Happy New Year!!

Beach Day

(I had to post this one on a snowy day in New England!)

6-1/8 x 5 inches

acrylic on 1/2" hardboard

$100 includes free shipping in the US
(please contact me for international shipping charges)

Hard to believe that it is 2013 already (or will be in a few hours!)

I took a bit of a break from painting while we traveled with the kids for the holidays. It was wonderful to go home for Christmas (first time in over 20 years!) and spend some down time with my family. But now it is time to gear up and get back to work!

This weekend I spent some time cleaning up from all my holiday shows, and inventorying supplies and unsold paintings. I still need to sit down and write my goals for the New Year - and update my business plan. I accomplished many of my goals for 2012 and hope to continue the momentum into 2013.

To start things off on the right foot, I decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's "Thirty Paintings Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge". Eeekk! I was hesitant because I know I need to complete a few larger pieces this month, but I decided to give it a go anyways. We shall see how long I can keep up!

Anyways, I want to thank you all for sticking with me this year. I truly appreciate all my followers, collectors and friends out there - my most heartfelt thanks to you all. And a sincere wish for a most Happy, Healthy and Peaceful  New Year.

Painted Nutcracker Ornaments

Two last ornaments for 2012.....

 each 3 x 2 inches, acrylic on canvas, strung with a ribbon for hanging

available at West Village Provisions 

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. The events of the last few days - including the shooting in Connecticut - have really hit me hard, and everything I try writing just sounds trite.
I am traveling for the holiday, so I think I am going to use that as an excuse to take a little break from blogging until after Christmas. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

In the meanwhile, if you are interested in any of my recent work, you can see what is still available by checking out my DailyPaintworks gallery.

So Happy Holidays to you all....and we will catch up on things after Christmas!

Christmas Patrol - Small Nutcracker Holiday Painting

Christmas Patrol

3 x 4 inches

acrylic on canvas

Okay - I'm gearing up to get a bunch of holiday stuff ready for the show this weekend! A bunch of ornaments, and a few of these little canvases, too.....The show is the Artisans in the Open show at the Unitarian Church in Newburyport, MA. It is a great show with some amazing artisans and I am thrilled to be a part of it this year for the first time! 2 to 9 on Friday, December 14, 2012 and 10 to 5 on Saturday, December 15, 2012 - hope to see you there!

Holly Ornament - Tiny Acrylic Painting on Canvas SOLD

Ornament #23

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I love my holly bushes! And this time of year  they make great decorations (and I add pieces to my wreaths and centerpieces, etc.). Somehow they have survived all our weird weather, and storms and - some years - incredible piles of snow -  and every spring they bounce right back. Just a few years ago  one was broken off almost all the way to the ground and it grew back so quickly it was amazing!

Anyhow, they always seem to show up in a couple of my paintings this time of year.....

This entire grouping of ornaments went to West Village Provisions in West Boxford today - they had completely sold out of all the ones I took last week. So now I guess I had better get to work so I have some more for the show in Newburyport this weekend.....

Tiny Ornament Painting

Ornament #22

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with ribbon for hanging

Still plugging away on the ornaments....getting tired of seeing them yet?
They have sold out and are asking for more at West Village Provisions, so I will take this latest group over tomorrow, and hopefully still have a chance to complete more before the show in Newburyport next weekend.....

In my head I am starting to make some goals for the New Year. I am hoping for a little quiet time between Christmas and New Years to actually get them into writing. I find that writing them down makes me feel more accountable - and actually do more towards achieving them. Do you have any goals for 2013?

Painted Ornament - Tiny Nutcracker Painting SOLD

Ornament #21

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with ribbon for hanging
SOLD

Never would I have guessed these little ornaments would be so popular! (Not bad for trying to figure out what to do with the tiny canvases that I got by accident  ;-)

Some of these that I have been working on this week for next weekend's show will instead be going to replenish my display at West Village Provisions. I know, I know - a GOOD problem to have.....

Ornament Painting - Small Holiday Still Life

Ornament #20

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, ribbon on top for hanging

These are my new ornaments for this year - the little ones that look like old-fashioned Christmas tree bulbs. Lots of fun to paint! I'd love to find some old, old Christmas ornaments to use for paintings at a reasonable price.....

In the meanwhile, I've sold almost every version of a nutcracker that I have, so I guess it is time to go paint some more!

