Color for a Grey Day

How nice it is to be able to enjoy a touch of the tropics on a cold, grey New England winter day!

For the third year, the Haverhill Arts Association is holding a "Paint-In" inside the greenhouse at Nunan's Florist and Greenhouses in Georgetown, Mass. For three Sundays, we set up our easels, settle with in our sketchbooks, sculpt in clay - or work in whatever medium we choose - anywhere the main greenhouse at Nunan's. 

It is so amazing to work among all the color and beautiful tropical plants during the usually dreary month of January. There is colorful inspiration everywhere:

I usually have a hard time deciding where to paint - there are so many lovely things here! Besides the beautiful plants, there are wonderful statues, colorful pots and all kinds of fun accessories. Sometimes, I choose to set up a little still life. Other times I just  zoom in on a single plant. Then greenhouse is  usually fairly warm and bright, which makes it a pleasant place to be in the middle of winter.  It is also quite humid - which makes it a bit extra challenging to paint with acrylics.  I am used to painting quickly, in thin layers  - so paint that won't dry can be a bit difficult and requires me to be flexible. This year I decided to try working on canvas, since in the past I found that the paint on panels wouldn't dry at all. Experimenting always keeps things interesting!

One Sunday, I picked out a lovely tropical plant in oranges and yellows to paint. Here is my set up:

After wrestling with it for a bit, I ended up with this little 6x6" piece on canvas:

On Sunday, January 28, we will be having an exhibition at Nunan's from 12 until 3 pm to show what we have been working on the last few weeks. It is always fun to display our work in the greenhouse! More pictures to come......

Prince Pizza Painting and a Winter Tropical Paint-In

Prince Restaurant

12 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled board

SOLD

This was a new sign for me - the "leaning tower of pizza" on Route 1 - Prince Restaurant. The painting was a commission piece for someone whose family was involved in the making of the original sign. I have since done a smaller version of the sign - contact me for availability if you are interested!

Today was the first Sunday of this year's "Paint-In" at Nunan Florist and Greenhouses in Georgetown, Mass. What fun to paint in a tropical environment in the middle of winter - especially after last night's snowstorm! Artists from the Greater Haverhill Arts Association will be painting there on Sundays throughout January - and we will hold an exhibition on the last Sunday of the month. I will be sure to post my finished pieces - maybe my first florals since last year's Paint-In!

Winter Green - Small Floral Still Life Painting

Winter Green

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on archival canvas panel

A little break from my Fun-a-Day paintings.....I painted this piece at an indoors "Paint-In" at Nunan Florist and Greenhouse. Ir was a lot of fun - so much good material to choose from. And nice not to be outdoors here in the Winter. It was interesting also because with 100% humidity inside the gerenhouse, my paint wouldn't dry! Kind of an interesting dilemna for an acrylic painter!!

From the Grey - Small Acylic Painting ACEO Purple Iris

From the Grey

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches 

acrylic on watercolor paper

Click to Buy

I haven't done many of these little ACEO-size pieces for a while. I am considering doing a few for upcoming shows. This was painting on a very grey day when I desperately needed a little spring bloom. And irises always make things better.....

Spring Start - Small Acrylic Painting, Floral Art Purple Crocuses

Spring Start

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Crazy busy weekend- and week! - so I have fallen behind on  posting my 30 paintings in 30 days.
And the craziness isn't going to let up quite  yet!

Had a great day at the Haverhill Art Festival on Saturday - except when my tent blew over, that is. And this coming Saturday is the Boxford Apple Festival! Lots of fun stuff to do in the fall in New England.

This little floral will be available in the Art Room in Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fair through October 13th.

Left Behind - Floral Still Life Painting

Left Behind

8 x 8 inches

acrylic on canvas

I had this one in my head for a while and sketched from a set up I did a few months ago. I needed another 8 x 8" piece for the "Eight Cubed" exhibition at the Newburyport Art Association, so I thought I'd give it a go. I kept going back and forth on the painting and was very, very close to sanding and gessoing the canvas and starting again, but at one point the flower started to come together. Still not quite what I had in my head, but I think it is as far as I'm going to get at this time.

Can I say I really love doing 8 x 8 inch paintings? Such a great size!

The "Eight Cubed" exhibition runs from August 8-24 at the Newburyport Art Association in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The reception will be August 16, 6-8pm. This show was very popular last year - I am looking forward to seeing what this year will bring.

Small Still Life Floral Painting SOLD

Commission

6 x 8 inches

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Just finished a special commission for a customer who sent me a photo she had taken. It is always interesting to see what my clients will challenge me with next! (Photo is hidden until recipient receives her surprise!)

Have an idea that you would like to see come to life on canvas? Contact me! I am now booking commission slots for fall.

It's All Right - Small Sunflower Painting Original Acrylic Small Format Art

It's All Right

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

One more little floral for the Newburyport Art Association gift shop. And yes, I was thinking of the Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" the whole time I was working on this:

"Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
It's all right, It's all right"

Classic Colors - Small Floral Painting Original Iris Art by Debbie Shirley

Classic Colors

4 x 4 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

A little break from the larger commission I am working on for two little florals for the gift shop at the Newburyport Art Association. Of course I am starting out my spring florals with my favorite flower of all - the iris. So beautiful - and  they always remind me of my grandmother's garden....

I was looking at purple Benjamin Moore room paints recently - there is one called "Spring Iris". But what  made me laugh is that one of the purples was named "snugglepuss"! Who comes up with this stuff??

Day 17 - Two Small Blueberry Paintings

Wild Blueberries 1

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Wild Blueberries 2

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Not one, but TWO paintings for Day 17. These botanicals are small and relatively quick. I wanted to have a few for the upcoming Boxford Apple Festival. I'm thinking about making a few sets of these in mats (think one blueberry painting, one strawberry, one raspberry, etc.) available for purchase around the holidays. What do you think?

