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.

On A Roll - Small Acrylic Still Life Painting, Kitchen Art

On a Roll

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

We went through a ton of the little clementine and mandarin oranges when they were in season! While I kind of miss them (especially today when I have a cold  ;-), I am SO happy to see all the local fruits and vegetables getting ready. It is nearing the end of strawberry season here - and they have been wonderfully sweet. I hope to paint some before they are done, but they keep getting eaten too quickly at my house so I haven't gotten a chance!

This piece will be joining a few other pieces of kitchen art at Zenobia in Ipswich, Massachusetts later this week.

Hole in One - Small Acrylic Still Life Painting, Kitchen Art

Hole in One

4 x 4  inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Another new piece of kitchen art. The pepper is in one of my favorite vintage bowls. The little bowl is kind of a mustardy yellow and has subtle ridges going around it. It is not Fiestaware, but is probably of the same era.

This painting will be heading to Zenobia in Ipswich, Massachusetts later this week. A few of these little guys to finish up so I can get back to my signs & buildings!

Little Gems - Small Still Life Painting Kitchen Art and New Gallery

Little Gems

4 x 4  inches

acrylic on cradled panel

A couple of little pieces of "kitchen art" over the next few days. I enjoy painting these little guys - playing with composition and color in a format that lets me finish them up quickly. These wood panels are nice, too. They have a 3/4" cradle, so they can hang nicely on the wall without a frame, but can also sit on a shelf, too. I buy them online from either Cheap Joes or DickBlick depending on the size.

My customers seem to like them, too! They seem to sell quickly at most of the gift shops where I have work. I hope they will sell well at fall shows, too. I may even try to get them into a few more shops, who knows?!

Speaking of shops, I have work going into a new gallery this week. It is a wonderfully quirky little place in Ipswich, Massachusetts called Zenobia. Lots of local work, fun and  unusual gift items and wonderful art. I'm excited to be showing there! Be sure to check it out if you are on the North Shore....

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.

Tripoli - Small Acrylic Painting of Neon Sign Salisbury Beach

Tripoli

6x6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

An iconic little pizza place on the strip at Salisbury Beach - and one of my current favorite signs!
I see the potential for a lot of future paintings with this sign - including a larger version of this one for an upcoming show.

One of my quickly approaching show is a solo exhibition of some of my "location" paintings at the Boxford Town Library starting in August.

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

Last Stop for Carson City - Small Landscape Painting of Hilltop Steak House Sign 6x6

Last Stop for Carson City

6 x 6 inches 

acrylic on 3/4" cradled panel

A little bit of nostalgia - the famed Hilltop Streak House on Rte. 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts is now closed. The giant cactus remains for the moment, but the fiberglass cows have all been put out to pasture. I have to sneak in a few paintings of the sign while I can.

This piece will  be heading up to Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts next week.