Brasserie Louis, Lewisburg PA by Jane Albin

                                                             "Behind the Brasserie"
                                           5"x7" Original watercolor on 140# cold press paper

This is a view I spotted last week behind the restaurant and pub, Brasserie Louis.  I love the hidden doorways in town.

Lewisburg Garden Wall by Jane Albin

                                                                 "Four Plus Four"
                                         5"x7" Original watercolor on 140#cold press paper

Another small watercolor from Lewisburg.  This is the wall of a garden near the Susquehanna River in town.  I liked the four big evergreens in the background behind the four small evergreens on the wall.

DPP August 2012 Challenge by Jane Albin

                                                    "Two Pointy Tomatoes and a Roma"

                                                    5"x7" Watercolor on 140# cold press

August 2012 Challenge for Daily Painters of PA

I picked and painted these yesterday.  I never had pointy tomatoes before.  They are good sized so I put the 'Roma" tomato in to show scale.  Actually, the smaller 'Roma' one is a variety is called Amish Paste.  I planted all new-to-me plants this year.   Thanks for the challenge Claire!

St.John St.Sunset by Jane Albin

                                                             "St. John Street Sunset"

(Sold)

                                                 5"x7" Watercolor on 140# cold press
This church was sold and repurposed as a home for a local antiques dealer.

This is another piece for my upcoming show.  The show will be at the Packwood House Museum in Lewisburg PA.  I am sharing the walls of Kelly Gallery there with award winning, children's' book writer and illustrator Marjorie Priceman.   The show runs from October 20 to November 3, 2012.  The opening reception is October 20, 2012 from 5-7 PM.

High Waters by Jane Albin

"High Waters"

(Sold)

                                          5"x7" Original Watercolor on 140# cold press paper

Today another Susquehanna River painting from a photo I took last spring.  This is from the St. Louis Street bridge.  It has been so humid and hot I have been hiding indoors.  Today, I went out to get the name of the garden I stood in last spring for yesterday's painting.  It is only four short blocks, not city blocks, away and I was dripping.
I wanted to do a summer plein air version but changed my mind....because of

the tiny snake that scared the crap out of me.

The garden plaque with the little snake in the lower left corner.

Big snake skin on the steps down to the water.

This and the poison ivy kept me up on the river bank.

Here is the view I might have painted from had the humidity been just a bit lower.

Yes I know...excuses , excuses.  

Early Spring from River's Edge by Jane Albin

                                                      "Early Spring from River's Edge"
                                                    7"x5" Watercolor on 140#Arches
This is from a photo I took last Spring.  The green sprouts were trying to find the light.  It was a cold overcast morning.  This is the Market Street bridge crossing the west branch of the Susquehanna River at Lewisburg.

Little League in Lewisburg by Jane Albin

                                                              "Ready to Play Ball"
                                                  5"x7" Watercolor on 140# Hot press
Painted this today from a photo.  It is a corner of the Danny Green little league field on St Mary Street in Lewisburg PA.  There is another baseball diamond, a concession stand, a playground, and a tiny geocache here.

Roller Mills by Jane Albin

                                                   "Roller Mills in Lewisburg"

(Original Sold - prints available)

                                                   8"x10" Oil on Canvas (limited palette)


Roller mills is an old flour (and later animal feed) processing plant that has been converted into an antiques market.  There must be hundreds of antique dealers' spaces inside the building on four levels.  Here is the link to their history.   www.rollermills.com/new/history

Lakewood Dock Plein Air by Jane Albin

                                                             "Dock Sitting"
                                 8"x10" Watercolor on 140# Canson block cold press
 Looking to the left from the end of the dock at the cottage we rented in Lakewood, NY.  It was getting  more and more cloudy as I rushed to finish this before the rain started.  Now that I look at the scan, it could use a few more darks.

Lakewood Rental House by Jane Albin

                                                            "Cottage from the Dock"
                                     7.5"x 8.25" Watercolor sketch AquaBee SuperDeluxe book
Painted this from the end of the dock of a cottage.  It was such a lovely place we rented for two nights last week.  The place is in Lakewood, NY on Chautauqua Lake.  The owners were very nice and have a great little place here.  The lake was beautiful.  Below is the view from the deck the first night.

Gettysburg Colony - Eisenhower Farm

                                              "Elissa Capturing the Eisenhower View"
                                           Watercolor, 9"x12" Canson 140# cold press block
Painted this last month while in Gettysburg with the Artist Colony.  This was a very hot but beautiful day to  be out painting.  We were in front of the Eisenhower house under a row of huge trees.

Susquehanna River Stop

                                                           "Rest on the Susquehanna"
                                            Watercolor,  9"x12"Canson 140#cold press block
Stopped at the Route 15 rest stop heading home from points south back on June 26th.  I had my watercolors with me and liked this big rock.   This is a really nice spot overlooking the river with picnic tables and a rest room.   You can swim here too.  There is a staircase down to the water.  The local Amish frequently stop on Sunday afternoons.

