Marty's....and Melrose!

Could it be that spring is here at last?!
After a seemingly endless winter (snow in mid-April anyone?), it seems like we are finally getting a taste of spring. And spring brings with it the start of show season....

I will be doing a lot fewer shows this spring due to commitments with my kids, but will have plenty of exhibitions and other opportunities to see my work. And if you are local to the North Shore of Massachusetts, I always welcome appointments for studio visits to my studio in downtown Haverhill. (Just shoot me an email if you would like to set something up!)

Coming up this weekend is one of my favorite shows of the season - Melrose Arts "Arts in April", April 28 and 29 from 11 to 5 at Memorial Hall, 590 Main Street, Melrose. This is a juried show and is always filled with amazing art.

One of the new pieces I will have at the show is this 20 x 10" acrylic painting of Marty's Donut Land.
Marty's was located in Ipswich, Mass, but sadly closed a few years ago. Here is a quick step-by-step progression:

Quick sketch of the layout - in pencil and then in paint. The angle of this was a bit tough.

Laying out flat areas of color so I can make adjustments before getting into details

Lots of layers - almost a kind of glazing, but I think I actually do more scumbling. 

Just finishing up the details here:

"Marty's Donut Land" will be available this weekend at the Melrose Arts Festival. After that, you will be able to find it on the "Retro Roadside" page of my website HERE.

Hope to see you in Melrose this weekend!

Corner Coffee Shop

George's Coffee Shop

20 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

I've never been a big fan of chain restaurants  - I'd much rather try out the small local mom-and-pop greasy spoons. I've found a lot of gems along the way. (And some misses as well!) Breakfast is my favorite meal to eat out - so places that serve breakfast all day are always on the top of my list.
George's Coffee Shop is  great little diner on a busy corner in Gloucester, Mass. I recently drove by and noticed that the signage had changed - I like the older hand-painted version better so I decided to paint it that way and preserve the more old-fashioned character.

Progress shots:

Roughly sketching in my composition

Laying down some quick color washes 

Refining some areas, and going back for more detail

Want to see it in person? "George's Coffee Shop" will be on exhibit late March through the 27th of April at the Salisbury Public Library in Salisbury, Massachusetts.

Agawam Diner - Small Acrylic Painting of Retro Diner

Agawam Diner

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Lots more sign paintings coming up! Some are places I have painted before, and some are new. gotta keep up with the shows and shops! This piece is at the brand new venue in Topsfield, Massachusetts - the North Shore Makers Mart.

And even cooler - it is in the local newspaper in the article about the Mart's opening!

Agawam Diner - Small Acrylic Painting by Debbie Shirley

Agawam Diner

(Rowley, Massachusetts)

7 x 5 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

A favorite local diner to paint - this one is for Pop Gallery in Gloucester. Excited to be getting back to some of these small sign paintings again - they are in high demand right now! Time to go on a search for some new diner/sign material...

George's - Small Acrylic Painting of Coffee House, Retro Sign

George's

7 x 5 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

available at Pop Gallery

Switching back and forth a bit with my posts since I still have a number of paintings left to catch up on.
This is part of the series of small paintings of local signs and buildings that are now available at Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts. George's is a great little corner coffee shop in Gloucester. Soon after I took the picture for this painting, they replaced their sign. The new on ehas a lot less character - I am glad that I was able to capture the old one!