Seascape Project in my Art Classes

Path to the Beach
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Each semester, I give my students a theme that we will focus on.  I try to make it something that they will learn multiple things from.
This Fall, our theme was the seascape.  I wanted them to do something with clouds, sea, sand dunes, and sea oats.

Afternoon Glow on the Dune
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The first week, I demonstrated the sky and clouds and we also blocked in the sand, sand shadows and placement of the grasses.

We allowed the painting to dry for a week.

Day's End
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The next week, we focused on the thin grasses and the sea oats, added fences and birds.  We also went back and punched out the lightest lights and the darkest darks.  

All of my students did an amazing job.  For some of my students, it was the first painting they ever did. For my long time students, they painted like a pro.

My three demos all look like they could be Fall scenes at the beach.  Someone may ask why paint beach scenes in the Fall.  I think the Fall is the best time to go to the beach (less crowds, whether still nice) so why not paint the beach in the Fall, too.

November 2012 Show at The Art League

View of Northwest Washington
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Entering juried shows is part of the life of an artist.  It's like playing the lottery.  You never know if your work will be chosen or not.  If it is, you feel elated; if it is not, you can feel dejected.  However, I have a different attitude in entering juried shows.  I realize it's one person's opinion.  Depending on the judge, the piece can get in and win a prize whereas another judge will look at the same painting and give it the thumbs down.

Today was my lucky day.  I entered the juried show at The Art League located in the Torpedo Factory of Old Town Alexandria.  Not only was my painting juried into the show, it also won an honorable mention!  I was thrilled!  It was like winning the lottery twice!

The show will hang for the month of November.  The reception for the show is next Thursday evening, Nov 15.  Unfortunately, I teach that night, so I can't go down and receive my prize.  But I'm still thrilled that I was selected this month and honored that I won the award.

Potomac Valley Watercolorists Show

Secret Destination
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Shopping in the Rain
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend there is another show that I am involved in.  It seems like the Fall is a busy time for artists!  This show is sponsored by Potomac Valley Watercolorists.  I am a member of the organization.  An artist has to be juried in to become a member.

I will have some of my acrylic night scenes in the show as well as some of my collages that I showed in a previous post. I will also have notecards there for sale.  Come by and see me!  I will be there on Saturday, Nov 3 from 4-5 at the card booth.  I will be selling notecards at the tiime.  But I will also be there before my work shift and afterwards.  I will also be there  on Sunday from 3 to 4 pm.

Lover's Lane
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The show runs for two days.  On Saturday, November 3, it's open from 3 - 7 pm.  The awards ceremony will be at 4 pm.  On Sunday, November 4, the show will be from noon to 4 pm.  Refreshments will be served both days.

St. Andrew's Episcopol Church is located at 4000 Lorcom Lane in Arlington.  It is located at Lorcom Lane and Military Rd.
There is plenty of parking on the side of the church and a huge parking lot in the back.

Hope to see everyone there!

Review of the Home Tour Studio

The 2nd Annual Studio Tour, sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance, was a huge success despite hurricane Sandy's impending presence.  I was afraid the coming of the storm would keep people away.  (The news reporters were trying their best to get everyone to go to the grocery stores.)  
However, I had 40 people come by on Saturday and 17 people on Sunday.    
Five of my paintings found new homes.  I got several commissions.  But the most popular item was my notecards.  The Key Bridge notecards were the biggest seller, but coming in 2nd was my crab series of notecards.

I took a tally to see where most people heard about the show.  By in large, most people came because of my efforts to send a personal invitation that I hand delivered to 150 houses in my neighborhood.  I took the dog with me

We delivered the letters over the course of 3 days.  The poor dog slept the rest of the afternoon because our neighborhood is so hilly.
So although it was a lot of work to hand deliver the invitations, it did help to bring people to the tour and it gave me (and the dog) some exercise.

Thanks to all of you that came by and kept me company.  I had 2 friends from high school that stopped by, and I got to have a glass of wine and a long chat with Karen.  We probably haven't talked that much since lunch in the Yorktown cafeteria!

Last Day of the Home Studio Tour

Christmas Day Parade in Middleburg
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Today was the first day of the Home Studio Tour.  I opened up my house from 10 am until 5 pm.  I had over 40 people stop by.  I sold 3 paintings and tons of notecards.   The painting, "Christmas Day Parade in Middleburg", was a painting that I just completed a couple of weeks ago.  It will be my Christmas card this year.  Every year I paint a painting that I turn into a Christmas card.  Today, someone who came to the open house bought the painting!  I haven't owned it very long, but I know it's going to a good home.

Tomorrow will be the last day of the tour.  Again the hours are from 10 am-5 pm.

I hope you can stop by and do some Christmas shopping.  There are notecards, paintings and sculpture.

The Nanny
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Notecards: The Crab Series
10 cards/10 envelopes
5 different images

This Saturday and Sunday-Home Tour

A Place Within
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I have been experimenting with abstract collage.  I recently did about 13 pieces over the course of a week.  Abstract isn't really my thing, but every once in a while I make myself stretch and get out of my comfort zone.  I focus on color and value and also design.  Abstracts aren't as easy as you may think.  They really take a lot of work.

I will have my pieces at the home studio tour this weekend.  This is the first time they have been seen by the public.  You'll have to tell me if you think they work or not, or if I should stick to my day job!

Rejuvenation
by Jane McElvany Coonce

                                                                    The studio tour is in conjunction with the Arlington Artists Alliance's 2nd annual studio tour.  It is on Saturday. Oct 27 and Sunday, Oct 28 from 10 am- 5 pm.
I hope you'll stop by and give me a critique.  My address is 4057 N. 27th St. Arlington, Va.  I'll have maps if the other studios that you can visit on the tour.  Hope to see you.

Haunting Melody
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Home Studio Tour This Weekend

Key Bridge in the Morning
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I hope everyone has put this weekend on their calendar to attend the 2nd annual Studio Tour and Sale.  It's Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 from 10 am until 5 pm, both days.

That's a long time for me to sit around and I need company.  Please stop by and have some refreshments and see some art work.

Key Bridge in the Evening
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I have 3 Key Bridge paintings on display and lots of other paintings of still life and landscapes.
                                                                           
The tour begins at my house at 4057 N. 27th St. in Arlington.  Here's your chance to see lots of McElvany-Coonce paintings all at one time.  Hope to see you this weekend.