ART SHOW IN OUR HOME NOVEMBER 7TH FROM10:00 - 4:00 PM

We are opening our home this coming Saturday to sell my watercolors and reproductions. Kim , our daughter will also sell her South Hill Design jewelry.

Profits will benefit FISHHOOK INTERNATIONAL that has an orphanage and home for widowed women in India.

I will have two racks with my Kuerner plein air watercolors for sale

I will have one rack with the paintings from the Brandywine Valley Plein Air event    I will have five racks of framed reproductions and giclees.    I will have two racks of other originals

There will be tow racks with a 50% off tag

There is one portfolio of all original watercolors matted and one portfolio of prints.

Then we will have some cards packaged for sale
For a $ 5 donation you can pick on of 18 different prints and also sing up for a raffle for an original plein air watercolor of the Kuerner farm.

 

CHESTER COUNTY DAY OCTOBER 3RD

We have organized a Plein Air event for the Philadelphia Watercolor Society at Historic Sugartown on Chester County Day.  I have painted two plein air watercolors over the summer that will be for sale along with any paintings we do this day.  We have some racks set up to exhibit all paintings done over the summer by our members that will be for sale that day.  Here is a study I did this summer of the Hannah Cheever House and the book bindery.

Your purchase of any of these paintings benefit the Historic Sugartown Association that has preserved these buildings. 

So come out on Saturday and watch the artists painting at Sugartown.

Then the following weekend on October 10th, I will be at the OCEAN CITY FALL Extravaganza on the ocean side of Asbury near the Tabernacle.  If the weather is good, I will have my tent with paintings and our sweatshirts with my photo on it.    On Sunday the 11th we will be back at Dilworthtown at the benefit for Chester County Hospital from noon to 4:00 pm.  

FALL BEGINNINGS

This summer I have been able to do some plein air painting at Sugartown in Malvern and in Philadelphia for the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Event. However the summer began with a trip to New England and of course visiting some Wyeth locations.  This is the Olson House in Cushing.  It was closed for the installation of a fire proofing but we still went and took photos.  Then we had the opportunity to take a lobster boat cruise around the Wyeth island where Betsy Wyeth lives in the summer.

Then several times I have been painting at Historic Sugartown to get ready for Chester County Day Plein air event we are running for the Philadelphia Watercolor Society.   Here is on of my sketches

This is of the book bindery with the Garret Home in the background.  On Chester county Day we hope to have 20 artists here painting during the day.  That is on October 3rd weather permitting.

Then several times my paint brushes have gone with me to Philadelphia to paint and that has been an experience!  First stop was 100 Market Street to the Franklin Fountain Ice Cream Parlor.

It was early morning so the cleanup crew was there when I started but soon customers showed up.  The owners Ryan and Eric Berley came out and we talked for awhile.  If you haven't had a cone of their ice cream you have to go and the parking is easy on the street.

Next stop later last week was the Betsy Ross House.  While I was sitting on my stool painting, a couple from New Zealand stopped and talked to me.  They took some pictures of me painting and will send them to me once they get back to New Zealand.
I was sitting in front of a flag store, across the street from the Betsy Ross house on the sidewalk between two sections that where blocked off due to construction.  There were trucks delivering food to a pub behind me so there was alot of activity.  Another couple from France stopped to watch me painting.  They arrived by boat they anchored in the Delaware River.  They came from Quebec on their sailboat and were here for three days before going back to France.
I will finish the paintings in the next day and take them over to the Wayne Art Center for a month long show.

NEWTOWN SQUARE PUBLIC LIBRARY    I have a one man show here for the month of September.  On wall is all plein air paintings from the Kuerner farm and one wall are local scenes.
October will be Plein air on Chester County Day at Sugartown, the Ocean City Block party on October 10th and the 11th will be the Dilworthtown Benefit for Chester County Hospital.

