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 Classic Rowley Diner by Debbie Shirley

Agawam Diner

(Rowley, Massachusetts)

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

The Agawam Diner on Route 1 in Rowley, Massachusetts is quite the local institution. Whenever I have a painting of it at one of my shows, it seems like just about everyone comments on having eaten there. By the way, despite the name, I don't think this diner was ever in Agawam. I believe it was in Ipswich and Peabody before it was moved to Rowley in the 1960's.

This piece is currently available at Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Interested in a similar piece? Contact me!

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...

Theo's Restaurant - Small Acrylic Painting Local Diner Vintage Sign

"Wish You Were Here"

Theo's

Georgetown, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

Another piece for the 30 Day Painting Challenge as well as my "Wish You Were Here" Postcard-Painting-a-Day Project as a part of Fun-a-Day Boston.

No neon here. Just a REALLY big cup of coffee.

Pat's Diner - Small Acrylic Painting of a Vintage Diner

"Wish You Were Here"

Pat's Diner

Salisbury, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

More than 1/3 of the way through my Fun-A-Day Project and also the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

I am starting to feel a need to get out there and take as many pictures of these old places and signs as quickly as I can and paint them all....it seems like everyday I hear of another place that I have painted has closed. Pat's is still open as far as I know, but almost half of the ones I have painted so far this year are no longer in business....

While I am often drawn by the neon, the old-time signs, the dated architecture, I love how other people are connected to many of these places by their memories - I hear some really wonderful stories from people who recognize places in my work - thank you for sharing with me!

Agawam Diner - Small Painting of Retro Diner

"Wish You Were Here"

Agawam Diner

Rowley, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

I think this the the 9th piece from my Fun-A-Day Project and also the 30 Day Painting Challenge. Great place to go for homemade pie.

Soda & Cigars - Painting of Vintage Neon Sign Fowles Diner Newburyport, Massachusetts

Soda & Cigars

8 x 8 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

Working on some pieces for my upcoming solo exhibition at the Boxford Library. The exhibition is going to be pieces from my "retro roadside" series, with a few additional pieces of buildings in town. More details to come soon!

This sign is in downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts. Fowles was a diner and newsstand - and the sign dates back to the early 1900's. While the old Fowles has been taken over for a new restaurant with a different name, the new owner has kept the historic sign out front as a nod to the location's history.

Supreme - Small Acrylic Painting of a Diner, Gloucester

Supreme

8 x 6 inches

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

Love the retro diners! I need to find some more of them to paint. This one is in the heart of downtown Gloucester - seems to be more of a pizza/roast beef joint than a true diner, but it still has the look!

I have spent some time updating my website today. It is getting closer to the look I want for it - but it is still a work in progress. Check it out at www.DebbieShirley.com and let me know what you think!

This painting is now available at Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.