2024 Still Life #38

$145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 7/26 the price goes to $225

I have been eating pretty many cherries lately...
Ode to cherries.



We started our morning getting free old bricks for the garden beds. Linda and I carried 25 bricks from an attic... down and another 25 from the basement... up! Got plenty of exercise. Then stops at the grocery store and farmers market. Linda cleaned and cut 2 dozen corn for our freezer while I painted. Then suddenly it's 6:30pm!

2024 Still Life #37

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 7/25 the price goes to $225

Another still life from my new favorite antique shop, Glendale Flour Mills, Boyertown, PA

Sometime I feel like my painting has reached another level.  I get such a thrill from painting.

Saturday...  tell ALL your friends...Space B152

2024 Quebec #7

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 7/24 the price goes to $225

From our walking tour in Quebec. The steps and flowers just remind me of France. This has a slight impressionistic feeling to it.

I have been painting some fantastic larger paintings that I plan to bring out to the Lititz Art Show.
Sat. July 27 from 9 to 5
Held in the beautiful Lititz Spring Park on Rt 501
FREE!   Rain, Shine or Heat!
Space #B152 in the back near the pavilions.



They are not titled or priced; Linda was busy!  Actually, she just booked a tour to Scotland for June 2024.  That was on MY bucket list!

Meanwhile our little porch off the kitchen is almost finished.  Linda had a planter built and added some plants to help with a bit of privacy.  There is other planting and stones going in.

The view from inside.

2024 Still Life #36

 mini original watercolor   $225

A basket I found in Chateau Ramezay

2024 Quebec #6

 mini original watercolor  $225
Rue St. Paul Quebec. Interesting little window a few inches off the sidewalk.

Much needed rain today! I am balancing my time between painting and cutting mats and glass.

2024 Still Life #35

mini original watercolor $225
Since we went to Glendale Flour Mills, Boyertown, PA. I was able to get a LOT of great antique still life subjects.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

Next weekend is:
Lititz Art Show
Sat. July 27 from 9 to 5
Held in the beautiful Lititz Spring Park on Rt 501
Lititz Art Association | Lititz, PA
FREE! Rain, Shine or Heat!
Space #B152 in the back near the pavilions.

BIG Lititz Rotary Craft Show
Sat.  Aug. 10 from 8 to 4
FREE! Rain, Shine or Heat!
Space B4 on the square at the entrance to the patio.

Mount Gretna Art Show  
Aug. 17-18 from 9 to 5
Held in Mount Gretna PA

Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show | August 17th-18th, 2024 (mtgretnaarts.com)
$15 admission  (I have a $2 off postcard I will mail you!
Space #210

Heart of Lancaster Show
Aug. 31-Sept. 1 from 9-4
Held at Roots Market, 705 Graystone Rd.  Manheim PA
FREE! Rain, Shine
Space #136

Feel free to email with any questions.

2024 Montreal #2

 mini original watercolor  $225

Wonderful stone building in Montreal -Ville-Marie.
From our walking tour of Old Montreal.

Linda has been celebrating her birthday for several days!  Friday was breakfast with girlfriend, Bonnie. Saturday I took her to our favorite antique shop and she picked out 2 items.

After she was finished decorating it looked like this:


Sunday we both went out to dinner with our friend Joan.

And this morning she had breakfast with girlfriend Kathy.   And this was not even her big birthday!! Blessed with great friends.

2024 Quebec #5

SOLD!   $145. (unframed) 5x5” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 9x9 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 7/13 the price goes to $225
From our walking tour in Quebec. Great color.

2024 Quebec #4

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 7/12 the price goes to $225

Le Petit Champlain, Old Quebec.

SAVE THE DATES!
I will be in the back near the pavilion in my usual space.
B152

August 10  Big Rotary Craft Show, Lititz, PA
August 17-18 Mount Gretna, PA
Sept. 7-8  Heart of Lancaster, PA

Sept. 9-10  Ludwigs Corner, PA
Oct.4-6   Waterford, VA

Oct. 12  LCAA show at Solanco Fairgrounds, PA
Nov. 22-24  My Annual Open House

2024 Quebec #3

 mini original watercolor   $225
From our walking tour.  Feels like France!

Canada Trip - Day 7- Update:
Our last day. We started with a 9am tour "Untouristic Quebec City" with Xavier through Tours By Locals. This was 3 hours in Quebec's neighborhoods.
Lunch at Le Billing Creperie. The BEST crepes since France! Really excellent.
Spent some time walking around one last time.
Dinner at Le Don, a Vegan Restaurant. I think half of us were happy! It was different. That's it for Canada.   Next trip is Portugal in September!

