Monday, December 26, 2016

2016 Holiday #19

5"x 5"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #19   $225.

On Christmas Day I took a long bike ride.
I saw this in the Brickerville area.  A big sandstone
barn with greens hanging at the window and a
candle.

My plan is to paint a few more holiday this week.
Sunday, Linda and I are taking a trip and when I
return I plan to start "winter".

Friday, December 23, 2016

Merry Christmas to all...


We have been celebrating all through the Holiday Season.  Last night capped off a wonderful time at American Music for the Christmas Special.  When we got home Abbey and Ben and our new grandkitty were already here and unpacking.  Friday morning we attended the funeral of Linda's aunt Rose.  The afternoon was spent getting ready for our annual Christmas Eve with family and friends.
Dad and Abbey decorating the tables.  While Ben was helping
Linda in the kitchen.
This is the perfect time to say THANK YOU to all of you for your support and kindness over 2016.  You allow me to paint and earn a living with my brush.  I am grateful. We wish you a happy and healthy new year.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

2016 Holiday #18

SOLD!
5"x 5"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #18
 $275.

we are out to see the Christmas Showat the American Music Theater.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

2016 Holiday #17


SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #17
$135 unframed   (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
No calls tonight we are out to see RLPS Gingerbread Display
and then another dinner with friends!

Today I went with a night scene...

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

2016 Holiday #16

SOLD!
4'"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #16
$135 unframed   (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
No calls tonight we are out to dinner so its to the
1st email I receive...

Another Williamsburg piece, there was only one
building that had what i think of as Williamsburg
decorations.   But the reality is they did not waste
a lot of fruit in the Colonial  times.
But this to me is classic.

Monday, December 19, 2016

2016 Holiday #15

SOLD
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #15
You will need to bid on eBay.  Opening bid is $135
CLICK HERE to view
(clicking only takes you to eBay, no obligation to look!)
It will be listed for only one day.

Williamsburg, VA... you can just feel the sun going
down!

On a personal note...
Every year when Abbey was young Linda came up with a
theme for our tree and we would all make the new ornaments.
A new batch every year!  I dug out these to put on our little
table top tree this year.  Recycled light bulbs that we painted.














Now this did not always go as planned, I remember one
year Abbey and Rashetta were fussing about stringing
popcorn and cranberries, jabbing their finger. Causing a
bit of a downer in Linda's plans, next thing I hear is
Linda loudly (a bit mad) saying,
WE ARE MAKING MEMORIES,  DAMIT!  the girls stopped
and looked at her, and started laughing (Mom did not usually
swear).  To this day they laugh and give her a hard time
about making dam memories!



Friday, December 16, 2016

2016 Holiday #14



SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #14

This is a Lititz door, from the 200 block of E Main St.
Loved the trim around the door.  Very inviting.

No paintings over the weekend, I will return on Monday!
I will try hard to be around the studio for any Holiday
shopping you may want to do!!


Thursday, December 15, 2016

2016 Holiday #13

SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #13

Doing things a little differently for the next few
paintings, in an effort to be more fair to everyone
trying to get one of these great little paintings...

You will need to bid on eBay.  Opening bid is $135
CLICK HERE to view
(clicking only takes you to eBay, no obligation to look!)
It will be listed for only one day.  

You may still pay however you wish and
shipping or pick up available.  Questions?
Give me a call at 717-627-3383

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

2016 Holiday #12

SOLD 4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #12
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 

I offer framing at $35!
$4 if I am shipping it to you unframed
$8 if I am shipping it to you framed

I am truly selling these little gems as fast as I
am painting them!  We are planning to walk
around Lititz this week for new subjects.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

2016 Holiday #11


SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #11
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)

This little painting need to be studied.  You actually
have two scenes.  Exterior: I like the way the tree branches
brush against the window.  The interior: nice crock of
poinsettias giving a great splash of color.

