Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Everything is Coming up Blue

Blue designs for 2015

The flower! 

 

I love to experiment with different papers.  This old wrinkled looking paper was fun and interesting to paint on.  I am not certain how these will reproduce (They will hate me at work),  but you don't know until you try.  That's my motto! 





Some of the current designs that have already been to trade show are included below!  Below is a small section of our Spicher and Co. High Point, NC showroom! 

LOVE, love, love the floorcloth.  

Simply stated and elegant! 


In this grouping you can see how they all flow and hang well together.  This wall is fresh and there's nothing quite like it at market, that is my goal, by the way! 

Love the birds, black and white flowers, and the cool numbers!  We are into blue!!!


Here at Spicher and Co., we are really interested in the overall look of our products.  There is a deliberate effort that is made each market to coordinate the colors and the designs.  Not only is it pleasing to the eye, but it helps our customers display the items that they purchase in their own store front.  We learn from them, too.  We LOVE it when people send pictures showing how they display our products.
Herbs.  I haven't done anything with these, yet.  I am thinking of selling
 the originals on ETSY KOLENE SPICHER. 
Thanks for looking!



Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Only Mermaids

Mermaid, Mermaid on the wall, Who's the fairest of them all? 
Sorry about the Resolution on this one! 
I have some mermaids going out the door this afternoon, and I thought it would be fun to post a bunch of different ones that I have painted over the years. 

This one is in my personal master bath area
I painted this years ago for Nantucket Country!  This is a huge print of my work.  I love to look at it over the tub.  It just seems to go well.  Check out the Spicher and Company Vintage Vinyl floor covering! (Above). 

Again a little blurry! This says "Pray Fish!"
I cannot honestly tell you when I did this.  It goes way back.   I happened to keep this one because I liked it.  I have had it for years.  I loved her tail, especially! 


I have this one for sale on ETSY.  I think it might need a different frame… 

These two are going out soon!  They both are sold, bottom one is a print! "Nantucket Stroll!"  Let me know if you want a print of any of these.  I don't have the one with the two girls directly above.  
This one might just be my favorite!  One of my favorite customers bought her, too.  Things that I love…The tail, the body language, and the message!  "A new Beginning!" 

Thanks for looking! 




Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Kolene Spicher Bumble Bee prints

Things that go BuZZZZ
I have two of these Buzzing things to discuss. 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/234116843/kolene-spicher-bee-print-titled?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Back in 2008, I painted a fun series about bugs.  My favorite bug (if there is such a thing) is the bumble bee.  I guess this is because I love honey.  
Set it on a table or hang it!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234115219/kolene-spicher-print-the-common-bumble?ref=shop_home_active_2
I stumbled across a few bumble bee prints in a box from a tradeshow.  It's been a while since I blogged about Spicher and Co. prints, and so I thought this was a good series to talk about.  
I love the way these look in my kitchen.  

I think that these would look sweet in a laundry room or a power room, too.  Think SUMMER!  

I really like the red/black rubbed frame
These are what I would call medium-sized prints.  I have a few available on my ETSY KOLENESPICHER store that are seconds.  If you would like 'perfect' go to www.spicherandco.com.  


Check out the Spicher and Co. Vintage Vinyl on the floor.  This is for my puppy's water! 
Enjoy! 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/234116843/kolene-spicher-bee-print-titled?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Custom Mermaid Painting - Treasures of the Sea - Post 4 - Last entry! 6/13/15

South Carolina Mermaids finished! 

New and improved tail colors! 
After painting the original painting (look back a few days to post 2), I had to do a few edits.  Well, it was more than a few but worth it!

Yellow/greenish tail belongs to a Chiropractor, hence the bones with "No Curved Tails" 
Some of the things that will make this painting special to these people are not only the similarities of the mermaids to their daughters, but also the inclusion of the dogs, bones, and scales--all of which speak of what these sea girls love and do.  

I think that these girls are so pretty.  You should see the photo of them!

Most of my mermaids include sailors.  No exception here! 
Two Sailors for two Mermaids! 
We wanted to include a few puppies here, too.  The framing was important with this painting (and all paintings).  We needed the frame to "Pop" and decided to go with an old vintage seashell finish.  The owners live along the coast of South Carolina, so this frame should blend well!


No Curved tails, only well adjusted! Speaking of well-adjusted, look at these dogs! So cute. 


I think painting and illustrating must evoke an emotion.  This painting really pulls that off.  I look forward to maybe have photos of the room setting after Treasures of the Sea painting is installed!



We made a few prints of this painting, as well!  


Hanging in my Seashell room before being boxed up!




Enjoy! 





Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Show House Installation of Equestrian Show Horses and hunting animals by Kolene Spicher-Part 2

Vintage Vinyl Floor Cloth Photos 

The floor covering is one of our Vintage Vinyl pieces created exclusively by
Spicher and Co! 

