2021 Building #1

 

SOLD!   $145 (unframed) 5x5” original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/1 the price goes to $225

Yesterday we took a drive around the Chester Springs PA area and found lots of new subjects. This building was from the drive, I added our beautiful huge moon.

Question of the Day: Do you listen to music while you paint? I am the odd artist who hates when it is quiet. I paint better when people are around me.  I can easily paint and talk at the same time.  If I am alone I need noise.  I have either the TV on or the radio. I wish I could pretend to be highbrow and say I can only paint to classical music, which I do like a lot, however it is actually Sirius radio; 70's or Motown for me. 

I have a list of questions from the internet that I am using.  If there is something you want to know just send an email! 

2021 Landscape #13

 

SOLD $145 (unframed)  4x6” original watercolor
Available  to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/30 the price goes to $250

We spent the day at a friends house.  While the girls chatted I painted.  Still working on Lancaster County.

No time for a Question of the day!

2021 Landscape #12

 
SOLD!  $145 (unframed)  6x4” original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/29 the price goes to $250

Question of the Day: How does living in Lititz, Pennsylvania impact your art?   I live in the 2013 Coolest Small Town in America and it has only become cooler!  I live a block from the square and from the park.  We moved here in 1986.  Our set up is perfect, we live and have the studio in the same building so I am not traveling to work.  The down side is the work is always there!  I am not a storefront and the studio is more for me than for clients however if you call and I answer you may stop in!  The location is perfect for traveling, I can get to several major routes easily. So that is the logistics.  As for the impact in my actual painting... Lititz was settled in the 1700's and many buildings are old and have the brick and stone that I am drawn to.  Town is full of subjects for me to paint at the same time as having an upscale vibe.  But it is probably the surrounding area that gives me the most subject matter, with the beautiful Lancaster County farm scenes, Amish country.  I never get tired of them. They provide a constant stream of year round eye candy.  I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

2021 Landscape #11

 

6x4” original watercolor $275

More from Lancaster County!  I am really working on the scale, bit of foreground to ground you, the focal point is the farm but the silos and trees lift your eyes up to all that blue sky, maybe some thunderheads rolling through.

Question of the Day: What role does an artist play in society? Is there an obligation to Political or Social issues?   What an interesting question to ponder, probably not one asked to the average white artist.   I feel a bit like I must tip toe around a politically correct statement.   I started shows in 1979 when Linda and I were first married, mixed marriages had only been legal for a mere 12 years (Interracial marriages became legal nationwide on June 12, 1967)   There were not too many of us as artists out there!  And even fewer painting realism!  Because of my color,  I always felt it was my responsibility to be a role model, to be dressed neatly, to present myself well,  to have good manners, to speak well and be versed in a broad variety of topics whenever I am in the public eye.   I was raised well so this was not unusual for me.  My parents were strict, I had rules: like  my "fro"  had better be clean and picked out or it was cut!  They let me know the price of my freedom had been paid but I better make them proud. While the "fro" is long gone I still think it matters how I carry myself and how I interact.

I have opinions on politics and social issues but I do not want them in my paintings, I keep it out of my blog and Facebook.  It is simply not who I am as an artist, I do not feel the need to make a big statement through my art.  Maybe my work is trite,  however  I do feel I am documenting life, maybe a way of life we are losing; like in my farm scenes and in the antiques.  I think I have a peaceful soul and that comes through my paintings.  That said, I do believe there is a role for artists and musicians to bring attention to issues if they feel called.  It worked well during the 60's and 70's.  It is the point of the current movie One Night in Miami which is worth a watch.  I do not think every artist or musician is obligated.  It does play a huge role in bringing attention to our world.  But for me, it is not my calling.

2021 Still Life #13

 

4X6" original watercolor   $250

For my own sanity I needed to switch from a farm to a still life.  Just for some variety!  I can find subjects anywhere, this came from the mantle in our friends the Hildebrand's house.