Monday, December 12, 2016

2016 Holiday #10



SOLD! 6"x 4"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #10
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)


We spent the weekend on a hunt for new Holiday
subject material.  Had a fantastic time with friends
on the water in Gloucester, VA
Wonderful views out every window, this was our sunset.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

2016 Holiday #9

SOLD!!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #9
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)


This will be my last one for the week!  I'll be back on
Monday.  Hope you all have a nice weekend.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

2016 Holiday #8



SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #8
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)



The painting below is from Lititz at night. SOLD!
6"X 4"  


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

2016 Holiday #7




SOLD!
6"x 4"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

Holiday #7
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)

The studio is busy filling orders.  I will be heading out
to UPS!  A large shipment of glass and frames came
today so I have glass to cut down later this week.
Linda was taking an order and I hear
"I'd be happy to hand deliver it"... its going to Florida!
She is getting antsy to travel which means there will
be a plan shortly.
I'm just painting!

Monday, December 5, 2016

2016 Holiday #6

SOLD
5"x 5"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #6
 $275.

I finished my last show of the season, so shows are
done till the end of February.   It feels good to have
a break.   If you were planning to place an order
don't wait, the studio has been staying pretty busy.
And if you want to visit the studio, give a call to make
sure we are around.


Friday, December 2, 2016

2016 Holiday #5

SOLD!!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #5
$135 unframed  (value framed: $275.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)

While I know this is all about the Holidays, my favorite
part of this painting is the reflection in the glass.

This is it for the week, I am not posting over the weekend.
Next painting is Monday.

What a busy day, there was someone here visiting
all day, in and out and in between the phone was ringing
off the hook!  All good stuff, just busy.  

Sunday is my last show for the season.  I can be found:
Marietta Christmas Candlelight Tour
I am in the lobby of the old bank
100 W Market St.  Marietta PA
11am-5pm  
The house tours require a ticket but the
events (where I am) are free!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

2016 Holiday #4



SOLD!!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #4
$125 unframed  (value framed: $250.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)


I offer framing at $35!
$4 if I am shipping it to you unframed
$8 if I am shipping it to you framed

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

2016 Holiday #3

SOLD!!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #3
$125 unframed  (value framed: $250.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)
This is a great way to get an original painting!

I offer framing at $35!
$4 if I am shipping it to you unframed
$8 if I am shipping it to you framed

There is something about green against the white.
An interesting angle.

Today I set up a display of prints at Moravian Manor.
I'm the artist of the month!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

2016 Holiday #2

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #2
$225

I mostly like the green in the bottle, the ribbon
is just a side interest!


Monday, November 28, 2016

2016 Holiday #1

It is time to start my Holiday Series!
Here is the 1st one...
SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day
Holiday #1
$100 unframed  (value framed: $250.)
Available to the 1st person to email 
or call 717-627-3383 (you may call up to 10pm!)
This is a great way to get an original painting!

I offer framing at $35!
$4 if I am shipping it to you unframed
$8 if I am shipping it to you framed


It's hard to believe after so much painting and getting ready that Open House and Open Studio are both over.  Both went very well. We restocked prints, again!   So there is still plenty here for you to pick from.  We do not have set hours but if you call or email we will try to accommodate your visit.

 Abbey and Ben were home for Thanksgiving Eve.  We had a wonderful dinner at Aussie and the Fox in Lancaster.  Nice to see a good restaurant with plenty for us carnivores but also a good selection for my vegetarian kids.  Thanksgiving day was spent at our friends the Hildebrands; a good traditional meal with great company.  We are blessed with fantastic friends.

My plan is to concentrate on my " A Painting a Day"  Holiday pieces.  I have one last show for the year this Sunday at the Marietta Tour of Homes.  Plus I am artist for the month of December at Moravian Manor in Lititz.  So, no rest!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Still available

Open House went very well, thank you to all who
attended.  We are restocking the prints so there will
be plenty for this weekends Open Studio.
Friday and Saturday  10 to 5 and Sunday noon to 3.
There are still some great original paintings available also.


Check my website for more information


Thursday, November 17, 2016

Open House starts Friday!!

It's here and we are ready... our doors open promptly at
2pm Friday and are open till 10pm!
at 4 N. Spruce St. Lititz, PA



New banner was hung this morning!

If you are traveling, Lititz has lots to see besides
me!  I am most important but our town is pretty great.
Click here for info.


