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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Mermaid with Seaglass in Repurposed Antique Frame

Looking for Seaglass

After the shells and 'pickling' of the frame
AFTER  

I had a friend give me one of those Antique Criss Cross frames.  At the time, both of us were unsure what we would do with it.  I forgot to take a BEFORE picture so I had a base for comparison.  This is the best that I could come up with as far as showing to you the color of the frame at the beginning of my project.  

BEFORE 

This is the closest thing that I could find.  The first thing that I did was remove the gold liner.  I will save that for another painting for now.  Then I regaled the leaves on because they needed to be absolutely secure before adding the seashells.  

AFTER 

This is what the frame finish looked like after it was treated with my special pickling sauce, lol.  

Before the pickling, this is what I came up with as far as composition for the painting.  

One of my new hobbies is seaglass.  Why do I like seaglass.  I am sure that I don't know.  I just as fascinated with the idea of something tragic like a wreck or littering (in the bay) could somehow produce something as beautiful as seaglass.  

You can very subtly see the glass at the bottom of the painting.  I have painted it to blend into the sand because that is exactly like what it is like trying to find it.  Often times you will walk over a piece and not ever see it.  There seems to be an abundance of white glass...sigh.  I like the colored glass.  

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This is one of the many paintings that I will bring to the American Artisan's show in the fall at Wilton Historical society, 2017.  I am sorry but it is not for sale at this time.  

There will be over 50 artists present at this show.  It is in November.  Here is the link! 

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

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Rufus Porter Styled Primitive Landscape by Kolene Spicher

Solitude 

This photographed a bit darker than original

I love to paint in this genre'.  To me, it is fun and whimsical and so unlike everything else that is out there.  I love the individual characteristics that this painting --not only with the surface but also with the colors and tones. It is acrylic paint on my "RETRIEVED WALLPAPER" surface.  You can check out my other posts.  I have many paintings on this surface that I invented to create that primitive antique look  (THAT I LOVE).

Solitude 

I have named this painting Solitude because there is only one person painted into the landscape.  Although, we are never alone, sometimes we discover things about life and beauty when we take the time to walk outside and enjoy creation.  There's nobody to talk to, leaving us to appreciate the beauty of nature.  

This is painted the exact same size as the train landscape that I just posted!  They will be framed the same, too!  

These and all others will be taken to my show in Wilton, Connecticut.  

http://www.wiltonhistorical.org/americanartisanshow.html

If you get the chance and happen to live in or near NEW YORK CITY, why not take your Saturday and head to Wilton for a day trip?  There are two shows going on simultaneously.  The other is in Ridgefield, CT and is fabulous, too! 

Enjoy and thanks for looking! 

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Miniature Whaling Scene and mermaid

The Whalers and A Mermaid

Beautiful Gold leafed frame 

This is an acrylic on paper technique painting.  I distressed the surface to slightly mimic the idea of it being a fresco.  It really has that look up and close.  

Can you see the spackled qualities? 

I named this painting "The Whalers".  Truth be told, I include that little title in nearly all of my whaling scenes and have for the last 20 years that I have painted them.  I love the long skinny feel of this painting and think that this would look fabulous on a dresser drawer.  Years ago, I painted landscapes on a dresser.  There were four drawers total (I think), and each one had a different landscape.  

New England Nantucket/Cape Cod Styled house.  

This is a relatively small painting compared to what I usually do, but I really loved the old frame.  

Top painting is also available for purchase and both will be available November 6-8, 2015
at the Wilton Historical Society show
http://wiltonhistorical.org/americanartisanshow.html

I love the rich blues that are in each of these paintings.  If you know or have collected my work, most of the paintings hang well together.  I tend to use the same color palette.  

Mermaid painting is called "She was the apple of his Eye" 

This photograph gives you an idea of the scale of this piece.  You can see that it's not very large, but it is really sweet and I love the colors.  

These paintings will be available at the Wilton Show in Wilton, CT. on November 6-8, 2015.  I don't have as much work as I sometime show, but each painting is really carefully done and I think it will be a good show.  

Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy! 

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The Process of Creating new Mermaid Paintings

Mermaids, Mermaids, Mermaids

These two paintings will be taken to my show in Wilton Connecticut at the Wilton Historical Society November 6-8, 2015  

Americanartisanshow.com

Love the Fall Apples  - HER HANDS ARE NOT DONE! 