Question of the Day:  Why do you do street shows instead of galleries?
Not an easy answer.   In the very beginning I did not think I was a good enough artist to compete in galleries so shows were the way to go.   I did have a gallery in Richmond VA back in the late 80's but it was not a pleasant experience and I realized it just was not for me.  Part of a gallery appeal is having a buffer between you and clients, having someone to manage you, you paint and drop off the paintings.   I have Linda to manage my work and I like meeting new people. My clients are mine while a gallery has its own client base not shared with the artist. Since it is my only income I like the possibility of earning money every weekend instead of maybe getting a quarterly check from a gallery who is trying to sell multiple artists.  Galleries have been hit hard over the years between the  use of the internet and now Covid.  I like not having to rely on someone else for my income  The down side is how hard it is.  Packing and unpacking, sitting outside for long hours.  Constant traveling.   All the work now falls on you not a gallery.  But looking back I think it was the best decision for me,  I wouldn't change a thing!

2021 Landscape #10

 

6x4” original watercolor $225

Another farm scene.  We are camping in the Narvon, Pa area and there are so many wonderful farms and views it is an artist paradise!

Question of the Day:  How much time does it take to complete a painting?
For me after 40 years of painting I am not struggling with the water and paint or the composition. So I can paint much faster than someone just starting. These miniature painting a day pieces are meant to be started and finished within a day. They are still taking me 4 to 6 hours from start to finish. My larger paintings depending on the size and how much detail I need to paint still take two days to a few weeks. Commission paintings take a bit longer because I’m trying to please a client and I take more time on them. Painting every brick in a house is going to take longer than painting lines to make siding! I really do not focus on time I focus on understanding when the painting is finished.  There has to be joy in the process, not just finishing a painting.

2021 Landscape #9

SOLD!   $145 (unframed)  6x4” original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/23the price goes to $250

I thought I would try a BIG sky painting in a mini size.  Look at that cloud roll! Lancaster County scene of course.

We have the RV on its maiden voyage.   Stayed close to home incase there were any difficulties.  All is going well, other than rain keeping us inside.  I am painting at the table.

Question of the Day: How can you paint anywhere,  don’t you need a quiet space?

One of the things I liked about watercolor is how portable it is.   I have a proper studio space however when we are busy it turns into a framing and boxing space!  I like people, a bit different than a lot of solitary artists.  I like being in whichever room my wife is in so I learned to paint in all spaces.  I have a spot in the kitchen at a butcher block,  I can sit on the sofa with a little table in the family room.   I even paint outside at shows so people can watch and ask questions. A great way to connect with clients.  AND I can paint in my camper!

New 15x15 Original

 I am trying to get some larger new work ready for this years show season. 

Untitled... Framed 15x15"
I am stretching myself a bit by focusing on a bigger sky...  Thank you Carol for another great photo to work from.  Mt. Pleasant School in Bellevue State Park, DE

 Lots of show are already cancelled  for this year so I am going to open our back yard once a month from May to August.  Here is my May schedule.

May 7-9:      My BACKYARD SHOW at the studio... 
                    I am moving the studio into the back yard for an informal weekend.
                    I will be painting, come visit and check out the paintings and prints.
                   Join over the weekend from 10 to 4.  Closed if raining!

May 15:       Heart of Lancaster Spring show.  Held at Roots Market (outside)
                    Manheim, PA  Rain or Shine   FREE admission
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Question of the day:  Is it hard to part with your paintings?
In my early years I did not know if I COULD paint another good painting.  I was learning watercolors and each painting was a bit of a struggle so it was harder selling them.   Now I KNOW I can paint another great painting!  Also, I was so fortunate to develop a wonderful group of collectors, many I got to know well, so I knew my paintings were going into homes that were going to cherish them.  Plus when you are painting for a living you MUST part with them or starve!  I try to live with them for a bit before putting them out for sale.  Every now and then there is one I am more attached to and I put a really high price on it and hang it in my house for a while, then I come to my senses!

2021 Landscape #8

 

SOLD!

$145 (unframed)  4X6" original

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/20 the price goes to $250

Another Lancaster County farm scene.  Can you imagine coming up over the hill to the sharp bend in the road?

Question of the Day: What does being a "Realist" artist mean?
Definition of realist: a person who understands what is real and possible in a particular situation : a person who accepts and deals with things as they really are.  : an artist or writer who shows or describes people and things as they are in real life.

I interpret and paint what I see.  I do not make things up; what I paint looks like the real subject.

2021 Still Life #12

 

SOLD!   $135 (unframed)  4X6" original
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/17 the price goes to $225

Shaking it up today, I went with a still life.  This great old crock is from the collection of our friends Ron and Carol.   Yes, when I visit friends I take photos to paint!