The Apple Festival is this Saturday, September 21st. Hope you can drop by if you are near Boxford, Massachusetts!

Soliloquy - Small Still Life Painting, 30 Day Painting Challenge

Soliloquy

7 x 5 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

Day 13 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge....just a super quick entry as I am sneaking this one in just under the wire.......

Playing with light and shadows and all the crazy reflections on the vase. This is going to be one of my entries for the Topsfield Fair. More info to come!

Thanks for looking at my work!

Sunny Day - Small Sunflower Painting SOLD

Sunny Day

4 x 3 inches

acrylic on 3/4" canvas
SOLD

Finally back in town! I hope everyone had a great Fourth.
I had a wonderful week with family.

Now it is back to the grind - and so much to catch up on! Just this little one for tonight, I didn't want to let another day pass without posting, but I hope to get all caught up soon.....

Sunny Day will be available at West Village Provisions in West Boxford at the end of this week.

Spring Greeting - Small Floral Painting ACEO SOLD

Spring Greeting

2-1/2 x 3-1/2  inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Some daffodils for spring......now available at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, Massachusetts.

And a very Happy Mother's Day to all!

Relentless - Small Floral Painting ACEO Original SOLD

Relentless

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

\acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Trying to refresh my inventory at West Village Provisions so I'm squeezing in a few of these little ones here and there. All of a sudden I noticed the calendar - yikes! Can't believe we are two weeks into May already. Shows are suddenly going to be coming up fast and furious. And I am starting to panic, just a little......

Relentless will be available at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, Massachusetts through June.

One Heart - Floral Still Life Painting of Pink Rose

One Heart

12 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

Can't believe it has been a week since my last post!
I've been working on the piece above -  a little bit larger than usual for me. And we spent a long weekend away at Cape Cod with the kids. We came home while the horrible events were unfolding in Boston. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to everyone involved. I've kind of been floundering since then....the kids have the week off on break from school, and I am alternating between not wanting to let them out of my sight and needing some quiet time alone to process things. Anyhow, I think I need to get back to work and keep busy at this point....

This 12 x 12 piece is part of my "wallflower" series - and will be going up to Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts very soon. Here is quick shot of the six 6x6" pieces that I have so far to go with it:

Hope to have more to post soon!

Flame Thrower - Small Floral Still Life Painting

Flame Thrower

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on 1-1/2" canvas

Trying to sneak in a few more for my Wall Flower Series so I can deliver them to Pop Gallery next week. This one with the crazy petals gave me the fits! I figure at this point I just need to finish it, so I can move on.....

I hear that warmer weather is on its way (finally!). I am looking forward to getting out to do some plein air painting. I think I need to find a way to schedule myself so that I make sure that I get out there in the field - last year I just kept finding I was too busy and had too many things to do, and only made it out a handful of times. I need to get a lot of practice - I'd love to see my landscape work improve. I wish I could find someone local to paint outdoors with - I think it would really help with the motivation!

Sign of Spring - ACEO Floral Still Life Painting of Purple Crocuses SOLD

Sign of Spring

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches (ACEO size)

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Yes, I know I am supposed to be working on something else! But I am getting sooooo eager to see some signs of Spring around here. I can't wait to see the crocuses - and since Mother Nature is not cooperating (my yard is still covered in snow) I thought I'd take matters into my own hands....

Nature's Offering - Small Floral Painting of a Purple Iris

Nature's Offering

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

This floral painting of a purple iris (my favorite flower!) will be offered at a silent auction at the Union Congregational Church in North Reading, Massachusetts on April 7th. A special group of people (mostly teenagers!) are raising money to sponsor their trip to spend a week working for Habitat for Humanity. More information is available on the church's website.

Come Over - Small Still Life Painting with Daffodil SOLD

Come Over

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel
SOLD

Trying to coax a little Spring to come to New England! Hard to believe a year ago we were in the upper 70s, this year we are still pretty much buried in the snow. The kids actually had another snow day this week...they may be in school until July at this rate!

I don't normally talk method too much on my blog (maybe I should?), but for this painting I did work a little differently so I wanted to mention it. Sometimes I start with a thumbnail sketch. If it is something that is already clear in my mind, then I sketch it out directly on the board or canvas - a pretty quick, rough sketch - I'm always eager to get to the paint. Then sometimes I do a very quick sketch over the pencil with paint, and I very quickly lay a first layer of a wash of local colors. The whole beginning process is very fast, I just really want to get to the painting part  ;-)  For this painting, I took more time with the beginning stage. I started with the sketch, but then for the first layer, I did a full monochromatic painting, values and everything, with a thin wash of burnt umber and burnt sienna (I used each one on a different part because I wanted to see which one I like working with better). That beginning layer still happened fairly quickly, but I feel like it made the rest of the painting go so much more smoothly. Many of the kinks in the value and composition were worked out in the first layer and it was so cool to watch it come alive as I added more layers of color. Ironically it made me feel a little freer to make changes, etc. to my original vision as well. I didn't know if this method would work with acrylics (I've only heard of it in reference to oils), so I was pleased to see how well it went. I will definitely be using it more often!

Anyhow - this painting will be going to Newburyport Art Association, Newburyport, Massachusetts for the Spring Members Show, March 29 - April 20, 2013.

Star Light - Original Acrylic Floral Painting

Star Light

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on 1-1/2" gallery wrapped canvas

One  more in the "Wallflower Series" for Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts. I think I will be doing one more this size, and then a larger one before I deliver this batch. And for those of you who expressed interest in some smaller ones, I plan to try to do a couple after I get a few things done for some shows coming up quickly.

In the meanwhile, a quick break from the flowers for a few still lifes - stay tuned!