Just me, doing my, I feel kinda crappy and want to stay inside where it is warm bit (and that whole horrible tragedy concerning Japan.. just tear my heart out why don't you!). But, rest assured, I am here... and spring is in the air.

I have a group art show next month with a couple ultra talented local ladies. Tanna Lee Hill, who happens to be a rock star tattooist! And, Amber Noel Parsons, a talented painter and amazing sculptor. I am excited and honored to be a part of something like this. So I am busy getting ready and also trying to get some health issues under control. I hope you are all safe, warm and happy wherever you are. I will be getting a new phone soon... and hopefully I can blog more on the run!!!... there it is promises, promises....oh my, Honestly, I am going back and forth on my goals... where I want to be as an artist... do I want to start writing again... but wait I have a family... lets try to balance here Carrie.... humpf... chalk it up to winter blues and lack of confidence. I'll get over it. Do you ever go through these cycles? It is really annoying isn't it? I'll try not to think out loud again.... sorry. ;)

XXOO

Carrie Lee

I want to be a sea gypsy.....

2011-02-08T15:23:00.002-06:00

I am back and have been away too long, I know! I enjoyed family visits and bit of a winter hibernation. Then I went and pulled down my Identities show at Atomic. It all went swimmingly..... tehehe

While I was away, I was searching for artists like myself, learning about other women and men out in the world who are also paper cutting, pastel using, lowbrow loving, gypsy traveling, DIY dreamers. I love searching the world for artists that have similar interests. I mean, really.... all you have to do is Google landscapes, oil painting, photography, cooking etc..... what ever you are interested in learning is there at your fingertips. *Flashback to movie 'Good Will Hunting".... Will: See, the sad thing about a guy like you is in 50 years you're gonna staht doin some thinkin on your own and you're gonna come up with the fact that there are two certaintees in life. One, don't do that. And Two, you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on a *&@%! education you coulda got for a dollah fifty in late chahges at the public library." (although I still wish I would have gone to school.... quotes like this make me feel better.) ;] It does make you realize that you are not reinventing the wheel. You and many others like you are probably searching or doing the same thing. But where that may unnerve some artists, it gave me a sense of hope. The comfort of knowing I have people in this world that I can relate to. That, I think, is awesome.

Pause my playlist at the right>>>>>

So right now, I wish I was a sea gypsy. (Can we imagine, for now - if you will, that I am not as terribly sea sick as I actually am? Okay.... Thank you) I always loved the idea of picking up and heading out into the world and exploring. I have always been a bit of a nature girl. I look forward to the winding trails and canopy of trees like a bee looks forward to finding a perfect patch of clover. I have often imagined having my own gypsy wagon. Tis true. But alas, twas not to be. Oh well. I can still dream and wonder in the virtual world in search of inspiration. So I was reading all about wheat-pasting and some wondrous graffiti artists when I stumbled on swimming cities. Really? Sea Gypsies. Of course my mind immediately ran across the hundreds of ways I could convince my friends and mister that we need to make a swimming city for our own Red River.... then the thoughts of getting swept away in the upcoming flood brought me back down to reality.

So here I am all inspired and no city to build. So I decided instead to take out my pencil and put my inspiration to good use.....

This is a VERY rough sketch/idea... but thought you might like to see how my silhouette pieces start out. I will polish the silhouette up and refine it a lot more before I put it back into my computer and have my way with it. Hehehehehe. But for now I will bring you back to more inspiration from the sea.....

go here to see some amazing pics like these....

and to give you some music to inspire a sea worthy mood.....

more links.... here, here,here and here.

I hope you get swept away by the sea. I know I have.

Carrie

2011-02-03T12:49:00.001-06:00

Wish i was a mac but i am more of an atari...

Sabbatical....

2011-01-12T10:53:00.003-06:00

'She is the Forest.

She is the Tree.

And,

when the Season's change,

so does she.'

by Carrie Lee Wendt

Oh snow... you are so magical. I am going o go finish building a snow fort with the mountain that is our front yard. The kids and I started on it the other day, so much fun!!! I just wanted you to know... I am going to take a breather for a couple weeks, okay maybe just one. I don't think I can stay away that long. My brother is coming to visit and I need to refocus my energy on my family. You can keep in touch with me through Facebook if you like. Also, thank you. Your ongoing support of my show is humbling. I always dreamed of my life as it is, but never actually thinking it would become a reality. I am grateful. And here is another peak at this girl from the show......