Question for the day: Why did you pick watercolor over other mediums?  There are actually three reasons for my settling on watercolors. 

#1  When I decided to actually be an artist I had no money.  Watercolor was the least expensive , least messy and most portable of the mediums.
#2  In the "plan" Linda and I started, the thought was to build a clientele with my work.  We felt it would be confusing to see different mediums under one tent out at art shows, like I could not decide who I wanted to be.  Many artists get bored and jump around, I wanted to build a reputation.
#3  I had painted in all the mediums and I found the other mediums were pretty easy for me.  Not a big challenge.  If you made a mistake you could just paint over it. But with watercolor you need to plan, think ahead, learn to mix color, understand how washes of color work together.  It was a challenge I needed to keep interested.  I had a love hate relationship for years, now its just love!

2021 Landscape #7

 

SOLD!   $145 (unframed)  4X6" original
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)

If unsold by 4/16 the price goes to $250.

A fun night scene.  I love painting night scenes, I get excited seeing how the moon glow changes the landscape.   This is the horse barn from the farm where we stayed a few weeks ago.

Linda downloaded a list of questions to ask an artist.  So I thought it would be fun to answer one each day.
Question:  Did you always want to be an artist?
My Answer:  I knew from an early age I could draw and paint better than my friends.  Perspective was never an issue, I could copy comics easily.  I did well in art class in high school.   It was a gift I have always just known I had but being an artist was abstract.  I spent a few semesters in college for elementary ed and dropped out, promptly stumbled around making a bit of an immature mess of my life until I met Linda in 1978 at the age of 25.   I showed her some of my work and proudly proclaimed " I want to be an artist" and her reply was... "You need to get a lot better"!   Together we made a plan and with a lot of resolve, commitment, and practice I never looked back.  I think Linda may have looked back in the early hard years!

2021 Fox

 

SOLD!

 $145 (unframed)  4X6" original
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)

If unsold by 4/15 the price goes to $225.

I must say this was a bit of a challenge.  I think it looks better in person.  Thank you Carol for another great photo to work from.

I got a good bike ride in this morning before painting.   Linda has been working hard in the garden for over a week.  I hauled out 14 of those brown recycle lawn bags to the curb today.  No wonder her hands are hurting!  What seemed like fun flower beds in our 30's has a different feel in our 60's!  We also did our first mow of the season.  Feels good to be outside.

2021 Window #7

 

5X5" original watercolor  $275.

This scene was the office or library from the house we stayed in a few weeks ago.  A bit of practice painting leather and some glass work in the lamp.  I think it has a dark, library kinda feel to it even with the light from the window.

Meanwhile last week I finished a 15x15 original.  The plan was to have some new work for the start of my show season in May.  I posted it on Instagram and it sold right a way.    I was pretty excited because I wanted to paint a few "BIG sky" type paintings.  Thank you Carol for the use of your photograph.  This is from Winterthur in Delaware.

2021 Landscape #6

 

SOLD!    $145 (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)

If unsold by 4/13 the price goes to $275

Lancaster County has some fantastic farms, this is from the Strasburg PA area.

Updates:  Sorry for not having any blog posts all last week.  I was simply too busy!  We got the RV back from inspection and spent a day stocking it and scrubbing the awning plus booked a campground as a trial run.   Wednesday I received my 2nd Covid vaccine so now we are both finished.  We received Pfizer and neither of us had any issues, feeling blessed.

I did a You Tube Video on watercolor "paint".  I am having some issues with sound... I need to look into a better quality microphone to use with our iPad.

I hit 200 You Tube subscribers!  Another little milestone.

Another show cancelled; Westmoreland, PA usually held in July.

I think that brings you up to date.

2021 Window #6

 

SOLD!

$145 (unframed)  Available to the 1st person to email

(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/3 the price goes to $250

Last window for the week.

I received a request to make a You Tube video about my painting supplies.  Linda is working on it, who knew this video thing was so complicated...  The plan is to keep them short and start with paints.  I got out all my paint sets and had to try to explain to Linda why I have so many when the colors are almost the same...  that will be in the video I am sure!  I laid everything out, got out all my tubes and here I am concentrating on refilling the pans.

Next was making a list of my 12 favorite most used colors.  Then an order for new tubes was placed.  I am trying two new companies to see how I like them.   It is always exciting to get new paint.  I also made a palette guide for the video.  Friday may be a recording day.  I will let you know.