2009 Holiday Series #15

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor
SOLD

This is a bit complex. Inside the window there
are greens and an ornament. On the outside
there is a wreath hanging by a red and white ribbon.
The colors are warm and harmonious with interesting
reflections

I actually have a topic to discuss. If you look at yesterdays
blog comments I received an anonymous comment...
" Uncle Tom!". Since we do not have any Uncle Toms in
either family my next guess is that it was a slur. Wow...
I was going to delete it but decided not to. I rarely
encounter racism and am always surprised when it hits
me, that there are still backwards thinking people out
there in today's enlightened global society floors me.
To not have the beans to sign a real name draws
parallels all of its own.

I decided to look up the actual meaning...
1) A pejorative term for a black person who is perceived
by others as behaving in a subservient manor to white
authority figures.
2) A meek black person
3) A person who compromises and conforms

I do not see that any of these meanings fit me. I am not
subservient to any one but God, I am far from meek; but
I do have good manners! I do not feel like I compromise
anything; in fact I hold tight to my principles. So I am
reaching here... If the reference is to what I paint, I did
not realise my skin color restricts me to ethnic subjects,
must have missed that class. I was raised by parents who
lived under real oppression and made sure I knew how to
conduct myself in the world. They told me it is not a sin to
be black, just unhandy and I was expected to give 110%
to all I did. I was exposed to all art forms and from a young
age my art hero's were Homer, Eakins and NC Wyeth.
I found a love for history and spend a lot of time exploring
historical sites and traveling. This is where I glean my
subjects. I paint what interests me personally and what
speaks to me, which is what an artist is to do. I took time
over the holiday to look at the decorations, the colors, the
play of light and I will do the same with winter and snow.
I pay attention to my surroundings. I am not seeing
any compromise when I paint what I know and like.
You may not like all my subjects but I hope there is
respect for my skill level with the brush.

To anonymous: you need to get out and see the world,
educate yourself and broaden your horizons... and don't
stand behind anonymous, if you want to express an
opinion put your name to it and stand up.

2009 Holiday Series #14

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor
$275.00 ~ SOLD

This is the Cedar Street entrance to the
Moravian Church in Lititz, PA. I love the
grey stone surrounded with green and a
pinch of holiday red.

I stuck to my painting all day. I am determined
to get a blog accomplished each day this week.
Since our computer is still not functioning well
we cannot access our data base so I cannot send
a mailer or an email about classes starting in
January. Pass the word if you would, more info
can be found on my website.

2009 Holiday Series #13

5"x5" Miniature Original Watercolor
SOLD

I am still painting holiday scenes since I have
so much material to pick from. I liked the
way the inside blinds show through this window.
Nice green wreath with pine cones.

I must admit to not painting lately. I had every
intention but it is the Holidays and Linda had
plenty for me to do! We did squeeze in some
fun: we went to see Sherlock Holmes which we
enjoyed, had a nice family dinner at the Accomac Inn,
spent Christmas dinner with my Mom in the nursing
home; she is doing well. Linda managed to forget her
computer issues for a few days and faced them today,
but with no conclusions! On a sad note we had to put one of
our cats to sleep today. He was 14 and was having
kidney failure.
On a happy note my niece was married yesterday
and below is a photo of the 112 hand painted
wedding ornaments we did for her. They looked
very nice hanging on a tree. They were gifts to her
guests

They match her invitation theme...

2009 Holiday Series #12

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor
$225.00 ~ Contact the studio

I think I mentioned before that I like wreaths
with fruit. This large white door just shows
it off.

All my painting time has been used to shovel snow!
I managed to finish my last commission and it gets
picked up tomorrow. So I can spend a bit of time on
my blog pieces. Linda had her new computer delivered
today but moving the files did not go as smoothly as
she hoped. It was a four Tylenol day for her. I helped
bake a few cookies tonight and we had a few clients
stop in for gifts.

2009 Holiday Series #11

6"x4" Miniature Original Watercolor
$250.00 ~ SOLD

This one has a woodsy feel. I am not sure of
the story behind the building, I just found it
interesting.

My commission took me most of yesterday
to complete but I am pleased with the way
it turned out. One more to do before the
holiday. Linda took her Mom to doctor
appointments for the past two day. All
seems to be going well. Our ornament project
was wrapped up today. I will photo them to
share after the wedding. I am spending the
next two days with the men in my prayer
group at a retreat so there will be no painting till
Saturday.

2009 Holiday Series #10

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor

SOLD

Decorations Lancaster County style...

I spent my morning at the eye doctor for
my usual check up and the afternoon painting.
Took some time to help Linda with the last
of the wedding ornaments and cooked steak
on the grill. A good day except for the
weather not cooperating with my bike riding.

2009 Holiday Series #9 ~ yellow door with wreath

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor
SOLD

Loved the play of colors and shadows.

I know I missed two days of blogging.
I do not even remember what I was doing
except that there was not time to paint.
Yesterday we went to visit my Mom and that
took a good part of my time. I took Linda
dancing last night! Found a new place to go.
Sunnybrook Ballroom in Pottstown, PA They
had a DJ and played 50's to 80's . We may try
the ballroom dancing if we can squeeze in a little
practice. If any of you ever want to go dancing...
give us a call. Most of our friends are not into it.
We are still working on the wedding ornaments!

