After Christmas check in...

After several days in NYC with our daughter and Ben we repacked, gathered our friends John and Bonnie and headed to our favorite house on the bay in Mathews VA.  Celebrating Christmas together.  I kept a fire going the whole time as a gift to Linda, she loves a fire!  The holidays are so busy for us, we celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary on Christmas day.  I know... who gets married then, but we were married at home with only our family.  Its not the wedding but all the years that add up!  Then 4 years later Linda spent all Christmas day in labor and at 1:39am on the 26th we had a home delivery of a beautiful daughter.   There is a theme here with all our events taking place at home!    So we also celebrate our daughters 39th birthday.  The celebrating will continue on the 1st, but we will talk about that later!

We had matching family PJ's!  So much fun.  We did a timed photo outside in 22 degrees just to have a photo of us all and the view.  The views with sunsets and sunrises is always spectacular.

We were planning to go into Williamsburg but it was just tooooo cold.  We hung out at the house, ate and drank way to much. The girls did a Christmas puzzle, the guys read.  We also squeezed in a little football.  There was some napping going on.   Bonnie wanted so desperately to enjoy the outside deck but it was freezing.  She managed to bundle up and find a bit of sun on her face, I couldn't help but take a photo!

None of us were ready to come home...

Meanwhile a client gave one of my house commissions as a Christmas gift.  I am told she cried and hung it right away.   I am always so relieved when everyone is happy.

I plan to start some "winter" and "snow" mini paintings the beginning of the new year then some of my annual "bird" paintings.  Gathering subjects now.  If you have a bird photo that YOU took and want to share it, send an email.  Also anyone living where there is snow and can take a snowman photo please send it!   IF you have some Christmas money to spend hang on to it, some great paintings are coming.

2022 Holiday #15

mini original watercolor  $250.

Saw this beautiful barn while running errands. 
It is on Erbs Quarry Rd in Lititz.

I am finished with the blog till after Christmas. We are taking some time off  to rest, read, puzzle, eat and sit in front of a fire with friends!   Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas. 

2022 Holiday #14

 
SOLD!    $155. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/23 the price goes to $300.

I had fun working on this one.  A little more complicated.

We spent several days with our daughter in NYC celebrating our Christmas early.
We explored the man-made park, pier 55 - Little Island.  Beautiful views of the city.  Followed by Christmas Jazz and dinner at City Winery.


Saw "The Tree"and watched the light show at Saks.  The crowds were manageable.

We attempted to see Saint Patricks, walked in and it was shoulder to shoulder packed. I mean PACKED! We saw nothing!  You moved with the crowd with a LOT of pushing and shoving. Yes, we had masks on!


Our wonderful son-in-law always makes Linda the best cocktails.  He made Charles Dickens Punch.  Its a real thing.  He set it on fire and you drink it warm...very good.

Ben and Linda were talking about Negroni and the next thing I know he's whipping one up.  Not my cup of tea but they enjoyed it.  It is always nice to spend time with them.

2022 Holiday #13

 
SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/22 the price goes to $250.

A classic Holiday, sled and skates.

2022 Holiday #12

SOLD!!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/21 the price goes to $250.

This is the welcoming barn door to Millbach Homestead

2022 Holiday #11

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/20 the price goes to $250.

This one is from our house.

We are currently in NYC with Abbey and Ben celebrating an early Christmas together.  I am squeezing in some painting time while enjoying the city.

I wanted to show you how great these little mini's look, this was one of this years paintings that found the perfect spot on a shelf.

2022 Holiday #10

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/17 the price goes to $250.

This is one of Linda's favorites. 
From a local Christmas Market, a decorated bowler hat.

2022 Holiday #9

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email

(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/16 the price goes to $250..

Another fun piece from Millbach Homestead.  We loved the punched tin pie safe!

2022 Holiday #8

SOLD!   $145. (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/15 the price goes to $250.

A fun little decorated corner.  Check out the shine on the ornaments, AND no white paint was used.

In search of Holiday subjects we went to Millbach Homestead in Newmanstown PA.  Thank you Darla for allowing me to photograph.  If you want a beautiful drive and a gorgeous barn filled with antiques and Christmas items this is it.

2022 Holiday #7

 
SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/14 the price goes to $250..

I found this at a market selling trees and wreaths.
Just an old gate surrounded by green. The best thing
if you can imagine...the smell.


Clients have been sending me photos of their "Smith Collection"  Reminding me how blessed I have been with meeting special people who love my work.

Notice you can prop your mini paintings. Here are 2 originals on a mantle

A bedroom...


Again, 2 mini prints propped on a dresser.

2022 Holiday #6

 
SOLD
$145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/12 the price goes to $250..

Another view of downtown Lititz.

2022 Holiday #5

SOLD!
$145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 - $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/10 the price goes to $250..

A star from the downtown Lititz street lamps.  It was a nice sunny day with clear skies.

Busy, Busy.  I have a commission I am trying to work on, people stopping in for pick ups, and suddenly our social schedule is full.  It must be the Holidays!!

2022 Holiday #4

 
SOLD!
$140. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 -  $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/9 the price goes to $250.

This is a Lititz scene.
From the square in Lititz, one of the dentist office windows with a wonderful reflection of the insurance building in the glass panes.

A special client sent this photo of his "Andy Smith" wall.  
I am BLESSED!

2022 Holiday #3

SOLD!
$135. (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/8 the price goes to $225.

These holiday packages were found at our local restaurant, Scooters. A bit of practice in painting shiny wrapping paper.  I am getting in the Holiday groove!

2022 Holiday #2

 
SOLD!
$135. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/7 the price goes to $225.

