Washington, DC #2

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

This was a major undertaking for such a minor
size! Not sure if the subject actually interests
anyone but I felt compelled to paint it since I
spent several days walking around it. There is
so much architectural detail, but in this size, much
is implied. I felt I could not paint a DC series
without it. If you know anyone with a DC connection
feel free to pass the blog on to them.

I painted all day except for a quick trip to the grocery store
for New Years Eve supplies. Linda is reading show
applications. That takes days and there is the pressure of
picking well or we go broke. When you see me at a show
I am kicked back lounging in my chair waiting for sales! But
there is a long process before that. Applications for 2008 have
been flooding my mail box since October. We throw them in
a box until Linda can't postpone it any longer. There is some

prep needed before starting. She has a routine not to be
messed with. There is the yellow tablet with all the weekends
in 2008 with room to place the possibilities. Tablets with each
past years schedules. The "folder" with sheets Linda fills out after
every show since the 80's! She is a bit of a "facts" nerd. Who
guessed that one! I need quality slides of my new work.
I need new work! We then need a conversation about how far

we are willing to drive. $3.09 a gallon puts a greater impact on
how much I need to sell to cover expenses. Balance that with
the fact that Linda loves traveling and is willing to go far just for
the opportunity to sight see! Now she is ready to spread out all
over a large table, places the apps in order by date. Goes on line
to do some more research and to print out the shows that no longer
mail an app and adds them to the pile. Next, she picks the first
months apps and reads each one. Looks on the map to locate the
town. Sure, I am consulted, I get asked...how many hours is it to
Flint Michigan? Or... do you think we could afford to spend the
month of February doing the Florida show circuit if we camped??
You would expect she is the level headed rational one in our
family but not when it comes to the show apps! To be continued....
Jason is having a sleepover tonight, Linda (not me!) promised he could
have one before he goes back to school. It will be a long night....

Washington, DC #1

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I spotted this gate while walking in Georgetown.
The wreath was still hanging but without a ribbon
or decorations; sort of an "after the holiday" feeling.
What attracted me was the sunlight streaming across
the white wood. I used some artistic licence and
added a blue sky. There was actually a building,
but the sky gives the impression of much more
beyond the gate.

I am back after a few days off. I did not paint over my holiday.
I helped in the kitchen and hung out with the family. We had
to drive Abbey and Ben back to DC on Christmas day so we
found a good price on a hotel, the cost of parking is a whole
different thing, no bargain there! We stayed at the Hotel
Washington with a great view of the White House and the tree.
Linda kept the curtains open all night so she could see the view.
While I did not paint, Linda designed the two days to inspire me
and give me new subjects. We spent most of the 1st day in the
Corcoran. They featured the photography of Annie Leibovitz
and Ansel Adams. Talk about inspiring! Abbey took her birthday
day off work and spent the day with us. Our beautiful daughter
turned 24. I know, I do not look like I could possibly have a 24
year old! Ben met us in the evening for a delicious dinner. The next
day we met Abbey at her Gallery http://www.nmwa.org/ and
she gave us a tour. We also got to see her new office. I can now
say that she was promoted. She has her own office with her own door
and a new title, Development Events Coordinator. What a feeling
to stand in your child's office, to know she is doing well, is employed
and is happy. To now be the parent of an adult! I am not ready!!
Anyway from there we caught a bus to Georgetown. We walked off
the main shopping streets and wandered around the homes. A feast for
my eyes, and new subjects to paint. So my plan is to paint DC for a
few days.

Holiday #16

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This painting is the Lititz Mutual Insurance
building at the square in Lititz. I was interested
in the way the steps and railing bring you up
from the shadows into the warm lights. They
have greens with lights hung around the large
entryway. It is a magnificent building and I
have painted it several times.

We are in full holiday mode here. Yesterday
was spent getting ready for Abbey and Ben to
arrive. There was cooking going on all day.
Jason was also home, the neighbor boy was over,
some of Abbey's friends stopped in; a full house.
We are still missing Rashetta from CA. Not sure her
exact plans. Tonight we took the family to the
American Music Theater and just got home.
Thank goodness I had my blog painted before we left!