Monday, November 14, 2016

Only 4 days till Open House!

If you have never been to Open House, and I would not admit that out loud!  When you first walk into the house we feature only the new work and anything I painted in 2016 on the right side.  On the left side is anything left from 2015.  This is not my doing!  Linda has a "thing" for featuring new work, causing me to work harder than I might if I was in charge of hanging the paintings!!  Into dining room there are fantastic homemade hors d'oeuvres for you to snack on.  The studio features all my prints, stacked with mat choices. Then out on the porch, which I recently enclosed just for Open House, are any paintings painted before 2015.  All that to say this morning we set up the porch and hung the paintings.
















Labels were printed for the new paintings.  Linda put my new work on my website this afternoon but none of it is available to purchase until Friday at 2pm!  To be fair to everyone we do not open the doors or answer the phone till 2:00!  If you want to order an original you may call promptly at 2:00 on Friday, but wait till after Open House to order prints.

This little gem is 22x11 and will be waiting for you!

Thursday, November 10, 2016

I packed the van today for this weekends show.
Artisan Fair
Held at Olympic Hall at Spooky Nook Sports Complex
2913 Spooky Nook Rd, Lancaster, PA
Sat. 10am-5pm and Sun. 10am-4pm
$5. admission


This is the old show held at F&M College (back in the shows
heyday), moved to Manheim Township school, moved to the
Lancaster Convention Center and now at Spooky Nook.
Good quality and worth your time.

OPEN HOUSE UPDATE:
The last of the framing was done today!
Cleaning... I mention the cleaning every year.  Somehow Linda
uses this as an excuse for major housecleaning.  I mean get a
ladder out, change the water ten times type of cleaning.
So today most of the cleaning was accomplished, Linda gets
weird about cleaning out the overhead lights... I think you
will be so wrapped up in looking at my paintings you won't
notice old dead bugs in the overheads!  That approach did not
work, so they were cleaned.  Window were washed.  Really...
you are looking out my windows??  May I remind you your
eyes should be on my paintings!  I was ignored and it all got
done.  Tomorrow I get a haircut, the house is not the only thing
getting cleaned up!   Oh... anyone in Lititz have access to any
bittersweet?  Its on Linda's list.

Monday, November 7, 2016

10 Days Till Open House

Panels and lights up in the living room.  Paintings laid out where they may go. Rug laid out on the porch and a plan for panels there.   Grocery shopping started for your hors d'oeuvres, and a stop at the State Store for wine.

Below is another painting that will be waiting for you!  Not available until 2pm on Friday the 18th.  I cut the mat this morning, getting framed tomorrow.  18x14"  Put it on your wish list!


Thursday, November 3, 2016

14 Days Till Open House!

Good news...I just picked up 52 more frames!!  Busy busy.
Not so good news... I got my new health insurance premium, it is now over $1447.00 a month,($17,364 a year)  that's higher than a mortgage payment.  I am putting the blame squarely on the greedy insurance companies who are keeping their profits high... So now we spend days looking for a new plan.


Meanwhile...another finished painting.  Not for sale until 2pm Friday 11/18!
Title suggestions...

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

17 days till Open House!

I had some finished paintings I had not shown because I am holding them for Open House!  This is NOT for sale until November 18 at 2pm, but you can put it on your wish list!    Linda just framed it and I love it.  Those that know me know I love moons and a moon glow.  I am open to title suggestions.
There is still a lot of framing going on with a huge amount of supplies being delivered.  Linda was working on over 200 address corrections.  Email invites went out today to those not on the snail mail list.  House furniture has been rearranged to make room for panels. I am stuck to my chair painting!

Monday, October 31, 2016

Guest Writer #7

I am working hard on paintings for Open House.  You should have your invitation by now.  If you have any questions or want to place an order please send an email.  


This is my last guest writer for a little while.  I hope you enjoyed reading some of my clients thoughts.  

Guest Writer #7
I first discovered Andy’s watercolors by way of his ‘Painting a Day’ blog. As a whole Andy’s work was seemingly simple, but detailed in form, but there were other complexities to discover. Andy, as an artist, could make me desire an object in the composition, bring up memories of the past, allow me to enjoy the wonderful workmanship from a technical standpoint, as well as draw me into a watercolor’s story. 

