Custom Boy Portrait - Part 1

Little Boy with Saint Bernard by the Sea 

Rough draft pencil drawing 

This was done very quickly to give you an idea about how I come up with my ideas.  I just need to figure out the composition before starting to draw.  I dislike any eraser marks. 

Very deep walnut frame with silver leafed liner 

I decided that I would use this nice silver leafed walnut frame.  It is in excellent condition and what I liked most about it was the fact that the liner was silver.  Normally, they are gold leafed.  No damage on this piece, either! 

Saint Bernard. 

I loved this dog.  He has such a sweet face.  Because I am illustrating a young boy for this painting, I couldn't have the dog leaning up onto him. 

The water is at the top and he's leaning on a log. 

These are big dogs and it wouldn't make sense.  We decided that there would also be a book in his hand.  In the end, I drew him laying at the little boy's feet on a log. 

This is a random drawing that I liked, found online, although I
am NOT doing a profile.  

Having the whole body in the painting helps to give you an idea of the scale of the pet. The example above clearly illustrates a smaller dog.   In the next picture, you can see the scale of my dog.  

I am going to be putting a ship in the background, too, just not drawn yet! 

Thanks for looking today, and I wish you a very Happy, safe New Year!!  Check back next week.  I will have more done then, and you will be able to see it in color!  It is going to be bright and happy. 

Enjoy!

 

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Kolene Spicher Prints of landscapes

Nostalgic Country Scenes 

in a Primitive Style

For sale on Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/261967291/kolene-spicher-print-winter-landscape?ref=listing-shop-header-1

It has been a little while since I have been on my blog.  With Christmas now passed, I have a few moments to myself to talk art. 

These prints that I am showing today were done back in 2000.  I actually had them at a trade show so they are technically "Seconds."  Nothing is really wrong with them, though!  My customers would maybe remember them as my Seasonal landscape prints.

Also on ETSY
https://www.etsy.com/listing/262073028/kolene-spicher-print-landscape-a-day-at?ref=listing-shop-header-0

I have always enjoyed painting landscapes.  As time goes on and interests change, I have come to paint other scenes that are less primitive.  I still love this style, though.  The above print was inspired by my husband's family farm in western Pennsylvania.  They had cows, chickens, horses, and a pond.  Grandma was a lot of fun. 

The three available. (ETSY) 

They are all framed identical and were featured in a flat matte frame that is solid black.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261967291/kolene-spicher-print-winter-landscape?ref=listing-shop-header-1

I always encourage people to mix and match their things.  That is what I am constantly doing!  Arranging and rearranging is a major part of my life as I am constantly moving inventory.  

They measure about 14" square

You can read more about thsese on ETSY.  Here is the link! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261967291/kolene-spicher-print-winter-landscape?ref=listing-shop-header-1

Thanks so much for looking today! 

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Kolene Spicher Mermaid Winter Scene - Part 3

Getting Closer to completion! 

I added a lot more of my fish people and sailors!  I am not quite finished but thought it would be fun to blog about what I did so far.  It's been a busy week with the holidays.  I was hoping to have this completed but it will need to wait till sometime next week! 

I like the red but it's a bit garish for my taste 

One of the things that I will be doing next week is toning the red down.  It's just too bright for my liking.  I have been looking at it for a few days now and think it needs a little less vibrancy.  :) 

What do you think?  Maybe even a different color.  Maybe it's too Christmas??  Here it is in the frame! there was a lot of work that has gone into this.  If the decorator cannot use it, I will let you know.  Maybe it will be available or maybe I will keep it till my next show and enjoy it for some months ahead!

Thanks for looking and happy Thanksgiving and Christmas to you and yours!

Enjoy!

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Kolene Spicher Mermaid Winter Scene - Part 2

It was a real Fish Fly! 

This was my progress after a few days of on and off working 

This is my Part 2 blog entry about the painting called "Fish Fly".  You can read about Part 1 by going to this link: 

http://kolenespicher.blogspot.com/2015/11/kolene-spicher-mermaid-winter-scene.html

I  like to start with the background.  I do so because I find that it's much easier painting over the background than it is painting around the foreground.  I haven't decided 100-percent if the sky will remain the same but for now it's fine.  

She's flying! 

This is FISH FLY  in progress!  I took a quick picture here to show what it looked like after another day of painting.  I am sort of working this around some of my other responsibilities so it's slow going! 

Here I show some of the other characters in place.  I love the little fisherman on the left.  I am going to have some fish flipping and flopping near by.  

The frame is OUTSTANDING and in very good condition.  It is a Mid-1800s Lemon Gold Antique guilder frame.  

Check back later this week, I will have more activity.  Each step builds on another.  With each wash of color, more and more interest will develop.  

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Enjoy! 

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Snow Taxi Mermaid Painting photographed in its new home

Snow Taxi is installed in a beautiful New England Home! 

Snow Taxi 

It is not often that I receive beautiful photographs of pieces that I have painted installed in their new home.  I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see this painting hanging in such a beautiful home.  It evokes feelings of thankfulness in me.  

I love this mantle and the color it is painted.  

Can you imagine what the rest of this house must look like?  This green is so soothing and I love her simple decorations that she has on the mantle.

The elegance of the chandelier really compliments this room 

You can tell that this lovely room is probably decorated for the change of each season.  I admire such forethought and careful planning.  

WOW, love the highboy, too.  The platters look so pretty and stand out against the warm brown tones of the piece.  Everything is simply beautiful.  Love it all! 

I am sure that Thanksgiving will be a wonderful event in this home.  Thanks so much for sharing these pictures with me and the lucky audience that happens upon them!  

Enjoy! 

