Gettysburg #1

6"x 4" Watercolor
$275.00 Studio Price ~SOLD!
Not sure which barn this is but it was on the
Battlefield deep in snow.

Just back from a wonderful weekend in Gettysburg,

PA with friends. The snow on the battlefield
inspired me! Gettysburg in winter is truly beautiful
and there were no lines!
Here's our itinerary...
Saturday we spent a few hours in
the Visitors Center. A must for the start of any
Gettysburg visit! Next was a Battlefield Tour
with an independent tour group. Wes was perfect.
I highly recommend this tour. We stayed at
Doubleday Inn right on the Battlefield. Again,
perfect with great views. Dinner at Cashtown Inn,
top notch food. Sunday we concentrated on town
with a visit to David Wills House and then the
Old Town Tour which again was fantastic.
A perfect weekend

Rolling Hills ~ 4"x 6" Watercolor

I am studying the landscape, which I find so
different than here in the East. A different
range of colors. This will be my last California

piece for a while since I am distracted with
Gettysburg!

Santa Barbara front door

4"x 6" Watercolor
$275.00 Contact the Studio

I had to paint the front of this house because
of the European feel. I found it while driving near
Santa Barbara, CA. Liked the colors and the feel.

I think all there is to say today is a repeat of
yesterday... and I'm shoveling and I'm shoveling
some more!

Linda did some updating to the design of my blog.
Can you see the differences?

At the Hearst #4

5"x 5" Watercolor
$275.00 Contact the studio ~ SOLD

I was just able to peek into this room but the
sun was creating wonderful shadows across
the rug and chair. I have a large painting in
mind so I used this miniature as a study.

And I am shoveling... and shoveling...

enough said! I now have to figure out how to
make up a morning and evening class for my
students.

Next classes start the 1st week in February.
Email if you are interested.

Reworked bricks!

4"x 6" Watercolor
$225.00 ~ contact the studio

There is a story behind this painting. I wanted
to show how to paint bricks in one of my classes.
So I took watercolor paper in 14x18 and did a
drawing and started the under painting on the bricks.
After class I just put it away. Linda dug it out and
asked if I intended on finishing it. I said no, I did not
like the overall composition and could not see it going
anywhere. She took it and cut it down to this size and
I saw a whole new potential. I reworked the drawing
and finished it. I fell in love with the new look.

At the Hearst #3

4"x 6" watercolor
$350.00 Contact the Studio

This little gem was one of many gems in the
Hearst Castle. We enjoyed our tour and could
easily spent more time here.

I am so pleased with the way this painting
turned out. I took my time, actually all day
and just enjoyed each layer. It is too well done to
let it go for only $100 so I upped the opening bid.
If you want to stop in to see it, give me a call.

Again, I spent my early morning shoveling.
I am reaching my maximum tolerance
for winter!

Santa Monica #4

4"x 6" watercolor

A nice view of the beach at Santa Monica.
The palm trees were wrapped with something.
There was a great paved path that we walked
on. It was an overcast day but still exciting
to see the Pacific Ocean.

This morning I helped my brother-in-law,
Karl finish gutting our bathroom, down to
the studs! I was the free manual labor.
We have put off the work in favor of traveling
and for some reason Linda has the bug to finish it.
We then had a late lunch with my in-laws and a
visit with my Mom. Finally home to paint.
More snow on the way... I am desperate for Spring!

Hollywood

6"x 4" Watercolor

What is a trip to Los Angeles without seeing the
famous Hollywood sign.

I am teaching classes again today and painting
in between. Linda has the show apps out again.
They all have different due dates so she goes
over them once a week. There are 4 more ready
to mail tomorrow.
I am starting to add paintings from my students on
the Student Blog so check their new work.
The next classes start in February which is right
around the corner, send an email if you are
interested. All levels and everyone paints at their
own speed on their own subjects.

Old Mission #2

4"x 6" Original Watercolor
$275.00 ~ SOLD

This great old pot was setting among the
greens in Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Shoveled ice this morning, cleared parking
spaces for my student but only 2 made it.
I am about tired of this weather! Ready
for sunshine, but I am not letting it keep me
from painting...
I finished this painting of the beach at
San Simeon, CA

18"x14" Original watercolor

Highway 101 #2

6"x 4" Watercolor
Studio Price $300.00 ~ SOLD

This view is off Highway 1 (which is also 101),
somewhere between San Simeon and Templeton,
CA. We pulled over to watch the sunset over
the mountains with the ocean in the
distance. Absolutely beautiful!

Saw a truly great movie yesterday,
"The King's Speech" I highly recommend
it.

I occasionally read Robert Glen's blog and
someone did artist interviews with the question
"Do you have a motto or creed?" Well, yes
I do... Always aspire to excellence. To work
hard at my craft, to paint almost daily,

integrity with my collectors, inspire my students.
I could go on!

Oranges at the Hearst #2 ~ Fresh Squeezed!

5"x 5" watercolor
$200.00 Contact the Studio

This was also on the counter with yesterdays
painting. They make a nice pair!

I have no idea where the day went. I painted
and that was it. Looked up and it was dinner time.

