Commission

I spent the weekend finishing a house commission that I had been working on for several weeks.  Framed 24x18"  This is a family home near Cherry Springs, PA (where the best star gazing can be found!).

I really try to make my commissions a partnership.  I bring to life my clients vision and my style into a wonderful watercolor painting.  This client was able to come to the studio and watch me paint, making the whole experience even more personal.  I am happy to help you with a painting... contact me!

Thoughts:   I was distracted today so I did not get my mini painting finished. Over the weekend we upgraded our popup camper to a Jayco expandable. With Covid the idea of campground bathrooms and showers did not appeal to either of us!  I have been looking hard for over a year for just the right model in our price range and had 5 we were starting to make plans to see.  We took this one right away and when I looked, 3 of the others sold on Sunday.  So Spring is coming cause campers are selling fast.    I bought it in DE so today we went to AAA to sign the title and pay the state their portion only to find you now need an appointment... so that is scheduled for Wednesday.  Then the phone calls... Called a ton of places looking for a reasonable parking lot to store it.  Prices all over the place. Finally at 5PM I found one.  Called several RV Services looking to schedule a good going over to make sure all the parts are working well.   Several were booked far ahead, a few were simply not pleasant, one tried to sell me a new one.  Finally settled on Shady Maple RV and not till 3/31!  Called my insurance company, that was the only easy call.  Then called and ordered a pizza for dinner!

2021 Snowman #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 2/26 the price goes to $250.

This was from a snowman family.
Changed it to evening and changed the scarf, I actually looked at photos of how scarves draped around ones neck...  There is ALWAYS some study and practice in every painting.

My subjects are melting!   My mind is going towards Spring...

2021 Snowman #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 2/26 the price goes to $250.

Thank you Nancy for the use of your photo to create this snowman.  A little artistic license was used.  I added buttons and changed the color of the scarf.

We took the time today to film the steps used in painting snowmen.  
Click HERE to view my 20 minute You-Tube!

2021 Snowman #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 2/25 the price goes to $250.

Thank you Sue for the heads up that this snowman was located on Spruce Street here in Lititz.  I took a little artistic license with him and gave him a carrot nose.  This one has a different body than my other ones.  Don't tell Linda but I am actually getting into it now!

The way you paint a snow man in watercolor is by painting the grey areas (positive areas or half tones)  allowing the paper to be the white snow.  It requires the artist to really study the subject and take it apart a bit like a puzzle.

2021 Snowman #2

 

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 2/24 the price goes to $250.

Who knew so many people like snowmen.  As promised, #1 sold so here is #2.  The only serious artistic thing I can say is no white paint was used.  

2021 Snowman #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 2/23 the price goes to $250.

SO... here is the story; Linda likes snow, she loves to shovel.  After this last snowstorm she gets the bright idea I should paint snowmen.  Personally, I am attempting to ignore the snow and my mind has gone to Spring!  However... a happy wife... you know the rest!  SO... here is a snowman and the deal is if it sells I will paint another one, however if not, I am moving on.  What a conflict, sell and earn money vs no sale and I will not paint more of them.  My fate is in your hands!
I combined several snowmen people sent me, trying to balance a realistic one and not get too cute.

2021 Window #2

 
4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$225. framed

I was drawn to the light and shadows in this window.
The original photo was given to my from Dave...thank you.

I am thinking about painting a snow man or two, if you have
a good photo I may use, please send it to me.  Must be one
you took!

2021 Landscape #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 2/19 the price goes to $275

Going for a landscape today...  interesting gate.

Thoughts:  We had a nice visit from an old dear client today.  She is not old!!   Just been a client for almost 30 years.   We had takeout lunch and chatted and I reframed her commission from 1993.  A fresh mat does wonders for an old painting.

2021 Still Life #7

 

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 2/18 the price goes to $275

I enjoy crocks.  Here are three with a fourth tucked behind.  All different shapes and colors.  A wonderful study.


FYI:  Today the phone rang and the caller ID said Pennsylvan Call.  So Linda decided to answer incase it was something important.  They said they were from Medicare and confirming the correct information because they are issuing new plastic Medicare cards.  I hear Linda agreeing with a few things and then she gets a bit agitated with the questions and the next thing I hear is,  "listen, if you are from Medicare you already have all the information you need and you can look it up" and the phone slams down.    She Googles it and its a scam.  Medicare is NOT issuing a new plastic card.  So be warned!  She is pretty much on top of things and still got pulled in for a few moments.  But it did offer a little excitement in a long Covid day!

2021 Still Life #6

4X6" miniature original watercolor - A Painting A Day
$225

This photo does not do the painting justice...
I am practicing my glass skills on this one.  A little challenge painting a clear glass and a dark amber glass. To make it even harder, the clear glass was setting side ways giving an interesting angle with difficult shadows.  Savings the white paper for the highlights.  Understanding what to paint in and what to leave out.