Lewisburg PA - The Presbyterian Church

                                                   "Street Light, Dusk, and Church Spire"
                                                9"x12" Watercolor on Canson cold press block

Painted this earlier in the week.  It is from a recent photograph.  I am experimenting with getting some darker darks in my watercolors.

I have been fretting about not having posted much lately.  I have a number of pieces from last month that I want to post and just haven't gotten around to.  I still have to photograph some of the bigger pieces.  Oh, Procrastination !!!

Camp Hill, PA Plein Air - June 2012

                                                       "White Chair and Bunting"
                                     Watercolor with permanent marker on Canson block (9"x10"approx)
I did this quickie painting on the first day of the Camp Hill event.  I met some wonderful artists at this annual plein air week.  This was my very first organized paint out!  The event was run very professionally, everyone involved was very friendly and helpful.   What fun!   I hope I get in again next year.
And I sold a painting. (not this one though).  ;)

Barbara Baker Workshop at Brushstrokes

                                                          "5:55 PM"  or  "Five till Six"

(Sold)

                                                Colored Pencil on Strathmore Bristol 4"x5"
This little color pencil painting was done last month in a workshop at Brushstrokes Art Supplies with Barbara Baker, CPS.  She is an excellent teacher.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy colored pencils.  They take patience to cover large areas, but are so easy to take with you anywhere.  My favorite sketching tool is any dark Prismacolor pencil.  The colors are great and they don't smear as much as graphite.

Blue Umbrellas and a pair of Red Shoes

                                                "Blue Umbrellas and a Pair of Red Shoes"
                                            11"x9"approx. Watercolor on 140#Arches Block
                                                                         SOLD
My submission for the Quick Draw at the Gettysburg Festival last week.  It was lots of fun to be there as a member of the Artists' Colony.  The best time and most fun I've had in years!!!  Thanks to all the wonderful people I met there.

Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

                                                                 "Lopardo Stadium"
                                                               3.5"x5" Oil on board
One more tiny painting from Susquehanna University  I am happy with how the clouds came out.  It was a beautiful day on campus.

Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

                                                               "Degenstein Center"
                                                              3.5"x5" Oil on board
Yet another view of the campus buildings at Susquehanna U.  This building has a wonderful art gallery inside that hosts their annual Juried Figurative Show.  I have yet to get in, but I keep trying.
(Maybe this fall -Third time is a charm. / fingers crossed.)  

Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

                                                                       "Steele Hall"
                                                                5"x3.5" Oil on panel
Another little oil from Susquehanna University campus.

Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

                                                                "Blough-Weis Library"
                                                                 5"x3.5" Oil on board
Just a little oil painting from the campus of Susquehanna University.  I'll be posting some others soon.

Johnstown PA workshop

                                                              "Cambria City Churches"
                                                                  10"x8" Oil on board
I attended a Ron Donoughe plein air workshop in April, at Artworks in Johnstown, PA.  This little panel was what I started in the workshop.  It is  finally finished.  The workshop was very informative and I really liked his "parent color" method for getting started with the painting.
This is how I already work in watercolors.  Begin with 3 or four 'starter' color mixes.  These get tweaked to create the multitude of other shades, tints, values for the painting.
Thank you Ron for the epiphany!

He will be teaching another plein air workshop this August in Wellsboro, PA at the Red Barn Arts Center.   Ron is an excellent teacher.

Lewisburg PA

                                                          "Early Snow on Market Street"
                                                        10"x8" Oil on canvas  --   SOLD
  Last October we didn't have as much snow as New Jersey.  We did get a pretty coating of the white stuff.   I painted this is from a photo I took then.  I admit it was not easy painting snow covered leafy trees.

West Yellowstone

                                                            "West Yellowstone Sunset"
                                                         7"x5" Watercolor on 140#Arches
This scene is from the cabin we stayed in last July 4, 2011.  There was a thunderstorm rolling in from the west and fireworks in the east. The light was very bright and very dark at the same time.

Selinsgrove PA, Susquehanna University

                                                                "Sycamore on Campus"
                                                 7"x5" Watercolor on 140#Arches cold press
Just a quickie from Susquehanna University campus.  It is a lovely campus to walk around.
The university has a wonderful gallery that sponsors a juried figurative show every fall.
great gallery

Susquehanna University Gazebo

                                                               "Susquehanna Gazebo"
                                                       5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches
I just loved the dappled light on this gazebo and the lime green lawn behind it.

