Holiday Series #3

4"x 6" original watercolor   ~ SOLD
A close up view of window decorations.
After a few years of practice, I am getting good
at what my clients call  "big juicy bows"! 

We spent the day with our friend Joan in Chester
County.   Picked up a supply order and I painted
while the girls ran around. Linda took 100 photos
of holiday decorations for me.   I painted this one
at Joan's kitchen counter.

Holiday Series #2

4"x 6" original watercolor ~    SOLD
A few fresh greens and an inviting rocker.
I found this scene at Landis Valley Museum.

Packed the van for my weekend show.  Ran a
few errands with Linda and the rest of the day
I spent painting. 

Do not wait till the last moment to place an order!
You may always call to visit the studio.

2011 Holiday Series #1

 original watercolor
$225.00 Framed 10x8  Contact the studio
My first Holiday painting of the 2011 season!

What a difference a week makes.  Open House was
very good and we are both glad it is over.  We had
a lot of new clients and a lot of old friends stop in.
All the weeks of getting ready and its over and 
everything is back in its place! No time to rest...
Linda is shipping orders and getting paperwork caught
up.  I just finished a commission and I am back to my
painting a day pieces.  My last show for the year is
this weekend. Dec 3 & 4  Christkindlmarkt in Hershey, PA
There are still plenty of originals and prints available.
Check out my website.

12/30 is the last day to use your $10 off coupon so you better
order from the website or call right now!
My holiday mini prints make nice housewarming gifts.

Friday we open at 2:00!

I am ready... Linda said we're ready!
No early arrivals, doors open at 2:00 sharp
See everyone this weekend.

1 more day till Open House

Here is the run down...
Painting ~ done.
Framing  ~ done and the studio is set up with
a large variety of prints.   The porch is enclosed
and is all set up, that's the check out area.   The
original paintings are all hung and labeled. 
A good cleaning was done yesterday, including the
windows (note eye roll!)  Plus our housecleaner
comes tomorrow for anything we may have missed.
My banner is hung on the porch.
Grocery shopping ~  done.
That leaves making the appetizers.
Here I am helping out in the kitchen... and you thought
all I did was paint!  I am in charge of turning some
spiced nuts.  A tough job, you have to watch the clock!

Tomorrow Linda's buddies come and help her
cook most of the day.  Friday morning flowers
are delivered and the doors open promptly at 2:00!
See you all then.

4 days left...

Linda has added all the new paintings to
my website.  To be fair to everyone, none of
the new paintings are available for purchase
until Friday at 2pm EST.  You may call at 2:00
with your order!  She still has to update the
Miniature Originals. That is scheduled for Monday.
All prints are available now.

For the best selection of originals come on Friday! 
There is plenty to do in the town of Lititz so spend
the weekend.
I now know the menu, which Linda worked on over
the weekend. You will not be disappointed.

Yes, you may bring friends with you, share your
invitation.  
Please call with any questions (717.627.3383)

Veterans Day

No painting today.  Hung the canvas that encloses
our porch.  It gives us an extra room at Open House.
Packed the van, got a haircut and set up for my
weekend show in Lancaster, PA

Nov. 12 & 13
PA Guild Craft Fair
New this year: Held at the Lancaster Convention Center
Sat. 10-6 & Sun. 10-5
There is a coupon on their website.

I am giving thanks to all who serve...
This is my Dad (1920-1997) 

He was a Tuskegee Airman.   When I look at this
photo I am shocked at how young he was. He
served at a time when it was pretty difficult for an
African American to serve, especially as a pilot.

8 Days to go...

Just framed this one and it looks great. 

Linda started setting up the house. Panels are up.
Paintings are setting where they will hang, although
I learned a long time ago that Linda moves things
several times till she thinks it looks perfect. I still
have a show this weekend so I have half the supplies
with me so the rest needs to wait. Linda started
sneezing this afternoon, I think she is coming down
with a cold. Hopefully she can kick it over the weekend. 
Picked up the wine today although I don't think Linda has
the hors d'oeuvres planned which is a big job.  She is looking
for appetizers that are cold, finger food, able to set out for
3 hours without making my clients ill!!.  So feel free to
email a recipe if you have something, she likes a whole new
menu each year.  If it were up to me you'd be eating the same
thing as last year!

 

9 Days to go...

Something a little different.  The subject fit the
odd shape.  A little snippet of life.