Holiday #15

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

I was attracted to the angle in this painting. Several
parts making up a whole scene. There is part of a
front door, the wreath giving it the Holiday #15
title. There is part of a side porch and a glimpse
of yard and trees. But my favorite part is the reflection
in the transom. Another small part of another house.

Not a good week for pets in our household. My mother in laws
cat needed a very early morning trip to the vet. He was old and
ill but two times in one week is to much for us all. Puts a little
damper on the holiday. Linda finished baking cookies and four
pies, the house smelled like Christmas. The kids should be rolling
in tomorrow. All weekend plans are on hold till we hear their plans!
We are going to the Allen Theater in Annville to see a late night,
well... late night for us older folks! 9:30PM showing of
Charlie Wilson's War. I'll give you my review tomorrow.

Holiday #14

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

This is an entrance to the Moravian Church
in Historic Lititz, PA. The only sign of the
holiday is the wreath on the door. But the
bare tree in the foreground is what sets the
real stage, it tells you its winter and gives you
the perspective.


I finished early today. It helped that I had the sketch
done last night. Linda finished all the orders and her
desk is looking much better. She has a huge pile of show
applications to start reading through. Who knows where
we'll end up and she really loves to travel. I think she picks
shows by where she wants to sight see! I must remind her
about the price of gas or I'll find myself in Wisconsin! Not
that there is anything wrong with Wisconsin...until you do
the math! We still have some holiday purchases here waiting
to be picked up and I am expecting a flurry of sales through
the weekend so we are planning to be home. If you find
yourself in desperate need of a painting...give me a call!

Holiday #13

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

Downtown Historic Lititz, PA decorates several
blocks with these old fashioned stars made from
wood. They are placed on the gas lamps that line
the streets. I worked from a night scene to show
them glowing. This one had a huge evergreen
tree behind it so the star shows up well.

I am getting interrupted to much right now and cannot get
enough painting time. Yesterday we simply did to much
volunteering. There was a load of food to pick up for the
food bank, then while we were there I offered to take a huge
load of cardboard boxes to the recycle place. I am thinking
carrying the boxes up steep steps should equal some time on
an elliptical trainer, hence keeping me in shape without gym
fees...anyway I am trying to look at it that way. We also
worked with a boy that needs community service time so that
was another two hours. Linda needed to run a few holiday
errands so I was her driver. I squeezed a few brush strokes
in every free moment. But by 11pm last night I still did not have
it finished so it was on hold till this morning. Today was more
errands and more volunteer work, which I believe in, its what
we are meant to do,but it all comes at once. This time of year
everyone wants to donate so we have to go get it. Linda was
working at her desk all day and actually paid one of our helpers
to finish baking our cookies!
I am going to start tomorrows painting now because I take my
Mom to the foot doctor in the morning. All that going on but I
must say I am still pleased with my Holiday series of blogs. I
have been able to paint well thought out pieces with a nice variety.
I totally enjoyed the ones inspired from downtown. I have 4-5
lined up on a ledge so I get to look at them until they are sold.
Even if I managed more time I don't think I would make any changes.
Hope you also enjoy them. Feel free to right click over any painting
and set it as your computer screen saver. But tell everyone that
sees it that its my painting! Help spread the word.

Holiday #12

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

Another downtown Lititz, PA holiday painting.
Great blend of color and a little candle glow.
The greens and a ribbon mark the season.
It is amazing what you notice when you take
time to look around. Almost every town, especially
historic towns have a wonderful selection of
doors and windows. You just need to take time to look.

It was a rough day here. Our new kitty was sick
again and we had to have him put down. He had
been Linda's constant companion for two weeks.
It figures, the sweetest of the cats we own is the
that gets sick. It was the right decision but not
an easy one. It was hard to continue with the days
chores but there were two donations to the food
pantry to pick up, boxes for UPS from some last
minute shoppers and a few gifts to purchase and
of course my blog.

Holiday #11

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

This is a downtown Lititz doorway. Nice
stonework and a rich historic blue door.
Part of my quest for local holiday subjects.

Today was spent getting Linda's laptop up and
running. Her computer guru was here with his family.
I took their three kids to see the "Enchanted" movie
while the guru worked and Linda watched! He
installed a wireless thing and connected the computers.
All I know is Linda can work anywhere, anytime and
she is thrilled. I did manage to get my blog painted.
All in all, it was a great day.

