Thursday evening update...

There is simply not enough hours in the day
this week. I could not get a blog even started.
No excuses, just to much on my plate.
I am packing my van and it is almost 9PM.
We are leaving in the morning for Richmond, VA
to set up for my first outdoor show. That meant
gathering up all the equiptment for showing
outside. If you are anywhere close stop in
this is a very nice show.

The show:
Arts in the Park
Held in Byrd Park along Rugby Road in Richmond, VA.
Sat. 11-6 and Sun. 11-5 ~ great variety of work
My space is #102
FREE Parking and FREE Shuttles available at the
University of Richmond Stadium parking lot.
View Promoters Website:
http://www.richmondartsinthepark.com

I will be home Monday in time for track!
No blog over the weekend.

Signs of Spring #6

4"x 6" original watercolor
contact the studio for more info

This time of year the garden changes almost
daily. I love walking out and looking at the
new flowers. We have squirrels that took away
most of our tulip bulbs but this one stands
tall...and alone.

Q&A:
I received a question about my painting palette.
I use Davinci and Lukas paints. I buy tubes and
squeeze them into my tray and let them dry.
I use Yellow Ochre, Burnt and Raw Sienna,
sometimes Sepia. Cobalt and Pthalo blue,
Cadium Red and Permanent Rose, Pthalo Green
and Paynes Grey. From these I mix the shades
I want.

Q&A:
Who am I selling to?
I exhibit at outdoor shows and have always kept
a mailing list. When I started my blog I let all
my clients know. I also am a member of the
Daily Painters and have picked up new clients
through them. You need a starting base and a
plan. I do not think you can put a few painting on
eBay and expect to hit it big. I have been blessed
with clients who believe in me and love my paintings
and have been faithful supporters through out the
years. I add to this base daily.

Feel free to send new questions my way!

Signs of Spring #5

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

It is the pots that are moving me! Another
interesting cement pot with grapes.
This is simply an exercise in technique.
All the white is my paper.

I plan to walk around my hometown of
Lititz this weekend on a search for more
signs of spring. That is after my bike ride!
I am often asked where I find so many
subjects. The key is to slow down and
pay attention to what is in front of you.
I really look, not at the big picture but
at the small parts of a scene. I use a cheep
camera and just snap away at anything that
moves me. I bring it back and look at it on
the computer. I use this as reference.
After that, it is all in the drawing.

It did not feel like spring today. It was
a bit chilly for track practice!

I think I would like to start a question
and answer section... about art.
So if you have a question send an email or
use the comment below. We will give it a
try.

Signs of Spring #4

4"x 6" original watercolor
$225.00 ~ SOLD

While this does not have the color you
think when saying signs of spring it is
still a freshly potted plant. I was
interested in capturing the character
of the pot. Making it stand out against
the white wall and step. It came across
with a warm feeling.

I was able to finish another larger painting.
This is an European jug we purchased on a
trip to MD at an antique store. The color
is a wonderful strong green against the very
old clay. It was irresistible setting in the sun
light. It will be framed in 14x18" and I
have not come up with a price yet.

Signs of Spring #3

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

There are literally hundreds of beautiful
planters all over Georgetown. Every
time we go visit our daughter; which is
not often enough, we try to walk the area.
Each visit brings new subjects. I was looking
for interesting planters and signs of spring.
I found them!

I had to stay focused today to get my
blog painting finished before going to
a track meet. Both girls and boys won.
We are undefeated! I love coaching.

Signs of Spring #2

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

Here in PA it is still to cold to set out our
plants, but at a recent trip to DC it was
Spring! This painting has strong use of
texture. Brick wall, cement steps, pottery
pot balanced with a leafy plant and soft
shadows.

I had a good weekend, managed to ride
bike for several hours, that alone makes
it pretty good! Abbey and Ben were home
for Friday night so Linda was cooking!
She always tries new things when the kids
are home and I benefit form the left overs.
She tried a homemade angel food cake, no
left overs on that! Linda and I spent a good
part of the weekend working outside. We do
not have to many more free weekends, we
start shows very soon. Today I was back
to my painting. After finishing the blog I
spent a few hours on the drawing
of my commission.

Pick Up Sticks

4"x 6" original watercolor
contact the studio for more info

I have to give Linda credit for this
still life. She gathered up some of
our old toys and set them together.
I had a great time painting each object.
It was my first time painting a baseball!

I spent my whole day with kids! Lots of
kids. I promised one of the classes I would
put a photo of them on my blog so here they
are! They were excited about having a
a photo
taken.

Track was cancelled due to rain today.
Even I did not want to be outside for
practice and I am pretty hard core.
Tomorrow is a meet and the sun should
be shining. I got paid a bit for today's
Art day so I took Linda out for dinner.
We went for the early bird special...
now that says a lot!

Still Life #13

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

I found this little gem in our spare
bedroom, way up on the top shelf.
It belonged to Linda's grandmother.
I liked the perspective of looking
up to it.

I started sketching one of my commissions
to get a feel for it. Then worked on the
drawing on my paper. The photos are from
fall and the client wants spring so it will
require a little extra research. I had track
practice in the rain today. I am trying to
remember that we need the rain and it will
make the garden look beautiful for Linda.
But for me...I need the sun. Tomorrow is my
last elementary arts day. I am not expecting
to get any painting done but the kids will
give my artistic ego a boast!

Signs of Spring

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD

I found this display of freshly potted plants
setting in front of an antique shop. The tall
pot was placed on top of a pot turned upside down.
Inside the window was an old doll house.

Friday was spent driving to DC to pick up the
kids and drive back. Saturday my girls worked
on wedding invitations. Sunday my in-laws went
with us to have Easter dinner with my Mom in the
nursing home. Mom was in very good spirits.
It was nice to see her smile.
Today we set up an exhibit at a local retirement
home. We try to do things locally when asked
and when we can squeeze it into the schedule.
Here is Linda putting titles on the paintings. The
display looks pretty good. We hung 35 paintings!

Linda wanted me to share these two website that
have been entertaining her for days.
They are live web cams of birds in nests...see what you
think... you may need to wait till morning to see anything!
http://www.hancockwildlifechannel.org/staticpages/index.php/20090302200021473

http://www2.fi.edu/hawknest.php

Still Life #12

6"x 4" original watercolor
SOLD

This is the same pitcher from 4/7 blog painting.
I have enjoyed using it, I think the white shows
off other objects in the still life. I was told the
agateware bucket was used as an old lunch pail.
Again, the pitcher is the white paper with a few
washes of yellow ochre and a little cerulean blue
over it.

I have had trouble getting my blog painted early
enough all this week. I painted this morning then
ran out to visit my Mom, returned in time to go to
track practice. Home for dinner and then back to
painting. I have the commissions I need to get started
on and I am not sure how I am going to juggle it!
No track tomorrow and we planned to go to DC to
pick up Abbey and Ben and bring them home for the
weekend. I was hoping for a nice day for photo
opportunities but rain is in the forecast. So I guess it
will end up being a mad dash down and back.