Steady Gaze - Tiny Nutcracker Holiday Painting SOLD

Steady Gaze

3 x 4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

This is another one of those little canvases that are thinner than my normal 3/4" deep canvases. This one is about 3/8" deep - and fits great on one of those tiny little wood easels. I am offering these for a lower price than my normal 3x4's because of the depth - so stock up now to add to your holiday decor! (Or a cute little gift, too  ;-)

Another Holiday Ornament Painting

Ornament #19

3x2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with a white ribbon for hanging

Another one ready to go....Crazy day today - delivered two commissions (yay!), lots of kids' stuff to do - can't believe how quickly Christmas is coming up.....

Painted Ornament Painting

Ornament #18

3x2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with a ribbon for hanging

I will probably alternate working on these ornaments with some other mini canvases over the next two weeks for my upcoming show in Newburyport. In the meanwhile, I will make them available here first! (I know people are doing their Christmas shopping now, right?!) Anyways, these are super cute ORIGINAL paintings that look super cute hung on a tree, or mantel, or wherever else you like to decorate. More to come!

Tree Trimming - Small Holiday Still Life SOLD

Tree Trimming

3x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I seem to be getting in the holiday mood a bit, maybe?!

Actually, with all the holiday shows and shops I am in this year, it seems that holiday-themed stuff is in high demand right now. This little piece went to West Village Provisions as part of my display for the Winter Festival which was this weekend.

These little canvases are thinner than my normal 3x4 inch canvases - a little less than 1/2" deep, instead of the normal 3/4" - so I have decided to use some of them for little holiday paintings that can be displayed on mini easels. I plan to paint some more of these, along with a bunch of ornaments for my next holiday show. The ornaments have been selling in local shops about as fast as I can paint them, so I haven't even been posting them on my blog. I will post some this week - available here until my next show, so stay tuned!

Well Rounded - Small Still Life with Grapes

Well Rounded

3 x 5 inches

acrylic on canvas

Another mini painting heading to West Village Provisions tomorrow for the Winter Festival. Grapes are always fun to paint!

Next up....a bunch of holiday stuff, more ornaments, whew! Can't believe that December is just around the corner.....

To Find a Friend - Small Still Life Painting

To Find a Friend

4x4 inches

acrylic on canvas

Working on a few small canvases to take to West Village Provisions for this weekend's Winter Festival. There will be all kinds of fun activities.....kind of an old-fashioned New England kind of celebration - and I will have some of my work at West Village Provisions if you happen to drop by.

Red 72 - Classic Car Painting SOLD

Red 72

6x6 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

Another Christmas commission....

Further Afield - Small Acrylic Landscape Painting SOLD

Further Afield

5x7 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

I've been itching to get back to a little landscape painting! I have recently realized that I only got out to paint en plein air a couple of times during the entire summer. And I thought I'd be getting out there so much more this year! Oh well. There is always next year, right?

This painting is part of the group of work that I have taken to the Newburyport Art Association for their Holiday Show. From now until December 24th, the gallery is full of all kinds of wonderful art (and some other gift ideas) - everything under $350. A great opportunity to pick up some amazing art at great prices - and support local artists as well.

Nutcracker - Small Format Mini Still Life Holiday Painting SOLD

Nutcracker King

4x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Thinking holidays yet? Well, I'm trying...not quite there, but working on it!  ;-)

In the meanwhile, think about shopping local, shopping small businesses when you do your holiday shopping - especially this Saturday - designated as "Small Business Saturday."

I have my work at a number of small local businesses this year.....the piece above is now available at my favorite local cafe/coffee shop/general store - West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA. Come out on Saturday and support local businesses!

Thankful

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families......

Crowd Control

4x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Frolicking - Acrylic Still Life Painting of Tomatoes Kitchen Art SOLD

Frolicking

4x6 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

These tomatoes just looked like they were having a good time, the little green tendrils of their stems kinda took on a life of their own.....

Informed - Small Local Scene ACEO Painting

Informed

3.5 x 2.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Here is one last little local scene that went to West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA last week. This is our local library - once a private residence.

I think I "tightened up" a little too much on this one! The two previous little scenes had a slightly looser feel than my normal work. I have purposely been using a larger brush that I would normally like - and the brush is slightly splayed, so the bristles don't always go where I intend them to.

