Busy, busy

We are working on Linda's bucket list. Sept 10-12  Our adventure took us to the Kinzua Bridge in Kane PA. We walked out to the end...  The trees are dusky but not turning colors.  This would be spectacular in a few weeks but also packed with people!




We checked into our cabin in Wapiti Woods in Weedsville, PA. A very quiet little place. You park in the lot and use these big covered wagons to bring your stuff to your cabin. I am already skilled at hauling stuff!

These signs you don't get to see in Lancaster!

Next is our Elk adventure.  Our 1st evening was at the visitors center where we saw elk at a distance.  Great with binoculars and you could hear them.

We were up the next morning at sunrise, hiking up a hill to a lookout and it was so heavy with fog you could not see anything BUT we could hear them below us.  They were bugling and snorting.  We sat for an hour but it was not clearing.  So we walked the mile loop and went for breakfast.  That evening at dusk we hiked back up the hill.  This time we could see the fields but the elk were somewhere else.  The viewing time is short.  Not wanting to give up we tried one more time at dawn, back to the same spot but no elk.   So we did see and hear them but not like Linda was hoping for...

We then had a fast turn around, home one day to repack for our show in Ludwigs Corner.  Left Friday for set up.  We spent the weekend with our good friend Joan.  Had 2 dinners at Limoncello with leftovers for tonight!  Spent the weekend showing.  I finished a painting.

We got home last night to laundry, organizing, pay some bills, buy a lawnmower, repair some boxes to carry paintings, pick up 2 puzzles Linda bought on Marketplace, answer a week of emails...you get the idea.  Our cats think the house sitter is their new owner!
But for excitement we are keeping this pace,  we leave again shortly for Portugal with 2 days home and then a show in Waterford VA!  So do not panic if I am not blogging...

Checking In...

I managed to finish a Christmas card painting for a client, so it is ready to go to the printer. Friday we went to Millbach Homestead for some new fall material to paint. We usually go at Christmas, they have decorations and antiques.   While in that direction we purchased a used canopy from a friend who is no longer showing. Then stopped at a plant place and came home with a few new plants. Linda is reworking the gardens. Saturday, you guessed it, I had holes to dig. We put in a little addition to the side walk where it was too narrow to walk and planted.

In the evening we went to Crossroads Wine Shop in Carlisle, PA. They had a great band playing 70-80"s and we danced...a lot. Nice venue for live music. (you can find them on Facebook) Today was pedicures and I had an eye check up (all good) , then groceries. In typical Linda style, we are heading to Benezette, PA to (hopefully) hear the Elk bugle. Who knew that was a thing! Google it. I will share our findings!

Don't forget, this weekend you can find me at:
Ludwigs Corner
Saturday & Sunday from 10 to 5
1326 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore, PA
FREE!! great quality, Space#113

2024 Sunflower #5

SOLD!  $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 9/6 the price goes to $225

Sunflowers for sale!

next weekend you can find me here:
September 14-15 from 10 to 5
1326 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore PA
Space 113
great quality!  more info

2024 Sunflower #4

original watercolor  $225
This one is a little looser than what I usually do...
Just experimenting.

I had a good weekend at Heart of Lancaster show but there was some rain so Monday I had to labor... all the tent, tarps and rugs needed to be laid out to dry,  AGAIN.   We then went to Fox Meadows for lunch with our friend Bonnie and back to her house so I could tweak her bike and we went for a short spin.  Just a little confidence building.  Back home and I managed a bike ride before dark.  Then we hit the sofa, Linda was watching Monsieur Spade on Netflix  I saw some of it between dozing.

2024 Sunflower #3

mini original watercolor  $225
Lancaster County...

I took our daughters car to the garage on the other side of Ephrata and had a nice long bike ride back home!  Finished packing for Fridays set up and painted.

2024 Sunflower #2

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

Packing for the Heart of Lancaster Show...

