Antiques on Shelf

4" x 6" original watercolor
click here to view eBay auction

A classic still life in my style.
A shelf filled with objects, a shaker box,
funnels, a jug... some good shadows.

I managed to get in a bike ride between rain
drops this morning. Never did clear up enough
to get my wet tent out of the van. Hopefully
tomorrow is clear. Other than a few quick errands
I painted all day. I have a large commission I
need to get moving on, it will be due in a few weeks.
I wanted to get through track so I could give it my
undivided attention. I am now out of excuses and
need to start!

Sunset

6" x 4" original watercolor
click here to view eBay auction

Replicating and interpreting a sunset
especially one filled with color as this one,
has been a passion of mine. The subtle
changes in yellow to orange against the
purple, overwashed with thalo blue, make
this watercolor team with life. Notice how
I've taken all the hues in the sky and echoed
them in the lake below. I have created a "sky"

tapestry to guide you into the setting sun.
Marvelous...sunsets are a gift from God.
I placed a clear satin non-yellowing polymer

over this painting.You may not be able to see
in the photo but it gives a finish similar to
an oil painting.

We returned home about 8:30 last night, damp
and tired. It was another rainy day and we both
had had enough. So it was early to bed. You would
think that after working 4 straight days outside at a show
we could take a day off. But, no... there was laundry
to wash, the van to unpack, lawn to mow, groceries to
pick up and a blog to paint...
Tomorrow I need to put up the tent and dry it all out.

Seascape

6" x 4" original watercolor
click here to view eBay auction

I am pretty sure this scene was from a little
sightseeing in Lewes, DE. It was a grey day
with fairly calm water. A large ship or barge
is in the background. I placed a clear satin
non-yellowing polymer over this painting.
You may not be able to see in the photo but it
gives a finish similar to an oil painting.

Here in Wilkes-Barre it poured all day. Not the best
conditions to sell paintings! I spent my day under my
tent trying to keep my paintings and myself dry. Very
few people ventured out. I did paint. My own grey
day influenced my blog painting today.

Home #2

4" x 6" original watercolor

contact the studio for a price: andy@andysmithartist.com

If you go back to March 5 blog you can
view the left side of this house. Today
I focused on the wonderful shadows the
huge tree throws against the brick.
This tree is a kind of homage to the big
old tree we lost at our place.

The tec world is an amazing thing. Here I am sitting
in a Ramada in Wilkes-Barre, PA writing my Thursday
blog. I am exhibiting in the Fine Arts Fiesta. We left
home at 4:30am and drove 2 hours and promptly set up
and the show ran from 11am to 8pm tonight. This painting
was my demo piece for today. This is the first time we are
using Linda's new laptop away from home. Did I say amazing!

So, I must brag. Yesterday my track kids had Leagues.
My girls took 1st. We are talking League Champions!!!
This is big!! My boys took 6th. Still respectable. I am
so proud of my kids. So if you happen to be a track buff
and want to see the results: look for Warwick or WAR
http://74.220.203.51/~bobtrump/JHCoaches.HTML
Track season is now over except for our banquet.
Linda is glad its over, life gets a tiny bit easier.

The Show:
May 15-18 Fine Arts Fiesta held in Public Square in
downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA ~ rain or shine ~ Free!
Thurs. to Sat. 11-8 and Sun 11-5
Visit the Promoters website: http://www.fineartsfiesta.org/

Contrast Study #2

5" x 5" original watercolor
contact the studio for a price: andy@andysmithartist.com

This was a good painting to watch being
painted. I started with a good sketch.
I then painted in the wood barrel on the
right and then the container on the left.
Then I worked on the floor and out the
window. When it looked good, like it might
be finished; I mixed cerelean blue,
permanent rose and paynes grey and painted
a wash over the whole painting. I dried it
very well and repeated this four times to
make the background richer. I now have
a almost fully dark room with a hint of light
from outside.

I rode my bike, I painted, I had my last track
practice of the season, I took my kids for ice cream,

back home and took my wife to the store. I even
took my painting along and worked in the coffee
shop while Linda shopped. Back home and another
half hour on my painting and now I am finally
finished. I will not get a painting done tomorrow,
there is just to much to do.

