Thursday, October 30, 2014

Whir Pool - Acrylic Painting of Vintage Roadside Motel

Whir Pool
12 x 12 inches
acrylic on canvas

In looking back over the last few weeks, I realized that I missed posting this painting!

Fern's is an old motel on Route One in Saugus. And while this is not a super old sign, it still maintains a somewhat vintage look to me. People frequently ask me why I choose the signs and buildings to paint that I do. It's hard to say exactly why. Often it is a sign that catches my eye - and most signs that I like are old and - especially - NEON!! I love vintage lettering and graphics - the new signs tend to not have as much character in my eyes.

And sometimes it just happens to be the way the light catches part of a building - the shadows created by architectural details, the shapes and colors. Once again - it is the older buildings that are more interesting to me, the sleeker new designs don't make me want to rush to get out the paints!

I can remember Fern's old sign - maybe 20 years ago? They kept the same shape of the sign - but changed the graphics and color scheme. I love the "retro" feel of the old sign with the architecture of the old motel. I'd love to so a series of painting about motels from an earlier era. And maybe a little road tripping (in the name of research, of course!).

This painting is currently hanging in the Haverhill Arts Association Exhibition currently showing at the Haverhill Public Library through the month of November.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Go On Together - Small Still Life Painting - Mini Painting for Kitchen decor

Go On Together
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on mdf panel

I've been working on some top secret commissions, so these little guys have been coming out much more slowly lately. I still plan to be ready for voting by this weekend, so stay tuned!

And speaking of commissions.....if you are thinking about purchasing a custom painting for someone special in your life for the holidays, don't delay! Contact me soon - I am booked into the beginning of December and only have a few more slots for the holidays.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Turn My Way - Small Acrylic Painting - Still Life Painting Kitchen Art

Turn My Way
4 x 4 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

Wow - crazy day!
Quite the Nor'easter here - crazy windy, tons of rain, thunder, the whole nine yards. Two of my kids actually had the day off because their schools were without power. So, this is only October - something tells me that we are going to have a tough year with snow days.....

I've been getting things ready for a couple of local shops - and I have some new calendars this year! I am putting them all together now and plan to have them up on Etsy before too long. Lots of new paintings to list in my Etsy shop as well, so I hope that you will check it out from time to time.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Free Falling - Small Acrylic Painting - Original Still Life Mini Painting for Kitchen Decor

Free Falling
3 x 3  inches
acrylic on MDF panel

This is number 12 of the 20 that I will painting for you all to vote on your favorite two. I will be experimenting with the actual print sizes this week. I am looking forward to seeing how these little prints come out!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Tight Squeeze - Mini Acrylic Painting, Small Still Life Kitchen Art by Debbie Shirley

Tight Squeeze
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Just squeezing in a little lemon still life here on a late night. I've got a few commissions underway, so my posting is going to have to be a bit short for a few days!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Better Things - Mini Painting - Small Acrylic Painting of Apple Kitchen Art

Better Things
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Still celebrating the end of the local apple crop. I get so spoiled by the local apples, it is months before I can even consider buying apples at the grocery store. For now, I am hoarding as many local apples as I can......

For right now, this little painting is available on my Daily Paintworks page, but soon many of the remaining little guys will be going out to some local shops and galleries.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

From the Beginning - Small Acrylic Painting Kitchen Art by Debbie Shirley

From the Beginning
4 x 4 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

Some of these weekends are crazy busy with family stuff...and posting becomes really difficult when I am away from the computer all day.

At any rate, this is number 9 of the 20 you will be voting on. Almost halfway there!

And by the way, I don't think I ever posted it here, but my painting "Surplus" was accepted into the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Members Juried Show!

Surplus
16 x 12 inches
acrylic on 1-1/2" canvas

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Living on the Edge - Small Acrylic Painting - Fruit Still Life for Kitchen Art

Living on the Edge
4 x 4 inches
acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

Mmmmm, strawberries!
This is number 8 of the 20 paintings I will be doing for "Fruit A Day October". It is going to be interesting to see how people vote!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Hide Away - Small Still Life Painting - Original Acrylic Art for the Kitchen

Hide Away
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

One of my favorite things about fall in New England - besides pumpkin EVERYTHING (yes, I am one of THOSE people!)  - the wonderful local apples.