We picked up a load of frames this morning so I
know tomorrow there will be a flurry of framing.
Actually, Linda informs me she is working on the
new prints.  I also took a hour to do a family day
with my Mom.  My brother also was there which
was nice for Mom to have both of us together.
Back to painting!

This weekend I am showing:
Nov. 12 & 13
PA Guild Craft Fair
New this year: Held at the Lancaster Convention Center
Sat. 10-6 & Sun. 10-5
There is a coupon on their website.
(No, I will not have the new prints ~ saving them
for my Open House)

10 days till Open House

18x24  Original ~ Available at Open House.

This was from a warm sunny day spent in the
Bedminster, PA ~ Upper Bucks County.  We were
just driving past and the red barn popped right out.

I am painting.  Working on some small ones for
a few days, just to fill in and for a change of pace for
me.  Linda is working with our web guy to update the
website while she is multi-tasking in the studio.  I saw
2 boxes ready for UPS so that means some orders are
rolling in.   I also heard the framing gun for a few
hours this morning so I know there is more framing
being done.  I think we are behind on the menu and
setting up the panels... but I am not asking!!  Just going
back to my paints.

You are invited...

You are invited and please bring your friends!

click over invite to enlarge.
I had several questions about the originals I have
been working on.  I will have them on my website
later this weekend however no early sales.  No selling
will happen until 2:00 EST on Friday 11/18.  You may
call with your request or be waiting at the studio door
at 2:00.   I really try to keep it fair to all my clients.
The prints may be ordered now!

Plan to spend the day or the weekend in  Lititz.   
I am happy to help you with a place to stay or
a restaurant.

Nature's Gifts

Introducing my other new print...

"Nature's Gifts"
Image: 13 x 9" ~ edition of only 200
4-color offset lithographs
Print: $45.     Framed Print: $85

This painting features a classic still life in
a traditional Andy Smith style. Composition,
color and texture are the basics that shape this
simple subject into a vibrant painting.
Harmonious fruit and flowers are nature’s gifts.

Open House Update:
More framing...  Lets talk framing for a moment.
We do it all here.  The mat board comes in 32x40
sheets and Linda cuts the blanks to the size of our frames.
It takes 2 colors for one mat.  Then each blank needs
the hole cut out ~ the opening for the print.  Then the print
gets taped into the hole.  Each frame has glass, a double
mat, the print, a barrier sheet, and backing board.
When all in the frame, each gets a dust cover, hangers and
wire.   Linda likes to open the show with 5-7 each of my
43 prints.  So right there is at least 215 frames.  Plus 20-30 each
of the 2 new ones,  plus 5 each of the 8x10 mini's.
So you can easily see where this is a several week job
with lots of steps.  I paint...

I did take a break and visit my Mom.  Took her out in the
fresh air for a while.  Came home and washed the car.
And then we went to dinner with several couples we have
kept in contact with since all our kids were in high school
and ran track.  Had a wonderful dinner at Ciro's.
Back at it in the morning.

Perfect Harmony

Introducing my new print...

"Perfect Harmony"  
Image: 12 x 16"   ~  edition of only 200
4-color offset lithographs
Print: $50.        Framed Print: $100.

There are times for an artist when it all
comes together. The location with the
perfect composition, the time of day with
the ideal light, and a hint of what lies beyond.
I painted it just as I saw it, with a quiet peace
and perfect harmony.

Linda is updating the website so she will be ready
to take orders for the new prints Thursday
afternoon, or you can call to place an order.
I will show the other print tomorrow.
hint... the title is "Nature's Gifts".

Open House Update: 
Invitations were taken to the Post Office so you should
have yours soon!  More framing and more painting
today.   My brush will be in my hand till about
11pm tonight.

17 days...

Just framed this one  14x18"

Ready for November 18-20 Open House.
Reliving Kentucky!

I painted most of the day.  Took a short break
to take the new kitties to the vet for a check up. 
Tonight I am cutting the mats for a few new originals.
I always get excited about this stage, paintings look so
much better when framed.

Open House Update:
All the new prints are hand signed and numbered,
causing cramps in my hand!  Linda matched them up
with mats and frames.  Frames for these come next
week.  Linda was at her desk all day but I really do
not know what she was doing.  I did see a few hand
written invitations on a pile...