#WorldWatercolorGroup – YesterdayAfter

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Art For Music, Challenge, Collaborations, Community, Creativity, Events, Illustration, Life, Limited Edition, Love, Messages to readers, Music, My Paintings, Uncategorized, Watercolors

An Update On My Journey!

August 8, 2018August 8, 2018 YesterdayAfter

California sunset – Photo ©CarolinaRusso

Hello everyone,

I am so sorry I haven’t written a Blog post in a pretty long time!
Life events kept me busy, how the Summer is going?
I hope it find you all well!

I want to thank to all the new followers that came to this Blog lately and decided to follow my journey, thank you so much!
I hope that you enjoy my art in all the different ways I like to express my creativity. At this moment I am also redesigning the look of this Blog, soon you will see it with a new look and layout. In addition will have included a new section with my own new “Shop” where you can purchase my Art and Limited Edition Prints directly and exclusively here only. These are last days that My Etsy shop is running! I will not sell anymore over there, when my new Shop is up everything is done here! 🙂

Scott Hutchison Tribute – Watercolor Painting ©CarolinaRusso

I have been very busy during the months of June and July with several interesting projects. I have created the Tribute painting of Scottish music artist Scott Hutchison that sadly and unexpectedly left this world last May. I had a wonderful response from all the loving fans to the band Frightened Rabbit when I have released the painting available in Limited Edition Prints. I thank them all! For who missed my previous posts about this, here there is a little recap and excerpt from one of my posts.

Scott-Hutchison – Photo by Ross Gilmore/Redferns

“My painting it is a Tribute Portrait dedicated to Scottish music artist “Scott Hutchison” this is a very emotional painting created In Loving Memory of Scott (20/11/81 – 10/5/18) R.I.P
Scott Hutchison was a wonderful music artist from Scotland founding and primary songwriter of indie rock band Frightened Rabbit

This painting is my humble contribution to honor Scott soul and to raise awareness on Mental Health and suicide prevention. Scott Hutchison left our world last May 10, 2018 at age of 36. Struggling with the demons of depression. He never hid his suffering, but translated his feelings using his alienation in words creating songs that touched the heart of many around the world. He always reassured fans who reached to him about their problems that “there’s always hope”.

❤I will Donate a portion of the proceeds of my Limited Edition Prints in “Scott Memory” to UK SAMH “Scottish Association for Mental Health”.
Thank you so much in advance to anyone that already did, and who will decide to purchase one of these unique prints, your support means a lot and can help to give “Tiny changes while here on Earth (Scott words)”.

I loved the beautiful response of the amazing fans and they kept me really busy preparing all the Prints for their orders. I had wonderful feedbacks and I am happy that through my painting I am able to relief a little of the sadness and pain in so many hearts and keep up the strong legacy that Scott left here.

All this kept me very busy. This year I had no time to participate to “The World Watercolor Month” sorry Charlie doodlewash I was only able to post few paintings during July but it’s all good, The past two years I have participated and completed the challenge to paint daily for 31 days and I loved it, because gave me the opportunity to create new collections of paintings, this is a great way to create new material for your portfolio using a challenge for inspiration, especially for new artists or beginners this is an advice I can give to whom is in need of inspiration to create, follow a challenge and make it yours.

But I also have a nice news, because during July I have submitted few paintings on Instagram to the Pentalic365 challenge and I am so honored to be the Winner for the month of July see their post Pentalic365

❤ ❤ During the past months I lost two wonderful pets they went over the rainbow bridge, I was very sad to loose Rocky a rescued Chihuahua and my loved Yumi a wonderful and amazing rescued Possum!

This was just an update to share everything is going on and why I haven’t been active as my usual on this Blog! I actually have been very active posting on my instagram @carolinarussoart if you follow me there than you see my daily posts. At the moment beside the Scott Hutchison’s Prints I am working on some commissions and also my painting created a while ago for the album cover of coming soon music album Nu-Nostalgia by artist Nu-San would be released in a couple of months, is exciting time, I will keep you all informed hopefully I will post more often ❤

Wish you all a good week!

And If you are a fan of Scott Hutchison and The Frightened Rabbit band and love this Tribute painting check the Page linked down below!

To PRE-Order a Fine Art Print of my watercolor painting visit my Scott Hutchison Tribute Print Page here directly on my Blog and fill in the Order Form, you will find all the details explained, price, shipping etc!

