2024 Bird #2, cardinal

SOLD!   $155 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/17 the price goes to $250.

I am really happy with this one.

I thought you might like to see how I did it...
Start with a good drawing (by hand!)
 And for no reason I started with a little background


Started with the head and watch the SLOW build of color.
Taking my time, I have 5 hours into this bird!


I dry hard between each addition of color so I do not get a muddy mess.

And that's how I do it!

Some FUN...Monday we spent the day with some of our travel group (Linn's and Woodruff's)  and went to Hershey.  We had lunch at Houlihans and then toured The Hershey Story. 

2024 Bird #1, cardinal

SOLD!   $155 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/16 the price goes to $250.

I am starting my bird series with a cardinal. I also want to give a big thank you to Leslie who every year shares her bird photos with me. I could not do these paintings without her help.

We took a little fun time on Saturday and went to Glendale Flour Mills Antiques and Primitives Day. Came home with a Fireplace match holder that I am keeping brushes in. It is small, 6' high (looks huge in this photo) Also found a pie safe I love but we need to sell something to make room... also I took the car instead of the suburban and it did not fit...  


After that we met our friend Joan for lunch then back home to work on my commission.  
Also a little movie update: we watched Sound of Freedom, this was HARD to watch.  Then watched Harlan Coben's 'Fool Me Once', SO much going on and twists and turns but it all comes together.  I don't know how Linda reads his books!  Good movie.

Commission: Meanwhile I spent most of Thursday thru Sunday working on my commission.
added the lid on the second jar and started the bowl



A finished bowl and starting the cukes



Cukes almost finished...

2024 Landscape #4

SOLD!  $155 (unframed) 6x4” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 10x8 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/11 the price goes to $250.

You can probably guess this is from Lancaster County.
I truly love our farmland and barns.


Commission:
Added the lid to the jar


Started the lettering on Jar #2


Adding the background to Jar #2

2024 Landscape #3

Mini  original watercolor $225.
This view is from the grounds of the Biltmore in Asheville NC.
With the mountains, and more mountains. Loved the grounds.


Commission: I am working on the lettering on the jars.


adding the table under the jar

Just keep adding washes and drying it. 
NO white paint will be used anywhere.
The glass is negative space reflecting light around it.

2024 Landscape #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 1/10 the price goes to $225.

This is the same view in the fog after a rain storm. Just beautiful colors but you could not see the mountain ranges.



Commission:  My client wanted canning jars and a bowl of cucumbers. 
They supplied the photo.
I drew it by hand (no computer or blown up!)  

As you know, I paint in thin layers (washes), here is my start.
The first washes are Yellow Ochre and then dried it hard using a hair dryer.

I went a bit darker and added a warm wash to the table.
For the artists out  there; this is a mix of Yellow Ochre, Paynes Grey, and a tiny pinch of Cad Red.
And again dried hard.

More tomorrow!

2024 Landscape #1

 mini original watercolor  $225.
Presenting...a winter mountain view!
While visiting the Biltmore we rented a house on the TOP of a mountain near Connestee Falls, NC. This was our view. The mountains went on forever. There was a lake at the bottom.

Painting: Another commission got a thumbs up and I am framing it. I will post when I get the OK. Meanwhile over the weekend I started working on another still life commission, the drawing was approved and I just got permission to post the painting progress. I will post it tomorrow.

At Home: Abbey and Ben spent the night over the weekend and picked up "Lucy" their kitty which we were keeping for a few weeks while they traveled. Our cats are happy she left! On Friday the group we travel with had a dinner party. We were minus 2 who were not feeling well.  It is always a good time when we are together.

2023/2024 Holiday #13

SOLD!  $155 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/5 the price goes to $250

Another scene from the Biltmore. I am finishing my holiday series with a beautiful wreath.

Next week I am planning on some landscapes from Asheville, NC.
I also need to work on a commission over the weekend.

Bird feeders filled, shovels and ice melt on the porch, gas ready for the snow blower, AND I went to the farm for eggs!  

2023/2024 Holiday #12

SOLD!  $155 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/5 the price goes to $250

I found this candle in front of a mirror at our tour of the Biltmore in Asheville, NC. Check out that reflection!

Another Christmas commission:

2023/2024 Holiday #11

SOLD!  $155 (unframed) 5x5” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 9x9 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/4 the price goes to $250

Love this barn, its on the Oregon Pike (Lancaster), they had a large wreath hanging against the beautiful stones.

IN THE NEWS:
Yesterday (Tuesday) I hung a show at Garden Spot Village in New Holland.

Also I now have permission to post a Christmas commission...
This one went to a special Lititz mailman: his truck, his bike and a flag.  

2023/2024 Holiday #10

SOLD! $155 (unframed) 4x6” mini original watercolor
Available to the 1st person to email
(framing 8x10 $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 1/3 the price goes to $250.

I have 4 Holiday paintings to post this week.  They were painted while I was on vacation but I did not take the time to post. 

This scene is from our friends the Wardell's beautiful back yard.

IN THE NEWS: 
In December I was interviewed by an online magazine "Bold Journey"

Click HERE to read the article!