2022 Cardinal - Bird #16

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/2 the price goes to $275

I wanted to do one last female cardinal.  Every bit as beautiful as the male.

I spent my whole weekend starting Friday morning doing a detailed pencil sketch for my latest commission.  I needed to get a feel for the unusual objects and how to place them.  I am waiting for permission to post the work.
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NEWS:  I am included in a gallery exhibit at the Chester County Art Association
100 N. Bradford Ave.  West Chester, PA

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 5-7 PM  
If you live near by please come out, I will be there!

In honor of Black History month:
"A Black Thread Through Time: A Personal Journey of Black Artists"
  (February 10, 2022-March 2, 2022)

Featuring: Dane Tilghman, Andy Smith, Terrill Johnson, Chad Cortez Everett, Derrick Chester, Cardoza Jacks, André Lamonte, Lamar Brickus, Charles Jay, Jose Sebourne, Gilberto Wilson, Tom McKinney, Van Buren Payne, Shanina Dionna, Richard Watson, Samara Weaver, Thomas Hamilton

This is a little out of my usual exhibit, I am guessing my work will stand out as really different in this group!  But the purpose is showing the different journeys for black artists.

2022 Cardinal - Bird #15

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/29 the price goes to $275

This is my last male cardinal!
I will be working on my commission over the weekend.

Update: Off the Streets Lancaster came this morning to pick up a bed, chair and a few other things.  Very nice men, we were pleased to donate to them.  

2022 Cardinal #14

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/28 the price goes to $275

Cardinal standing on a bird feeder.

Update:  The cottage flooring is finished, today we updated the bathroom fixtures from gold to silver, got new hoses for the washer, under counter lights in the kitchen and a few other updates.  Need to touch up around the new fixtures and then I think we can declare it finished!

Incase you are looking for something to watch on TV and if you have Netflix:
Suspense: Clickbait and Stay Close were good.  Our daughter got us hooked on  The Great British Bake Off.  Linda was watching it and I wandered in and am enjoying it.  I would not have thought I would!   If you have Amazon Prime:  the latest that we are both loving is A Stitch in Time, they take a painting and recreate the clothes using the tools and cloth from that time.  Love the history of the painting and the history of the time.  Just a great show.

2022 Cardinal - Bird #13

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/27 the price goes to $275

I was just sent several more cardinals to use as subjects...  this one is a thank you to Sandy, you gave this to me last year.

We both spent the morning at the dentist getting the prep for the crowns for our implants, one for each of us.  Lets just say I should have been a dentist.  I need to work/sell every mini for 36 days to cover the cost of 45 minutes each.   Just for the crown not the original implant work.  Bogles my mind.  There is no way the average person can afford this, and we are average, just charging it!  And why there is no dental coverage in our Medicare at a time we need dental work the most...
So THANK YOU to all who are buying my birds, you now know exactly where the cash is going!

2022 Cardinal - Bird #12

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/26 the price goes to $275

I am running out of cardinal subjects!  None of my birds are made up or off the internet.  Clients send me their photos to use.  All of this years are from my friend Leslie!

Cottage Update:  Adairs is putting in the new floor in our rental cottage.  We are very pleased.

Tomorrow they finish the bathroom.  I am almost afraid to say out loud that we are ready to rent!  We are only renting with a recommendation.  If you know a single, older, non smoker who needs a very nice 1 bedroom apartment.  Close to everything in downtown Lititz and the park... $1000 a month.  Let me know!

2022 Cardinal - Bird #11

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/25 the price goes to $275

Another Cardinal, I am always surprised at how many people love cardinals.  Trying to paint a few more.

My next commission is a bit different.  I was given a box of several items that have a special family meaning.  I need to come up with a still life.  I sent my client a few ideas, sketched the items so I could get a feel for them.  Next is to send her a drawing for approval.   Linda is still working on show apps and cleaning out the apartment.  

2022 Cardinal - Bird #10

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/22 the price goes to $275

One of the prettiest birds. a male cardinal.

Both of us have spent the day at our desks.  Me painting and Linda booking shows.  Tomorrow I must get busy with my commission.

