Monday, April 20, 2020

Covered Bridge and more...

In keeping with the night theme I am featuring two night paintings that you would have seen at my Miniature Show but still have a chance to own!

Landscape #9     framed 8x10      $225.



Landscape #2   framed 9x9    $200.


The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
Scroll down in case you missed some previously posted minis and if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one! Build your mini collection.
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The nicest thing happened: I sold a mini painting and the client did a porch pick up/throw the check in the mail slot...but he rang the doorbell and handed me (Yes he had a mask on!)  a bag with lunch and iced coffees from Tomato Pie.   I cannot tell you how thrilled we were.  I guess because it was so totally unexpected, a simple kind gesture from the heart.  We were blessed and it also helped keep Tomato Pie in business, a double blessing.  Linda was inspired by the kindness and "passed it on" We made (I helped!) a huge pot of chili and handed it out to our neighbors.  So... give some thought on what nice thing you could do to spread the kindness...
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Now to my bridge. you might want to scroll down and see where I left off...  Also, I am considered a fast painter, however you are looking at days (and nights) of work, this is not a fast painting.

I added the trees to the right above the houses  and worked on the trees on the left. I am doing the under washes for the street and darkened the sky.  But notice how the under wash color still bleeds through the blue in the sky.  I often lay in the color and go over it with darker colors as if I am covering the original colors but they always bleed through adding to the texture.



More layers in the street, the darker it gets around the bridge the brighter the light inside the bridge.



and darker... it almost looks like I lost the street...but that's next.    There are multiple light sources in this painting.  Lights on at the house on the right.  Light from the full moon and there was a bike (from my buddy the biker and photographer) sitting with its headlight shining into the bridge.  After much discussion with Linda... the bike was left out (more salable without a bike????  really??)  I guess we will see!   It is not finished yet...



Friday, April 17, 2020

Update on Covered Bridge

NEWS: My Penn State show in July just cancelled. To be honest, I will be surprised if any shows will be held this year. But I am blessed with loyal supportive clients who keep me going; a HUGE thank you to you all.

I have been painting round the clock on my covered bridge. Driving Linda crazy with my mood swings:  I go from "it is fantastic" to "I ruined it" every hour which is unusual for me but for some reason I am out of my comfort zone.  We had a discussion on whether or not an artist can peak and rest on his abilities, paint what is easy or MUST he stretch himself and push himself and continue to struggle when he is near the end of a career.  Does he deserve, or earned the right to just sail though?  SO, if you know Linda at all, you can hear the other side of this discussion... I think I may have tuned out somewhere around the striving for excellence and knowledge and growth till the day one dies, and no one deserves anything...  just kidding, I heard everything she said and then I went back to my painting!

 I think this may be the hardest painting I have ever attempted.  Between the structure of the bridge and the light it is simply hard.  You cannot see it yet but it is a night scene with a light shining into the bridge from the back. So it must get darker and darker without ending up with a blob.

So... building the washes on the inside posts.



darker...



and darker. 

Thursday, April 16, 2020

winter...

I should start with the mini paintings for sale BUT I was too excited to show you the build of this painting.  You are seeing two days (and into the night) of painting.  STUDENTS... painting is a process, a SLOW build of washes, dried hard and washed over again.  Think about the shades of color that will shine through. my sky will get very dark.

Looking below, see how the pink in the sky is still there?



OK, back to the business of art... my mini paintings for today...
The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
Scroll down in case you missed some previously posted minis and if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one!   Build your mini collection.

Winter Series #2   Framed 8x10   $225.


Winter Series #2   Framed 8x10   $225.


Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Landscapes

Since I wanted to show you the drawing of my latest larger painting I thought I would keep with the theme of landscapes and offer you two of my latest.  These are all paintings that I had ready for my Spring Miniature Show that was cancelled.

Landscape #10   Framed 8x10    $225.



