2015 Still Life #3

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2015 Still Life #3

 $250. 

I found this interesting.  Want to do some
still life after all the holiday paintings.

2015 Still Life #2

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2015 Still Life #2

$275.
 Looks a lot better than this photo!

A wonderful build-in cabinet safekeeping some silver

and other items.

We had a wonderful Christmas spent with family and
friends.  Could not ask for more...well maybe have the
kids home longer!   

I took a few days off from painting and am back to it.  
Classes start next week, anyone  interested send me
an email.

2015 Holiday Series #17

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #17

SOLD!

$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email

and say they want it!! offer expires 12/24 at 7pm then

the price goes to $275.

This front door belongs to a friend of ours in Lititz.
It is my final Holiday painting for the season!
Our big Christmas meal is tomorrow with family and
friends.  Merry Christmas!

2015 Holiday Series #16

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #16

 $250.

Fresh fruit on a swag...a little candle glow.
Tomorrow is my final Holiday painting!

Another day of painting and washing the dishes
Linda made.  Meanwhile Linda cooked all day.
Cookies made!  That's what I care about!

2015 Holiday Series #15

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #15

SOLD!

$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email

and say they want it!! offer expires 12/22 at 7pm then

the price goes to $250.

We had a busy but nice weekend.  Saturday I did a
little demonstration for two private clients.  Our
Ohio friends stopped in for a short visit and we went
to a church play in the evening.  Sunday we went to
Chester Springs to visit with our friend Joan.  We all
went to see the movie Brooklyn which was a very good
period piece that was well done.  Then an excellent late
lunch at Four Dogs.  Today I painted while Linda
made chex mix, cut bread for stuffing, mixed three cookies
and made a strawberry jam.  We have 11 friend's and
family for Christmas Eve lunch and 9 for Christmas Eve
dinner so she is trying to get prep work out of the way.
Great meals planned!

2015 Holiday Series #14

5x5" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #14
$250

I saw this wreath above a huge wonderful fireplace in
RLPS Architects building.  We went to see their
Gingerbread house display on Wednesday.  The whole
building was decorated and inspiring.

2015 Holiday Series #13

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #13

SOLD!

$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email

and say they want it!! offer expires 12/18 at 7pm then

the price goes to $250.

My plan is to paint the Holiday series up to Christmas
day.  I still have lots of subjects.  I am getting pretty
good at painting a bow!

2015 Holiday Series #12

6"x 4" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #12

$250.

This little painting is from the gift shop in Winterthur.
Interesting angles and perspective.  The greens
above the window draw you in.

Dinner with friends at Reflections tonight.

2015 Holiday Series #11

6"x 4" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #11

SOLD!

$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email

and say they want it!! offer expires 12/17 at 7pm then

the price goes to $250.

I saw this little gem on Sunday in Harrisburg.
I love the deep color of the wood and the little
piece of china.  Its the greens that make this a
Holiday scene.

2015 Holiday Series #10

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #10

SOLD!!

$150 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/16 at 7pm then
the price goes to $300

Look at the shine on that big red ornament!

Weekend Recap...
Dinner at Aussie and the Fox was very good.  We
both had duck and it was delicious.  Had a really pleasant
evening getting to know a nice couple.
Saturday was spent with friends at Winterthur.  Started
with the museum tour of Tiffany Glass.  Excellent!
Then a good lunch at BBC Tavern, and back to the
museum for a Christmas house tour.  Great day.
Sunday was a work day.  My last show of the year!
We now have a few weeks off from shows.  I will still
be painting and classes start in January.

If you are looking for a Christmas gift or housewarming
gift remember we have a good selection of Holiday Prints
at only $35 each.  We are trying hard to be home and have
the studio open for last minute shopping!

2015 Holiday Series #9

6"x 4" miniature original watercolor

2015 Holiday Series #9

SOLD!!

$100 (unframed) to the first person to call or email

and say they want it!! offer expires 12/12 at 7pm then

the price goes to $200.

I love night scenes, full moon... don't overlook the

shadows behind the wreath.

Heading out to dinner tonight to Aussie and the Fox
its our first time there.

2015 Holiday Series #8

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #8
SOLD!!
$150 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/11 at 7pm then
the price goes to $300

This is from my recent time at the Ephrata Cloister.
There is a lot more detail in this so I am asking a
little more for it...


Pretty much spending all my time focusing on these
holiday paintings... but we plan to squeeze in some
fun over the weekend.

2015 Holiday Series #7

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #7

SOLD!!

$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/11 at 7pm then
the price goes to $275

Last week I was driving around my hometown, Lititz
looking for holiday decorations.  Found this great porch
with an antique sled and skates.

