2012 Holiday Series #24 ~ the last one!

2012 Holiday Series #24
5"x 5" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD!.

 
This is my last Holiday painting for the year!
Actually, my last painting for 2012.
Thank you to Nancy Bradley, photographer
extraordinaire who took the photo from
Rock Ford Plantation in Lancaster County,
during our last snow storm.  What I believe is
bittersweet on a window with a view of a snowy
outside.  It made a great segue painting from
holiday to winter!

We ran a few errands today,went to the grocery
store which was packed.  I went to sit with my
Mom and she watched me paint.  Meanwhile
Linda was making my second birthday cake.
The first was a requested fabulous carrot cake
which we shared at a party of special friends. 
She offered to make whatever else I wanted
for the big day.  I picked something new called
Coffee-Toffee Crunch Torte which now rests
in the freezer.  I licked the spoon... and can't
wait till tomorrow!  The torte is a small concession
to having to eat pork and sauerkraut on my
birthday.  Not a favorite.  Everyone else gets to
pick a "special" meal but since my day is New Years
I end up with kraut... 
As for tonight, we plan to hang out and watch
2 CD's of Boardwalk Empire and sip wine with
raspberry sorbet to ring in the new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

2012 Holiday Series #23

2012 Holiday Series #23
4"x 6" Original Miniature WatercolorSOLD!

This holiday door is from our trip to
New Paltz, NY  last year.

We packed up the Christmas decorations
around the house today... officially over!
One more holiday painting to finish out
2012, then I plan to take a few days
off and start on "winter" scenes.
My watercolor classes start on the 8th.

2012 Holiday Series #22

2012 Holiday Series #22
6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor


Another painting from Landis Valley Farm Museum
in Lancaster. PA.  Great little still life and the
poinsettia offers a pop of color. There will be only
two more holiday paintings.  So if you wanted one
don't wait!

Snow day today.  Pretty much sat at my table and
painted.   Linda had a book she had been struggling
with, Moveable Feast by Hemingway and she finally
finished it and was very happy!   Overall a quiet day
at the Smith house.  

I plan to move on to winter paintings as of January
so if you feel moved to go out into the snow and snap
a few interesting photos feel free to email them to me!
Not just snow, there needs to be a focal point of
interest!

2012 Holiday Series #21

2012 Holiday Series #21
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

This painting is from Landis Valley Farm Museum in
Lancaster. PA. 


Painted, ran a few errands, had my photo taken for
my drivers licence.  Bought a new shovel for all the
snow tomorrow. 

SNOW DAY SPECIAL...one day only!
Must be ordered on Saturday 12/29
30% OFF any unframed Still Life Interior Print
Click to see your selection.
Email or call 717-627-3383 with your order.
Want it framed? I can quote a frame price.
This is a one day only offer... a great way to spend
your Christmas money!!

2012 Holiday Series #20

2012 Holiday Series #20
6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor
Again I offer this one at $100.00 to the
first person to email or call 717-627-3383!
SOLD!

I like this view, street level looking up!
Williamsburg...

Lunch with friends and then a visit with
Rashetta.  Somehow managed to squeeze
in painting.

2012 Holiday Series #19

2012 Holiday Series #19
6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor
Williamsburg...

SOLD!!!

OK... for anyone not wanting to mess with
eBay, I offer this one at $100.00 to the first
person to email or call 717-627-3383!

A wintery mix here but we are headed to
Reading with Linda's parents to see
Cirque Dreams Holidaze.
Also a Happy Birthday wish to our daughter
Abbey. We could not be prouder.

2012 Holiday Series #18

2012 Holiday Series #18
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
 
An inside view at the Berkeley Plantation
near Williamsburg, VA.    A simple wreath.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone, I hope
you had a wonderful day.  We had lunch
with my Mom and then headed to our
friends the Hildebrands.  Drank "Poinsettias"
had ribs and watched two good movies.
Trouble with the Curve and Arbitrage, I
recommend both.  I painted at their house
which I have done many times.  Great day.

