"Glow"

"Glow" 8in x 8in

I did this painting back in September as part of 30-day painting challenge, and then I let it sit for weeks and weeks because I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

The September challenge also completely burned me out for a long time. I have barely picked up a brush since then.

However, the recent posting challenge from fellow WVWS Signature member Andrea Burke was good for me. It helped motivate me, and I finally finished another painting that I had half-heartedly started before Christmas. Can't show that one at the moment; it needs to sit so I can think about it.

As part of my fresh start, I took a good hard look at this September challenge painting, and made some subtle changes. I now pronounce it finished, and it feels good to move on.

Painting-Posting Challenge 5

"Snowfall"

"Silent Night" (Private Collection)

"Chill" (Private Collection)

Last day for the posting challenge. Thanks again to Andrea Veseth Burke for asking me to do this.

Even though the storm whiffed on us today (thank goodness) it seems appropriate to finish up with some snow scenes. Two are of Wardensville locales and one is based on a barn at Antietam National Battlefield. 

Painting-Posting Challenge 4

"One Moment" (Private Collection)

"Wisdom Watching" (Private Collection)

"Green Eyes" (Artist's Collection)

Day 4...and today's theme is "Faces." The faces include those of family members, and also a stone-faced visage of Pallas Athena that is part of the ornamentation of the West Virginia State Capitol.

Painting-Posting Challenge 3

"Pink Sugar" (Private Collection)

"Yellow Wings" (Available)

"Sweet Life" (Available)

So on to Day 3 in the painting-posting challenge. Thanks to Andrea Veseth Burke for putting me up to this!

Butterflies are the theme of today's paintings. Butterflies have special meaning in our family, so I'm happy to share these with all of you.

Painting-Posting Challenge 2

"Top of the Morning" - 2014

"See's Motel Sign" -  2004

"Polly's Porch" -  2000

So here's another theme....this one being a particular house on Main Street in Wardensville, W.Va.

I first painted the porch of the house years ago when Polly Peer still lived there. She always had wonderful flowers on the porch and the bright colors and the ornate wood trim were a visual delight.

I next included the house in a painting of Main Street Wardensville with the old See's Motel sign as the focal point, but in truth it's the house that's the star of the show.

Finally, as part of my current Wardensville painting series, I did just the side gable of the house, cropped tightly, so I could focus this part of the structure's wonderful wood trim. Polly passed away in 2007 at age 98, but even now, I still think of this ornate landmark as Polly Peer's house.

Painting-Posting Challenge

"School Days" - 8inx8in

"Old Glory" (Private Collection)

"Warriors Win" (Private Collection)

There's a challenge moving around Facebook where artists are asking one another to post three painting for five days and find other artists to do the same.

I've been nominated by Andrea Veseth Burke (http://www.watercolorsbyandreaburke.com/) to do the challenge. Andrea is a fellow signature member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society who has moved to sunnier climes a bit further south.

I plan to post based on themes....so for the first day, these are three paintings of the old Wardensville school building.

PWS Exhibition

"Ivy League"

Sorry for the long, long absence. In the wake of the 30-day challenge, I lost my groove, and turned all my attention to work and family for a while. With the holiday season looming, I now have to get back into painting because I have several projects that I need to finish before Christmas.

Since my last post, I delivered "Ivy League" to Harrisburg, Pa., for the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 35th annual International Juried Exhibition. PWS hosts a very, very nice show, and I am very gratified to be included.

The exhibit will hang at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg until Feb. 8, 2015.

Here is a link to the PWS website, which includes information about the show, and includes a gallery of the award winners.  http://www.pawcs.com/

Also, the show is listed on the Changing Exhibits page of the State Museum at http://statemuseumpa.org/exhibits/changing-exhibits/ and on that page is a photo of the entrance of the show. And my painting can be seen in that photo!


Here is the image from the State Museum page, and at right is a little inset where I've circled my painting. It looks so tiny compared to the paintings on either side!

30-day review

Well, my efforts in the 30-day challenge really waned at the end. Life got in the way.

Here's a little collage of some of the floral sketches I did as part of the challenge. Most of the time during the month I worked on two larger paintings. So this partial collage of "finished" pieces will have to do. Thanks for reading about my efforts in the challenge, and it's soon time to work on a much, much larger piece. I finished the drawing for that today.

Day 29

Day 29

Well, I let down the side over the weekend in the 30-day challenge. Too many things going on. There was the opening at of the Robert Singleton show at the new Grasshopper Gallery right here in town, then a meeting of the state watercolor society on the opposite side of the state (left at 6:30 a.m. and returned after 8 p.m.) and then a trip to Harrisburg, Pa., to deliver Ivy League for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's Juried Exhibition, and then another stop to pick up a painting from the West Virginia Watercolor Society Signature Show. What a mouthful, and what a long weekend.

At any rate, I pronounce this painting to be finished. I put together a little animation to show some of the stages you've been watching over the last couple of weeks:

Day 25

Day 25

Sorry, missed another day (my third) in the 30-day challenge. My job is kicking my butt at the moment.

Got a little bit done this evening, mostly trying to feel my way around some of tree issues. I suspect you are tired of seeing this image. I'm getting there myself!