Rufus Porter Style Wall Panel, Post 4 - FINISHED

The final touches 

The "Period Look" lies in the detail 

Check out the Grained Edge! 

I love the idea of graining.  The graining on the edge of my painting has an old world look that is folky and fun. 

The entire painting's edge has been hand-grained and measures in at  36 X 80 inches.  This has transformed my living room. 

While this is some of my more primitive painting in style, it is by far not the easiest.  Working with a six foot panel can be cumbersome but every step of this was fun for me.  

This is probably my favorite section of the panel.  I love how the edges, sides, and the faux crack, front and center, turned out.  The plaster look of this was deliberate.  If you don't know who Rufus Porter was from the 19th century, I encourage you to google him because that is the look that was attempting  to achieve.  

 

As I said in an earlier post, I included the bright pink/red tone in the flowers (see above) to bring it into the 21st century.  This truly is a one of a kind painting.  It is also the largest that I have done in many years.  

The whimsical trees are free style and suggest a non-academic artist, again the look I was going for. 

The tones are soft yet jewel in color without being garish.  

I think this sets my linen couch off to a T.  The tiger maple graining is complimented by my tiger maple end tables. 

Faux Tiger Maple with a hint of folk. 

I call the black spot/line "FOLKY"

Thanks for looking today.  With all the competition for time these days, I consider it an honor that you would take the time to read my blog and follow the development of this painting 

ENJOY! 

I am willing to sell this painting even though it is part of my living room.  Message me with information on this.  The shipping will be covered my myself.  I am hoping to sell it locally, smile. 

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Custom Boy Portrait - Part 2

The process unfolds 

Look at the brush strokes in the grass, water, and his pants 

If you read my Custom Boy Portrait, Part 1, you will remember that the last picture that I presented had the young boy drawn in pencil.  It was what I call a composition drawing, something that I do before starting to paint. 

Saint Bernard 

The customer wanted a Saint Bernard in the painting along with a book and a ship.  It is fairly common to see portraits of this  period including both a dog and a book.  

  

I love his sweet little smile and the colors really pop on the high quality water-color paper. 

When deciding on the composition of this piece, remember I had said that it was important to illustrate the dog in such a way so as the viewer realized that the dog was  of a large variety.  Even as large as I made him, I could have gone bigger.  I know this because my neighbor (growing up) had a St. Bernard.  To me, it looked like a horse.   Let's just say this is a young St. Bernard.  

This is a great example of what I am talking about.  

In this shot, you can see that the dog is really large.  It is nearly as tall as the child.  

This was one of the paintings that the customer referenced when requesting a child with a book.  They liked the ship, too, so I have included a ship in the background of our painting, as well.  You can read about this painting by going to: 

http://kolenespicher.blogspot.com/2015/10/portrait-of-young-girl-auction-item-for.html

This is almost finished.  I really love this frame
and think that the painting is really very sweet! 

I will look at it for a few more days, probably till Monday or Tuesday and then send it to be framed if I don't see any adjustments to be made.  

Thanks for looking and I wish you all a happy New Year!!  

Enjoy 

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Kolene Spicher hand painted portrait of a distinguished gentleman

Table Top Portrait

A Distinguished Looking Gentleman Silhouette 

19th Century Style 

I am excited to say that my new REAL gold-leafed frames have arrived.  I am as excited to blog about these frames as I am about the artwork, itself.  

These beautiful Table Top frames are handmade in Florence, Italy.  This company has 

been specializing in gold-leafed frames since 1901 AND IT SHOWS. 

This portrait is so sweet with his little hairs that you can see upon closer view.  Of course, this is a painting and not a print, so the details are very light.  They need to be because it is very small.  The frame measures in about 3" Round.  The opening is 2 inches.  

Love his purple-y jacket

In this particular picture (above), I have the frame sitting in direct sunlight.  You can see the hairline easier and the watermarks.  

The back of the frame is nicely finished.  The ruler and the paint brushes give you an idea of the scale. 

I am going to be listing this on my ETSY store.  Remember it is a MINIATURE! The store name is KOLENESPICHER. 

Thanks for looking! 

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19th Century Style Portrait

Summer in the Country

1840 Style 

A Young girl sits for her portrait

https://www.etsy.com/listing/219812113/19th-century-antique-reproduction

Another Gold Leafed Oval Frame 

I can only imagine life back then.  I love the idea of  being where no cameras or phones or TVs exist (although, not really).  The backdrop for this painting could have taken place in my back yard with the columns and the water and the landscaping peaking thru the window.  As a child, I was always fascinated with picking posies. We had a butterfly type bush in our backyard.  One of my favorite memories was picking this flower and making "perfume" with the fragrant petals.   Some things never change.  I still LOVE fragrant flowers. 

