Checking in

This is not turning into a good painting week for me.
Yesterday I spent the morning photographing my
next large commission.  Then a track meet...
We WON!  Our boys are 4-1 and girls 5-0, I am a
proud coach.  Today we spent from 10-2 with friends
from Philly.  Then off to track practice.
Wednesday I have a dentist appointment and then a
big track meet... unless it rains.

So the only thing I have to show you is the painting
I was working on this past weekend.


I always start with a hand-drawing.

Below it the start of washes, photo taken outside
so it has sunlight across it, not a great photo.

2016 Miami #2

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day..SOLD!
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/27 the price goes to $250

My last painting from my daughters Miami trip.
The umbrella seems to be flapping, like there is a
light breeze! I would love to be sitting there right now!!

Good show on Saturday in Lewisburg.  Nice to have off
on Sunday.  I got a 25 mile bike ride in and then took
Linda to Chanticleer for the afternoon.  Beautiful day
to walk the gardens.  I have some photo's I plan to work
on this week.

2016 Still Life #9

6"x 4"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...SOLD!
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/23 the price goes to $250.

I used parts of this still life as a demo for my students
last month.  It has been sitting here unfinished.  Two
pears and an over the hill mango.

I cheated a tiny bit today by finishing a painting started
a month ago.  I was short on time because of an eye
check up.  I have had glaucoma since my early 20's and
get twice a year checks.  Only got home at noon and there
was no way I could start and finish before leaving for track.
So my three hours were spent on this one.

2016 Miami

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...SOLD
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/22 the price goes to $275.

The benefits of having a daughter with a good eye!
She was recently in Miami and took this great
shot for me to paint.  Think about this a moment...
all the white is my white paper!

On the home front:
The van is packed and ready for the weekend show.
Warwick M.S. boys and girls won our track meet
yesterday; doing very well and I am proud of them all.

2016 Italy #10

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day... SOLD!!
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/21 the price goes to $275.

Quintessential Italy!

Time to dig out all my outdoor show supplies.
First outside show is Saturday.  

Lewisburg Arts Festival
Saturday, April 23
Free!!
My space is #37N  on Market Street
between 3rd and 4th Streets

2016 Italy #9

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...  SOLD!
$275.

More from the little medieval hamlet of Lucignano d'Asso.

Over the weekend Linda went with a girlfriend to the
Lancaster Marionette, so she wanted to give a plug.
There were more adults than kids and she would like
to go back for the adult show.  Then Sunday we went
to see a harp concert which was fantastic.  I sold a
bike and bought a bike and plan to test it tonight.
Track is going well, we have a meet on Tuesday.

2016 Italy #8

5"x 5"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...  SOLD!!
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/17 the price goes to $275.

I found this gem while visiting Monte Oliveto Maggiore
to see their fantastic frescos. Still in the Crete Senesi area.

My morning was spent giving a lecture
"Living with Watercolors" at  Landis Homes.

They now know much more than they need
to about me!!

2016 Italy #7

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...SOLD!

Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/16 the price goes to $300.
Another painting from this little village in the Crete Senesi
area.  Love the yellow, looks even better in person.

Painting, track practice, back home to paint!
Don't wait to send an email if your thinking about one
of yesterdays 1/2 off prints...

April Print Special

April ~ 3 Day Special…
I am working on cleaning out some inventory

by offering my private clients a special price.
The Deal…
I picked 3 prints ~ unframed
 ½ off the regular price for 3 days only!
Available until 4/15 at 7PM
Pick up at the studio or add $8 towards shipping.

The Prints…

“Potting Shed”  9x12”   $45… ½ off = only $22.50!
add $40 for framing

“Full Bloom”   14x10”  $50… ½ off = only $25.00!
add $40 for framing

“Spring Days” 15x18”  $85…1/2 off = only $42.50!
add $40 for framing

Send an email to place an order!

2016 Italy #6

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...
 $275

I am working on pieces from the Crete Senesi area all
this week.    The Crete Senesi refers to an area of the
Italian region of Tuscany to the south of Siena.  Our guide
"Roberto" drove us around for a day making several stops.

