"You Are A Masterpiece"

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

2012-01-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

Walking Where Jesus Walked

2011-12-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

Beautifying little girls' rooms!

2011-12-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

Art Show

2011-11-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Recently, I entered some of my work and some artwork done by my students in the Rock Rapids Business Women's Art show. In this post, you will see some of the pieces I received prizes on, PLUS, many of the pieces entered by my daughter Marissa! She was well rewarded for her work as well!

Marissa Childress- "Mardi Gras" -Mixed Media-2nd place

Marissa Childress "Hiding My Shame"- Acrylic Painting - 3rd place

Marissa Childress - "Paint the Night"-Mixed Media - Honorable Mention

Marissa Childress - "The Bridge" -Acrylic Painting - 1st place PLUS Judge's Choice

Marissa's painting - PEACE

"The Clearing" - Acrylic Painting by myself - 1st place

Knife Painting- "Rough Patch" by myself - 1st place

"Renewal" - Acrylic and Chalk by myself - 2nd place

"Tulip Time"- watercolor by myself, 1st place

Paint the Night Pink

2011-10-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of breast cancer patients, survivors and their families and friends, the Paint the Night Pink Committee is hosting its fourth annual art and fashion event to raise awareness of breast cancer and promote the connection between art, healing, mind, body and spirit.

"Renewal"
This is my 2 piece acrylic painting (diptych) which depicts the horror of cancer, the black words all portraying loss and pain and sorrow. The tree, a symbol of life, reaching out, attempting regrowth bears the positive words in pink of a survivor! Healing, recovery, hope, grace, and renewal. Life after.........

I have been allowed to enter some of my works into a special showing at,"Paint the Night Pink Art Showcase and Fashion Show" . It is a fundraiser for the Avera Cancer Institute to be held on October 21st. It has been quite a process to get ready, to enter, and to be chosen. I do so many different kinds of pieces, finish very few and frame even fewer, as many are just put in a closet. I would like to try to sell some of my pieces, but have not found the avenue to get that done.

To be accepted, I had to submit images of artwork to be considered, and I had to give sizes, dimensions and medium for each piece. Some pieces may be sold and if that is something I wish to do, I need to come up with prices. They asked for complete artist information as well as Artist Statement. A brochure will be made up with all of this information to be given that evening. It is a meal and fashion show and art show. Sounds wonderful to me, AND we are encouraged to go PINK!!!

If you are interested in attending or finding out more about the event, you can look at http://www.averathinkpink.org/and search for Paint the Night Pink Event.

“River of Tears”

9”x19” Acrylic by Carol Childress. After losing my mother to cancer, I indeed did cry this “river of tears”. My artwork took on the mask of sorrow, but I find it interesting that even in the darkness, the sorrow and the tears, hope springs eternal in my paintings. See the new spring flowers budding near the top? Life goes on.

Photograph - "Outside the Lines"- No one can be expected to conform to the ways, the thinking, the feelings of anyone else, and I am trying to portray that all kinds of people make up this world and each one is individual in his/her own way!

"Pansies"-Photograph
Purple Pansies were one of my mama's favorites! I think of her daily, but small things nudge me into thinking of her even when I am not. In some of my favorite scripture, it says: "Look at the lilies. They do not worry. They do not toil or spin, yet Solomon in all of his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Who of you have added even one minute to your lives by worrying?" Mama always said, "Life goes on" and so it does....the pansies continue to grow.

"Hiding My Shame"- Acrylic Painting by Marissa Childress
So happy and honored to include this piece by MY DAUGHTER this year!

More Paintings

2011-08-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Mini Murals

2011-08-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Paintings

2011-08-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Watercolors

2011-07-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

2011-07-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

This is a "re-do" for my brother. He moved into a new office and needed a painting to match. The framing was already done and the surface was there, I just painted a new picture.

Welcome Miss Finley!

2011-04-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Bourbon Street

2011-04-06T18:52:00.001-07:00

I painted this street scene for our prom this weekend. We are going to the Mardi Gras! The color scheme is crazy and outlandish, but students will enter a world of black and white only. Pictures will be posted real soon so you can get a better idea of how this painting will be used. The painting is actually done as 2 separate pieces on 2 4x8 foot sheets of plywood. Big job....feels great to be done! Thank you, Birdo for hanging these for us!