Here's another shot looking the other direction!  DedeRothman Designs! She rocks!
In case you are interested in using her design services, she is located around the greater Harrisburg, PA area.  Here is her card! 

Thanks for looking.  If you are interest in this Harrisburg Symphony Show House, go to 
https://www.facebook.com/SymphonyShowhouse?hc_location=ufi

For more information on this, check out a few days ago's entry
http://kolenespicher.blogspot.com/2015/05/show-house-installation-of-equestrian.html

Enjoy! 


Custom Mermaid Painting - Treasures of the Sea - Post 3

Making Changes to Custom Mermaid 

SEE BELOW!  

This is where I stopped YESTERDAY
Here is where I start today.  I know it looks like a lot of work but it is a custom job.  Anytime you have something ART DIRECTED,  you are bound to have changes.  I should have asked more questions, haha.  

These are the steps to fixing this painting.  First, take a picture of the mistakes and then use a dark marker and make the corrections.  I DON'T TRY TO MAKE PENCIL LINES ON THE ORIGINAL.  

GIRL ON LEFT IS TOO TALL, EVERYTHING WILL NEED TO BE SHIFTED DOWN…
BTW, I want the lawyer to be holding the scales (she's on the right). 


I will take photos as I go, so tune back!  

Enjoy! 

Monday, May 18, 2015

Custom Mermaid Painting - Treasure of the Sea - Post 2

Treasure of the Sea 
Frame has a strong mint cast that makes the Sea Puppies stand out! 
It's been a while since I have had the chance to post.  Please don't think I am not working!  I am busy working a little each day on these lovelies!  
The colors are coming across a little deeper than the original. 
I had a few glitches trying to photograph this.  I took it outside and brought it in, trying to get the colors correct.  Let's just say it's close and leave it at that. 
This is a good one because it shows the mint frame against white.  
Nothing is set in stone with this painting.  I have NOT varnished it.  I am waiting on the customer to see if she wants to change anything….including the frame color. 
Here it is with some of my KEEPERS.  (But, Not the ship in the gold to my left~I am waiting on antique glass)
You can see, the colors all meld, which is always my goal.  That way (if I am fortunate), I can sell multiple paintings to the same customer and have a flowing that is truly "Kolene Spicher." 
Another OUTSIDE shot. 
I love the little dogs.  The dog on the right goes with the girl on the right, and the same for the dog on the left.  The Little White Dog has an "Anchor" around his neck…so sweet. Hey, maybe I should manufacture dog anchor collars! 
Painting wouldn't be complete without my sailor MEN.  
I usually do similar backgrounds on my mermaids.  Let's just say it's become my 'trademark'.  
Love the coral bouquet! 
There are so many little details about this painting!  I really love it.  The SCRIPT in the ocean says it all! Nothing is quite like THE TREASURES OF THE SEA. 

Friday, May 8, 2015

Custom Mermaid Painting - Treasure of the sea! - Post No. 1

Sea Treasures 
I love the complexity of this Cottage style frame 
Today, I have started a new custom mermaid painting.  It's actually going to be a double mermaid painting. This painting is about the treasures found in the sea.  It will include (along with the mermaids) dogs, shells, ships, sailors--everything that we love.  Everything that holds mystery…even the sea itself will "pop" in this painting.   

When I paint, I like to draw the viewer into the painting.  To do this, it has to be about something.  The real treasures in life are the people and the animals that are placed in our care for a short time…  
This was drawn very fast, but this is the composition.  
 I want the mermaids to have some sailor friends in the background.  One standing and one sitting, it keeps things interesting! However, the painting is definitely NOT about the sailors.  It is about the dogs and the mermaids.

So ADORABLE~Both of them! 
My idea is that the big shell will hold the dogs.  The two mermaids are actually two sisters.  The "mom" of these beauties wanted them on the beach with shells, etc.  It thought it would be so cute to have the dogs, too.  

Picking the frame is always a challenge.  We decided that we wanted to go with a cottage style.  The frame is really complex.  There are a lot of tones that are under the surface that make it beautiful.  

I am definitely going to be including the warm sand.  It contrasts the frame quite nicely.  



I had this old mermaid print laying around; it is actually too small for this frame.  I thought it would be fun to throw it behind the frame just to see… I like it.  The only thing that I intend to do is go MUCH lighter blue with the water.  

I like these color tones.  
I love the blues here.  

And here...
I am going to include a ship or a sailboat, too.  I am not sure which! This was taken
on the Chesapeake Bay. 
Thanks so much for looking.  I appreciate your time! Check back soon for more updates.  I am going to begin the tedious task of drawing the mermaids very soon.  

Enjoy!