This was a tough apple year after a pretty incredible one last year. Apple picking season was very short - but the apples themselves have been extra sweet. I love trying all the different varieties that the local farms have to offer.



Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Back Around - Small Still Life Painting - Original Acrylic Kitchen Art by Debbie Shirley

Back Around
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Little cherry tomatoes! So sweet - and so fun to paint  ;-)

This is the 6th painting for "Fruit a Day October". Do you have any favorites yet? Stay tuned.....14 more to come!

And if you haven't signed up yet for my newsletter - you can right here.

Monday, October 6, 2014

In a Round - Small Still Life Painting - Original Acrylic Kitchen Art

In a Round
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Well, after a very active weekend, I managed to fall asleep last night before I posted the painting for the day. So here is the next one - and don't worry, I will post all 20 before I ask you to vote!!

The original painting is available here.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Slanted - Small Acrylic Painting, Colorful Small Still Life with Pear Kitchen Art

Slanted
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Lovely pears - always fun to paint with their interesting shapes and subtle colors. I'm thinking that another trip to the farmers' market is needed to find what other produce is now in season!

Don't forget this is Fruit A Day October.....and I will be asking you to vote for a favorite later this month.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Summer Ripe - Acrylic Mini Painting, Colorful Kitchen Art

Summer Ripe
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Tomatoes....stripes....how could it go wrong?! I like using these little pieces to experiment a little with  layout and color and pattern. I seem to be having a thing for the stripes lately. Maybe I need to make a stop to shop for some new background patterns soon! Keep in mind that I will be asking you to vote for two favorites later this month.

I've been working on a number of other pieces lately, too, lots of shows to try to enter this time of year. The piece below - "Owl Cigar" was in Newburyport Art Association's "In & Around  Newburyport" exhibition. I was very pleased to find out that it won the "Viewers Choice Award"!


Owl Cigar
14 x 11
acrylic on 1-1/2" canvas

Thursday, October 2, 2014

On the Dot - Small Acrylic Painting, Kitchen Art, Tomato Still Life

On the Dot
3 x 3 inches
acrylic on 1/2" MDF board
SOLD

Day 2 of my Fruit A Day October! This little piece already sold.......but if it is a top vote-getter, you maybe able to win a  print!

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? Well, what are you waiting for?!! You can sign up here:
http://eepurl.com/Jh-tv

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

On the Edge - Mini Acrylic Painting, Small Still Life, Kitchen Art by Debbie Shirley

On the Edge
3x3 inches
acrylic on panel

Love these little MDF panels!  They make the cutest little paintings - thick enough to stand on their own, but also hang great on the wall. This colorful little piece is available for purchase here.

This is the first day of my "Fruit a Day" October. Stay tuned for 20 little fruit paintings -then help me pick which ones will be made into a set of limited edition prints by voting for your favorites later this month. More to come!

Yin and Yang - Small Acrylic Still Life Painting, Gourds for Autumn Decor

Yin and Yang
5 x 7 inches
acrylic on gessobord panel

I know, I totally fell behind on posting for the 30 Day Painting Challenge. Never fear! I am giving myself a new challenge for October - and there is a challenge in there for you, too!

First off, I couldn't resist these little lumpy little gourds for a seasonal still life. Too much fun to paint!
This painting will be heading to Sage Art Gallery for their October exhibit. If you are interested in purchasing the painting, it will be available through by DailyPaintworks page.

Now for next month....just a little teaser. I will be calling it "Fruit a Day October". For the first 20 days of these month, I will be painting and posting one of my little square colorful kitchen art pieces. Now for the exciting twist.....I plan to start offering a small number of limited edition prints! These prints will be available in sets of four in the beginning. For the first release, the set will be made from these kitchen art pieces. What I will be asking you all to do is to take a look at the 20 paintings that I post this month and vote for your favorite two. The top four vote-getters will become the images for the first set of prints. And one of the voters will win a set of the prints for themselves!

Fun, right? More details coming soon......