New Projects

2011-04-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun photographing this pretty little white dress-

Photograph with dress worn by model ,Braylyn-

Birthday card for Braylyn's 3rd Birthday-

I even painted a picture of the dress. I used a painting knife and added some sparkles. It is on a 2" thick stretcher and around the edges, I wrote, "I hope you dance"!

LETTER PHOTO ART

2011-01-21T11:40:00.000-08:00

I have been taking photos of things in the world that resemble the shapes of letters. I have tried many ways to make these work, having difficulty finding frames in the sizes needed, so I have made them into plaques instead of framed pieces with glass. This makes it easier as I can make the photos any size needed as well as making the plaques any size necessary for the length of the name. Most of these will set on a shelf, but hooks could be attached to allow them to be hung if that is more desirable. Do you see letters in your world???

Backdrops

2011-01-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Sandy at "Expressions by Sandy" hired me to paint a backdrop for her business. I was so pleased and honored when I saw model, Tara, using it for some of her Senior Picture shots!
Looking good Tara!

Marissa's Musings!

2010-12-03T11:30:00.001-08:00

I was invited to show some of my work at a breast cancer awareness and fundraiser in October called "Paint the Night Pink". I came home with stories and explanations about some of the paintings. My daughter, Marissa went along with me to pick up my work following the show. Many of the pieces were already taken down, but her interest was raised as she realized how art can be used to tell a story and not be simply for something pretty to hang on a wall.

In the days following, she found a page from a magazine, again dealing with breast cancer. Just for fun, we placed her hand beneath the photo and snapped a picture. That lead her to her current painting. Notice how the ordinary beautiful colors of ones life take a turn toward the dark side on the side affected by breast cancer! I am so proud of her, November Art Student of the Month, dear daughter, and wonderful painter!!!

New name painting

2010-12-03T11:23:00.001-08:00

I had already made a Name Painting using the letters of his name for Joshua when he was born, so for baptism, I made another painting. It simply has the letter "J" in the colors of his room. I added the date of his baptism, Seeds of Faith Church, and some of the words to the song I sang for his special day. "God knows you by name! May you grow up to serve Him all of your days. May He lead you and guide you in all of your ways."

Masterpiece

2010-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

I painted this picture for a Childrens' Sermon at our church. I painted while the song, "Paint Your Picture" was playing!

New Store Sign

2010-11-29T04:49:00.001-08:00

Wildcat Pride

2010-11-27T19:00:00.001-08:00

Paint the Night Pink

2010-10-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to enter some of my works into a special showing at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls. It is called, "Paint the Night Pink Art Showcase and Fashion Show" and it is a fundraiser for the Avera Cancer Institute to be held on October 22nd. It has been quite a process to get ready, to enter, and to be chosen. I do many pieces, finish very few and frame even fewer, as many are just put in a closet. I would like to try to sell some of my pieces, but have not found the avenue to get that done.

To be accepted, I had to submit images of artwork to be considered, and I had to give sizes, dimensions and medium for each piece. Some pieces may be sold and if that is something I wish to do, I need to come up with prices.They asked for complete artist information as well as Artist Statement. A brochure will be made up with all of this information to be given that evening. It is a meal and fashion show and art show. Sounds wonderful to me! AND we are encouraged to go PINK!!!

If you are interested in attending or finding out more about the event, you can look at http://www.averathinkpink.org/and search for Paint the Night Pink Event.

Another option is to contact Larry Crane at 605-271-9877 or larry@perspective-inc.com

I just made this in October, specifically thinking of cancer and the journey with my mom. It is called "River of Tears". The blue through the middle is my "river" and if you look closely at the bottom, you will see the tears. As in many of my pieces, toward the top, you will see regrowth and life after the sorrow!

My precious preemie grandsons were born 2 lbs. 3 oz and 2 lbs. 14 oz. Exactly at the time Mom was nearing the end of her life, these two were fighting to live, and live they have! They are soon to be 6 and in Kindergarten!

"Rejoice Always"- a collage of photos of Braylyn and a flowergirl dress she tried on!

"Tulips" in the courtyard at my school. It is not such an "institution" as some may think.