Busy

Busy day, I ran my boxed commission painting to UPS only to find I had a wrong address. Came back home and contacted my client and he used a better address. New label and back to UPS. Then at 2 we took our cat to the vet. Since we returned from Canada he has been licking and pulling out hair. He hates when we are gone so we thought it was a nervous thing but NO... our indoor only cat has flees. I do not understand that but I saw them, and if one has them, both cats have them. We came home and Linda gave both boys baths, that was fun!!  I was told to put a flee collar in our vacuum bag and vacuum.  

Meanwhile my new bag to hold my canopy poles came and the wet boys are checking it out.

It is now 5pm, dinner and a bike ride.  I'll paint tonight!

2024 Sunflower #1

mini original watercolor  $225
I have been driving past fields of sunflowers so I guess its time to paint a few!

I was AWOL from blogging all last week. I had a commission that I needed to finish (it looks great!) but it took my week. Its a gift so I will post it when I get the go ahead. I also did a painting Linda requested that she has been thinking she might print in November. Now that its finished she`s hedging... Feel free to email your thoughts!!   
It would frame to 21x15" and sell for $115 framed.  It would be my only print for this year.

I also spent ALL of  last Tuesday recovering from the Mount Gretna Show; drying out my wet tent, tarps and rug then repacking it.  Meanwhile there were 13 damaged prints that wrinkled from the humidity at the show.  They all needed to be taken apart and replaced.  Our helper Lori out in a long day.   Then ALL of Saturday I was cutting 5 cases (79 pieces) of glass to fit my frames.  We are talking a glass cutter and a ruler!  I may or may not have found time to ride my bike...

THIS WEEKEND... you can find me here...
Can't beat a FREE show.   Booth #136

And... SAVE the DATE:

Mount Gretna break down...

What went up, must come down!

Let me say that watercolors do not like the damp air.  It was rather a rough weekend at Mount Gretna.  It rained Saturday morning, then cleared up but stayed overcast and muggy.  The show was full but much lower crowds than usual.  With forecasted bad storms for Sunday, on Saturday after the show I took half my stock out and rearranged my stand.  And of course...no storms till after the show!   I personally did not do well and this has always been a great show for me.   My people were not out!  It felt a bit more contemporary to me.  We decided to wait to break down till Monday and let all the artist who had a long drive home get out.  We spent an hour last night  packing it all up, taking the panels down and just tarping it all.  Then this morning I humped to all to the van, drove home and unpacked the van!  I got my exercise today!  I am letting the paintings dry out a bit and Tuesday the girls will unpack and see the damage.  I know there are at least 5 prints that are too wavy to fix.

I did not have time to show you but I finished this beautiful painting to take to the show... and it is still available!

I am spending the afternoon working on my commission.  Been a busy day.

Mount Gretna Set up...

Mount Gretna Art Show; I have been exhibiting at this show since 1981!  Yes, 43 years.  Most of those years I had a double booth in the same location.   2019 I downsized to one space..

Ever wonder what goes into a show?  By the time you see me I am sitting in my chair all relaxed without a care in the world!  BUT what you did not see is the hours of work before that.  Because I am local I was allowed an early set up.  I set up on Thursday and most artist come in on Friday making it a parking nightmare! This is one of my harder shows to set up.  You must dolly everything in, taking pretty much stamina!  Cart after cart must be unloaded from the van and pushed uphill to my space.  #210  




Once everything is piled next to my space I remove all the sticks and layout my rug.  This gets nails around to hold it down so you do not trip.


Now to get the tent together.  Its a bit like camping.  Poles go together then the top gets dragged on.


While its lower, I tighten the top, get my sign on, straps for the weights, put on 2 sets of awnings and zipper on the side tarps.



Then with a little muscle we raise it up.

Set up the panels, zip tie them together, add the covers, add the upper panels and fasten them to the tent frame.  All this makes one unit, better if there is wind. But if lots of wind I lose everything!


Add some stakes and 50 pound weights to each corner.

Because the show is not till Saturday we are not hanging any paintings.  Linda and I now have 4 hours into the set up.  Our treat for all this work is ice cream! 

