View from Watergate

View from the Watergate
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

I just finished my first painting for 2020.  It's my favorite bridge, Key Bridge, with Georgetown in the background.  However, this time, I painted it from a totally different angle.  This is down river by the Watergate (made famous by Nixon.)

When I went over to see George Bush's paintings at the Kennedy Center, I also took a walk on the newly built foot ramp that crosses over the busy road (Virginia Ave) to a path along the river.  There are beautiful views of Georgetown at an angle I've never painted before.

I took lots of photos as I walked along.  I did a watercolor of this scene last fall, but this is the first oil.

I need for it to dry so I can sign it.  Then I will take it over to my 2nd floor studio at Gallery Clarendon.  The sad news is that Gallery Clarendon is closing Feb 8.  The landlords have rented it to a pizza place.  We are sad to lose the gallery, but are happy that we had the opportunity to run a gallery there for a year and a half.  So stop by and take a look at our beautiful gallery before it closes.

Kaleidoscope

Jim Patton's Band
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

The latest National Juried Show is at Gallery Clarendon.  I was lucky enough to get juried into the show entitled "Kaleidoscope."  The painting that I have in the show is of my friend, Jim Patton, his wife Sherry and the rest of the band. Jim is playing the guitar, and Sherry is the singer.

 It's a watercolor, but I did it a little differently than the traditional watercolor way.  I sprayed water on the paper.  Then I dropped in some colors: yellow, rose, and blue.  I held the paper up and let it run and drip anyway it wanted to.  I set it down and let it dry.  Then I went back into it and painted it the way I would a normal watercolor.  But the drips affect the look and give it an electrifying look, the same effect their music has on its listeners. 

Jim Patton is from Annapolis, but now lives in Austin, Texas.  Once or twice a year, Jim and Sherry come back to Annapolis to preform.  I always try to get up and see them.  This painting was done from a photo I took when they were up here in the summer.

The show will hang from January 6th to February 8, 2020.  The reception is this Friday, January 10th from 5 to 7pm.  I'll be there if you want to stop by.  Gallery Clarendon is located at 2800 Clarendon Blvd. at the corner of Fillmore St.  The gallery is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 7 pm.  If you can't make it to the reception, stop by another time.

Happy New Year 2020

Remains of the Day
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce
now displayed at Portabellos Restaurant in Arlington, VA

Happy New Year!
 2019 was a great year for me as an artist.  I painted 63 paintings!  Some were oils and some were watercolor.  I sold 69 paintings, although not all from this year's stock.  At that rate, you would think I would have fewer paintings in my closets.  Unfortunately, that's not the case. My closets are still loaded with paintings.  I appreciate all my patrons who have valued my art over the years.  Thanks to all of you who have encouraged me and let me know when you like a painting I've done.  It keeps me motivated.

I have a lot of exciting shows and trips coming up this year.  In March and April, I've been invited to show my work at National Institute of Health (NIH).  I'm extremely excited to show there.  I also have two teaching cruises lined up. One starts in Lima, Peru that goes through the Panama Canal and ends up in the Grand Caymans.  Another teaching cruise is to the Black Sea where we will visit Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia!!!!!  That should be a very interesting trip.  I also am taking some of my art students to paint in Cornwall, England for a week.

So as you can see, I'm excited to paint a lot of new areas of the world.  I hope you'll continue to follow me on my artistic journey. I always need encouragement!