Holiday #10

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

When I painted this I had Williamsburg, VA in mind.
Several years ago we spent Christmas there.
We have talked about trying to get there again this
year, but I don't think our schedule will allow it,
but it made me think. Their primary decorations
were fruit. An arrangement of greens, oranges and
lemons with a soft candle light.

A busy Saturday. I had a couple clients visit the studio
today. I painted most of the day but did squeeze in some
time to run downtown Lititz for some photos. I will
work on a decorated Lititz theme tomorrow. We have
a party to attend shortly so I need to go get cleaned up!
ho, ho, ho!!

Holiday #9

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I am told this is a Winterberry bush. Linda took
the photo from Longwood Gardens. Not exactly
holiday but the bush is loaded with red berries!

I missed yesterdays blog because I used the whole
day to finish my commission. It is done, framed, boxed
and in the mail! Now I can concentrate on my blog.
I was driving through town today and noticed some great
decorated doors. I plan to go out tomorrow to photograph
a few. Linda is mildly stressed, she informed me "we"
have not even started any Christmas shopping, and we
still don't have a tree. It feels a little different when there
are no longer children in the house. They mostly care about
the cookies at this point! They are not home long enough to
notice a tree! Linda grew up on a Christmas tree farm so
for years we went home to her Dad's for a tree. Then he sold
the farm and we had to come up with a new plan. We started
going to Elizabeth Farms in Brickerville where you ride a
horse drawn wagon to the middle of nowhere and saw your
own tree. You are paying for the whole experience. We still
did it last year because Jason was with us. Now its just the
two of us...not sure we still need the experience! But Linda
can't quite just go get a quick tree. It still has to be perfect...
We also have had this tradition of making new ornaments for
the tree each year. Somehow Linda came up with a new idea
and we all made them together. Past years get recycled some
where else in the house. I am not seeing signs of a new idea...
I will keep you posted.

Holiday #8

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I painted this building and bench before, but
thought it would be interesting to paint it in
winter with a soft blanket of snow. I like the
way the interior light creates warmth and
shadows outside. I thought I would go with a
little snow since they are calling for some in
my area.

If you know me at all you know I hate the cold
and snow. This is not my weather. I have a bad
attitude already and its only December. I cannot
ride my bike so I am not getting enough exercise.
Shoveling will not be a good substitute! We took a
teen who needed community service work to the
food pantry and put in two hours today. Linda is
baking a few cookies tonight. No excitement here.
My Mom is all worked up about the weather. She
has a doctor appointment tomorrow which I may
have to cancel for the second time. Last week
was ice. We will see...

Holiday #7

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

Shades of red. This came from the Holiday
decorations at Winterthur in DE. The large
deep windows had drapes in red stripes,
add the ribbon plus the berries and it equals
a lot of red... but not to much for the season!

I had fun painting the blog today. I did not struggle
for the idea. It came from the photos Linda took from
her weekend trip. I did not need to be there to capture
the feeling. I have been to Winterthur in the past so I am
familiar with the feel of the place. I finished in enough
time for us to go to Yoga class tonight. Yes, I do yoga,
maybe not well and it may not be pretty but I make an
attempt, it is a lot harder than it looks!

Holiday #6

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

I started looking around my own home for
objects to paint. We have this wooden 9" tree
with a red heart. I thought it looked nice paired
with a miniature jug. It has a good balance of
color.


I had a productive bachelors weekend. Just me
and the cats hanging out together! I worked
diligently on my commission. Diligently because
the weather was to ugly to ride bike! Linda is
back home from her girls weekend to Chadds Ford.
Its back to work in the studio for her in the morning.

Holiday #5

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

This is my fifth Holiday painting. While my
hand is painting my mind has been trying to
focus on the season, quietly and subtly. I want
you to feel it as I do. You just know it is cold out
that window! But inside is the warmth of a hot
drink and presiding over all is the star...
I wish you a happy season.

