Show sales!

A collection of paintings that sold from Doylestown, PA show 

This is going to be a long post!  I had so much fun this last weekend presenting my creations that I have been tediously working on over the spring and into and through the summer!  I will start with the miniatures!

These are my imported handmade gold and silver leafed Italian frames.  They are very well made and were very well received at the show 

I really took my time painting these little guys.  I was thrilled to see that they sold quite quickly and found them to be a good introduction piece to individuals that have never purchased from me before!  Hopefully, it is the beginning of a wonderful relationship!  HA.

This one was very popular and could have sold several times if I had duplicates (which I did not).  I did take an additional order on it, though! 

Another well received miniature! 

Another category that I happened to do well in was the mermaid department.  People like fish.  I always have so much fun painting them, too.  I never know quite what direction that they will go…and then WALA! It sort of hits me and I run with a theme.   I present these in the order in which they sold.

I sold this right before the show (sorry) but I happened to love the person that
bought it and wanted to see her get it.  She has been patiently waiting for a redhead that she loved for a long time. 

This was a special request mermaid (the next one below).  The customer that bought her has been buying from me for a very long time.  She is my friend.  Her daughter actually picked out the frame that her mother would want.  I thought this was neat.

Some of you will remember the next one because I actually already blogged about her.  She was part of my tattoo artwork.  She's fun and is one of those paintings that I have things written in the water.  This makes it something that you really want to look at…What does that say?? 

Can you see what's written in the water? The little painting on the right gives you an idea of the scale of this piece. 

This last mermaid was a first for me.  It is what I like to call 3-D.  I actually cut her out and mounted her on the background that I painted.  I really liked it and sold 2.  The second one will be slightly larger than this piece.  The cutout really gives it a modern feel. 

Can you see that it is cut out?? 

You can really see it here.   This is actually behind glass. 

Flags are also 3-D 

My tattoo artwork was really well received, too.  Some of these pictures are a little on the dark side (and I apologize for that in advance).  I didn't take the best pictures because it was very busy and I was working the show by myself (with the help of a few wonderful customers [friends]).

This is the second one of this style that I have painted.
I usually do not do the same painting twice but
it was so well received that I needed to.   

I apologize for this one.  It really is dark and happened to be one of my favorite.  I don't know what I 

was thinking…I loved the frame on this, too. 

The last photo that I want to share is my Retrieved Wallpaper technique that I painted on canvas.  I shadow mounted it, which made it have a sort of modern flair.  

Rufus Porter style.  He was known for painting
trees and landscapes. 

I am beginning to paint again for another show.  This one is in New England - Wilton, Connecticut.  It has been about 8 years since I have showed in this area of the country.  I am really looking forward to it! It is held at the Wilton Historical Society and is November 6-8, 2015.  See card below!

Enjoy and thanks for looking today.  Message me with any questions! 

Kolene Spicher 

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A Kolene Spicher painting in the style of the Rufus Porter School

Primitive Retrieved Wallpaper Technique 

 Landscape by Kolene Spicher 

This painting and many others will be at the Bedminster Show in Pennsylvania next weekend 

http://www.bedminstertraditionalartisanshow.com

The crackled surface has the feel of being something that was "pulled" from a wall.  I invented this technique and use
it often with paper, too! 

This is a painting that is done in the Rufus Porter style.  He was an itinerant 19th-Century artist that roamed the New England area painting the walls in numerous homes.  Anyone who has an original Rufus Porter is one lucky individual.  Everything about this from the subject matter from the  exaggerated  trees to the colors reminds me of this  RPorter 'look.'  I love to paint in this style.  

Porter trees were graduated in size.

This tree fills the entire canvas, as far as the height is concerned.  This, too, was in  keeping with the way Porter painted.  The trees in the foreground were always as large as the  mural wall would hold.  I love the little guy on the boat! 

Oversized bright birds

This bird tree reminds me of a feather bush.  The red lighthouse carries your eye to the back of the painting, which I like.  A little color here and there will cause your eye to roam the entire painting.  

White background or Black?  

I prefer the black background or Mat.  I have not decided which way I will go.  I also grained this frame to make it look 'old' like the painting.  The sides of this frame are a simple black.  

Let me know your thoughts!  White background or black?  

Follow me on Facebook at Kolene Spicher.  Go to the page that I manage, not my personal page!  Thanks! 

Enjoy! 

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Tattoo Whaling Artwork

Worthy Whalers Wanted

Tattoo Art! 

The story of Capt. Paddock

This is another addition to my Tattoo art.  

In case you are wondering…Why do I call this Tattoo art??  Well it has to do with the bold black lines.  I have often been fascinated with tattoos.  I am scared to get one, but that doesn't mean that I don't consider it an art form.  I think that a lot of the tattoo artwork is beautiful and sort of historic.  There is no way to preserve them, obviously, but we can take pictures and paint in their likeness.  

This painting is about the whaling trade.  I have been working on this for some time and keep making changes to it.  I am confidently posting today because I feel "It is finished".  I could add to it because nothing in life is perfect, but I am satisfied (for today that is) that it is done!! 

"If you can't see, don't apply" 

This goes without saying, these guys had to be able to see.  I think having glasses would be a detriment.  What would you do if you lost them while at sea?  You needed to be able to climb up tall masts and not worry about your glasses falling off of your face!!  You needed to be able to see whales from afar, Hence, "Thar she blows."  