For more of what I am up to daily, follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

Have a wonderful week and rest of the Summer share if you can!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

New Release! Scott Hutchison “Tribute Portrait”

June 20, 2018June 24, 2018 YesterdayAfter

Hello everyone,

Today post is to Officially Release my new watercolor painting!

My painting it is a Tribute Portrait dedicated to Scottish music artist “Scott Hutchison” this is a very emotional painting created In Loving Memory of Scott (20/11/81 – 10/5/18) R.I.P
Scott Hutchison was a wonderful music artist founding and primary songwriter of indie rock band Frightened Rabbit

Scott-Hutchison – Photo by Paul Stevenson/Flickrhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

❤❤❤
I will Donate a portion of the proceeds of my Limited Edition Prints in “Scott Memory” to UK SAMH “Scottish Association for Mental Health”.
Thank you so much in advance to anyone that decide to purchase one of these unique prints, your support means a lot and can help to give “Tiny changes while here on Earth (Scott words)”.

My Painting Meaning: My Painting portrays Scott surrounded by a dark cloud but half way out, doing what he loved, singing to the heart of all that connected to his songs and music . The darkness has been part of his life, sadly until the end of his days. The darkness is something that he silently tried to fight in his own way. The double cross, is a symbol that Scott created, it is one of his drawings, that recognize the band. I wanted to paint the double cross in gold because in my painting I wanted it to symbolize Scott wonderful soul that is alive and will shine to us forever.

My Message to whom will get this print: Thank you for loving it! I hope that my painting will “Keep Yourself Warm (Scott words)“, will bring you hope, strength and love during your journey, never feel alone, there is always a light in the dark, share your feelings and always “Hug Your Loved Ones (Scott words)” – Carolina

If you love this painting, please consider to Pre-Order your Print soon!
There are only 60 Prints available for this first and maybe only Edition.
I accept Pre-Orders until last print is available, after prints are sold out, this 1st release is closed. I will probably consider a 2nd prints edition and release only if there is demand, or they will not be printed again and there would be only sixty Fine Art signed and numbered Prints of my Scott painting Tribute Portrait in the World! Grab yours before is too late!

❤ Artist details about my painting:
My watercolor painting is outlined with ink pens. Fountain pen Pilot Prera fine nib. Ink pens used MICRON Black ink #03 and 05, Sakura Gold Pen Touch Calligrapher. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Watercolor, I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, only one color used: Gray Payne, Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed.

❤ This painting is also included in my “ART FOR MUSIC” Collection

For more of what I am up to daily, follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

Have a wonderful week share if you can!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Challenge, Community, Creativity, Etsy, Illustration, Limited Edition, Photography, Watercolors

Weekly Photo Challenge: Liquid

May 17, 2018 YesterdayAfter

Japanese Pond with Koi Fish - Photo ©Carolina Russo — Japanese Pond with Koi Fish – Photo ©Carolina Russo

Hello everyone,

This post is for the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge, the theme for this week is “Liquid” share a photo of liquid in whatever state, shape, or color you happen to capture it in. You can go as big as the ocean or as small as a teardrop, as clear as vodka or as opaque as milk.

Here is mine, I love the reflection of the water and the lighting in this Japanese pond enlivened by the beautiful and colorful Koi fishes. I took this photo awhile ago and it also inspired me to create one of my watercolor paintings with the title “Girl With Koi” available as Limited Edition Signed Print on my Etsy Shop.

Day #7 – Girl With Koi – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

For more of my Photography visit my Photography Gallery

Follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart for the opportunity to see my art and more of my latest photos.

And if you love my watercolor paintings please visit my ETSY Shop

I hope that you enjoyed this post and until the next one I wish you a great rest of the week! ❤

Thank You!

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Community, Drawings, Ethereal, Etsy, Etsy Shop Sale, Events, Fantasy Art, Holidays, Illustration, Ink Drawings, Limited Edition, Love, MerMay, Messages to readers, My Paintings, Painting with Coffee, Watercolors, World Watercolor Group

Flash Sale on my Etsy Shop 3 Days only!

May 9, 2018May 9, 2018 YesterdayAfter

Wonder In The Abyss- Mermaid – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

FLASH SALE!

♥️ I am having a 3 Days Flash Sale on my ETSY Shop!

To Celebrate Mother’s Day ❤ Starting May 10 until May 13, I am having a 3 Days “Special SALE” on my Etsy Shop 10% Off on anything available in the store!!! Don’t miss it!

Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of my recent paintings are up for grab during the next 3 days including a 10% Off discount would be applied at checkout. Right now is great time to shop if you like some of my pieces don’t miss this Sale, visit my Shop to find your favorite!

❤ Hint: Mother’s Day is coming soon ❤ how about a love gift to your Mom, or to just treat yourself? Also remember that since there is very little time “Gift Cards” are an option always available for purchase in my Shop 😉 ❤

There is some new and old work that I have created during the past months. There are 43 paintings listed as “Limited Edition Signed Prints” of my original watercolor paintings. Prints are beautiful, you find also “Hand Embellished” ones and most of the prints are available in two sizes at different price. There is available also a “Set of Three Mini Prints of your Choice” for a special price, there are lots of options to choose from, Don’t miss the Sale!

Thank you so much for following my Art, your support is great and means a lot to me! ❤

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Emotions, Etsy, Illustration, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Uncategorized, Watercolors, World Watercolor Group, Writings

Inspired by the Old Masters – Girl With a Pearl Earring

April 25, 2018 YesterdayAfter

Girl With a Pearl Earring – Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso – Painting Inspired by the Original Oil Painting, (c 1665) created by ©Johannes Vermeer

Inspired by Classic Art and the Old Masters

“Girl With a Pearl Earring” Original Oil Painting, (c 1665) created by Golden Age, Dutch Painter ©Johannes Vermeer

Girl With a Pearl Earring (Oil Painting, c 1665) ©Johannes Vermeer

Today post is to talk about “Inspiration” in any creative mind there is inspiration that comes from something. As an artist I get inspired by everything, just simple things like a color, a word, the shape of a cloud, the rain just to mention a few can inspire my imagination to create.

Many times I got asked where do you get your inspiration from? My answer is always the same “from everything”!

Sometimes not just visual things, but also intangible things can inspire, like a sound, music can inspire, the wind can inspire and it is from that starting point that magically trigger your mind to be inspired to create, develop and evolve your work in a beautiful creation. Often artists takes inspiration from the work of others, especially the “Old Masters” from the Classic Art as a learning process that helps to try new visions, techniques and skills. The best way to be inspired from another artwork is to change things and transform it in your own. Do not copy exactly! Just take the inspiration and add your own language, give your transformation and a new vision in order to grow your own art and identity as an artist, learn from the process. This is a great suggestion for beginners, a way to practice and challenge yourself to evolve in your work finding your own voice. This is not only for visual artists but it can be applied to writers, designers and any type of creative that use inspiration.

Inspired by Classic Art, this is my watercolor version of this famous oil painting “Girl With a Pearl Earring” (c 1665) painted by Dutch Golden Age Painter Johannes Vermeer. I always got inspired by the original painting and I have seen many other artists inspired. This painting has several things that captures my attention: the lighting, the innocent expression of the girl face, the colors and intense contrast, all these things inspired me to paint my own watercolor version of the “Girl With a Pearl Earring”. In my portrait, I left a white background, not a dark one, I focused on the light on her face, her eyes and lips. I wanted to change and give her a slightly different expression to do not copy her, but instead giving her a new soul. As you can see if you compare the two paintings, you see my inspiration from the original, but I changed her in my own style. This time I haven’t used any ink outline, is just watercolor. I also gave her an extra touch with my signature long lashes! 😉

I hope that you enjoyed this post and that will help someone to feel inspired to try this and look into “Inspiration and Transformation” as a form of learning and growth in your art!

If you do please comment below I would love to know!

❤ Details about my painting:
Pencil sketch with Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Mab Graves automatic Pencil. Painted with French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle Artist grade, Pentel Aqua Brush – Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed.

Fine Art Prints are available at this moment upon direct request to me:
❤ Feel free to contact me if you would like a Limited Edition Signed Print of this paintings, you can order yours right here on the Blog just Contact me let me know that you want it and you can pay directly here on the PayPal button on my side bar, very easy!

Details: Fine Art Prints sizes available is 5 x 7 and 8×10 inches, Special Price $25 and $35 + shipping (contact me) ! ❤

More Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of my paintings are listed on my Etsy Shop!

