more on the commission...

Still not over this nasty cold and now Linda
is coughing.

I painted till midnight last night, I wanted
to get most of the next shelf completed.
I started with the background washes.  And
worked on the spice box.  The box belongs to
my client so it is important that piece looks
good!

Building the back and starting the plate.

Adding depth, and working on the jug.

commission work...

I really do not know where all my time is going.
Now I am sounding like Linda!  I have had my nose
into this painting every free moment.  It truly is a
slow build.  Meanwhile...
I had a show in NJ on Saturday and worked on a
painting for myself as a demonstration.
I picked up a bad cold from my track kids and still
have it today...5 days
Sunday morning  I painted and in the afternoon
we went antiquing.  Linda was looking for a cabinet
but did not find the perfect one.
Monday I painted, Tuesday I painted and had a track meet.
Both boys and girls won!  Today I painted and had
track practice.  Meanwhile Linda brought her Mom home!
So we are figuring out a whole new schedule with Mom.
I plan to go back to my painting tonight.

This is the middle shelf about half way.

Middle shelf finished! 

shelf completed...

This is the result of painting several hours last night
and this morning...


















The first shelf is completed!

I took a break and planted two shrubs for Linda
while she brought her Mom home for a home
evaluation.  Looks like Mom will be able to come
home next week, with some help.
I have a track meet and a VORP Banquet tonight.

more on the commission...

I painted till late last night and all day today.
Slowly building my colors, wash over wash.
It seems like I should be able to go right to
the color I want but I think that is what makes
my work so different.  My under washes glow
through the top washes giving a depth you cannot
get any other way.  With experience and lots of
practice I know what colors to mix to build up the
values I want.

 

More layers of wash, totally dry between layers.
I am adding the texture to the shelves.

 

 

Deepening the shadows in the corner, and
making the apples look real!

 

Had to stop for track and a quick run
to Esbenshades Greenhouse, Linda wanted to
"look around" at the new plants.
Back to painting tonight. 

Working on a commission...

I am spending every free moment on my latest
commission.  After a few study pieces, and an approved
sketch I was ready for the drawing.  This is a full
sheet watercolor.  Again up my alley, shaker items!
The drawing took several days, remember I draw free
hand and the drawing needs to be perfect, it is my guide.
Here is the drawing on the watercolor paper (click to enlarge)

 

It may not look like much but there is a full
day of washes on the left side.

I am starting the yellow delicious apples.

 

 

I cannot lie, it has been hectic here. Both Linda and
I are looking rather tired!
I had a big track meet on Saturday (ELCO 22 teams,
our boys took 2nd and our girls 6th .) while Linda spent the day
at her desk.  Sunday I painted while Linda was in
the garden. Oh... I also took the tarp down from around the
studio porch and put up the swing, a sure sign it is spring! 
Monday I painted  and Linda was with her Mom. 
Today was my turn with my Mom and then a track meet
in the afternoon.  (Ephrata -  our boys lost girls won)
Linda's brother was here to remove the storm door
and put in a step for when Mom comes home to make it
easier to get into her apartment.  Bombergers were here,
we are finally getting a new floor put into our bathroom
(not finished yet!) so the hammering continued all day!

 

2013 Still Life #16

4"x 6" original watercolor
$100.00 (unframed + $8 shipping)
Goes to the first person to email or call.
Available till Friday 4/12 at 7PM
then the price goes to $225!   SOLD!

A simple straw hat hanging on a shaker peg.

I spent most of yesterday working on my
drawing for my commission.  Then had a
track meet with Cocalico.  Boys won but girls lost.
Today I spent the morning on this painting
and afternoon back to my big drawing.
I draw everything by hand so it takes time.
I think I will need to work on it tonight.  I will
share it after I have permission!

2013 Still Life #15

6"x 4" original watercolor

$225

I spent a bit of my morning watching my tree's

demise trying to paint in between.  Did my days
blog.  3:00 track practice and tonight I am
drawing my commission.  A full day.

 

The last of our big OLD maple trees came down today.

It is amazing what one guy and a chain saw can do!

 

If you need a tree man in Lancaster County I recommend:
Joel Schans 717-290-8098

2013 Still Life #14

6"x 4" original watercolor
$100.00 (unframed + $8 shipping)
Goes to the first person to email or call.

Available till Sunday 4/7 at 7PM

then the price goes to $250!
SOLD!

I got caught up in rendering the box.
This is the last study for my commission.
I have a pretty good feel for the direction

I need to go.  Planning on starting on the
drawing on Monday.

 

Kutztown show this weekend.
Reading-Berks Guild Craft Show
April 6 & 7
Held at Kutztown University Field House in Kutztown, PA
Sat. 9-5 and Sun. 10-4 Great quality!
$1.00 off coupon on promoters website!

 

Family update: Linda's Mom continues to get stronger.
Looks like a few more weeks of therapy and she
should be able to return home.  We have settled into
a manageable routine.  Linda even got out into her
flower beds for a few hours today, that helps a lot with

her stress levels!!

2013 Still Life #13

4"x 6" original watercolor
$100.00 (unframed + $8 shipping)
Goes to the first person to email or call.

Available till Saturday 4/6 at 7PM

then the price goes to $225!

 SOLD!!

Another practice piece for my commission.

 

I need to proudly report my track team won
both girls and boys against Conestoga Valley
yesterday.  I am getting pretty tired of the cold
weather!

2013 Still Life #12

4"x 6" original watercolor   $225

I am working on study pieces for my
new commission...

 

This weekend show:
Reading-Berks Guild Craft Show
April 6 & 7
Held at Kutztown University Field House in Kutztown, PA
Sat. 9-5 and Sun. 10-4  Great quality!
$1.00 off coupon on promoters website!

 

 

2013 Still Life #11

6"x 4" original watercolor   $250.

I love the unusual angle of this little
painting. 

Busy day;  I was honored to visit someone
with a great private collection of paintings.
Totally enjoyed myself!
Got a permit to have our last tree cut down.
The old maple trees were barely hanging on.
Visited my Mom while Linda visited her Mom.
Track practice and some painting in between!

2013 Winter Series #13

4"x 6" original watercolor

$225

A Lancaster County road! 
A bit of left over snow.

Getting serious with my commission.
Did a second sketch and am waiting for
approval.  Another large still life and I
am pretty excited to work on it.