The two pictures below were my inspiration pieces.  I love to paint portraits, but in my style.  Yes, the dress is similar, but the technique is clearly mine with the big eyes and soft tones.  The bright flower is about as 'bright' as it gets for me. I often put drapes in my pieces.   

Attributed to Sturtevant J Hamblin, c 1840

Quick bold strokes - Characteristic of Hamblin's style 

I am stock piling paintings right now.  They will either go to a gallery or on Etsy.  I am not sure which.  I just sent for some Antique Reproduction gold-leafed frames made in Italy.  They are beautiful and I can't wait to paint some children's portraits for them when they arrive.

Larger painting is SOLD

When I look at this little piece, as the viewer, I wonder, "What is she looking at?" 

Or I might wonder what is going on out the window.  I love the watermark on the wall and her sweet little smile.  All these things make me smile.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/219812113/19th-century-antique-reproduction

Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy! 

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Hudson River Landscapes

Etherial, watery looking landscapes

Hudson River Styled 

I love these for on a table or beside a bed or a dresser top 

So I have a lot of frames, as I have mentioned.  Some of them are in poor condition but they are old.  I love them.  I am always trying to figure out how to incorporate them into my life.  Here's some of the photos that I took with my new 'impressionistic watercolor' technique.  The tone, feel, and colors all say "HUDSON RIVER" to me, that is! 

The slashes are deliberate.  I like them.  :)

Some of these are vintage frames that actually have velvet backs. 

More to come, so stay tuned! 

Enjoy!
Kolene E Spicher

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Miniature Ship Portrait

Ship Portrait in Miniature 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/213996858/miniature-ship-portrait-in-antique?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

This little print measures about 4 3/4 " x 5 3/4" 

I placed this around the house in different spots, and it looks cute a lot of places.  I just listed it on ETSY and am running a special for December.  Go to my ETSY KOLENESPICHER page to check it out.  You have to enter the code to get the special, however.  Here are some other shots.  

I like it sitting here, too, in front of my GW bust.  LOVE George Washington!!! 

The back of this frame was really neat, so I decided to frame it with sheet music.  Check this out!   It would fit well in a stocking for Christmas-hint. 

I don't know who the Foster Brothers were, but I like their stuff!

Here is a closeup!  I like to hang my artwork around the real antique.  I think it really blends and just works well.  The miniature portraits that are shown (below) came from Nantucket Country.  She has the best antique miniatures.  

Jones was a famous sailor name! 

The paper really comes thru here.  The paper, actually was a page from an old book.  The backside, again, is very cool.  Unfortunately, I cannot show you, but it was painted on old marbled antique paper from a book from the 1850's.  

Enjoy! 

Merry Christmas! 

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Thanksgiving Mermaid's on Cape Cod

Celebrating Thanksgiving Cape Cod Style! 

****Update - See below 

Well, after a lot of shopping around antique stores, I finally found a frame that fits this painting perfectly. It really is a miracle because it was a weird size…  See below 

UPDATE - No. 2

The final piece, "Celebrating Thanksgiving Cape Cod Style" 

I sold this painting! I needed to make a small change, or rather add a small addition! The buyer wanted their baby in the picture!  Having a baby is an important event, I can understand it fully.  

Here is what I did, where the pumpkins were, I tucked the baby mermaid sitting amongst the blades of grass.  

She's barely old enough to sit, but there she is! 

If you love to sing, this painting is for you! 

I don't know what you have been taught, but when you celebrate, sometimes you just have to sing!  This painting comes off like a drama to me.  The drape and the backdrop really capture the feel of the Theater.  Can you imagine a play on broadway about Thanksgiving and the holidays where the characters are in Mermaid attire?  WOW.  I would go :)

Celebrating Cape Cod Style
The title of this painting

Boy that is one serious mermaid.  She doesn't know what to think of that pilgrim that looks like a puppet. 

Now this girl is sweet.  She's in love.  "Sure, I will take some gravy".  (now there's a baby-see above) !

The Mayflower landed on Cape Cod's National Seashore.  America really does start here.   

This gives you an idea of the scale.  

Let me know if you are interested in this painting.  I have not framed it yet.  Thanks for looking!

HERE'S THE FRAME!  I JUST FOUND IT!  SO HAPPY!

This frame came off an old museum piece.  I found it at an antique store!  I am amazed as it JUST FITS! 

I hope you have a very nice Thanksgiving holiday! 

ENJOY! 

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