House Commission - Custom Painting by Debbie Shirley

House Commission

6 x 8 inches

acrylic on canvas

Isn't this the cutest house? Made me want to live there!
Anyways, this was a commission for a special gift.
I paint quite a number of "house portraits" as gifts - sometimes it is a childhood home full of memories, a departing gift for someone moving away, or a congratulations for finally buying that dream home.
Interested in more information for a custom piece of your own? Contact me!

Side Entrance - Small ACEO Painting, Original Art Painting of Old New England House

Side Entrance

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

A  little view of the side entrance of an old house that makes up part of the Boxford Town Library. I did a similar painting last year and was asked for one from a local friend. The older one had a few perspective issues that I wanted to address, so I decided to do a re-do instead of giving her the older one.

I enjoy painting old homes and buildings - especially the doorways which seem to lend so much of the character to a building. Sometimes just a little piece of the house - a doorway, an architectural detail - can make for a more interesting painting than including the entire building.

This is Day 1  of a new 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge from Leslie Saeta. I am going to try to keep up this month (this will be my third time entering the challenge!) but it will be a super busy month, so we will see how many paintings I actually complete.

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!

Order Here - Original ACEO Painting of Local Ice Cream Shop Bensons

Order Here

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

A  little local scene.....this is the window at Benson's, a wonderful homemade ice cream place in West Boxford, Massachusetts. A long time local tradition - still owned by the same family (maybe third generation?) - they make all their own ice cream, using local fruit when in season. It is amazing stuff!

I paint a lot of little paintings of Bensons because it is such a popular spot that many people seem to want a little piece of it that they can hold on to. Many of these paintings have gone out of town to locals who have moved away, or sent to family members who have happy childhood memories of going there. So while it may seem repetitious, I will keep on doing these little paintings of Bensons as long as there are still people who feel such a connection to the place and want something to remember it by.

This painting is available at West Village Provisions, in West Boxford, Massachusetts

Day 23 - Signs of Summer Small ACEO Painting SOLD

Signs of Summer

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

Another Benson's painting....everyone is trying to get in one last bit of summer before the fall takes over. Benson's has moved into their fall flavors - baked apple, pumpkin, etc. They use local fruit to make their "native fruit" flavors, and they are spectacular  ;-)

I have some exciting things coming up - hope to share more information soon!

Thanks for stopping by  ;-)

Day 15 - Small Painting of Sign

Benson's

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Yes, I have done this sign before. Many versions as a matter of fact. But it is very popular with the locals - especially as a gift to people who have moved away - so it is hard for me to say "no" when people ask for more! And there will probably be still a few more of these done this week as I prepare for the local Apple Festival.

Day 15! Can't believe we are already halfway through the 30 Day Painting Challenge. And I have only missed one day so far - yay!

Day 2 - Benson's Commission

Benson's

5 x 7  inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

Day 2 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge:

Benson's Ice Cream in West Boxford is quickly becoming one of my most popular subjects! This painting was created as a commission for someone who is planning on giving it as a gift to a family member. I actually took my kids to Benson's yesterday......fresh homemade red raspberry ice cream made with local berries.......yum!

Are you interested an original custom piece of your own? (They make great holiday gifts!  ;-) Email me and we can talk about it!

The Lookout - ACEO Landscape Painting Summer Beach Scene

The Lookout

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

One more scene from Stiles Pond in Boxford, Massachusetts.

Another hot summer day here - I'm sure this beach was very crowded today! It's the kind of place where great summer memories are made - playing in the sand and building sandcastles, splashing and swimming with friends, fishing and frog hunting along the shore past the beach, cold slushes.....

I'm off for a few days with the kids to visit family. I have so many shows coming up that I do plan on getting some work in while away - hopefully I will get to posting it too!

The Lookout will be available at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, Massachusetts during July.

Pond's Edge - Small ACEO Landscape Painting Summer Beach Scene

Pond's Edge

(Stiles Pond, Boxford, Massachusetts)

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Still painting here - and working on a few commissions, I've just be negligent about posting. Busy, busy time with the school year winding up for the kids and all kinds of shows and festivals going on. I'm hoping to  make a big push to get a bunch of work done in the next few months before the craziness that always comes in late August through the end of the year....Unfortunately, I've been feeling less than motivated, especially with the big heat wave we have been having.....

Speaking of heat wave, this is a little beach scene painted in the ACEO size of 3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches. The beach is at Stiles Pond in Boxford, Massachusetts - I've recently completed a few paintings from this location. This painting and a few other new local scenes will be available at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, Massachusetts in July.

Waiting for Summer - ACEO Landscape Painting Small Format Art SOLD

Waiting for Summer

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

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

This is one of the little landscapes I am painting as a special order for a friend who moved away from Boxford. This pretty beach is on Stiles Pond in Boxford, Massachusetts - a favorite place for locals to hang out in the summer. It is a beautiful spring-fed pond, much of it surrounded by woods, and a lovely place to while away a lazy summer day.....

Community - Small Painting Landscape Cityscape ACEO

Community

Boxford, Massachusetts

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

This old building houses the "Community Center" in Boxford, Massachusetts. A rather small building, it is mainly used by the Council of Aging and for the occasional meeting.