Add to all this is the extra stress of possible bad weather...again.  Yes we have a good tent, but eventually there are drips from the zippers.  Watercolors will wrinkle in humidity and if it blows...  So do we take extra stock incase its a great show or downsize incase of rain.  Plus our van is parked a mile away! And as it has in the past, if it rains hard we get a stream of red mud through the tent!  This is not a lifestyle for the faint of heart!  But...I love it!
See you on Saturday, rain or shine.  Wear your wellies a bring an umbrella!

2024 Waterlily

SOLD!   $145. (unframed) 6x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 8/16 the price goes to $225.

A beautiful lily from a local plant store.

The weather is not looking great again for the weekend which means conversations on how much work to bring, how to stay dry, how to keep watercolors from absorbing the dampness; balanced with the fact that the sun may come out. and there will be huge crowds looking for a great selection of my paintings!
I set up on Thursday.

2024 Still Life #41

mini original watercolor    $225.
From the rafters at Glendale Flour Mills.

I like to share how my clients display their Andy Smith paintings.  I don't usually like white frames however this painting looks great!

This weekend...Mount Gretna Show

I spent my day cutting mats and glass and picking up a load of frames.  No time to paint.  We are getting organized for this coming weekend at Mount Gretna.  


My booth is #210



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! 

CLAIMED!!
"2019 Harbour Night Lights"  mini original watercolor, painted in 2019
from my miniature cruise series painted on the ship.
IMAGE:4 3/8 x 3 3/8”
framed in black wood 9x9”   Value $200 

- shipping available at cost-

2024 Landscape #19

 mini original watercolor $225.

More Lancaster County...


BIG Lititz Rotary Craft Show scheduled for Saturday.
Booth layout designed, framing done today, packed the paintings in boxes... now waiting to see what "Debbie" does. At this point in life, setting up in rain, sitting outside in ankle deep water, hanging on to my tent for dear life while the wind whips is not moving me! I cannot remember a show we did not set up in if we booked it, Linda never cancels.

This is funny but while typing, the phone rang and the Rotary cancelled the show!  Many people are complaining on Facebook but they don't understand what goes into this size show.  You cannot just move it to Sunday!  The permits, scheduling police, emergency crews, there is usually a big tactical unit bus.  Its not just rain on that day, there is flooding and parking to think about...  This is the Rotary's biggest fundraiser, they did not cancel lightly.  So glad I did not have to make that decision or listen to the complaining!

Saturday, Aug. 10 Lititz Rotary Craft Show...CANCELLED!
Everyone stay home and stay dry!

BUT... next week you can catch me at:

Saturday 8/10 UPDATE:

 While the BIG craft show was cancelled, the town merchants came together to do a little something special!

I will be exhibiting in the
Wilbur Chocolate Store Lot
from 9-4!  
Please tell ALL your friends to come out and support the town.

2024 Landscape #18

mini original watercolor  $225.

A bit of Lancaster County...

2024 Still Life #40

SOLD!   $145. (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 8/2 the price goes to $225.

I am sticking with still life from Glendale Flour Mills because the last trip there was eye candy everywhere!

Tomorrow I am starting a house commission so I will be glued to my table.
BUT I can multitask and watch the Olympics!
Linda made a pot of bolognese that smells so good but we are headed to dinner with clients. It will be even better tomorrow.

2024 Still Life #39

 mini original watercolor  $250.

Hectic here today, our helper was framing, our cleaning lady was cleaning and Linda was at her desk all day. I ran to the bank, returned something from Amazon and painted.

2024 Canadian Landscape #2

 mini original watercolor   $225
A little landscape from the lle dOrleans

We have been super busy. We did some extra celebrating with our friends John & Bonnie who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Starting with a little gift and flowers and met at Fox Meadows for ice cream. Friday was set up for the art show in the Lititz park. I live 2 blocks away but still had to load and unload PLUS we get a double booth so there is lots to display.


Saturday was the Art Show, good crowds and we sold well.  A home town favorite for me!  Sunday we continued celebrating the 50th anniversary by having ribs at Hidden Still followed by more ice cream with cookies at Dirty Dough!  The girls there were so kind, they even decorated a cookie for them.  Monday we picked up river rocks for Linda's deck project and we both had pedicures.  Home to paint.
I finished out the evening cutting mats.

2024 Still Life #38

mini original watercolor  $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.