Little Gems - Small Still Life Painting Kitchen Art and New Gallery

Little Gems

4 x 4  inches

acrylic on cradled panel

A couple of little pieces of "kitchen art" over the next few days. I enjoy painting these little guys - playing with composition and color in a format that lets me finish them up quickly. These wood panels are nice, too. They have a 3/4" cradle, so they can hang nicely on the wall without a frame, but can also sit on a shelf, too. I buy them online from either Cheap Joes or DickBlick depending on the size.

My customers seem to like them, too! They seem to sell quickly at most of the gift shops where I have work. I hope they will sell well at fall shows, too. I may even try to get them into a few more shops, who knows?!

Speaking of shops, I have work going into a new gallery this week. It is a wonderfully quirky little place in Ipswich, Massachusetts called Zenobia. Lots of local work, fun and  unusual gift items and wonderful art. I'm excited to be showing there! Be sure to check it out if you are on the North Shore....

Supreme - Small Acrylic Painting of a Diner, Gloucester

Supreme

8 x 6 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

Love the retro diners! I need to find some more of them to paint. This one is in the heart of downtown Gloucester - seems to be more of a pizza/roast beef joint than a true diner, but it still has the look!

I have spent some time updating my website today. It is getting closer to the look I want for it - but it is still a work in progress. Check it out at www.DebbieShirley.com and let me know what you think!

This painting is now available at Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Tripoli - Small Acrylic Painting of Neon Sign Salisbury Beach

Tripoli

6x6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

An iconic little pizza place on the strip at Salisbury Beach - and one of my current favorite signs!
I see the potential for a lot of future paintings with this sign - including a larger version of this one for an upcoming show.

One of my quickly approaching show is a solo exhibition of some of my "location" paintings at the Boxford Town Library starting in August.

This painting is now available at Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Last Stop for Carson City - Small Landscape Painting of Hilltop Steak House Sign 6x6

Last Stop for Carson City

6 x 6 inches 

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

A little bit of nostalgia - the famed Hilltop Streak House on Rte. 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts is now closed. The giant cactus remains for the moment, but the fiberglass cows have all been put out to pasture. I have to sneak in a few paintings of the sign while I can.

This piece will  be heading up to Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts next week.

Summer Taste - Cityscape Landscape Painting of Clam Box in Ipswich, Massachusetts

Summer Taste

6 x 8 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled board

Been painting like crazy! Posting? Not so much  ;-)
Lots going on with family stuff, kids winding up the school year, and the start of the outdoor festival season. Busy is good, right?

The Topsfield Strawberry Festival was great. Started out as a rainy day, but ended up  being just mostly gray, no downpours. Here is a (not so great) picture of my set up. Not the best angle! I really needed a back wall this time, but had used my walls on the sides because of the rain. Thanks to everyone who came out! It was great to see some familiar faces.

The painting at the top of the post is the Clam Box in Ipswich, Massachusetts. You will be seeing a lot of my "location" paintings over the next month or so. A bunch of gallery requests - and some exciting shows - to tell you about soon.

This painting will be going to Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts in the next few days.

Under the Lights - Painting of Neon Sign, Original Art by Debbie Shirley

Under the Lights

6 x 12 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

Just a quick post to show the latest piece. Lots going on here! And a bunch of these signs and buildings coming up for some galleries and shows.

This piece will be  heading to Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts in the next week or so, but I just may preview it at the Topsfield Strawberry Festival this weekend.

More to come....

Tiny Blues - Small ACEO Painting of Blueberries

Tiny Blues

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Another bunch of blueberries. Wish I had time right now to do a grouping including red and black raspberries, strawberries, etc. I enjoy doing these little botanical studies! The series will have to wait, however, this little guy will join some strawberries on display at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, Massachusetts.

I've got a few pieces back in the studio now that have been in various shows and I am slowly getting them listed in my Etsy shop. Here is one:

Over and Over Again

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

available here

Commissioned House Portrait - Custom Acrylic Painting by Debbie Shirley

Commission

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on 1-1/2" canvas

SOLD

Eek! It has been more than a week since I have posted!
I have been painting a lot - working on a few different projects at once - and haven't had much time for posting. However, I did finish the painting above and wanted to post about it.

This painting was a commission for a family who wanted a special gift for their mother's birthday. This house was the home she grew up in, and all the family members have wonderful memories about it, a few of which they shared with me during the process of creating the painting. These type of stories help make the work - and the entire experience - really special. I love having that kind of connection with my clients and I hope they feel that connection in the final work. The family was pleased with the outcome and are excited about having the painting framed.

Are you interested in having a custom piece created just for you? Please contact me!