"RED" show

Red Light District
by Jane McElvany Coonce

RED is the new show at the Gallery Underground.  It's a international juried show with Frank Eber as the juror.  Over 200 works were entered and 54 were selected.  My oil painting, "Red Light District", was one of the ones selected.

The reception for RED is this Friday, May 1 at Gallery Underground from 5 pm - 8 pm.  I hope you will be able to make it to see this incredible show.  There is even a piece that was shipped from an artist in Israel!

Gallery Underground is located in Crystal City at 2200 Crystal Drive.  There is free parking after 4 pm in the garage on 20th St. (between Crystal Drive and Jefferson Davis Highway).

I'll be there, so stop by and say hi.  If you can't make it, the show will hang until May 29.

Bushel of Crabs - SOLD!

Bushel of Crabs
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Bushel of Crabs was one of the paintings from my crab series.  I put it at the Gallery Underground last month, but it didn't sell.  Then after the show came down, a person came into the gallery and said they had been thinking about the painting and wondered if it was still available.  The gallery staff called me, and I was happy to tell them that it was still available. So I carried it over to the gallery and the happy customer bought it.

This isn't unusual.  A lot of times, a person will see a painting they like.  They may stop by the venue and may see it several times, each time thinking about how much they like the painting.  It's not until the painting is no longer hanging on the walls that the person realizes that they really want to own it and then have to try and track it down to see if it's still available.  But most people will go the extra length to track it down and bring it home.  When you fall in love with a painting, you know you have to have it. I love happy endings!

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms in a Beer Mug

The Gallery Underground had a special show in April called "Spring Light".  All members of the gallery were allowed to put in one painting that had to do with spring.  I chose, for my piece, a still life painting that I had done of cherry blossoms.  What is more iconic in Washington than cherry blossoms in spring?

The painting found a new home this week and will be moving to Michigan.  I hope the person that purchased it will remember the beautiful cherry blossoms of Washington every time they look at this painting.  If you wonder why so many tourists come to DC to see the cherry blossom, then you haven't  wandered along the tidal basin in a while.  It is a beautiful sight and one that I relish seeing every year.

The new look of my website!

About 25 years ago, Ellen Jones called me up and said she was trying to learn how to do websites.  She asked if she could use me as a guinea pig.  Of course, I was thrilled.  She did a beautiful job and that website has serviced me for many years.  But the design was looking dated, so my son, Kevin, has updated the look of my website.  It's still the same domain name, just a new look.  Take a look at it and see what you think.  I'm thrilled!   www.jmcelvany.com

Thanks, Kevin.  You are the best!  And thanks, Ellen, for all the years that your website helped me promote my art.  I couldn't have done it without either of you.

First Sale As Featured Artist!

Early Morning in Georgetown
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The April show was hung on Monday.  I am the featured artist this month, and I had 7 paintings hanging in the gallery.  Now I only have 6!  Someone came in today and bought a wedding present for 2 Georgetown graduates, and it was one of my Big Sky paintings.  I'm thrilled that my painting found a new home.  And what a special present for the bride and groom... an original oil painting!

When I got married, I received an an original painting from my mentor and teacher, Diane Tesler, and I have to say, it was my favorite gift I received.  To this day, it's hanging in my bedroom and I still love it as much as the day I opened it.

I hope to see many of you at the reception on Friday night (5 - 8 pm) at the  Gallery Underground.
If you can't make it Friday, I hope you'll get to see it some time this month.