2025 Scotland #1

$145 (unframed) 5x5 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 19x9  $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 6/25 the price goes to $225

Queensferry, a town to the west of Edinburgh.  Beautiful stone and Chimneys everywhere.

We decided to go with Personal Tours of Scotland with Brian.  There was 5 of us; Me and Linda, my brother Carl and his wife Beth and our good friend Joan with a driver/guide.  I am SO glad I was not driving!  After Brian picked us up at the airport we dug right in.   Stopped for coffee in Queensferry.  Walked the beach and found sea glass.  Great view of the Forth Bridge (UNESCO site)

Brian sporting his family kilt and Linda with the famous red bridge.

Off to Dean Village  and a walk... 

Our gang 

We dropped our luggage and its off to explore the sights and sounds (bagpipes) along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.  I love bagpipes!


Next is exploring the Castle and fantastic views of the city.



Not finished yet...St. Giles Cathedral.  We came in on the tale end of some singing.  (Linda loves exploring churches)


Dinner at Piggs. A little Spanish Tapas in Scotland but it did not disappoint.  Now time to fall into bed!
We stayed at Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile.

We are back!

We are back from 11 fabulous days in Scotland. This was my bucket list and it did not disappoint!  I LOVED it. 
Always on the lookout for Hairy Coos...

Home at 5:30 on Tuesday and there is always so much to do.  Mentally switching gears,  lots of laundry, there are no groceries in the house,  pack for the weekend show... Wednesday and Thursday Abbey & Ben are home for a visit.  Wednesday we are all going out to Ciro's for dinner.   Thursday is Fox Meadows for lunch and ice cream.  Friday is pack then set up for the weekend show.  Show Saturday and Sunday...  SO, no blogging till next week and I will tell you ALL about Scotland.
See you this weekend  at this great quality show...

2025 Still Life #28

original watercolor  $225
My antique shop always has some baskets hanging...I am drawn to them!

This is my last blog until 6/18!  We are heading to Scotland, my bucket list request.

UPDATE:  I finished my May ride for Cancer with 332 miles, overachieved a little!  It was a very rainy month.  I am so excited to have raised $2297 for Cancer and am grateful to everyone who donated and cheered me on!!

Add this great show to your calendar,  I am privileged to be included.

2025 Still Life #27

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 6x4 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/30 the price goes to $225

Working on a few still life antiques...

Save these dates...I will be exhibiting here...

2025 Landscape #25

 
original watercolor  $225
My artist friend Sean allowed me to use his photo.  It looks even better in person!

WooHoo....I finished my 300 miles in May for Cancer


AND, I raised $2135 (my goal was $250)  You have until 5/31
to make a donation.  DONATE!

2025 Still Life #26

original watercolor   $225

I needed a change from farm scenes...

Ran a few errands today. Went to AAA to order some Pounds for our trip to Scotland. The exchange rate is ugly, but I am getting excited. Again, the weather is not cooperating with my bike mileage so back to painting!

2025 Landscape #24

original watercolor  $225
My last landscape from  from Belle Grove National Historical Park in VA

A special client hung her latest barn painting...

2025 Landscape #23

original watercolor  $225
Another view from Belle Grove National Historical Park in VA, and what a view!

I am pretty excited, I took my Suburban to get the drivers seat restuffed and recovered...it's the little things! Then rode my bike back, I need to make up some mileage for my Cancer ride.   Linda spent the day out with the girls at Kitchen Kettle Village.  Over the weekend we had another new porch roof and soffit put on. Our old house has 4 small roofs, a large flat roof and the big peak roof. We have lived here long enough for the 2nd round of roofs.  Going to metal. 

2025 Landscape #22

mini original watercolor  $225
Some out buildings at Belle Grove in Virginia

You can find me here on Saturday...rain or shine!

2025 Landscape #21

mini original watercolor  $225

Belle Grove National Historical Park in VA

------------------------------------------------------
This was me in May 2023...fighting rectal cancer with chemo and radiation.  I was not allowed to ride my bike for a year...  To read about my year scroll back to January 2023.