For more of what I am up to daily, follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

Have a wonderful week and stay tuned for more Art!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Art For Music, Collaborations, Creativity, Custom Portraits, Drawings, Ethereal, Illustration, Indie, Ink, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, Music, My Paintings, Photography, Published work, Sketch, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Art For Music – Preview! Album Cover a Collaboration with Nu-San

April 18, 2018April 30, 2018 YesterdayAfter

Nu Nostalgia by Nu_San (Vinyl Album Cover) Original Painting ©CarolinaRusso

ART FOR MUSIC!

A New Collaboration and Coming Soon Release!

Today post is just a preview for this interesting project and a new collaboration. This project at the moment still a work in progress but I love to share what we are working on. This post feature the release of my new watercolor painting!

This is a bigger painting than my usual size, is a custom artwork requested in a specific size which is 12 x 24 inches. This is the result of another great collaboration and very unique custom commission. I am happy that I can finally talk a little and reveal few details about this new beautiful project. During the month of November 2017, I was contacted by Electronic Music Composer Sandy Bain aka “Nu-San” from Scotland, UK. Nu-San loves my art and already own some of my work. This time he was working on his new music album and had an idea. He asked me to create an “Original Painting” inspired by a “Gothic haunting style” in my own style that he wants to use as the album cover for his coming soon new album with the title “Nu Nostalgia”. Nu-San still working on some of the final tracks and I cannot give all the details at this moment because still a work in progress until the album would be released. As you can see the image of my painting isn’t too big and I have posted only one little close up photo, also they have a huge watermark on it for ©Copyright reasons since the album isn’t released. For now I can only share this preview post of my painting, I will share more in another post in the near future.

What a wonderful project!

I am so honored and grateful, thankful beyond words that Nu-San did think about my art to illustrate his music. I love music and love to support music artists with my art. I always wanted to create an artwork that would be illustrating a music album as a “Cover of an Album”, I am so happy that this wish came true. Nu-San discography include other albums but this one is the first that would be made in “Vinyl” and it is a dream coming true for Nu-San. I am so happy that we can share this achievement, I find it to be very special. Thank you Sandy for this great and exciting collaboration!

The watercolor painting that I have created, is going to be the “Cover” of Nu-San new music album and would and be released in “Vinyl and CDs” during the next few months or earlier. I don’t know the exact release date but I will write another blog post when it happens with more photos of the finished product and more info.

This project and watercolor painting would be also part of my Collection Series, check my Gallery “ART FOR MUSIC” a series of artworks inspired by music artists reflecting my passion for music. In this series, I have created artworks using several media, traditional watercolor paintings, ink drawings, digital art, photo manipulation and any other media that will inspire my creations. At the same time this art series is also a feature here on my Blog for the music artists that I collaborate with.

Nu-San is a solo project and electronic music producer and composer from Scotland, UK. He has composed original chill out and dance tracks and creates unique haunting sounds and techno music, that’s the way I can best describe the sound of his music. I can’t wait to listen what he has created for the new coming album!

This is one of the photos of “Nu-San” that inspired my Portrait for the album cover, you can see his face in my painting!

My painting is a watercolor and ink portrait in my signature style with a hint of Gothic and a light feeling of darkness. Nu-San asked me to include ravens birds, a graveyard scene, a castle and gave me the freedom to create. I enjoyed painting this atmospheric portrait while listening to Nu-San music to be able to deliver more in-depth the spirit of Nu-San in my creation, we are very happy about how the painting turned out and now we can’t wait to see it as finished product.

If you would like to discover Nu-San music you can visit his links:

Nu-San on Soundcloud

Nu-San Facebook Page

❤ Pre-Order the Special Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of my painting:
This painting would be available in a very Limited Special Edition of only #25 Fine Art Prints hand signed. Each print is numbered and hand signed by me, print size is small as 5×11 inches and fit in a A4 size. (Bigger size is available upon request, price will change) Quality Fine Art Prints on acid free heavy weight 210gm matte paper, semi-smooth surface, high quality inks. Printed in my studio by me. All Prints are released as Limited Edition, numbered, hand signed. A Certificate of Authenticity is included. If you are a Nu-San fan or you like to pre-order one of these beautiful fan art prints of my painting for the special price of $25 + Shipping, just fill in the form Shop Art Prints here directly on my Blog! If you have any question please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Artist’s Details about my watercolor ink painting:
I painted on watercolor Fabriano paper, the original painting is size 12 x 24 inches. I used French watercolors by Sennelier. For the outline I used Black ink pens COPIC Multiliner #03 – #05 and a Fountain Pen Pilot Prera fine nib.

