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.

32 Lanes - Small Painting of Neon Sign Sunnyside Danvers

"Wish You Were Here"

32 Lanes

Danvers, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

More neon for my Fun-A-Day Project and also the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

This is a small part of the sign for the Sunnyside bowling alley in Danvers, Massachusetts. I have had more people tell me that they have driven by it, but never noticed this sign! It is making me think I may need to find some more old-school bowling alleys.....

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!

Haverhill Appliance - Small Acrylic Painting of Vintage Store Signs

"Wish You Were Here"

Haverhill Appliance

Haverhill, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

Moving forward on my Fun-A-Day Project and also the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

This isn't the prettiest building....but something about the old brick and the very dated look of the sign always captures my eye. Right after the first time I painted this sign a few years ago, I found out that the owner of the business had just passed away. I am not sure what the fate of the business will be, but the signs still remain.

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.

Joe's - Postcard Painting for Wish You Were Here Fun-A-Day Project

"Wish You Were Here"

Joe's

Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

Getting back to my Fun-A-Day Project and also the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

This year, my project for Fun-A-Day January is a Postcard Painting-A-Day "Wish You Were Here" - a little retro road trip visiting some of my favorite signs and structures.

No neon on Joe's Playland, but I loved the primary colors  ;-)

The Best - Acrylic Painting of Vintage Neon Sign by Debbie Shirley

The Best

Merrimac, Massachusetts

18 x 18 inches

acrylic on canvas

I took a little break from blogging about my Fun-A-Day project as I was madly getting ready for a local solo exhibition. You can now see 28 of my paintings at the Hamilton-Wenham Library in South Hamilton, Massachusetts until the end of February. And don;t worry...the Fun-A-Day project will be continued here on my blog soon.....