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