Christmas and Holiday Greetings 2015

Christmas Ornaments
Original painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays.  This is a hectic time of year.  But it's also a time to reflect what we are thankful for.  I am thankful that I was blessed with great parents, a wonderful brother (although I didn't think so when we were little), a loving husband, 3 fabulous sons and a multitude of supportive friends.  Some of my friends are ones I've know since diapers (Beth Huley, Toby Twining, Joan Smith) , some of them I met through work (Chris Bury, Laura Twining) and others through marriage to friends (Eileen and Rich Regen).  Some from my neighborhood ( Rich and Kathy Gathro, Maria  and Van Meredith). Some I've met through teaching art classes- people who started off as students and later became friends.  I've also made new friends who were students on the cruise ships.  I am thankful for all of you, even if I didn't list you. The love of friends and family is the greatest gift a person can receive.  Thanks to all of you for being my friend.  It means everything to me.  I am truly blessed.

Dec 2015 Art Reception at Gallery Underground

Remains of the Day
by Jane McElvany Coonce

If you are looking forward to doing something tonight, stop by the Gallery Underground in Crystal City.  We are having our opening reception for the December show.  I have several paintings in the show, one of them being "Remains of the Day."  Hopefully, you will be doing some celebrating this season like the painting shows.  We'd love for you to come and celebrate with us tonight.  I will be there with some pulled pork barbecue from King Street Blues. The reception is from 5 to 7 pm.  Afterwards, enjoy some of the fabulous restaurants in the neighborhood.  There is free parking in the garage on 20th street between Crystal Drive and Jefferson Davis Highway(Route 1).

The show will hang until the end of the month, so stop by anytime if you can't make it tonight.

December 2015 Show at The Art League

Fish at the Market
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

One of the hardest things for artists is entering juried shows.  In this area, competition is very stiff.  There are a lot of artists!  The Art League at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria has 1,000 members.  Although not every artists enters the monthly juried shows, many of them do.  So when you enter a juried show, you have to realize that there are lots of artists doing the same thing.  The juror also has his or her own personal taste, and he may or may not like your work.  I've seen many a good painting get rejected and wonder why the judge didn't pick it.  Some of them that get rejected are so good that if I had been the judge, I would have given the artist a prize.  But art is in the eye of the beholder.  When you enter juried shows, you have to remember that.

It's hard for beginning artist, who just start entering juried shows, get up enough courage to enter.  And then when their piece is rejected, they feel that maybe they aren't as good an artist as they thought they were.  But that's the wrong attitude.  It's one day and one judge.  On another day and with a different judge, the paintings that are picked for a show might be totally different.

I've had my fair share of rejection.  But that doesn't keep me from stopping entering juried shows.  I entered the December show this month at The Art League. An artist is allowed to enter two pieces, but only one can be picked.  I entered the painting that I won the award with, "Approaching the Equinox", and also the "Fish at the Market."  My prize winning painting didn't get selected!  But I was thrilled that the judge picked the fish painting.

One can never guess what a judge will like.  One judge gives a painting a prize, and the next day a different judge rejects it!  But at least my Fish painting will hang this month at The Art League.
If you get a chance, go see the show.

I guess the moral of the story is:  Never give up.

2nd Day of Hollin Hills Watercolor Show

Approaching the Equinox
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The Hollin Hills Art Show opened yesterday, and the awards ceremony took place at 5:30.  I was thrilled to learn that I won an award for my watercolor painting, "Approaching the Equinox."   It was selected for the Carriage House Award which was a cash prize.!

The show goes on today until 4 pm.  It is a magnificent show.  I've never seen so many beautiful watercolors under one roof.

Hollin Hills is right off of Ft. Hunt Rd.  The address is 1500 Shenandoah Rd. , Alexandria, VA. If you come down GW Parkway, it's south of Old Town Alexandria.

Hope to see you there.

2015 Watercolor Art Show at Hollin Hall in Alexandria

Chinese Take Out and Beer
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

For those of you who live near Alexandria, Virginia, there is a wonderful watercolor show this weekend at Hollin Hills.  All of the paintings in the show are watercolor, and there are probably 40 artists who are showing their work including me!

I'll be there with a few of my newest watercolors.  "Chinese Take Out and Beer" was just finished yesterday.  I'm always amazed at the fabulous paintings that are in this show.  Gwen Bragg has organized the show.  And she always does a fabulous job.  I hope you will stop by Saturday or Sunday to see it.

