2 days left...

Open House Update:
Painting is finished,  framing is finished, cleaning done as
far as I am concerned but Linda may have other ideas!
Furniture moved, paintings and prints hung and labeled. 
Looks ready to me but somehow Linda finds all these extra
things to do!  The next two days will be spent on food.
With any luck I can slip out and not be noticed!
All the new work is now posted on my website.  Go pick
the one you want but remember... NO sales till 2pm!
You may call (717-627-3383)  or email to let me
know you want one of the new originals if you cannot
get here at 2!

We offer 6 rooms filled with paintings and prints.
This is our back room of the studio where just yesterday
there was framing going on!

This view is from the house.  2 rooms filled with
new original watercolors.

A close up view of new originals.

Email question: It would be great if you could reflect on those
beginning years.   Thank you so much for sharing all you do.
It is very helpful!
It is hard to remember back to the first few shows.  The original
reason for starting an open house was to raise money to help
pay my printing bill which was in the high thousands!  We lived
in an apartment so we held it for two years in a local hotel.  
Used white formal cards for the invites.  I have always
"presented" my new print at open house.  Linda's idea was
to have the invitation serve as both an invite and a way for
clients who live out of state to see the new print and order it. 
Once I stopped having a side job and started painting for a
living we quickly settled on the week before Thanksgiving
so I would have income over winter when there are few shows.
Linda has a method to all her madness!!  From there it just
grew, clients now know this is when I have lots of new
originals, a new print and a large selection of mat choices
on the old prints.  The hours are long because I have clients
driving from other states.  I even have clients that fly in!
I am truly blessed.

If you want to see everything, come on Friday.  I allow my
clients to take home what they bought!

9 days till Open House

First the most important news.  My bike accident
was settled and the insurance company took care
of my poor busted bike.  I was able to replace it with
a nice used bike and I am happy.  Picked it up today
but did not ride it yet.  To add to the excitement
around here, our oil tank sprung a leak.  Of course
not until after 275 gallons was pumped into it.  It is only
a slow drip but it sure is leaving a nasty smell in the
house and a frazzled wife.  They came today to
measure, coming on Friday morning is a new tank
and $1800 less in the accounts!

Open House Update:
I had my last show so I was able to unpack the van.
Furniture is moved around.
All the show panels, covers and lights are up.
The extra room we use on the porch is mostly together.
Canopy up, rug down.
Another large order of 100, 8x10 frames came and

are being put together...  does not look like much
in this photo however it is several days work.
Linda has the menu done and even started grocery
shopping.  Here is a pile of "do not touch" food.

 

And of course I am still painting...

 "Hot House, Yellow and Plum"   18x24

 

 

 

15 days and counting...

Linda spent the morning with her step-dad,
he had his second cataract done.  We are busy
with drops 4x a day in the new eye and 2x a
day in the other eye.  It is a lot to keep track of.
I spent some time this morning with the
insurance co. about my bike.  Got an afternoon
ride in.   Painting!

Open House update:
More framing in the studio, we average 40
frames a week right now.  The phone has been
ringing with some orders.  Linda has the
panels up in the livingroom.  Getting there.
Here is another painting...
20x23  untitled

I have one more show this weekend:
 Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair
November 9-10
Held at the Lancaster Convention Center
25 S Queen St. Lancaster, PASat. 10-6 and Sun. 10-5

18 Days till Open House

I went out for a bike ride this afternoon, first
I was on since last weeks incident.  Chilly but a
good 25 miles. 

 Open House Update:
Invites are landing in mailboxes, feel free to let
me know when you receive yours. 

Here it is... click to enlarge
Linda sat today working on 156 address changes.
Not as many as last year.  Helpers were framing
and cutting mats all day today.  I painted.
More cute little cups came in the mail this morning.
I think there will be a trial run on some desserts
this week.

Here is another finished painting.  Thank you Amy
for the use of your photos. 
14x18 and needs a title.

21 days till Open House

 

Lots to share.

First, Tuesday I was riding my bike and a 17 year old girl
turned across traffic (to pull into her driveway)
in front of me causing me to hit her car,
bike took the hit and broke the forks, I went sailing across
her hood and down onto the other side.
I am NOT hurt, other than a little sore arm where I landed.
No police were called because I thought we were handling it as
gentleman and the father would pay for the repairs.  Dad took
my bike to the bike shop he is working with. (Dad rides)
Since then Dad decided I hit their car and I am on my own.
So, I just went in to file a police report.  I did not want to put
the girl through all that but since her parents are not being
honest...
Moral to this story... ALWAYS call the police.
A mans word is NOT a mans word.  If it does not turn out
well I will share the name...  he has a business and if
they cannot be trusted for this, I question the business ethics.
____________________________________________________
Next: I am exhibiting at Kutztown University Field House
this weekend.  312 Trexler Ave, KutztownSaturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
It is with the Guild so the quality is good!