I started this painting a few weeks back during the "meet and greet" at West Village Provisions. I only just now was able to get back to it and finish it up. It will be available later this month at West Village Provisions in West Boxford, Massachusetts.

Community - $15 + $2 shipping in the US

(please comtact me for international shipping)

Summer Siesta - Small Landscape Painting ACEO of Stiles Pond SOLD

Summer Siesta (Stiles Pond)

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

Another favorite Boxford, Massachusetts location..... Stiles Pond! Come summer, you will find most your neighbors (and ALL the kids) hanging out at "the pond". Surrounded by woodlands, it is a beautiful, spring-fed body of water with a small beach, canoes & kayaks, lots of frogs and fish - and a place to buy Italian ice. What more could the kids want on a hot summer day?!

This piece sold during the anniversary celebration at West Village Provisions. I have had a request for more Stiles pieces, so they will be coming in the weeks ahead.....

Benson's - Small Acrylic Painting of Sign ACEO SOLD

Benson's

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

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Another ACEO painting making its debut tomorrow at West Village Provisions. Stop by between 9-11 to see me, or come by any time during the day to help celebrate the current owners 2nd anniversary at the shop. It should be a fun day.....

(And, yes, I am slightly obsessed with Benson's. Or is it just that my kids keep wanting to go there to help me do "research"?!)

Summer Treat (Benson's) - Small Landscape Painting, Building Cityscape ACEO SOLD

Summer Treat (Benson's)

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

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Sneaking in a few little ACEO paintings of some local (Boxford, Massachusetts) scenes between my beach paintings. On Friday, one of my favorite local places (and one of the places I regularly show my work) will be celebrating its second anniversary under new ownership. Stop by West Village Provisions in West Boxford, Massachusetts and help them celebrate! I will be there from 9 to 11 with a few new paintings of local scenes - I may even bring  my paints and work outside on the deck if the weather is nice.....

Benson's - ACEO Landscape Cityscape Painting of Ice Cream Stand

Benson's

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

One more scene from Boxford, Massachusetts for the local school auction. I will be doing more of these local scenes to sell at the town festival in the fall. It has been lots of fun to work on these familiar buildings and to learn a little more about their history.

Anyways, Benson's is a VERY popular ice cream place in West Boxford. They make all their own ice cream in small batches right on the premises and they use all the local ingredients that they can get. Amazingly good ice cream - especially the seasonal fruit flavors made with local fruit (think strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, peach) yum, yum.

Originally a farm stand, Benson's started serving ice cream in 1932 from a side porch. Now it is a local tradition, serving multiple generations from that same location. My kids look forward to opening weekend each year...and many of our family "occasions" are celebrated with a stop at Benson's.

Definitely worth a stop if you are ever anywhere near Boxford!

Jack's (Wayne's) - ACEO Acrylic Painting Landscape Cityscape

Jack's (Wayne's)

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

This interesting building hosts some of the very few businesses in our town of Boxford, Massachusetts. This "one stop shop" contains the post office, a bank branch, a small restaurant and a few offices. You can tell how long people have lived in town by which name they call it. The old-timers refer to it as "Jack's" after the owners who bought the restaurant in 1947. People who are newer to town tend to call it "Wayne's" after the current owners who took over the business in 1978. The people who refer to it by the name on the sign "Boxford Community Store" have probably never actually been there  ;-)

This is one more painting for a fundraiser for local schools.

Nason's Stone House Farm - Small ACEO Landscape Cityscape Painting

Nason's Stone House Farm

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Another local landmark in Boxford, Massachusetts!

The Nason family originally purchased land for a farm in 1869, originally raising vegetables and livestock. The family began a catering business selling chicken pies around 1959. They are now a retail outlet, selling their amazing meat pies, and baking beans and brown bread on the weekends in addition to some other yummy baked goods. I believe the house itself dates back to around 1845 and was built with stones from the shore of a nearby pond.

This painting will be part of a group of little local scenes available at a fundraising auction for our local schools.

Cummings House - ACEO Original Painting Cityscape Landscape

Cummings House (Town Library)

Boxford, Massachusetts

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Another interesting old house in our town of Boxford, Massachusetts.
I believe it was originally known as the Howe-Cummings House and dates from around 1841. Julia Cummings and her mother lived there in the late 1800's. The town library at that time was right next door and Julia was such an avid reader that she had her own private key so she could borrow books whenever she liked! When Julia passed away in 1938, she left the house to the town to be used for the village library. It has been serving the town ever since.

This piece will be part of a set for a local fundraiser.

Holyoke French House - Small ACEO Painting Cityscape Landscape

Holyoke French House

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

I am currently working on a small series of little local scenes - some of the recognizable buildings in our town of Boxford, Massachusetts - for a local fundraising auction to be held next month. A group of four will be matted and framed and available at the auction - I will be working on others to be sold at a local festival this fall.

Boxford has lots of interesting history - for the first part of this series, I will be painting some of the more locally recognizable historical buildings. I will probably do some other historical houses later.

I have painted the Holyoke French House a few times before....I really love this building - it is a truly beautiful example of early American architecture (the current building dates back to 1760) and it is one of the iconic images in our town. It is currently maintained by the Boxford Historical Society and is home to some wonderful historical artifacts that are available for viewing during a few events each year.

I hope you will stay tuned for the next few days as I give you a mini tour of our lovely town of Boxford!