Sold a limited edition print today

Today I sold a limited edition print to a new Facebook friend. He saw a pic of this in a Facebook Banjo Group (Clawhammer Rules) and searched google images until he found my website. It's nice to know my work is getting around the net. Thank you Tommy.

Artisans in the Park at the Conrad Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf, PA

Another painting in the works
7x5 - gouache
Another view of the Conrad Weiser Homestead Springhouse

This painting along with many others (including prints) will be available at Artisans In The Park

At The Historic Conrad Weiser Homestead

You won't believe the amazing group of talented artists that are on hand to show you all of their breath taking work at this annual show including Robesonia Redware, Furnace Creek Forge, 1860 Wood Company, Robesonia Wicks, Judy's Pressed Garden, Bill Kassel Fine Art (Gouache paintings aka opaque watercolors) and many, many more!    

http://www.artisansinthepark.com

Weiser Homestead - Artisans in the Park

Here are the first 2 paintings I just finished for the Artisans In The Park on April 30th.  These paintings (5x7) are from the Conrad Weiser Homestead where I will have a booth set up. The Originals and prints will be available at the show.

 www.ArtisansInThePark.com

Portrait Commission

Started a portrait commission. It's from a black and white photo, which I am making a color portrait. I feel it's coming along well. I'm doing this one in oil. I'm using the water mixable oils. So far I really like them. The photo is about 60 years old. Since it's a surprise present I'll post the art after she receives the painting. Okay, Here's a sneak preview.

Sneak peek Day 2

Merry Christmas

Finished and available in time for Christmas

The Tulpehocken Creek in the Fall

7x10

Medium - Gouache & watercolor

$300.00 matted & framed

Frame size 11x14

The Red Gate

10x14

Medium - Gouache and watercolor

$400.00 - Matted & Framed

Frame size - 16x20

                                                                                       

Cardinal - Refined Grace

7x10

Medium - Gouache & watercolor

$300.00 Matted & Framed

Frame size - 11x14

On my easel 12-8-2015

                                                                      
On my easel - starting to add detail
Cardinal
7x10
Watercolor & gouache on 140# Canson watercolor paper
                                                          

Why do paintings cost so much?

A typical painting involves countless hours of research, planning the composition & painting. It also involves getting frustrated when your painting enters that ugly stage. Yes, all paintings go through that ugly stage. Then after several passes of refinements it starts coming together into a cohesive work of art that has feeling and expresses emotions. 

The other factor is the cost of materials: Watercolor paper $6.00 to $10.00 a sheet, Mat board for matting the art $15.00 to $20.00 a sheet (2 are needed for a double mat). Frame - $35.00 to $55.00 depending on size or even more for a custom frame. That’s just for materials, it does not count for the time involved in cutting the mats and the actual framing including the dust cover that’s added to the back of each frame or the hanging hardware that is attached to the frame.

Yes, It's finally finished, The Tulpehocken Creek in the Fall

After going back and forth a few times, I still couldn't leave it alone. Something about the tree I didn't like so I re-worked it.

The Tulpehocken Creek in the Fall

7x10

Gouache & watercolor

$300.00 Matted & framed
Frame size  11 x 14

Diamond Rock 8 sided School House

I made a few tweaks. Now I'm done.
Diamond Rock 8 sided Schoolhouse
10 x 7
Medium - Gouache and watercolor on 140# Strathmore watercolor paper
Available - $300.00
Prints available soon.

For those that don't know the history. The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse is an historic octagonal one-room school. A well-known landmark in The Chester Valley, it is located at the foot of Diamond Rock Hill in Tredyffrin Township, just a stone's throw from Valley Forge National Historic Park, the village of Paoli, and the Great Valley Corporate Center.
The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse was used as a school between 1818 and 1864. As the population of the area grew during the mid-1800s, the school eventually became too small, and it closed in 1864 when students were reallocated to other nearby schools. After 1864, the old schoolhouse fell into disrepair but was eventually restored in 1909 by the Diamond Rock School Old Pupils Association, a group of former students who saw great value in preserving their former school for future generations.
Their stewardship continues today under a new name, The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse Preservation Association.