The left  flag says, "Making history ONE DAY AT A TIIME."  

I really love this panel.  This was one of my recent and final changes to this painting.  I had painted a map of Cape Cod here which I boldly painted out.  I decided that I didn't want a map on this painting.  Smile.  

This frame's finish isn't perfect but its attractive and reminds me of a sign, which is why I chose it.
I also love my drape, it is a classic KOLENE when you see that drape!!

I love the whale at the bottom.  It looks happy.  Don't we all need to focus on the happy times in our lives??  I really think that where our minds go, so goes our disposition--Happy mind, happy life!!! haha! 

There is a lot of work in this and it was painted on canvas!

In case you are wondering who 'Capt. Paddock' is…well let me tell you! He was from New England, probably Cape Cod area. 

Capt. Paddock sailed the Nantucket area in the early 1800s.  This happens to be a true story, too.  He threw a very sharp spear into a whale.  Although, the whale was wounded, he was not mortally so and disappeared with his spear. Fifteen years later, he would throw another spear into a whale only to discover that this whale still had lodged inside his big body the very spear he lost 15 years earlier.  It was in fact, the very same whale, speared by the very same man!  

I hope you enjoy this painting.  This and all the others recently uploaded are for my Doylestown, PA Bedminster Art show.  It's only two weekends away!  Let me know if you want a ticket.  I might have three left.  

Enjoy!

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Mermaid Winter Scene

The Presents 

It is better to Give than to Receive

In The spirit of giving… 

I always have a great time painting these winter scenes.  In many ways, winter is my favorite time of the year.  I just love Christmas.  

Things that stand out to me are as follows!

Love the bright colors! 

These little figures are not very big, and I painted as much detail in as was possible for me.  I like the idea of being 'together' with people that I love.  I love horses and riding in a sleigh.  To me this says "HOLIDAY" and Christmas!! 

The idea is that they are traveling to see a MERMAID SHOW! Fun. 

Let's not forget those in need.  For so many of us, Christmas may not be a time where gifts and money abound.  I really liked the message of giving to those in need.  Check out the red bucket's message.  

To be candid, I took that "Alms for the Poor" message from Robin Hood.  Ha.  My boys LOVE that story. 

I am working on this and a LOT of other paintings for my upcoming show in Doylestown, PA.  It is called the Bedminster Show and is held at Delaware Valley College.  Here's the information: 

Enjoy! 

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Tattoo Art - Patriotic Commerce and Trade Advertisement Painting by Kolene Spicher

Commerce and Trade 

Closeup of Eagle 

I don't know why, but I am very interested in RED, WHITE, and Blue.  I love the patriotic look.  I think it is very 'current' and FUN!

This is more of my "retrieved" wallpaper type art.  In case you don't remember, this is a technique that I created whereby the paper is crackled and looks like it was 'peeled' off of a wall, possibly!  I love the rich colors and the bright red banner that is across the bottom of this painting.

The artwork is chalk full of little sayings that are pointing the buyer to buy HERE.  Let's keep the money in the USA and that's my goal.  Whenever possible, I buy handmade American products.  I love to help an artist out.  This keeps the creative people creating!

I really liked the lightness of the water area.  This would be lost if I were to fill it in with another boat or fish or whale, etc.

  

Here is painting laying on top of the beautiful  antique frame; it is in wonderful condition!  

This painting and all that I have posted of late are for my Bedminster Show in Doylestown PA.  Take a look at the flyer below.  As mentioned before, message me if you want a ticket.  I have some to hand out!  They are going out this week! 

Let me know if you would like tickets for this, it is a very high quality Art Show!

ENJOY! 

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Patriotic Portrait of a Transformed Boy

God bless America, Land that I love 

I

I have a good friend that sometimes helps me, I actually have a few of them, LOL.  I am in the process of preparing for a show in September 2015.  It's in Doylestown, PA and it's called the Bedminster show.  I have tickets that I am giving away to this wonderful show, private message me if you are interested.  

I was going thru some of my inventory and found this boy.  I had painted him a good while ago and no matter what I did to him, HE JUST WOULDN'T SELL!  

This is out of proportion due to the angle that it was photographed
but you get the idea.  I wouldn't say it was ugly but… 

So I asked my trusted friend what she thought, and she said (to my delight), "Why not add a flag instead of the bird."  Boy with a bird, hmm.  I think she might be right. LOL 

Coming up with a name for this was really easy for me.  It just came to me…God Bless America, Land that I love.  I went online to find the words to that song and found the Celine Dion song that is pasted just below on youtube...  Make sure you listen to this.  IT IS AMAZING.  Here's the link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygd5U1BtlEI

I also have a picture without the glass so that you can really see the details and the freshness of this.  

I can honestly say that I LOVE THIS. 

I am really in love with America.  I am so glad that I live in this free country.  I was touched by this saying that I read today:  Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction.  It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.  Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again…

--Ronald Reagan

I obviously have a thing for nautical.  Ships were often times put in the background of antique artwork so that the viewer would associate the subject matter with the sea captain.  That was my goal as well! 

Thanks for looking! 

Enjoy. 

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