Monday, November 20, 2017

Mermaids by Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher

Mermaids, Mermaids, Mermaids

Here is the set of mermaids that I painted recently.  I had blogged about them a bit earlier; 
however, I had not included pictures of the paintings with frames.  Here they are! 

Strolling 
When I go to the beach, I always take a stroll on the boardwalk.  I love watching the people, swimmers, and birds. 


Shelling 
When my boys were young, we always made sandcastles and took early morning walks on the beach looking for shells.  



Fishing 
Each summer we went to the beach, one of my stops always included talking to the fisherman along the shoreline.  Truthfully, I never seen these guys actually catch anything.  I guess I just didn't time it correctly.  It was always great fun watching, though. 


Swimming
This one cracks me up!  Look at her with that cellphone!  Tell me that doesn't go on all the time on the beach, my instagram is full of such beach activity.  The selfie is here to stay.

Eating 
Then there is the proverbial eating that goes on.  It's a real problem today on our boardwalks and beaches, why?  Birds.  There's actually a law now in New Jersey, you cannot feed the birds!  They swoop down and dive bomb the ones with food in their hands.  It can be quite alarming. 


Watching 
This is probably my greatest pastime that I enjoy on the beach, people watching.  Bird watching, too, is quite fun; except, if they are busy dive bombing, then it is an out for me! Look at the water  I am loving that blue. 


Finally, here's an order that I just finished for a customer on the other side of the USA.  I love this mermaid. 

 I love the feathered edge and the glass is floating between the two pieces of moulding creating a cavity between the glass and the paper painting!  

Thanks for looking! 
Enjoy 

PS, message me if you are interested in any of these pieces! 

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Holiday Style Whaling Scene by Pennsylvania Folk Artist Kolene Spicher

The Visiting Whale 

The Visiting Whale
If Whales could speak, they would tell you how much they love watching and interacting with man.  Each day someone, somewhere goes out in his or her boat, and watches for that proverbial whale's tail flipping across the water.   I love a good whale watch and am delighted to catch even a partial site of one.  

I had a request for a painting with a whale, some mermaids, and a few skaters.  While I have painted this combination before, each time it turns out a little differently from the last.  


I decided to paint this with a feathered edge, it looks wonderfully vintage and the surface has some wrinkles and cracks.  


I love the guy with the striped shirt!  He's fun and carefree and has really big feet, lol. 


Then there's the fun red house, hey, you have to have that house in there, every time.  It makes my painting look 'lived' in!  


There she is!  In her entirety, you get the feeling of a cold night and you think HOLIDAYS.  

I have a few more to do and will be posting soon.  

Happy Thanksgiving! 
2017 

Enjoy! 



Monday, October 30, 2017

Wilton Show Inventory - 2017

2017 Wilton Show 

Wilton Connecticut 

New Inventory 

This entry will reflect my thoughts about each painting.  I thought it would be neat for those interested to understand what was behind each creative piece.  

Nantucket Inspired Painting
See framed below

This painting really turned out great (in terms of the frame and everything).  I love that I happened to come across this old frame after I had started this.  In most cases, it is impossible to find a frame that 'fits' something because most of the older antique frames were not custom sizes.  Each frame is unique in appearance and also size. 

This is a little dark but the outer frame is painted an old black/walnut color with a hint of burgundy
SIZE - 30 3/4 x 22 1/2"
No. 1833.46875-WC 


This painting is finished on high grade canvas.  It is a one of a kind, as I have never painted anything quite like this one with the red sales and beautiful green/blue  water.  I love all the color on this piece and the finish is smooth and pops in the black frame with gold-leafed insert.   I loved the frame so much that I decided to have this painting rest retched to fit the slightly smaller antique frame.  This is a large painting.  I can see it over a mantle or bed or sofa.  

The dog painting measures 17 1/2" x 14 1/2"
The horse and rider measures 16"x13"
Both of these bottom pieces are featured in antique frames. 

The top painting is a larger piece.  It is painted around the holiday Halloween and is called Trick or Treat!  Truthfully, the trick or treat theme was embellished much later in the process.  At first it was about neighbors who borrow things...brooms, rakes, eggs, sugar, etc.  After looking at it a bit, I decided that it was definitely more spooky and needed to be about halloween.  If you read my blog, you'll know that my neighbor boys (growing up) 
threw eggs at us while we walked down the street in our 'costumes.'  No one was hurt, but they did get in trouble--every year.  