This past weekend was spent with several friends.  We
get together once a year and this year we stayed close
to Lititz.  We had big plans... then it snowed.  Never
expected to have to go to Plan B in April!
Breakfast at TomatoPie. (excellent as always)
Then we went to the Clock Museum in Columbia PA
This is a must see one time.  I was very impressed.  None
of us are particularly interested in watches or clocks but
but it was very interesting so put it on your list to see.
Thank you to a friend Ray for helping make are visit
special.   Dinner plans changed from Penn National Race
Track to Aussie and the Fox.  (another excellent meal!)
Only one more free weekend and then my show season
is in full swing.  My house sitter might as well just move
in!

2016 Italy #5 - window

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...SOLD!!
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/11 the price goes to $275

We had the special privileged of a meal in a family
home while in the Crete Senesi area.  Our guide
arranged it and it was a highlight of our trip. Everything
they served was made on the family farm.  "Momma"
spoke no English but made the best meal ever and we
drank their Brunello wine.  In an area filled with stone
buildings I was a little surprised to find this brick building
making up a part of their courtyard.

2016 Italy Landscape #4

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...   SOLD!
 $275

This is the same Italian village as yesterdays blue door.
I liked the view over the very old stone wall.  I still cannot
believe I leaned against this wall.   We had a great
guide who wanted to show us this village because he felt
it was an artists eye candy everywhere we looked.

Musings...
I have often heard people say my paintings look like
photographs. I guess they do at a quick glance and
I do not find that offensive as some artist may.
What I really hope for is that they look as good close
up as well as at a distance.  This is a lot harder than
it sounds.  Some paintings fall apart when you get up 
close and personal with them.  I think a big difference
for me is that I take as much time hand-drawing as I
do painting.  A lot of artists use a computer or  trace
their drawing, it makes it faster and more accurate.
I believe  with my drawing I accomplish a more personal
feeling.  Its not perfect.   My paintings then become
somewhat impressionistic and the viewers
 "minds eye" finishes some details.    I do use my own
less than good photos as my guide.  To bring back the
memory of what I saw  but then I must interpret that
into a painting.

2016 Italy Landscape #3

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...SOLD!!
Only $125 (unframed) to the first person to email or call!
If unclaimed by 4/9 the price goes to $275

Back to painting Italy.  This was a little village in the Crete Senesi
area.  The dappled light left hot sun spots.  But that beautiful
blue door...

We took down the exhibit at RLPS Architects and actually sold
five prints.  We may have another exhibit planned there and
possibly spend a day painting.  They have a fantastic building
and work enviornment.   I painted all day and then off to track
practice, not the best weather!

2016 Still Life #8

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor ~ A Painting A Day...
SOLD!

This is my daughters kitchen window in Washington DC.  She
has this very tall narrow window with her favorite vase and a
fern.  Its the light coming in that creates interest.  I keep
saying, there are scenes everywhere you look just screaming
to be a painting... look around.  Even if you are not an
artist, slow down and look around you!

Checking in

My painting today is only 1/2 finished!  I started on time.
Then our friend Joan came for a visit and I drove the
girls for ice cream and Joan wanted to look at our new
55+ community.  By the time I got home it was time to
leave for track practice.  Till I got home, dried off, and
warmed up I do not have enough time to finish.  I
promise it will be done tomorrow and look great.  So
 instead of a painting today I will share  a fellow artists
article.  The Art of being an Art Collector.
Go read it and come back...

Well written and made me stop and think about my
own path as a painter and how connected I am to my
clients. I paint what I love, things I have seen, places I
have visited.  I think when you get to know me, visit the
studio/house and see how I live you have a greater
understanding of who I am and how I connect with my
world.   That comes out in my paintings.   I am not
doing the salesman thing and my path has not been all
about selling and money.  The sales happen naturally
when I and my paintings connect with people.  I want
my clients to fall in love with my subjects, to find a
calm peacefulness in them and to share my view and
to feel connected to the subject. I  prefer to build a
relationship with my clients, they have invested in my
paintings but also in me as an artist and person.  I don't
care if its a $35 mini print or a $6000 original, I am
counting on a connection, I want it to mean something
to that buyer.  They become my collectors and I know
they will be back for more!