Hollin Hills is located at 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria , VA.  It's right off the GW Parkway, just south of Old Town.  The hours are:

         Saturday, Dec 5th  from  4 pm to 7 pm
          Sunday, Dec 6th from noon to 4 pm

It's a great way to do some holiday shopping.  An original painting would make a great gift!  It's one of a kind, and no one on the face of the earth will ever have that painting but you!  Hope to see you there.

Artregeous 2015

Walking in the Rain
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The Arlington Artists Alliance is having its annual fundraiser this Friday evening at the Gallery Underground in Crystal City.  If you haven't been before, it's a MUST!  It's a silent auction where artists donate a painting or a service , and people can bid on them.  All of the money goes to the organization to help us to accomplish our goals.
Many artists donated paintings.   Agnes Yackshaw will donate her skills to do the state bird of your choice.  George Bowles has donated a basket full of wine, chocolate, olive oil and other wonderful goodies.  Tony Neville donated an art lesson in watercolor.  So there is something for everyone.

I hope you will join us for a night of artwork, sculpture, pottery and jewelry.  There will be live music, and the refreshments will be donated by the restaurants of Crystal City.

It's always a fun event.  You can see the art work ahead of time this week.  You can actually bid on work throughout the week.

On Friday, the festivities will begin from 6 - 9 pm.  It's at the Gallery Underground at The Shops at 2100 Crystal Dr. in Arlington.  There is free parking in the garage.  

So come party with me!  See you Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Silver Teapot and Pears
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

A Piggy Bank's Dream
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  It's not about buying presents or decorating the house. It's about cooking food and spending time with your family and friends. It's about sitting around the table and being grateful and thankful for those who are sharing the meal with you.  It's that simple.

I have been blessed with a great family (my parents, my husband, my children) and great friends.  I have the greatest friends in the world.
I don't know how I would have made it this far in life without them.

I have been blessed with doing a job I love: painting and teaching.  I can't think of anything better!

God has been good to me.  And I'm thankful.
Tomorrow is the day we set aside to give thanks.  I hope everyone has a day that makes them thankful for the other 364 days of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Still Have Time To See Ft. Smith Show

SOLD1  
Deer in Snow
Watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

If you missed the reception at Ft. Smith last night, you still have time to go and see the show.  It's open today until 5 pm ( I will be working this afternoon so stop by and say hi) and it's also open on Sunday from 12noon to 4 pm.

Three of my paintings have found a new home so far.  I had to take up replacements so there is more paintings of mine up today.  I sold the "Study in White" painting that I posted last time.  I really loved this painting.  I hope it's going to a good home!  Paintings are like your babies; you care about them and are happy someone has adopted it and will enjoy it for years to come.

SOLD!
Study in White
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Ft. C.F. Smith Show - Fall 2015

Shades of White
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend is another art show!  Seems that the Fall is the busiest time of year for artists.
The Ft. C.F. Smith show is always the highlight of the season.  I hope you will stop by and see this beautiful show.  The reception is Friday night, and it's like attending a cocktail party.  It's a lovely setting and wonderful food and wine.

Here's the schedule:
Friday, November 20, from 6 to 8 pm  - Opening Reception
Saturday, November 21, from 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, November 22, from 12 noon to 4 pm
Address:  2411 N. 24th St.  Arlington , VA.
(It's right off the GW Parkway , Spout Run Parkway, and Lorcom Lane.)

I will be there on Friday night and also , I'm working the sales desk on Saturday from 3 - 5pm.  But stop by whenever you can and do some early Christmas shopping.  There are paintings, pottery, notecards and holiday cards.

Bicycle by the Garden Wall
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

St Andrew's Art show this weekend, Nov 14 and 15, 2015

Early Morning Commute
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend, Potomac Valley Watercolorists are having an art show at St. Andrews which is located at the corner of Lorcom Lane and Military Rd.

The show runs from Saturday from 3-7 pm and Sunday from 1 - 5 pm.  I will have several framed pieces hanging on the wall and lots of unframed pieces in my own bin.

Hope you will stop by and see me.  I'll be there on Saturday from 3-5 and on Sunday from 1-3.