Thus, I quickly realized Andy’s watercolors were more than individual marvelous pieces to be admired. I felt a special connection to his watercolors- I look at his watercolors and see and feel hope. Hope in past life, present and, in particular, future hope in life and all life’s permutations.There is life in all his works and I find them life-affirming. I may feel a familiarity with my own life or see a new way of viewing the world – expanding my experiences and horizons. I realize his watercolors show what the world has to offer, through Andy’s life translated to his art-giving a fantastic visage for a personal journey, soul searching and the feeling of yearning to go out and live and experience and participate in my own life. This translates for me to an intimate connection with an artist and his work.

Andy’s watercolors are eclectic in subject matter but realistic. Each asks you to share their life, if you will, whether just admiring what you immediately see, or on a deeper more interactive level, delving into what story lies within the piece.

Andy’s watercolors also say to me ‘discover my mystery and what that mystery says to you.’ I feel an overall sense of not just hope but excitement when viewing Andy’s watercolors, in whole or in a detail! Andy, as an accomplished watercolorist, has a unique view of watercolor and how he presents his paintings. His paintings have mysteries I feel I can unfold just by looking at a watercolor and then looking again in the future and see different mysteries and conclusions depending on when I am engaging myself. Sometimes it happens so naturally it simply comes upon me without effort-so I feel restful and at peace. His watercolors provide me a wonderful opportunity to search for and discover the mysteries in his art and my own life, new meanings and emotions that the watercolor says to me.

I love that Andy’s watercolors often are presented from an unanticipated viewpoint. I find Andy has a unique composition in many of his watercolors, such as a view of a piece of an object or composition from a vantage point I had not thought of. An example: when I see only a piece of an object, this may leave me to wonder what this adds to what Andy wants to say, what it says to me, again gleefully leaving me indulging in the contemplation and/or mystery of Andy’s watercolors!Perusing, inspecting, and/or positioning the painting in a new way physically and–behold - the painting speaks to me in a new way!


Andy’s watercolors say something to me in a gentle inviting way- although some are more ethereal, others bold and forthright. For me there is a transcendence,each piece exquisite in its own way without mistaking the aura of Andy’s personal approach and execution that is ubiquitous even as he grows as an artist.

Thank you Christine!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

21 Days till Open House...

21 Days till my 33rd Annual Open House!

Invites are in the mail so you should be getting yours very soon.

























I think you can click on the invite to make it larger.

Monday, October 24, 2016

monday

24 days till my 33rd Annual Open House!   
Now I am not going to say anyone here is in a panic but,  the stress level is a little higher than usual!  I sold several paintings that I was expecting to have for open house, its one of those good thing/bad thing things!  Great to have the sales but it put a dent in the new paintings I will have.  Now that my commissions are finished and this is my last week of classes so that takes a bit off my plate. I am keeping my nose to my drawing board. So there will be plenty of new originals for you to choose from.  

Meanwhile Linda is on track (of course!!) She has this two page list that she checks off each day.  I see a lot of mat cutting and framing going on.  Supplies are coming in daily.  The studio was rearranged and I can't find anything!  I think I did tell you we decided not to do a print this year. We are running out of room in the studio and wanted to sell out a few of the other editions before adding more.  Sorry to disappoint anyone waiting for a new print.  My business manager made that decision so we can blame her!
The menu is mostly planned I am told.  Invitations were delivered today and they go to our shipper on Wednesday.  So there is a lot going on here.

Meanwhile, here is a painting that will be at open house.  It is being framed this week...



Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Guest Writer #6

I have two classes to teach today and working on my commission.