Taken at a nursing home as I visited. This woman was in her room swaying her arms to the music playing on her TV. I asked her if she should sing with me. She sang every word of every song in her book of songs with large print. She is singing to the Lord-my life verse, Psalm 104:33. I will sing to the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

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The pieces above were NOT chosen, but I did have 3 pieces chosen to be entered into the event. I am pleased and honored to have been chosen.

The pieces I will have on display at "Paint the Night Pink"are pictured below:

This is an original photograph backed with handmade paper in an 8x10 frame
It began with a flowergirl dress hanging in my hallway.

Watercolor 17x24" I take pictures of tulips. I paint tulips. They live on in my work long after the blossoms fade and fall.

Acrylic Painting, "Life Goes On" 17x23"
Many of my pieces have this dark, dark time and then the regrowth. Here, the renewal energy comes from bubbles or flowers or blossoms....you may choose what you believe they may be!

My statement follows:

It is my belief that an artist cannot know who he will reach with his work. The artist cannot know what his work may mean to those who are being healed, those who are suffering fear, loss or sorrow, as well as those who are experiencing immeasurable joy! The artist can only create, offering what they can to the journey. We can each walk through life without seeing, without looking at the details, the words, the colors, the pictures….or we can stop a while and look, listen, reflect and enjoy. I believe that through paintings and photos, one can travel more easily through this journey of life we are all traveling. Pictures touch human behavior, feelings, ideas, sorrows and joys. I have learned to be so observant, to not just look, but really SEE! I am so blessed by this gift each day, and I believe it is a gift made to be shared. –Carol Childress

Baby Names

2010-09-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

It seems that just about all I have time to do is teach students all day, attend Marissa's games, go to bible study, help with the grandkids, clean house, do dishes and laundry, cook and maybe sleep a little.....not much time to paint. I was getting so far behind on these gifts and orders, and I am proud to say I got 5 done in the last few days! I am still behind but going in the right direction!

I even got a little bit of fun painting in today!

Altered

2010-05-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Tree painting

2010-05-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

I have been obsessed with trees lately, painting, drawing, collecting...

I hope you Dance!

2010-05-05T19:37:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed some photo editing today!

I had some fun painting a 3 dimensional canvas with Braylyn's flower girl dress this week.

I wrote around the edges, "I hope you DANCE!"

My inspiration...the dress she will not wear, but hangs beautifully on the hanger in my hallway!

Preschool mural

2010-04-12T19:23:00.001-07:00

This mural is in our Preschool room at West Lyon. My daughter, Marissa, painted the ABC letters and the swirls. I added the pictures that start with each letter.

C is for Calvin

K is for Kavian

Some of the students willing to enter the "line up"

Last Day of School- Goodbye. We will miss you!

Next stop....Kindergarten-
Z is for Zipper.....The End!

Paintings

2010-03-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

I found this painting I had done in high school- not sure my emotional state at the time!

Another painting done in high school-

In progress-a new wall for the art room-

A painting done completely with a painting knife- no brush at all!

My painting completed this week using up odds and end of paint left over from my students-
Looks like my life is in turmoil-

Time to Paint

2010-03-05T10:42:00.001-08:00

Painting felt so wonderful last week with the children. I decided to do another one....think I have spring flowers on my mind. Thankful for the sunshine this week!

Art Show

2010-03-04T19:45:00.001-08:00

Our school recently hosted a fine arts evening. The elementary, junior high and high school bands played, a wonderful meal was served, and the junior high and high school art students had the opportunity to show their work to the community. I decided to set up some tables and allow the guests to see some of the artists in action. A couple of students showed their drawing skills, one student showed hand building in clay, and I set up a watercoloring station. My original plan was just to demonstrate and have the guests observe, but it soon became evident that the children were more than eager to get their hands on the "hands-on". I invited the children to make something out of clay, and to try watercoloring! It was a huge success and I have plans to do it again next year!

The finished watercolor by me and a dozen (more or less) assistants!