Portrait #5

6" x 4" original watercolor
contact the studio for a price: andy@andysmithartist.com

I've tried to paint more figurative work
lately; for my own personal satisfaction.
Specifically my Liberian subjects.
This subject is rich in sepias, sienna's and
deep crimson; creating a splendid complexion.
The tilt of her head and an open mouth
suggests motion, maybe finishing a sentence.
I used color in her dress to get away from
the monochromatic tone of the composition.

Things have a way of working out. We, (Linda) found
a substitute weekend caretaker for my Mom; now
Linda can go along to my show this weekend. So we
took care of what was in our control now it is just the
weather that is out of our control! It is nice that after
30 years Linda is still willing to sit in the rain at a show
with me!

If you get a chance, scroll down and read the comments
written for the Cabinet Door with Apple. I loved them!

Sunset over Landscape...

6" x 4" original watercolor
contact the studio for a price: andy@andysmithartist.com

Sunset has always been a favorite time
of day for me. I love it. The sky seems
to create; with the help of the light from
the setting sun; a beautiful mural.
I have tried to recreate one of these special
moments in watercolor.

We were home this weekend for the last on for several
weeks So we packed it full. All day Saturday was spent
helping with the big Post Office food drive at out local
food bank. Then we met friends for dinner and a movie.
We went to see the documentary "Young at Heart"
It was absolutely fabulous. I highly recommend it. Sunday,
Mothers day was quiet. Linda received a beautiful bouquet
of flowers from Abbey and Ben and Rashetta called from
Sacramento, so she was happy. Linda spent most of her day
in her garden quietly and happily by herself I have no idea
what she does out there! I took off for a 40 mile bike ride.
It will be hectic next week. My Moms caretaker broke her
foot and cannot caretake for 6 weeks. So Linda may need to
stay home. My track league championships are Wednesday
and I am supposed to leave early Thursday morning for my show.
Not sure how it will all play out but I will keep you posted!

Grape Hyacinth

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

Grape Hyacinth from my wife's garden. Much
harder to paint than it appears. Their leaves
are kind of stringy and long and look messy.
But the bluish-purple flowers just pop-up.
This was not what I planned for today. Early
this morning Linda quietly laid a photo she took
from her garden on my desk. I recognize a
challenge. Just the drawing took half the day
and the painting the other half. Notice how late
I am getting this posted! I keep telling her I am
not a flower painter... she's not listening!

Comments on Cabinet Door with Apple

I have totally enjoyed the comments for this painting
and wish to share them all. Here is one I received
by email. Any others will be added...

Apple Story #2 by Eileen Nephin-Bish

Perched on his favorite chair after one of Linda's terrific meals,
Andy idly tossed a Granny Smith apple into the quiet air of the
lovely old dining room. His artistically trained eye followed its
arc as the bright green shape soared above the antique linen
press he and Linda had so faithfully restored in the early years
of their marriage. As his pitcher's hand automatically caught,
then gauged the apple's heft for another toss, he contemplated
the life he'd been so fortunate to enjoy:

The wonderful companionship of his family, the joy he felt
dancing with his wife and soul mate; the pride his talented and
lovely daughter engendered;
His tremendous luck (amidst constant challenges) at being able
to make his living doing his art;
The simple pleasure he felt letting his spirit fly while riding
through the morning air on his bike, or listening to music that
stirred his soul. His unabashed happiness at being able to
'give back': whether caring for one who needed a loving and
guiding hand; or coaching dozens of "his kids" on local track
teams -- encouraging them to do their level best and have fun
doing it -- or while entreating his art students to unleash their
natural talents and "see" with their inner artist's eye.
Yes, he was lucky. Another toss, a final successful catch --
and Andy took a bite of the delicious apple; indeed, he sighed,
I am a man fulfilled.

Cabinet Door #3

4" x 6" original watercolor
contact the studio for a price: andy@andysmithartist.com

I've painted a large number of still life
watercolors in my time and have done them
justice. But every now and then I start one, all
proper and correct and just want to go a little
crazy! Throw in an element of surprise, add
some movement. Here I have suspended an
apple in mid air. I invite you, my viewer to
create your own story as to why...

For fun, you may submit a short story in the
comments section! Linda's story is that our
cat bumped it and she took off...