I wanted to send out a big thanks to those of you who came out to the holiday show in Wenham this past weekend. It was a great show, and a lot of fun. I really appreciate all the support!

Poinsettia - Ornament Mini Holiday Painting SOLD

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

One last ornament for now. I will be doing a bunch more, but I'm still not decided if I'm going to keep posting them all!

I set up today at the Wenham Museum for the Sleigh Bell Artisan Fair. Always a fun event, it runs Friday & Saturday 10-4, Sunday 12-4. It's a great museum for kids (mine LOVE the trains!), plus they have all kinds of special events going on all weekend. It seems so early to start Christmas shopping...but then again, it is also hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week!

Ornament - Miniature Ornament Still Life for the Holidays SOLD

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

The ornaments are selling almost as fast as I can paint them, so I may not have very many to take to the show this weekend.

Speaking of shows....here are the details of the Sleigh Bell Fair at the Wenham Museum, if you are local to the Northshore of Massachusetts I'd love to see you there!

Blessed - ACEO Landscape Local Architecture Painting SOLD

Blessed

3.5 x 2.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Another "local scene".....this is the Second Congregational Church in West Boxford, Massachusetts.
"Blessed" will be available tomorrow at West Village Provisions (also in West Boxford, see a pattern here?!) through the holidays.

I am putting finising touches on the little ornament canvases tonight - adding screw eyes and ribbon to the top for hanging and  black felt to the back. Can't believe I have a holiday show coming up already. I swear I lost the whole month of October there somewhere.....

Welcoming - Painting of House Landscape ACEO SOLD

Welcoming

3.5 x 2.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Just a quick little break from posting all the ornaments.

I am doing a couple of ATC-sized little "local scenes" to go to West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA later this week. This is the doorway of the lovely, historical Holyoke-French house in East Boxford.  This beautiful house was built in 1760 and is maintained by the Boxford Historical Society. I love living in a part of the country with so much history!

Ornament - Small Still Life Painting of Holiday Jingle Bell SOLD

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Getting tired of these yet?
I have just two more in this batch yet to post. They are selling even before the show! I should be getting more mini canvases in this week, so I imagine I will need to do more of these little guys for my December show. I'm still trying to adjust my brain to the fact that next week will be Thanksgiving.....

Nutcracker - Mini Painted Canvas Holiday Ornament SOLD

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Can't have a holiday grouping without a Nutcracker! I think I'm going a little too crazy with these ornaments, but they are great fun to paint in this tiny size. I picked up some felt and ribbon today, and plan on trying out my plan to finish the ornaments this weekend. I am also going to build a display to hold my little canvases for the upcoming shows. It should be interesting - I will post pictures if it comes out well.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.....

Ornaments - Another Mini Holiday Still life

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

Another little one to be made into an ornament. I hope to have some pictures of the finished ornaments soon.

Anyways, I was shocked to realize today that my first "Holiday" show of the season  STARTS IN A WEEK!! Can't believe it's "that" time already.......

Ornaments! Small Still Life Painting

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

Yes, this is tiny!
I accidentally got a few of these mini canvases with my last art supply order. (I think I meant to order 3x5s!) I was going to return them, when my mind started coming up with ideas of what I could do with them.

Since I have  a few holiday shows coming up (soon!), I thought I'd create a few quick holiday-themed paintings and make them into ornaments. This is the first one. Once the varnish has dried on it, I plan to put felt over the back, add a screw eye to the top with a ribbon - and there you go - an ornament ready to hang! Hopefully I will get a chance to post a picture of a totally completed one soon.

Tea for Two - Small Still Life Painting ACEO

Tea for Two

3.5 x 2.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Back to ACEO size.....I was hoping to do a few of these for upcoming shows - the small size tends to attract lots of people, but I have a few holes to fill already at TheShops@90Wash in Haverhill, Massachusetts. This is a pop-up shop that is operating in an empty storefront in downtown Haverhill for their second holiday season. It has lots of local art and locally made gift items and is a great place to do your holiday shopping if you are in the area. Shop local! They also have all kinds of ongoing activities....book readings, musicians, origami lessons, stuff for the kids....lots of fun. Anyways, I am thrilled that in the first 4 days of operation, I have already sold 2 paintings! So I think I will mat and frame this little guy to go there.

TheShops@90Wash is at 90 Washington Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts and is open now through December 23rd - you can click here for more information.

