Monday night check in

Bonjour...
Just practicing!
We leave for Paris at 2:00 tomorrow afternoon.
Our daughter's wedding is on Sunday in
Saint Fort Sur Gironde, France.

There will be no blog until after July 4th.
I plan to take a huge amount of photos,
soak in the culture and become inspired to
overflowing.

Au revoir (goodby)

Evening #13

4"x6" original watercolor
SOLD

I managed to squeeze this blog
in between our friend Joan's visit
and errands. I also must confess to
two bike rides, I rode this morning
by myself and then tonight with a
bike buddy. Linda is busy laying out
clothes to pack plus we have a suitcase
full of wedding items that need go
along. 4 days... it is becoming real
now.

Lemons and Salt Shaker

Lemons and Salt Shaker 6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I found two lemons and a glass salt shaker
in the kitchen and set them up as a still life.
The lemons are actually more yellow than
they seem on the computer... The white is
my paper. The silver lid was accomplished
with an underpainting of burnt sienna on
the dark areas. Dry it. Then add a deep
mixture of payne's grey. Painting around
the negative spaces. Edge the negative area
around the bottom with a thin touch of
cobalt blue.

Cloud Study #3 6"x 4" original watercolor

With all the storms that have been
rolling through our area I was inspired
by the clouds.

I do not remember if I said why we
are going to France, aside the obvious
sightseeing opportunities. Our daughter
planned a destination wedding to
Saint Fort Sur Gironde. It is about an
hour north of Bordeaux.

Brick Building #3

Brick Building #3 ~ 4"x 6" original watercolor
contact the studio for purchase information

I enjoy architectual studies. It challenges
my drawing skills. I worked on this
painting tonight while visiting friends.
I am one of the rare artist that actually
works better when surrounded by friends,
conversation and food. It helps make
painting the bricks go faster!

Moon Over the Blue Ridge ~ 4"x 6" original watercolor
Sold

This one needs to be studied. I painted
it for my own pleasure. A full moon in
a dark sky overlooking the rolling
mountains of green. It takes a little
bit of skill to keep it from becoming a
muddy mess. The photo does not do
this painting justice.

If you live anywhere close by and want
to stop in and see any of the blog paintings
just give me a call. I plan to be home all
weekend. We are down to 6 days until
we leave for France!!

Full Moon #2

Full Moon #2 4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD






Signs of Spring #11 5"x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

Lots of excitement around here. The
weather was perfect for our family
gathering on Sunday. All of Linda's
hard work paid off, everything was beautiful.
Then to add to the excitement, Linda had
a very bad allergic reaction. We are not sure
from what but if it had not been for fast
acting benadryl we would have spent our night
in the emergency. As it was we had an early
morning doctors appointment. Her face was very
swollen, eyes shut, throat tight, and she lost her voice.
We now have an EpiPen for our trip. We cannot
take any chances. When we get back she has an
appointment with the allergist. We must find out
what caused it. We are leaning to a nut allergy.
She has been on steroids and her eyes are still
pretty bad but she could talk a bit today. The whole
ordeal was scary. I painted in between playing
nurse so I have two painting to post today since
I did not get my blog on yesterday.

Friday update

No painting today!
Linda had me running errands all
day in preparation for the family
gathering for Abbey and Ben. Now
all we need is for the sun to come out.

I will be showing on Saturday:
Foundry Day Arts & Crafts Festival
Held next to Children's Lake on Front St
in Historic Boiling Springs, PA
Saturday, June 6 from 9AM to 4PM
FREE ~ rain or shine.
My space is #129

Come out and say hello!

Full Moon

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

Yesterday I studied the light at dusk.
Today I went farther into the night.
I love the effects of a full moon on the
landscape. In my painting it becomes
a focal point in the composition.


I also finished this 18x14 painting.
Typical Lancaster County farm scene.
I will get it posted on my website as
soon as I frame it.

Signs of Spring #11

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

In keeping with my signs of spring and
farms around Lancaster County; I have
chosen an evening composition at dusk.
I am fascinated with this time of day.
Textures fade and become softer. The
sky changes the light across the landscape.
As a painter, I cannot pass this up.


In case you thought I was goofing off; I
finished my last commission and it was
picked up tonight. Even after all these years
I get unnerved until my clients say they
like it. I know I did a good job but a
commission is so personal.

I also finished this painting...
I do not have it priced but it will turn up on
my website with more info.

Fishing

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

Sometimes bike rides yield more than
mileage. Some of the scenes almost look
like paintings themselves. This composition
reminds me again of the wonderful Winslow
Homer watercolors of young boys engaged
in fun.

As always, I start with a pencil sketch in
my sketch book. I work out all the painting
problems at this point. Yes it takes a little
more time but I feel it is time well spent.
It saves me from mistakes in the painting
process. I get a feel for the direction I
am going and the proportions.
I thought I would share this with you.