2012 Holiday Series #17

2012 Holiday Series #17
4"x 6" Original Miniature WatercolorSOLD!
A friend gave us a bunch of holly and
this is hanging on a door.  The sun was
shining and created a nice shadow against
the white.

We had a busy few days.  Saturday we had
our annual get together with the group of
friends who went to France with us.  Had a
spectacular evening.  Sunday we went to see
the movie Guilt Trip with Linda's parents.
Very enjoyable movie.  Today is Christmas Eve
and we have a tradition of having dinner out,
so we will be having a fantastic dinner at
Hayden Zugs in East Petersburg.

2012 Holiday Series #16

2012 Holiday Series #16
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD!
(click over painting to make larger)
A beautiful gate from the Berkeley Plantation
in Charles City, VA. (near Williamsburg)

This will be the third painting I will make
prints of.  Monday it goes to the printer for a
quick scan.  You are still buying the original
watercolor but knowing there will be prints
available later.

Busy day, I worked from 8 to 1 on this painting.
Took a break to visit my Mom and back home
to paint.  Abbey and Ben are coming tonight
for a late dinner.  Linda has been in the kitchen
all day.  Mini vegetable potpies for dinner.

2012 Holiday Series #15

2012 Holiday Series #15
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD


Another great door from Williamsburg.  Notice
the reflection of the sky and tree branches in
the transom panes.

I am painting!  Had a few clients stop in for prints
today.  Linda is in the kitchen working on a dessert
called syllabub... I will tell you how it turns out
tomorrow!

2012 Holiday Series #14

2012 Holiday Series #14
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD
A beautiful red poinsettia in a red pot.
This little gem was bush size and we
saw it at the Botanic Gardens in Washington,
DC.  Nothing says holidays like red!

I painted today to the smell of cookies baking!
 

2012 Holiday Series #13

2012 Holiday Series #13
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

This porch was right on the Duke of Gloucester
Street in Williamsburg.   I painted it with just
parts of it, a hint of a wreath, a hint of a shadow,
part of the door...  You will be able to fill in the
missing parts.

Did we ever get GREAT news tonight.
Ben (our son-in-law) just landed his dream job!
He is now General Council (attorney) for the
European Division of NEA (National Education
Association).  He will be defending teachers on our
Military bases in Europe.   We could not be prouder
of him.
Linda started baking cookies...  the macaroons are
wonderful!  

2012 Holiday Series #12

2012 Holiday Series #12
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

A nice porch from our house tour in Williamsburg.

Linda had several errands to run today.  I took my
drawing to work on while she was at Target.
We need to return a bathroom light to Home Depot.
We opened it and it was plastic.  Yes, a plastic globe
not glass, that will not do!  Trying to squeeze in holiday
with my holiday paintings.

2012 Holiday Series #11

2012 Holiday Series #11
5"x 5" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

 

Wreath with a jucey bow on a door!

 

Another one that I decided to make prints from.
Tomorrow it goes to the printer for a quick scan.
You are still buying the original watercolor but
knowing there will be prints available later.

Returned from two busy days in DC with the kids!

This is from the Botanic Gardens.   We walked, and
walked and walked some more!
Fantastic dinner at Floriana.

2012 Holiday Series #10

2012 Holiday Series #10
6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

This mantel is from the Kings Arms Tavern
in Williamsburg, VA.  We had an excellent lunch
there.  The painting has a bit more pizazz than
it photographs.  I promise it looks even better!

I painted all morning.  Then ran errands; Boxes
to UPS, stop at the bank, visit my Mom.  Tonight we
went to American Music's Christmas Show.
This is an annual thing we do with Linda's Mom.
Again they did an excellent job.
Looking forward to two days with the kids in DC.

2012 Holiday Series #9

2012 Holiday Series #9
5"x 5" Original Miniature Watercolor

SOLD!

