Custom Mermaid Painting - Treasure of the sea! - Post No. 1

Sea Treasures 

I love the complexity of this Cottage style frame 

Today, I have started a new custom mermaid painting.  It's actually going to be a double mermaid painting. This painting is about the treasures found in the sea.  It will include (along with the mermaids) dogs, shells, ships, sailors--everything that we love.  Everything that holds mystery…even the sea itself will "pop" in this painting.   

When I paint, I like to draw the viewer into the painting.  To do this, it has to be about something.  The real treasures in life are the people and the animals that are placed in our care for a short time…  

This was drawn very fast, but this is the composition.  

 I want the mermaids to have some sailor friends in the background.  One standing and one sitting, it keeps things interesting! However, the painting is definitely NOT about the sailors.  It is about the dogs and the mermaids.

So ADORABLE~Both of them! 

My idea is that the big shell will hold the dogs.  The two mermaids are actually two sisters.  The "mom" of these beauties wanted them on the beach with shells, etc.  It thought it would be so cute to have the dogs, too.  

Picking the frame is always a challenge.  We decided that we wanted to go with a cottage style.  The frame is really complex.  There are a lot of tones that are under the surface that make it beautiful.  

I am definitely going to be including the warm sand.  It contrasts the frame quite nicely.  

I had this old mermaid print laying around; it is actually too small for this frame.  I thought it would be fun to throw it behind the frame just to see… I like it.  The only thing that I intend to do is go MUCH lighter blue with the water.  

I like these color tones.  

I love the blues here.  

And here...

I am going to include a ship or a sailboat, too.  I am not sure which! This was taken
on the Chesapeake Bay. 

Thanks so much for looking.  I appreciate your time! Check back soon for more updates.  I am going to begin the tedious task of drawing the mermaids very soon.  

Enjoy! 

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Show House Installation of Equestrian Show Horses and hunting animals by Kolene Spicher-Part 1

Charming Mud Room 

Stone wall in a Pennsylvania Farmstead,
York County

I have always had a fascination with stone houses and anything equestrian.  When I had the opportunity to help decorator friend Dede Rothman, I jumped on it.  we have had so much fun filling this laundry/mudroom with amenities.  Dede was full of fun ideas to hang the art, some of which I intend to do again.

The leather straps add a touch of equestrian and at the same time preserve the beautiful stone wall. 

I loved the used of patterns that were present in the room.  It had a cowboy/hunting/equestrian feel.  It's almost as if this Mudroom was where the "Guys" hung out!  The beautiful handmade tiles were complimented by her choice of mint green trim paint. The prints are by Kolene Spicher for Spicher and Co.

Love the saddle and pussy willows! 

Every part of the room was designed to pull you in.  Even the color of the washer and dryer was unique and truly beautiful.

Spicher and Co. signage! 

There was a Vintage Vinyl floor cloth, too,  on the floor.  This was also by Spicher and Co.

Look at the patterns and how the colors just blend wonderfully with the artwork and the walls and the trim.  

These two hunting prints were just casually leaned up against the window.  I am a huge advocate of layering.  It really is a great way to add depth to your room and interest.  

I know you have seen this sign, but I wanted you to also see how fantastic this door was.  Don't we all want a mud/laundry room like this?? 

Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy! 

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Quirky and Unexpected Decorating with Kolene Spicher Dog Silhouettes

Mixing Antique Silhouettes with Contemporary ones 

Kolene Spicher Dog Silhouettes 

Loving the mix of bottles in front, too.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/191795323/kolene-spicher-print-of-dog-called?ref=shop_home_active_2

I think what makes this fun is that your eye doesn't realize that there are dog silhouettes in this mix of antique ones.  Your eye tricks you, you believe that you are looking at people.  It's a fun way to decorate because it is unexpected! 

I have always co-mingled my artwork with the old original antique, but to mix things up a bit, I decided to rearrange  my Antique Silhouettes with my reproduction dog silhouettes.  It is sort of unexpected and quirky.  Recently, I had a very good designer (who I admire) tell me that was the secret to creating an atmosphere in a home that holds people's interest and makes them engage with their surroundings.  He told me this as I meandered around his beautiful home, stopping at every corner to think, "Gee, I wouldn't have thought to do that."  

Look at the dogs, 4th row and 8th row from the top. 

I have this wall of silhouettes that were begging to be rehung (they still are begging).  I thought before doing that, I would play around with trying to fit some of my new

dog silhouettes into the mix.  That is why there are some gaps here and there that are not consistent.  Turns out, making things 'quirky and appealing' is a little more time-consuming than what might appear from the surface.  

I like the rubbed look of the dog print.  The red coming thru makes me think of
antique graining.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190873530/kolene-spicher-print-of-dog-silhouette?ref=listing-shop-header-2

Take a look at this dog print.  The beaded frame also looks vintage.  I think french. 

If you can find the old ones, buy them up!  Find a small wall and hang them  in a staggered manner
(I also learned them from my decorator friend). 

These dog silhouettes will be listed on my KOLENESPICHER Etsy store Very Soon!  Possibly today! 

Thanks for looking

Enjoy! 

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Arranging and Living with Nautical Artwork by Kolene Spicher

Collecting and Arranging Nautical Paintings

Newly polished Sterling Antique Trophies really stand out!  The Cutter ship in the gold frame is only
there temporarily, as it is sold.  The whimsical print directly behind it is for sale on my ETSY KOLENESPICHER store.  

