Fun-A-Day Project - and Happy New Year!

Now for my first event for 2014....

I will be taking part in the Fun-A-Day Project! Participants agree to pick a project, which they will do every day in January and document it somehow (photos, writing, video, art, etc). Then there are shows all around the country/world where the artists share their projects. This is a wiki explaining it here. And the Boston version is being documented here. It is a lot of fun to read what kind of projects people are planning - and what has been done in the past. Lots of paintings, drawings, poetry, etc. but also all kinds of really fun and creatively different things too. Be sure to scroll down the page to see some of the projects people have done in the past.

I am doing little 3x3 inch paintings of things from my kitchen. I know, nothing too crazy. I will probably be using them for ideas for future larger paintings, so I thought I'd stick with my kitchen as a theme. And considering the amount of things I have in my kitchen, it will really give me quite a range of things to choose from!

I will be blogging about it daily on this blog. And I will have a special set in my Flickrstream to document it here. And since Leslie Saeta also happens to be doing her 30 Paintings in 30 Days starting January 1st, maybe I will just have to join in with my little paintings there, too.

Lots of fun things to look forward to in 2014! - I will share more updates soon.

In the meanwhile, I want to thank everyone for a wonderful (and busy!) 2013, and I wish for you all a very Happy and Healthy and Peaceful New Year!

Happy New Year!!

Shawsheen Luncheonette - Comissioned Acrylic Landscape Painting

Helloooo!! Anybody still out there?!

I am finishing out 2013 - and gearing up for the New Year.
Once again - sorry for the lack of posts.... lots of ornaments and many commissions made for some not very exciting posting, so I decided to just hold off on it.

But now I am back.

One last commission for 2013:

Shawsheen Luncheonette

8 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled board

SOLD

Look familiar? I did a very similar one earlier this year for the owner of the diner. She liked it so  much, that she wanted to give it as a special holiday gift to the former owner of the restaurant, and then she commissioned another one for her self! Do you have a local business for which you would like a little custom piece done? Contact me! I will be open for new commissions in the new year.

I am painting away on a few pieces for the first Newburyport Art Association show of the new year - plus I am taking part in a fun little project I will share in my next post. Stay tuned!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

I know I have not posted much in the last month....due to the highly secretive nature of my work  ;-)

In reality, I have been painting many ornaments and a good number of commissions. I don't want to ruin any Christmas surprises, but suffice it to say that there will be a happy little painting under a lot of Christmas trees this year......

I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season - whatever holiday you celebrate - and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, comments and follows in the past year. It means so much to me. And now, onward to 2014!!

Holiday Painting Madness

Busy, busy, busy!
Although I have been hiding out from blog-land, I haven't been slacking off!

After a very successful show in Wenham, we heading out to Ohio for a quick visit (and long drive! ) for Thanksgiving and other family festivities. I came home in time to prepare for two more holiday shows, plus various gallery and shop commitments. Hence I've been painting tons of tiny pieces, put haven't been posting them.

I've painted many ornaments on the tiny 2 x 3-inch canvases. This is just a part of the batch that went over to Positive Images Gallery in Haverhill, Massachusetts earlier this week.

These have been disappearing so quickly that I haven't been keeping up with posting them - even to my Etsy shop.

For the locals, there is not a Shops@90Wash in Haverhill this year, so Positive Images will be the only place in Haverhill where my ornaments will be available. Be sure to stop by and check out the shop!

Meanwhile, I am madly painting for the West Boxford Winter Festival this weekend, and the Artisans in the Open Holiday Show the following weekend.....

True Colors - Still Life Painting of Autumn Leaves

True Colors

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Getting ready for this weekend's show at the Wenham Museum.....got all set up today and the place looks festive! The show is open from 10 until 4 on Friday and Saturday with a ticketed cocktail party on Friday night. Should be a fun event! The Sleigh Bell Fair always ushers in the start to the holiday season for me!

Lots of other things coming up quickly....the painting above will be going to the Newburyport Art Association for the Holiday Show and Sale. That event runs from November 29th until December 24th. Many opportunities to shop local for the holidays!

Holiday Guard - ACEO Still Life Painting of a Nutcracker

Holiday Guard

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Getting some paintings ready for the first holiday show next weekend!
This piece will be going to the Sleigh Bell Artisan Fair at the Wenham Museum in Wenham,  Massachusetts. More information about the fair is below.

Interested in a similar piece? (Yes, the nutcrackers are always popular  ;-)
Please contact me, and I can let you know when I have more nutcrackers available after the show.

Ocean Blue - Small Seascape ACEO Painting

Ocean Blue

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

A little rough seas, right? Kinda like how I feel about now  ;-) I think I need to go spend a day at the ocean once everything calms down around here.....

