Home from Memphis!

 We are home!  Had a little extra excitement with our flight being cancelled and no new flights available.  I'll explain later.  I have had no painting time so I will share our Memphis trip.  We went with friends, Mark & Betsy Linn and I will say the girls were the reason the husbands went, however I did have a VERY good time.  I want to make a big point of saying EVERYONE we met was kind, all our meals were excellent and our experience in Memphis was over the top wonderful. There are links to everything we did.

Tuesday 3/3: left in the afternoon and drove to Media to spend the night with our friends son.  We drove into Philly and had dinner at L'Angolo Ristorante. (no website but you can google it)  Small unassuming with fantastic food.  I'd go back in a heartbeat.  

Wednesday 3/4: Early morning flight from Philly to Memphis, rent a car and go for lunch at Kountry Cookin Soul Food.  Cafeteria style, and I felt like I was at my childhood church social!! Seriously.  Then off to Graceland.

We toured Elvis home and airplanes, and his car museum.


Checked into our Air B&B and changed for dinner at Majestic Grille.  Off to the famous Beale Street and the dueling pianos at Silky O'Sullivans till late night!

Thursday 3/5:  Breakfast at  The Arcade.  Very good breakfast at a Memphis landmark.  If you go, plan on extra time, they have a small staff and it takes a while but...worth it.  We rushed over to the Peabody Duck March at 11:00am  This is a BIG deal and there were so many people I could not get a good photo.  Who knew!
Then to Sun Studio for a really good tour followed by Stax Museum Tour.  Late lunch at Huey's Midtown.   Now we are tired so back to the house for a little rest and change for our evening.
Dinner and GREAT music at BB Kings on Beale Street for another late night!

Friday 3/6: Breakfast was donuts from the famous Gibsons Donuts, there was a line... a LONG line!  Off to Graceland to tour all the other museums.   A late lunch at Coletta's Italian.  We are eating well!! Back to the house to put our feet up and change.  Tonight is the 1st of 5 Elvis Concerts! YES, I said 5!  After all, we are here for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend with eight Ultimate Elvis tribute artists World Champions.  Tonight is Elvis Unchained; a high-energy tribute concert spotlighting Elvis’ powerful live performances and iconic stage presence.  Followed by drinks and deserts at the famous Peabody Hotel Lobby Bar!  OK, I spent $82 on a small cheese plate, 2 cocktails and 2 desserts! Mine was a chocolate duck filled with mousse, Linda had a beautiful Lemon meringue.  So not your average dessert!

Saturday 3/7:  Breakfast at Sunrise Memphis,  11am Ultimate Variety Show, 2nd concert!  Today was raining so we decided to go back to the house.  Dinner at Marlowe's Ribs and again, excellent.  They had  Elvis impersonators entertaining us while we ate!  Back to Graceland for #3 concert,  Elvis 56.  (his early years)  AND over to Graceland Guest House for #4, Late Night Love Songs.  This may have been our favorite.

Sunday 3/8: We found out early morning that our evening flight was cancelled due to weather.  No other flights to Philly for 2 days!  Our only option was to drive 3 hours to Nashville, spend the night and take a 5am flight.  After there was a plan, we packed up, had breakfast at Sunrise Memphis again and the our final concert #5 was Elvis Sunday Morning Gospel.  My 2nd favorite.  Then we headed to Nashville getting in around 4pm, checked in and went to dinner at Salento near the airport.  Again, excellent.

Monday 3/9:  Caught the hotel shuttle at 3:30AM... arrived home at 11am.  Linda did several loads of laundry and I took my first outside bike ride.  It was just tooooo nice out.  I am guessing its early to bed.

I did not grow up with Elvis, enjoyed a few songs.  But this was a very fun trip and if you don't tell anyone, I will admit I am becoming a fan, I would actually go hear the very talented tribute artists again.  They nailed the voice and the moves.  We had a blast.  

commission

I will not be blogging for the rest of the week, we are heading to Memphis for a week of Elvis!  It is The 9th annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Week at Graceland.  Going with friends and will be fun.

Meanwhile; I am multi tasking. I still have my clown commission to finish AND I am starting a small painting to enter into the Demuth Invitational Exhibition (Lancaster, PA) which is due when I get back! No pressure, except from Linda; to paint something spectacular and no, I may not grab something setting here...hummm

Get this on your calendar:
Open Studio
March 21st from 10am to 4pm
Held at 4 N Spruce St. Lititz PA
Stop in and watch me paint, ask questions... enjoy the studio with lots of prints and originals.

Also, I was invited to join this small boutique style show with fantastic craftsman!

