8 Days to go...

Just framed this one and it looks great. 

Linda started setting up the house. Panels are up.
Paintings are setting where they will hang, although
I learned a long time ago that Linda moves things
several times till she thinks it looks perfect. I still
have a show this weekend so I have half the supplies
with me so the rest needs to wait. Linda started
sneezing this afternoon, I think she is coming down
with a cold. Hopefully she can kick it over the weekend. 
Picked up the wine today although I don't think Linda has
the hors d'oeuvres planned which is a big job.  She is looking
for appetizers that are cold, finger food, able to set out for
3 hours without making my clients ill!!.  So feel free to
email a recipe if you have something, she likes a whole new
menu each year.  If it were up to me you'd be eating the same
thing as last year!

 

9 Days to go...

Something a little different.  The subject fit the
odd shape.  A little snippet of life.

We picked up a load of frames this morning so I
know tomorrow there will be a flurry of framing.
Actually, Linda informs me she is working on the
new prints.  I also took a hour to do a family day
with my Mom.  My brother also was there which
was nice for Mom to have both of us together.
Back to painting!

This weekend I am showing:
Nov. 12 & 13
PA Guild Craft Fair
New this year: Held at the Lancaster Convention Center
Sat. 10-6 & Sun. 10-5
There is a coupon on their website.
(No, I will not have the new prints ~ saving them
for my Open House)

10 days till Open House

18x24  Original ~ Available at Open House.

This was from a warm sunny day spent in the
Bedminster, PA ~ Upper Bucks County.  We were
just driving past and the red barn popped right out.

I am painting.  Working on some small ones for
a few days, just to fill in and for a change of pace for
me.  Linda is working with our web guy to update the
website while she is multi-tasking in the studio.  I saw
2 boxes ready for UPS so that means some orders are
rolling in.   I also heard the framing gun for a few
hours this morning so I know there is more framing
being done.  I think we are behind on the menu and
setting up the panels... but I am not asking!!  Just going
back to my paints.

You are invited...

You are invited and please bring your friends!

click over invite to enlarge.
I had several questions about the originals I have
been working on.  I will have them on my website
later this weekend however no early sales.  No selling
will happen until 2:00 EST on Friday 11/18.  You may
call with your request or be waiting at the studio door
at 2:00.   I really try to keep it fair to all my clients.
The prints may be ordered now!

Plan to spend the day or the weekend in  Lititz.   
I am happy to help you with a place to stay or
a restaurant.

Nature's Gifts

Introducing my other new print...

"Nature's Gifts"
Image: 13 x 9" ~ edition of only 200
4-color offset lithographs
Print: $45.     Framed Print: $85

This painting features a classic still life in
a traditional Andy Smith style. Composition,
color and texture are the basics that shape this
simple subject into a vibrant painting.
Harmonious fruit and flowers are nature’s gifts.

Open House Update:
More framing...  Lets talk framing for a moment.
We do it all here.  The mat board comes in 32x40
sheets and Linda cuts the blanks to the size of our frames.
It takes 2 colors for one mat.  Then each blank needs
the hole cut out ~ the opening for the print.  Then the print
gets taped into the hole.  Each frame has glass, a double
mat, the print, a barrier sheet, and backing board.
When all in the frame, each gets a dust cover, hangers and
wire.   Linda likes to open the show with 5-7 each of my
43 prints.  So right there is at least 215 frames.  Plus 20-30 each
of the 2 new ones,  plus 5 each of the 8x10 mini's.
So you can easily see where this is a several week job
with lots of steps.  I paint...

I did take a break and visit my Mom.  Took her out in the
fresh air for a while.  Came home and washed the car.
And then we went to dinner with several couples we have
kept in contact with since all our kids were in high school
and ran track.  Had a wonderful dinner at Ciro's.
Back at it in the morning.

Perfect Harmony

Introducing my new print...

"Perfect Harmony"  
Image: 12 x 16"   ~  edition of only 200
4-color offset lithographs
Print: $50.        Framed Print: $100.

There are times for an artist when it all
comes together. The location with the
perfect composition, the time of day with
the ideal light, and a hint of what lies beyond.
I painted it just as I saw it, with a quiet peace
and perfect harmony.

Linda is updating the website so she will be ready
to take orders for the new prints Thursday
afternoon, or you can call to place an order.
I will show the other print tomorrow.
hint... the title is "Nature's Gifts".