Ireland # 2     Framed 10x8"      $225.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
They look fantastic together, if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one or any two previously posted.
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OK, I am excited about this one...  The original photo is from a riding buddy Ron.  He took it early morning.  Linda fell in love with it and insisted I paint it, I was trying to avoid it because I knew how difficult it would be.  From a watercolor painting perspective it is a nightmare!  I took a full day sketching and studying it, taking every area apart in my mind.  It does not look like much but this drawing (on my watercolor paper) took two days.  Remember I hand draw all my work.  I like the connection I get going from my eyes to my hand.   I always stress with my students to really understand what you are painting.  Study the subject.  With this it was almost like building the bridge, understanding how all the posts and beams were connected.  And the perspective...  So after a bit of fussing I am now so excited to get the first layers of under wash laid down!! I am super excited but at the same time, even after 40 years of painting I still question if I can get on paper what I see in my mind.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Still Life...

I am doing a still life theme today featuring two Original Watercolor miniature paintings...

Still Life #12  Framed 8x10   $225.



Still Life #15  Framed 9x9    $225.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
They look fantastic together, if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one or any two previously posted.

As promised, I finished this gem...
Framed 14x18   $875.

































A raku pottery that challenged my skills to get the iridescence.  I was not totally sure what was inside the pottery, looked like eggs??   Below for the art lovers is the process.














I am starting a covered bridge today...

Monday, April 13, 2020

SPRING!

I am thinking SPRING...   This is a very limited edition print with only about 15 prints left.
A wonderful Mother's Day gift and I can ship it for you!
$50. print only with FREE SHIPPING
OR
$100.  framed 15x21"  and I will split the shipping with you.
Includes a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) 
To order...Send an email

UPDATE:  Obviously my shows are cancelling... check my website for the latest.
Williamsburg in April, Heart of Lancaster  and Chestertown in May, 
Lititz Art Show in July and Mount Gretna in August are all cancelled.  I have a few hold outs but I cannot see them being allowed to go on.

Here at the Smith house all is well.  Linda spent four days making bookmarks.  I finished a painting which I will post tomorrow.  Linda is a bit sad, this was our week to be in the Azores...
Abbey and Ben managed to escape NYC and are spending time in the mountains of Maine, both working from home and enjoying the latest snow storm!  We feel better knowing they are out of the city.

Friday, April 10, 2020

Trying this again...

Auction style...You may send an email with your highest bid... OR you may go to Facebook (Andy Smith Artist) and place your highest bid.
Opening Bid...$100. includes framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
email your best price...  UNSOLD... available at regular price

       Still Life #5      Framed 8x10     $225.
Thinking Easter basket!!

Please help me out and share this blog with your friends
http://andysmithartist.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Who is paying attention...

Linda is busy cleaning out a closet and found some older paintings in a box. This one is from 1985!   My drawing skills were always good, but I was working on my style, this painting has more of a watercolor feeling to it.  I remember setting up a still life with antiques we owned  on our kitchen table and I worked from life.  I think I may have done a few of these in an old photo Kodak print.

Image 10x13"   Unframed   1985 Original Watercolor

WINNER:  RoseEllen at 4:21AM
As a very special offer to only one client who reads my blog and contacts me FIRST... this original watercolor painting is FREE!   Unframed and you pay the shipping, otherwise it is free!   This is a THANK YOU to my clients reading my blog and for your continued support of my work.

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Gift Cards...

Can't get out for an Easter gift or thinking ahead to Mother's Day... I will email (or snail mail)  a gift certificate!
PLUS you can take 10% off any amount you choose!!  Want to give a $100 certificate...  You pay only $90!!   Just send me an email with your wishes and I will do my best to help you.

Purchases may be made by check, PayPal or charge card.

Gift cards may be used for online orders, at the studio or at a future show.  They may also be used towards a watercolor class or a commissioned painting.

Meanwhile, just to show off a bit, I finished this fantastic painting and SOLD it to a client who gave it to his wife for an anniversary gift.   Thank you John for the use of your photograph, this scene is from Nemours in DE.

SOLD!             Framed 21x17                   $1800.   

















I thank you all for your continued support of my work!


Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Still Life

I am going to feature some still life paintings. Today is single objects; antiques.  In a grouping...


SOLD!  Still Life #8       8x10       $225.


     Still Life #19     8x10        $250.



Still Life #11   framed 8x10   $225.
The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value)  and  FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383 


All are framed 8x10, in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
They look fantastic together, if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one!