2024 Still Life #34

mini original watercolor  $225

Antique pottery... painted at my show.

Back from a good show in Latrobe, PA but it was HOT! We left our cute cool Airbnb

at 8:30 every morning and back at 9:30 every night for 4 long HOT days.  Packed our lunches but we finished too late for dinner so we did not eat well!  Funny story: we checked in last Monday, Tuesday we were in and out, we had a long day of set up, came back and showered and then went out to dinner.  Got back at 8pm and could not open the door.  The handle just jiggled.  So we texted our host and sat on the front porch watching the lightening bugs.  Texted her several times, but no reply.  I tried the windows, all locked.  No other way in, tried the door several times.  By 11pm we had to make a decision, sleep in the van or go find a hotel.    Yep, hotel it was. Now in our younger days checking into a hotel, late, WITHOUT LUGGAGE would have been exciting.  But now we were simply worried that our evening meds AND morning meds and cell phone chargers were locked in our bnb!  By morning the host replied and needed a locksmith to replace the door handle!   Then on Sunday night we got in around 8 after a long hot pack up, showered and I just made coffee and the electric goes off, in the whole neighborhood.  No air conditioning.
we went to bed!   Came on about 2 hours later.

Its good to be home!!

Canada Trip- Day 6- Update:
We had a Tours by Locals tour scheduled but it was cancelled so we went to Tours Voir Quebec and did their Grand Tour (of Old Quebec).  It was ok, not fabulous. 
In the afternoon we took a cab to the Parliament Building.  We pre-booked and pre-gave our ID information but still did metal detectors, more ID, and got badges; a little like visiting our capital.  Had a quick lunch at their Cafe and then a 3pm tour.  The rooms we were most interested in were closed for renovations, but it was still a beautiful building.  Back to our hotel to freshen up and off to dinner.  Bistro St Malo.  By far the best meal we have had.  Excellent food and a young waiter who knew how to charm the ladies.  The food was SO good and we simply had a wonderful evening. Here we all are...

After dinner we all did a little evening stroll around Old Quebec and had their famous Beaver Tails for dessert.

Up date

Today is show set up so no time to paint .

Canada Trip- Day 5- afternoon Update:

Not far from the falls is the lle dOrleans. We headed straight for lunch at Resto de La Plage. Here is our gang and a beautiful view.

We continued on a leisurely 47 mile drive around the island. Stopping to see the beach get some fresh strawberries and lobster rolls from Chez Mag for dinner at the hotel! Another great day.
Here is my brother, Carl and I checking out the stones.

2024 Canadian Landscape

 
mini original watercolor $225
A Canadian landscape, view from the train.
Looks very much like home!

Heading to Latrobe for early set up,
show starts on Thursday....  
WESTMORELAND
ART & HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Held at 219 Twin Lakes Rd, Latrobe PA
Rain or shine!
Thurs. July 4 to Sat. July 6 from 11am to 8pm
Sunday July 7 from 10am to 6pm
My Space: #159     See you soon!

Canada Trip- Day 5- Update:
Today we are heading out of town.
We rented 2 cars and drove to Montmorency Falls.
We parked at the top so started by walking across the falls on a suspension bridge. 
That's me in yellow and Linda in pink.


Beautiful falls. Can you see the suspension bridge?


From there we took 487 steps down the panoramic staircase.


Friends from below took a photo of us at one of the look outs. 
We are on the left side.

We then rode the cable car back to the top.

This was all accomplished by Noon!  I will report on the afternoon tomorrow.

2024 Quebec #2

mini original watercolor  $225

Rooftop from our "outside the walls" tour.

REMINDER to my Pittsburgh area clients...
WESTMORELAND
ART & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Held at 219 Twin Lakes Rd, Latrobe PA
Rain or shine!
Thurs. July 4 to Sat. July 6 from 11am to 8pm
Sunday July 7 from 10am to 6pm
My Space: #159     See you soon!

Canada Trip- Day 4- Update:
We packed up and took the Via Rail Train to Quebec. Because of the heat they had to go slower and we were about an hour late getting in.  We missed our tour of historic Frontenac but did go inside later.

Checked into our beautiful hotel... Hotel Le Priori located in the lower level of Quebec and walking distance to everything. Lunch at Resto Pub Qdesac. Most of the restaurants (except the $$$$ ones!) did not have an American idea of air conditioning and it was hot!
Spent our time walking around.  Old Quebec is everything we hoped it would be...

How cool is that!

2024 Montreal #1

SOLD! $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 6/28 the price goes to $225

Pears from the Jean Talon Market in Montreal!