All my Love,

Carrie Lee

Finding what is not lost....

2011-01-04T10:50:00.003-06:00

'Wallfower'

sold

(print available soon)

What is your identity? Are you the type of person who says I am ( fill in description here), with the kind of confidence that escapes the rest of us? I heard a man once say, "I am just a simple man." Is there such a thing? Can a man or woman be simple? I have to admit, I have neither the confidence or wisdom to say, matter of fact, that I know who I am. Am I an Artist? Am I a mother? Serious or sarcastic? Shy or vain? Idiot or an inventor? A friend, lover, explorer? What or who am I? Does what I do make up who I am? And if that is the case, I am anything but simple. I am a sack of flesh with more than one identity. I am all these identities and more. Because, who I am is constantly changing. Sometimes I even moonlight as a writer with aspirations beyond my own abilities, in all honesty. Sometimes I am a self conscience schoolgirl who must put lipstick on in order for others to not think she is not too homely. Stupid? Yes. But my identities come and go, they take hold of my flesh and live inside me until another identity moves in, some cohabitate, but not often, in my case. I admit to being complicated, but one at a time please.

I have convinced myself into thinking I am one identity. Check. I have also spewed confidence only to crumble under the weight of it. Check, check. "Find yourself" so the saying goes. Bitter, shallow words. A ridiculous concept. How does one find something that is not lost? And why can a person only relate to you if they know who you are? Are you a man, woman, mother, single, banker, waiter... (Fill in another blank here)? Oh yes, I can relate to you now, because we have the same identity. Sure. Right. Whatever. Can't a person have the compassion to recognize that every human being has differences, multiple identities, what have you, right at the get go and not have to relate to a certain one? Or hey, I don't know, how about relate to them all. Because in the end, we are all sacks of flesh putting on interchangeable identities.

I am connected to everything before me and after me. I am something and will be nothing. I am more than mass and matter but I am mass and matter. I am not alone yet I am alone, as it is, every thought in my head has only me to hear it.

Kurt Vonnegut said it best:

'Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be.'

I read this quote in 7th grade and it will forever be a part of my identity.

I am not a 'simple (wo)man'.

I simply am.

'Bearly Different'

sold

(print available soon)

Q & A

Why are your "girls" mostly the same?

Yes, they all are alike and all different. I almost always draw a girl, for one, because I am one and because honestly, men remain a mystery to me. The girls have a doll-like quality about them. I love porcelain dolls because their beauty is fantastic and unrealistic. It is obvious they have a big influence on my work. I can not help but be mesmerized by them. I feel sad that their existence is purely superficial. I can relate to that idea, that our bodies are a superficial existence. The girls are just like you and I. We are all the same and different. I have compassion for the human condition. I want to emphasize the fact that we all have humanity in common yet are individuals.

Why do you work with silhouettes?

They are the perfect medium on which to explain my feelings about identities. I think they are more easily related to without the influence of our own reality.

What are your influences?

People? Ultimately I have been influenced by my mother and father. They are people who struggled with their own 'roles' and 'identities' with humility. And also by their creativity, both artists in their own right. I have a complex history and can say that my life has been both bitter and sweet. Mostly, sweet I think. My perspective is to look at life as a chance to learn and grow. I love people. I think they are beautifully complicated.

And as for art? Low brow, manga, fantasy artists ( I can credit my dad for the sci-fi geek in me - when I was young my dad and mom called me 'Carifairy', everyone would give me fairy books and art. I went through a major fairy phase. Embarrassing? A little. But it was magical and I loved it), poster art, pop art, surrealism.... and of course vintage illustrators and fairy art. One of my favorite artists right now is Jin Young Yu.

What is your process or medium?

This one is complicated. Jeremy (my mister) will tell you that I draw, sketch, doodle all the time. I also have a habit of waking up the middle of the night to put a note/idea in my cell phone. I guess, I usually start out with an idea or a feeling, then just go to work. I may use photography, digital painting, or pastels etc. Lately, I have been using many mediums together in very untraditional ways. I also love reworking the same materials. It is like listening to a song you love and playing it over and over again until you have had enough. But as far as using the mediums, for an example, in one of my pieces (a small bubble glass cameo girl), I started by pencil drawing the character then put her into my pc via scan or photo ( I shrink her down digitally because I am lazy and hate drawing faces smaller than a quarter, but want her to have the right shading and depth of a larger piece- It is harder but I love small pieces, go figure) I make a background for her with digital painting, photo textures, my own traditional paintings, patterns etc. Then, I will finish her up with some graphite, charcoal or pastels. I love to ad paper cutting here and there also. I always have to have a mix. It wouldn't make sense to me to not pull from everything I have learned, or else why learn it? Who says you have to do it 'this way'? Not me. I think art is very much about exploring and learning. I don't know if I will ever teach, but I will absolutely be a student for eternity.

