Commission Update

I am concentrating on my commission.  You may need to go back to March 5 to see where I left off. I have been working a bit every day this week.  The big elements are in and now I am focused on the filler flowers and greens.  It's slow busy work that I must pay attention to.


Can you see it building?

2025 Water #2

$145 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 3/20 the price goes to $225

Another view from the ship.

In The NEWS!  While we were gone, WITF aired an interview...
click HERE to listen!

2025 Water #1

$145 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 3/19 the price goes to $225

The Port of Manhattan, NYC

We are back home after 10 days away.  We took the train to NYC and spent the night with Abbey.  Then took a Norwegian Cruise to Bimini.  We have sailed with Norwegian several times but this was our least favorite.  The ship was packed (4200 passengers) and there was lots of kids.  The weather was not the best so it was hard to find seats let alone a quiet spot.  It was too rocky to tender at Great Stirrup Cay so we spent an extra night in Port Canaveral, not too exciting!  Norwegian no longer does towel animals on your bed and no longer offers midnight cookies.  I noticed lots of cost cutting.  We still had a great time; I actually read a book and painted and Linda finished 2 books.  We rested, ate and danced! We avoided the elevators and took the stairs (lots of stairs), we washed our hands constantly and still brought home coughs!   

The water in Bimini was beautiful.

After 8 sailing days we were back in NYC. Spending Saturday with Abbey & Ben.  We had an excellent dinner at Bar Primi then saw the play Curse of the Starving Class.  Not our favorite play but loved the actors!  Train back home on Sunday and back to painting my commission today!  I'll share more tomorrow.

Commission Update #5

 I am working on the flowers...

The Blog is on hold until March 17th... busy, busy!

2025 Landscape #10 AND Commission Progress

mini original watercolor   $225
A barn from Chester County...

The commission, #4
working my way up the stems...


Starting to add some flowers...



Here is a close up view...


Starting the rose...

2025 Landscape #9 AND Commission Progress

mini original watercolor  $225

A cork tree from Portugal. Evergreen Oak trees, who knew.  The harvesting of cork was fascinating.

I did not paint on Friday.  Spent some time washing my suburban then went to Lazzaro's with friends for an early dinner. The rest of the weekend was spent on my commission.

The commission, #3
Working on the greens...


The slow build of greens!  I do not use the green right out of the tubes.  I have 4 varieties of green in my palette but I mix the shades I want. The 4 on the left.  Doesn't look like much but its 4 different shades.

I am building the stems and leaves...

The Commission, #2

Personal Thoughts:  I was thinking about the bit of anxiety I have about this commission.  Even after 45 years of painting and I am pretty confident in my watercolor skills, this one is causing a bit of anxiety.  More because the clients are important to me and this has very special meaning to them and I want them to be thrilled.  That puts more pressure on me.

Painting thoughts for those of you trying to paint... My big advice is, SLOW DOWN.  I worked 7 hours on 2 little ribbons.  Building the color, paying attention to the shadows, one thin wash over another.

The ribbons. I started with the darker purple.  It would be easy to make this a muddy purple mess! I needed to understand the flow (tie) of the ribbon, where the darkest and lightest shades are. If you go back to my drawing there was only a basic outline, nothing to show shading.  That is why it is so important to understand your subject.
Close up view.

This is an overall view.



Next is the lighter ribbon.  Same thinking.  Slow build only lighter shade.
Close up view



OK, here is where I am stopping for the day.  My eyes are tired!

The Commission

This may not look like much but I have been working 7 straight hours!  Starting with washes on the table top.


Then moving to the marbles...


More marbles and forming the glass bowl.


going deeper into the bowl... light washes,  taking my time...

2025 Landscape #8

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/27 the price goes to $225

A landscape from Gettysburg, PA
I worked on this farm scene while I was waiting for the OK on my commission.


The Commission...
I spent a day studying the composition. Understanding what is happening is very important before you start. There is a glass bowl with flat marbles, a vase setting inside. 2 ribbons and a flower arrangement.  As you know, I hand draw (no assist of any kind)  the paper is 300lb cold press, size is 12x16"

I plan to start tomorrow.

latest painting...