Commission Update:
Work on the unicycle and a sock.



Concentrating on the tires and the spokes which have those old colored type straws.


looking like a tire!!

Thinking about a background.  Probably will do a wash, I don't want to take anything away from the focal point.  But I need to plant her feet...just pondering.

2026 Still Life #4

 mini original watercolor  $225.

Nice basket on top of a cabinet...

2026 Still Life #3

 mini original watercolor  $225.

Photo'd a little lighter than it really is.  A dough bowl on a cabinet.
Concentrating on my antique still life's.

Friends date night...We went to see Elvis on Imax last night.  A teaser for a trip to Memphis for The 9th annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend at Graceland!  Then dinner at Florentino's at the Lancaster Airport.

2026 Still Life #2

$145 (unframed) 4x6 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10. $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/26 the price goes to $225.

Little parts of things where your eye fills in the rest.  You know what is there; a window, a cabinet and a basket.  All there but not complete.  This was fun to paint.

An artist buddy came to paint with me today.  Great conversation while our brushes were working.

I unpacked the van and tonight we have couples date night!  More later.

2026 Still Life #1 and commission Update...

$225.  Gunston Hall, VA .  This is unusual paper, called Indigo Art Paper, it is thick pulped paper which gives heavy texture.  It also does not allow me to move water around, tends to lay on the top.  Very hard to work with.   
I am focusing on some still life paintings.  Working on these AND some larger ones.

The first show of 2026 is behind me.  Set up went well, we are like a well oiled machine!  Each knows their job.  A full 12x12 booth up in 2 hours!  I do this show as a support to Lititz.  Not my best selling show but my booth looked great and I saw a lot of friends.  Closed early on Sunday so we packed up in some drizzle and went to the Bulls Head with another artist and his wife before the snow started.

Commission Update:  If you scroll back to the 15th you can see where I left off.  I had thin yellow washes.  Again, taking my time to build the fabric and folds.



Even more washes of yellow,  I am pleased with the way that is looking.  I also started one sock AND I drew in the unicycle (free-hand) and planted her feet..

2026 Bird #10

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 4x6 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 81x10. $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/20 the price goes to $225.

An Oriole...

I am getting to the end of my bird series.  

Van is packed and ready for the weekend.

A reminder: A client is selling her "Andy Smiths" on Facebook Marketplace.

Here is her info: The artwork can be found on Facebook with or without a Facebook account. Simply search for Facebook marketplace, click on "marketplace", change the location to "Ardmore, PA" (remember to click the Apply button), then on the search bar put in "Andy Smith."  All seven pieces will show up on the results page.    Facebook page is "Artforyou Art." 

2026 Bird #9

$225.  A nice little finch on the bird feeder.

Time to pack for our first show of the season!  That means gathering our show supplies, restocking the show box, and packing the paintings.  Knock the snow off my panels!! Tomorrow I pack the van.

Lititz Fire & Ice ~ Makers Market
held at Linden Hall Gym, 212 E Main St. Lititz
Sat.  2/21 from 10am to 5pm
Sun. 2/22 from 11am to 4pm
free admission!   parking!

2026 Bird #8 and Commission

 $225.

Yes, I took artistic license with this bird.  I just needed a change from the pretty little bird as a focal point. I added a scene from my street.  We have been having the most beautiful sunsets lately.  I feel like the cardinal just stopped in for a quick visit.

______________________________

I spent all weekend working on my commission.
Commission Update:

Working deeper into the blue, now the folds and the shading look real.  Notice the shoe and  the yellow that is starting on the left side.



OK, NOW I am having fun!!  Same on the yellow: slow build of washes,  Paying attention to the folds and sway of the material.  She is starting to come alive.

Teaching note: Personally, I do not think there is a correct way to approach a painting. I change it for different subjects. For me it is where/what I want to tackle first.  On this one I did a little face work because I knew it was my hardest area. The start to bringing a personality into the painting.  I was in the mood to finish the blue.  I could have done overall light washes first.  Just have a mental plan before you pick up the brush!

WE took time off for a  Monday afternoon date.  Went to see Solo Mio.  I am putting it on my list of favs with Three Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually!  I am a sucker for a good romantic comedy.  Then a bite at Micks.  Back home to my painting.

New Commission...

 I had a most unusual request to paint a special childhood memory.  A teen girl in clown costume and a unicycle.  NOT my usual!   I knew what it was going to take to accomplish a good painting.  Skill and patience.  I put it off...I procrastinated. I finally bit the bullet and I started.  I have permission to share.