BMW 2002 - Classic Car Painting SOLD

1973 BMX 2002

6 x 6 inches 

acrylic on board

SOLD

I am still doing a few minor tweaks to this one, but it is mostly done!
It is a commission for a local car buff....

Conversation - Small Painting Food Art Still Life SOLD

Conversation

4x6 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I wonder what these two are chatting about? They seem to me to be up to something....

I am looking forward to hopefully finishing a bunch of these small canvases for my upcoming holiday shows. I am also going back and forth with working on a few commissions for classic car paintings (a great holiday gift idea, right ?- hint, hint!) - I hope to have some works in progress to post soon.

Monster Mash - Halloween ACEO Painting

Monster Mash

3.5 x 2.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

 I really wanted to do a few Halloween paintings this year, but I ended up being too busy. When I say this weeks Zombie Challenge on DailyPaintworks, I knew I would have to take a little break from all my other work to do a little piece for Halloween.

So here he is! And he is available - you can take the "green guy" home with you for $15 plus shipping. Happy Halloween to you all!!

Monster Mash - $15 + $2 shipping in the US 

(please contact me for international shipping)

Autumn's Aim - Fall Still Life Painting

Autumn's Aim

5x7 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

What a wild day out there! I hope that everyone is fairing well along the East Coast. It is crazy windy here in northeastern Massachusetts. Much of our town is without power, but we have been lucky so far. The kids were out of school for the day - and totally bouncing off the walls. At least we aren't getting the snow we got pre-Halloween last year, when we were without power for three days.

I wanted to do one last little gourd painting. My gourds are not lasting as long as normal this year, so this may be it. This painting will go to the Wine and Art Reception at Veasey Memorial Park in Groveland, Massachusetts this weekend. The reception is Saturday night, November 3rd, from 5 to 8pm. More information is available here. Sounds like a fun night - hope to see you there!

Summer's End - New Landscape Painting SOLD

Summer's End

8x10 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

First landscape in a while...this painting will be available at the Wine and Art Reception for Veasey Memorial Park in Groveland, MA. The event will take place on Saturday evening, November 3rd, 2012 from  5 to 8pm. It should be a fun event!

And speaking of fun events...don't forget about the opening for the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Member Juried Show, Pt. II this Saturday night, October 27, 2012 from 7 to 9pm. I got a very exciting call about the show today. It seems that my painting The Gathering won Honorable Mention in the acrylic category! I am just thrilled! If you want to read the juror's comments, they are here.

Chained - Still Life Painting of Old Rusty Chain

Chained

5x7 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

I am thrilled that this painting, along with The Gathering, has been juried into the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Members' Juried Show, Pt. II! The opening reception is Saturday night, October 27, 20120 7-9pm. Hope to see you there!

Making Plans - Kitchen Art Still Life Painting on Paper

Making Plans

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Just a  little side trip back to my Relationships Series....I wanted to send a few of these to the Creative Haverhill holiday shop, and I realized that I only had one left in this series! So I decided to do one more to make a pair (but I think I will probably be doing more of these for one of the upcoming holiday shows!)

Anyways, today I took this and about a dozen other paintings and some notecard packets to TheShops@90Wash - a great holiday pop-up shop set up by Creative Haverhill in a downtown storefront. It's a great space - I'm really excited to be a part of it! I hope you will check it out if you are local - opening November 1, 2012 at 90 Washington Street in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

IN her Shadow - Small Floral Painting

In Her Shadow

3x5 inches

acrylic on canvas

I couldn't leave the daisies alone! I still want to do a large one....but I think that will have to wait awhile.....

This little one is currently available at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA.

The Gathering - Original Autumn Still Life Painting SOLD

The Gathering

7x5 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel
SOLD

This is the time of year when the time just seems to fly by! I con't believe it is getting close to the end of October already. We are getting to the end of our fall color here in New England and the mornings are very cool (and a few of them even frosty). My kids can hardly wait for snow - though I think I most certainly can!

I had to sneak in one more gourd painting - this will be an entry for an upcoming show. A few more deadlines, a few commissions, and then, before I know it, it will be time for holiday shows. Eeeek!

In the Midst - Small Painting of Flowers SOLD

In the Midst

5 x 3 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Still enjoying the little canvases.
I'm wondering if I should take some time after I finish some work for some upcoming exhibitions to do a bunch of these little guys for holiday shows. Hmmm.

