Rufus Porter Mural in Connecticut by Pennsylvania artist Kolene Spicher

A Restful Place 

This was a very fun project.  The house was magnificent where I painted this mural.  

The first step was to create the finish.  When I say finish, I am talking about the surface and not the end product.  You can see the crackles and dabbling that occurred in the surface.  These marks were deliberate.  

Rufus Porter was known for his stylized trees.  I don't know if his were as crazy as mine, but hey.  I think this tree could exist.  

The flower pot is pretty stylized, as well.  I wanted to create a very primitive atmosphere but I wanted to update it to our current century.  I did this with colors that pop. 

The water was magical.  

Look at that tree!  And those boats! LOOK* at that tiger maple desk.  Everything was gorgeous.  

Speaking of gorgeous... 

I love to paint garden gates.  Do you see the fence along the water?  I think it, too, is magical. 

The wall adjoining the mural was painted a complementary color.  The warm tones in her furnishings really made this jump off the wall.  You really can get a great look without painting all four walls.  

Thanks for taking the time to look at this.  CURRENTLY, I am painting pottery to match this look!  I will be taking it and artwork, that is one of a kind and framed, to the #wiltonhistoricalsociety show that takes place the first weekend in November 2018.  

Here's a glimpse! 

Enjoy! 

Kolene E. Spicher 

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Chef Illustrations by Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher

From Poissonnier, Pastry and Dessert, and

Line Cook,  to the Saucier!

Types of Chefs 

I love to cook and I love a good chef.  Who doesn't.  One of my favorite past times ( I am reluctant to say is eating out).  I consider food a presentation an art when it's done correctly.  I love this little guy with his red checkered apron.  He just might be the Chef de Cuisine!  I love all cooking shows from Giada to Rachel Ray to Martha Stewart to Guy F.  I love them all.  What fun.  (IF I didn't mention your favorite show, it's because I am having a brain fade incident, but I watch them all!)

What's your fav pizza? 

I don't know what a pizza chef is called.  Before today, I would probably have said that he was in the Line Cook Category, but you know I am not so sure.  It takes some skill to throw a pizza.   I looked it up on Google and they call him a Pizzalolos or pizzaioli.  So there you have it!  Pizza, pizza! 

I think people are really interested in cupcakes.  Kids especially love to make them and so do adults, really.  I enjoy a good cupcake and so I thought, I must do a cupcake chef.  The icing is my fav part.  Make it ganache, please.  And chocolate.  

The Patissier! 

Even though the background is dark, these project light.  They just do.  They look lovely in my light white kitchen.  (See Below). 

The Saucier! 

These guys have an important job in the kitchen.  Sauces really are at the heart of cooking and understanding how to put them together, let me tell you, isn't the easiest of things to do.  You have to have a critical understanding of how one food affects another.  You have to understand proportions and how they affect overall flavor.  And don't forget that harmless spice that you think just a little will do...well, if it taste like licorice, DON'T use it.  LOL.  One time, I added too much Tarragon or Anise or fennel (can't remember) and oh boy.  Soup went into trash.  No one would eat it.  See, I don't have that critical understanding... sigh.  

Fruit pies, desserts, custards--THE DESSERT CHEF. 

I THINK a pastry chef and a dessert chef are different things.  I specifically love pastries but know that I am not a natural at making pie dough.  I love puff pastry, and I love filo, yet, I can not make either.  These guys have some talent! 

Lastly, I have the fish fry!  The poissonnier!  Oh how I love fish.  Check her out!  She's not quite finished. I believe that I will do one more beside these five, a meat cook chef or a Rotisseur! 

The Poissonneir (not to be confused with the poisoner) LOL 

Thanks for looking and now I am hungry! 

Take care. 

ENJOY. 

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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! 

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Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher Miniature Nautical Oval in Silver-leafed Handmade Frame

The Whalers 

This is a painting that I am going to donate.  I painted it specifically for the Wilton Historical Society fundraiser that will be held on Friday evening at the historical society in Wilton, CT.  

This is a great event with food and lots of artists!  What more could you ask for?  You 

can have a fun night out and contribute toward the preservation of the Historical Society.  All funds from the auction help this worthy cause continue to exist! I think it's fun thing to do on

a Friday night in New England! 

http://wiltonhistorical.org/events/event/american-artisan-show-preview-party/

I had a little bit of trouble with the lighting on this piece and blurriness.  Sorry.  

The frame is handmade in Italy and silver-leafed with beautiful paper on the back.  The frame is very beautiful.  

This picture above gives you an idea of the scale.  It is about 5-inches square (but round). 

http://wiltonhistorical.org/events/event/american-artisan-show-preview-party/

Check out this show! 

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Custom seascape by Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher

My Heart's Always Home 

Day Dawns Beyond the Atlantic Sea! 

Sea Shells are gently applied  beneath glass.

Imagine this, you own the red house in the above picture!  Each morning you watch the tall ships go out somewhere unbeknown to you, what a sight!   Of course my artwork would be hanging in your house along the sea, too.  Stop and think about that!

The Large DioRama was created by an elderly gentleman captain from Maryland around 1880
THE PRIDE OF BALTIMORE 

I really enjoy creating reproductions that blend well with good antiques.  Today I present  Day Dawns Beyond the Atlantic. 

The Shells were collected by myself and found mostly along the Atlantic in New Jersey Specifically.  Finding the shells are 1/2 of the fun.  

I haven't decided if the frame needs any work, but I happen to think that it might be good just as it is! It will need modified, however, to receive the painting with the shells because the shells add a surface that is not entirely flat. The glass would be in the way.  

I spend some time over the summer at the Chesapeake bay and take a lot of photos.  I think this painting sort of reminds me of the bay area.  

I love it hanging with my mermaid seashell painting.  You can read about this at
http://kolenespicher.blogspot.com/2017/05/mermaid-seashell-creation.html

This painting and the others presented here are part of my collection that will be shown at the Wilton Historical Society's upcoming 2017 show held the first weekend of November 3-5, 2017  

Here's the link!

http://wiltonhistorical.org/events/american-artisan-show

If you want a card to this show, PM me! 

ENJOY. Wilton Historical Show, The Original!

Kolene Spicher 

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Whale Scene on Nantucket by Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher

Painting A Custom Whaling Scene for 

Nantucket Country

Nantucket Country Store 

All paintings except what is in the center (unfinished) are either sold or not available.  

I included a few unavailable pieces just so that you can have the correct feel for the coloration.  As I put washes on the water, it will pull more blue (like the mermaid next to it).

Similarities (see below) without completely copying.  Note the color of the water is more blue than reference. 

Yes, this is the middle painting reflecting additional work time throughout the week.  I love the action and light in the water.  I think the playful polka dots add interest to the folky whaling boats. 

Nantucket Whalers 

This painting is the Reference Material for the above Nantucket Country painting
This painting is available as a print ONLY.

I actually have a few paintings to blog about but am behind.  The above painting captures some action that Cam Dutton of Nantucket Country would like to see in her piece.

She wants her painting  to have less green in the water with more blue in the sky, whaling boats more prominent, and whales unobstructed.   This week's whales are more playful and the light house is "Brant Point" on Nantucket instead of an unknown lighthouse. 

Love the Smoke Stacks on the ship.  I am sure those sails in real life would have been brown with soot! 

Caption reads, "This happened on Brant Point." 

I always love to add some writing to my paintings.  I think it adds interest and reflects my playful side.  (See below)

Finally, here is another shot showing more of the painting in its entirety.  This is available thru NANTUCKET COUNTRY, Nantucket, MA.  Message me if you need the number  

Enjoy. 

 

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