2009 Holiday Series #8

6"x4" Miniature Original Watercolor
$250.00 ~ SOLD!

I have always been attracted to using fruit
in holiday decorations. Loved the display in
a transom.

Not sure where my day went, I started painting
at 9:30 and looked up and its nighttime. I pretty
much spent my day painting this fruit! I did stop
to help Linda paint 20 more wedding balls.

Yesterday I joined Daily Painters of Pennsylvania.
as another way to promote my work.

2009 Holiday Series #7 ~ window with greens and red bow

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor
SOLD

Holiday at its finest! My signature bricks
and shadows topped off with a red bow.

Since it is getting so cold I have had to ride my
indoor rollers...I hate the cold. I finished one
commission, it looks sooo good, I wish I could show
you but I can't ruin the surprise. I did photo it
to share later. I am focused, managed to get the
blog painting finished also. Now I am going to help
Linda with this little project. Our good friends
daughter is getting married shortly and Linda
volunteered to hand paint Christmas balls as their
guest gift, all 150 of them! So we worked out the
design and have 30 almost finished. Almost.
They are looking better than I expected but it will
take a while.

2009 Holiday Series #6 ~ tree

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor

$225.00 ~ sold!

A freshly cut tree waiting for decorations...

I spent my morning running errands and visiting
my Mom, then I dedicated the afternoon and
tonight to working on a commission and this blog.
I am very excited about some new paints I ordered
from eBay at a great price. I am not one for lots of
new colors because I mix them well but I must say
it was fun to get ones I would never normally buy.
I have 31 new tubes of Davinci watercolors. I had to
scrub out an old pallet and squeeze in the new colors.
I did not want to mix them up with my old pallet.
I will let you know how I like them.
Linda has been busy filling orders. If you are planning
to place an order the coupon expires 12/20 so don't
wait to long!

If you were thinking about taking a watercolor class
my next set of classes start in January and the dates are
now listed on my website.

2009 Holiday Series #5 ~ shutter with greens

4"x6" Miniature Original Watercolor
$200.00 ~ Contact the studio

A little off beat I know, but it was interesting
to my artistic eye. I found these shutters
with greens and a few berries hanging off the
hooks. There was a bit of wind which had the
red ribbon blowing. The bricks were painted
a soft yellow which made a great backdrop
for the green and red.

Spent the weekend showing in DE and we just
got home. We plan to be around most of the
week for anyone wanting a studio visit. Just
call... I will be chained to my desk working on
a few Christmas commissions!

2009 Holiday Series #4 ~ wreath on a white door

4"x6" Original Watercolor
SOLD

This wreath was ringed with persimmons and
small artichokes. Fresh greens and reds
against the white door make a strong painting.
There is a bit of shadows reflecting in the top
window.

We spent yesterday on a holiday decorations
photo hunt. I hit the jackpot in New Castle, DE.
Strong historic homes with nice decorations.
The day was just sunny enough for good picture
taking. Ending our day in Wilmington getting
ready for the show. Set up started at 9am today
and then spent the day exhibiting and painting.

Saturday the benefit show is from 9 to 9! Held
at the Brandywine Town Center.
http://www.artattheatrium.com/

2009 Holiday Series #3 ~ Snowman ornament on tree

4"x6" Original Watercolor
email the studio for purchase information

I painted a snowman ornament hanging on
our friends Christmas tree. Check out the tree
light glowing on the snowman's belly!

Background story...when Abbey was younger we
hand made ornaments for our tree each year. Linda
came up with a new design and we made it a family
project, often still working on them up to Christmas
day. This snowman was made by making paper
pulp and pressing it into a mold then painting them.
We gave our friends one and they hang it on their tree
every year. We were visiting them on Sunday and I
spotted it on their tree and I thought it would make a
good painting.

I will not be blogging tomorrow, no time to paint...
the plan is to go to Wilmington, DE in the morning
and look for some holiday subjects... I may stop at
Brandywine River Museum for a bit of Wyeth
inspiration. We need to check into the show area
and scout out my space for the weekends show.
The Show:
Held at the Atrium at Brandywine Town Center,
Rt 202 & Naamans Rd,Wilmington, DE.
Free admission I am unable to accept any
discount coupons at this show since it is a fundraiser.
25% of my sales are donated to the New Castle, DE
Habitat for Humanity.
http://www.artattheatrium.com/

2009 Holiday Series #2 ~ door with wreath and red bow

4"x6" Original Watercolor
SOLD

I am so glad people have started decorating
so I have fresh subjects! I found this door
in New Holland, PA while visiting friends. It was
the red color that attracted me.

If you have a holiday subject with some sunlight
and shadows feel free to email it to me and I will
consider painting it! Ran some errands today and
it was noon till I started painting. Our main
computer is not working so Linda and I had to
figure out how to blog on the laptop.

I have a show this weekend. It is a fundraiser,
25% of my sales are donated to the New Castle, DE
Habitat for Humanity. Held at the Atrium at
Brandywine Town Center, Rt 202 & Naamans Rd,
Wilmington, DE. Free admission I am unable to
accept any discount coupons at this show since it is
a fundraiser. http://www.artattheatrium.com/