New black frames...

I did not have any painting time today.

Dealt with an electrical issue, the borough
came to change all the water meters.  I ran
a few errands and suddenly its dark...

Linda was working on framing the new black

frames.  The plan is to have one of each ready
this weekend for Heart of Lancaster Show.
I think they really look fresh and up to date.
The photo is not the best since I took them outside.

Just to compare..  the new black on the left and our

standard shaker walnut on the right...

It is amazing how different a frame can make a print look.

Shaker Still Life #18

4"x 6" Original Watercolor

I was just at the Shaker Village so I have lots
of new Shaker subjects to paint.  You know I
love them!!

I got a new pair of glasses and everything seems
so much sharper and brighter.  I think it even
reflects in my painting.

Another fast day... I put the final coat on my
windows on our cottage.  Playing handyman
is not my best role!  Then I was off to market,
then pick up the order of black frames.  Linda
plans to have a full display for this weekend at
Heart of Lancaster Arts & Craft Show in Manheim,
PA.  Paint my blog and dinner with the family.
Then off to the hospital to visit one of my favorite
students, in hopes of cheering her up.  After the blog
I have glass to cut down... I think it will be a late night!

Statue Progress
I am simply taking my time and filling in the
background washes.  The key is to let it dry!
Slow down and enjoy the process of building
the color.  The 1st wash on the top is finished
and I am working on the greens.

Shaker Still Life #17

4"x 6" Original Watercolor

I really do not know what these numbered
boxes were used for... I just liked the look.

Busy day... I painted our cottage windows,
picked up 3 bags of wind blown debris from
our yard, mowed,  painted my blog, and managed to
talk Linda into riding our tandem.  We took
it out to Middle Creek and did about 8 miles.
It was a beautiful night, saw 2 deer, a heron,
and the eagle.

Statue progress...I started laying in my under washes.  The background is

very dark.  Some artist go right to a blackish wash, I
prefer to have more depth with dark and darker areas.
That requires several under washes.  You will see how
I build it as I go along.   She is setting among bushes and
pink roses... again, I am building my greens.

Click over the painting to enlarge.

Challenge #22

6"x 4" original watercolor
Contact the studio...

Paint and Draw Challenge picks the subject and
each artist paints it in their own style and medium.
I have not done one in a while and this subject
was right down my alley.

There are 3 Hurricane Specials from Thursday
still available until Monday at 11am.  Don't wait!

My weekend show in Portsmouth, VA
was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.
So instead of showing,  I am having a...
                      “HURRICANE SPECIAL”
                    You can shop without leaving your home!
 5 original framed paintings at 20% off ~ with free shipping!

** Available to the first person to respond :
     Email or call (717.627.3383) with your order
** Payment by MasterCard, Visa, PayPal or a check
     (even cash if you want to venture out with your rain boots!)
** This offer is good from Friday 8/26 at 11am
     until Monday 8/29 at 11am EST

RED BARN  18x14 framed: $575  ~ SALE PRICE: $460.

FISHING BUDDIES 18x14 framed: $650.  ~ SALE PRICE: $520.

TRANSOM VIEW  21x17"  framed: $850.  ~
SALE PRICE: $680. ~ SOLD!

SUMMER GIFTS  22x20"  framed: $1200.  ~ SALE PRICE: $960.

WHEN WORK'S DONE  25x29"  framed: $4000. ~
                                                   SALE PRICE: $3200.    SOLD!!
This is a one time offer so don't wait!!

6" x 4" original watercolor ~ SOLD!

I liked the color on this little landscape.

Painted and visited my Mom today.  Waiting
to see what the hurricane will do.  I need to decide
if we are going to Portsmouth, VA.  I may need
plan B!

Backyard sunflower

4"x 6" watercolor
$225.00  Contact the Studio
SOLD!
Linda has 3 huge tall sunflowers growing;
reaching towards the sky.  They are so dramatic
at dusk and they have been calling me to paint
them.  I was painting this when the 5.9 earthquake hit!
I found myself rocking in my chair with my brush
dancing across the flower!

Today an earthquake and Hurricane Irene on the weekend.
We are scheduled to be in Norfolk, VA.  I say rain or shine
but take exception to hurricanes!  So the show is currently
up in the air.

Below is my latest statuary painting.  This is a request
from Linda and she is making sure I get the "look" she
wanted.  So I am treating it like a commission, but have found
I am really enjoying it.  I love portraits and this is a great
substitute.  I sketched it in my sketchbook  and then onto my
watercolor paper.  I had the face wrong the first two times.
To angular, she wanted innocent angelic...which is how
the actual sculpture is but hard to capture. Third time was the
charm.  I started painting the face to make sure it was perfect
and Linda is smiling, the hardest part accomplished!  I finished
the rest of the drawing and here is the first stages. 
Linda has this knack of always stretching my skills. 
I think you can click over it to see it better.

