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.

April Reception - I'm the featured artist!

As Evening Sets on Georgetown
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This Friday night is the April reception at the Gallery Underground in Crystal City.  I am the featured artist this month and I have 7 Key Bridge paintings in the show.  I hope you will be able to make it. It's also my birthday so we will really be celebrating!  The reception is from 5 - 8 pm.  I will be there along with my family.

This paintings is one of the "Big Sky" series.  It's an evening scene of the Key Bridge with Georgetown in the background.  It's fairly large, 20 x 24 inches and is in a beautiful plein air frame.

If you can't make it to the reception, the show will hang from now until April 25.  It's open Monday through Friday 10 am - 6 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm.  The gallery is located off of 20th Street and Crystal Drive.  There is free parking in the garage on Friday night.  There is also free parking after 4 pm on Monday through Friday and free all day on the weekends.

Drop by for a glass of wine and some great refreshments.

Signature Status for Baltimore Watercolor Society

Please Share My Umbrella
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I've got nothing but good news this week in the watercolor department.  This year, one of my goals was to enter some big name watercolor shows.  I picked out Virginia Watercolor Society and Baltimore Watercolor Society to test the waters. An artist can enter their juried shows, and if they are accepted in 3 shows, they may apply for signature status.  One can also apply by submitting digital images of one's work, and if the jurying committee approves, you can be accepted as a signature member into the society without having been in one of their shows.

I had never entered the Baltimore Watercolor Society's shows.  I did this year, but also decided to see if I could get the signature status without being in 3 juried shows of BWS.  I received the letter today to congratulate me on my new status as signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society.

I am really loving the watercolors that I've been doing, and I enjoy learning with every painting I do.

Patiently Waiting
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Virginia Watercolor Society's Show 2015

The Red Hat
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I am thrilled!  I joined Virginia Watercolor Society this year for the first time.  They have a yearly show, and I entered knowing there was a good chance I wouldn't get in.  There are many fantastic watercolorists who enter and not enough wall space to hang all of that wonderful art.  One of my goals this year was to enter several watercolor shows. This is the first all watercolor show that I've entered.

There were 511 pieces entered, and the juror, Mark Mehaffey,  only accepted 98.  I was one of those lucky 98. I feel quite honored because I'm relatively new to the watercolor world.

The show will be held at James Madison University at the Duke Hall Gallery.  The show will hang from May 18 through June 26.

Still can't believe I got in!