Still Life Painting of Ornaments by Debbie Shirley

Ornamental

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

This was another painting for the fixed price sale at Newburyport Art Association last month. I love painting the reflections on the ornaments - and the round shapes make it especially challenging. I find it forces me to really look closely at what I am trying to paint - and paint what I actually see, without my brain trying to interpret it. I just look at is as a series of shapes, not specific objects. Yet when I step back and take a look when I am done, it always amazes me how the shapes come together to make the subject come to life.

Mini Painting, Painted Ornament

Yes, it is THAT time again! Eeeek!
I am starting to sneak in a few of my ornaments here and there. These are always incredibly popular, so please contact me early if you are interested in purchasing any this year!

Frosty Ho - Small Acrylic Painting Holiday Snowman Fun

Frosty Ho

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Yes, it seems that "Santa Ho" had a friend....I love these little vintage push-up toys and couldn't resist painting the second one. I think I  may have one more hidden away here somewhere, but he may have to wait until next year.......

I have been super busy  - with top secret commissions, last minute holiday orders, and preparing for a big show at the start of the New Year - so I haven't been blogging much. And I will probably be pretty quiet through the end of the year, so please hang in there!

Santa Ho - Small Acrylic Painting for Holiday Art Santa Toy Still Life

Santa Ho

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

How is this for a fun little painting?
I've been raiding my kids' toys lately...and I couldn't resist this guy!

This painting is part of Newburyport Art Association's Members Holiday Postcard Art Show - a great way to shop for very affordable little pieces of art for everyone on your shopping list.

AND.....
I am so excited and honored to be the Spotlight Artist on DailyPaintworks this week! You can follow the link below to read my interview and to find out how to win one of my little paintings:

DPW Spotlight Interview

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

I know I have not posted much in the last month....due to the highly secretive nature of my work  ;-)

In reality, I have been painting many ornaments and a good number of commissions. I don't want to ruin any Christmas surprises, but suffice it to say that there will be a happy little painting under a lot of Christmas trees this year......

I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season - whatever holiday you celebrate - and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, comments and follows in the past year. It means so much to me. And now, onward to 2014!!

Holiday Guard - ACEO Still Life Painting of a Nutcracker

Holiday Guard

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

acrylic on watercolor paper

Getting some paintings ready for the first holiday show next weekend!
This piece will be going to the Sleigh Bell Artisan Fair at the Wenham Museum in Wenham,  Massachusetts. More information about the fair is below.

Interested in a similar piece? (Yes, the nutcrackers are always popular  ;-)
Please contact me, and I can let you know when I have more nutcrackers available after the show.

Spring Peeps - ACEO Still Life Painting for Easter SOLD

Spring Peeps

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

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

I couldn't let Easter go by without one little painting of Peeps! They are just too much fun to paint (but I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of eating them  ;-) I hope we start seeing a little bit of Spring around here now that Easter is just a few days away....

Spring Peeps - $15 + $2 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

A Sweet Heart - Original Valentine ACEO Painting Red Heart SOLD

A Sweet Heart

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

acrylic on 1/8" archival canvas panel
SOLD

I had to sneak a little one in for Valentine's Day!

I've been wanting to try something wrapped in cellophane - this is my first attempt. Very interesting surface to try to represent!

This ACEO is on a little handmade acid free canvas board with a WOOD core - no cardboard. The board is about 1/8" thick and wonderfully sturdy. Cool, huh? I may have to get some of these for my plein air work.

Because these little boards look so cute on the tiny wood easels, I'll even include one with your order!

Painted Nutcracker Ornaments

Two last ornaments for 2012.....

 each 3 x 2 inches, acrylic on canvas, strung with a ribbon for hanging

available at West Village Provisions 

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. The events of the last few days - including the shooting in Connecticut - have really hit me hard, and everything I try writing just sounds trite.
I am traveling for the holiday, so I think I am going to use that as an excuse to take a little break from blogging until after Christmas. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

In the meanwhile, if you are interested in any of my recent work, you can see what is still available by checking out my DailyPaintworks gallery.

So Happy Holidays to you all....and we will catch up on things after Christmas!

Christmas Patrol - Small Nutcracker Holiday Painting

Christmas Patrol

3 x 4 inches

acrylic on canvas

Okay - I'm gearing up to get a bunch of holiday stuff ready for the show this weekend! A bunch of ornaments, and a few of these little canvases, too.....The show is the Artisans in the Open show at the Unitarian Church in Newburyport, MA. It is a great show with some amazing artisans and I am thrilled to be a part of it this year for the first time! 2 to 9 on Friday, December 14, 2012 and 10 to 5 on Saturday, December 15, 2012 - hope to see you there!