XO
Carrie Lee

Invitation.....

2010-12-27T15:26:00.000-06:00

Hope you get the chance to drop by and see it.

Carrie Lee

A little creepy. Yes, definitely.

2010-12-21T17:42:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone!!! I am working extra hard right now with an upcoming art show. I am really excited about it. I will be exhibiting a variety of my work ... including, my cameo girls and some of my digital manipulations. I hope it turns out as planned. My brother is also coming for a visit in a couple more weeks... he will be able to see my show! First time he will see my work up close and personal, so I am excited and nervous. I have always looked up to my brother. His opinion means so much to me.

So for now I am here.... but a busy girl.

So I will post some things to inspire and entertain you in the time being.

And give you one last rant until some time next week....

Here is a video I saw a while back.... I couldn't remember the title, major brain cramp! So I didn't share it until know because I hadn't come across it again until recently! YAY! It is very neat little short animation. A little creepy just the way I like. The story is itself very Tim Burtonesque.... ( Yes, I just made that word/last name up).

(pause my playlist)

Alma from Rodrigo Blaas on Vimeo.

Why do I like things a little dark? I think, when people meet me, they are especially surprised, for the most part, that I am a very optimistic, cheery person. I am not completely sure why my art and my personal taste is a little dark. Or as I usually explain... bittersweet. So, I pose a question..... or two.

Isn't life generally bittersweet?

Do you ever find yourself with the weight of all the worlds sorrows on your shoulders?

I do. I worry. I get sad. I struggle.

Everyday.

But art is my way of working out those emotions. I just cant go through this life as a mope. Not that I don't mope. ....Oh, I do.

But I try very hard not to let the struggles of life envelope me entirely.

I may not have told you..... one of my favorite artists is Frida Kahlo. I know, I know.... so is every other aspiring female artist. Her work is touching and original, yes. But I relate to her as a woman who struggled. I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago. I was 32. I was young... yes. But really it was a surgery that my Doctors had wanted to do since I was much, much younger. I know suffering. I went through years (and still do... really) of pain. I had cysts, tumors and endometriosis. The endometriosis had spread to most of my major organs and I had to have major surgery to remove it and separate other parts of my organs that had fused together. I don't usually like to talk about it. This is the first time I have on here. It is very personal and, to some, disturbing.

I have had physical pain... and emotional pain. A child of divorce and moving from place to place... I went to a total of 11 different schools. My family is scattered all over the country.... in every corner. Thousands of miles separate us. I lived and grew up in California, Arizona and Texas before settling in Minnesota. You get the just of it.

I don't want your pity.

I do want you to know that I have compassion for you, for everyone, and their struggles. We are not always what we seem... and I wanted you to know me, my heart, where my strength comes from. Maybe you can relate? Maybe my art or my story will help you find some mercy for those of us that are not picture perfect. And I hope that you too can learn to see past your trials and struggles. To see the bittersweet journey and come to understand that without the dark you can't see the light. You have to be able to see beauty in a person or situation that may not appear as what they truly are. Look deeper, see truer, and celebrate it. We are all unique. We all have a story, a journey. I am sure yours is bittersweet also.

So here is to light and dark,

yin and yang

Marco and Polo...

not really that last part,

and everything in between.

Especially to things that seem a little bit creepy.

Carrie Lee

I Love this.....

2010-12-18T21:40:00.001-06:00

Chris Sauter from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

Xo
Carrie Lee

The photo bug..

2010-12-10T21:39:00.000-06:00

I have been in a photography mood since the snow came....

Something magical about snow.... especially at the beginning of the season.

These are taken TTV style....

if you are interested in learning more about the process, go HERE.

i ♥ snow

snow cherries

snowy. sunny. happy.

waiting for spring

Closeup of them on my wall....

My sitting room...

were i cozy up to my fire with a good read.

Would you like them for yourself....

they are in my Etsy Shop!

have a terrific weekend!!

Carrie Lee