If you live in the Harrisburg area, I have a show on
Sunday at The John Harris Cameron Mansion
at 219 Front Street.  Open from 1pm to 6pm.

2015 Holiday Series #6

4x6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #6

SOLD!!
$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/10 at 7pm then
the price goes to $275

This is from my recent visit to the Ephrata Cloisters
in Ephrata, PA.  They did not celebrate by decorating
however the museum had nice wreaths on the doors.

Had a very nice time at the Magic Lights last night.
It was a great evening to stroll in the woods and take
lots of lights.

2015 Holiday Series #5

5x5" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #5

SOLD!!
$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/10 at 7pm
then the price goes to $250

This is a little scene from a house on Broad Street
in Lititz.  I liked the sweep of the fence.

Saturday I gave a little talk at the Ephrata Cloisters.
If you are looking for a worthy place to volunteer I
highly recommend this historic place.  Also if you have
not visited in a while add it on your list!
I am off to see the Christmas Magic Lights in York
with friends.

2015 Holiday Series #4

4x6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #4

SOLD!!
$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/6 at 7pm then
the price goes to $275

We spent a nice evening at Mount Hope being
entertained with two fun Christmas skits.
Saturday morning I am giving a little talk at
The Ephrata Cloisters on  the Cloisters as
painting inspiration.

2015 Holiday Series #3

4x6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #3

SOLD!!
$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/4 at 7pm then
the price goes to $275

I like the ironwork in the front, can you feel the
depth?  You just know there is a walkway from the
gate to the front door.

2015 Holiday Series #2

4x6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #2

SOLD!
$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/4 at 7pm then
the price goes to $275!  

Another gem from the Inn at Montchanin Village in DE.
A few winters ago.

2015 Holiday Series #1

4x6" miniature original watercolor
2015 Holiday Series #1  

SOLD!!
$125 (unframed) to the first person to call or email
and say they want it!! offer expires 12/4 at 7pm then
the price goes to $275!  

This is the start of my Holiday paintings! This little gem
is from a past visit to the Inn at Montchanin Village in DE.

The end of November...

2015 Still Life #5 ~ pumpkin
5"x 5" miniature original watercolor
SOLD!

I am back to my "Painting A Day" pieces
and decided to finish out November with a
pumpkin.  This one greeted me on the front
porch of the parents of friends.
Just a pumpkin resting in a pot.

Open House Update...
After all the prep work and then two busy weeks
of socializing and selling it is all over for another
year.   I was blessed with the great article
in the LNP and a "not to miss" blurb again the
following week plus Channel 11 came out and
filmed!  Today started the pack up process which
I think takes as long as set up.  Linda is glued to her
desk updating customer sales and the 274 change of
addresses she has.  I am back to painting!

2nd week of Open House...

WELCOME...
This is the 2nd week of Open House...
I still have a good selection of original paintings
and we restocked the prints!
Open:
Friday, 11/27 from 10-5pm
Saturday, 11/28 from 10-5pm
Sunday, 11/29 from noon-3pm
Held at my studio at 4 N. Spruce St. Lititz

Only One Day till Open House...

I would like to say we are winding down but it is still
pretty hectic!  This week I had a very nice interview by
Laura Knowles for the Lancaster Newspaper.
You can see it online HERE.  Tuesday night I gave a
talk to the Lititz Womens Club.  Linda's big cleaning day
was yesterday, she takes that very seriously!  Today was
cooking prep day.  More supplies were delivered and I
am wrestling with a string of tiny lights that all of a sudden
went out or are blinking... I think I may have to just disconnect
them!  Our painter painted four more outside windows and
the roofer has been faithfully working.

There are 6 rooms full of paintings and prints

New Originals

                     


















 Lots of Mini Prints... think Christmas Gifts

 The NEW Prints

9 Days Till Open House

9 Days Till Open House

Linda wanted to make her own fancy popcorn and
I talked her into buying it to save time and her energy!
We had fun running to New Holland to "Emma's" for
this gourmet popcorn Linda picked for open house.

Picked up three 3lb bags, Oreo Peanut Butter,
Vanilla Cream, and Gingerbread.   I was informed
they are not for snacking by the hand full, just a
little taste!!  More mat cutting and framing was
done today, seems to me that is never ending. I
think every time someone says they are coming
Linda panics and adds more to be framed!

Here is a little mini 10x8 I finished.


Meanwhile today our new roofer finished covering
the fascia and soffit on one side of the house.  He is
hand forming it around our old house.  Looks good.
After years of Linda lovingly painting and loving
her old wood she finally gave in to having it covered.

