Greeting - Mini Potatohead Still Life Painting

Greeting

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on 1/2" MDF block

Yes, I keep going back to Mr. Potatohead. I actually debated doing my entire challenge just Mr. Potatohead - really, 31 days of Potatoheads! But I figured even my MOST loyal followers would give up long before that was over with.....

This painting is part of my Fun-a-Day project and 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Here are the first 6 being varnished:

Downstream - Mini Painting of a Rubber Ducky

Downstream

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on 1/2" MDF block

Another rubber ducky for my Fun-A-Day project! Gotta keep on swimming.....

Cowboy Joe - Small Acrylic Painting from a Classic Board Game

Cowboy Joe

7 x 5 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

available at Newburyport Art Association Gift Shop

Do you recognize this classic game? One of my favorites as a child!
I am currently working on a little 3x3" version of Cowboy Joe for my Fun-a-Day project.

Ric - Mini Still Life Painting of Classic Toy

Ric

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on 1/2" MDF block

I have fallen behind on my Fun-A-Day posts.... I will have to get caught up here somewhere...

And if you follow me at all, you know that this "Fun & Games" series will have to contain not only many Mr. Potatoheads, but a number of Lego guys as well! I have a Cars song stuck in my head tonight, hence the name "Ric" (yes, I have odd ways of coming up with my titles!)

St. James - Mini Painting from Vintage Game Board

St. James

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on 1/2" MDF block

Hey, I don't know about you guys, but I am sure having fun with this Fun-A-Day series! This is for Day 5, and I am getting all kinds of ideas for larger paintings from these....

Your Move - Mini Painting from a Vintage Board Game

Your Move

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on 1/2" MDF block

"Moving " along on my Fun-A-Day project and the Painting Challenge. An old Parchessi board makes for some fun abstract art!

Dotty Duckie - Rubber Ducky Mini Painting

Dotty Duckie

3 x 3 inches

acrylic on 1/2" MDF block

A little rubber ducky for Day 2. So many ideas floating in my head for this series....I think it will be a really fun way to start the New Year!

Hilltop Steak House - Small Acrylic Painting Vintage Neon Sign

"Wish You Were Here"

Hilltop Steak House

Saugus, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper\

Yes, I am kinda obsessed with this sign.....

Country Side - Small Acrylic Painting of Vintage Neon Motel Sign

"Wish You Were Here"

Country Side

West Peabody, Massachusetts

demolished

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Another great motel sign from along Rt. 1 in Massachusetts. I'm glad I got a chance to take pictures of so many of them - most of them are now gone.

Clam Box - Small Acrylic Painting of building in Ipswich. Massachusetts

"Wish You Were Here"

Clam Box

Ipswich, Massachusetts, 6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

A little touch of summer during this super cold weather and 100+ inches of snow....the iconic Clam Box in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

The details are starting to come together for the Fun-A-Day Boston group exhibition - more information soon....

Whittier - Small Acrylic Painting of Neon Motel Sign

"Wish You Were Here"

Whittier

Ipswich, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

This is number 15 (I think!)  in my Fun-A-Day Project - still a ways to go until they are all posted!

The sign for the Whittier Motel is one of my favorite motel signs to paint. Alas the sign has been recently replaced - the new version isn't nearly as visually interesting. Something about the composition of this one... it is making me think that I may need to do a large version of it.......

Arcade - Acrylic Painting of Neon Sign in Salem for Fun-A-Day Project

"Wish You Were Here"

Arcade

Salem, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper

I am still working on my Fun-A-Day Project, despite the fact I haven't been posting much. I have also been finishing a few larger pieces for an upcoming show - pictures soon!

In the meanwhile,. here is "Arcade" for the "Wish You Were Here" Project. Even though January is over, I will keep posting these until I have all 31 up.

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.....

Plaza Motel - Neon Sign Painting Fun-A-Day Project

Wish You Were Here

Plaza Motel 

Peabody, Massachusetts

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Day 7 of my "Wish You Were Here" postcard painting-a-day project. This is s pretty cool sign (although a pretty seedy motel!). I think I need to go back and take pictures of it when the neon isn't lit...I;m not sure how I feel about the pink!