When I was working on this one, all I kept thinking is that I would love to do this same piece REAAAAALLLLLLY  BIG - so the viewer would feel like they truly were in the middle of the bunch of flowers. I've been getting the itch lately to do some big work - unfortunately that is not going to happen with my current set up in the very corner of my kids' playroom  ;-(    Someday I will have the space to work large.... but for now I guess I will stick with little.....

An Apple a Day - Small Fruit Still Life Painting

An Apple a Day

4 x 4  inches

acrylic on canvas

I love local apple season!
Love the crisp, fresh picked apples - we usually eat them so fast, I don't even have a chance to bake or make anything special with them. This year I am refusing to buy a single grocery store apple until all the local farms are done with apples for the season. And unfortunately, due to a recent frost, that may be coming up sooner than I would like  ;-(

Anyways, frost or no frost, this apple will be available at the end of the week at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA.

Little Firecracker - Small Painting of Bright Orange Flower

Little Firecracker

4x3 inches

acrylic on canvas

So this is where I say something about "the explosive new painting", right?!
(Sorry, I couldn't resist!) I kept thinking of fireworks while I was painting this and the name "Firecracker" just stuck in my head, so there you go. It's funny how some paintings just name themselves, while others I struggle over. When I am stuck, I find I get my best ideas in the shower  ;-)

Available at West Village Provisions later this week.

Crowd Control - Small Autumn Painting Still Life of Gourds SOLD

Crowd Control

4x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I'm having fun with these little canvas paintings! They are definitely a welcome break from some of my other work...and they look really cute hung together in groups  ;-)

I seem to do a number of gourd paintings every year. Gourds are so interesting with their different colors and textures and shapes - just keep me wanting to paint "just one more".....

This little piece will be at West Village Provisions later this week.

For anyone following my local events - I've started to update the list on the right side of my blog - still a few more events to add, but lots of places to see my work locally this holiday season!

Autumn Gift - Small Painting of Gourd SOLD

Autumn Gift

4x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Another little one on canvas!  I am getting a number of local collectors telling m how much they like these little pieces unframed on canvas. They are making groupings of these colorful little paintings and are hanging them as is, without frames. So this week I am trying to concentrate on a bunch of new mini canvases both for replacing sold pieces at West Village Provisions here in Boxford, Mass, but also for upcoming holiday shows.

I also really like the mini gourds that are everywhere around here this time of year. All of the colors and textures - they are such fun to paint! And when they have these great stems and vines still attached....;-)I can't seem to be able to resist picking up a few more every time I go to the local farm stand.

This piece is available now through me, or else it will be at West Village Provisions after October 15th.

Sneak Attack - Small Still Life Painting, Kitchen Art

Sneak Attack

Relationships Series

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

The pear in back looks like he is sneaking up on the other one, don't you think?!
I finished this before the weekend, but have had a busy weekend full of family things, so no posting until now. We had (exhausting!) fun at the Topsfield Fair on Saturday. Paid a quick visit to the art exhibit, where it looks like a number of my paintings have sold (yay!) and took lots of pictures so I can work on  my carnival series this winter when I can't work outside.

I'm going to take this week to finish up some new little pieces for West Village Provisions and then a few larger pieces for upcoming juried exhibitions. The I'm sure the holiday season will be coming fast and furious at that point! I'm doing at least two holiday shows, and participating in at least two holiday shops, so I expect I will be pretty busy. I will share the details on all the exciting stuff soon.

This piece is available unframed through me now, or will be at West Village Provisions in Boxford, MA next week.

Sneak Attack - $30 + $2.50 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

Tentative - Painting of Apple and Pear

Tentative

Relationships Series

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

I haven't added to this series in a few months and recent sales at the Topsfield Fair and West Village Provisions made me realize I only have maybe two remaining, so I had better do something about that! I always enjoy these little fruit and vegetable "portraits". Sometimes I start out with an idea, and try to set up the fruit accordingly. Other times I just like the composition - and the title pops into my head once the "personality" of the fruit has emerged. On these, the white of the paper is left untouched. I spot varnish only the painted areas and it seems almost as it the image is printed or somehow appliqued to the surface of the paper.

This piece is available unframed now through me and later in the month it will be at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA.

Tentative - $30 + $2.50 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)