Preparing for the Wilton, CT show American Artisan Show

What I have been doing! 

I have so much going on in my life.  I wish that I could say it was all wonderful, but it's all about perspective, isn't it?  Sometimes what we look at as a challenge or a weight, may be used to make us stronger.  You can't push a good man or woman down, they just keep getting stronger!  That is what I tell myself as I endeavor to do what I love.  What the heck am I talking about, I am talking about the challenges of overcoming illness.  We can all relate to it, I am sure.  I have been traveling back and forth to California where I have been seeking treatment and I feel it's working.  Everyday is a test, am I going to trust God??  Yes.  I am.  So unto the painting and the making of art!  This paragraph is mainly to let you know that I have been busy, so busy, and that is why I haven't posted much.  I am learning to do pottery, as I mentioned in an earlier post, but I am continuing to do my painting, too.  I am going to be posting a boatload of pictures so hang tight! 

I am going to post backward, meaning I am going to write about things as I have done them from the present backward.  These things are not for sale until November 1, 2018.  They will ALL be at the Wilton Historical Society's American Artisan show.  

There are NEW SHOW days for this event, and they are starting on a Thursday evening this time.  (This is instead of their traditional Friday opening).  The event is held on their grounds 224 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut.  The preview party is Thursday Evening, the 1st.  It is $125 to attend, but it is a fabulous fundraiser for them.  It's all about meeting their year end needs in order to keep this wonderful place going.  Come on out and be the first to see all the wonderful stuff.  Painters, potters, furniture makers, carvers, weavers, floorcloths, cabinets, treen ware, you name it. 

I had my own card made up!  It's always fun choosing which painting that I want to highlight.  I picked one with warm browns!  I am into brown at the time.  And blue.  Well and green.  Whatever.  I love all color.  

Let me know if you want a card.  I have maybe a dozen left, if that.  Now unto all the art that has been in the making.  Even though I have been a bit distracted with it all, I have managed to get a lot done.  Right now I am working on the snow scene for Wilton.  Snow scenes are always a favorite and they generally sell.  I don't paint as many of them and they are truly one of a kind pieces down to the frame. 

I always have a red house.  I don't know why, I live in a white house, but red is just THE COLOR for the Holiday season! 

Ignore the wire.  

This is the barn!  I love the looks of the mountain and the naked tree.  All that snow!  Bring it on! 

It looks sort of mysterious.  Wait to there are children playing, though, and sleighs and horses!  It will all come together, I promise.  

The frame! 

Many of you know that I have started to learn pottery.  This is a one of a kind piece.  I have ONE.  I am going to bring it.  It is a nice size, too, and it turned out very well (with some help.). LOL 

I love these round guys.  This is a happy colorful piece! 

This may look a little bright, for me, but they aren't finished.  I am going to have a bunch of these fun updated fraktur type pen and ink pieces.  I know it doesn't look like my work, but it is, and they are cool. 

This photographed dark but it looks really nice in person. 

Thats better!  It shows all the color.  My house is either too bright or too dark.  Can anyone relate.  It's either too hot or too cold.  Now I am sounding rather goldilocks like. 

The birdseye frame on this is fabulous.  I hit the goldmine for maple recently.  I bet I have five right now! 

These are really fun, there are actually four of them. 

Although this is painted on board, it will be behind glass.  It's about washing your hair with fish water...yum. 

I had this last year, but I am bringing it again.  I don't mind if it doesn't sell.  I have plenty of walls. 

I love this one.  I have another idea for a large whale, but don't have it started yet.  It's in my head for right now! 

Jonah.  He's been swallowed. 

The only mermaid. (so far). 

There's a lot of interest in this bottom piece. 

These turned out well.  I love them.  I will be happy to keep them, too.  I have a place for both.  Nevertheless, they are coming. 

I haven't decided how I will frame this yet.  For now, it's in a black frame (not pictured) but I don't love it.  It will be reframed.

I have a lot of pottery (well a lot for me).  Having said that, there isn't a lot.  It's all one of a kind.  

Here are some lights that I have made. 

I have more pottery, but for now, this shot will have to do.    I haven't decided if I am going to outright sell them or take an order on the lamps.  I am waiting on shades to arrive and the lamp cap (which I turned) to be fired.  

That's it for now.  I will have more.  I hope that you can make it to my show! 

Thanks or looking. 

Kolene 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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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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Kolene Spicher Original Landscape with Red House

A Happy Family

Lives near the Water  

I don't know if you can see it, but there is a family drawn into the painting! That will be another day that this will be painted into the piece. 

I love the little garden chair and the flowers that look like an antique sampler.  I plan to add some more flowers.  LOOK AT THAT FRAME!  

This painting also has some great antique glass!  

You can see the family in this picture 

More details will be added to the house as well as the 4 people front and left of center.  

Check back early next week for the conclusion!

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Kolene Spicher original painting Whale and fisherman

His Finest Catch 

And maybe his greatest hour.

A whale of a fish! 

I love to tell a story.  True or false, it's just fun.  Today, I present my little original painting, His Finest Catch.  The size overall is 6.75"x 13.5" and I am selling it on ETSY for $525, plus shipping.  

Here are some additional pictures of this fine little painting.  By the way, I present these pictures from beginning to end and also show it hanging in various places throughout my studio so you can get the feel for size and color.  This painting was carefully antiqued at the end so as to not rob the painting of the richness of its color. 

I started out with a drawing.  

I don't know how to explain it but I go from front to back.  I start at the base (many times) of the painting and sort of work my way into the distance.  

As many small paintings usually will display well on a shelf or in a cabinet, this one is no different.  I love it displayed with my items from the sea and other nautical things.  

I wouldn't say the frame is anything really unique.  It is just a simple gold frame with great old glass which I didn't photograph because it keeps a constant glare on the painting and makes it difficult to capture the details.  

Finally, here it is with some of my other paintings so that you can see that it will blend well with my other work if you are deciding to add this to your collection. 

Look for this on ETSY at 

KOLENESPICHER 

Enjoy.  

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