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Before working on my Christmas card painting I needed to take care of a more pressing painting. Its a commissioned piece, my first in many many years. I simply dont do commissioned work because they are fraught with problems…for example, the client usually has a vision in their mind of what they are looking for, and it probably doesn’t match mine. One of the other problems with this sort of work is first being able to mount some enthusiasm for the subject, and then of course maintaining it throughout the project. So why then you ask, am I doing this piece? For my aunt Frances whom I dearly love. So now it is complete and delivered. She said it has been well received, and she is happy which is all that really matters. The painting is 16×20 inches and titled “Sadie”.

Due to inactivity on Etsy, I’ve decided not to sell on it. I mean that is what its for right? I’ll look into other venues and when I find one I’ll let everyone know.

My intentions have been for some time now to publish my own Christmas holiday card. I decided to get off my arse and get busy. The snowman is actually in the shade and so it will be cool (think of blue tonals), hard sunlight will be hitting behind him, filtering in and out of the olive coloured trees. Cant decide between a red scarf or a plaid.

I’ve always had a fascination with the working boats we see daily in the mouth of the York and the James rivers. These men and women work as hard s their boats. I have wanted many times to do a painting around them. But they are so “done” here in the Mid- Atlantic, like Geese or Herons, that I hesitate to add to the problem.  I found this study sketch I did a few years ago in an old sketch book last night while cleaning up in the studio. Maybe I’ll paint one someday after all.

Well I’ve decided to be more rounded and start watercolouring again.  This is a sketch of the subject I want to paint. My very first watercolour subject was a bird too, a Wood Thrush.  I still own it and it can be seen here in the watercolour gallery.