My hope in featuring a guest writer is that you gain a little extra in site into my work or even me from a clients observation.  I have enjoyed reading what clients have to say.  I have asked clients who have an extensive collection and as you can see they have been collecting since my beginning.
Guest Writer #6...Sheri
It was the late 80’s when I attended a craft show in Edison, NJ that I first met Andy Smith and purchased my first print.  I’m very traditional and at that time my husband was totally ‘modern’ in terms of décor, so I wasn’t sure what his reaction was going to be when I brought home the print.  Well, he loved it and now almost thirty years later our home is filled with Andy Smith originals and prints. 
Andy’s work speaks to me and one of our many filled walls that I see all day, every day gives me joy, calm and warmth.   Andy’s absolute love of what he does shows in every painting and extends beyond to the world around him.  I believe he puts much of himself in his paintings and that is what makes them so extraordinary.

But let’s not forget Linda who puts so much work into making sure the world knows who Andy is and sees his work – be it the shows they travel to and all that it entails or their wonderful Open House every year.  Without her support and tireless hours of work, so many of us would never have seen or been able to share the most wonderful art of Andy Smith.  Two of the most generous and kind people I have ever met. If I had the space I could write an essay on Andy's art, the person and the couple that brings so much joy and happiness to everyone they meet.

THANK YOU Sheri!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Monday

Business first, I finished one commission and it turned out great.  Client picked it up but I cannot show you because it is a gift.  My next commission is also well on its way and hopefully it will be finished early this week.

Now on to fun!    This past weekend we had our annual get away with our friends the Hildebrands.  I am giving you all the websites and our itinerary in case you want a weekend getaway, Linda (my personal tour guide and planner) made it easy for you!!  Our first stop was Frederick, MD.  We started with breakfast at Frederick Coffee Shop.  Followed by an excellent history walking tour of downtown Frederick, MD.  Very interesting and worth the time.  Then on Lexington VA.  We started with a carriage ride to give us an overview.  Checked into our B&B for the weekend.  We stayed at Shenandoah Manor and while it was ok, and as advertised, just not quiet as good as we expected.   Dinner at Southern Inn however was excellent. Saturday morning we toured Stonewall Jackson's house, he was a very interesting man.  Next was Lee Chapel & Museum, excellent.  A nice lunch at Sweet Treats Bakery  and a fantastic Cadet guided tour of VMI and then the VMI Museum.   Loved VMI!  We had another excellent dinner at Red Hen.   Sunday was spent at Monticello, home to Thomas Jefferson.  Saw the view on the back of our nickel!  In fact the views from his home were beautiful.  The only thing better was if the leaves had turned.  Great weekend weather, good food and tours and great friends.

Monday, I am back to my paints!


Monday, October 10, 2016

Waterford Update

If you have never gone to the Waterford Fair (Waterford, VA) you should consider it.  I have been trying to get into this show for 20 years.  They did not allow "art" until this year. The quality is wonderful, the crafters highly skilled.  The show is in its 72nd year!  You can easily spend the day. Many of the historic homes are on a house tour,  there is Civil War encampments, music, and every exhibitor is required to demonstrate so you can really get an idea how something is made.  And, we all have to dress in 1700-1800's clothing...




Thank you to the Bradleys for the loan of our clothing!  Linda had three different outfits and I had this wonderful 1st Rhode Island Artillery coat and two different vests.  It took some getting used to sporting sock garters, keeping everything buttoned and tucked and in place! It was actually pretty interesting seeing how everyone was dressed.  Many of the crafters do other period shows but this was a first for us.
And again the weather was not great.  Rain on Saturday and very nasty winds on Sunday.  I understand the attendance was way down.  
The show was trying to rebound from last years weather cancellation (VA declared a state of emergency).  There were less exhibitors (many are getting older and it is a hard show to do). I went loaded to the hilt.  I don't think I could have squeezed one more painting into the van.  Sales were much less than I expected, but still good and I met lots of new people and I think it will all pay off next year.  We stayed with a host family the Dorsch's and we really hit the host jackpot.  Fantastic family.  We were unexpectedly treated to family dinner each night and hot scones for breakfast.  A perfect experience.  Next years date is October 6-8 so get it on your calendar.

All this week I am concentrating of finishing two commissions which are gifts so I cannot post them.  Just know I am busy painting!!





Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Sunny Side

Update:  My print Sunny Side has about 10 prints
left in the edition of 425.
For the viewer who looks beyond a pleasant painting, Andy Smiths, "Sunny Side" offers a deeper sense of thought. The way the holly tree serves several functions, to spark some memories, to cast shadows playfully across the house, and even to help hide the need for a fresh coat of paint. And can you resist the temptation of peeking into the window?
This gem is from the Ephrata Cloister school house.  Ephrata, PA

$45.00 for a print
$85.00 for a framed 14x18 print
Send an email if you want to order one.  ($8 shipping)

I am ready to load the van tomorrow for my weekend
show in Waterford, VA.  I know, its all I have talked
about for weeks!  And wouldn't you know... I have to
worry about a hurricane!

Monday, October 3, 2016

Guest Writer #5

I am super busy getting ready for this weekends show in
Waterford, VA.  So I am featuring another guest writer!
I must confess she is also a good friend so maybe a little
biased!

 Guest Writer #5...Joan

 I was asked to write something for my artist friend, ANDY SMITH's Blog.  He has an extraordinary talent for watercolor realism and he is inspired everywhere he goes.

ANDY'S natural skill for realistic watercolor painting always fascinated me. I was an Art Education major in college and then taught HS Art for 4 years. I had the appreciation for ART and was a born teacher, but watercolor painting was one skill I could never even wrap my mind around. Andy made it look so easy but I simply couldn't understand how he did it. His "thumbnail" sketches, in themselves are each a work of art - just as you'll notice from many of the Great Masters' thumbnails housed in museums around the world.

At first I could only afford ONE of Andy's PRINTS here and there, and then finally a larger print "THE STAR BARN", purchased at the MT GRETNA ART SHOW. What a marvelous building and ANDY really captured its essence for me. My niece inherited it not long after I started to collect  originals and it continues to proudly hang in their home.

My first ORIGINAL was "SUNNY SIDE". It pained me to pay the price for an original, BUT I've never looked back nor been disappointed in any of my purchases. My love for "windows" continues to this day and attracts me when taking photographs during my travels. Andy's unobstructed window made me want to climb in there and see what was inside (still does). Perhaps ANDY was also wondering what was inside and his intent was to draw the observer in. I'll have to ask him....


 





One of my next ORIGINALS was also a window (of course), surrounded by a brick wall. His brickwork astounds me. Who can have the patience? ANDY. And the shadows.... I love his shadows...... (sorry for the glare on the photo).




Most recently I've been mesmerized by ANDY'S MINIATURES and all of the detail he can share in such a small space. An avid reader, my favorite author, JULIAN BARNES has my heart because he can tell a full, very detailed, engaging story, bringing the reader into his world in under 200 pages. Succinct yet an abundance of detail. ANDY and Julian Barnes BOTH have this gift.






EVERY DAY I stop and look at ANDY'S paintings placed throughout my home. They bring me great JOY. They make me SMILE. They make me appreciate the God-given talent that ANDY is committed to perfect every single day. His dedication to his work is part of his soul. 

ANDY has my total RESPECT for his work-ethic, his talent, his Christian belief, his love and devotion to his daughter ABBEY and to my best friend, LINDA. I feel quite blessed to have been a part of their lives for the past 40 YEARS and to have had the opportunity to watch both ANDY grow and perfect his talent and LINDA creatively and tirelessly run their business, while allowing ANDY the freedom to follow his dream. Does it get any better than that?!




JOAN







Thursday, September 22, 2016

Guest Writer #4

 I can be found in Leesburg Va over the weekend.
Leesburg (VA) Fine Art Show
September 24-25
Sat. 10-6 and Sun. 11-5
Free admission!
Space: K-2 on the corner of King and Loudoun St!

I asked Margaret to be my next guest writer, here are
her words:

It all started with those darn cows! 
     Years ago, we were at an art show where my husband (a fervent cow-lover) saw Andy’s print of the cows walking in a row and had to have it.  So while Ed was making his “cow” purchase, I browsed through Andy’s booth and loved what I saw.  So I started collecting Andy’s work with a few prints at first, then moved on to originals.  We have about 24 works now and I laughingly refer to my living room as the “Andy Smith Gallery.”
     Linda and Andy are quite a team. Linda is open and friendly and delighted to see us whenever we visit Andy’s booth or their home, always interested in our latest adventure and quick to offer an idea for an outing. Andy doesn’t shut himself off, isn’t reclusive.  At shows, he is usually out in front of his booth, working on a piece, more than willing to discuss what he is painting and share his work.    