I draw well and this drawing STILL took 8 hours.  I erased, I studied, I drew, I erased... ALL my paintings have a "by hand drawing".  No tracing, no use of anything but my hand and pencil. 
Teaching note: Spend time studying your subject so you understand the light and dark areas.  Take your time, a painting is not a race.  If it was a race, think of it as a marathon.
NEVER start with paint until you know the drawing is correct!  I forgot to photo the drawing until after I started painting!  The paper size is 11x15" fitting into a 14x18 frame.

I start with washes, saving the lighter areas.

Slowly building.  Notice all the values of blue, how I created the folds at the bottom, giving it dimension and movement.
Teaching note: Remember to dry hard with each wash.

There is a pressure that comes with each commission, even after 47 years, I feel it.  I am confident in my skills but there is more to it.   You are fulfilling a clients dream.  Their idea of what they want the painting to look like.  I  have only a photo to work with, not all the memories that go with it.

2026 Bird #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 2/14 the price goes to $225.

A beautiful female cardinal.
__________________________

If you are looking for something to do.
My show season is starting!  See you soon.
Lititz Fire & Ice, Makers Market (free)
held at Linden Hall Gym, 212 E Main St. Lititz
Sat. 2/21 from 10am to 5pm
Sun. 2/22 from 11am to 4pm

Open Studio (free)
March 21st from 10am to 4pm
Held at 4 N Spruce St. Lititz PA
Stop in and watch me paint, ask questions...
enjoy the studio with lots of prints and originals.

Historic Trappe Early American Fair
This is a small boutique show by invitation to exhibit!
I am proud to be included with this group.
Saturday March 28 from 10am to 3pm
Held at St Lukes, 200 W Main St Trappe PA

____________________________
Meanwhile...Another busy day.  A quick trip to Costco, not sure that is a thing. Then to Giant. So grocery shopping is finished.  Drop off Aleve for a friend. drop off flowers for another friend.  Return the rental car and pick up the van at the garage  THEN...paint a cardinal!  Just another day in the life of an artist!

2026 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 2/13 the price goes to $225.

Another one...


My little Winsor Newton travel paint set broke and Linda bought me a new one. It arrived early this morning and I enjoyed myself unwrapping 14 new tiny paint cakes and arranging them in the set. I'm easily entertained!  I used it to paint todays bird. 

Then I had to spend a little time on the road; picked up a rental car to get us through a few days while both vehicles are in the garage. Took my suburban to the garage.   So a lot of running around. Luckily I had my little bird drawn last night so I could concentrate on painting it. Meanwhile, Linda was booking hotels and air BNB's for several shows.

2026 Bird #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 2/12 the price goes to $225.

He is pretty cute!  I have been enjoying these.

2026 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 2/11 the price goes to $225.

A male cardinal

We had a busy weekend.  Started with Friday morning breakfast with friends at Stone House Cafe. A small family run business and worth supporting. Friday night we had tickets to Mickeys Black Box in Lititz to see Yacht Lobsters.    They were fantastic!  If you get a chance to see them...go!  Then Sunday we went for lunch with friends to Marmalade.  Very good!  Monday, back to painting.  Linda finished organizing our taxes, they are ready for the accountant.

Meanwhile, Linda says things happen in 3's.  Our van needs some work and it is scheduled for the garage this week.  Meanwhile a "light" came on in our car...I need to have it towed.  So to make life easier, we rented a car for a few days.  But, this morning our upstairs renter called with a water issue.  So our plumber was called and he came right out.  That's my 3 issues for the week!  Life can settle down now!

2026 Bird #3

SOLD! $145 (unframed) 4x6 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10. $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 2/7 the price goes to $225.

A hummingbird.  Thank you Amy for the use of your photo.
A beautiful bird.

The weekend is my larger painting time.  I do have a large commission I have been putting off.  I want to see if I may use it as a demo painting since it is not a gift.  I will keep you updated.

2026 Bird #2

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

A sweet little bluebird...

Busy morning; Linda had a Hypertension appointment then we had breakfast at the Pancake Farm. A stop for fresh bread at Thom's then off for pedicures. Mine was desperately needed! Home to paint.

2026 Bird #1

$225.  First bird of the year is from my own feeder in the snow.
I am guessing a wren.

2026 Snowman #5

$225.    A classic snowman; top hat, pipe and red scarf.

Thank you to a client in Forked River, NJ...her neighbors snowman.

Over the weekend I finished my larger painting. Another one from Glendale Flour Mills  This one is all about angles, interesting angles. The Mill has some open spaces between floors that allow you to look through.

 "Angles"       framed 20x24       $1800.

2026 Winter #12

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 4x6 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10. $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/31 the price goes to $225.