This is May 2025...2 years clear in July and very blessed. 


That's why I am riding and raising money...

2025 Still Life #25

mini original watercolor   $225

While visiting Belle Grove the kitchen was in the basement and it was the only place I could take photos.  There was a huge beautiful working fireplace for cooking with hanging savory herbs and dried peppers.

Riding Update:  300 miles in May for Cancer.  I rode 173 miles with 127 more to go. I have raised $1324!   With a few more donations still coming.  To Donate: CLICK HERE

Update…

We got home at 5pm today (Monday) Thought I would do a recap. Back in the 90’s we did the Crozet show several years, then switched to a different area. Linda thought it would be fun to go back. So Wednesday was load the van…as you can see, I couldn’t squeeze in another thing! Linda wanted plenty of stock.


Thursday morning we headed out with plans to stop at a few historic places for new subjects.
Aww. but the best laid plans...

Yes, that's our van up on the tow truck.  The bad news: she tore a belt.  The good news: I could (barely) get off  busy Route 81 and into a parking lot.  We have AAA and a local garage could squeeze me in.  Lost 4 hours so no stopping.   Good News: We had a very nice studio air B&B.  Bad news: Up a long flight of steps to the 2nd floor and NO TV!
Friday was set up.  We had to dolly across a large park... far!  No driving on the not very nice Park grass.  Show  Saturday and Sunday.  Beautiful weather.  Sales were OK not fabulous.  They had a little sticker shock with the originals.   Pack up and dolly across the Park which took 3 full long hours.  I can safely say that was my swan song in Crozet.  Monday we managed to make one of our missed stops.   Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, VA.  Paid our $14 a piece, went inside with our guide, only to be told NO PHOTOS!!  The whole point was to get new subjects!  We got home, I unpacked and went out for a bike ride.  I lost 5 days of riding for Cancer.  I'll give that update tomorrow.  Home never looked so good!

2025 Landscape #20

 
original watercolor  $225

Lancaster County.  A scene from my bike ride.  I had SOOOO much fun with this painting.  Love the line of three trees.  AND, see that tractor in the back kicking up dust.  No white paint!

Reminder to my Virginia clients, heading your way this weekend.  Booth F1

Six friends went out for dinner last night.  We went to The Lincoln House in Ephrata PA.  It had been years since we were there.  I will say it was good.  White table cloth, good waitress, the owner came out to check on Linda's nut allergy.  (ordered a beet salad without the walnuts, meanwhile our friends were deciding who gets to use the Epi pen!)

Riding Update:  300 miles in May for Cancer.   I rested on Tuesday But this morning rode 25 miles.
rtotal so far:  148miles  and have 152 to go.  I raised $1272...I am stunned!  To Donate: CLICK HERE

2025 Still Life #24

original watercolor    $225

A peach...a true still life!

Today is pack the van for the next show day.
Linda is looking for things to do on the way to Crozet, VA.

2025 Still Life #23

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 6x4 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/7 the price goes to $225

Study this basket work...and the light!   Painting is a JOY for me!

I have a lot to catch up on...
First, the Leonid and Friends concert was FANTASTIC.  If you like Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire you must listen to these guys.  The horns are so sweet!

Riding Update:  300 miles in May for Cancer.  
Thurs. - 24 miles,  Fri. 29 miles,  Sat. 30 miles,  Sun. 18 miles,  so I am at 101 miles (week #1)  with 199 more to go.  Linda is watching me like a hawk, worried I will over do it.  I was not allowed to ride my whole Cancer year, only walk.  Then last year I started slowly, and rode indoor rollers over winter.  You would think I could just hop on and ride...  but its not that easy.   I have to settle into the bike, get my sit bones back, eat before I go out. Plan around the weather.    Sunday I went out on the Lititz trail and it was SO soggy wet I felt it was unsafe so the return trip was on the road.  I had to hose off my muddy bike and I desperately needed a shower.  This week we leave for a show on Thursday till Monday so I lose a few days.
I am proud to have raised $964 so far. Donations are on Facebook.  If you are NOT on Facebook,

I did have a person give me a check and I did the donation on Facebook for them.  (email me to talk about how that works)  To Donate: CLICK HERE

Next Show:  This weekend.  Crozet VA,  Come see me!

too busy today

I did not have enough time to finish my painting, ifs half done!  Heading out this evening to the York Theater to see a favorite... Leonid and Friends.  I am SOOO excited!

