2021 Wren - Bird #8

 
SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day

$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/16 the price goes to $275

You can teach an old dog new tricks...
In 40+ years of painting I have learned to control my watercolors and how to layer my washes to get the realistic detail I like. After all, I am a realist. With many of these bird paintings I was trying to get a blurry, impressionistic background with my usual methods and it was not coming out quite the way I wanted. Normally I would start with the bird and do the background last. So this morning I decided to try a very wet on wet method. Outside my usual comfort zone. Lots of water, I had water floating on my pallet and dripping off my brush! I started with the background, giving you a hint of sky and foliage without any realism. Then the bird in my usual style. I am so excited with this one... it turned out just the way I imagined it. From an artistic point of view that is the reason for all the practice that A Painting A Day allows me.  I even surprised myself with this one.  Its a thrill to continue to learn and like any other gift, it still needs the daily practice.

2021 Wren - Bird #7

SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/15 the price goes to $275

A wren.  Not as colorful as the other birds but he is so cute.  I want to point out that true to the old rules of watercolor, I do not use white paint.  I paint around the negative spaces and the white is my paper.  So all the snow is the paper.  So much easier in oil or acrylic where you can just add the highlights on the top.  Personally I enjoy the challenge.

2021 Bluebird - Bird #6

SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/14 the price goes to $275

My last bluebird. A cute little thing sitting on what I think is an iron plant hanger in the snow.

2021 Bluebird - Bird #5

SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/13 the price goes to $275

A bluebird in the snow...
All puffed up with wind blowing his feathers.

2021 Bluebird - Bird #4

SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/12 the price goes to $275

I went with a bluebird today.   I need to thank Leslie for supplying me with fantastic photos.  I am reminding you I do not specialize in birds, I am getting a feeling across, so every feather is not perfect.  I will say I have been having fun with this series.

Normally, January is our down month.  A rest from shows and Open House.    
But there is nothing normal...  So we are using our time for other things.  I sold 2 of my bikes and some parts and built a bike which has been fun.  I am getting a few bike rides in since it is not toooo cold!  Yesterday I rode 22 miles.   I am continuing to paint daily but can play with a new series like birds!  I started a commission.   Linda meanwhile has a puzzle going and reading.  But she is at her desk a lot, closing out the year, she had show apps and info all across the table.  But it is hard to plan a show year when you cannot be sure when its safe to be back out there.  Some shows are attempting to schedule.  We made the decision not to book anything before May and I am guessing May to September will be iffy.   We are considering another back yard Spring show here at the house.  I need some ideas for a new You-Tube series.  We are discussing how to do online classes however my teaching style does not lend itself to that.  Everyone is working on their own painting at their own pace and I help when needed.  I know my students miss the blocked out time to paint...  we are still thinking about how to make it work and if we stall long enough maybe we can do classes in the fall.  We just finished watching the latest season of the Crown.  Basically all is quiet at the Smith house...                                   

2021 Cardinal - Bird #3

SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/9 the price goes to $275

Another beauty.
I have a friend who supplied me with a motherload of bird photos so I may be branching out from cardinals.

If you have a topic or question you would like me to opine on, send an email!   No religion or politics I try very hard to keep that out of my Blog and Facebook!  I'm thinking art!

2021 Cardinal- Bird #2

SOLD!

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/8 the price goes to $275

A cardinal in the snow.

2021 Cardinal - Bird #1

SOLD!
4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/7 the price goes to $275

Let me say right off, I am not a wildlife artist. Every feather in not accurate. But I did find great enjoyment in painting this in my own style. I plan to do a few more thanks to all who sent their photos for me to work from.

Linda is busy closing out 2020. I am always amazed how much work that is for a little art business. I think we finally have Grandpa set up with his smart TV and to be able to watch Netflix movies, I don't think Linda had to help him at all today...progress!


A little tribute:
We lost a friend on the 2nd. Dennis Pierce. He was the husband of Marilyn Hobday (artist) who runs the Heart of Lancaster Show. We attended their wedding years ago and have known them forever. Denny loved my work and we were never at a loss for chit-chat. He will be missed.

2021 Studebaker Truck

SOLD!

6X4" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day

$145. (unframed)
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/6 the price goes to $275

My first painting for the year!   I saw this old truck at Elizabeth Farms when we went for our Christmas tree.   With these little painting a day pieces I am able to expand my subjects without committing to a large painting.  It is a great way to experiment.  Check out that sky.

I signed up to exhibit a Willow Valley Retirement over a year ago and I expected them to cancel.  They did not.  So today was the day to go hang.  We are out of practice with a whole year off!  If you have relatives or friends living there send them to the Lakes to see the exhibit.

2021...

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2021.  Thank you for all the support and love you shared in the past year.  Even with all my shows cancelled I still was able to paint.  You all helped me stay busy and continue to earn a living.  I am blessed.  

My last commission for the year was a 25th wedding anniversary gift.  
The story:  My client and his family go to Maine every year.  They have a special spot and every year they take photos of their girls sitting on this rock; a great way to watch them grow up.  I was allowed to view these special family photos.  He wanted all that was special about the rock and the view interpreted into a special painting.  I worked from a dozen photos to be able to get the movement and color in the water, the houses on the point, a sail boat, the exact shape of the surrounding rocks, the sky, the little roses in the bushes and that big special rock.    Framed 21x17