This is a reproduction frame.  It is brand new.
Do you see batman in the tree?
SIZE - 19 1/4 x 26 1/4" outside dimensions
NO. 1039.07812-WC


The middle piece is a snow scene and gives the idea of someone on a quest or a journey.  I really love the horizon on this painting.  It is soft and mysterious.  

The bottom pice is about a black lab dog.  I love the folky bird front and off center!  This might be my new favorite dog painting.  The frame had been met mother's.  We found it in her attic! 

17 1/2 x 14 x 1/2 Outside dimensions.
No. 589.4375-WC

It's always good to have some closeups!  Look at the moodiness in this painting.  I love the soft tones.  (check out the soft horizon and mountain in the distance!)  This frame, too, was my mom's! 


The image is a little blurry (above) , if you are interested in this painting, I can send a clearer closeup to anyone interested.  

Maps are a nice compliment to nautical paintings.  Marth's Vineyard is 10 1/4" x 7 1/4'
No. 196.928125-WC
Nantucket is 13 5/8" x 10 5/8" (Both outside dimensions)
No. 291.703125-WC 

Always loving maps.  These two are around Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket!  Sister islands! My fascination with these two places has always existed.  Everything about Nantucket, I love.  The cobblestone streets are something I always think about when I talk about Nantucket.  Also, I adore a good whale painting or carving! 

SNOWSCENES 

I have three this time... one is small. 

No. 1452.8625-WC
Size - 21 1/2 x 25 1/2" 


34 x 34 1/2" SIZE - outside dimensions
No. 2414.1625-WC

This painting is featured in a beautiful handmade red frame that comes from Lancaster County and is very large.  The guy who made it was in his late 80s.  He even signed it!  His first name is Rufus.  How's that for follky?

Here's a good closeup! The girl front and center is ME.  I actually identified myself in the painting.  It was sort of a "where's Waldo" moment.  The building along the water is a boathouse.  Hey, don't you wish you had a holiday house like this to visit annually?  

16 X 13" SIZE
MAN on Horse with Top hat.
No. 551.20000-WC
Last but not least in the snow department, is this little guy.  He's really fun with a soft look.  I really like him.  


MERMAIDS 

The series below is about mermaids and what they do on the water!  The sizes are typical for a Currier and Ives frame.    These are medium pieces.  I had about a 1/2 or so of these frames and decided they were beautiful enough to do a series around them.  

Watching
SIZE 12 1/4 x 16 1/4
No. 594.4590-WC

Strolling
SIZE 12 1/4 x 16 1/4"
No. 594.1023-WC

Shelling - 12 1/2 x 16 1/4" (Outside dimension)
No. 594.28125-WC
All mermaids worth their salt like to look for shells.  That's what I did when I was a youngin and that's a good beachcomber does today.

Fishing
SIZE 14 x 17"
No. 594.7456-WC

Swimming 13x17 1/4"
No. 594.2625-WC
Sorry, but the cellphone thing was funny to me.  That is what people do on the beach (it seems) or just about anywhere...TAKE SELFIES.  I love her polka-dotted top!

12 1/4x16 1/2" (Outside dimension)
No. 594.63125-WC
Eating on the beach?  Why, Yes!  Every morning, we would pack our cooler and eat all day on the beach.  Today, you have to guard your sandwich so much more than you used to have to!  Those birds...they will steal your food faster than a pirate.

LANDSCAPES

Here's a closeup of the winter scene! 

Close up

This is such a fun painting and was very popular on Instagram! Things I loved while painting this was the saltbox (my first house) and the stone wall/bridge.  I would travel out of my way to see this scene!  How about you?  The red frame is so beautiful and came straight off a barn in Lancaster, PA.  

This painting makes me smile.  Anything Pumpkin reminds me of Nina Fletcher Little.  She used to live in a pumpkin colored house in New England.  This is the queen of folk art.  Her collection of paintings was exquisite and I happen to own some of her things.  Fun times!
NO. 1192.5432-WC

LOOK at the reindeer.   Usually, the sleighs are pulled by horses, the reindeer makes this piece unique from my other paintings.  The glass on this piece is the best I have seen in a while...It is so wonderfully wavy.  The Large piece below is expensive.  I am going to take it, but to be honest, it's been in my living room so long, I sort of want to keep it.  It measures about 36"x80"  (Think bedroom door size - that's how large.)
36" x 80" Rufus Porter style mural.
No. 4850.7632-WC
The edge on this is grained.  

Why did I paint such an enormous painting?  Well, I painted it because I happen to have a large living room and I needed a big scaled piece of art.  There's nothing worse than having a large wall and some weak smallish painting on it.  UGH! 