2022 baby Cardinal- Bird #9

 
 5x5” mini original watercolor  $275.

A baby cardinal, love the messiness of its feathers.

Went to Bowman's Stove and Patio and got a lesson on wood stoves this morning.  I believe we decided to skip it unless we find an old one in good condition.  Linda spent another day at her desk.  Finding campgrounds for the shows we scheduled.  My current show schedule is posted on my website.  Subject to updates and changes!  We are cutting back from our old super busy schedule to two shows a month and not traveling quite so far.  Trying to get our RV out at least once a month.  Not as easy as it sounds.

2022 Mockingbird - Bird #8

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/20 the price goes to $275

A mockingbird is a bit harder to paint.  Their coloring is more subtle and he is a little larger than the other birds I have been painting.  This one has more to the background.  He was on the hanger of a bird feeder.  Back to a cardinal tomorrow.

Today I ran to UPS and another load to Goodwill.  Linda (and Lori) polished the cabinets in the cottage kitchen and Linda spent the rest of the day looking at show applications.    With questions like:  Do you want to start opening the studio?  Yes I want to but should we...
Do you want to continue opening the back yard?  Might be wiser but not easier...
Do you want a bowl of soup for dinner?  That one was easy... YES!

2022 Cardinal - Bird #7

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/19 the price goes to $275

Today's bird is a pretty little female cardinal.  There are interesting layers of coloring in her feathers.  She was fun to paint.

Linda finished the painting at our cottage over the weekend.  One big job is crossed off the list.  I am thankful we only got a little snow.  Did not even get the snow blower out! Since we planned on a snow day I helped in the kitchen.  We made a pan of baked oatmeal, brownies and a pot of cheeseburger soup.   Our talented friends are helping layout our new kitchen so we spent a few hours with them.  Then home to paint.  Linda was going to work at her desk but I think there is a puzzle calling her!  

2022 Goldfinch - Bird #6

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/18 the price goes to $275

With the smooth (hot press) paper I am able to get a softer look behind the bird.  
The plan is to paint birds all this week.  

I got gas for my snow blower and a box of hot hands... that's all I need to say.

2022 House Finch - Bird #5

 
 4x6” mini original watercolor   $275

UPDATE:  I was told this is a male house Finch!
So my notes say Purple Finch, seems reddish to me but I don't know my birds all that well!  It was standing in the snow eating bird seed.  A cute little thing!

We actually stayed home all day today.  I spent way too much time trying to fix Grandpas shredder.  At some point he must have shredded a plastic mailing bag...  they do NOT shred!  He must have tried to fix it and broke off one of the teeth, took me a long while to figure that out.  So I pretty much wasted a few hours.  Linda is glued to her desk, I think she is still there!  She is closing out our year, gathering tax info, paying sales tax, filing papers...  All I know is I was asked to please be quiet so she can think!!

2022 Bluebird - Bird #4

4x6” mini original watercolor   $275

Another wind blown bluebird.  I kept the background less busy so you could really see the bird.  Still has the feel of a cold day.

I spent another day running errands in the morning.  Checked the pressure in the tires, picked up pretzels, made a deposit, filled both vehicles with gas, got gas for the snow blower, stopped at Home Depot, grocery run.  And then painted all afternoon.  Just another day in the life of a busy artist!

2022 Bluebird - Bird #3

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/13 the price goes to $275

A cute little bluebird all fluffed from the wind.

Another busy morning, dropped off sheets and towels to Eliannie Animal Rescue and several bags to Art of Recycle.  Then we had an attorney appointment.  Who knew there was so much to do to probate a small will... let alone the fees.   We got a new faucet in the cottage and the finishes on some small repairs.  Found another small issue with the under counter lights that needs addressed.  Baby steps!

2022 Northern Flicker - Bird #2

 
 4x6” mini original watercolor  $275

Another Flicker.  I found my bird groove!  

I spent the morning running errands.  Linda is determined to send items where they get the best use.   Several bags to Goodwill, donated hearing aids for parts, electric shavers went to the Gate House and stopped at the post office.  Someone picked up the sewing machine.  Linda spent the day painting in the cottage.  The rest of my day was spent painting my bird.