KUERNER FARM MORE WATERCOLORS

Painting at the Kuerner farm since May has allowed me to breath in the air and atmosphere of Wyeth countryside.  As Karl Kuerner III shares stories it forces me to want to improve my paintings.  In addition, it helps me see how by adding more dark and light colors, my paintings can improve.  So my watercolors increasingly have more depth and more color.

The second benefit of painting during the two hours at the farm has helped me focus trying to complete a painting in several hours that helps me improve my plein air painting.

This one was completed in about 2 1/2 hours so a little longer but captures the farm house and springhouse.

The next painting was of the springhouse from a different angle. The springhouse was where Karl Kuerner brewed his hard cider that he and Andy used to drink over their conversation.

You have to understand this.  For any artist who loves Andrew Wyeth paintings this is an incredible experience.  Being able to paint here sends chills up your spine realizing this is where Andy painted.  Every day and every step walked here as you hear Karl share his stories, refocuses your thoughts back to realizing you are on the farm where over 1,000 paintings were created by one of the world's greatest artists.

KUERNER FARM ACTIVITY

Back in mid May I started painting again at the farm with Karl Kuerner III gathering his insight and hearing interesting memories of Andrew Wyeth painting at the farm.  One of my goals was to try to reduce the time to complete a painting en plein air to under 3 hours so I can participate in local Quick Draw plein air events.

I was fortunate to be able to complete 5 paintings over 7 weeks during the time we had at the farm with each weekly session lasting 2 hours.  This was my first watercolor from May.

Several other paintings were completed - one of the home from the back and two from the side near the springhouse.  Karl has been very helpful in providing guidance and suggestions.  Working with Karl and the Brandywine Art Museum, I helped organized a one day paint out here for members of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society.  We had a great day with almost 20 people participating.  

Today is my last day to paint until the fall.  When we finish painting there today, they will be posted on my blog and Facebook account.  

Spring Plein Air activity

Sorry to not have been posting very much but my wife developed back pain and had surgery in early May. However, we learned yesterday that she will now need a second surgery.  So I have been spending more time helping her.

Let me share about a few out door painting activities.  First I sold my painting at the Audubon Plein Air event of the barn that you saw in my previous blog.   I attended the Mid Atlantic Plein Air meeting at Winterthur in April that was a great opportunity to meet other artists.

WAYNE PLEIN AIR EVENT 2015

 I submitted an application to paint in the WAYEN PLEIN AIR but did not make it but they opened up painting on the Friday for anyone to paint at St. David's historic church celebrating it's 300 anniversary.  This offered artist an opportunity to paint plein air , so my watercolor was of the door of the chapel.  Everyone that participated in this one day event at St. David's were allowed to show and sell their paintings at the Wayne Art Center on a wall labeled St. David's Paint Out....and my painting was sold!

It was special being able to see several master watercolor plein air artists at this event as most plein air artists use oil or pastel.  Then last week, my daughter Dawn and I went to see Stewart White do a watercolor demonstration of his plein air painting of a farm.  That also so very insightful.  I managed to watch Stewart paint at St. David's church on Saturday morning of the Wayne Plein Air event that was extremely helpful to see ways to improve my watercolors.  Here are two ways -  First use fewer details and second use washes and paint fewer strokes.

PAINTING AT THE KUERNER FARM WITH KARL KUERNER III

In Early May found me back painting two hours a week with Karl Kuerner III at the Kuerner Farm where Andrew Wyeth painted.   The goal during this spring session is trying to paint watercolors in about 2 hours to help me focus and paint the most important features.   So far I have just about completed 4 watercolors not in two hours but getting closer.  Those paintings will be on my next posting. 

AUDUBON PLEIN AIR

This past weekend I participated in the Plein Air event at James John Audubon's boyhood home called Mill Grove located in Audubon, PA near Valley Forge.
We had a little rain early on Friday morning, but later the sun came out.  I was back on Saturday as well with great weather.