Iowa mural

2010-02-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

More babies

2010-02-06T21:19:00.001-08:00

Isabelle

2010-01-07T23:17:00.001-08:00

Miami

2010-01-07T22:16:00.000-08:00

Jonah

2009-12-16T21:10:00.000-08:00

Fall Photography

2009-11-25T00:01:00.001-08:00

Photography

2009-10-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

McKensey-Freshman Photos

Larchwood, Ia City Park These are the very same 2 photos, just cropped and colorized to change the look of the season-

3 Photos taken in Rock Rapids, Ia

How beautiful is the world if only we take the time to see!!!

Cooper, Gabe and Princess Isabel

2009-10-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Baby Watercolors

2009-08-16T09:39:00.001-07:00

I make these for gifts or for sale. They are watercolor and ink, and I put a single mat on them, with the finished size 11"x14", ready for you to add your own frame and glass.I charge $30 for these and I can add the child's name, date of birth, weight, length, time, hospital, brothers and sisters names, mom and dad's names and you can request colors, bible verses, room themes....email me if you have a request.

Caleb's Bedroom

2009-07-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Tyler's Store

2009-07-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

I painted this mural to show the Long Line's coverage area-

I painted the store windows to draw attention from the street.

Painting at Trudy's

2009-06-25T13:33:00.001-07:00

After re-doing the walls using paint and tissue paper, I painted these words above 2 windows, above the door and above the mirror.

This Sisters saying was painted in a bedroom.

Heidi's house

2009-06-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

Heidi's little daughter, Julia's room----lots of grass and animals and butterflies and flowers and bible verses.

This is painted above the bar in the family room

Church Nursery

2009-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Photos of Artwork

2009-06-04T19:48:00.000-07:00

mural for the twins

watercolor of the plant in the Beloit house

watercolor after visiting San Francisco

pencil drawing

colored pencil drawing of my boys

abstract watercolor

ink drawing

mixed media

watercolor

pencil portrait

my dark period

Acrylic painting from high school!!!! YES!

Show the emotion of joy with no symbols and no words.

Summer Paintings

2009-04-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

Boys' playroom mural.

Baby Girls' Bedroom

Boys' Bedroom

I just finished this one up today. It is in the school library!

Happy Earth Day

2009-04-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

In honor or Earth Day, I am showing some of my artistic recycling. I am a collage artist, putting bits and pieces of recycled materials together into these handmade books. I enjoy recycling, reusing and renewing things into meaningful treasures. I often give these books as gifts for birthdays, or in this case, I created 8 books, packed with meaningful tidbits and treasures as Christmas gifts to my 8 brothers and sisters. After losing Mom a few years ago, I have become more attached to things, and meanings, and family, and life, and memories...and treasures. Take a look at some of my treasures. The photos ended up with the last post, so they are directly below this. Enjoy!

Sharing my gift

2009-03-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

Surf's Up

My newest mural painted for a teenage girl looking forward to summer!

This was so much fun and some of my favorite colors to paint!

Finished this up this weekend-a request from Vonda-her Dad liked to watch the hummingbirds!

Watercolor and ink "For Tyson"

"The deep blue sea spoke to me.
It was holding back a mystery.
A dolphin took me by the hand
It wanted me to understand
that in life there is more to behold
than bags of money and pots of gold.
Believe in yourself and you will see
How happy and free you were meant to be."

Topiary I painted for a school play-

Fun painting for Prom theme...."Evening in Paris"

Wildcat Mural

2009-03-07T23:11:00.000-08:00

Just finished today. The paint is still fresh! Gotta love West Lyon Wildcats!!!

Request for Proposal

2009-02-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

Football mural - painting here is about 4ft x 8 ft

He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his handsand his head and his heart is an artist.
- St. Frances of Assisi

Photo- "Missing Grandma"

2-21-08
Art Selection Review Committee:
I have waited for the news in the waiting room. I have rejoiced. I have cried. I have been down the road of sorrow. I have traveled the road to healing. I have said good-bye to my best friend, my role model, my mother. She was diagnosed with stage 4, inoperable, untreatable cancer. My family showed the greatest love and honor as we cared for her for 5 short months. During that time, and since then, I have used my creativity as a means of dealing with this loss. Many of my images evoke memories of our childhood, and many of my images have a Christian meaning. If I can help someone along the road, I am blessed.

