Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Portrait #2


4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This is another figure study from Liberia.
It is amazing that anyone has that much balance.
This girl was carrying a load of bananas...barefoot!
It is a great study of the natural flow and
movement of clothing.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Simon's Rock #2

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This painting is all about color and angles.
It is a simple view from a corner of an old barn.
Lush green grass, vibrant blue sky, New
England barn red on the siding. The color is
bolder than I usually work with yet the
style is still mine.
The location is Simon Rock College in MA.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Friday update...

My second Friday actually spent at home.
The blog is late because I had to run all the
way down the block to the park to set up for
tomorrows art show. I had to wait till some
storms passed through. Hopefully the weather
will hold for the show. But it is so nice to be home.

Family: There are some birthdays this week.
Ben, my favorite (almost) son in law turned
24 today! My only brother Carl celebrates on
Sunday. Lets just say he's a bit younger than me
but I'm better looking! And our good friend Kathy
also is celebrating.

Painting: One of the great things about my blog is
the chance to experiment. It allows me to ponder,
to study a subject, and to work out painting problems.
I get to present it to you and get feedback without
the time invested in a major piece. This week I was
able to study a flower, a portrait, a dog and some limes.
I also finished a 14x18 still life. All in all...a good week.


Show: Saturday is a great local home show.
The Lititz Art Show
Held in the Lititz Springs Park
Rt 501 Lititz, PA ~ 9am to 5pm ~ rain or shine!!
I am in the back of the park near the pavilions ~ B153
Free admission! I have all my prints and a great
selection of originals. Stop out and see me.

Limes

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I have been thinking about motion; and
how an artist paints it into their work.
I used falling limes to convey action in this
watercolor. Notice how some of them seem
almost suspended in midair.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Portrait

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I think my first love is portrait or figure work.
I have always had a passion for them. They are
harder to sell than my other subjects so I paint
them mostly to satisfy myself. This blog
will give me a great excuse to experiment with
a few more.

My good friend Ray is a missionary to Liberia,
he has shared many stories with me. He loves
these people and I am honored and blessed to
have his photos to use as my subjects. Their
faces tell their own special story.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Bull Dog

6" x 4" original watercolor

This is a little different for me. It is from my farm
series. When we arrived at the farm the door to
the house was open and this bulldog was laying
in the doorway. Ever the energetic watch dog he
kept his eye on us; but did not move from his
comfortable spot.

There was not a new blog painting yesterday, our
computer had problems and needed a tec guy.
I used it as an excuse not to paint!
But its back to the desk and brushes today.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Angel's Trumpet

5" x 5" original watercolor

I don't think of my self as a "flower painter".
But Linda is always after me to walk through
the garden and see if I become inspired. I often
get hung up on the masses of color and green
instead of looking at each individual bloom.

This plant intrigues me. It blooms at night
and its poisonous. Linda has to watch it doesn't
take over the garden. It's other name is Datura.
I learned all this on our little morning stroll!
We had a little rain this morning and I saw
it was still open. I looked closer and there were
little drops of rain captured inside. I decided to
give the single blossom a try, but I had to add the
droplets of water.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Moon in the Pond Farm #4

6" x 4" original watercolor

Sheep are not easy to observe. These were very
leery of my presence. My nephew, Chris is
herding the sheep so I could get a closer view.
It was only partially successful!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Friday update...

Wow, I am actually writing a Friday update on Friday night.
That has not happened in a long while! Yes, we took a
weekend off. We are both a bit weary. This last trip to
KY was long. 10 hours of straight, no fooling around
driving, just in case any of you are thinking about going to KY.
We were south of Lexington and we have been in the area several
times in the past so we did not take any extra time. A three day, long,
hot show and another 10 hr. drive home. I can tell you are feeling
envious!! I sold ok, certainly not like past years and the gas
prices really hurt the bottom line. Lexington is a great sightseeing
spot.
I highly recommend a trip there. Let me know if you
need any info.


Family: Linda had a birthday while we were traveling. I don't think it is
wise to tell you her age! Her big gift from Abbey & I was a
"Harry Lauder's Walking Stick" Its a tree for her garden. She has
wanted one for a long time. It is looking a little droopy, I think
we are going to the greenhouse on Saturday for better instructions.
Linda is a bit distraught (not just because of her birthday...)

but the Japanese beetles have swarmed the garden and are
leaving nothing behind.


Painting: I hope you all went to my website and looked at my
large Nesting Goose painting (Under originals).
I have her in the kitchen so I can enjoy her for a while.
I am really happy with the way she turned out.