Oranges at the Hearst

4"x6" Watercolor
$250. Contact the Studio

I found this still life in the amazing kitchen
at the Hearst Castle , San Simeon, CA
Notice the reflections on the stainless counter.


My morning class was snowed in so I used my
time to shovel and then paint. I also gave a
little talk at Landis Homes. Below are some
of my fan club. I think I enjoyed their stories
more than they enjoyed mine! How easy to
forget they have lived a full and exciting life.

Landis Homes requested NO Photo so I removed it...

Tuesdays paintings...

Sunset Study... 5"x 5" watercolor
Contact the studio...

1800's Coffee Grinder... 4"x 6" Watercolor
Contact the studio...

I needed a little change from my California paintings.
Since I was teaching a class in the morning and the
evening I managed to get two paintings finished.

Santa Monica #3

6"x 4" Original Watercolor
Studio price $250.00

Who knew, East Coast Adirondack chairs
in a back yard in Santa Monica! I have painted
them often but never with palm trees as a
backdrop.

Picking shows continued...
So now I picked a city and found a show,
next is applying to the show. Most of the
shows I apply to are called Juried Shows,
which means a panel looks at your work
and decides if they want your work in the show.
Actually applying has changed over the years.
It went from sending photographs, to slides
and now to a CD or even email jpgs!
Most want 4 images of your current work
and one of your booth. Many bigger shows
are using an organization called Zapplications
where you apply to several shows on one
website. The costs... Many shows now charge
an application fee of $10-$40, non-refundable.
If you are accepted you will also owe a show fee.
I pay anywhere from $60 to $1000 for a 10x10
space. $350 being my average.
That includes nothing but the square empty
floor/ground space where you set your display in.
Questions so far? More tomorrow...

Santa Monica #2

4"x 6" Original Watercolor
Studio Price: $225.

Another scene from our Santa Monica
morning walk. Lots of interesting architectural
iron gates, stucco buildings and a little bit of
sunshine!

Picking Shows continued:
How to find the shows. In the old days I
used magazines like Sunshine Artist and
The Harris Report which listed shows and
gave showing information. Also word of mouth,
an artist would tell you of a show they did or heard
about. With computers all has changed.
If you go to Google and type in "art show in Lititz PA"
The local art show in my home town will show up.
I used to have to find a phone number for the
show and call and ask for an application to be sent to
me before I knew any of the show information.
Now all the info you need is at your fingertips.
I still use the magazines, several on line lists, still chat
with my artist friends and even take suggestions from
clients. And after 30 years show applications just show
up in my mail!

Mercedes gullwing

5"x 5" Original Watercolor
$325.00 ~ Contact the studio

High up on my list of exciting things I saw
in Los Angeles would be the cars... cars that
made me stop and say...wow! This is the front
of what I think is a vintage Mercedes gullwing.
Parked on the street, I actually walked around it,
trying not to drool on the gorgeous red paint!
I must say the painting is even better in person.
Call if you want to see any blog paintings at the
studio...


Since Linda has been spending the whole week
picking shows I thought I would share a bit of
the process that goes into showing. There are
art/craft shows or festivals in almost every town
and city across the US. So the first thought is
how far will I drive. Considering my valuable
time, wear and tear on my van, the cost of gas,
motels and food while traveling verses how
much I may be able to sell. After all I need to
earn a living. How big is the gamble because there
is no sure thing. An artist or his valuable
assistant needs to be able to answer a few questions.
Will my work fit in? Is the town/city artsy and
maybe a bit more contemporary, or is it traditional.
Income levels, unemployment, did the only employer
just lay off. What is the cost of motels, can I afford
to stay there. So for me the first question is;
where is the show and how many hours drive to get there?
more thoughts tomorrow...

Highway 101

5"x 5" Watercolor ~ Highway 101, CA

Contact the studio $125.  ~ SOLD

This little landscape is from my travels
along scenic Highway 101 in CA.
The mountains and hills have a different feel
than here on the East Coast. This is my first
study painting...more to come!

I am teaching two more classes today and I
enjoyed them as much as yesterdays classes!
Linda has part of the 2011 show schedule on
my website so check that out, hopefully I am
doing a show close to you.

Santa Monica #1

4"x 6" Original watercolor
Studio price: $250.00 ~ SOLD!

I found this great little scene while walking
around Santa Monica,CA. I was stunned
to see the Bird of Paradise growing everywhere.
Nice sunny reflections in the window.

My winter classes started today, I really enjoy
myself when teaching. Great students. Linda
seems determined to get my show schedule set
so she has apps all over the table again.

Happy New Year!

4"x6" Original Watercolor
"The Mission" ~ Studio Price: $250.

This very old crumbling cross is from the
Old Mission Santa Barbara, CA

We are back and I am back to my paintings.

We had a wonderful time in California.
It was not as warm as we were hoping for,
spent all our time in coats!
Lots of sightseeing and I have lots of
new subjects to paint.

Notice the Hollywood sign behind us!
We took an excellent private tour of
Los Angeles with guide Anne Block.

I cannot believe I am starting my 5th year
of "Painting A Day" and blogging. I am always
open to your suggestions, questions and any
new ideas to improve my blog.
Send an email to andy@andysmithartist.com