10 Days Till Open House

Open House Update:
We are moving right along...
I have the tarp around the porch and the rug is down.
Cannot put up the panels until after my show this
weekend.  There are large piles of the new Christmas
prints framed and stacked.  More framing is still going
on.  Titles and prices were done for the new paintings
and their labels printed.  Linda will be adding them to
my website over the weekend, but remember; no sales
until 2pm on Friday the 20th! If you picked one out and
cannot get here on Friday, at exactly 2pm you may
call and Linda will mark it "SOLD" for you.
A major change to the menu was debated for several days...
the decision was made to change the "hot wassail" after
30+ years...
If it is cold out, we are going with a fancy hot chocolate
with homemade marshmallows and if the weather is
warm it will be homemade iced spiced chai latte.
hummm   I was voted against!

I still am painting...

This little gem is 14x18.

16 days till Open House

All the invites seem to have landed...
Feel free to invite your friends and family!

24 Days Till Open House

The count down begins...24 days till Open House!
A few minor setbacks today.  First, our supply order
truck broke down and cannot deliver till Thursday.
That puts framing two days behind schedule.  Then
there is a bit of a snag in the printing of the invites,

seems to be a shortage of yellow toner! Hopefully
printing will happen on Wednesday. 
Our mailing house has the addresses, large check to
the Postmaster is written out.  Linda almost has the
menu and grocery list together.  An order of over 100
8x10 frames arrived.  Framing is happening daily.
Meanwhile I am painting.



 

Again, titles are welcome!

This week is my last set of classes, they start
up again in January.  We had 6 windows across
the upper front of the house painted on Monday.

Back to my painting....

Update...

Open House Update:
My new print was delivered and here I am
signing and numbering all 200.

Linda started the framing of these and
they look fantastic.  We are taking orders
but not shipping until after open house.
I saw Linda is searching for new hors d'oeuvres
which is a serious project!

Meanwhile I finished another painting..

This is from Dinkelsbuhl, Germany... I need a title!

30 days till Open House!

Only 30 days till my big Open House.  This will be the 32nd
Annual, I can't believe we have done it so long.
First my painting update.
Here is a little sample, not available until 11/20/15 but you
can put them on your wish list!

Next is Linda's update
1) Several deliveries of supplies are coming through the door...
feels like daily!  (tape, hooks and screws, mattboard,
foamboard, framer points and lots of moulding length)
2) Lots of mat cutting and framing going on.
3) The new print came today so I am numbering
and signing 200! 
4)  Invites and tear sheets were proofed today
We are on schedule!

Meanwhile we went away over the weekend with friends to
the Laurel Highlands of PA.  Linda found a great cottage to
rent. We started with a nice dinner at Moon Shadow Cafe.
Saturday we rode the Western MD Scenic Train.  It was sleeting
when we arrived in Frostburg!  Sunday was our visit to
Fallingwater followed by a slightly spicy but tasty lunch at
Out of the Fire Cafe .  We had a wonderful weekend.

Now we are back home and back to work!!

Friday check in

First, my weekend show info:
Bedford Fall Foliage
October 10-11 From 9am to 5PM
Booth: 174 on Juliana Street
rain or shine or chilly!
Bedford, PA

Next is Open House Update:
Linda is adding three new Holiday mini prints
$15 print with a mat or $35 framed

                   

Open House update

This time of year gets crazy and if you follow my blog you know
Linda follows her printed schedule she designed so everything is
done the same every year on the correct dates!  She does not
get behind, even if it means pulling a few all-nighters to stay
on task!  My only job is to PAINT!  I still am teaching three
classes for the month and we are still showing but I am focused
on painting.  The rest is in Linda basket.  I know for a fact this
has been done.  In case your are thinking of hosting an open
house you can see what goes into it.
1) The new print has been decided on...


2) name picked... "Bellissimo"
meaning beautiful in Italian since this scene is from Italy.
size with frame is 11x22"  great fun shape.
The cost will be $45 print only or $85 framed.
3)  Linda went to the printer (Pemcor) this morning.
4) The sell sheet to go with the print has been designed
and is at the other printer (Miller Printing).
5) Invitations are being designed, Linda works with a local
printer (Miller Printing) to design them.
6) Mats are being cut and back boards for the shrinks are cut.
7) The older prints are being framed so there is a good selection.
8) Our mailing list has been housecleaned.  Over 6500 names!
9) Contact has been made with our mailing house
    (CRW Enterprises)
I am sure there is more Linda has been doing, I find it best to
stay clear and just feed her occasionally!
Save the Date:
32nd Annual Open House
Friday, November 20 thru November 22
If you are in the market for an original, plan to be here
when the doors open at 2pm Friday for the best selection!
No early sales or orders on originals but you can order a
new print!

In addition to all the open house work, there have been
painters and roofers here to give quotes for work that needs
done on the house.  Linda is in full gear since I said no more
traveling till the house is updated!  That made her move fast!
Gotta love it!!