Remnants of Fall
by Jane McElvany

Fish Market

Fish Market
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

 People ask me how do I know what I want to paint.  I'm always searching for new ideas that excite me.  Sometimes I find these ideas in places I would never expect.  It can be a beautiful scene of a new place I'm visiting or an old familiar scene that I just love. Sometimes it's certain colors that attract me.  In this case, I saw the fish, loved all the colors, and knew I had to paint them.  I loved the juxtaposition of the textured tray with the scaly fish.  And the colors on the fish were incredible! Next time you go to a market, especially a place like H Mart out in Merrifield, (it's an Asian market if you aren't familiar with it) take a look at their fish department.  It's incredible!  Not only do they have tasty fish, but I've bought seafood just so I could paint it!  This one, though, I did from a photograph.  After the "model" sits under the lights for hours, holding still for the artist, it would probably not be a good idea to eat the subject matter.

Outdoor Shower

Outdoor Shower
by Jane McElvany Coonce

"Outdoor Shower" is an oil painting I did quite a few years ago.  It has been hanging in the room of my youngest son, Brian, for many years.  It was done from a photo I took of him when we were at the beach.  He was around 2 or 3, and he was hosing himself down with the garden hose.  He was buck naked.  Brian never liked this painting.  He thought I was a pervert for painting him nude.  But to me, it was an endearing scene of a small child playing unashamedly with the hose.  I made sure when I painted the figure that the leg was raised high enough to hide the important stuff.  But he still never liked it.

I finally decided to enter it at the Gallery Underground for the November show.  Most artists have paintings that they never show because they are hanging in their own house.  This one has been in my house a long time and has never been seen by the public.  So it will be making its debut next week.

The reception for the Gallery Underground is Friday, November 6 from 5 to 7.  Hope you can stop by.  It will hang all month so there is more time to see it before it goes back into the seclusion of the artist's house out of view of the public.  I'm sure Brian will be happy about that!

Donating Art

Watering the Garden
Pastel by Jane McElvany Coonce

Every year, I am approached by various groups asking me to donate a painting for their annual fundraiser.  I'm sure many artists are asked the same thing.  A donation of a painting can bring in a lot of money for a group.  There are several non profit groups that I donate paintings to each year.

Most of the time when I donate a painting, they auction it or sell it at their gala event and that's the end of it.  Sometimes, you have two people in a bidding war over a painting.  (That really makes an artist feel good.)  I had one woman come up to me at an event an say, " I don't care how much that other person bids, I am going to get that painting."  And she did!  She probably paid twice of what it was worth, but it was for a good cause, and she got what she wanted.  The other bidder was very sad that she didn't win.  She came up to me and told me how disappointed she was.  I told her, that if she wanted, I would do another one that was similar, and she could donate the last bid she made to the organization.  She did!  So a lot of money was brought in by that painting.

The painting above, Watering the Garden, is a pastel that will be at the Arlington Free Clinic's 21st Annual benefit Gala this year.  It will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 6 pm to midnight at the Ritz Carlton at Tysons Corner. It's a black-tie affair that includes dinner, dancing,  and live and silent auctions.  Last year's 20th anniversary gala raised $1.3 million to support the clinic's operations.  I feel honored that I can help in some small way to support the clinic ,and at the same time, turn someone into an art collector.  Everyone needs art in their house!

For information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, call (703) 979-1425, ext. 143, or see the Web site at www.gala.arlingtonfreeclinic.org.

Equinox
original watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

So here is my 2nd attempt and trying out the new technique I learned from Frank Eber.  It's a scene in New York.  I went up there last December with my son.  It was cold and rainy.  Kevin was disappointed that it was raining, but I told him that it was a blessing because rainy days make the best photos for painting!  We walked along the High Line and at the end, went down the steps to the streets and proceeded to walk back.  I took over a hundred photos, but this is one that I really loved.  I loved the reflections in the glass window, and I loved the people that happened to be walking down the street that day.  Sometimes, an artist has to use one photograph for the background and a different one for the people.  But this one was perfect!  I had so much fun painting it.

If you can think of a good title, send me a note.  Thanks.

Results of the 1st day of the Studio Tour

Snowy Day on the Washington Mall
oil by Jane McElvany Coonce

It was a dreary day today with a light rain falling throughout the day.  But at least it wasn't the hurricane!

I had 16 people come through and see my art.  It was great chatting with neighbors and friends and meeting new people, too.

Two of my paintings found  new homes.  The first one, "Snowy Day on the Washington Mall", was painted to be my Christmas card this year.  This is the first show this painting has been in.

The 2nd one is a painting I did from a photo I took at the Folk Life Festival down on the Mall.  It was of a woman from Africa weaving.  When I saw this woman, I loved the way the light hit her face and how her outfit matched her coloring. When I saw the photo, I knew it would make an interesting painting.