Here is a view of the home from the entrance with the barn on the left. 

I decided to paint the bench on the front porch and add a few other details. 

Here is the bench and my watercolor that I called " Sketchbook on Audubon's Porch"  It will be online for sale.  Here is the link _ http://johnjames.audubon.org/plein-air-painting-mill-grove-april-17-19-2015

The other painting I completed is of the back view of the stone barn.

Here is the photo of that view.   The original watercolor will be at their show this coming Friday.   Go between 10:00 and 4:00 when all work is for sale.  That night the sale continues from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  There will be a reception to raise money for the new Visitor's Center at $ 25 per person.

We will be there at the reception on Friday evening.  The next day I will be at Winterthur at the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters annual meeting with time to do some outdoor painting if the weather is good.  

APRIL ACTIVITIES

The Chadds Ford Art Show faced a snowy opening but the crowds came out and purchased art.  Thanks to all who came and purchased my small originals,  prints and larger originals.  It is a great show to be in with many other fine artists and great customers
This favorite of my wife's left the show to hang on a great customer's wall and so I need to replace it in our home.  

For April, I will be painting in the "Plein Air Painting at Mill Grove” from April 17 – 19, 2015.  I am looking forward to painting around the home where James John Audubon lived for a period of his life.  

The exhibit will be open to the public on April 24, 10 am – 4 pm, no admission fee. Then the finished art work will be exhibited at a fund raiser Mill Grove Cocktail Party, Art Exhibit and Sale, Friday, April 24, 6 - 9 pm, Mill Grove Pavilion.    http://johnjames.audubon.org/plein-air-painting-mill-grove-april-17-19-2015

April will also find me preparing for the OCEAN CITY SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA held May 2nd, 2015 on Asbury Avenue near the Tabernacle between 4th and 5th st.  We will have Jan's sweatshirts and my paintings. In addition our daughter Kim will have her lockets that you customize by adding charms of meaningful things in your life.  I might try to do a small painting that we can use as a giclee to put in the lockets.

I am working with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society to have a Plein Air Event at the Kuerner Farm in Chadds Ford in May allowing us to paint where Andrew and Jamie Wyeth painted for many years. 

PREPARATIONS FOR THE CHADDS FORD ART SHOW MARCH 20TH AND 21ST

Each year before a show or plein air event, I spend days getting ready  For the Chadds Ford show, we spent time selecting the original watercolors, the giclees reproductions to be just matted or framed, printing some new giclees and even painting some new small watercolors.    http://cfes.ucfsd.org/artshow/

The experience of painting at the Kuerner Farm over the past year gave me the opportunity to sit outside and paint on the iconic farmstead sitting in the same grass or the driveway where Andrew Wyeth painted.  Here is where I sat to paint a watercolor that will be in the show call "Anna's Gate" named after Karl Kuerner III's grandmother.

Then we put up a screen in our home so I can judge where to put the paintings and how many I can bring.  Sometimes this takes awhile as we want to pick the paintings that fit the Chester county area and yet enough variety to ensure people v the opportunity to pick up a small $ 20 reproduction or an original for from $ 40 to $ 475. So if you stop by be sure to tell me you saw this blog.  

So here is a view of how we set up a screen in our home to figure out how many paintings to bring and how to hand them.  You can see "Anna's Gate" on the top of the screen.  This year we have a great selection of originals and framed prints.  

This past week I found an older photo of one of the first times we exhibited my paintings at a show.  It was at the Granite Run Mall and I made my display with peg board.  This was photo is of the third year I exhibited and see if you know the year?   My son Mark was looking through my small box of matted Christmas cards.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON FRIDAY EVENING OR SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

CHADDS FORD ART SHOW

Just returned from a vacation in Florida and are back to snow...what is happening.  I thought we would have missed this weather.
Just working on my list of paintings for this show coming up in two weeks.  I will have some of my original watercolors painted en plein air at the Kuerner farm.  Here is ANNA'S GATE that I painted sitting in front of the farmhouse.  This plein air watercolor was my newest and last painting from my time at the Kuerner farm this past fall.