For the purpose of education, I thought I would give you a bit
of info on how I work. I tend to focus on whatever new places
I have visited. And lately I have been to two Shaker Villages so
I seem to be on a Shaker kick.
I decide on a subject. I like variety.
Going from landscape to still life and whatever moves me.
Once I decide on the subject I sketch it. Working out
any problem areas in my sketchbook. I have a pretty good idea
how I want it to turn out by this point. We'll continue the painting
lesson next week. To any aspiring artist, go get a sketch book.

You should draw all the time, I do!

This weekend: I am home! I plan to keep painting this weekend,
hoping my blog sales make up for a show, so go place a bid
after you read this! If anyone wants to stop in at the studio give
me a call. FYI: The Lititz Art show is next Saturday. Plan on a
day in Lititz!

Red Peppers

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This composition is about color.
A faded from drying, muted red.
These homegrown red peppers are hung
in a wonderful southwestern style.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Rope Bed

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This rope bed with its blue bed cover, was from
the shaker village in MA. For me the blue
color has warmth and a general sense of caring.
I discovered the scene was an infirmary.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Moon in the Pond Farm #3

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I've gone back to the Moon in the Pond Farm.
This one shows an open meadow overrun by sunlight.
In the foreground sits a watering trough for the cattle.
Light v/s shadow in dramatic fashion.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Barn

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

If you look into the barn you can see a
tractor waiting for the days work.


I finished the large painting of the Nesting Goose.
To see it, go to my website and click on Originals.
http://www.andysmithartist.com/

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Friday update...on Wednesday night!

Yes, I am off again. It is a killer pace! Bet you didn't
know the life of an artist was so busy and exciting!
I am leaving at 4am Thursday for a ten hour drive
to Berea, KY. And I must set up my booth as soon as
I get there. I am looking for a little sympathy!

The week was busy as usual. Unpacking, framing and
restocking. Packing up the van again. Painting my blog.
We did managed to have dinner tonight with some friends
and had a wonderful time catching up.
Now I must get to bed!

If you won a painting be patient until I return. It is back
to business at home on Tuesday.


The Show: JULY 13 to15 BEREA CRAFT FESTIVAL
Held at historic Indian Fort Theater right in the middle
of the Berea College Forest. Berea, KY
10AM to 6PM Rain or Shine Great quality!

Steps #2

4" x 6" original watercolor $250.00
contact: andy@andysmithartist.com

Once again it is all about light... Night or day
it's all so fascinating to me. This time I've
used a full moon to provide it. Light
transforms everything it touches.
Light is amazing!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Yellow Lily

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I am not really a flower painter. However there
are wonderful flowers growing in our garden that
are hard to ignore. I brought in this yellow lily,
the stem was to short for a vase so I laid it on
the blue plate. (from past "blue plate specials"!)
The yellow against the blue was so striking. My
painting style is a bit heavy for such delicate blooms
but I just can't make myself paint light washes.
So, I did my best!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Five Ducks

6" x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

Another inviting scene from The Moon in the Pond
Farm. These ducks chose just the right time to
march out of the pasture in front of me. If I had wanted
them to line up it would have never happened!
The original is much brighter than it photographed.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Old Metal Watering Can

4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

What I like most is the light coming inside.
This watering can was sitting on a work table.
I painted it in a way that your own eye needs
to finish the spout. You know its there because
you see part of it.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Friday update...in the morning

We were home only two days this week! I got very
little painting done. However, our trip to NH was
great. First time ever in NH. It was so nice connecting
with old friends. Their house was beautiful and Don is a
great cook, so we ate well! We spent a day at The
Canterbury Shaker Museum and I have all new Shaker
material to work from! First time to Canterbury.
The show was a bust, very loving hands stuff, we covered
expences but thats it. On the way home we discovered
Woodstock VT. What a great town. I think Linda is ready
to pack up and move!

The 4th was spent at home. We had friends come over
to watch the fireworks from our back yard.

And now we are off again!! At least we only have a three
hour drive today. If your close to DE, stop in to the show.

Show: JULY 7 ST. PETER'S 41st ANNUAL ART SHOW
Held in Historic downtown Lewes, DE
my space is #115 on Market Street
9AM to 4PM ~ Rain or Shine ~ Free Admission

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Moon in the Pond Farm #2 AND Shaker Box

Shaker Box
4" x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

My continued study of Shaker objects!





Moon in the Pond farm #2
6" x 4" original watercolor $300.00
contact: andy@andysmithartist.com

This scene is from the back pasture from
the "Moon in the Pond" farm in MA. I
was attracted to the depth in the background.

I am posting two paintings today since I painted them
while in NH and was to busy over the 4th to get them
posted...