Cherry Rounds - Small Still Life Painting - Kitchen Art

Cherry Rounds

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

acrylic on various wood/MDF surfaces

A little experiment......
I want to create some really small paintings for some shops and maybe upcoming shows. I really  liked working on the 3x3 size that I used for my Fun-A-Day Project, but I would like a better surface.

I purchased a few samples on Etsy: one is a pine block, one is canvas mounted on pine and one is MDF board (they all have hanging slots on the back). When the samples came, I thought I would definitely prefer the pine blocks. I coated them with 2 thin coats of GAC, then three thin coats of gesso, sanding in between. At that point, I was starting to lean a little more towards the block with the mounted canvas. Then I painted. They each took paint in a different way -  no clear winner at this stage.  But then when I varnished them....wow! I was very surprised to find how much I liked the MDF panel. So the first batch of these little guys with be on MDF - stay tuned to see more.....

(the winner!)

Owl Cigar - Acrylic Painting Modern Retro Sign Fowles Newburyport

Owl Cigar

14 x 11 inches

acrylic on 1-1/2 inch canvas

Another vintage sign. This one is in Newburyport, Massachusetts. I painted this sign before in a smaller size, and recently decided to paint it larger and in a rectangular format for the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Exhibition, "In &Around Newburyport".

"In &Around Newburyport" will be on display at the Newburyport Art Association from September 12 -27, 2014 with a public reception on September 13 from 7-9pm. Hope to see you there!

Benson's - Small Acrylic Painting, Boxford, Massachusetts

Benson's

6 x 8 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

Yes, you've seen this scene many times in my work. A favorite local haunt, this ice cream shop has been run by the same family for generations. They make all their own ice cream including special seasonal fruit flavors as the local fruit comes available. Their ice cream is amazing! And I felt I couldn't do a local exhibit without including a scene from Benson's.

This painting, along with 13 others from my "Along the Way" series are now hanging at the Boxford Town Library though September 17, 2014. There will be an artist reception on August 26 from 6-7;30 pm for those of you who are local to Massachusetts. It seems like this series will be going "on tour" over the next year, so stay tuned for details for more venues where it can be seen!

West Village Provisions - Small Landscape Painting of a Local Building in Boxford

West Village Provisions

8 x 6 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

I started this little painting of a local business during their anniversary open house a few months ago. I didn't quite finish it that day, so I let it sit and recently decided to finish it up to hang in the show at my local library.

West Village Provisions is one of my favorite places in town. From it's historical beginnings as a general store, it is now THE place to get a yummy and healthy breakfast or lunch, the best coffee around, and some specialty groceries and gifts. The owners are very friendly and the food is great. They really support local farmers and businesses, and did I mention that they sell some of my paintings there as well?!!

This painting, along with 13 others from my "Along the Way" series are now hanging at the Boxford Town Library though September 17, 2014. There will be an artist reception on August 26 from 6-7;30 pm for those of you who are local to Massachusetts. It seems like this series will be going "on tour" over the next year, so stay tuned for details for more venues where it can be seen!

Tripoli - Acrylic Painting of Neon Sign, Retro Signage Art

Tripoli

12 x 12 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas

Oh my, so far behind on posting!
I've been painting like a madwoman, though. But with the kids out of school, all of their activities (and keeping them busy), endless games of baseball (go Bombers!), other family stuff, and then painting in any spare moments day and night, I just haven't had the time to keep up online. So the next few weeks will remain sporadic in posting, and then hopefully things will get back to a more normal routine.

This neon sign is for Tripoli Pizza in Salisbury, Massachusetts. I painted the sign once before in a 6 x 6 inch format and decided to try it larger. I'm thinking of going even larger with it - I have an 18 x 18 inch canvas, so maybe I will give it a try!

As far as the pizza goes, I haven't had it from this location, but I did recently try Tripoli Pizza in North Andover. My oldest son (14 years old) informed me that this is called "beach pizza". I never knew that there was a name for it! It is pizza that is hand rolled into large rectangular trays, a slightly sweet tomato sauce and just a sprinkle of cheese over a fairly crisp crust. Much of the pizza in New England is Greek-style, so this is definitely a change of pace.

This painting, along with 13 others from my "Along the Way" series are now hanging at the Boxford Town Library though September 17, 2014. There will be an artist reception on August 26 from 6-7;30 pm for those of you who are local to Massachusetts. It seems like this series will be going "on tour" over the next year, so stay tuned for details for more venues where it can be seen!