17th Annual Artisians Porchwalk

Friday, Oct. 2 from 10 to 5
Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 to 4

Everyone is set up and ready for you tomorrow!
My studio is stop #1!! Featuring my watercolors,
Lydia Dierwechter -­ Repurposed Wool Purses
Leslie Howland & Mary Anderson -­ Functional Stoneware Pottery
Gretchen Smith -­ Handcrafted Jewelry and
 Slates by Sandy Bock

FREE ~ Rain or shine!

2015 Still Life #1

5x5" miniature original watercolor
$250

I wanted a change from painting Italy and realized I have
not painted a mini  Shaker still life all year!  Love the artsy
angle of this one.

This weekend show:
Leesburg Fine Arts Festival                                   
September 26 & 27
Sat. 10-6 and Sun. 11-5  held in Historic Leesburg
My space is K2 on King Street ~  rain or shine

Also... its your last chance to place an order for the "September
Deal" from Monday...

Tuscany #5

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor  SOLD!
only $125 (unframed) to the 1st person to call or email
Available until Thursday 9/24 at 9am
If unsold, it will be framed and the price goes to $225!

This is from a tour we took in the Crete Senesi area
of Tuscany which is south of Siena, Italy
green, green and more green!

I also finished this outstanding little 4x6"
still life from La Casa di Adelina in
Monticchiello, Italy  ~ $325 framed

 



Last weekend I took 3rd place in painting in Easton, PA

September 3 Day Special…

September 3 Day Special… 
After the success of the August sale I have a new offer.

The Reason: I am trying to lower my inventory by offering my clients a special price.

The deal: I picked three prints (unframed only)  ½ off the regular price!
Orders only (not available at shows) 
Pick up or add $8 towards shipping
Available for 3 days, now till Thursday 9/24 ending at 9PM
scroll down to see all three↓

"Welcome Home”   12x16”    $50 …. ½ off = only $25!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Apple Harvest”   9x12”   $45… ½ off = only $22.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Remembrance”  18x15”   $85… 1/2 off = $42.50!

 

How to order… Send me an email and tell me what you want.
Include name and address (to ship) and how you want to pay.
I can accept a check, charge cards or send you a PayPal request!

Think ahead to Christmas gifts!
Any questions, email me

 

Thursday Check in...

This weekend:
RiversideFestival of the Arts
This weekend: September 19 & 20 from 10 to 5
held in Riverside Park, Easton, PA
My space is #9

Busy here at the studio, I taught my second
week of classes.  Painted...
Starting to think ahead to my Annual Open
House and the new paintings I need while
juggling a full show schedule.
I will keep you updated.

2015 Orvieto #2

4"x 6" Miniature Original

A Painting A Day...
$250

This view was over the wall in Orvieto.

The castle is now a high end hotel.
A bit more forest than in the Tuscany area.

I told Linda no more trips till we get some
work done on the house.  Took one day and
people are scheduled to come give quotes!No grass under travel loving feet.

2015 Pisa

4"x 6" Miniature Original

A Painting A Day...   $200

This is a scene you rarely see in the States
but is not unusual in Europe.  We saw her in
Pisa.
I wanted to do something completely different...

Tuscany #4

4"x 6" Miniature Original

A Painting A Day...
$125. to the first person to email or call
after 9/3 the price goes to $275
(plus $8 to ship).     SOLD!!

Another Tuscan landscape...

I finished my commission, cannot post it
until the end of September, it is a gift.
I have a flower garden commission to start
for September.  No complaints, I am staying
busy!  I thought I would try to get a few
miniatures painted this week just for a change.
Meanwhile I have two bees nests to go deal with!

And...
this weekend:
Heart of Lancaster ShowLocated at Roots Country Market     

705 Graystone Road  Manheim, PA 10 AM to 4PM    rain or shine.My booth is #136

Florence finished!!

Finished!  I am very happy with my new painting.
I rarely paint a city scene and had to really take my
time. That's a lot of buildings with a lot of windows!
it will be framed 24x18    I need a title...

Below is the progression from yesterday.
Spending all my time on getting the reflection
look real and still have it look like the Arno River
is flowing.

Now I am concentrating on my commission!  I
plan to have it finished by Friday but it may require
me pulling some late nights...

Back to my Florence painting...

I am back to my Florence painting...

 I added lots more detail in the buildings and am
working my way across the painting.  You can
see my under washes on the right and detail on the
left.  Also worked on the wall.  I am trying to fill
in the buildings.

 Finishing the detail across the painting.
Adding shadows.  Building depth and color.

Next I penciled in the reflection in the river.
Added more green and started the under painting
in the reflection.
Any questions??
More tomorrow!