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Kolene Spicher Mermaid Winter Scene Fish Fly

It was a real Fish Fly 

Part 1 - Developing a mermaid winter landscape 

Fish Fly will have this feel but different  story 

I am one of those people that sometimes works when I sleep.  I really get a lot of ideas at night when I should be sleeping ~ OVER ACTIVE MIND SYNDROME.  I am KIDDING. Well, not about not sleeping but about the silly syndrome.   Don't message me either that this  SYNDROME exists and that I have it, please.  I have enough on my plate~LOL. 

Last night, I had a great idea.  I am going to paint a mermaid scene about the Seattle Fish Market.  Although, this is not really a new thought to me, the composition for this painting began to unfold.  

At times, I just have to get a marker out and start scribbling.  Here is what I came up with.  Keep in mind, there is a reason why we call these things "Rough Drafts."  

I liked the sled so I had to put that idea back to good use.  

While at the High Point Furniture Market Antique show, I came across some FABULOUS water guilded gold-leafed frames.

Lemon water leafed frame 

They were a bit pricey, but having this frame on my Fishmonger/fish fly painting will really be worth it.  Wait to you see this finished.  I have a customer in mind for it already, who lives in the Seattle area.  

This will be added somewhere, too.
He was a real FISH MONGER!  

In case you don't know what a fishmonger is by internet definition, Wikipedia defines it as someone throwing a fish that has been purchased but has NOT yet been wrapped.  At the Seattle Pike Place Fish Market (founded in 1930), this is a habit that accidently made this market world famous.  IF you have not been there, it is well worth a visit.  The first STARBUCKs started there, too.  

Back in the 30s, it started its humble beginnings as an open air market at the corners of Pike Street and Pike Place.  I think that would be a neat painting, too.  This shall be painting No. 2 (maybe).  I will see how this one is received.  Keeping things flexible, here!

When I was there, I did not actually see anyone throw a fish, rumor has it that they sometimes throw plastic ones into the crowd to 'shake things up.'  That would give me a heart attack, probably. Anyone who knows me would agree~very high strung.  

Here is where I stopped with this painting.  I will post some additional shots next week when it is FINISHED! 

Sort of similar in coloration to the opening photo.  The little black spot in the ice is the fishing hole!  

Thanks for looking!  Have a wonderful rest of the week and Enjoy your holiday preparations.  We are blessed to live in this great country! 

ENJOY

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Victorian Winter Mermaid Town Scene

Snow Taxi 

Snow Taxi 

I have so much fun painting these winter scenes.  While painting this one, I couldn't decide what to call it.  After a little thought, I found myself thinking that they looked like they were "waiting" for someone, almost like UBER or a taxi.  It was then that I came up with my title Snow Taxi! 

Victorian with Fabric liner 

I always think victorian when I am painting snow scenes.  When I was a young girl in the 60s, this frame must have been in vogue because my mother bought a lot of these frames.  She was an artist, too~ SMILE. 

I decided that to properly photograph this painting, I would need to hang it.  This was one that I thought I had sold, but the customer wanted me to frame it in a lemon gold frame.  Because I didn't have one this size, we agreed that I would paint something different for her, making this now available for purchase.  

Here is a HEAD on shot.  Sorry about the flash. 

I have a lot of hard wood flooring in this house.  I think that I will let the picture up because it just looks really good!  I am going to list the painting on ETSY if you are interested.  

29 1/2 X 33 1/2 SIZE 

As you can see this is very big.  It would fit over a bed nicely or inside a door.  I have mine hung inside my front door.  With the holidays coming, why not buy a prop!!! 

There are a few condition issues with the frame but it doesn't affect the look of this piece one bit.  The painting itself is recessed behind the glass which is antique and wavy! 

This is not visible at a distance 

Like many things in life, when you look at them from a distance, you miss all the details.  That is definitely true of this frame.    There is so much going on that you don't really notice a chip out here and then.  Plus it adds to the over all look of the piece, I think! 

Here's a closeup of the canvas.  I spend a lot of time making it look OLD! 

Thanks for taking the time to view this.  I know it was a long one! 

She is saying SEE YOU, and catch the next taxi! 

Have a merry Christmas! 

Enjoy

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Wilton, Connecticut Show

My Paintings 

I had a fabulous time at the Wilton, CT show.  It was so much fun, and I have already committed to next year, Lord Willing!!!  

These photographed a little dark, but they turned out beautifully
The one on the left is on HOLD

I love my primitives and always will.  

If you see something that you like, message me, I still have some of these left.  

SOLD

This one might have been my favorite.  Mark was sad to see it sell :)  

I really loved this one.  They were painted on antique books and the bottom one is 3-D.  The tail and the water sort of project forward.  I love, love, love this one :)

These are both gone. 

The attendance was really steady.  Each day had a good bit of traffic.  The 'Society' is already talking about what they will do differently next year to improve the show.  If you think you might like to go to 2016 show, it will be the same weekend (first weekend in November).  I can send you info if you message me your address.  You might get a Christmas card, too! 

Sold 

Mermaids are always fun to paint and seem to bring the buyers joy.  Folks, that is what it's all about for me.  This one was painted on an antique canvas, too!  It has a real vintage look and feel.  

I am keeping this one for a while. 

SOLD

On Hold. 

The next show that I will paint for won't be until next summer.  I know that seems like a long way off, but time does fly.  

SOLD

SOLD 

HOLD or probably SOLD 

Just remember that nothing is ever impossible to repaint.  I love doing something that is similar.    If you have an idea, message me.  If you like something that I have posted, I might still have it!  Just drop me a note.  Thanks for looking.  

ENJOY! 

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