I took poetic license with this one and made it a night scene. I love full moons and the light it casts.
The barn is on Erbs Quarry Road, Manheim, PA

Linda has been at her desk most of the day filling out show applications. I think the old days were easier. The show sent you a paper application to fill out and you sent in slides. Today you need computer skills.  Meanwhile, I am painting! I'll spend the weekend on a larger piece.
 I WAS going to open the studio Feb. 7th however with the amount of snow and lack of parking we will wait till March 21, so save the date!  The snow will be melted by then...right?

2026 Winter #11

 
$225.   This one is off Spooky Nook Rd in the Salunga, PA area.

I am getting tired of snow...guessing I'll start birds in February.  I cannot believe we are almost through January, I am ready for Spring! Meanwhile we are going out looking for a new shovel, this last bit of ice wore ours out.

Save the Date:
Lititz Fire & Ice Makers Market 
held at Linden Hall Gym, 212 E Main St. Lititz
Sat. 2/21 from 10am to 5pm
Sun. 2/22 from 11am to 4pm

2026 Winter #10

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 6x4 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8. $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/29 the price goes to $225.

East Hempfield Township farm off Leabrook Rd.  in the snow...

2026 Snowman #4
SOLD! 

I loved the story behind this.
Years ago, a toddler and his grandpa built a snowman...

My snow blower sure got a work out!  I had my fill of snow for the season.

2026 Snowman #3

 $225.

This happy snowman was taken by Stacy and was located on Woodcrest Ave. in Lititz.

That's it for this week.  I am spending the weekend working on a larger still life.  AND probably using the snow blower!

2026 Snowman #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 1/23 the price goes to $225.

Thanks to Trish and her neighbor for this one.  Homemade in Lititz! 
If you miss it, more are coming.  The nice thing about a snowman painting; you can keep it out all winter, or all year if you are really into winter!

Linda loves to shovel so it is usually her job to clear our long sidewalk. BUT if we get the amount we possibly COULD get, I need to go check on our snow blower.  Get some gas...mentally prepare myself!  Linda is thinking ahead to a soup or two to make.

2026 Snowman #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 1/22 the price goes to $225.

My buddy Jeff Pfeiffer, he makes wonderful copper creations (he is on Facebook @ Copper Creations) builds these miniature snowmen that sit on his grill or deck rail every time it snows. Imagine this is about 5" tall! And he has been sending them to me for a year or two and I never paint them... so here it is!


My plan is to paint snowmen all week.

2026 Winter #9

 $225.   Lincoln Road in Clay Township, PA

I have some snowmen coming up next!

Back in August I was demonstrating at Glendale Flour Mills and was interviewed and it’s on YouTube.

latest...

I finished this over the weekend. Framed to 14x18
Untitled and not priced BUT available!!
From a trip to Glendale Flour Mills in Boyertown.

I start with a sketch to get the feel and general composition.
Then hand draw on my watercolor paper

next is a series of light washes to get what is called underpainting.



Keep building and drying and getting darker washes.


Generally I paint the mini "Painting A Day" pieces Monday thru Thursday and then use the weekend for my larger paintings.  YES, I paint every day, most of the day unless we have something to do.  I LOVE painting.

2026 Winter #8

$225.   Lime Rock Road in the snow. Lititz, PA  By now you figured out I drove out on Lime Rock Road during our last storm and photographed the farms in the fresh snow!  I have one more to go and then if it snows I'll head out in another direction!

This one is actually much brighter than it looks here.  For some reason it looks more gloomy than snowy.  I promise you will love it!

I plan to spend the weekend working on a 14x18 still life.  

2026 Winter #7

SOLD!   $145 (unframed) 6x4 mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8. $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/16 the price goes to $225.

Another Lime Rock Road in the snow.  Lititz, PA

I am about out of my recent snow photos BUT we may get more snow. I personally am ready for Spring!

2026 Winter #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 1/15 the price goes to $225.

Gettysburg...looks more fall like but it was December and there was some remnants of snow.

Great news, I had my 3 month cat scan yesterday and it is clear, no signs of cancer.  Everyone who has been through this knows you hold your breath for a few days.

2026 Winter #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 1/14 the price goes to $225.

A farm off West Lincoln Ave. Lititz PA

This morning was my Cat Scan, waiting for results. Spent the afternoon painting and Linda was working on 72 out of state address changes.

2026 Winter #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 1/13 the price goes to $225.

Yes, this was offered last week and did not sell.  There was lively conversation about the way I painted the snow originally.  SO, I reworked it.  Lets see who falls in love with it now!

Penn Valley Road in Lititz in snow.