The CrowZone Caroline’s News and Muse Blog

Addio Ratso.....

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:03:42 +0200

This day our Dear Jack Russell Terrier Ratso (aka Ratty, Rat Bastard and Rascal) was laid to rest under a cypress tree, here in the garden of our home in Tuscany.
It was with great sadness and loss that we had to say goodbye to our companion. Words simply cannot express the magnitude of presence Dear Ratty had in our lives... images will have to suffice: We have constructed a collection of photos, paintings and films in honour of him to and all the wonderful memories we have experienced together: Ratso’s Homage.

Ratso came into our lives when we adopted him eight years ago... he was at the age of seven, and already a “senior” dog. He immediately made himself a part of our little “pack” as we took him on all our travels (except for the UK & Hawaii which have quarantines) and he fit right in the groove of our lifestyle.

An exceptional creature and Muse.. Rest in Peace, Ratso... but with your Terrier spirit run in fields and forests forever...

London Exhibition! at Graham Fine Art

Tue, 11 May 2010 15:14:52 +0200

My most recent Solo Exhibition took place in London at Graham Fine Art last Sunday. It was a private and invitation-only show to introduce me to the gallery’s best clients and collectors of my work. The works consisted of my latest paintings of Tuscany and Provence.

Many thanks to Gallery owner, Graham Powell, and his “Team” Leo and Kay, for a wonderful presentation and a successful event! Scroll down for photos of the reception.

To view the entire collection, please go to Graham Fine Art.

“Gautier” painting wins Top Awards!

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:20:49 +0200

My oil painting of Absinthe Drinker “Eduardo Gautier” won the Merit Award, Best in Figurative Paintings AND the one of the Jury’s “Top Sixty” at the Salon International Exhibit this weekend. The annual juried show opened on April 10 at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. The piece was selected by judge Everett Raymond Kinstler as the best in the Figurative Painting category out of 386 juried entries. Jurors for the exhibit awarded 60 of their favorites from over 1,300 entries. Click here to view the entire exhibit.

“Eduardo Gautier” represents the exciting energy behind all those involved in my husband John Charles Jopson’s film project, The Absinthe Drinkers. The setting for the painting was created in my studio, Atelier Il Corvo Di Loro in Tuscany.
Many thanks to Production Designer Mirco Rocchi, for costumes and props, and of course tanti grazie to our model for “Gautier”, Actor Gaetano Guarino.

“Eduardo Gautier” is available for purchase through the Greenhouse Gallery.

Update May 1, 2010: “Eduardo Gautier” has been sold.

First signs of Spring in Tuscany

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:42:31 +0100

Spring has sprung in Tuscany... finalmente! after many months of rain and unusual amounts of snow, all of Tuscany & Tuscans are energized by the arrival of warm weather. The landscape is exploding with life and fields with grasses and flowers. These photos were taken last week on St Patrick’s day... as John and I were scouting a location for The Absinthe Drinkers Film.
We met our Production Designer, Mirco Rocchi at the beautiful Villa Castelletti near Firenze. I was stunned in amazement at this field of wild anemones and buttercups. Inspirations for my next paintings?

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Monsieur Gautier Goes to Texas!

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:05:49 +0100

“Eduardo Gautier”, one of the many paintings I have created in preparation for the independent film “The Absinthe Drinkers” has been accepted into Salon International 2010. A juried exhibition “Seeking to Promote Artistic Excellence” by the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, Gautier was selected out of over 1400 entries. He will be considered for the Best in Show award of $8,000 and over $30,000 in prize awards. The show is sponsored by the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas and will run from April 9-30.

Gallery McCollum February Show

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:24:11 +0100

Thirty new paintings were revealed on Saturday February 27th at the opening of my annual Winter Solo Show in Laguna Beach. Despite the rains, it was a wonderful and festive evening. A fine end to our winter in California as I flew off to Tuscany the next day! Click here to view paintings.

New Paintings at the District Gallery, Park City, Utah

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:38:14 +0100

Road Trip to Park City Utah! Beautiful weather allowed us an easy drive from Laguna Beach to deliver 23 paintings to the new District Gallery on Ironhorse Drive.
Opening reception was on Friday, 12th of February and was a great kick off to my first show with this gallery. Owner Karen Alvarez brings a great energy to this new venue... if you find yourself in Park City, stop by and take a look!

Winter Inspirations

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:36:25 +0100

January of 2010 finds us in the mountains of California, where have arrived again in my winter studio at Mammoth Lakes.
I am currently busy painting for upcoming shows at the District Gallery in Park City & Gallery McCollum, Laguna Beach in February. My sister & brother-in-law Peggy & Mickey Munoz joined us this weekend to distract me from my work & give my right hand a rest... we found excellent snow on the Hill, with major storms coming in as I post this.

Update: Its the 23rd of January and Mammoth Mountain has received 8 feet of new snow! John and I have had a great week of powder turns... and managed to get out yesterday for a beautiful snowshoe hike with Ratso in between storms.