Yes, this may be a stretch as a Holiday painting!  I am easing into it!  Actually we are going on a Holiday subject hunt for two days and I should come back full of ideas, great scenes and subjects I can't wait to paint.

2022 Holiday #1

 
SOLD!

$135. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/6 the price goes to $225.

This is from Williamsburg, VA.  He was giving carriage rides and I liked his red coat.  I love doing portrait work, I am not as skilled as I would like to be but it is its own calling.  I just do enough to satisfy myself.  I had fun with this one.

We celebrated Christmas with our god-daughter (God sent!)  Rashetta.  She is living in Portland OR so we do not see her very often.   She came on Friday and we went out for dinner with my brother Carl, his wife Beth and our friend Joan to Lemoncello in Chester Springs.  They all watched her grow up and all have spent some time traveling with her.

 









Saturday our friends the Woodruffs spent the day with us.  They played a large role in her support, and mentoring her college years.  You know, it takes a village!

A great start to our Holiday season.  Loved having her home a few days.

2022 Landscape #28

mini original watercolor  $225.

One more from Custer State Park in SD.  

I plan to start my annual Holiday paintings, posting the first one on Sunday night.  To help get in the mood we went tree hunting.  Linda grew up on a tree farm, so when I get her out to a field she gets excited and we end up walking the WHOLE field... maybe twice, I think she touches and smells almost every one, and the BEST tree is always in the back 40!  I cut this down and dragged it in, portraying my best mountain man!

 

2022 Landscape #27

 
 mini original watercolor  $225.

It may surprise you that these rolling hills are from Custer State Park in SD.

Three UPDATES:
1) I updated the available number of  Holiday prints posted 11/25.  Do not wait to claim one.

2) The new print "Bittersweet"  has only 12 left...  place your order now so you are not disappointed

3) Two of the 4 Estate sale items have been sold. (posted 10/28)
Still available is the print  "Upstairs"   a SOLD OUT print!  # 125/425 Framed 14x18 in walnut with a blue and a small liner of rust.
Originally sold for $85    The estate will take $50!

AND the original is still available... (sorry for the glare)
"Blue Chest" Original watercolor    comes framed 24x18"   in walnut. The original price was $800.   The  estate will take $400!!

All the updates are available for pick up at the studio in Lititz OR can be shipped at cost.

Deal of the week!

Linda is cleaning out some stored paintings and we decided to offer this one at a special deal to the first person to claim it.   Email me!

 The value is $850 and the steal deal is $300!  Available until Friday evening!

It is already framed in a black frame with white/black mat.
18x14    "A Perfect Day" 

painted in 2007 and reworked a bit in  2016.  It has just been setting here in a closet!

Holiday Prints almost sold out... Updated 11/30

Thank you to all who helped make my Open House a success.
We spent today getting the studio back in order, carrying supplies up from the basement. Linda was organizing orders for tomorrows framing and boxing.

There are 5 Holiday mini prints almost sold out. Just incase these were on your wish list... DO NOT WAIT!  You can order on my website OR send an email  OR make an appointment to stop at the studio.

They are framed 8x10, mostly in walnut frames and only $35.  Linda offers FREE gift wrapping!
Shipping available at cost.

Mittens ~ 5 left


Plantation Holidays ~ 6 left


Rockford ~ 2 left


Stars ~ 4 left


Seasons Greetings ~ 4 left

restocking...

After a busy first weekend of Open House, we have been framing and restocking, getting ready for weekend  #2. There is a great selection of prints to choose from in a variety of mat choices.  Including a few of the new prints.

A few New "Santa" prints still available


And there are plenty of originals for you to come see and fall in love with.






The second weekend is a bit more laid back.  No hors d'oeuvres and wine but I think a fresh batch of wassail is being served.  Grab a friend and head to Lititz!
Our doors OPEN
Friday:  10 to 5
Saturday:  10 to 5
Sunday:  noon -3

4 Days till Open House!

The menu planned and Linda did her grocery shopping to make some fantastic hors d'oeuvres. Over the weekend we stopped at the State Store! Today we finished framing.   All the paintings are hung and titles printed. Tuesday we finish setting up the studio. Wednesday is food prep day and last minute things. Thursday is cook and bake and Friday the doors open at 2PM!

You can see all the new paintings on my website although no sales till 2PM. If there is something you want and cannot attend, call at 2PM and claim it.
Here is a sneak peek.





Along with lots of new original paintings we have a great selection of framed and unframed prints including the two new prints.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Busy Busy in the studio

Only 9 days till our Annual Open House.  Starting to feel the stress (well, Linda is!!)  Most of the kitchen remodel is finished or at least looking passable.  Some painting will not be finished but you won't notice,  please do not notice!

I know I have not posted in a while BUT I have been painting and doing lots of
work on my "to do list".
Stacks of frames ready for prints and paintings.  Lots of mats being cut.  Supply costs are going through the roof.  We are holding to our prices at least till next year.


Furniture is moved and show panels and lights are up.
After 3 years we are finally back to our Open House of old! 
While having it in the back yard worked and was nice, 
it feels "normal" to be back in the house like it has been for 30+ years.



I took advantage of a beautiful day and  hosed off the front porch and
hung a brand new sign.


The studio overhead lights and the tops of the cabinets were cleaned.  After many years I know there is much more cleaning to come!

Email invites went out today. Open House is by invitation however you may invite any family and friends.






I am starting to share some NEW original paintings, but remember, no sales until 2pm on 11/18/22!   No holds, we TRY to be fair to everyone.  If there is something you want, and cannot make it,  the best is to call promptly at 2pm. I will then mark it SOLD! They will all be posted on my website by the end of this week. We are still working on titles.