Watercolor - How I started to paint Historic Homes of Chadds Ford

I thought with my newest show beginning January 30th at the Malvern Retreat Center, I would show you how I began the process of creating this painting. 
First I thought of the many homes in Chester County that are historic that would make a great painting.  I have a number of watercolors of some of these homes, so I decided to create a new panoramic painting with four historic buildings.  

So I gathered my photos first of these buildings..... I have taken these over the past 30 years so there are some differences.  The John Chadd House, Washington and Lafayette's headquarters and the Barns Brinton home.  

Then I spent time sketching each home and finally cut out the homes to make sure they were properly sized, checking out the size of the windows and doors.  Here are the cutouts.

Then after selecting my watercolor paper, I spent hours drawing the homes, painting the background and finally painting each individual building.   So to see the finished painting that is over 30 " long, come to Malvern Retreat Center.    

Malvern Retreat House ART SHOW

MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE ART SHOW

This show with over 100 artists takes place from January 30th to February 3rd from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, except it closes at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 3rd.  There is a complimentary wine and cheese party on Feb. 1st.

I have been working on a number of new paintings for this upcoming show. My newest watercolor contains four historic buildings of Chadd's Ford in one scene that I have worked on for awhile.   There will be 4 of my large original watercolors and 10 small original watercolors all framed.  In addition, I will have a portfolio of 15 pieces from limited edition prints, giclees and original watercolors.  

 This show is organized by the same committee that ran the Immaculata Art Show so 35% of the sales are a donation for the Malvern Retreat House.   Go to this link for my bio for this show. http://www.flickr.com/photos/malvernretreathouse/8318508542/in/set-72157631590266698.

The show is located at Malvern Retreat House,  315 South Warren Avenue,  Malvern, PA 19355

Media Art Show and Hurricane Sandy

On November 17th from 10:00 - 3:00 we will be in the PennCrest Christmas show behind the Granite Run Mall with paintings, prints and some new originals.  I will also go through my paintings and have some on a special rack that are my end of the year specials.  We are trying to get into one more show in early December.

Well this past week when Hurricane Sandy came to the New Jersey coast to leave destruction, we were not without some damage......fortunately no loss of life or major damage.  However our art show tent was in our garage since my next outdoor show was going to be in Ocean City in May of next year.  This tent has served me well and it only got salt water on some of the pipes and the outside of the tent walls.   That has already been cleaned and is already to be returned to the OC garage.

However, we were in Ocean City on the Friday after the storm and this is what we saw........on Central Avenue
   

     

 

the Pier at 59th street or what is left

Our tent is cleaned and the different poles can be replaced, so we feel blessed as the Hurricane passed about 10 miles inland north of our home.   We look forward to seeing Ocean City recover over the next few months.

Thanks to everyone who came to Ocean City and Media

Just back from Ocean City where the weather was really nice and the crowds were great.   We sold paintings in both shows and in Ocean City we sold our sweatshirts and T shirts with my photo on it.

Booth in Media see the trolly track running down the back of my booth

So now I am working on several new paintings for my last show this fall in a local high school that allows me to sell several new prints and as well as some of my older paintings that I have had for awhile.   So if you come, you can take advantage of some special sales.....so if you are looking for some Christmas presents, come out on November 17th to the PennCrest High School in Media behind the Granite Run Mall.

I have a new painting of potted flowers and a wicker chair I just completed and that will be in the show as well as some prints of it.  I am also taking plenty of photos to use for future paintings.

I wil be here all day on Saturday with original watercolors and a selection of small watercolors from $ 25 , some Plein air paintings and a number of framed originals.......so stop by.     Bruce