     What attracts me to Andy’s work?  It’s hard to quantify.  Andy’s paintings “speak to me”  -- the beauty and the depth in the colors he uses, the spacial harmony, the simple objects he chooses to bring to life in his pieces. I love all things Shaker so I feel especially connected to his Shaker pieces. The light washes through Andy’s paintings just like the light streams through the windows of our old house in the morning. When I walk downstairs in the morning and see his bowl of lemons and the “pair of pears” in the kitchen or the Shaker paintings in the living room, and even those cows in Ed’s office, I see simple things beautifully painted. As the Shakers pointed out “‘tis a gift to be simple...” Andy has that gift. 

Thank you Margaret!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Tuesday

14x18 framed
This looks like it could be from any historical (1800's) town
in the US but we saw it while walking around New Paltz, NY
I am in need of some title suggestions...  Feeling title challenged!

Today I am finishing up some larger paintings that were started
over the past weekends.  Also taught 2 classes.  Meanwhile
Linda is working on our Annual Open House invitation layout.
We made the difficult decision not to do a new print this year.
Our focus is on "selling out" some of the older prints to make
room for new ones next  year.  Its the first time I am not printing
something since 1989.  While it is a wise business decision we
are still struggling with it.  There will still be a great selection of
prints and an even better selection of original paintings so I hope
we get a great crowd!  Save the date:  November 18-20
More info as it gets closer.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Monday...

I'm painting!  Focused on having plenty of
original paintings for the Waterford Show.
Linda is focused on Porchwalk and Open House.
Here I am hanging Linda's gourd lights.



Meanwhile here is a link to my latest interview.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Check in

This weekend in Doylestown, PA
Bedminster Traditional Artisan ShowSeptember 17-18
Held at Delaware Valley University
Doylestown, PA
Saturday: 10-5 Sunday: 10-4
Fantastic quality!!

Another finished painting...   14x18
Open to title suggestions!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Guest Writer #4

My featured Guest Writer today is John...

Since 1994...
August, 1994, Woodstock 2 brought a great number of people to upstate New York.  On that same weekend, I flew in a packed plane to Albany, though my final destination lay a bit farther east, in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts.  In addition to the music at Tanglewood and pleasant village of Lenox, I explored Hancock Shaker village, home of a cleverly constructed round stone barn.  About a month later, while visiting the Brandywine Arts Festival in Wilmington, I spied a painting of that barn, but couldn't convince myself to buy it.  Later that day found me at Chadds Ford Days and I was most fortunate to find a depiction of that Shaker edifice and meet the artist, Andy Smith.  I bought that painting and still to this day, proudly display it in my home.  Since then, Andy's art has become an important fixture on my, now rather full walls, with work depicting everything from the Gettysburg battlefield to a textured wall with candle from the Ephrata Cloister, from rural scenes of barns and pastures so familiar to Andy from his explorations of Lancaster County and other venues, to a portrait of a puffin, my favorite bird, a gift for my 60th birthday.  His artistic talent is only outdone by his compassion and caring: for his community, the young athletes he coaches, his friends, and to the greatest degree, for his family.  Linda and he are a true partnership, working together to share Andy's talent with us fortunate patrons.  Thank you, Andy and Linda for doing so!

Thank you John!  I can really say his walls are full from floor to ceiling and he always says, "I don't have any more room" as he picks out another one he has fallen in love with!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016


My watercolor classes started this week.  I have two classes
today plus working on some small paintings for Waterford Show.
The two paintings below were sold before they were even framed.
I still wanted you to see them.















"Timeworn Webster"  18x14"




















"Spring Beckons"  20x23"

Please tell all your friends in the Pittsburgh PA area
that I will be exhibiting at A Fair in the Park
this weekend, Sept. 9-11
Shadyside, Mellon Park  Booth #4
www.afairinthepark.org