You can see more of my Paintings and artworks visiting my GALLERY there are several Galleries in the drop down menu under “Watercolors”.

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Please follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

#ArtForMusic #carolinarussoart

Until the next post have great days!

Thank You!

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Collaborations, Community, Creativity, Custom Portraits, Drawings, Emotions, Fantasy Art, Friendship, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, My Paintings, Surrealism Art, Watercolors

Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon – 1st Stop Blog Tour! #ABRSC

April 2, 2018April 4, 2018 YesterdayAfter

Hello everyone I hope that you all are enjoying Spring!
Today I have a nice announcement to do…

time has arrived and today I am very happy to post again about one of my latest collaboration and special commission done during the past months. This has been a great and interesting project that I have been working on!
During last Summer I was contacted by British Author MJ Mallon for the creation of some character illustrations for her new book. We have had a wonderful collaboration developed in the coming soon publication of the book in paperback edition, including my character illustrations. MJ Mallon is a novel’s writer and a dear friend in our Blog-World Community. To get to know more about her, please visit her Blog at MJ Mallon Author!

Today is also the start of MJ blog tour for the release of her paperback – The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone. There will be a celebration on her blog, everyone is invited!
This post is the first stop on the #ABRSC tour, other blogs will follow in the next coming days.

The beautiful book is a fantasy novel for young adults, inspired by supernatural, magic and paranormal. Many themes are touched into the intriguing and captivating story of Amelina Scott, a fifteen years old girl that lives in Cambridge, England. With some magic help, Amelina discovers the truth of a shocking curse that destroyed her family happiness. If you like magic and supernatural you would love this novel. This is the first book and according to author MJ Mallon it would be a sequel and so a series.

The title is “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone first published as Kindle Edition “Not Illustrated” launched August 2017.

Today I am very happy to announce that the book would be released soon in paperback edition during April 2018. I have created the Illustrations of two characters “Esme and the Creature Eruterac” I loved to create these watercolor paintings as portraits of the intriguing characters, MJ described them to me so well that I was able to bring them alive on paper. I am so honored and very happy that my illustrations are included in black and white into the paperback edition, it is a great accomplishment and means a lot to me. This year you will see other great collaborations and very interesting projects that I am working on. Keep following!

Character’s Portraits – Esme and the Creature – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

I have previously wrote another post where I explain most of the behind the scene about the start of this project and details about my creation of the character’s portrait, if you’re a new follower or if you have missed it, you can read my post dedicated to the character Esme: New Release: Esme – Bringing alive a character with a painting! Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon

you can also read MJ Mallon post about our collaboration and my illustration for the character the Creature :

A Wonderful Collaboration With Talented Artist Carolina Russo

Character’s Portraits – Esme – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

Isn’t it beautiful to see the portraits published? I love them! MJ was so kind to send me a preview copy of the paperback and everything looks great!

Character’s Portraits – The Creature – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

I have created the watercolor painting for two characters “Esme” the girl trapped in the mirror and ” The Creature” a scary entity and creepy guardian.
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I want to give a special thanks to MJ Mallon for loving my art and for thinking of me for this project and great collaboration, hopefully we can collaborate again in the future. Thank you so much Marjorie!

*** Paperback Release date is April 2nd and can be purchased on Amazon

Paintings Release: The images of my paintings are included inside the paperback book in black and white. If you are interested you can purchase the color version available in two sizes as “Limited Edition Fine Art Print” only #20 Prints for each character are available for fans and collectors. Fine art prints include a certificate of authenticity, are numbered and hand signed by me!
If you like one for yourself or for a wonderful gift, prints are beautiful almost like the original paintings! You can fully support my Art with your purchases for the character “Esme” visit my Etsy Shop

***If you’re interested in a Fine Art Print of “The Creature” please order here on the Blog at Shop My Art Prints

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Artist details about the Original Paintings:
My watercolor is outlined with black, white and brown ink pens. Gold pen Gelly Roll by Sakura. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic Pencil #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves. Pentel Aqua Brushes – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
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If you like my Art and would like to have a Custom Painting or Illustration from me, I am open to commission work if you have an idea
just Contact me and we can talk about it! 🙂

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my GALLERY there are several Galleries find them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolor paintings are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints!

Please follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

❤

“What makes me happy is to give happiness and inspire people through my Art, give feelings to the heart and deep to the soul!” – CR

I hope that you enjoyed this post and suggest you to read the book!
Wish you all a great week!

Thank You!