Story:  So life is not like in the movies...shocker right!  In the movies the beautiful woman puts on a big hat and big dark sunglasses and a big pocketbook and waltzes into the bank showing a safety deposit key belonging to???  The bewitched male teller lets her right in.  No questions, she empties the box and is out in a flash.   It did not work this way on Friday.  Linda needed to get into Grandpas box for the will.  So maybe her outfit was not up to movie standard, no hat, glasses or bag.  The teller was a woman.  She is striking out so far.   Linda got as far as the teller looking up the account and saying no she cannot get in, here is a form to the state requesting entrance.  Later in the day she gets a call, if she comes in someone will be with her to make sure she is only taking the will and not the stashed cash or family jewels... big laugh here...   But there is lots of paperwork, the assistant watches and confirms only a will was removed (there is an envelope marked marriage license and another marked Army papers!)  no cash or jewels.  Fills out a  form she must mail to the IRS.  Seems the IRS want to make sure they get their cut of whatever may be in that box.  Wish they took a cut of the bills!  So the lesson I learned is stash your stuff in an account in the Caymans! 

2022 Northern Flicker - Bird #1

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

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/11 the price goes to $275

Took a bit of concentration to switch gears from water scenes to birds.  However I am pleased with how my first of the season turned out.   A huge thank you to Leslie, she supplies me with all my bird subjects.

 

2022 Hudgins VA #4

 
6x4” mini original watercolor  $250.

OK, I got these sunrises out of my system.  I just wanted to paint them!   

I have said before how I am not happy with my watercolor paper.  I have painted on 300lb cold press all my career.  So I am shaking it up, experimenting, again!  I had Linda order some 300lb smooth paper.  So the difference is my old paper had a deckle, like little bumps in the paper.  The new stuff is smooth.  This painting is the first one.  I don't want to judge just yet.  

Next up are birds...

2022 Hudgins Va #3

6x4” mini original watercolor   $225.

Sunrise, 6:47am  I know this is a bit dark but the pink is stunning.  This set of paintings look so much better in person.  One more to go.

I think Linda is starting to feel like she is getting somewhere.  The bedroom and living room in our rental cottage are finished: fresh paint on the walls and trim, the carpet was cleaned and new LED bulbs in all the overhead lights.  Half the kitchen is also finished and we are waiting for her brother to finish some minor repairs.   A new faucet coming and new flooring for the kitchen and bath are ordered.  Tomorrow she starts painting the bathroom.  My job is to wipe everything down.  Renting in February or March 1st, if you know anyone wanting to move to a perfect location in Lititz let me know.  We are not advertising it.  Looking for an older single, no smoking.    Grandpas apartment is going slower.  I took a few more bags to goodwill and a nice load to Art of Recycle.  If you know someone in need of an almost new single bed let me know.   Her Mom had boxes and boxes, well a lifetime (80+ years) of photos and photo albums that we have been going through.  I think that job is finished.  As for our house reno, that is a bit slower.  We (mostly Linda!) is exercising patience with that.  We did buy a nice exhaust fan for the new bathroom!   I was informed it is time to close out the books for the end of year and gather tax stuff.  AND it is time to decide on shows for the year.  It is a busy time of year business wise.  I am doing whatever I am asked to do and painting!
We are squeezing in some fun tonight.  Having dinner with some friends we have not seen since Covid.   Eating in!

2022 Hudgins VA #2

 
6x4” mini original watercolor  $250

This view was from our deck, it was pretty far across the bay so I zoomed it closer.  The sunrise was creating the most beautiful pinks.

SOLD!   I have a sold out "Hope" available.  #314/450 
framed in walnut (but could be changed to black)  
$125.   (pick up or ship at cost)

2022 Hudgins VA #1

 
4x6” mini original watercolor    $250

This was our view from our VRBO over Christmas.  This is Hudgins VA and the view is  Milford Haven to anyone who is looking it up!  Mathews was the closest civilization!  

I can now show another Christmas gift commission.

I have three more commissions lined up but happy to talk to anyone who has one in mind!