Canada Trip- Day 3- Update:
Another breakfast from the Boulangerie! We rarely have the same guide incase they did not work well with us but Linda thought Ruby (Tours By Locals) offered the best tours so we took the chance we would like her. We did and tour #2 was excellent. "Montreal's Local Neighbourhoods with Ruby". Our first stop was a beautiful mansion turned hotel. We learned how to properly walk down a grand staircase. Not so easy for the ladies, they were not allowed to look down!


A little tasting at the famous Schwartz's Deli.  Fantastic!


Listening to Ruby...

We took a subway and buses and walked, and walked on a very hot day.  4 of us went back to our loft to cool down while the other 4 kept exploring.   Dinner at The Fire Grill.

2024 Quebec #1

mini original watercolor  $225
My first mini from Canada. This is from Quebec. It offered all the feel of France!

Canada Trip- Day 2- Update:
I am adding all the links incase you want to plan a trip or just want to read more!

Breakfast was takeout from Boulangerie Au Pain Dore (on Peel St).   Next is a walking tour. "Ruby's Enchanting Private Old Montreal Walking Tour"  3 hours finishing at the Notre Dame Basilica. She sang for us to show the the acoustics, she has a beautiful voice and did a great job taking us around.

"Ruby"


This Basilica is over the top beautiful.

Our group split and 4 of us had lunch at 3brasseurs and then a quick stop at Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (the Sailors Church) to see the small boats hanging from the ceiling. Then a tour of Chateau De Ramezay. We all met up back at the Basilica for an evening light show. It felt a little Disney like and odd inside a church but it was done beautifully.

Dinner at Wolf and Workman and much needed sleep.

2024 Still Life #33

mini original watercolor   $225
This is from the enslaved quarters at Stratford Hall, VA.

I was not ready to paint Canada quite yet so I went back to what I love.

Canada Trip with friends Update:
Last Sunday morning we flew into Montreal.  We started with lunch at the Time Out Market.  They have a large selection of restaurants and you eat in the center.  Everyone could just pick what they wanted.  We were able to check into our loft early to drop off luggage.  The girls found a 4 bedroom/4bath Loft with a large living area so we could all hang out together.   Next was a visit to
Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.  Photos do not do it justice,



Then dinner at Birra Bar a Bieres Maison.  Known for their craft brews (2 of our group were excited!) The food was excellent and the waitress was fantastic. 

Check in...

We have a wonderful group of 9 friends that have been traveling together since our daughters wedding in 2009.  Sometimes its all of us and sometimes its whoever wants to go.  On Sunday, 8 of us are heading to Canada.  4 days in Montreal and 4 days in Quebec.  Going for that French feeling!  Lots planned so I will share when we get back.

No Blog posts till 6/24!

Today was my MRI, then our customary breakfast after a procedure.  Then a few errands. Tonight I am taking kid to the track for a little sprint practice.  All that to say no time to paint.  

Since I am busy and YOU took the time to read my blog...
I am offering one of my older mini originals
FREE to the 1st person to send an email and claim it!
If you are a past winner you are not eligible!  In honor of traveling and sightseeing, this mini is from a trip to Oregon.
 
CLAIMED!!
"2019 Oregon#2"  mini original watercolor, painted in 2019
A Harris Hawk from The High Desert Museum in Bend Oregon
Value $225 framed in black wood 8x10”

- shipping available at cost-

Still Life #32

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 6/14 the price goes to $225

Love the patina on the pottery!


Hey Pittsburgh...save the date!

WESTMORELAND
ART & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Held at 219 Twin Lakes Rd, Latrobe PA
Rain or shine!
Thurs. July 4 thru
Sat. July 6 from 11am to 8pm
Sunday July 7 from 10am to 6pm
My Space: #159    See you soon!

 

2024 Landscape #17

 mini original watercolor $225
A Lancaster County view from a bike ride.  I LOVE our landscape.

I enjoy when clients send me views of their Andy Smith Collection.  This one has 4 mini originals and a print.  Looks beautiful on the wall!

2024 Landscape #16

mini original watercolor  $225

While scouting what I wanted to paint for the Quick Draw I saw this view.  I think it is part of the Moravian complex.

The Lititz Quick Draw went well.  2 hours to start and finish a painting.  You sit outside and draw on site.  This is way out of my comfort zone.  Yes I paint outside at shows but I am using my own reference not sitting in front of it live.  I am a studio painter.  Plus I take hours on my paintings, even my mini paintings are 4-6 hours each.  This was 2 hours, I had to hustle and the overall style was much looser.  It is the Mueller House on Main Street.  AND as an extra bonus...it SOLD right away!