Commission Finished!

My commission is finished, framed and my client is thrilled and already has it hung! 
I totally enjoyed this painting, there is so much to see in it and I love how it looks.

Annual Open House countdown:
Open House is 58 days away and that sounds like plenty of time! But it goes by fast. My job is to paint, paint and paint some more! Linda handles the rest and she is ORGANIZED! There is a long list hanging on her board with things to do by certain dates.
Already accomplished:
1. We have been to the printer for the design of the invitation.
2. We decided NOT to do a large print this year. This will be the first year not doing one, but we
are looking ahead to cutting back on shows and already have a wonderful selection of prints available. HOWEVER there are 2 Holiday Mini Prints and I am excited about them. They are at the printer now!
3. Huge amounts of mat cutting and framing to boost stock is happening.
4. Supplies roll in daily. I just picked up a pile of frames.
5. The menu is together and I was informed we are trying something different this year.
She did a dry run on two items. Both passed the test!
So we are on schedule!  

Save the date: Nov. 20-22 ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
                       Nov. 27-29 Open Studio

Magnolia and commission update:

I took 2nd place in watercolor over the weekend for body of work!

I finished a painting:

2026 Magnolia      10X10 frame            $400.

AND, more work on my commission.
Washes on the porch ceiling and roof lines.  Detail on the farms in the background and on the grass on the foreground.  May not look like a lot but that little bit was hours of painting!

reminiscing...

 Somethings you just remember.    On September 11, 2001 we were having breakfast at the Chimney Corner Restaurant with friends James and Sandy Bock.  The TV was on in the dining room and we could not understand what we were seeing.  We went home and were shocked and glued to our TV for days.  

25 years has brought so many changes.  I long for the feeling of togetherness in the US.  I miss the ease of flying and traveling.  That old restaurant, Chimney Corner on Rothsville Road in Lititz is no longer there. Our good friend James is no longer with us.  AND 25 years has slipped by in a blink...

Back to my commission...

I think it is good to be away from a painting for a bit.  When I pick it up again I have a fresh perspective and see things a bit differently.  

I am playing at stone masonry!  Building the column a stone at a time.
Light washes and then building the colors.

I added a lot more detail to the 1st column stones .

Started the underpainting wash on the 2nd column and roofline.




I now added a wash over the wood on the 1st column.
A warm wash over the wood on the 2nd column.
Stonework on the 2nd column.


I can "see" how it will look when I am finished and I am getting close to the end!

new painting

If you came out to the Heart of Lancaster show this past weekend you saw me working on this painting. I finished it!

Salt-glazed    framed 14x18     $875.

Busy weekend!  I had a double booth; prints on the right and original paintings on the left. 2 tents, 7 tarps, 15 panels and 2 rugs with a long set up and pack up!

Our helper in the studio unpacked, framed and repacked for the next show.
This Sunday I am returning to Bel Air, MD.  It has been YEARS since I was there.  Plan on stopping out!  Booth #138

New painting...

 I finished another painting...
Another painting from Zoar, Ohio.  They had some beautiful antiques!  So simple; just a solitary basket on a beautiful cabinet  with a hint of a reflection on the wall.

2026 Solitary    framed 14x18"         $850.

I am packing the van between the storms!  This weekend I have a double booth, two tents, and LOTS of paintings and prints!  Not a free inch of space in the van!!

commission:

I am moving on to the siding.  First washes
Excuse the blue tape, its holding my paper to the board.

Going darker and more work on the railing

Need something free to do on the weekend...
I am in booth #136

Update:  I had a wound care appointment yesterday for my toe.  The sore is almost closed, its healing.  BUT I will need the boot several more weeks.