Potted Plant

5" x 5" original watercolor
SOLD

Working on a painting a day allows me to
stretch a bit in my subjects. I would probably
never paint this as a large painting but as a
small piece it works. Study this painting.
Click on it to enlarge your view.
There is a fence in the background. The plant
which offers the only color; is setting on a
concrete bench. Check out the scroll work
I captured on the end of the bench.
I just enjoyed working on this.

I had a class this morning and then Linda
and I ran some errands. The show in the
cafe in Lancaster ended so we took those
paintings down and took a little time for lunch.
I am still fooling around with the painting I am
trying to ship to Canada. Stopped at FedEx and
it costs $53 to ship. I am talking a small box...
I have covered all my choices except actually
driving it to Canada! UPS seems the best choice
at $25. On a high note...I had my first track
meeting for the season. 11 days to go and I
can't wait. I am expecting another great season.
I love coaching and the kids are great to work with.

Brick Building #2

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

This might be considered loose for my
usual style but I was studying the way
sunlight moved across the buildings.
This was from a large courtyard and there
is brick everywhere.

I had two sets of classes today and painted
in between. I had to do a bit of research
for sending a box to Canada. Wow, that is
expensive, I was surprised. I was in charge
of dinner tonight so I whipped up some chili.
Linda was working in the studio all morning
and then took her Mom in to see my Mom.
She returned in time for her Yoga class.
I looked up and its almost time for bed!

Chiaroscuro

Original Watercolor Painting
23"x 17" image
$2500. SOLD!

Click over the image for a larger view!

Framed in 28"X 21" with an acid free, double mat
and a shaker style flat frame with a walnut finish.
This painting turned out even better than I hoped.
I worked on it all weekend and all day today and I
did not have my camera along so I was unable to
share the progress. But I am pretty proud of the
way it turned out.

We spent the day today with Linda's old roommate.
I painted while the girls were researching France
information. Joan... if you are reading this... It was
great seeing you again and Linda had a wonderful day
with you. Since I finished my large painting there
is not enough time to paint a blog piece. I did put a
few more prints on eBay and the prices are a deal.

Window Study #17

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I was pressed for time today so I went
back to what I know very well. Deep
values in lights and darks and Shaker influences
which I have painted often.

I started teaching a class at Willow Valley
today from 9-11AM. I totally enjoyed myself.
They are a great bunch of students. While
I was there, Linda was with Mom and she also
had a "care" meeting. We met for another financial
meeting in the afternoon. So much to handle...
I got a late start on my blog but am determined
not to miss it.

Remember to check eBay, I have a few prints listed.
I am leaving for Delaware in the morning so you
can catch me at the show...

SHOW: The Hockessin Art Show
Held at Hockessin Memorial Hall located in
the Hockessin Fire Hall in Hockessin, DE.
There is a $3 admission
Friday: 5pm-8pm Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 11am-4pm
30% of my sales go to WWRR!

Blue Pottery

6"x 4" original watercolor

SOLD

I enjoy creating a painting with two
views in one. First is the still life, a
blue bowl on a windowsill with nice
light. Then the landscape outside
the window which is a snow scene.
This little painting has lots of detail.

Painting Lesson...

I am slowly adding layers of color to the
bowls and the cup. Again drying the
paint thoroughly between layers.

Notice the large plate, I am making it take shape.
You can click the paintings to make them large
to study them.

Planter

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I am still not ready for winter paintings. I am
in Spring mode even though we may have bad
weather here tomorrow. So for today...
Nice solid painting with the planter as the focal
point. But there is much more to see. Study
this and get your bearings, your view is from
standing on the nice patterned brick sidewalk
and the planter is in front of a porch. Add a
bit of shadow for extra interest.


I had two classes to teach today and squeezed
my painting in the afternoon. Tonight I worked
on my larger painting which I was trying to use
as a demo. Click on it to enlarge.
















What you are seeing is my next step.
The under painting. Thin layers of washes
using yellow ochre. Dried hard between
each layer. If you do not dry it completely
it will become muddy. I build my color slowly.
This is hours of painting and cannot be rushed.
More tomorrow.