If you missed coming today, you still have a chance to make it.  Tomorrow, Sunday, is the last day of the studio tour.  It's from 1 pm to 5 pm, so drop by, have some refreshments, chat with me, pick up a map and continue the tour.
My address is 4057 N. 27th St. Arlington , VA.  Hope to see you!

African Basket Weaver
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

Something to do During the Hurricane

Early Morning Commute
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Washington, DC was on the track to get the hurricane, but it looks like it's heading out to sea.  We still are going to get lots of rain.  But there is no need to spend a boring day inside; put some color in your life and take the Arlington Artists Alliance Studio Tour this weekend.

It's both Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm - 5 pm.  I'll be here painting and hoping some adventurous souls come out and visit me.   I am one of 16 artists participating.  I have maps here of the rest of the studios, so stop here first and pick up a map.

My address is 4057 N. 27th St. Arlington, VA.  It's right off of Spout Run, Lorcom Lane and Nelly Custis.  

I have lots of paintings, both oil and watercolor, for sale as well as notecards, holiday cards and some giclees (prints).

Here are 2 rainy day paintings that will be in the show.
See, rain isn't so bad!

Catching the Bus
by Jane McElvany Coonce

2015 Studio Tour this Weekend

Clouds Over Georgetown
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend, The Arlington Artists Alliance is sponsoring it's annual studio tour.  It will be for two days:  Saturday, Oct 3rd and Sunday Oct 4th from 1 - 5 pm.  There are 16 artists participating, and I am one of them!  I hope you will stop by and visit me as I will be home both days and lonely! My studio is in my home now, so I will be painting as you stop by.

I will have lots of paintings as well as boxes of notecards and Christmas cards.  These boxes of cards make great hostess gifts for all the holiday parties that will be coming up.

I will also have maps here so that you can see where the rest of the studios are. Two other artists are just a few blocks away from my house.  So I hope to see you this weekend.

Yellow Pansies in a Blue and White Bowl
by Jane McElvany Coonce

My address is:

4057 N. 27th St.
Arlington, VA.

It's off of Nelly Custis and Lorcom Lane.

My Story

Marietta Gregg, daughter of Patience Brewster, asked to share my story about how I became an artist.She asked me 5 questions so I will use those as my thought process.

So here it goes.  As a child, I was always interested in art.  My parents used to go square dancing on Saturday nights, and I had this fabulous babysitter who taught me to do portraits.  She was an amateur artist, but she shared her love of art with me. I loved to color and draw, and for Christmas and birthdays, I always received one of those paint-by-number sets.  I spent hours using those oil paints and filling in colors of the corresponding numbers. Later on in high school, I took art as an elective. My favorite artist, at that time, was Rembrandt.  He did masterful portraits and I even copied some of his work.

Key Bridge and Georgetown
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Artists paint for many different reasons.  I am a representational painter.  I like to capture the beauty of the world.  In landscapes, I look for scene that move me.  I always have my camera with me, especially now that the iPhones have such good cameras.  If the light hits just right, I snap the picture.  Actually, I snap lots of photos.  You never know which one will come out best.  I've taken thousands of photos of this scene, my favorite scene in Washington.  I've done so many that people identify this scene with Jane McElvany Coonce.  It's my brand, in a sense.

In still life, I pick out objects usually from the past, something that reminds me of my childhood.
I love painting from a set up because you can see so much more than you can in a photo.  This toaster had been my mom's when I was little.  It didn't work anymore, and she was ready to throw it out.  But I told her it would make a great still life prop.  I still have it in my cabinet of "treasures."  I may have to pull it out and paint it again.

Mom's Old Toaster
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Artists are also influenced by other artists.  One of my favorite of all time is John Singer Sargent.  He was a master in oil and watercolor.  Google his name and press images.  He was a genius with the brush.  A contemporary artist I love is Wayne Theibaud.  Google his images, too.  It will make you hungry.  His paintings have a much more modern look, yet he's still a representational painter.
Of course, my all time favorite artist is my mentor, Diane Testler.  She was a teacher at The Art League in Alexandria, VA.  She now lives in Indiana.  She does both landscape and still life.  She has been a great influence in my life.  (Google her, too.)  She pretty much taught me how to see ,which is one of the greatest challenges in becoming an artist.  What do I mean by that?  Look at the still life above.  A person sees a toaster, some jelly and a plate with toast, butter and a knife.  But an artist must learn to see more because it's the details that make a painting more interesting.  Look at the knife.  Notice how the toast reflects in the knife, but also notice how the knife throws a light on the crust of the toast.  It's little observations like that that an artist must notice.  It takes time to train the eye to even notice little details like this.  But those details are delicious to see and to paint.  Once you start seeing color and the nuances of that color, the world is even more beautiful than you ever knew before.