This was my demo painting at Fire and Ice this past weekend. 
Finished!

A view from my second floor window to my back yard and up the street.  Different for me and I was so excited about all the lights.  Full moon, porch lights, street lights and all the glow they gave off.   The full moon was going down and the sun was getting ready to come up, about 5am.  The challenge of drawing a street scene by hand and not using white paint but saving my paper for all the light areas.  I had to concentrate a bit but loved the challenge! 
It will frame to 14x18 and needs a title and price.

I have a commission to work on all this week.  As soon as they ok the drawing and I get permission to show it I will post the progress.  Might even try a Facebook live...I will keep you posted.

2025 Still Life #13

mini original watercolor  $225
A jug, a cup and a lemon... makes you think...

I am making an observation...  Last night at the dance we were probably one of the youngest ones there. I would say the average age is late 70's to mid 80's. It makes me SO happy to see older people out there dancing and having a great time, getting exercise while having fun. Another observation... Chubby Checkers "The Twist" seemed a much shorter song when I was in my 20's! You want exercise, twist for that whole song! We also did a waltz, my calves were killing me by the end!
Anyone who likes to dance to 50-60's to a DJ feel free to join us on Wednesday nights at Jimbo's at 3400 Plaza Dr, Reading, PA .$10 cover. They serve food and drinks. Music is from 7 to 10. Just let us know and we can sit together!

2025 Still Life #12

mini original watercolor   $225

There is a clean crispness to this one.

Tonight is date night, going out dancing!

2025 Barn

mini original watercolor  $225
Inside the barn at the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg PA.

In the Studio: Today, I packed the Suburban for my first show of 2025. It took some time to gather the racks, upper racks, feet, covers, lights, rugs, sign and table. Meanwhile Linda (and Lori) packed the paintings. Made fresh new labels, filled the shrink bucket, and filled the show box.
Fire & Ice Makers Market in Lititz...this weekend!

I was accepted into the April show in Williamsburg VA

I was an award winner last year. 2024 but that does not guarantee acceptance!


Also accepted in the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman craft show at the Foundry in June.  This is their 2nd year, I was away last year.  But its always great quality.
I never take it for granted that I am accepted into any show. You fill out long applications, include photos of your work and your booth, include a jury payment and wait...

2025 Landscape #7

original watercolor  $225

A view of Lancaster County's farmland.  Christiana, PA

THIS WEEKEND...  I will be here (free admission)

There is plenty to do in Lititz.

2025 Landscape #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 2/15 the price goes to $225

A night scene in old Quebec Canada. I had fun with this one.

IF you need a last moment Valentine gift, give me a call...I have original paintings, prints and gift certificates.  Happy to help you.

This weekend we are planning on getting an ice cream with hot chocolate from Grecos in Lititz.  It's their Fire and Ice special!  Then Linda is doing some cooking to take to our friend Joan for her birthday dinner on Sunday.  I plan to start a new large painting tomorrow.

2025 Still Life #11

mini original watercolor   $225
Can you tell I enjoy old things...

FINISHED!  I need titles and prices but they are framed.
18x24


24X18

2025 Still Life #10

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/12 the price goes to $225

From the Peter Wentz farmstead in Lansdale PA.


My studio was open this past Saturday and this is the painting I was demonstrating.
I had it drawn and ready to start painting...


I painted and answered questions from 10 to 4...








It is not finished...

2025 Still Life #9

 
mini original watercolor   $225
A 2nd floor view out the window of my favorite antique shop.

I finished this and was working on my larger painting.

2025 Landscape #5

SOLD!   $145 (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/7 the price goes to $225


A farm on Hancock Avenue on the Gettysburg National Military Park. From our December trip to Gettysburg.

2025 Still Life #8

SOLD! $145 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/6 the price goes to $225

A still life from my kitchen.

This Saturday...Come spend the day in Lititz...
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, sit and
watch and ask questions!
Explore the studio, find your special painting!

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