checking in...

We took off a few days for some fun before our hectic show
schedule starts.  We spent the weekend with friends.
Linda found a VRBO cottage in Nemacolin in Farmington
PA.  which was about 1/2 way for everyone to travel.
Friday lunch was spent at Out of the Fire (we ate here once
before) fantastic mushroom soup!  Our evening was spent
at the cottage laughing and eating.  Saturday we drove about
45 minutes to Cumberland MD and took a really good tour
of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.  They have three fantastic
Tiffany windows, a good overview about Fort Cumberland
and the churches role in the underground railroad and a walk
through their underground tunnels.  Loved it, good guide.
Then lunch at Puccini.  Another good meal.  The afternoon
was spent looking at the artwork in Nemacolin.  Again we
were treated to lots more Tiffany and Waterford chandeliers
and more!  Back to the cottage for more laughing and eating.
Sunday we checked out and had a really fantastic breakfast
(are you seeing a theme here!!)  at  Maywood Grill.  Then back
home. So if you find yourself in the Laurel Highlands of PA there
is lots to do!
A camera cannot do justice to a Tiffany window.

2016 Venice

5X5" miniature original watercolor... SOLD!
Venice
Available to the first email or call at only
$125 (unframed)  If unsold by 2/20
the price goes to $250!

I was looking through my Italy photos and
came across Venice...
Painting looks better than it photographed.

I had a super busy morning class with 10 students.
Then Linda and I ran a few errands.  We had lunch
in New Holland at Jims Specialty Hoagies which I
highly recommend.  Home to paint and a class tonight.

2016 Italy Landscape #2

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor

2016 Italy Landscape #2
$250

Nothing says Italy like cypress trees!

I am spending time studying the landscape.
Practicing before I start my larger painting.

2016 Italy Landscape

4"x 6" miniature original watercolor... SOLD!

2016 Italy Landscape
Available to the first email or call at only
$125 (unframed)  If unsold by 2/18
the price goes to $250!

I want to revisit the Italian landscape...
This is between Montepulciano and Pienza.
I drove on these roads!  Pinch me!!

For the first time in four - five weeks I woke up
without my commission to work on.  I must admit
I felt a little lost this morning.  I was free to do what
ever I wanted so I decided to look back over
Italy.  This is a study for a 24x18" piece I am going
to start tonight. 

Commission Finished!!

This is it...finished!  I finished it last night and framed
it.  A happy client came today to pick it up.  It was a
little odd not to get up this morning and work on it.
29x25"  and I will say I though it looked great.  I would

not change a thing.  My client was easy to work with and
seemed to love it.

I will back up a bit to show you the steps from the last
two days.

Commission progress

I am reaching the fun part of my painting, where I am adding
character.  Making it go from a rendering to a home.
I have added more shadows, another layer on the grass,
working the bushes, and adding fall color to the trees.

This is how it looked at 6pm tonight.

More into the trees and grass, warmth across the top of
the left bushes, shadows at the chimney and across the
porch roof.
 
I will continue painting till about 10pm... then I need
to ride my bike on indoor rollers then bed and start
all over tomorrow.  My plan is to have it finished and
framed and ready for delivery on Sunday.
So no goof off time!!

Back to my commission

I am putting in a few late nights painting.
Starting with getting more color on the bushes.
Added the steps.

Next I am deepening the bushes.  Under painting the
grass and added a bit of the sky.

More work on the bushes.  Deepening the sky.
Starting the trees.

February 3 Day Special…

February 3 Day Special…
I am working on cleaning out some inventory by
offering my private clients a special price.
The Deal…
I picked 3 prints ~ unframed
I can frame them for you just ask me the price
½ off the regular price for  3 days only!  Available until Thursday, February 11!
Pick up at the studio or
add $8 towards shipping.
Email your order... 

The Prints…

“Heirlooms”   12x9”   $45… ½ off = only $22.50!

“One A Day”  11x16”  $50… ½ off = only $25.00!

“Window Shopping”  18x13”   $85… 1/2 off = $42.50!

commission up date

I did not get as much painting time yesterday.  We mounted a

local exhibit with 28 prints and 25 originals.  Took a few
hours to hang everything.  Then last night there was a
reception that was packed for two hours.  Both Linda and
I were hoarse by the end of the evening.

Don't worry, the yellow on the bushes is only an under
wash.  It will make the green warmer with undertones.

Here is a closeup of the porch.

commission

Moving along nicely.  This was yesterdays work.
More work on the front stones to create texture and

richer color.  Reflections in the bottom windows
and a bit more small detail work on the porch.

Today my focus was the stones on the side of the
house and the windows and shutters.  Below is a
close-up view.

This is an overview.

I am at 5 days of painting all day into the night.  I always tell my
students to slow down, take your time so you don't make
mistakes.  I have learned to enjoy this process and the excitement
of watching it build.  I am considered a fast painter and it is
still taking this long.