Plaza Motel - Acrylic Painting of a Motel and Neon Sign

Plaza Motel

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

Going back to Route 1 for another seedy motel. Route 1 used to have a ton of these sketchy places - each one complete with a neon sign, and other signs about their color tvs, air conditioners, hot tubs and other amenities. Many of these motels have been razed in the last five years and a few big chain hotels have taken their place. The few motels that are left along this stretch of road no longer have neon signs. This was one of the last neon signs to go - it has been recently been replaced by a backlit box sign. The neon will be missed!

Beer & Wine - Acrylic Painting of Bowling Alley and Neon Sign

Beer & Wine

(Danvers, Massachusetts)

16 x 12 inches

SOLD

Love this sign from the Sunnyside Bowladrome in Danvers, Massachusetts. I am always surprised at how many locals don't know where this is! The colors are great - and the building has some interesting shapes. Every time I go by it, I see another angle that I want to paint!

This painting was one of my recent favorites - and I am happy to say that is SOLD at this year's Topsfield Fair.

Gather 'Round - Kitchen Still Life Painting Food Art

Gather 'Round

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

For some reason, my reds never seem to scan OR photograph well! A lot of the subtlety is lost, and the tones are a little funky, but hopefully the picture still gives you an idea of what the painting really looks like.

This is the painting that I used for two recent demos. I finally finished it up - and it will be a part of the Newburyport Art Association's wonderful Annual Fine Art Auction on June 11. More details to come!

State Street - Architecture Cityscape Acrylic Painting of Newburyport by Debbie Shirley

State Street

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

I finally finished up some small changes that I wanted to  make on this painting, painted the edges and varnished and framed it. It's an angled view down State Street in downtown Newburyport, Massachusets.

It will be on exhibit during the Spring Members Show at the Newburyport Art Association  from April 8 - April 30th with an opening reception on April 9, 7-9pm.

Beer & Wine - Acrylic Painting of a Neon Sign and Bowling Alley

Beer & Wine

16 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

I've been frantically working on some larger pieces to enter into upcoming exhibitions all while trying to move into my new studio space. It has been a little crazy! Now this week will have to be dedicated to catching up on some smaller pieces for some new shops I will have work in this Spring.

But first, here is one of the larger pieces. Love the Sunnyside sign from Danvers, Massachusetts. The day I went to take photos of it, the shadows were so perfect, I knew I'd need to paint more than just the sign....

Hilltop - Acrylic Painting of a Classic Sign

Hilltop

16 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

I just had to paint a  Hilltop sign for the displays at Farley's of Newburyport. I need to stop by this week to see just how that used it. It is so  much fun to take part in a collaboration with a different kind of business - I'd love to see more art in all kinds of venues!

Service - Acrylic Painting of Signs, Cityscape Haverhill, Massachusetts

Service

16 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

A view of signs in downtown Haverhill. This is quite the landmark - I have painted it a few times from different angels, and people always tell me great stories about going there as a child to get their first radio or record player or the family tv set. These wonderful stories are one part of what makes painting signs and buildings so much fun - thanks for sharing them with me.

Ferns - Acrylic Painting of Old Motel Sign

Ferns

16 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

There is a graphic quality about this sign that I really like, I am considering doing a "flat" version in gouache just to emphasize that quality without an shading or background distraction. Gouache would be a new medium for me, so we will have to see how it goes!

Sharing - Colorful Still Life Acrylic Painting with Peppers and Stripes

Sharing

16 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

I keep going back to fruits and vegetables and stripes. I am thinking about adding some more patterns next - I am hoping to find some vintage fabrics to go with my colorful vintage bowls and plates.....

This painting will be shown at the Art in Whittier's Barn for the Haverhill Arts Association's Exhibit and plein air event at Whittier's Birthplace in Haverhill, Massachusetts this weekend - July 10-12, from 11-4 each day,

In the Mood - Colorful Acrylic Still Life Painting Kitchen Art

In the Mood

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on 1-1/2" canvas

Can't believe how far behind I am falling on posting. Part of the reason is that things have been crazy busy! Also, the pictures of my larger paintings take longer for me to download and process, so of course I keep putting them off.....

Lots of shows and exhibitions going on now - keeping me hopping for sure.
The painting above is currently in a solo exhibition at the Provident Bank in Seabrook, New Hampshire. There will be an Artist Reception on Thursday, June 25th. More information to come....

All Around - Acrylic Painting Still Life Kitchen Art with Tomatoes

All Around

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

Aargh - the reds are not quite a blinding as int his photo - I will have to figure out how to make them better. More food art......this one will be part of my solo exhibition at the Provident Bank in Seabrook ,New Hampshire next month.

On the Line - Acrylic Still Life Painting of Grapes by Debbie Shirley

On the Line

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

Now I am taking some of the ideas that I played around with on my mini 3x3 and 4x4-inch paintings and am making them BIGGER. This is 12 x 16 inches. Not super huge, but the grapes are as big as my hand  ;-)

I worked on a bunch of food-themed paintings for Northshore Magazine's Grand Tasting Event last month and was reminded how much fun it is to paint food - so expect to see more. This piece will next be on exhibit for my solo show as part of the Lobby for the Arts at Provident Bank in Seabrook, New Hampshire.

Slightly Crunchy - Acrylic Painting Still Life of Celery

Slightly Crunchy

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

This is the second piece that was accepted into the Newburyport Art Association Winter Members Juried Show. I had such a good time painting celery a few months ago for a commission, I decided to give it a go a little larger! The exhibition runs through the end of the month.

KO - Acrylic Painting of Vintage Neon Sign by Debbie Shirley

KO

(Saugus, Massachusetts)

16 x 12 inches

acrylic on 1-1/2" canvas

Ending the year with one last post for 2014. I've been working on a bunch of these roadside sign painting in between commissions. I will be hanging an exhibition at the Hamilton-Wenham library in early January with many of these paintings - more details to come!

And once again, I will be participating in the Fun-A-Day Project in January. A full explanation will come tomorrow - but expect to see many more signs!

Meanwhile - A Happy New Year to all!!
I sincerely thank you for all your support during 2014. Best wishes for a happy and healthy year ahead.

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

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!

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.