This little piece will probably be going to the Newburyport Art Association in Newburyport, Massachusetts for their Holiday Show and Sale - which runs from November 29th until December 24th - a really great place for some unique holiday gift shopping.

Haverhill Music - Local Landscape Cityscape Painting

Haverhill Music

6 x 5 inches

acrylic on board

The holiday crazies seem to have begun!
I'm crazy busy (and already feeling  behind!) but all kinds of fun stuff coming up. I can't believe the big Wenham fair is just over a week away! More details soon.

This painting is one more local scene -unfortunately this business closed earlier this year.  I will be taking this piece with a small grouping of Haverhill paintings to Positive Images Gallery on Wingate Street in Haverhill at the end of the week.

And last call on commissions before the holidays. Two more days (or when I fill these last two slots - which ever comes first!) .....Friday, November 15th, 2013 will be the absolute last day I accept new commissions for this holiday season.

Two Pears - Small Still Life Painting with Pears

Two Pears

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on canvas

Just finishing up this commission and moving on to the varnishing stage. There are so many colors i these pears! I can't wait to varnish them so all the colors just "glow".

I will only be taking a few more commissions before the holidays. Be sure to contact me soon if you are interested in a unique piece created just for you!

Mark's - Small Acrylic Painting, Cityscape Landscape

Mark's

5 x 4 inches

acrylic on board

An interesting bit of architecture on a corner in downtown Haverhill, Massachusetts. I keep checking it out when I pass by - I still think at the right time of day with the right shadows, there will be another painting there somewhere.....

I am hoping to squeeze in one more Haverhill piece before I deliver a bunch to Positive Images Gallery. A few commissions in process....and holiday shows coming up quickly ...oh my!

Fallen Leaves - Small Acrylic Painting of Autumn Leaf

Fallen Leaves 6

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

available here

I'm loving all the colors in the oak leaves. Picked up a few lovely red ones today, too, while on a hike with my boys. Hard to believe we are already into November - my holiday shows start in less than three weeks!

Just a reminder.... I will only be taking a few more requests for holiday commissions......please contact me asap if you are interested!

From the Field - Landscape Painting

From the Field

8 x 10 inches

acrylic on canvas

This landscape is for the Wine and Art Reception at Veasey Park in Groveland, Massachusetts this Saturday night, November 2, from 5-8pm. There will be a live band, appetizers, wine tasting, and lots of wonderful local art and artists. It's always a lot of fun - hope to see you there!

In other news, I am so pleased and honored that both my paintings "Soliloquy" and "Morning Cup" were juried in to the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Members Juried Show, Pt. 2. That show runs through the 23rd of November with an opening reception on Saturday, November 2nd from 7-9pm. Yes, they are going to have to clone me  ;-)

Shawsheen Luncheonette - Custom Painting, Building Cityscape

Shawsheen Luncheonette

8 x 6 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled board

Just finishing up this commission. I will be taking only a few more commissions for the holidays....please be sure to contact me asap if you are interested in any custom work for gift giving.....

Work in Progress Wednesday - Two Pears

What is on my easel today (and yes, it is Thursday):

Working on a commission....I use a monochromatic underpainting for much of my work, especially if it is large or complex. I also like to use it for many of my commissions - lets me give the customer a "preview" white it is still easy to make changes. I use the underpainting to check values and composition - and I feel like I can still easily make changes as needed a little more freely.

From this point, I start to add layers of color to the painting. I always find it exciting to watch it "come alive".

Morning Cup - Acrylic Still Life Painting with Abstract Shapes

Morning Cup

8 x 10 inches

acrylic on canvas

Working on keeping up with some deadlines......this painting is for an upcoming juried show.  It is actually a new and larger version of a small painting I did a few years ago. It's always an interesting exercise to see how differently you do things the second time - and to see how the way you work changes over a couple of years.

Work-in-Progress Wednesday will have to wait until Thursday......my camera battery needs to be charged, and a certain Red Sox World Series game is calling for my attention.......

Inspiration Monday - Fall in New England

Fall in New England can be often unpredictable, but most always breath-taking beautiful. This year is no exception.  The last two years we had heavy rains and early snows which robbed us of the full range of nature's colors, but this year has been magnificent.

This picture was from one of those absolutely beautiful perfect fall days. Lots of sun, but not hot. Color was not quite at peak, but still amazing. I took my three boys and our dog for a hike at Breakheart Reservation. It really made me wish I had a little more time this fall to get out and paint en plein air.

All too soon the snow will fly - but I am glad I have a bunch of colorful photos to get me through the grey days ahead.....

