Art Blog

What does the color of your house reveal about you? Conventional wisdom says there are three common sense rules that should guide you to making the right color choice for your house. What's your architectural style? Do you live in a Spanish Colonial, an old Victorian or a Craftsman?  That can really dictate your color scheme.  For example, a Victorian lends itself to pastels like pink, mint green or baby blue. Those colors wouldn't work for a Craftsman or a Spanish Colonial, which are typically in more muted and neutral tones. What are the prominent colors in your neighborhood? There's often a consistent color scheme running throughout. Look for complementary colors and intensities that will blend right in. Color evokes moods Think about the overall impact that you're hoping to create. Do…

Watercolor Memories and Christmas home portraits ... There is nothing like a white Christmas, especially when you add a warm yellow glow streaming out the windows and reflecting on the snow, cheerful Christmas lights and wreaths and a sinking red sun silhouetted against the starkness of bare winter trees.  I love the way the twilight plays on the snow as the wind dies down and the world is still. Enjoy some of my 2017 Christmas home memories, all which were commissioned by clients. [caption id="attachment_7235" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Home in Chevy Chase, MD[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7236" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Crested Butte, Colorado[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7237" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lake Tahoe home with excited grandkids at play[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7238" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Another family home in Lake Tahoe that I was asked to paint.…

Turning a battered old photo into a work of art! Here is a small gallery of mainly commissioned subjects and the single and often ancient photo I worked from to bring the family home and all its memories to life with my pen and paintbrush. [caption id="attachment_7162" align="aligncenter" width="241"] Photo of family home in Saratoga Springs, NY[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7163" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Watercolor painting of Saratoga Springs,  NY family home[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7164" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo of family home Prince Edward Island, Canada[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7161" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Painting of family home Prince Edward Island, Canada[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7168" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Old photo of historic home in Kent County, Delaware[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7165" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Photo of historic home in Kent County, Delaware[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7166" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo of old home High…

Matching 1935 home and car  - my latest house portrait commission! The reason I love painting homes is because homes are about people. That’s what makes them fascinating.  Just as we are all uniquely different, homes reflect the personalities of their owners, they have their own character and are imbued with family memories and stories. I receive a lot of fun and unique commission requests but this one is a first!  A color coordinated home and car that were both born in 1935! [caption id="attachment_6930" align="aligncenter" width="980"] Matching home and car in San Jose, CA[/caption]   So here is a little story about the owners of these twins, my delightful clients Mike and Debi Hugill.  Now both retired, Mike spent 38 years in sales and most recently as VP Sales…

A story about a beach cabin in New Zealand When I think of summer, my thoughts drift back to my homeland of New Zealand. Sparkling beaches, a family cabin and lots of sunshine and fun! This is a little story about summer in New Zealand. Unfortunately this particular story doesn't have a happy ending but the message is important for all of us. Every year our family would head off to a beach for our summer vacation.  My three sisters and I loved waking up to the sound of waves on Christmas day and like all kids we excitedly unwrapped our presents and would then dash down to the beach in our new swimsuits, try out our beach balls etc. (Remember summer is in December down under!)  One year when…

Announcing my Annual Mid-Summer House Portrait Sale! It's that time of year again and before we know it, summer will be coming to a close and the cooler days and golden hues of fall will be engulfing us. Before that happens . . . I am launching my traditional mid-summer sale where I offer a 20% discount on all commissioned house portraits. This is a saving of close to $100. Summer is a wonderful time to capture the vibrance of homes and gardens with my watercolors. For my clients, you may want to think about a second painting of your home in a matching season, to make a lovely pair. Or perhaps you would like to commission me to create a one of a kind painting of the home of a…

Some of my Painted Ladies of Alameda, CA  Alameda, in the Bay Area of California is famous for its Victorian houses and there is a beautiful array of painted ladies of all different sizes and styles. In fact 9% of all single-family houses (1500 in total) in Alameda are Victorian, and many more have been divided into two to four-unit dwellings.   It is said that Alameda has more pre-1906 earthquake era homes in the Gold Coast section than any other city in the Bay Area. Being that I love painting Victorian home I have had lots of fun with my Alameda series. I have now painted 25 homes and here are some of my favorites.   [caption id="attachment_6815" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Paru St, Alameda Victorian[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6816" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grand…