Lewisburg Garden

"Garden Tour Barn"

(Sold)

7"x5" Watercolor on 140#Arches

This barn was on the local Lewisburg garden tour last May.  The house and the Susquehanna river are on the far side of the barn.  This was a very lovely garden.  I'm glad I took a few photos of the place.  I painted this a few days ago from the pictures.  This year the tour will be on June 2, 2012. Check out the Lewisburg Garden Club web site for details.  (lewisburggardenclub.org)

Lycoming Barn

                                                                    "Lycoming Barn"

(Sold)

                                                 5"x7" Ink and Watercolor on 140#Arches
I painted this from a photo I took a few years ago.  I've done sketches of this scene and even a much moodier (dark grey skies) watercolor on scrape paper.  I think I may have to do a larger version.

View of Kellys' garage/barn in Lewisburg

                                                                      "Kellys' Barn"

(Sold)

                                                         5"x5" Watercolor on 140#Arches
Just a view from my window.   I like the way these buildings overlap each other.   I painted this from a photo I took last fall.

Lewisburg PA Backyard - Redbud

                                                                     "Opening Redbud"

(Sold)

                                                      11"x15" Watercolor on 140#Arches
I am attempting to complete some larger watercolors.  This is not only larger than I usually paint; I used maskit to protect the entire stem and flowers while I painted the background.  I usually leave the whites and paint around them.  It was fun to do the loose background painting. I thought it was a bit tedious to get the masking fluid on. (And the stuff stinks! )

An Old Friend in Lewisburg PA

                                                                   "An Old Friend"
                                           10.5"x14.5"approx. Watercolor on 140#Arches cold press
We have had this wagon for over twenty years.  I still use it to pull heavy things around the garden.

Spring Holidays

                                                                          "Bunnies"
                                                        5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches

                                                                          "Chicks"
                                                        5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches

There's nothing like some bunnies and chicks for the spring holidays!  Happy Easter or Passover or Spring to all.  (Both sold)

Lewisburg PA

                                                              "Parked at Indigo"
                                                  4"x6" Watercolor on 140#paper
This is a super quickie from a few days ago.  I was trying out some paper scrap strips  from a friend.

Lewisburg, PA

                                                                 "Cold Morning"

(Sold)

                                                    5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches
This is a view from my window looking east.  The skies from this direction are often really beautiful.
The Baptist church clock tower always had correct time, but recently the clock face towards my house has been incorrect.  This has been a bit aggravating since it is my preferred clock.  I can see it from anywhere in my yard.  Now I have to wear a watch when I am gardening.

Coney Island, NY

"Empty Boardwalk"

5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches

I painted this from a photo taken a few years ago, on the day after Thanksgiving. 

We had visited relatives on Long Island for the holiday and were on our way back to Pennsylvania.  

Of course, we stopped for hotdogs and a walk on the beach.  It was brisk. 

Lewisburg, PA

"Lewisburg Across the Bridge"

(Original Sold - prints available)

10"x8" Watercolor on 140#Arches

Love this view of town from May's Restaurant on the east side of the Susquehanna River. 

You can get an ice cream cone from here, too.  Some day I will have to do a picture of May's.

Selinsgrove PA

"Next to the Bookstore"

(Sold)

7"x5" Watercolor on 140#Arches

Another downtown Selinsgrove image. I might tweak the shadows a bit on this. Now that I see it on screen, it looks a little washed out.

Lewisburg

"Upstairs at Charlie's"

                                                        5"x7" watercolor on 140#Arches

Spring is Sprung

                                                                   "White Hyacinth"

(Sold)

                                                        11"x7" Pastel on Strathmore paper
 The sun was out this afternoon and I had to try my hand at the hyacinths.   It has been a while since I pulled out the pastels, but I didn't want to spend more than a few minutes on this.  I wanted to just sit and enjoy.

Susquehanna River

"Late Afternoon on the Susquehanna"

(Sold)

5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches

This is from the bridge halfway between Sunbury and Northumberland PA. 

Lewisburg PA

"Above the Coup"

5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches

This is a little bit of Market Street that few people notice. 

Food Play for the Complete Artist

"Are you gonna eat that?"

8"x11" Oil on canvas paper

I did this to submit to The Complete Artist workshop #7.  My husband likes this so much he wants me to do two more 'faces' to hang in our dining room.  I have to admit I really enjoyed painting this. I was trying out a new technique where you do an acrylic underpainting with only primary colors. 

Here is the hidden image in acrylics.!

Stuff or Junk ?

                                                                          "Candles"
                                                        5"x7" Watercolor on 140#Arches
Someone had a birthday last week. We didn't use these candles.  I found these in the drawer yesterday.
Thanks, Marjorie, for the paper scraps.  This is the first piece I used.

Thinking Spring... sort of

                                                                  "Have Ewe Herd?"
                                             12"x12"times 3, Oil on canvases (Private collection)
 The weather has been glorious the past few days.  It has me thinking about spring and lambs.  Okay these are not lambs. ;)     This painting is from a photo my aunt took a few years ago. The sheep are my uncle's flock.