SHIPS

18"x16"

I HAPPENED TO LOVE THIS ABOVE PAINTING SO MUCH THAT I MADE MY BUSINESS CARD FROM IT!  CHECK IT OUT.


This painting was inspired by an antique diorama that I purchased years ago.  I really love this object.  I tried to replicate the look in this above piece.  I love the water and light hitting it from various places.


This painting is fun.  Riding a swan might not be possible, but it's fun to imagine.    That a is what I like about folk art.  It's surreal and spikes the imagination.  The colors pop.  The frame is very nice and antique.  Lemon gold! 

36 X 25 1/2" OUTSIDE DIMENSION
NO. 2432.777-WC

Look at the little pair  running down the hill, "Wait for me."  (See below)



Below at the bottom is a PEN AND INK  piece.  I thought it hung quite well with the maps! I love this medium because you can slip it in with the other more colorful pieces, and it compliments! 

14 3/4 x12" (bottom ship piece) Glass is amazing on this one.
NO. 469.0504-WC



20"x10 1/2"
NO. 525.4567-WC
This is a more simple frame.  I embellished it in the center because I happen to love the use of shells in artwork.  I like glitter, too, oh no.

18"x16" handprinted grained frame with antique gold leafed insert.
NO. 763.20789-WC 

This was taken after it was assembled.  I included this shot for the wavy glass! I always love it when I find a frame with the old glass! Bonus.
NO. 1464.7875-WC

33 1/2 x 16 1/2"
Here's another shot of this one!
NO. 1464.7875-WC



This bottom piece features cutouts.  It has a 3-D effect.  44 3/4" 20 3/4"
NO. 2460.69062-WC

Here's the painting behind glass!


The frame on this bottom piece is light blue (periwinkle) and was handmade by that same Amish gentleman mentioned above! You go Rufus!  Your stuff is great.

10 1/2 x 12 3/4" Antique grained frame
NO. 325.76875-WC

10 1/2 x 12 1/2"
NO. 325.9908-WC

These are smaller paintings (George and Martha).  They are featured in a grained antique frame and are about 8x10" - inside dimension  
  I love the folky flower and bird! 

I really am interested in historical art.  At first, I just painted two portraits.  I kept thinking, these are boring and need something.  That was when I thought about the fraktur art that I own and the period that this type of art reflected.  Bringing the birds into these paintings draws the viewer into a different feel.  It makes boring whimsical! 







This is the donated piece.  If anyone wants this one, you'll have to call the Wilton Historical Society  to bid or be present!  This little guy is like 4" round!
NO. 325.665-WC
MORE MERMAIDS! 
13"x15" I think the little corners really make this one standout!
NO. 516.7590-WC
The next painting (below) I have had hanging in my living room for a little while, everyone that sees it loves it.  I don't know if it photographs as well as it really looks in real time!  

I love the shells.  I love the dark umbrella.  Wouldn't this be so cute as a greeting card??
NO. 515.2234-WC
Here's a shot of this painting hanging on my wall beneath the antique diorama.  One piece compliments the other!

The ship is like the one above (or should I say, it inspired me!)
Prints - I am going to bring a few prints.  Not a lot will be brought.  If you have interest in a particular print that I did not choose to take to Wilton, I can always accommodate you!  



I am taking these pieces, too, in print form. 


These are small mat sized floor cloths with my art printed on them.  They will be at my show, too!

EAGLES 




Three eagles!  I always try to take something patriotic.  These fit the bill.  

THE SIZE ON THE EAGLES - 12"X15" Outside dimensions.  The frame is really nice, too, although it is new.  

Here's a shot of one of the eagles with the frame. 

All eagles ar 12"x15"
NO. 385.1969-WC

I love the subtle clouds in the background.  As I said, these are very patriotic. 

NO. 385.1967-WC
NO. 385.1968-WC
NO. 385.1969-WC



I have some tree paintings too, and also a very nice portrait!  I have a flower painting that was hanging in my living room and also one painting that I kept from 2015 Wilton Show!  




I have a total of 6 different bird paintings.  Speaking of birds, here's some more! 

The flower painting is about 17X30"
NO. 1250.1351-WC
The last two paintings were actually two of my first paintings that I started for this show, especially, the girl on the right.  The medium on the flowers is pastel.  The finish on the frame is encaustic and has a waxed hand-rubbled feel to it.  I really like it hanging with the girl because the color tones are very similar.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or message me!  

Thanks for taking the time to look today!