2011 Sunset

4"x 6"    SOLD
A little water study.  I liked the tree branches in the
foreground and the twinkling lights in the background.

Since it rained, no... poured at pack up yesterday at
Mount Gretna.  I had taken out the paintings but left
everything else.  So this morning we went back to pack up.
Everything had dried out saving me from putting it up
in the back yard.

Bed Study

6"x 4" mini watercolor
$250.00  Contact the studio

Went with a simple subject today.
Linda was hinting at another statue
or the big sunflower in our yard...
But I started this while she was busy
with the new frames... speaking of which...

Check out the new frames...  a sample will be available
at Mount Gretna this weekend and orders will be taken.
This is a trial test to see who likes the new look! Don't
worry, I will still have the walnut shaker frames.

Shaker Series #16

4"x 6" Miniature original watercolor
SOLD!
I just had to do something from the Shaker Village.
I have tons of new photos just crying out to me to
paint them!  Not exactly sure what this is but I liked
the unusual tin shape.  A grain scoop maybe??

My Angel Statuary from yesterday was chosen as
one of  "Rosa's Picks" for today!!  It is quite an honor
to be chosen out of all the art blogs out there in
cyber space.

Meanwhile Linda is experimenting with new black
frames.  Wow, they are making the prints just pop.
Gives this contemporary sharp look to my work.
She will have four on display at Mount Gretna this
weekend and will be taking orders.  They are being
framed tomorrow so I will photo them for you to see.

Class update...Tuesday morning - filled
Tuesday evening - plenty of room!
Wednesday morning - 2 spaces available
Wednesday evening - plenty of room
Thursday morning - open if you still need a morning
It is time to call and get on the schedule!

Angel Statuary

4"x6" original watercolor
Contact the Studio ~ $200.00
As you know we have been visiting cemeteries
to view the sculpture.  There are some beautiful
pieces there.  Linda has been after me for a while
to paint a few and I had been dragging my feet.
Mostly because it was something I had never done
and required some thought on my part.  So yes, I am
out of my comfort zone!  I needed to think in
monochromatic terms and make concrete look 3D. 
This is my first attempt.  I also have a large one
started.  I will show the drawing when I have it
completed.

Plan on attending the Mount Gretna Show
this Saturday and Sunday...  more info to follow.

I have one last "Cut Glass" print  #422
available for $100.00. (shown on blog: July 28)
Several "Harvest Shadows" at only $15.00 (blog: July 24)
and a few "Trumpets of Hope" at $25.00 (blog: July 31)
Call or email and I will hold one for you!  I do not have
these at the shows so you need to order it.

Hello from Kentucky...

After setting up for the show we had two free tickets to
walk around the grounds of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Here I am taking photos that will be used in my next masterpieces!
I LOVE this place.  Could there be a better setting for my
paintings?? 

After 2 hours of photo taking we went in search of
a restaurant featured in Guy Fieri's Diners and Dives.
Wallace Station in Versailles, KY.  Excellent sandwiches!
See you at the show tomorrow!

Afternoon at Chanticleer

"Afternoon at Chanticleer"
18x24"  watercolor   $1200.00

No time to paint today...
packed the van and visited my Mom.
We are off to Kentucky, no not a vacation.
Tomorrow we have an 11 hour drive not counting stops.
Set up the camper and crash.  Friday is set up at the
show then we have a bit of free time to walk around
the Shaker grounds hunting for new subjects.  Saturday
and Sunday we show all day and Monday drive 11
hours back home...
I know, you are wishing you could go along!!

The Show:
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Craft Fair
Held in the Shaker Village, 3501 Lexington Rd
Harrodsburg, KYHours:
Sat. 9:30 to 5 and Sun. 10 to 4:30

Also letting you know it is soon class time...
Classes start in September! Sets of 4 classes
$60. Work at your own speed, on your own painting.
Demonstrations, easy atmosphere.

Tuesdays: September 6, 13, 20, 27
The morning class is advanced only ~ 9:30-11:30am
Evening class ~ 7-9pm

Wednesdays: September 7, 14, 21, 28
Morning class ~ 9:30-11:30am (only 3 more openings)
Evening class ~ 7-9pm

If these classes fill I will offer a Thursday class.
Next set of classes: October then January & February

Shaker Series #15

6" x 4" Original Watercolor
$275.00  Contact the studio!  SOLD

Part of the purpose of my blog is study and
my own growth as an artist.  Lately I have been
interested in angles.  If you look back a few posts
you can follow my interest.  Looking at subjects
from up high and down low.  How the vantage
point changes ones perception.  I challenge you
to look around, pay attention as you walk up and
down steps, notice how objects change.

I actually worked on todays painting on Saturday
at the Lititz Art Show.  Abbey and Ben were
home for a few hours yesterday so I basically
goofed off.  Today was spent on household stuff
and a dentist appointment.  I have something a bit
different in mind for tomorrows blog...