I did get 24 miles on my bike this morning. Leaving 276 more to go in the month of May!

 I have raised $964 so far!  Way above the goal!  Thank you all so much. Click here

2025 Still Life #22

SOLD!   $145 (unframed) 4x6 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/2 the price goes to $225

Great slip on the crock...

We got back last night from a few nice days in Williamsburg, VA.  The show went well and we spent some time with Linda's brother.  Today we ran to two greenhouses for some plants. Linda is busy in the flower beds.   May 1st is my start for my 300 miles for Cancer bike ride. The goal was $250 and I am already at $862! WOW...I am so blessed. Click here 

Art on the Square, Williamsburg, VA

You can find me here on Sunday!
Williamsburg, one of our favorite places.
See you soon...

2025 Still Life #21

 mini original watercolor  $225
A coffee grinder from my own kitchen!


Cycle Challenge Cancer Fundraiser Update:
I will be riding 300 miles in the month of May to raise $$ for Cancer. I have been riding to get ready!  They set a goal of $250 and I am already at $539 with another $200 coming in!   This is done through Facebook.  Go to my page (andysmithartist)  When you see the Challenge, click DONATE.  adjust the $ amount, hit continue.
the next page you can enter a charge card or PayPal then continue...
THANK YOU all for your support.  



I will be posting photos and my mileage as I go along... I am so blessed, April 2023 I was in the middle of chemo and not allowed to ride.  Tomorrow I get another 3 month check but so far, all clear.  So this ride means a lot to me.

2025 Still Life #20

 
 mini original watercolor $225
Antiques in a window, from Glendale Flour Mills.

Did a bit of van maintenance and then packed for my Williamsburg show. Getting into the show groove.

2025 Landscape #19

 
mini original watercolor  $225
A landscape from Paeonian Springs, VA.

REMINDER...Sunday is WILLIAMSBURG, VA

Space #79   tell ALL your friends to come out and see me.

AND..If you are on Facebook,  (andysmithartist)  I am cycling 300 miles in May for Cancer.  My goal was to raise $250 and I am already at $287!  I am humbled by your generosity.  I will be posting my rides

2025 Still Life #19

SOLD!   $145 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 4/19 the price goes to $225

I have no idea what this is... it was cloth with pins sticking in it. I found it at Glendale Flour Mills in Boyertown. I liked the challenge of the patterns.

Today a client/friend/computer wiz came to install a new router and tweak Linda's computer. Then we took them to the Bulls Head Pub for lunch. I squeezed in a bike ride early evening. My plan is to work on my larger painting tomorrow.

2025 Landscape #18

mini original watercolor  $225
A Virginia landscape today.

Busy day... again, we both had dentist appointments, this time a scheduled cleaning.  Then lunch at Fox Meadows in Leola then to the farm to get eggs.  Down to $5 a dozen, still way higher than they should be.  It is Wednesday so that's date night dancing!

2025 Landscape #17

mini original watercolor  $225
I am switching to landscapes... Winter in Christiana PA.

2025 Still Life #18

mini original watercolor   $225

Friday we went to Glendale Flour Mills in Boyertown. This painting is from there. I am lucky, the owner allows me to walk around and take photos that I use for reference to paint. We may or may not have brought something home!  Also on July 11-12 I will be at the mill with my paintings and demonstrating so save that date!

Saturday I took the whole day to draw 2 paintings. I don't paint 2 at a time but since I didn't feel like painting I took the time to draw.