October Newsletter

My October newsletter is (finally!) available!

You can check it out here
(and there is a subscribe button in the upper left corner if you are interested in getting it in your inbox each month.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Looking Up - Small Landscape ACEO Painting, Cityscape

Looking Up

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

A little landscape scene of some of the signs in downtown Haverhill. I always seem to go back to the signs! This little painting will be going to Positive Images Gallery in Haverhill in a few weeks with a few other Haverhill cityscapes.

Interested in a cityscape of your own? I've had people request paintings of favorite signs, favorite places, special locations.....I will be taking holiday orders for only a few more weeks, so contact me soon if you are interested!

Fallen Leaves - Small ACEO Painting for Autumn Decor

Fallen Leaves 4

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Another autumn leaf....this one from one of the beautiful oaks in my yard. This has been a very colorful fall - the weather has been perfect! The last few years the color hasn't been quite so brilliant - we'd get too cold too fast (or even snow while the leaves were still on the trees) or so much wind and rain that the leaves would all fall early. This year the color has been amazing.....and it makes me want to keep right on painting these leaves!

Like the other paintings in this series, this is spot varnished on the painted parts only. It is available for sale here.

Finishing Up....

Finishing up this commission.....it's 12 x 16 inches, acrylic on 1-1/2" gallery wrapped canvas.

And a reminder - original art makes a great gift! If you are interested in commissioning a painting for yourself or someone you love, please get your requests in soon! I only have a few holiday slots left.

Fallen Leaves - Small Painting, ACEO Original

Fallen Leaves 3

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

available here

Another one in my popular Fallen Leaves Series. I actually started this series last year (under a different name) but decided to continue them this year.

It seems every time I take my dog for a walk, I pick up a few more beautiful leaves that I want to paint. Sometimes it is the color, sometimes the shape, but something makes me pick up certain ones. I love the simplicity of the colorful leaf with its shadow on a stark white background. I spot varnish the painting of the leaf itself, so it really pops.

This painting is available now on my blog, and in a few days it will be on my Etsy shop with a few options. Because Etsy now allows listing variations, I am going to try listing these with the options of being unframed, matted to 5 x 7, or matted and framed in a 5 x 7 black metal gallery frame. We shall see how people like them best!

Patience - Small Still Life Painting on Canvas Food Art

Patience

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas

I had fun with this little grouping. I need to get back to painting more food!  ;-) Oh, so many things to paint, so little time.

Here are the three pieces together:

And they headed over to West Village Provisions today with a few Fall themed pieces.

I am working on getting my first newsletter together! I hope to do a monthly thing,  but if you know me, it'll probably be more like every other month. If you are interested in getting my first one in your inbox sometime soon (I hope!), you can sign up here.

You Belong - Small Still Life of Pepper Kitchen Art

You Belong

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas

More food....love pairing the colorful fruit and veggies with my collection of colorful dinnerware. I may have to try a series of larger ones with a patterned background. Hmmm......

No work on the easel today for Work in Progress Wednesday, except for a commission I can't share quite yet. More to come soon!

This little painting, along with the one from yesterday, will be available at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, Massachusetts later this week!

You Belong - $35 + $3 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

Second Skin - Small Still Life Painting Food Art SOLD

Second Skin

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas
SOLD

The local apples have been really wonderful this year. It will make me very sad when I have to go back to supermarket apples. While we never actually made it out to pick apples this fall, I have been buying plenty from the local farm and farmers' markets. I think the honeycrisps have been the favorite around here this year, though the macouns and cortlands have been really good, too.

This fruit-y painting will be available at West Village Provisions later this week!

Inspiration Monday - Local Food

The local Farmer's Markets are winding down for the season...making me very sad.
Some of the markets continue through the winter on a limited schedule, using mainly crafts and prepared foods to keep people coming. But this is really getting to the end of the local produce for the year here in New England.

This year I pledged to myself to buy as much as possible locally throughout the growing season. I have been a frequent visitor to nearby Farmers' Markets and local farms. I have discovered a few new farmstands. I  have been buying mostly local milk, eggs and bread as well. It has been a wonderful experience - I've even gotten the kids to try a few new things! I plan to continue for as long as the apples and squashes hold out - and definitely plan to resume the challenge next year.

In the meanwhile, I will  be working on a few new fruit and veggie paintings.....

Spectrum - Still Life Painting

Spectrum

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

Playing around with some glass and colored liquids......

This is one of those paintings where I had an idea in my head,but it didn't quite workout as I had envisioned. I may still play a little with this one, but I need it for a deadline, so we will see.

