Pottery #15

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

I was attracted to the unusual slip
on these pottery bowls. I found
them on a low shelf so I was looking
down on them which created an
interesting vantage point. I liked
the way the smaller one was
nestled inside the big one.

Finally...I rode my bike. What a
glorious morning!! That just set the
tone for my whole day. I had a morning
class which went well, actually all my
classes go well, I have super students.
Most of my day was spent drawing a
pottery. I will show it tomorrow, I did
not have time to photograph it. I
managed to paint the blog while teaching
my evening class.

Winter Series #28

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This is such a simple serene landscape.
The fence creates the perspective while
the large tree in the foreground dominates.
Snow everywhere! I tried to create the
feeling that a horse or two could meander
into view.

I went in early to sit with Mom. Linda and
I are going to take turns this week. I think
she is adjusting, Linda is not as optimistic.
I concentrated on this painting the rest of
the day and evening. Chadds Ford Gallery
called and requested a few more paintings
so that will require another trip on Wednesday.
If you live in the area of Chadds Ford, PA
please mark your calendar and come out
and support me!! Friday, 2/13 from
5-9pm is the opening reception. I will be there!
And it would be nice to see a few friendly faces.
It is free!!

Pottery #14

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

You need to take a few moments to study
this painting. Your view point is from outside
looking in. Notice the peeling paint on the
window frame. Then go inside. There is a
nice still life of pottery. I know it is a little
quirky but I included the hanging light that
really was there.

We went in early to visit my Mom this morning.
Trying to show up at all times to check on her
care. She thinks she is coming home soon...
I had an interview with our local paper this
afternoon. I will let you know when it is published.
I have been spending all my time on my small
blog paintings and with the show season soon
starting I need to start working on some large
painting. This takes some real budgeting of my
time.

Winter Series #27

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This was perfect, the Amish girl was walking
down the snow covered road. Since her back
is to us it was ok for me to paint her. I never
paint them from the front, it is just disrespectful.
Then there is this great farm scene in the
background. Typical Lancaster County.

It was quiet here today. My Moms weekend
caretaker decided to visit her so we did not
go in. It was the first time in 9 days that we
have not sat with her. I wanted to go for a bike
ride but we simply have to much snow, it is not
safe. We had two clients pick up paintings and
I spent the rest of my day painting. Tonight we
went to dinner with old friends and caught up.

Winter Series #26

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

Back to winter! If you check out the
painting from 2/3 you will notice
this view is farther down stream. The
sky has changed causing the reflections
in the water to change. I find it interesting
that a change in sky gives a totally different
feeling to the painting.

I dropped off my 2 paintings at the Chadds
Ford Gallery today and we stopped for lunch at
the famous "Hanks". We have eaten there in
the past and I was always on the look out in case
Andrew Wyeth would happen to stop in since
legend has it as his favorite hang out. I always
ate with a feeling of anticipation that this could be
the day I see him... But today of course there
was a tiny bit of sadness in the finality of now
actually knowing.

We stopped in with my Mom on the way home
and I spent the rest of my night painting. I have
an interview with our local newspaper on
Sunday and the weather is to get warmer so
I have high hopes of a bike ride if Linda is not
paying attention to the amount of snow still
out there!!
Oh... on a business note, Linda asked me to
remind you all that one of my paintings or
prints would make a very nice
Valentines Day gift...

Pottery #13

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

If you studied yesterdays painting you
should be able to see today's painting is
a continuation to the right side of
yesterdays. The edge of the stacked
pottery and the rest of the plate
in the background. I totally enjoyed
myself. This may end up a large project.

I stayed home and painted today while
Linda took a turn in with Mom. Mom is
so used to having us around and seeing her
often in a day that it is difficult to figure out
how to balance the new arrangement. How
often can we visit and still manage a business
and a life. Too often and does she not settle
in to her new routine? Not enough and she
feels like we abandoned her... I see Linda
struggling with this, wanting to do what is
best. Men (me) approach it with a little less
deep thought, I am simply doing what I can...
that and Linda will figure it out and then tell
me when I should be going!! Tomorrow we
take 2 paintings into the Chadds Ford Gallery
for an exhibit. Through A Different Prism:
African American Art. This should be interesting,
my work is far far from ethnic work. Yes, I am
African American but my work is through a
totally different prism! But I do get to hang
along side the Andrew Wyeth!
Check it out...see if you can tell which one is mine!!
http://awyethgallery.com/african/exhibits.html

Pottery #12

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I needed a total change of pace today
so I went with a still life. I found this
stack of pottery on an old shelf when
I went to Landis Museum looking for
holiday subjects. Love the muted
colors.

If you watched the news you saw my town
of Lititz got blasted with 12" of snow last
night. While a few miles in any direction had
a dusting. It was pretty wild. My morning
was spent shoveling! Then I went to check
on my Mom. Linda needed a day at home,
all these decisions are pretty stressful. Mom
was in a wheelchair and was on her way to play
bingo. The plan is to keep her busy and out of
her room. So I played bingo. Linda made a
big pot of vegetable soup; cooking is her therapy.
I finally started painting at 5:00 and after
spending the morning shoveling I was not
painting a winter scene!

Winter Series #25

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I enjoy studying the sky. Look at
the reflection in the stream. On
the right is a bridge and the woods
are covered in snow!

Remember to click over the painting
for an enlarged view. For the Daily Painters
we were asked to paint something for
Valentines Day. I already had this
started by the time I remembered so...
use your imagination... two sweethearts
strolling along the pathway, holding hands
saying sweet nothings... its the best I can
do today!!

We had a another rough day here at the Smith
house, making decisions on my Moms care.
There is no "good" decision. My Moms income
is limited and we had to find a nursing home
with a good physical therapy department
and an available bed. Taking her there
and then leaving her there was one of the
hardest things I have had to do. There is
a huge difference between a retirement
community and a nursing home. This is
not the way a person should end their life.
And it makes you think long and hard about
your own last chapter.
Thank you to everyone who has sent kind
and encouraging words. Many of you have
had to make the same sets of decisions and
we appreciate your support. Meanwhile I
am painting inspiring sunrises and views that
instill a peacefulness of spirit.

Winter Series #24

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This is a common sight here in Lancaster
County. I never paint our Amish from
the front out of respect but it is hard
to resist a view from the back. I am sticking
with my winter scene but adding a little
Lancaster County twist. This was an open
buggy, I believe used as a courting
buggy or for young people.

We have had a few rough days trying to make
wise decisions concerning my Mom. We are
at day 4 in the hospital with no improvement
in her mobility. So today we faced the decision
of a nursing facility and had to break the news
to her that she was not coming home with us.
This change should happen tomorrow and I am
not looking forward to it. I have been painting
my blog at the hospital so I can sit with Mom.
My February classes start tomorrow so it will
be a busy day.

Winter Series #22

Winter Series #22
6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

Lots of snow, my favorite part of
this painting is the barely visible
tire tracks. This painting offers
great depth.

Winter Series #23
4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This is an alleyway in Lititz, PA.
I was interested in the way the
snow hung on the trees.

I have two paintings posted today.
I missed posting on Friday and Saturday
but I have very good reason. My Mom
fell on Friday and this time it required
a trip to the hospital. We have spent
all of our time with her. She has been
medically cleared with nothing wrong which
is unbelievable for 86 but for some reason
she is not strong enough to stand. So we
have lots of unpleasant decisions to make.
I managed to paint while at the hospital
but was not home in time to blog. I will
keep you posted.
Meanwhile, I need to contine to earn a living.
The next set of watercolor classes start on
Tuesday. Check here for details.