Moby Dick depicted by Pennsylvania Artist Kolene Spicher

Ahab Seeks Revenge

A Nantucket looking Painting 

His Name was Ahab and he lost his leg one day
while being stoved by this great white whale... 

Recently,  I was sitting waiting on an appointment for a test.  I waited and waited and then decided that I needed to illustrate while I waited.  Might as well make some money whilst I sat!   To my delight, there were some markers and paper designed to entertain children laying on my right.  I guess I am still a girl at heart!    While I sat, I also noticed that there was a trailer for a 2015 Moby Dick movie which was directed by Ron Howard.  This caught my interest and was my inspiration.  I like Ron Howard, Happy Days.  Anyways, I updated old Moby and Ahab, I gave him my signature polka dotted hat and put a smile of sorts on that old whale.  The bird is for fun  and so is the fish.  The book tells what Ahab was thinking.

Upon arriving home, I went into my storage area and found this yummy looking period lemon gold  frame.  YES, that will be my choice.  I love the way the golds and the blues work together.  I am using up some of my favorite frames that I have been hoarding.  

Here's another yummy antique frame that I recently picked up.  I love the watercolor tones in this piece.  Both Ahab and this ship are available for purchase.  Message me if you are interested.  

The whale at the bottom is sold, but I thought it would be fun to show you what I have been working on since getting home from Wilton, CT.  The show was amazing and I thank all my wonderful customers that came out and supported my efforts.  

Back to Ahab... 

The photo is a little dark but here it is in its entirety.  

The story line goes as follows.  Ahab's ship was stoved by this aggressive angry white whale.  During this process, Ahab loses his leg.  Bad news for everyone.  Ahab is vindictive and stubborn  just like that ole whale.  He's going after it!  He's going to avenge his leg.  That whale, come Hell or high water, is going down!  LOL.

"I know not all that may be coming but be it what it will.  I will go to it laughing.  It is not down on any map,
 these places never are!"
~Ahab 

These sentences are cumbersome and problematic.  Even as I proofread it, I want to change the wording, but it is what he said.  So be it!  I love this storyline.  I always have been fascinated with whales.  Such a glorious large monster that mysteriously roams the seas.  Aren't we fortunate to still have these creatures?

Enjoy. 

Kolene Spicher 

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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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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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Kolene Spicher Custom Teacup collection for Spicher and Co

Blue and White Teacups 

Spicher and Co 

High Point Market, 2017 

First of all, I apologize in advance for the poor photos you are about to look at.  Just imagine them not blurry, LOL. 

I wanted to post for all my wholesale customers with gift shops or for my designers that buy thru Spicher and Co. 

Each teacup is painted in shades of blue and white.  They are each different and vibrant and pretty in their own way.  

I feel that these could go in a lot of rooms, but think bedroom or maybe kitchen or living room.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.  I really enjoyed painting these and started them awhile ago.  I paint a little here and there till it's finished!  

I think a black frame would be lovely.  

Decorate your home with TEACUPS by Kolene Spicher. 

Available after October, 2017.  

Enjoy. Teacups for Spicher and Co

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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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Kolene Spicher Custom portrait of a young girl Mermaid

My Lil Daffodil 

A mermaid from Cape Cod. 

 

Silver Leafed Italian hand made frame 

This little angel is my latest custom portrait.  The painting is designed to sit on a shelf or a coffee table.  I call these my #littletreasures.  

I am unsure of her age.  I was told it, but I can't recall.  I think she is around 4. This is a portrait of a combination between these two photographs. 

When painting these smaller pieces, it is hard to maintain the folkiness of the mermaid without going too realistic.  I want this to be fun.  Everyone loves mermaids and Nantucket so that is why she is carrying a daffodil.  There is something about that particular flower.  I call it a flower in a flower...  I happen to know that this little girl is loved and treasured.  That is what she is, A flower in a flower. 

I paint the original on a big sheet of paper and then use the paper as a palette so that I can be sure that the colors are just right! 

The frames I custom order.  They are hand made and have a wonderful hand applied printed paper on the backs.  This will make a fine piece to add to this wonderful Grandma's collection of Folk ART.  Let's keep this wonderful unique style alive.  

Enjoy. 

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