Open House Update: 
Invitations were taken to the Post Office so you should
have yours soon!  More framing and more painting
today.   My brush will be in my hand till about
11pm tonight.

17 days...

Just framed this one  14x18"

Ready for November 18-20 Open House.
Reliving Kentucky!

I painted most of the day.  Took a short break
to take the new kitties to the vet for a check up. 
Tonight I am cutting the mats for a few new originals.
I always get excited about this stage, paintings look so
much better when framed.

Open House Update:
All the new prints are hand signed and numbered,
causing cramps in my hand!  Linda matched them up
with mats and frames.  Frames for these come next
week.  Linda was at her desk all day but I really do
not know what she was doing.  I did see a few hand
written invitations on a pile...

18 days till Open House!

 24X20" Original ~ Available at Open House.

I know... this is a bit different for me.  It was
one Linda asked me to do.  I usually do not
like Victorian but this turned out well, I liked the
perspective of just a glimpse into the room.
Linda was right, it is a great painting and was worth
the challenge.

So... snow in October.  If you know me you know
the challenge this is for me.  I was planning to go
into the snow season in a good frame of mind, but
I was not ready this early.  I was at a show in Kutztown
and had to spend the night instead of driving home.
The poor plants in the garden took a beating and
Linda "had" to spend some time out there today!

Open House Update:
All the invitations are ready for the mail!  They
go out on Wednesday, so keep an eye out for yours.
If you are not on my snail mail list and want an invite
email me with your address.
I cut down 4 more cases of glass, Linda is using it faster
than I can cut it! I am signing my new prints tonight,
right after I am finished handing out candy for Halloween.

Happy Halloween to everyone....
Abbey will not be happy about this photo so don't tell her. 
This was Halloween 1987 and she was not quite 4 years old.
So cute!   To her chagrin it was the only store bought
costume, after this we made each one!
Those are definitely 1987 glasses!!

Another painting...

This still life was another from my student Amy, who has

a wonderful eye.  She has allowed me to use her photos

several times which is a privilege. 

You have to wait till Open House for this one.

Open House Update:
Another order of glass and matboard came yesterday
so there is a flurry of mat cutting going on in the studio.
I started cutting down glass... a word of advice for all you
new painters... keep everything you paint and print to the
standard sizes.  I never did and since we print in the same
size as the original I have all these odd size frames requiring
odd size mats and glass!  Tomorrow will be a big day.
Linda picks up another order of frames,  the invitations should
be delivered and the prints should also be delivered. 
Thankfully I am leaving to set up for my weekend show in
Kutztown.  It is nice being out of the house with all the
commotion going on!

The Show:  Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsman Holiday Show
Oct. 29 & 30 ~ Sat. 9-5 and Sun. 10-4
Held at Keystone Hall, Kutztown University
Trexler Ave (S Campus Dr) and Baldy St. Kutztown, PAThere is a $1 off coupon on their website!

25 Days till Open House...

20"x22" original watercolor ~ untitled
This will be ready for Open House!

Open House Update:Linda stayed home this weekend while I did the show.
She claims she was working but I see signs of work done
in the garden!  Although all 6000+ mailing labels are
printed and on her desk so she must have been working a
little.  Today I went to my printer to watch the run
of my new prints, that is always a thrill. 

I had a question:  I was asked if I get sick of painting so
much or mind the pressure to paint for Open House.   
I have always had a good work ethic.  I always put in my
8 hour work day because in the early years Linda had a
regular job and I felt I needed to work as hard and long
as she did.  So I practiced self discipline and painting even
if I did not "feel" like it.  I learned if I just sat down and
started something pretty soon the excitement would follow
or I would get into the challenge.   I added "Painting A Day"
a few years ago and that really focused me to starting and
finishing a miniature daily.   So I do not feel pressured
to create, it already is part of my routine.   There is pressure
of painting dynamite work, that pressure is somewhat self
inflected, I want to show a great collection of new work.  I
want Linda to stand back when they are all on display and
tell me this is the best grouping yet.  The thrill is in the
challenging pieces, creating them to the best of my ability. 
The variety of subjects keeps me from boredom.  Each new
subject evokes a fresh memory from where I saw it.   And
then there is this little thrill I get when the doors open and
clients are standing there and can't wait to get in and see all
my new work.  And the greatest compliment is when
someone falls in love with one and must own it!
So... no, I do not get sick of painting!