New Painting - Shoreline Motel - With Progress Photos

"Shoreline Motel"
18x24
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

On our cross country road trip where we circled the states, we stumbled across this little stretch of street next to the Pacific.  The run down shabbiness of the businesses along the highway, with the the salty air and the rolling fog was so surreal to me.  A scene unfamiliar living just outside of Philly....but oh so familiar to all that live in Port Orford, OR.

I've been getting some questions about my technique, so I took some stills of the progress of the painting.

Before I begin, I cover my canvas in paper.  Sometimes I use newspaper, but in this case, I used vintage dictionary pages torn.  I apply it with clear acrylic gesso.  (Liquitex).  I do this for a few reasons...I like the bounce and surface texture of the papered canvas.  I also love the life and energy that the peek-a-boo text adds to the finished piece.

Next, I sketch in the large shapes using vine charcoal.



Once my sketch is complete, I start blocking in with paint thinned with Gamsol.  This is my underpainting.  I use it to work out my shapes and values early on.



I then start adding in my paint layers...still working with slightly thinned down paint.

I changed my horizon line and started adding in more and more detail switching over to oils with Walnut Oil (Gamblin)





Finished Piece.

Close Up - looking closely you can see some of the peek-a-boo text - look under the awning and in the street signs.



Another Close Up


This piece will be part of my solo show at the Phoenix Village Art Center next year.  If you are interested in a print, you can purchase one from my Etsy shop.

Members Show Update

Last month was the Phoenix Village Art Center's members show.  There were about 40 artists who submitted work.  It was a great show. 

I submitted 2 paintings...

It was a juried show and the awards night was this week.  I am so excited to share that "Powell Street" won Best In Show!

Here is the really amazing part...the winner of Best in Show gets a solo exhibition in 2013.  I am still in shock as I didn't even consider this a possibility.  So...lots of work to do to get ready.  40 pieces is the goal. 

I've been doing quite a bit of painting lately.  I've got prints on Etsy, and just sold my first 2 in the past week.  I am considering doing the Ambler Arts Festival mid June and have a few commissioned pieces that I just started working on.  

Main Street

"Main Street"
8x10
Acrylic on Canvas
SOLD

Here is another scene inspired by downtown Phoenixville.  It is a view from Main Street, across from The Wooden Spoon, a delicious treasure of our little town.

I have been thinking a lot about artwork for the house lately, and came up with a fun idea for our guest room.  There are two large blank walls that need to be filled with art.  I am going to do fun little ink and watercolor sketches of our family and friend's houses to fill the space with.  I'll frame them and fill the guest room with these bright and color filled little artworks.  Hopefully, everyone will feel a little piece of their home when they come to stay with us. 


5x7
Our Old Abode House Portrait
Watercolor and Ink on Paper



5x7
N&G's House
Watercolor and Ink on Paper

5x7
P&C's House
Watercolor and Ink on Paper

"Paris Fromager"



"Paris Fromager"
8x10
Acrylic on Canvas
SOLD

Yet another glimpse into our Paris adventure.  We were hunting down lunch when we came across these little shops.  I think we picked up a fresh baguette and hunk of nice cheese this particular afternoon - a delicious meal that we had more then once during our stay.

"Paris Street"

"Paris Street"
8x10
Acrylic on Canvas
SOLD


"Paris Street" - I took another stroll down memory lane with this painting of a street corner in Paris.  We were wandering around looking for the Picaso gallery.  I snapped this photo and didn't think anything of it at the time but as I was sifting through photos I really loved the shapes of the builidings and the quietness of the street.

"Fisherman's Wharf"

"Fisherman's Wharf"
8x10
Acrylic on Canvas
SOLD




While traveling on our cross country road trip, we stopped in Monterey Bay for the night.  I woke up at 6am because of the time difference and while Eric slept I took a stroll down to the fisherman's wharf with my piping hot cup of coffee from the cozy little neighborhood cafe next to our hotel.  It was a chilly, gray and damp morning.  The seals were all hanging out on the docks below and pelicans up above just waiting for an opportunity to catch their breakfast.