I have a number of other watercolors of all sizes from 5 x 7 to 22 x 27.  I have included a number of new reproductions, giclees and small matter watercolors.

Here is "A barrel of Geraniums" small 5 x 7 original watercolor that you can take home.

So come out on the free Friday night opening with all types of snacks and say hello.  Hope you can make it and that the snow disappears.  Bruce

OCTOBER WAS AN ABUNDANCE OF PAINTING AND SHOWS

I HAVE TO SHARE NOW THAT I HAVE CAUGHT MY BREATH ABOT THIS PAST OCTOBER.   It was one of the busiest months I have every had working with watercolors.

Let me start with the exciting time I had spending every Tuesday back on the Kuerner Farm where Andrew Wyeth walked, sketched, painted and shared in the lives of the Kuerner family.  For 8 weeks at 11:00 am I was painting watercolors on site with Karl Kuerner III sharing his stories and most important his suggestions that have helped me improve my painting.  AS hawks screeched overhead in the blue skies and slight breezes, I could only imagine how Andrew Wyeth felt sitting here painting.  Here are several photos of views for me to try to do in a larger scale.

During October,  had 16 paintings at Christopher's Restaurant in Wayne, PA  for the month.  They have a great brick wall on one side where they  hung the paintings.  I had great exposure.

Brandywine Plein Air This was my second year in this prestigious show.  It took place starting October 20th allowing us to paint at 10 different locations in the Chester County - Northern Delaware area.  Some neat places including some private homes.  Then the paintings were in a show Friday the 24th to the 26th.  We had ordered new frames and spacers so the watercolors are right behind the glass not touching it.  I was excited that I sold two paintings and have some left over that are for sale at the Malvern Retreat House show and will be for sale at the Chadd's Ford Art Show.

This was one of the locations where I prepared a small sketch completed that helped me be paint the Abiah Taylor house.

OCEAN CITY BLOCK PARTY   This one took place in Ocean City  on October 11th with only our sweatshirts with my photo on it and Jan had some great new additions with some new OC bags with a bike on it.  However, because it rained I could not show any watercolors.

DILWORTHTOWN WINE AND CHEESE PARTY  On October 12th, we participated in this event selling originals and reproductions, as well as some new giclees.  We also met many new people and that resulted in several new commissions of local sites.
So in February and March of this year I will be back with two shows with originals and reproductions from $ 15 to $ 500 so if you are looking for two great shows, come on out.   And for sure tell me if you read my blog.

UPCOMING SHOW

Getting ready for the Malvern Art Show I have completed all but two watercolors.  This Breath of Spring is a small framed watercolor.  Come on over and pick it up.  

I will be at the show on Friday evening.  We are hoping it will be dry and there will be plenty of time for you to see the paintings.  So come on by and BUY to support the Malvern Retreat House and the artists.

MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE ART SHOW

I have almost completed all my new small original watercolors for the Malvern Show and here is one.     This is the lighthouse at Owl's Head in Maine.

First here is the show information.The Reception is Friday, February  6: 5pm to 8pm (Free Admission)    I am usually there for several hours.
The Malvern Retreat House is the beneficiary receiving 35% of all sales and no Pa Sales Tax
Dates:      Wednesday, February 4 - Sunday, February 8
Times:     Wednesday - Saturday: 10am to 7pm,  Sunday: 10am to 4pm
             for more information go to:   www.malvernretreat.com.

I post on my Facebook site copies of the small watercolors................
so go to  Bruce-Poulterer-Watercolors

 This small watercolor along with 14 others is ready for your home and if you like my bruce poulterer watercolor page on Facebook each day or so , you will see more as I post other paintings.   Have a Blessed day.  Bruce