the weekend...

We spent some time with friends over the weekend.  Friday was lunch with Hildebrands at Stone House Cafe in Brickerville PA.  Saturday was lunch with Woodruffs at Ciro's in Lancaster.  Finished binge watching the Night Agent on Netflix.  Sunday we spent time with our new renter in the 2nd floor apartment. Then to top off the weekend we had a large plumbing issue in the cottage requiring an emergency plumber and more work today and tomorrow.  Meanwhile I squeezed in work on a larger painting.

The drawing...



Beginning washes

Working on the enamel...

2025 Landscape #4

 
mini original watercolor   $225.

Eisenhower farm out building.  Gettysburg, PA


We went out dancing last night. Every Wednesday Jimbo's in Reading has a DJ who spins 50's and 60's. We might be the youngest people there but everyone is so nice and boy can they dance. Its old school, DJ plays "2 in a row" slow songs. It is the best exercise for older folks!

2025 Landscape #3

mini original watercolor   $225.

From Strasburg, PA

Save the date: Saturday, Feb. 8
My studio is open from 10am to 4pm
at 4 N. Spruce St. Lititz PA
I will be demonstrating at the kitchen table;
come hang out and chat!
Explore the studio, find your special painting!
Spend the day in Lititz, there are great shops and restaurants!

2025 Landscape #2

 mini original watercolor    $225.

I'm into buildings... this is from Quebec, Canada


SAVE THE DATE...I'll be here

2025 Landscape #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 1/29 the price goes to $225

From Glendale Flour Mills.

Friday was our busy day. I finished my larger painting. It will be framed 15x15" I love old things!



My carpenter friend installed 3 hand-made radiator covers in the studio.

AND we went dancing at the Village in Lancaster with friends Doug and Carol. Doug is the drummer for an excellent band Seraphina Soul.

The rest of the weekend was quiet.  We are watching the Night Agent on Netflix.  Binged season 1.

2025 Still Life #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 1/25 the price goes to $225

I saw this in Cape May, NJ where we had breakfast.  Just an apple on the shelf.

I did not leave my painting table all day today.  After finishing this apple I concentrated on a larger still life I have been working on.  A quiet day at the Smith house.
 

2025 Still Life #6

original watercolor $225
.
Another one from the kitchen in the Physic Estate in Cape May NJ. Glass in front of glass. A nice challenge.

Today was my internal check with the surgeon and I got an all clear. I reached 18 months clear! Every check up is a reason to celebrate.

2025 Still Life #5

original watercolor  $225
.
I am sticking with the kitchen in the Physic Estate in Cape May NJ.
Feel free to send me any snowman photos...

We spent half our day at the dentist today!  I am sporting a new crown.  After, we had a late lunch at Fox Meadows.  Then home to painting.

2025 Still Life #4

original watercolor $225
Another still life from the Physic Estate in Cape May NJ.

Linda loves to shovel and was out twice yesterday and again this morning. She kept the sidewalks clear. I went out this morning and handled the cars and parking. Always a challenge living in town. We have a snow blower but it takes skill to get the snow on a pile on the corner when the house is right against the sidewalk. Easier to carry it. Linda spent the rest of her day working on address changes on our database. I cannot believe how many people move! Meanwhile I painted.

2025 Still Life #3

SOLD! $145 (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/18 the price goes to $225

I love the color on this one! A still life from the Christmas table at the Physic Estate in Cape May NJ.

I did not have time to paint yesterday. We started our day giving a few extra meals and flowers to some people we knew could use a little cheer. Since Linda made a double batch of everything on Tuesday we had plenty to share. Then we headed to Coatesville to drop off food my my sister-in love. Next was lunch with friend Joan at Limoncello in Chester Springs. Here we are with our deserts...

2025 Still Life #2

SOLD! $145 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/16 the price goes to $225

Pears in a bowl....

Today I had another 3-month check-up. Port flush and bloodwork and then an IV contrasting MRI. I have not talked to the doctor yet but things look good after reading my online report. We always go for breakfast after a check up, we went to Lyndon Diner. Next was pedicures. My poor dogs were desperate for some cleaning, my girl earned her tip! Got home and I started painting and Linda started cooking. She is making several meals for my sister-in-law who is having a knee replacement tomorrow. A long full day.

2025 Still Life #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 1/15 the price goes to $225

I needed a little break from birds so I went to a still life. I liked the way the oil lamp is peaking around the cabinet. Nice green color.

We had a very quiet weekend, I don't think we left the house! But this is a busy week. Today I painted till 2pm and Linda was at her desk working on year end and tax things. Then we went out to the bank and grocery store, and to the farm for eggs.

2025 Bird #7

 mini original watercolor   $225

A Bluebird

We usually snag a live tree from someone in Lititz, this time took our friends the Linn's tree. I picked up this monster size tree and set it up in the yard. The birds will enjoy it till March when Linda will cut all the branches off and make a bottle tree and  move it into the garden bed.  

We framed and boxed a few paintings and I ran to UPS.  Also watched President Carters funeral.  Funny thing, I was shocked when I saw his daughter Amy, she is so...   older than the young blond girl I remember from my youth!  Funny how we get stuck in a time warp.

2025 Bird #6

SOLD! $145. (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/10 the price goes to $225

A cardinal...

2025 Bird #5

mini original watercolor   $225

Red Winged Blackbird.

2025 Bird #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 1/8 the price goes to $225

Bluebird

2025 Bird #3

mini original watercolor   $225

An Oriole.

Got the snow blower out and started...just in case!
Send me photos of your snowmen please!!

2025 Bird #2

SOLD!  mini original watercolor  $225

A Cardinal...

2025 Bird #1

 

mini original watercolor  $225

A Scarlet Tanager...
I have been painting birds every January since 2021.  My friend Leslie Hart provides me with her personal photos of  birds from her yard in Lititz.   So, birds all month unless we get snow then I squeeze in a few snowmen!

Linda has been working on our 2025 show schedule.   Since Covid  we cut way back on our show travel.  I just turned 72 and we are trying to find a compromise to a semi-retirement schedule.   I plan to paint till I can't hold a brush, I cannot imagine NOT painting.  I paint everyday.  Linda loves to travel.  Most of our travel is for fun not work!  So, cutting back was a compromise.

Check often to see updates/changes to my schedule!

Feb. 8: Open Studio in Lititz, PA
Feb. 22-23: Fire & Ice in Lititz, PA

Mar. 29: Open Studio in Lititz, PA

Apr. 27: Williamsburg, VA

May 10-11: Crozet, VA (waiting for acceptance)
May 17: Heart of Lancaster, Manheim, PA

June 21-22: Fine Craft Fair at Foundry 48, Lititz, PA (waiting for acceptance)

July 4-7: Westmorland Arts & Heritage, Latrobe, PA
July 26: Lititz Art Show

Aug. 9: BIG Rotary Craft Show, Lititz PA
Aug. 16-17 Traditional Artisan Show, Collegeville PA
Aug. 30-31: Heart of Lancaster, Manheim PA

Sept. A Fair in the Park, Pittsburgh PA (waiting for acceptance)
Sept 13-14: Ludwig Craft Show, Ludwig, PA (waiting for acceptance)

Oct 3-5: Waterford, VA

Nov. 21-23: Annual Open House
Nov. 28-30: 2nd week of Open House