Child Mermaid

The Little Pearl on Cape Cod 

A likeness without being a 'copy'

Whenever I do a custom piece, I strive for a likeness without being a direct 'copy'.  I figure, if you want a photo, you'll pay a photographer…ha.  I really admire people that can paint photo realistic, though, it's a gift for sure.  

The PHOTO! 

I wasn't sure if the owner of this little angel would want her picture on the web, so I made it very small.   

I love how the water and sky are the colors of shells.  

I really gravitate to the same colors.  This year, it is my goal to introduce some new fresh colors that I want to highlight.  For me, the ribbon color has a freshness that is very current.   

The orange is also carried up into the wave.  

I like to carry color (a little bit) all over the painting.  I think it makes your eye travel subconsciously over the entire piece.  The technique for this painting is my "Retrieved Wallpaper" technique. I talk about this style in other posts. 

In this shot you get a glimpse of her oyster shell tail. 

I wanted the painting theme to be about oysters.  She's the pearl!  The customer lives on the Cape. 

 

Here is the painting under another painting I am working on! 

I haven't blogged about the one on the top yet.  She is an ANGEL  mermaid.  Although, the two are not related to each other and the bottom one is sold, the top one shows how the colors blend with my other work.  I think this is very important.  I will be placing the top one in my show inventory. 

The ribbon brings out the orange in the frame. 

When I was selecting the ribbon color, I decided to go with something that would blend well with the frame.  

Drift wood box! 

Finally, here's an outside shot of this painting.  You can really see how it looks in natural lighting.  The frame is outstanding and is from the turn of the century, late 1800s.  Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy! 

PS- Don't forget the show that I am painting for currently.  Let me know if you live nearby and would like tickets! 

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Kolene Spicher Antique Style Trade Ship painting in Gold Leafed Mirror Fair Trade for these United States

Pen and Ink Trade Ship

Fair Trade For These United States

"Tattoo Art"  

Right Side Close up! 

Up Close 

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL THIS STYLE…Crazy.  I was having a bit of fun today painting trying some new things and WALA! 

The first thing I did was craze the paper.  This is always an unpredictable thing to do to paper.  I am never sure how it will turn out.  But you know, I really like it.  

It has a sort of TRADER JOE's feel to it.  

The little ding on the right middle doesn't detract.  You don't notice it.  

I have been in love with gold ever since I fell in love with Restoration Hardware.  I love their wall of antique gold frames that hang in their flagship store in NYC.  I painted my walls grey in my living room because I LOVE IT that much!   I just can't seem to keep myself from buying every gold frame I find.  Back to the painting.

I've always been a fan of anything that has to do with a trophy.  Maybe it's because I never won one!!  I love the idea of all the competition and racing and sportsmanship that enter in to receiving a trophy.  I think they look really good in front of artwork, too, BTW. 

Look at the details of this frame. 

Here's another shot - different location.

This painting is intended for my Bedminster Show in September.

If you can make this show and would like to have tickets, let me know!  I am happy to get some for you and a friend to enjoy!  

Thanks for looking! 

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Harbor Mermaid

Providing Safe Harbor 

When the Night loses its light, I am there

This painting was executed on paper using Acrylic paint in two techniques.  Watercolor

and dry brush. 

Although this photograph makes her face appear a bit dark, I wanted to include it so you could see how sweet she turned out.  See below for the true rendition. 

She's like an ANGEL with her little etherial looking face. 

I love a good story.  This mermaid has it with the lighthouse, the silhouetted ship, the darkness, the light, etc.  She is for sale, but not now.  I have to start painting for my show in September or I am going to be in trouble.  I will be forced to show up with all prints.  Cry. 

When the Night loses its light, I am there. 

I wanted her to glow, and she does.  Just like that lamp at her tail, she puts off light!  I love light.  This painting is actually the moon scene (background) that I painted a few months ago.  I had kept that particular painting, knowing that I would morph it into something else.  I wasn't sure what, though.  

Providing safe harbor (written in the water). 

I love the way the black frame and the gold liner pull the light and contrast the darkness that tries to overtake the night (of this painting).  Isn't it so cool that we have a moon and stars that give us light.  No darkness can overtake light, even a little candle is enough to outshine darkness.  

I love the silhouette ship and lighthouse! 

Enjoy and thanks for looking! 

By the way, this is the show I am painting for if you want to come!  I have free tickets to hand out!

Just give me a holler!  

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Patriotic Mermaid Angel

There are Angels all around us! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/237134000/kolene-spicher-original-patriotic-angel?ref=shop_home_active_1

I love the symbolism in this painting.

This is executed in a pen and ink, painterly watercolor technique.

 I never know how or what direction a painting will go.  Drawing it out in pencil first, the painting seems to take its own direction.  This mermaid was no exception.  However, I wasn't thinking patriotic when I started it.  She took on that role much later.  She is perfect for the July 4th upcoming holiday! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/237134000/kolene-spicher-original-patriotic-angel?ref=shop_home_active_1

I have a lot of patriotic things around my home.  I love America.  This quilt and painting above the mermaid angel are some of my favorite things.

Seashell wings!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/237134000/kolene-spicher-original-patriotic-angel?ref=shop_home_active_1

This frame is very unique.  It is vintage and probably comes from the 60's or 70's (just a guess).   I have never seen anything like it.  On the back of the insert that closes and keeps the painting, I have written a prayer for America.

The back did not contain anything pretty until I pasted this lovely reproduction bird paper on to it! 

I love it! 

Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy! 

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Mermaid, Sardine Sized!

Sardine Mermaid! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235610756/kolene-spicher-original-mermaid-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1

Check it out on ETSY store KOLENESPICHER

The term "Sardine" was first used by the English around the 15th century.  The origin (According to Wikipidia) is said to stem from an island in the Mediterranean known as Sardinia.

At one time, Sardines were abundant there.  I've always been interested in these cute little fish.  I love them in my salad dressing, especially if they are fresh - Ceaser Salad, uhhh…. They are salty and wonderful,  and cooking only enhances them.

One bit of trivia, the fish must be shorter in length than 6 inches to qualify.  Thats 15 short centimeters.  I got to thinking, wouldn't it be cute to use some of  my  Gold-leafed Italian frames and paint a small mermaid within it??

This is where I came up with my title, SARDINE MERMAID!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235610756/kolene-spicher-original-mermaid-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1

Look how sweet this looks.  She is simply illustrated but can be displayed on or near anything nautical.  

I like her beside my sea-shell boxes.  

I like to always photograph my paintings with my other work.  It shows a continuity in color and form and brush strokes.  I know,  I keep showing this one ship painting, but I am waiting on a piece of very special wavy glass before I can ship it out.  I like having it and looking at it (even though it's sold). 

I love the backs of these frames.  They are beautiful.  They are made precisely and the paper and glass and finish on these frames is gorgeous. Check it out on ETSY! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235610756/kolene-spicher-original-mermaid-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1 

Thanks for looking.  

Enjoy! 

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