Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Last painting before Open House

For my last painting Linda said she needed to fill in with a landscape. I decided on the Douro Valley in Portugal. It was absolutely beautiful, it looked like a patchwork quilt. Terraces holding grape vines and olive trees. It is a UNESCO site and impressive.
This is our travel group at a pull over stop, look at that view behind us.  The photo does not do it justice.

So this is what I wanted to paint.  It is 11x15"  but packed with angles and texture.  I need to show vast distance.   I took a whole day and evening just on this drawing.  All by hand, using a photo on my cell phone for reference.



I woke this morning anxious to get started.  A slow build of  under washes, drying often.

Adding rows of vines and trees, terrace and small hills.   I want to get the flow, all the directions of the patches of fields, showing movement.   I went between excitement and frustration all day.  You are seeing about 8 hours of work today.  

I am expecting to work into the night...








Tuesday, November 12, 2024

9 Days till Open House...

9 Days to go! There is still 3 small piles of mats to cut and shrink wrap but framing is FINISHED! Linda finished the shopping today (except the fresh stuff). Labels are all printed and cut.
Meanwhile I finished and framed 2 paintings I had been steadily working on.



I have one more I started last night.  A landscape from the Douro Valley.  It is complicated and I want to take my time.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Creating a masterpiece!

I always start with a good drawing.  By hand! This is my first connection with the painting.   We had a 12x22 frame,  tall but narrow so selecting a painting that fits comfortably in that size takes some thinking.  This was perfect.
This gate is from Portugal, I took hundreds of photos and use them in my studio.  But I remember standing in front of this 16 century gate from an old convent turned boutique where we were privileged to spend the night. Convento do Seixo in Fundao Portugal.  



I do not have a set way to start a painting, each one is different.  With this,  I started with the pattern of cobblestones which are everywhere in Portugal. Notice the dip, like the cobblestones settled over time. Then painting up the walls.


Building slowly with washes to build the texture.  I want my viewer to feel the stones.



Ivy... just softens it a bit, against all the stone.



Add that beautiful soft blue on the gates.


I keep working, going deeper and darker.  Creating the feeling of an overcast foggy morning.
 And finally it is finished!  

I am painting, Linda is filling a few orders for pick up and started sending email reminders for Open House.  10 days...

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Still Painting

Another painting for Open House. Check out the work on the wood! I had a blast painting this one.


Spent a little time cleaning the leaves out of the gutter at the cottage and using my muscles to help Linda trim some butterfly bushes with the loppers.  The rest of my day was spent on a landscape painting.

I have a wonderful client in NJ who every years says...I have NO more room.  And every year he gets another one.  Notice the new one in the bottom left corner.  He truly has the salon style perfected.  So no one can tell me they don't have room for more!



Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Open House Update...

Open House Update:  15 days to go...
The girls are still cutting mats and framing. Supplies are still coming in. Linda has the menu together.  Not easy, she has to think of things to serve cold, it needs to set out for 3 hours at a time (then get pitched and refreshed) and for an unknown number of people.  I am so glad its not my job or it would be cheese and crackers!  Today we went to Costco for the staples. This took over 2 hours, and a 2 page list of items, I simply follow behind and push the cart!  We picked up the wine and along with the usual hot wassail I think she is planning on Apple Pie Sangria.  I will say she seems overly excited about this!   After going to 3 stores hunting for the perfect napkins and none meeting up to some hidden idea that I could not fathom, Amazon came through.    We moved the sales check out from the back room of the studio to the small room off the kitchen.  Linda wanted something different.   I saw "hose off  the front porch" on the to-do list but I pointed out that every time the leaf guys go through there is a cloud of dirt and dust...I am not sure she heard me!  I am still painting and am very happy with how that is going, it is flowing off my brush.

For your wish list,  Featuring...





Monday, November 4, 2024

More new paintings…

I need to catch up..
Thursday was date night, starting with dinner at Hidden Still for great ribs and then a fantastic show at Hershey Theater.   We saw Ain’t Too Proud.  The story of the Temptations.  The voices were amazing. LOVED IT.



My paint brush has been flying. 
Featuring two of Linda's favorites.

Both 14x18. Not available till 11/21






Thursday, October 31, 2024

New Paintings...

My newest original paintings are now on my website. You can look, put them on your wish list, but you must wait till 11/22/24 at 2pm to purchase!
Featuring... Left Behind    14x18     $875


Last night we had dinner at Ciro's in Lancaster with Joe and Mindy.  We have known these two since the late 70's!!  Lots of fun over the years.   Mindy owns a great woman's clothing store in Lititz, MinD's.  Check it out.  Good food and lots of laughs.

I lost a wonderful friend on Tuesday.  My long time buddy George Mobarak passed away suddenly and  unexpectedly.  I chatted with him that morning. 
He was one of my prayer buddies and the 1st person to walk with me last year when I was ill.  We have been friends since the 1990's. A wonderful husband, father and friend.  He has left a huge void...  a reminder to enjoy every day we are given.



Wednesday, October 30, 2024

featuring my NEW PRINTS!

 My new prints are ready.  Orders may be placed.  I am planning for pickup at Open House and shipping AFTER Open House.  You may order on line  (I think it automatically adds shipping)  OR send an email  OR call.  Available in walnut or black wood frame.

"Waiting for Fall"
print only: $35.
Framed Print: $95.  14x18"


"Sunny and Warm"
print only: $45.
Framed Print: $115.  21x17"



Holiday Mini Print
"Merry and Bright"
print only: $15.
Framed Print: $35.  8X10"



Tuesday, October 29, 2024

2024 Pumpkin #8


$145. (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 10/31 the price goes to $225.

I am about at the end of pumpkins! 

Picked up another load of 50 frames.  Linda is hanging the paintings in the living room.  Busy busy!
A friend dropped off some bittersweet so some decorating will be done.  The squirrels ate all my small pumpkins that I had on the fence posts.

Monday, October 28, 2024

2024 Pumpkin #7


$145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 10/30 the price goes to $225.

Open House invites are in the mail for Pennsylvania.  Make sure it is not stuck between all the political flyers!!  Get the date on your calendar.  I will post the new prints tomorrow but here is a sneak peak.