Work in Progress Wednesday

Just a section from what is on my easel......

What do you think? Can you tell what it is?

I'm still not convinced this one will see the light of day...not quite sure how it will come together.

I'm also working on three commissions right now - one almost finished, one in the sketching stage and one getting its monochromatic underpainting.

I work out of my home while the kids are at school, and when I do still lifes, I frequently set them up on a tray and move them around the house following the light. Today I worked right up until the time I had to run out the door to pick up the kids. I think my kids have gotten accustomed to having a mom who is an artist.....when I went around to pick up things after everyone was in bed, I realized that no one had moved - or even mentioned - the pile of pears on a wooden block right in the middle of the living room where the kids had spent the afternoon playing!

Grateful Gourd - Small Autumn Still Life Painting

Grateful Gourd

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on board

available here

A little touch of fall for the first day of October!
Sneaking in a few little ones while I am working on larger projects....

Day 30 - Off the Vine ACEO Pumpkin Painting SOLD

Off the Vine

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

Day 30! I actually did it - 30 Paintings in 30 Days! Yes, some of the paintings were pretty small, but I am happy that I was able to keep up. Thanks for the great challenge, Leslie Saeta!

Now to get some sleep.......

Day 29 - Small Still Life with Candy

Colorful Collection

3 x 4 inches

acrylic on 3/8" canvas

One more little candy painting for Positive Images Gallery! Colorful jellybeans = cheerful painting, right?!

Can't believe it is already Day 29 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge. Thanks to Leslie Saeta for "hosting" - and coming up with the great idea. Lots of artists taking part this time around....and I am pleased that I was able to keep up! I did miss posting one day, but on another day I posted two paintings, so as long as I finish a painting tomorrow, I will indeed  have completed 30 paintings in 30 days. Yay!

For October.....well, I do hope to keep up the pace! I don't know if I will be as motivated to actually post each day, but we will see. And I want to get back to my "Inspiration Mondays" and "Work in Progress Wednesdays". I have a lot of painting to do this month - while I don't have any shows until November, I do have a whole bunch of gallery deadlines, a couple of commissions, and (as if I could forget!)  the holidays are coming up, too.....

Day 28 - Sugar Rush Small Candy Still Life Painting

Sugar Rush

4 x 3 inches

acrylic on 3/8" canvas

Thinking bright and colorful - and fun! More candy paintings, this time jellybeans on a little canvas.

This painting, along with the other candy paintings  (as well as some of my other works) will now be available at my newest venue: Positive Images Gallery on Wingate Street in Haverhill.
I'm excited to be a part of this great shop - a fun little gift gallery with local art and photos as well as some unique free trade gift ideas - and the best card collection around.
Be sure to check it out next time you visit Haverhill!

Day 27 - Tiny Landscape Painting

Summer's Hill

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on archival panel

Another one on the tiny panels!
I love this hill at Veasey Park in Groveland, Massachusetts. I paint it often. I have been driving by it a lot lately, hence this little piece. I do want to get out there to paint en plein air very soon - the autumn show of color is just starting around here.....

Day 26 - Tiny Landscape Painting

Maine Meadow

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on archival canvas panel

A little tiny landscape!
 I painted this on a tiny handmade acid-free canvas panel that I bought from 417canvassupply on Etsy and framed it with one of the wonderful handmade frames from RusticandRefined (also on Etsy). I sold a bunch of these little gems at the Apple Festival last weekend, so now I am making up a few for the Newburyport Art Association's gift shop. I was happy to see that a couple of my paintings in the gift shop had sold, so I dropped off some new work today.

Day 25 - Small Painting of Candy Still Life ACEO

Dot to Dot

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

More candy......I had forgotten how much fun it is to paint candy!
And of course my kids like it too - guess who gets the studio models?!   ;-)

Season Premiere of NBC's "Parenthood" and Why Should I Care?

This Thursday night is the season's premiere of Parenthood on NBC.

I don't even watch tv, so why should I care?

Because the set designer for the show bought this painting from me:

"RC"

10 x 8 inches

acrylic on canvas

and NBC sent me a contract for permission to use it on the set!

Pretty exciting, right?!!

So if any of you watch "Parenthood", keep an eye out for my little red and yellow painting - and please let me know if you spot it!!!

Day 24 - Candy Counter Small ACEO Painting

Candy Counter

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches 

acrylic on watercolor paper

Day 24 - can't believe there is less than a week of the 30 Day Painting Challenge left!

I haven't painted candy in a while, so here are some new ones for a new venue. Information coming soon....

