Sign of Spring - ACEO Floral Still Life Painting of Purple Crocuses SOLD

Sign of Spring

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches (ACEO size)

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Yes, I know I am supposed to be working on something else! But I am getting sooooo eager to see some signs of Spring around here. I can't wait to see the crocuses - and since Mother Nature is not cooperating (my yard is still covered in snow) I thought I'd take matters into my own hands....

Spring Peeps - ACEO Still Life Painting for Easter SOLD

Spring Peeps

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

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

I couldn't let Easter go by without one little painting of Peeps! They are just too much fun to paint (but I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of eating them  ;-) I hope we start seeing a little bit of Spring around here now that Easter is just a few days away....

Spring Peeps - $15 + $2 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

Nature's Offering - Small Floral Painting of a Purple Iris

Nature's Offering

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

This floral painting of a purple iris (my favorite flower!) will be offered at a silent auction at the Union Congregational Church in North Reading, Massachusetts on April 7th. A special group of people (mostly teenagers!) are raising money to sponsor their trip to spend a week working for Habitat for Humanity. More information is available on the church's website.

Come Over - Small Still Life Painting with Daffodil SOLD

Come Over

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel
SOLD

Trying to coax a little Spring to come to New England! Hard to believe a year ago we were in the upper 70s, this year we are still pretty much buried in the snow. The kids actually had another snow day this week...they may be in school until July at this rate!

I don't normally talk method too much on my blog (maybe I should?), but for this painting I did work a little differently so I wanted to mention it. Sometimes I start with a thumbnail sketch. If it is something that is already clear in my mind, then I sketch it out directly on the board or canvas - a pretty quick, rough sketch - I'm always eager to get to the paint. Then sometimes I do a very quick sketch over the pencil with paint, and I very quickly lay a first layer of a wash of local colors. The whole beginning process is very fast, I just really want to get to the painting part  ;-)  For this painting, I took more time with the beginning stage. I started with the sketch, but then for the first layer, I did a full monochromatic painting, values and everything, with a thin wash of burnt umber and burnt sienna (I used each one on a different part because I wanted to see which one I like working with better). That beginning layer still happened fairly quickly, but I feel like it made the rest of the painting go so much more smoothly. Many of the kinks in the value and composition were worked out in the first layer and it was so cool to watch it come alive as I added more layers of color. Ironically it made me feel a little freer to make changes, etc. to my original vision as well. I didn't know if this method would work with acrylics (I've only heard of it in reference to oils), so I was pleased to see how well it went. I will definitely be using it more often!

Anyhow - this painting will be going to Newburyport Art Association, Newburyport, Massachusetts for the Spring Members Show, March 29 - April 20, 2013.

Rolling Along - Small Still Life Painting with Marbles

Rolling Along

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

Brought the marbles out again - this time for a little larger painting. It is always so interesting to paint marbles - I go in and paint all these crazy abstract shapes, and before I know it, they really do some together and look like marbles! I think it would be cool to do some really HUGE ones....

This painting will be going to the Spring Members Open Show at Newburyport Art Association in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The show runs from March 29 - April 20, 2013 with an opening reception Saturday, March 30 from 7 to 9pm. Let's hope this one doesn't get snowed out!

Berry Buddies - Small Painting Still Life with Fruit

Berry Buddies

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas

Yep, more strawberries!
Between the lovely berries, a little sunlight and some brightly colored dishes and bowls, I just had to keep on going....

But now I ate the berries, so I guess I have to move on to something else  ;-)

Available at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, MA through the month of April.

Berry Bowl - Small Still Life Painting with Strawberries

Berry Bowl

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas

Yep, I'm a little berry-obsessed these days.....maybe I'm just REALLY eager for Spring, but the lovely strawberries at the store keep calling to me. I keep bringing them home. And eating them. (And painting them, too!)) Can't wait until the local berries are available! I keep checking out all my favorite farmers' markets websites, eager for any sign of spring around here.

This little guy will be available at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, Massachusetts through April.

Meeting Place - ACEO Painting of Building

Meeting Place

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Another building in Boxford, Massachusetts, this place may be recognizable to locals as Lincoln Hall. It was built in 1912 by the Grange next to the General Store in West Boxford. The general store is now known at West Village Provisions - the place where this painting will be hanging by the end of this week!

Early Entrance - ACEO Painting of Historical House

Early Entrance

3.5 x 2.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

This is a bit of architectural detail from the Holyoke-French House in Boxford, Massachusetts. The house dates back to 1760, and is currently maintained by the local historical society.

I love living in a part of the country with a lot of historical homes, buildings and other interesting old architecture. I plan on doing an ongoing series of these little paintings for local shops and local shows. Even for people who don't know the actual locations, I hope they find the architecture interesting!

Taste of Spring - Small Still Life Painting SOLD

Taste of Spring

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel
SOLD

Another one for an upcoming juried exhibition. I have been trying and trying to get a good scan of this painting, but it just isn't happening! The colors aren't as bright as they seem here, and it is really a good deal more subtle.

The kids had a snow day today. Hard to believe we got over a foot of snow - and it is March! The one good thing about a big storm this time of year is that you know that the snow isn't going to last very long.....

Bottled Up - Small Still Life Painting with Bottles

Bottled Up

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

Taking a short break from the florals to do a few still lifes for an upcoming juried show. I think I will probably be re-visiting this one in the daylight to see what tweaks are needed, but for now I am calling it done!

And a bit of good news....this group of framed works were all juried in to the Newburyport Art Association's Gift Shop. So if you are looking for some of my work locally, check out this great little shop in downtown Newburyport. They have small works from a number of member artists in addition to some other fun gift ideas.