It is my belief that artwork can help the journey to healing. The artist cannot know who he will reach with his work. The artist cannot know what his work may mean to those awaiting treatment, those who are being treated, cured, healed, renewed, and those who are suffering fear, loss or sorrow. The artist can only create, offering what they can to the journey. We can each walk through life without seeing, without looking at the details, the words, the colors, the pictures….or we can stop a while and look, listen, reflect and enjoy. I believe that through my paintings and photos, one can travel more easily through “life’s transformations” with grace. One can use art images to express their own thoughts, observations, and emotions through a visual language of color, texture, form and light. Pictures touch human behavior, physical needs, sociological dynamics….how we make ourselves comfortable and can be comforted.

If a patient, physician, family member or visitor can be given any rest, reprieve or enjoyment from my work, I will be richly blessed. I am honored at the gifts I have been given by our Father, the Great Physician, and I am repaid time and time again as I share this gift with others. My most enjoyable means of expression has been in the painting of murals, especially children’s murals. I enjoy having others watch in amazement and the smiles that are soon to follow as images appear on once void walls. My most recent mural is the entire "John Deere" farm, and the children watched, helped, and kept telling me what they would like. "We need a dog and a doghouse, and a barn, and a silo, and round bales, and a tractor, and black cows, and 'sheeps', and chickens, and a pail and a shovel, and trees, and a windmill.......". They loved everything I put into the work.

I have a BA in art education K-12 and have been teaching 7-12 art education at West Lyon Community School for 23 years. I have been painting for others in their homes for many years. I have painted the entire Lord's Prayer around a dining room, created a "brick wall" behind a stove, made sewer pipes look like marble columns for a school play, painted "vines" up massive columns around a bathtub, stenciled "The fruits of the spirit" around the entire kitchen in our church, painted butterflies and vines and verses in the nursery, "Jesus said, let the little children come unto me". I can really do just about anything. Just ask.

Thanks for viewing my sampling of work and for this opportunity to share my work with you. God’s richest blessings as you continue this journey towards the completion of your facility.

Carol Childress
West Lyon Secondary Art Instructor
1937 Elmwood Avenue
Alvord, IA 51230
605-212-4233
712-473-2453
chilfarm3@alliancecom.net
cchildress@west-lyon.k12.ia.us
http://artbycarolchil.blogspot.com/

Examples of Murals Completed

Mural- Lauren Grace's Room

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Mural - Coffee Kitchen-4 walls

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Production painting-Drama

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Mural - Gates

Mural - Sun

Mural - Learn

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Mural - 3 walls-Spongebob

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Mural - Boys' Farm

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Mural - Adison's Room

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Mural - Success

Mural-Art is Life

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Acrylic Paintings

"Beyond the Sunset"

"Dainty Pinks"

"Cycle of Life"

"Street in San Francisco"

"Toward the Light"
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Photography

Photo-"Frosty Morning"

Photo-"Remnants of Love"

Photo-"Wreath"

Photo-"For Everything There is a Season"

Photo-"Held"

Photo-"Final Christmas"

Photo-"Angelic"

Photo -"Walk With Me"

Photo-"Hand in Hand"

Photo-"At the Beach"

Photo-"The Boys"

Photo-"The Boys II"

Photo-"Family Ties"

Photo-"Grandmothers"

Photo-"Paying Tribute"

Photo-"Favorite"

Photo-"Love my Babies"

Photo-"Tulips 1"

Photo "Tulips 2"

Photo - "Tulips 3"

Photo-"Tulips 4"

Photo-"Mother and Child

Photo-"Time with Grandpa"

Photo-"Missing Mother

Photo-"Memories"

Photo-"Treasure"

Photo-"Beacon"

Photo-"Baby Blue"

Photo-"Klondike 1"

Photo- "Klondike 2"

Photo-"Klondike 3"

Photo- "Klondike 4"

Photo-"Klondike 5"

Photo-"Behind the Mask"

Photo-"Trees 1"

Photo-"Trees 2"

Photo-"Rubies"

Photo-"Mom's Garden 1"

Photo-"Mom's Garden 2"

Photo-"Mom's Garden 3"

Photo-"Night Fire"

Photo-"Old Pump"

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Ink Drawing-with song lyrics, "Carry Me" by Marc Schultz

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Watercolor Samples-I could write and watercolor any word you would like-

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