Good Bye 2023...Hello 2024!

Good Bye 2023...
I am rather glad to close the door on 2023 after spending the whole year battling cancer.  I want to say a HUGE thank you for all your prayers and support, meals and gifts. Thank you to the staff at the Barshinger Cancer Institute for their kindness and care. Thank you to my walkers who made sure I got fresh air and limited exercise!  And finally to Linda who took great care, kept me on schedule, kept me eating, kept me walking and loved me through a difficult time.

Today is my 71st birthday, yes a New Years baby and it is impossible to believe I am 71.
We are having pork and sauerkraut for good luck and a baby Bundt cake from the new bakery.

I did not blog since the 14th so this may be a long update...

We were invited to help celebrate 4 birthdays at the Log Cabin.  


Abbey and Ben came home the 17-18 for a visit, we would not be together for Christmas, they left for Namibia (yes, in Africa) to celebrate Abbey's 40th birthday!  My baby is 40?

AND we left for 11 days in Connestee Falls, NC with friends the Woodruffs. For our home base we rented a beautiful house on the TOP of the mountain with stunning views.
We spent a full day at the Biltmore. Did a morning Rooftop tour which was excellent.

We had a good lunch on the grounds at the Stable Cafe and then took an evening candlelight tour.

Did some shopping in the cute town of Brevard.  One evening we went to the Grove Park Inn (WOW!!) to Elaine's Dueling Piano Bar for a fun evening of music.  We had a very good Christmas Eve buffet at the Seasons at Highland Lake.  So...we ate well, did a few fun things, and laughed. 

Back home to laundry and mail!  And to close out our year we spent New Years Eve with our friends the Hildebrands, who we have spent time with every year for 40+ years!   A perfect way to close out a year.

My plan is to do a few more (late) Holiday mini's, then a week of NC paintings and then birds!

HAPPY 2024 and I wish you all  good health and happiness.

2023 Holiday #9

SOLD!  $155 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10  $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/16 the price goes to $250.

I liked the textures on this one.

This is the last weekend you can pick something up at the studio.  We plan to go to Asheland, NC on the 19th.  We have tickets to see the Biltmore all decorated.  My blog posts will be spotty all next week.  It depends on how much sightseeing Linda has planned.

Health Update: My MRI was clear AND I managed to have my scope done without being put under. Another all clear. AND my hyperbaric chamber is on hold since I am healing. Doesn't get any better!

2023 Holiday #8

SOLD!  $160 (unframed) 6X4" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/15 the price goes to $275.

This one turned out fantastic. You could leave it out all year!

A client sent a photo of her 2 new paintings...

2023 Holiday #7

SOLD!  $155. (unframed) 4X6" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/14 the price goes to $225.

Staying on a mitten theme...

2023 Holiday #6

SOLD!   $155. (unframed) 5X5" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 9x9 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/13 the price goes to $250.

Thank you Millbach Homestead for all the Holiday inspiration.  I am starting with mittens!

"Snowman" my new 2023 Holiday print...available to order

Description: Featuring a snowman ornament from our tree. This was actually a paper pulp ornament that Linda made and painted years ago. It is hanging in a tree with lights.

Category: Holiday Mini Prints Edition: open edition mini print Framed: $35.00 Framed Size: 8x10

There are 17 Holiday mini prints available and they make perfect gifts... 
Don't wait, we can only take orders thru the 17th.

Health Update:  This is my week for the first of my 3 month check ups.  I have an MRI tonight and a surgeon check on Thursday.  I am feeling better, finally off the Tylenol and more importantly, I rode my bike!

2023 Holiday #5

SOLD!  $155. (unframed) 4X6" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/12 the price goes to $250.

Our Holiday fun has started!  Thursday evening we had dinner with long time friends Rick and Karen, we went to the Blue Bird Inn in Cornwall PA.  Saturday morning we did our annual stop at Millbach Homestead, a fantastic shop with antiques and Christmas decorations.  They allow me to take photos to use for my Holiday Blog paintings.  We came home with a small old stool and 2 table runners.  Then we went to friends Carol and Ron's house so Linda could string a fresh swag made of cranberries, dried orange slices and fresh bay leaves.  


Came home and hung it over the french doors.

But we are not finished... Saturday evening was "Pizza and Game Night" with friends Kathy, Bruce, Betsy and Mark.   We are not a big game players and this group insists we play!   Linda won by 1 point!  Which brings us to Sunday.  An afternoon spent  with my brother Carl and Beth at Hershey Theater to see  "Straight No Chaser" followed by dinner at Hidden Still Spirits.

2023 Holiday #4

SOLD!  $155. (unframed) 5X5" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 9x9 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/8 the price goes to $250.

I went a little rogue today... full moon, moody sky, lights on a tree, star on top of the barn and a wreath.
Maybe overkill but I had fun!

We drove around a little and I actually was able to get a bit of new subject for Holiday. We applied for our TSA this morning. I think it is the first I have been fingerprinted. A bit unsettling. Then I spent the rest of the day finishing my second commission. I had fun with this one and my client loved it.  Now on to commission #3.

2023 Holiday #3

SOLD!   $155. (unframed) 6X4" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/7 the price goes to $250.

Found this view driving around Lititz.

Took another load of orders to UPS, if you are planning to place an order, don't wait!

Had some fun today, a videographer for WITF came to interview me for an Artist series on Mosaic YouTube channel. They highlight artist in central PA.

2023 Holiday #2

 
mini original watercolor   $250.

This is the entrance off Rt 501 to Brethren Village.  I like the way the light and wreath look against the stone.

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I almost forgot... Lancaster Newspaper 2023 Readers Choice...
Congratulations to Andy Smith, the talented artist who secured third place in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards by LNP Media Group, Inc. 🎨🥉

It’s remarkable to see artists being recognized for their creativity and contributions. May Andy continue to create captivating works that inspire and delight! 🌟🎨

2023 Holiday #1

SOLD!   $155. (unframed) 4X6" mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 12/5 he price goes to $250.

I am starting the season with a snowman ornament.

Meanwhile I finished and framed my 1st commission, this was for a Christmas gift so I cannot show it till after.  Commission #2 is started and my clients stopped in last night to watch me work on it.
I NEED to go out looking for subjects...