19th Century Reproduction Whale in Gold Oval Ornate frame and Whaling Ceramics by Kolene Spicher Pennsylvania Artist

Happy Whale with Happy Tail and

Whaling Ceramics! 

I decided today that I would post my whaling art along with my ceramics that I made to compliment my latest whale painting.  The painting is a one of a kind original in an old yummy distressed antique frame.  

The artwork speaks for itself.  All is painted with love and is UNRUSHED.  I want to enjoy my work.  I want people to feel the love that goes into what I make :) 

I made this a square cup.  It was deliberate and on purpose and I bravely took two  books and smashed the four corners.  I don't even know if that is correct.  But it's KORRECT Kolene.  

I will always love silhouettes. 

You can't see it because this is unbisqued, but the ship sails will be white and in between grey/tan.  

The Whalers! 

I haven't done it yet, but I intend to clean up that handle.  See Handles are my nemesis.  I couldn't even spell this word.  I Had to look the spelling up, but the definition remains accurate.  I struggle with handles.  I will conqueror them.  They can't be harder than _____.  

Big fat handle you will fire perfect!!! You will appear thin and be strong.  LOL

Pottery is fun.  You have to be brave to do anything exceptional.  I am trying to be brave and think out of the box.  Give me time.  

K. Spicher 

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Sailboat portrait by Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher

My Happy Place 

A portrait of a 19th century Schooner

Inspired by my antique Diorama  

Water that is full of color and light 

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the water.  It makes me happy EVERY TIME.  I love to paint water and sky and boats--anything nautical!! Ahoy!

The Antique Diorama 

About 5 years ago, I purchased this very cool Diorama.  It was actually made by an elderly gentleman from the Baltimore, MD area back in the late 19th century, early 20th.  I loved it.  Everyday, I look at this and think, "Wouldn't that be a smart looking ship painting!"  So here we are, fast forward five years, and it is finished.  Hey, it could've taken 10 years.

On my beautiful mantle and look at that Spicher Vintage Vinyl on the floor! 

The schooner is painted smaller than the frame could accept but I actually liked it the way it was and decided to frame it in a way that accented the beautiful sky and fluffy clouds.  The frame compliments the period in that it is grained.  The finish on the frame is smooth and the gold liner is still intact.  I love it.  

Before the American Flag 

I was going to leave it without the American flag (pictured above)  but like the other nautical pieces that I have painted, I just couldn't stand to not identify what country this came from.  The flag tells the viewer the origin and that is important.

The sky and the water were brightened up some in this picture 

It's hard to know when to stop and so like many of my pieces, I will wait to actually frame it and place it behind glass.  I am forever changing 'finished' stuff.  The number of paintings I paid to have put together only to later tear apart is more than I care to share.

I love the light in the water 

My Happy Place 

Thanks for looking at this and other pieces that I have completed.  I only do one show a year anymore, the rest of my work is wholesale and painted specifically for Spicher and Co.

This and others will be taken to the Wilton Historical Society Show in New England on
November 3-5, 2017.

Check the show out here!

artisans/http://wiltonhistorical.org/events/american-artisan-show/american-artisan-show-2016-artisans/http://wiltonhistorical.org/events/american-artisan-show/american-artisan-show-2016-artisans/

Enjoy! 

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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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