Thank You, Veterans!

9X12 Watercolor "American Hero"

                                                                                 

I have been away from my blog for several months for various reasons, but didn't want to let Veterans Day go by without a big THANK YOU.  I know its a bit early- just wanted to take time to remember all of the brave men and women that serve for all of us.

THANK YOU !

The watercolor shown includes the POW bracelet I wore in high school

 honoring American Hero LCDR Edward Davis  along with the US Flag my son sent home from Iraq

Roadside Americana #2- Fresno Motel

Fresno Motel

Oil on Masonite 8X10

This is the second painting in my Roadside Americana- Vintage Neon series.  I am doing some in watercolor and some in oil.  Hopefully, I will be able to decide which media I like best for this particular set.  Maybe both, depending on the sign.  I am doing this same sign in watercolor now, so I will be able to compare.  

This particular motel sign is still visible from the freeway in Fresno.  I see it often when I am driving into town.  The funny thing is, I used to just ignore these awesome signs.  I guess I just didn't think they were going to start disappearing.  There is an awesome old neon sign that I drive by several times a week here in Ventura.  The Wagon Wheel Motel (actually in Oxnard).  The sign remains and I have taken photos, but the motel was long gone before I moved here.  It will definitely be on my short list of signs to paint and I hope to get to it soon!

Painting Roadside Americana- Vintage Neon

Shell Beach Inn   8X10 Oil on Masonite

I haven't been getting a lot of painting time in lately, and have been painting in spurts instead.  I am trying to alternate between oils and watercolors when I do have time.  This week is an oil painting week.  I just got a great package of  art supplies in the mail- including a stack of masonite panels.  I love to paint on masonite since the paint just glides over the surface and it makes it easier to get those fine details.  Canvas is great, but the texture can make it tough to paint the smaller details.

I am not sure when it happened, but most of the great neon signs that we used to see along the roadside are just gone.  I have become a bit obsessed with these retro neon signs and take photos of them whenever I do see them.  They are my kind of painting subject- full of great detail and history.  Sometimes, the more beat up they look, the better.  This one is great looking, and far from worn out- maybe it isn't even that old.  Don't care- love the look.  

The Shell Beach Inn is in beautiful Pismo Beach, California.  I have not stayed there, but love the sign. We spent Fourth of July in Pismo and had a great time so this seemed like a good place to start painting my set of neon signs!  I apologize for the image quality here, the painting is too wet to scan yet, and this is just a photo.  Will post the scan soon!  

Cherry Cherry - Acrylic Painting on Canvas

"Cherry Cherry" 4X4 Acrylic on Canvas

I have been spending many hours over the last few days getting started on Daily Paintworks -and there is so much to learn.  I have posted countless items on Etsy and, while it is time consuming, at least I have it figured out!  There is always so much to learn on a new site and each one seems to have different listing procedures. 

One thing that is completely new to me is using the auction feature.  I know I will learn as I go along and it will become easier.  In the meantime, I have a lot of computer work to do so I can get some paintings listed. No time for painting for a few days!

New Watercolor : Childhood Skyline Memories

Childhood Skyline Memories

9X12 Watercolor

We moved to Long Island in 1993, when both of our boys were  very young.  The first thing we did, was go to New York City- and take the trip out to the Statue of Liberty.  No matter how many times you see it, the Statue is an awesome sight!  

This watercolor is painted from a photo I took that day of the boys looking back at the New York skyline from Liberty Island.  Looking across New York Harbor, you see Ellis Island and the fantastic skyline of New York City. No matter how many photos I have taken since (and there are thousands) this is one of my very favorites.  One reason is that it reminds me of three things-

1. our big move from California to New York

2.  how much fun raising 2 little boys can be

3. how glad I am that we got to see the skyline as it was-

including the Twin Towers

California Dreamin' - Vintage Travel Trailer on Beach Watercolor

California Dreamin" 9X12 Watercolor

When we love to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, between Santa Barbara and Santa Monica.  It is a beautiful stretch of California coastline and the view is amazing!  One of the main things we notice is that, no matter the time of year, the road is always lined with campers and trailers.

They are often parked only a few feet apart, side-by-side and end-to-end.  There is a wonderful variety of styles in these groupings- from new and shiny to the old and vintage style.  My favorites are the vintage trailers- unfortunately, that shows my age!  They remind me of when I was growing up and bring back nice childhood memories.  Some of these vintage trailers are really restored and creatively styled.  This watercolor is not a painting of a specific trailer I have seen- more a painting of a trailer I put into a fun beach setting.  It was a blast to paint and those are my favorite paintings, the ones that are all fun and no problems!

Jar of Marbles- watercolor 9X12

Childhood Memories -Jar of Marbles

Watercolor 9X12

This watercolor is a painting of one of my mom's antique canning jars filled with her childhood marble collection.  I took some photos of it recently because I loved how the sunlight was making all the marbles sparkle.  Like my mom, I have more than a few (some would say too many) of these antique canning/mason jars.  She got me interested in them years ago, and although I rarely buy them anymore- I love to include them in my paintings.