Holly Ornament - Tiny Acrylic Painting on Canvas SOLD

Ornament #23

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I love my holly bushes! And this time of year  they make great decorations (and I add pieces to my wreaths and centerpieces, etc.). Somehow they have survived all our weird weather, and storms and - some years - incredible piles of snow -  and every spring they bounce right back. Just a few years ago  one was broken off almost all the way to the ground and it grew back so quickly it was amazing!

Anyhow, they always seem to show up in a couple of my paintings this time of year.....

This entire grouping of ornaments went to West Village Provisions in West Boxford today - they had completely sold out of all the ones I took last week. So now I guess I had better get to work so I have some more for the show in Newburyport this weekend.....

Tiny Ornament Painting

Ornament #22

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with ribbon for hanging

Still plugging away on the ornaments....getting tired of seeing them yet?
They have sold out and are asking for more at West Village Provisions, so I will take this latest group over tomorrow, and hopefully still have a chance to complete more before the show in Newburyport next weekend.....

In my head I am starting to make some goals for the New Year. I am hoping for a little quiet time between Christmas and New Years to actually get them into writing. I find that writing them down makes me feel more accountable - and actually do more towards achieving them. Do you have any goals for 2013?

Painted Ornament - Tiny Nutcracker Painting SOLD

Ornament #21

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with ribbon for hanging
SOLD

Never would I have guessed these little ornaments would be so popular! (Not bad for trying to figure out what to do with the tiny canvases that I got by accident  ;-)

Some of these that I have been working on this week for next weekend's show will instead be going to replenish my display at West Village Provisions. I know, I know - a GOOD problem to have.....

Ornament Painting - Small Holiday Still Life

Ornament #20

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, ribbon on top for hanging

These are my new ornaments for this year - the little ones that look like old-fashioned Christmas tree bulbs. Lots of fun to paint! I'd love to find some old, old Christmas ornaments to use for paintings at a reasonable price.....

In the meanwhile, I've sold almost every version of a nutcracker that I have, so I guess it is time to go paint some more!

Steady Gaze - Tiny Nutcracker Holiday Painting SOLD

Steady Gaze

3 x 4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

This is another one of those little canvases that are thinner than my normal 3/4" deep canvases. This one is about 3/8" deep - and fits great on one of those tiny little wood easels. I am offering these for a lower price than my normal 3x4's because of the depth - so stock up now to add to your holiday decor! (Or a cute little gift, too  ;-)

Another Holiday Ornament Painting

Ornament #19

3x2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with a white ribbon for hanging

Another one ready to go....Crazy day today - delivered two commissions (yay!), lots of kids' stuff to do - can't believe how quickly Christmas is coming up.....

Painted Ornament Painting

Ornament #18

3x2 inches

acrylic on canvas

black backing, strung with a ribbon for hanging

I will probably alternate working on these ornaments with some other mini canvases over the next two weeks for my upcoming show in Newburyport. In the meanwhile, I will make them available here first! (I know people are doing their Christmas shopping now, right?!) Anyways, these are super cute ORIGINAL paintings that look super cute hung on a tree, or mantel, or wherever else you like to decorate. More to come!

Tree Trimming - Small Holiday Still Life SOLD

Tree Trimming

3x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I seem to be getting in the holiday mood a bit, maybe?!

Actually, with all the holiday shows and shops I am in this year, it seems that holiday-themed stuff is in high demand right now. This little piece went to West Village Provisions as part of my display for the Winter Festival which was this weekend.

These little canvases are thinner than my normal 3x4 inch canvases - a little less than 1/2" deep, instead of the normal 3/4" - so I have decided to use some of them for little holiday paintings that can be displayed on mini easels. I plan to paint some more of these, along with a bunch of ornaments for my next holiday show. The ornaments have been selling in local shops about as fast as I can paint them, so I haven't even been posting them on my blog. I will post some this week - available here until my next show, so stay tuned!

Nutcracker - Small Format Mini Still Life Holiday Painting SOLD

Nutcracker King

4x4 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Thinking holidays yet? Well, I'm trying...not quite there, but working on it!  ;-)

In the meanwhile, think about shopping local, shopping small businesses when you do your holiday shopping - especially this Saturday - designated as "Small Business Saturday."

I have my work at a number of small local businesses this year.....the piece above is now available at my favorite local cafe/coffee shop/general store - West Village Provisions in West Boxford, MA. Come out on Saturday and support local businesses!

Poinsettia - Ornament Mini Holiday Painting SOLD

3 x 2 inches

acrylic on canvas
SOLD

One last ornament for now. I will be doing a bunch more, but I'm still not decided if I'm going to keep posting them all!

I set up today at the Wenham Museum for the Sleigh Bell Artisan Fair. Always a fun event, it runs Friday & Saturday 10-4, Sunday 12-4. It's a great museum for kids (mine LOVE the trains!), plus they have all kinds of special events going on all weekend. It seems so early to start Christmas shopping...but then again, it is also hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week!