_____________________________________________________

And...  This painting took "Best in Show"

I am very honored!  More info to follow

 

 

_______________________________________________

 

Finally, Open House Update:

Invitations are at the post office and should be
landing in your mailbox any moment.  Fingers
crossed the post offices co-operate!
I am still painting like a mad man.  Framing still
going on.  Linda has the menu almost worked out.
Cute tiny cups are showing up... not sure what is
going in them!!  I heard the words "champagne"
and wine since it is our 30th open house.  The
porch was enclosed on Wednesday to give us the
extra space. 

 

That is my week in a nutshell!

Going to Kutztown to set up my booth...

 

Check in

My latest painting... 20x22"  untitled!
Available on 11/22 at Open House

I did not blog all week because I am concentrating
on my larger paintings. Painting all day till late at night. 
Some really good work is being accomplished!
I can't wait to show it all.

Important:  At one of my classes we had an
emergency and needed to call 911.  I now see
how very important it is to have a card in your wallet
with whom to call in an emergency.  A home and
cell number and relationship.  Do not assume we
can find it on your cell phone.  Get it in your wallet. 
And please answer your cell if you are someones caretaker!!
AND also very important (maybe on the back of this
card or on a separate card)  you need a list of meds
you are taking.  Med name, dose and times to take it.
I had no idea of her meds and the ambulance really
needed this info and she was in no condition to
remember.  So please do this tonight, it is so very
important.  FYI, my student is doing OK.

OPEN HOUSE UPDATE:
Lots happening here.  Several deliveries of
supplies are coming through the door...feels like
daily!  (tape, hooks and screws, mattboard, foamboard,
framer points, plastic bags, and lots of moulding length)
Frames coming every week. Lots of mat cutting
and framing going on.  The new print came yesterday
so I am numbering and signing 200!  They look great!
Invites came this morning.  6600 of them!
I am told we are on schedule...  My job is to paint.

This weekend I will be at:
Carlisle Expo Center at 100 K Street,
Carlisle, PAExhibiting with the Yellow Breeches
Chapter of the Guild
Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 5
$5 admission

new painting...

Finished, this took me over a week of non
stop painting...   Layers and layers of washes.
Lots of bricks!

18x24   Untitled....
Not available till Open House.

No blog today because I wanted to finished

this painting.  Visited my Mom and packed the
van.  Set up for the weekend show is tomorrow,
Friday.

 

Open House update:

Linda finished the proofs for the invitation
and they are being printed as we speak.
Also the tear sheets for the new print were
proofed.  More framing was done.  Linda shoots
for a minimum of 5-6 framed of each of my
older prints.  That is a lot of framing and I still
have shows so I am selling as she is framing!

Fall Series #2

5"x 5" miniature original watercolor
$325

Apples on the tree.  Nothing says Fall
to me like apple season!!

I had a class this morning and painted all day.
Linda took her Step-Dad for cataract surgery.

This weekend is my last outdoor show:
Crafts in the Meadow ~ Oct. 19-20
Held at Tyler State Park at 10 Stable Mill Trail
Richboro, PA 10am to 5pm

Fall Series #1

6"x 4" miniature original watercolor
$250.

My first "fall" painting.  It is actually from the
Shaker Village in MA from last year. 

Busy day here.  I had a class this morning.
Ran a few quick errands.  Went to watch them
print my new prints... they look fabulous!
Always exciting to stand there and watch.
Meanwhile, Linda is having computer problems.
Not sure what is going on, not sure she knows
what is going on!  Tonight Linda is headed to yoga
and I have an evening class.

Check in



I started my day with a dentist appointment, I am pleased
to report, no cavities!

No mini blog painting today although I did spend some
time thinking about one for tomorrow.  Linda wants me
to stay with Fall themes!  I am on day four working on a
painting with lots of bricks!
Meanwhile this is one I finished last week. 

14x18" Original Watercolor ~ Available at Open House!   Title?
Open House Update:I painted all day but stopped to cut a case of glass and cut
the mats for 5 finished original paintings.  I get a kick out of
cutting them myself.  The girls can cut and frame the prints
but I love doing my originals.
Linda was finishing the changes to the invitation.  Color was
tweaked and some wording changed.  Now waiting on the final
copy.  She was also emailing with the mailing people working
on dates to mail.  They are going with some combination of
Presort Standard and Presort First Class mailing out on
different dates.   Hopefully this will solve the problem of late
mailings.  I know Linda is worried, but using a mailing house
relieves her of so much extra exhausting work.  The problems
are not with the mailing house but with the post office.
New plastic bags for unframed prints came today and Linda
worked on getting some together.  Foam backing board gets
cut to fit inside the bags with the print, a print sticker and a
price sticker and then put in the correct storage box in print
number order.   Nothing is easy!
Three large piles of mats were cut and I see Linda has several
piles of framing ready for tomorrow.  And to top that off she
has some problem with the computer not downloading PDF files.
I am quoting here cause it is beyond my pay grade!