Apollo 4 with Moon Size:  230 x 405 (9 x 16 in) Medium:  Acrylic Support:  Canvas Notes:  Painting knife This work started with me doing tests on various canvas stretching techniques followed by different variations of gesso application. Not wanting to waste a canvas, despite the wear of experimentation, I opted to interpret one of my favorite NASA photos of the sexiest rocket (missile, actually) ever. As the size was 9 x 16, which is uncommon for art but matches the HD television ratio, this image was well suited for a less square-ish canvas than usual. Since I'd just finished a realism canvas done with brushwork, I wanted to again play with painting knives. Except for the aforementioned gesso applications, there was no brushwork on this painting. A consequence was that the texture made photographing this very problematic, but that was eventually solved. Many images by CJ Carter are ready for purchase in a variety of formats: prints, canvas prints, phone cases, and so much more. Help support this site and the artist by dropping by the store and getting gifts for yourself, for family, and friends.

View From the Stone Doorway Size:  510 x 405 mm (20 x 16 in) Medium:  Acrylic Support:  Canvas Notes:  This started as another heavily treed landscape. Not satisfied with that, I added some distant mountains to give some context and interest. More important was the addition of the doorway. I wanted this to feel like something tangible and to give the viewer a bit of context of being there instead of just looking at a painting. What could have been a generic landscape is now a a place where stories are born. Many images by CJ Carter are ready for purchase in a variety of formats: prints, canvas prints, phone cases, and so much more. Help support this site and the artist by dropping by the store and getting gifts for yourself, for family, and friends.

Saturn V Stage Sep Size:  61 x 40.5 cm (16 x 24 in) Medium:  Acrylic Support:  Stretched canvas Notes:  — This represents the moment when the Saturn V's first stage F-1 engines cut-out and the explosive detonate to separate the S-IC (first stage) from the S-IC/S-II interstage. One of the key events is the four pairs of retro-rockets normally hidden under the engine fairings firing to keep the stages from unintentionally crashing into each other (it happens). I love the Saturn V. When I decided to move from applying acrylics primarily with an airbrush to a "hairy stick" (AKA a brush), it seemed a good choice. Well...yes and no. The subject matter certainly held my attention and pushed me through the learning curve. A big part of that curve was just trying to keep my paints workable for a useful length of time. It was a time of a lot of experimentation with paints, additives, palettes, etc. When I look at the finished piece, I'm always surprised that it came out as well as it did. Because of the difficulties, I always remember it as not being as good. Don't get me wrong, this is hardly a gallery piece, but it will always have a welcome spot in my heart. Many images by CJ Carter are ready for purchase in a variety of formats: prints, canvas prints, phone cases, and so much more. Help support this site and the artist by dropping by the store and getting gifts for yourself, for family, and friends.