I decided to sell a few prints on ebay. I need
to clear some space in the closet. These are my
usual high quality signed and numbered four color
off-set lithographs. No cheep prints for me!

Green Door

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I have plenty of snow subjects but I
just cannot make myself paint them.
Mentally I have moved on to Spring...
With that in mind I went with a warm
painting. A tiny bit looser in style
than I usually paint. You can tell there is
a large tree behind you by the deep shadows.

I had an OK weekend at my show. It brought
in a little cash. I managed to get it all together
on short notice. Linda even provided me with
red ribbon and some hearts that I needed to
decorate the stand, it was Valentines day so I
did as asked. I am sure I looked real macho
putting little twists in the ribbon!

It was to cold to ride outside this morning so I
got out my rollers, not what I wanted to do.
I cut a pile of mats for Linda only to find out I
cut them all the wrong size. Not much of a help
for her, now she needs to do them over. I should
stick to painting! After dinner I went to see Mom...
not much to say, she is not happy and is waiting
to come home. Linda was busy cleaning her desk
which even I thought looked pretty bad. I have
two classes to teach tomorrow.

Winter Series #29

6"x 4" original watercolor

SOLD

A typical Lancaster County scene.
I like that you can see the tops of
the farm over the hill. But your eye
finishes what you are seeing. Strong
light across the tree. The scene is
typical but the painting is superb!

I had the van packed, my schedule in
my mind...I was ready for the day...
But you know what they say about the
best laid plans... Thankfully before we hit
the road I noticed the battery was not charging.
So I ran out to my garage and found out the
alternator was bad. They took it right in
but it ended up being an all day job. So now I
have a real problem I stayed home and painted
with the cut off to leave for the show at noon which
came and past. We left at 5 for the Gallery opening.
I sold one painting tonight! The revised plan is
to leave at 4AM and drive to the show to set up
at 6 and be ready to exhibit at 9AM. I will be
hustling big time. Linda has plans at home,
she is tasting wedding cakes... I would rather be
tasting cake. But I am the bread winner ~ or cake
winner as it seems so off to work I go. Hope all
of MD will be out to see me and make my
weekend worthwhile!

The Show: Cabin Fever Festival
held at the Frederick Fairgrounds
in Frederick, MD. Sat. 10-6 and Sun. 10-5

Blue Door

4"x 6" original watercolor
$225.00 ~ Contact the studio

I went with something totally different
today. This is a doorway from Georgetown
and I simply liked the play in color. The
blue door against the red brick. There was
this big bush with red berries that added another
dimension. I was standing off to the right
which creates a view that is slightly off center.

My day was packed with everything except
painting time. We had a meeting for Mom
this morning. I painted my blog in the afternoon.
Then to keep life exciting I got a call that I was
excepted into a show for this weekend. I had not
planned on showing so I needed to gather
all my show supplies and pack the van. I also
dashed in to sit with Mom since it was my turn.
The last moment show creates a busy day tomorrow.
We will need to leave early and drive 2 hours to
Frederick MD. Set up the show which will take
3-4 hours. Change into dress clothes and drive
2 1/2 hours to Chadds Ford, PA for the Gallery
opening. Hang out and smile, hopefully see some
people I know and then drive 1 hour back home.
I know you are envying my self-employment
now aren't you!!

The Show: Cabin Fever Festival
held at the Frederick Fairgrounds
in Frederick, MD. Sat. 10-6 and Sun. 10-5

Still Life Study

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I am studying vantage points, how
items look when you are above looking
down on them. Angles and shapes
change. This would look totally different
if I had bent down and looked up...


I am going to try to juggle two paintings
at once. I started a large painting that will
serve as a painting lesson. If you have
followed my blog I did this back in Sept. 2008.
I start my paintings the same way every time.
Step 1 Study my subject. This was done by
painting study pieces of parts of my subject
as my blog painting on 2/4 and 2/5.
Step 2 Paper prep... I use Arches 300lb cold
paper which I measure to the size I want and
add a 1" extra border which I line out. Then I
take a heavy piece of cardboard or foamboard
and I use masking tape to tape down my
watercolor paper.
Step 3 My drawing... this is what I am showing
you today. Drawn freehand, this is my guide.
It may look simple but I spent 2-3 solid hours
on this drawing.