I have always been a big fan of the fall.  I had this wonderful old frame which was pine.  It had knots and patina and warmth.  Using antique frames is a wonderful way to repurpose old frames that nobody is buying.  

I am not finished with it yet because I want to add more details to the painting itself, like a ship and possibly a sailor or maybe a seashell.  Or maybe just a ship.  NOT sure yet! 

I think it's so wonderful and warm (the frame) and the basket is very 'Nantucket like.'  I miss painting for Nantucket Country.  Now that this store ihas closed, it feels sort of sad for me when I think of Nantucket.  Cam Dutton, you made it all wonderful.   

I would put the ship in the left side, I think.  It's going to be called, The apple of His eye.  

So many of you have seen this  next one.  I had it in a new and different frame, but I couldn't see it right in that frame.  I never have been able to find an antique frame to match it in size.  Recently, I found this one. It is very old, but someone painted it white--Ouch. 

Color has to go - :( Sorry Shabby Chic people, while I love this style, not for this mermaid. 

I picked up some milk paint and started to paint and paint and paint.  I wanted it to match the frame that is above with the apples.  Here is what I came up with! It's close but not exactly. I would give it a blue ribbon, though.  

The right frame is painted to look like
wood. 

I have to say that I LOVE this.  I really am pleased with how it turned out.  It's very picture realistic to wood and has a good look to it.  As you can see, the frame is slightly too big, so I will have to do a  modification on the frame, Alas, more time.  

Thanks for looking!  I will post another picture when I have finished up with these!  The one on the right is not finished! 

  

Closeup of frame technique

Enjoy! 

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Step 1 of Winter Scape painting by Kolene Spicher

The Development of a Winter Scene Painting 

(If you live in the Wilton, Connecticut area, this painting is being developed for a show at the Wilton Historical Society on November 6-8, 2015 ~ read about it at www.americanartisanshow.com)

**There are two shows going on simultaneous to one another this November 6-8, 2015 weekend.  They are both in the same genre and share the same collector base.  I am at the show affiliated with the WILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY on Danbury Road, Wilton CT.  This is their 30th year.  

I don't have any real direction for this painting as of yet.  It will end up falling into a category that might be in-between my mermaid scenes and that Rufus Porter look.  I cannot decide if I will include mermaids or just have it about people.  I don't have any clear cut direction as of yet!  I am just painting.  This is day 2.  

I painted in a few people in the background! 

The houses get larger as they come to the forefront.  I happen to really love the contrast of red houses with snowfall. 

I always paint from top to bottom and back to front! 

Today, I plan on sketching in and painting the sleigh.  I always have a sleigh.  Normally, I have ice skaters, too.  We shall see!  Tune back tomorrow to see the unfolding of this piece! 

Although you might not realize it, This is a larger painting.  I am not sure that this translates in the photographs.  LOTS MORE TO DO! 

ENJOY!

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Kolene Spicher Whimsical Landscape Original

Folk Stage

Dancing with the Stars! 

I am taking this to the American Artisan Show in Wilton Connecticut November 6-8, 2015.  You can read about it at wiltonhistorical.org

I have had this done for a little while but have kept forgetting to blog about it!  This is a really sweet original that has some considerable size to it!  I found this wonderful warm pine frame and thought that it would be fun to paint a  festive landscape inside of it.  This particular piece has the feel of some of my older work but it is fun and has a lightness to it that my previous landscapes (that were whimsical) did not have.  I don't know if that makes sense.  That's how I see it!

The stars and the characters dancing remind me of the show (tongue in cheek) DANCING WITH THE STARS.  The sky is dark and the moon shines, the stars peak thru the clouds!  These people are truly dancing with the stars.

THE folky writing is really fun and carefree 

I would have to say that the grass photographed a tad brighter than the original.  I love the guy with the harmonica.  The black tree against the green grass really stands out.  

The girl in the green dress is singing, too.  That is one reason that I have Folk Stage worked into the title of the piece.  

I really took my time with the house.  I wanted it to be a little more plumb and exact than some of my previous art!  My dad always likes to tease me that my buildings lean.  He is a retired builder!  It isn't about painting the same style over and over, it's about learning new styles and learning new techniques.  

This is a bit dark, but here it is over my kitchen mantle!  

It reads FOLK STAGE, DANCING WITH THE STARS! 

Here it is in its entirety!  This is behind glass and was painted with acrylic paint!  

Thanks for looking!  

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