Day 23 - Signs of Summer Small ACEO Painting SOLD

Signs of Summer

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

Another Benson's painting....everyone is trying to get in one last bit of summer before the fall takes over. Benson's has moved into their fall flavors - baked apple, pumpkin, etc. They use local fruit to make their "native fruit" flavors, and they are spectacular  ;-)

I have some exciting things coming up - hope to share more information soon!

Thanks for stopping by  ;-)

Day 22 - Small Fruit Still Life

A Little Competition

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Day 22 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge! Hard to believe there is just over  a week left.
It has been a great exercise - not only in motivating me to get the work finished, but also in disciplining me to post each painting. I do intend on getting back to my "Inspiration Mondays" and "Work in Progress Wednesdays" once the challenge is over.

It has been a super crazy couple of weeks...lots of shows and deadlines all while the kids were trying to get back into the school routine and all of their activities. Yesterday was my last outdoor show for the season. I keep getting tempted to pick up one more, but I think I need to take a few weeks to catch up - and paint like crazy before the holidays are here. My local shops are all asking for new stock for next month, too - so I will still be pretty busy!

I did get to end my summer show schedule with a really great one. The Boxford Apple Festival yesterday was a lot of fun. It was a beautiful day, and wonderful to see so many familiar faces. Thank you to everyone who made it out.

A Little Competition is available here.

Day 20 and 21 - Two New Little Paintings

Autumn Leaf 2

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Salsa Dance

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Is it cheating to post  both days at once?

I actually had the paintings done yesterday, but I had stayed up waaaaaaayyyyy too late getting ready for today's show. Now I am so exhausted that I can hardly string two sentences together. Hence the short post. I have to admit that I am so glad that this crazy week is now over!

Day 19 - Autumn Leaf ACEO Painting

Autumn Leaf 1

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Yes, the first touches of fall.....
A couple autumn leaves (and a super-quick post) as I am trying to round out my display for this weekend's Apple Festival. Wish me luck!

Day 18 - Sauced - Small Apple Still Life Painting

Sauced

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Hard to believe it is Day 18 of the 30 Day Challenge! This month sure is flying by.....

I thought some apples would be appropriate for the upcoming Boxford Apple Festival. I've been absolutely addicted to our local apples the last few weeks. It's starting to feel like Fall around here!

Day 17 - Two Small Blueberry Paintings

Wild Blueberries 1

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Wild Blueberries 2

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Not one, but TWO paintings for Day 17. These botanicals are small and relatively quick. I wanted to have a few for the upcoming Boxford Apple Festival. I'm thinking about making a few sets of these in mats (think one blueberry painting, one strawberry, one raspberry, etc.) available for purchase around the holidays. What do you think?

The Apple Festival is this Saturday, September 21st. Hope you can drop by if you are near Boxford, Massachusetts!

Day 16 - Receding Tide Small Seascape Painting

Receding Tide 

3-1/2 x 2-1/2  inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

More beaches, I know....always relaxing to paint (and to look at!) I needed this as a bit of a break from bigger projects.

I delivered this piece - along with 29 other paintings (!) to the Topsfield Fair yesterday. If my two larger works are accepted into the Professional Division of the Fine Arts competition, then the other 28 pieces will be available in the Coolidge Hall Art Room October 4-14th.
There are a lot of art lovers in attendance at the Fair and sales are always brisk, so be sure to check it out early on during the Fair's run if you are local.

Day 15 - Small Painting of Sign

Benson's

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Yes, I have done this sign before. Many versions as a matter of fact. But it is very popular with the locals - especially as a gift to people who have moved away - so it is hard for me to say "no" when people ask for more! And there will probably be still a few more of these done this week as I prepare for the local Apple Festival.

Day 15! Can't believe we are already halfway through the 30 Day Painting Challenge. And I have only missed one day so far - yay!

Day 14 - Small Field Landscape Painting

Passing Field

4 x 6 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

Day 14 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge....I love seeing all the colors in the fields as I drive by them.....I'm the one with  my face pressed to the window, taking it all  in (when someone else is driving, of course!). I keep returning to the field as subject matter - trying to capture a bit of their beauty.

This piece is going to the Art Room at Coolidge Hall for the duration of the Topsfield Fair. I'm spending tonight finishing matting, shrink wrapping and packing up a big pile of work to deliver tomorrow. Be sure to stop by if you are at the Fair!

Soliloquy - Small Still Life Painting, 30 Day Painting Challenge

Soliloquy

7 x 5 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

Day 13 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge....just a super quick entry as I am sneaking this one in just under the wire.......

Playing with light and shadows and all the crazy reflections on the vase. This is going to be one of my entries for the Topsfield Fair. More info to come!

Thanks for looking at my work!