God, I love being an artist!

Discovering the Impressionists of Paul Durand-Ruel

Yesterday, I went up to Philadelphia Museum of Art with my friend, Eileen.  We went to see the special show that is there on the Impressionists.  I can't tell you how beautiful this show was.  It's a MUST SEE.  But the story behind the show is even more compelling.  It all starts with an art dealer named Paul Durand-Ruel, an art dealer in Paris beginning in the 1870's.  He saw the work of Monet, Renoir, Degas, Manet, Pissaro , an although they were untested artists,  he loved what he saw.  The critics at the time absolutely hated their art.  But Paul Durand-Ruel believed in them.  He bought their art work and turned around and sold it for double what he paid.  He promoted them and introduced their new style of painting to the public.  He moved the Impressionists from the margins of being unknown to international fame.  He built an audience that also grew to love their work, and many of them were Americans.  It's probably why the American art museums have so many of the impressionists' paintings.  I doubt we would even know who Renoir or Monet was if it hadn't been for Paul Durand-Ruel.  He was a visionary.

It made me realize that most artists, no matter how good they are, may not ever be "discovered" because they are not promoted.  I know lots of great artists, but like me, they just paint and paint and enjoy the process and the occasional sale.  Artists paint because they love the process:  the formation of an idea, the designing of the composition, the putting on of the paint, the adjustments and readjustments to make the painting the way you envision until the piece reaches  it's final conclusion. Some pieces turn out better than others.  Some of them seem to paint themselves and others you really have to struggle with.  But it comes from a love of the process that you just can't quit.

A Series of Dancers by Renoir

The Ballet Class by Degas

Sun Kissed

Sun Kissed
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This is a portrait of an artist I know. She is a very dramatic person, and I asked her if I could do her portrait.  She said yes.

I started the piece this spring. Then I put it down as I got ready to teach on the cruise ship.  It was about 3/4 of the way done, and I needed to sit down and finish it.  So that's what I did this week.

This was a painting that had a lot of detail.  The hat in itself took a lot of time. The face had the added challenge of all the sun light dots coming through the hat and hitting the face. But it was also a painting that I really enjoyed doing.  (Not all paintings are fun!)

I'm also trying to get better at naming paintings.  Diane Tesler has been giving me guidance.  I'm trying to become better at naming paintings which is an art form in itself.  So what do you think of the title "Sun Kissed". Can you think of a better one?  I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Early Morning Commute

Early Morning Commute
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This is my first attempt at using the techniques I learned from the Frank Eber workshop.  I took the class last May and really haven't had time to practice what I learned.  But I love Frank's work and am determined to practice the technique that he taught. It's a very wet into wet technique that has about 3 or 4 steps.  It's also a very nerve racking technique.  After you draw your subject matter on the paper, you mix up a big puddle of your light background color and begin putting it on dry paper, leaving a bead as you stroke across the paper.  You keep the bead moving down the paper so that you don't end up with a hard line.  You can't stop and answer the phone, and you have to plan where you are going to leave the white of the paper without using mask. You have to make sure the bead doesn't go into your white areas.  It's very stressful.  After that layer dries, you go back into it and build up the next darkest part of the painting.  I learned a lot by doing this piece, and I'm sure the more I do, the less stressful it will be.   I started this one a while ago but finally finished it this week.  I've got another painting, a portrait,  I started eons ago that I'm almost finished with and I'll post that next.
 Let me know what you think.                    

My Next Cruise Assignment for 2016

Beach in Tazmania

Kangaroo at Sunset

Sheep of New Zealand

Mt. Cook, New Zealand

Teaching the cruise ship this July was the highlight of my summer.  Ireland, Iceland, Faroe and Orkney Islands were amazing to visit.  However, I was thrilled to find out that I got my first choice for next year!  We are going to Australia and New Zealand!  The trip will be in January (summertime there) and we will be leaving the cold weather at home.  We are going on a smaller ship on the Azamara line.  We did this line before when we went to Vietnam and Thailand, and it's really special.

Koala

Kangaroo

Needless to say, we are very excited. The preparation for teach on the cruise ship is extensive.  I have to plan what the people are going to paint.  I research photos on line and come up with a plan for the places we are visiting.  Then I do each one to see if it's easy enough to complete in an hour or so (and also easy enough for a beginner to do.)  I write all the directions out, step by step, so that after I demonstrate, if they forget what I did, they have it written down on paper.  I worked all week on this, and here's what I came up with.  I think I have at least one extra.  Which one would you eliminate if I had to pick one that we didn't have enough time to do?