Many of you know that I am an artist and that I paint for a living for Spicher and Co.  However, did you know that I have a side of me that loves to decorate?  In fact, I have decorated many a properties--including, beach houses and other venues that are not my own.  One of the funnest jobs I have ever done was in Ocean City.  I had the opportunity to install all the artwork (mine, of course).   Sometimes it is not very easy to know where to start.  This is especially true if you have a lot of 'things' that you want to use in your staging.  I am a big fan of the layered look.  I get a lot of compliments on the mantle in the above photograph.  The trophies on the left could use a little polishing.  

I like to group paintings that tell a story.  The picture on the bottom is actually a print and will be for sale on Etsy.  My store is KOLENESPICHER. 

In the above example, it's fun to imagine that these paintings somehow all go together.  The lighthouse groupings are an obvious connection. The ships in the background of the Original with the "shabby chic" (above photo) frame sort of tie the top two to the bottom two.  I like to imagine that the sailor and mermaid were privy to the ships that are illustrated.  In my mind, they all flow nicely together.  

This is a closeup of the print for sale on ETSY.  

Keeping them all in a line is a very simple way to display them.  Sometimes if you have them all scattered around a room with a picture centered on a big wall, the artwork becomes lost and unnoticeable.  The groupings tie them and anchor them to the room.  The box and the items create a grouping--think 3! Three things always look swell, except for with people, three's a crowd. 

I know it's not practical  but I really like the seashells on the ottoman.  The stripes of the chair work with the carpeting, too!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/231940792/kolene-spicher-whimsical-light-blue-airy?ref=shop_home_active_1


Again, we have the straight line going up the wall.  Imagine a pencil line going straight up.  The nail is driven on the pencil line, carefully lining the bottom painting up with the top.  The sailboat and chair and paintings create a 3!  Think 3!!  The bottom print is for sale on my KOLENESPICHER Etsy store.  It is a second but is in good condition.

Here's a closeup!

I love the fresh clean sails.  I think it compliments the chair nicely, too!

Enjoy!
…and thanks for looking today! 

 

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Kolene Spicher Original Ship Paining - Coast Guard Cutter Part 2

United States Revenue Coast Guard Cutter 

Coast Guard Flags (Example A) 

I am not going to say that I am finished with this, but it is time that I post some pictures.  I have been working on this for quite awhile now, and it is nearing completion.  I wanted the colors to pop on this but also be subdued.  It is my belief that once this is behind glass, I will be able to tell if it is IN FACT finished.  

The colors on this ship were designed to match the one that is on the right behind the polished trophies.
(Example B)

This particular photo (directly above) was taken before the clouds were completely finished.  If you look at the top example (Labeled A)  you will see that the clouds are more defined and folky than Example B.  I like that! 

Check out the hull of the ship.  I wanted it to stand out against the water but still be 'brown' like wood and not totally black like I usually paint them.  I can go darker with this, if it is necessary once the glass is placed over the painting. 

I love the green water and all the action of the flags.  The men on board also are a lot of fun.    

I have not identified the ship yet.  I am waiting to see if the person buying wants it identified or if he will choose to wait on another ship!  Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy!

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Baby Room with Kolene Spicher Sailboat Prints

A Sweet Room for a Baby Boy 

Complete with Kolene Spicher Day Boats! 

Today, someone kindly sent me some pictures of their baby room.  I love this lady's taste in color and pattern!  

I love the quilt and the sailboats accessorizing this room

Like any artist, I always get a kick out of seeing my stuff in someone's home.  I think that the light blue wall really compliments the prints, carpet, quilt, and overall color palette of the room! 

My favorite sailboat is the red one on the far left! 

Another thing she did that was smart (and I was relieved to see), was that she anticipated her newborn would one day stand.  The prints are high enough for now that the baby will not knock them off the wall!  Good job. 

LOVE the map sheets!

I included a link to Spicher and Co's website so that you could take a look at these day boats up and close! 

The resolution could be a tad bit better on these room settings, so this link will help! 

https://www.spicherandco.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes

So happy these pictures were shared!  Thanks for looking today! 

Enjoy!

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Kolene Spicher Original Ship Painting - Coast Guard Cutter - Part 1

Revenue Cutter 

"The Pickering" 

Yesterday afternoon, I started a Ship painting for an order where I have been sent a beautiful gold leafed frame.  This customer wanted a specific ship's portrait.  It's called The Pickering!  Its a Revenue Cutter and was part of the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

  

The Frame is beautiful and in  near perfect condition.  I love the little fox marks that you can see on the frame.   This painting will be placed behind Antique Glass! 

A little history on the USCG.  It was created by Congress on August 4, 1790 at the request of Alexander Hamilton.  It is the oldest continuous seagoing service of the United States.  As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamiliton managed this branch of the government; it's main job was that of collecting custom duties in the nation's seaports.  By the 1860s, it was known as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service.  Today, we know it as the USCG,  and it is actually one of the seven branches of the United States uniformed services.   The Coast Guard's roles include maritime safety, security, and stewardship.  

Back to the painting! 

I sort of faked the water but will add that tomorrow.  I don't really need to sketch that! The Pickering, I believe would have been one of the earliest cutters to be part of the Coast Guard.  

The three flags that you see flying on the cutter will be as follows!

This will fly on the Forward Mast 

And of course the American Flag!  

Tomorrow or Thursday I will add some additional photos of my progress.  It may take a while to completely finish but this is a good start! 

Enjoy.

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