Its Friday, that always means grocery shopping for my
Mom and a few errands. But I mostly concentrated
on my painting. Kitty update: he is doing very well.
No one expected him to make it. Although I need to
give him his pills by myself this weekend. My fingers
are to big so neither of us is happy about that!
Linda is all excited, she is going on her annual girls
weekend with her good friend Bonnie. They have
been girl friends since they were 17. That's a very long
friendship. They are headed to Chadds Ford. A spa
treatment, Chadds Ford Winery's open house, Longwood
Gardens and Winterthur. If you know Linda you know
I have her itinerary! I hope they have a wonderful time.
There is snow on our roads so I will not be out on my bike.
I guess I will put my "wife free" weekend to good use...
I have a commission that must be finished and I plan to
have the studio open for any clients venturing my way.
Come visit and keep me company!
You can also find a few of my original
paintings hanging in The Framing Concept Gallery in
Lancaster, PA http://www.theframingconcept.com/

Holiday #4

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I went with a holiday interior today. While
I am trying to stick to holiday themes I find
ways to please myself...OK, maybe I should
say amuse myself.

Night time - so I could get a big full moon in!
I can justify it because it offers a lightsource
streaming into the room. I added a dog
with a big red bow, a sort of homage to the
one I keep begging for! It makes you wonder
if he is the family pet or a gift...
I was thinking gift!

The life of an artist gets even more hectic during
the Holidays. I have decorating duties. Not that
I do any decorating, but the task to fetch and carry.
Several heavy boxes must be brought up from the
buried depths of the basement. I had to repair
and hang the Moravian star. And my biggest job
is to drive away the bah-humbugs that attack Linda!
Today I picked up my yearly supply of cardboard.
I had the pleasure of picking up Linda's new laptop.
It is a gift to her but it really is so she can keep up with
business when we travel. I think the screen is larger
than our first TV! Another load of orders went to UPS.
And I managed to paint. Actually I started this yesterday
and did not get it finished. So it becomes a painting
in 2 days not a painting a day!

Holiday #3

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I thought some falling snow would help with
the spirit of things. The snow was inspired
from the flurries we had here in Lititz,
PA yesterday. Notice the great color in the
sky, that was inspired by today's interesting
sky. If we just pay attention, there is inspiration
all around us.

We are still dealing with a sick kitty. It has us
both a bit frazzled. I have a Christmas commission
I am trying to get a sketch worked out. Took
some paintings into a gallery in Lancaster, PA for
a group show. I will share the info in a few days.
It is encouraging to see some bidding going on for
the blog paintings. Makes me feel like I am painting
with a purpose. I am grateful.

Holiday #2

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

A night time scene. Moon glow, stars...
A little holiday spirit. I'm working it!!

Holiday #1

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I am using the word Holiday to be politically correct
but you know I really mean Christmas! I plan to add
holiday themed paintings over the next few weeks.
I went through some of my old photos hunting for
something that moved me. I found an old barn with
a tree propped against the door. Its a start!

I need to go on a subject hunt. If you have a personal
holiday photo; landscape or still life, that I may use
for subject, email it to me. I need inspiration or it
could get ugly!!

Doorway

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

We do a lot of historical sightseeing where you
are exploring one building, exiting and walking
to another. It may feel a little off center, just my
little quirkiness, I didn't want all straight lines
and this is how I saw it. There is an intriguing
perspective in this and I hope I conveyed it to you.
Almost two separate paintings. I am placing you
inside looking out. There is a dark colder feeling
interior, the gate on the right so you
cannot walk into a room. A stone floor and a wide
old door. Then you get an exterior view. Warmth
from the sun, brick (my speciality!) encasing
another door. I hope you continue to explore
with me...

It has been hectic here. Lots of errands to run, some good things
like orders to take to UPS. The new kitty was sick so there
was a trip to the vet, he needed special food so now there is
a trip to the pet store. Nothing different than what each of you
goes through but it eats into my painting time. On the fun side
I bought myself an Ipod. After a night of reading the directions
and realizing the technology or the explanation was over my head
I called in one of my favorite kids. I think of him as a kid although
he is early 20's. Sad I know, but I needed help. A couple
clicks and he has music on it. He claimed its easy and I should be
able to do it now myself. I am thinking I need one more lesson at
a slower pace! Old dog new tricks...
The studio has been busy, several clients that missed open house
have stopped in to pick things up. That's always nice.
I just realized it is December 1st and I was planning to paint holiday
things all this month. I am not even sure I have subjects ready!
I may need a few days to do research but they will come.