(click over painting to make larger)

A beautiful wreath hanging on a
brick wall. While in Williamsburg, VA we
took a house tour of private residences
within Colonial Williamsburg. 
This was view from that tour.
Also, I decided to make prints from this original.
Tomorrow it goes to the printer for a quick scan.
You are still buying the original watercolor but
knowing there will be prints available later.

Someone asked about us going to DC.  Don't
worry, we are only gone Saturday and Sunday.
It's a quick weekend with Abbey, Ben and Rashetta.
Our housesitter does not let clients into the studio
nor answer the studio phone so if you need
something, Friday from 8 to 5 or next week is when
you can catch us. 

2012 Holiday Series #8

2012 Holiday Series #8

6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor

SOLD

Berries, greens and a window make a great
holiday still life.

Painted almost all day.  You would not think
something so small could take so many hours
but they do.  I do not scrimp on the detail.
Linda was gone all day running errands.
There is a pile of food I am not to get into so
I am guessing its almost cookie making time!

A little reminder that if you want to visit the
studio we are not open this weekend.  Heading
to DC for Christmas with the kids.  Otherwise
trying to be available.  Call to make an appointment.
717.627.3383

2012 Holiday Series #7

2012 Holiday Series #7

6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor

SOLD

A juicy red bow.  This was from Merchants Square
in Williamsburg, VA.  I do not think there were
bows in the historic part.

I actually cheated a bit and stayed up late last night
and did the drawing for this one so I could start
painting right away this morning.  I was able to
finish it by noon today and then off on a few errands
and visit my Mom.

2012 Holiday Series #6

2012 Holiday Series #6

4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor

SOLD

A classic Williamsburg fence with greens.

I don't have much to say... stuck to my paints
all day.  This little busy number took me from
9 till 5 with no break.  Not sure how that is
possible but its true.  OK, I did heat up a bowl
of soup but I ate while painting.  You truly
get full detail in these little gems.  They are not
slapped together.

2012 Holiday Series #5

2012 Holiday Series #5
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

Greens hanging on a porch. This one
features a bit more architecture.
That's a dried sunflower in the center.

Stuck to my stool painting all day.
Linda was looking up recipes for the
holidays.  Expecting some good cookies!

2012 Holiday Series #4

2012 Holiday Series #4
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD!

Very nice...  My signature brick.
Wreath and swag on a white door.
Screams Christmas!

This one took most of the day.  I did not
leave my stool.  We had a few clients stop in
for prints.  Linda was at her desk most of the
day.  She made me a spicy chicken white bean
chili soup and also made her parents a chicken
corn soup.  We dug out a few decorations,
no tree this year, don't trust the cats to leave it
alone. 

2012 Holiday Series #3

2012 Holiday Series #3
4"x 6" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD

This is even warmer than the photo.
I am getting my groove back!  Seeing
a few bids on yesterdays painting helps
the mood!

I plan to paint in the morning if anyone
wants to stop in.  Otherwise give me a
call/email to make sure we are here.

2012 Holiday Series #2

6"x 4" Original Miniature Watercolor
SOLD!

If you would like to bid but are unsure how
please send an email and I will walk you through
the process.  It really is easy and you could end
up owning an original for only $100!

I am focusing on views I saw in historic
Williamsburg, VA.  A simple white bench
with greens and fruit.

I don't know why but I feel like I am putting
extra pressure on myself to paint fantastic
holiday pieces.  Today was a bit of a struggle.
I find it goes much easier if I do not take a break
from painting.  I only had 7 days off and it feels
like weeks so I need to get my groove back!

Back from Williamsburg...

We just returned from a few days in Historic Williamsburg.
Privileged to see the Grand Illumination and spend time
with my brother and family. Great weather, great food
and great family time.

My brother Carl, daughter Sarah, wife Beth, daughter
Emily and her new husband Matt and my wife Linda.
I took over 400 photos so I am ready for my
"Holiday Series" starting tomorrow.