I'm so glad I have all the lessons done.  Now I can sit back and relax.

Akarok, New Zealand

Last Art about the Cruise to Ireland-Iceland

Rebecca Strong
Bristol, England

This will be the last post about my teaching on the Queen Elizabeth to Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Orkney Islands.  For the final project, I asked people what they were going to do when they went home and had no Jane to coach them.  I gave them a plan on how to draw the subject matter.  Then using the techniques they had practice while on the cruise, I felt confident that they would be able to handle a painting without watching a demo.  They would have to figure out the puzzle of how to do the painting.  So here is what some of my fabulous students did.

I had some extra photos there that they could work from.  All of these paintings below are ones where the student drew the subject first.  Then they figured out what color they should put on.  Then from there, how to build up the painting to it's finished state.  Debra Sult did 3 puffin heads.  She plans to mat and frame each one and give them as presents.  Wouldn't you love to have an original painting from one of your friends?  Julie Micallef and Rachel Strong did the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Akureyri, Iceland.  The flowers there are magnificent. Rebecca and Julie did a nice job of capturing its charm.  Julie also did a painting of boats in Isafjordur, Iceland.  From these paintings, you really get a feel of what Iceland is like.  Lastly, Barbara did a painting of the Northern Lights.  Although we didn't see them since the sun doesn't set in July, Barbara had fun experimenting with the wet into wet technique to give that atmospheric look.  My son, Kevin, is going to Iceland in December, so maybe he will get to see the spectacular aurora borealis.  He certainly won't have to worry about too much sun in December!

I have to say that the students on board the Cunard were one of the nicest groups I've ever met.  They were all so enthusiastic and they worked hard on each project.  I will miss all of them and hope that they send me paintings that they do back home.  If they do, I'll post them.  Hopefully, I've exposed people to the joy of painting.

Puffins
by Debra Sult
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Northern Lights
by Barbara Corfe
Potters Bar, England

Botanical Gardens in Iceland
by Julie Micallef
Buckinghamshire, UK

by Julie Micallef
Buckinghamshire, UK

Closing of the Show at Allen Lawrence Fine Art

Evening Sky Over Georgetown
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I took my show down today after a very successful closing reception.  I want to thank Allen Pierce for all the work he did on this show.  He was the one that made is so successful.  He is so hardworking, and so diligent about getting the word out about the show.  He never stops thinking of ways to promote the art work.  He really is an amazing gentleman.  If you haven't met him, you need to.  He's a man going places!

All of the paintings below found a new home.  I helped install the top one, Evening Sky Over Georgetown, at the home of Carol and Steven Goldman.  They have such a beautiful home and I feel honored that they selected one of my paintings to hang in their home among their art collection.  And they have quite a collection!

As Evening Sets on Georgetown
by JMC

Fleeting Light Over Georgetown
by JMC

Pansies in a Blue and White Bowl
by JMC

Bright Skies Over Georgetown
by JMC

Rowing Past Key Bridge
by JMC

Closing Reception at Allen Lawrence Fine Art

Fleeting Light Over Georgetown
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Allen Lawrence Fine Art is having a closing night reception of my work this Saturday, August 8 from 6 - 9.  The show, "The Magnificent Riverscapes of Jane McElvany Coonce,"has been very successful.  I want to thank Allen for all that he has done for me.  Allen is also a realtor for Keller Williams Capital Properties and if he sells houses the way he sells art, this is the man for you!  Come meet him and visit with me.    The location is 2115 Newport Place, NW, Suite A, Washington, DC. Kindly RSVP to allenlawrencefineart@gmail.com or call 202-600-5377

Hiding in Plain Sight

Bottles by Candlelight
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The Arlington Artists Alliance sponsored a juried show called "Hiding In Plain Sight."  It's a show with virtually no theme except you have to hide the search icon in the painting somewhere.  The search icon is that little magnifying glass that's on the computer. Can you find it in my painting?

I entered the juried show and was excited I got accepted.  I was even more thrilled when I found out I won 2nd place!!!!  The awards ceremony is Friday night at the reception.  I hope you can come.

The show is at the Gallery Underground in Crystal City located at 2100 Crystal Drive.  The opening reception is this Friday form 5 to 8 pm.  If you can't make it Friday, the show hangs until August 29.