“Villa Dei Pini” CoMission Completed

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:38:04 +0100

This morning in the studio, I signed it off. It took me a little over two months to complete this magnificent painting for a Victoria Beach home. All of 52”x84”, I’ve been fortunate to be able to paint this commissioned piece in the studio here in Tuscany, a space large enough to accommodate the creation of such a painting.

Now it needs to dry before I ship it off to California, where it will be stretched, framed and installed later this month. A truly authentic Tuscan painting for a wonderful home!

If you are interested in commissioning a painting, please click here.

Fall Walkies in Bella Toscana

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:55:09 +0100

November’s cold beginning has changed once again to balmy days, making for the perfect autumn color conditions. The vines this year are stunning...the best I have seen in years. Smiles all over the contadine’s faces as the sun has made for pleasant weather to continue the olive harvest.

We decided it was too beautiful a day to stay indoors, so John & I took Ratty up to the chestnut forests above Loro for a mid-day passagiata. Gorgeous Light... the fresh autumn air & sunlight perked up Little Ratty, who’s gimpiness from a degenerated sciatic nerve has progressively gotten worse. He managed well today, eager to carry on...when it was time to turn around, he didn’t want to quit. Who can blame him: a day like this you just want to last forever.

Fresh paintings delivered to Graham Fine Art in London

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

New Caroline Zimmermann’s for Graham Fine Art!

Provencal poppies and lavender, Tuscan landscapes... Sunflower portraits. Its an exciting venue and I love working with Gallery Owner Graham; his Team: Kay and Leo. When in London’s Crouch End please stop by! www.GrahamFineArt.com

Autumn in Tuscany

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:45 +0100

A gorgeous autumn here in Tuscany. Soon after the vendemmia, or grape harvest, a little cold snap has frosted the vines. Trees are turning their various shades of gold and auburn as chestnuts are being rounded up from the forests above Loro and ground in the ancient mill into flour. The contadine are preparing with great anticipation for the olive harvest. Fresh olive oil! I can’t wait! This season is excellent for painting, and beautiful works are emerging from my studio...

Ratso gets Acupuncture

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:36:57 +0200

Ratso’s gammy leg was getting worse. He’s too old for surgery, so we opted for acupuncture treatment by Dr. Caroline Goulard. She makes house calls which greatly reduces the stress.
More at Dr Goulard’s Blog.

Swell Girls: Caroline featured in Laguna Beach mag article on women surfers

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 12:47:47 +0200

“Laguna’s women of the waves.” After all these years, I am truly honored to be included as a Local Laguna surfer...read about my first impressions of Laguna Beach and learning how to surf at Thalia Street. Included are interviews of Legends Marge Calhoun and Joyce Hoffman, pro surfer & mom Alissa Schwartzstein and 16 year old surf champ Taylor Pitz. Read the full article here

See and read more about Caroline Zimmermann’s surfing and modeling, and her tropical paintings.
Surf, Sea, and Tropical Paintings

Provence - June 2009: In Search of Sunflowers, Lavender and Rosé

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:14:06 +0200

Villefranche, Luberon, Lourmarin, Cucuron, and Goult.

Why not dash off to Provence and chase the Lavender Light? End of June... It was a perfect get-away (from Tuscany?) the weather excellent & the light brilliant. Sunflower fields bursting forth with radiant color...
and the Lavender fields just beginning to bloom... to capture their color before the blossoms are harvested... its all timing, luck and of course collaborating with nature.

Days of scouting for locations were greatly rewarded with fabulous dinners in Villefranche, Lourmarin & Goult. The Bandol Rose, the Chateau Neuf du Pape... the Cote du Rhones, and many memorable meals. A Sante!

Walter Foster Publishing releases the Caroline Zimmermann Oil Painting Kit

Mon, 11 May 2009 19:18:41 +0200

Professional materials and step-by-step instruction for the aspiring artist. Having authored numerous books for Walter Foster, the arts books publisher has now released this instruction book for beginners by Caroline Zimmermann. “This kit provides aspiring artists with an ideal starting point for learning the age-old art of oil painting. Inside, artists will find a 40-page guide with projects by artist Caroline Zimmermann, who breaks down her painting process into approachable steps. The book features everything from a tropical beach and a European street to a bouquet of roses—something to suit the taste of every artist. The kit also contains paints, a palette, brushes, and canvas paper, providing artists with the perfect beginner’s art set.”
• Features a 40-page guide with clear instructions each step of the way
• Showcases the rich, warm, painterly style of artist Caroline Zimmermann
• Includes high-quality art materials, from a set of oil paints to a selection of bristle brushes
Hardcover kit with 40-page paperback instruction book, 11" x 11" x 2.25." Includes a 40-page guidebook, 10 oil paints (6cc), linseed oil, 2 paintbrushes, wooden palette, and a palette knife.
See it at www.walterfoster.com