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!

Vivaldi Concert at the Cathedral
watercolor painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

I am always entering shows . Last weekend, I entered a show at Hollin Hills.  I was thrilled to learn that I won the Frame Masters Award for my piece, "Vivaldi Concert at the Cathedral." 

I did this piece from photographs I took in Venice. In June of 2018, I took a group of students to Venice to paint for a week.  One night, we bought tickets to a concert held in a church close to our apartment.  It was such a spectacular setting for the musicians.  I knew I had to paint it.

Entering shows is a lot of work.  You have to decide first which paintings you are going to select.  You have to type up an inventory sheet and labels.  You have to schlepp the paintings there, and you have to assist in hanging the show. You have to work at the receptions and sometimes at the sales desk.  At the end of the show, you have to schlepp them home.  It takes  a lot of work from start to finish.  If you sell or win a prize, it makes it feel worthwhile. If you don't sell, you sometimes wonder why you bother to do all this.  But it's part of the business of being an artist. (Not the fun part either.)  Most artists just want to paint.  The business aspect is not the part most artists enjoy.  This time of year, there are many art shows to participate in and it can be exhausting!  At the Ft Smith show in December, I sold quite a few paintings.  I sold 7 paintings which is quite a lot for one show. It's been a busy season and it still isn't quite over.  Thanks for all of you for supporting me by coming to my shows and art receptions and just sending words of encouragement when you see a painting on my blog and letting me know you like it.  It means a lot to me. More than you'll ever know.  It's like winning a prize!  Thanks, everyone!

Rainy Day at the Flower Market

Night Lights on a Venice Canal

Small Works at Ft. C.F. Smith this weekend

Pansies in a Blue and White Bow
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce
5x5

Georgetown View from Roosevelt Island Bridge
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce
5 x 5

I thought I might put up some of my smaller pieces that will be up at Ft. Smith.  They make nice Christmas gifts, wedding presents or a gift for yourself.  The square ones are 5x5 and the rectangular ones are 5x7.  I can only put 2 small ones out at a time, but if they sell, I'll replace them with the ones below. 

Night at the State Theatre
oil

Night at the Diner
oil

Sunset Kayaker in Georgetown
(watercolor)

Small Works:  Georgetown
(watercolor)

Peony Blossom
(oil)

Pansies in Urn
(oil)

Ft C.F. Smith - Artfest- this coming weekend

Rainy Day Flower Market
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

This coming weekend is Ft. C.F. Smith's Artfest.  It is probably one of the best shows of the year. 
I have several new paintings that will be in the show. 
I have both watercolor and oils in the show this time. I have some big pieces as well as some very small pieces.
Come do some Christmas shopping early.

Ft. Smith is located at 2411 N. 24th St. in Arlington.
The opening reception is Friday, Nov 22 from 6 to 8 pm.
Saturday, Nov 23 from 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, Nov 24 from noon to 4 pm.

Hope to see you there!

 

Night Lights on a Venice Canal
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

Rainy Day Amigos - ARTregious!

Rainy Day Amigos
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

On Saturday, November 2 from 6 to 8 pm, the Arlington Artists Alliance will hold their annual fundraiser at Gallery Clarendon.  Artists donate a painting to the silent auction.  We have over 70 artists that will be participating.

 My painting is called Rainy Day Amigos.  It's a large painting, 2 feet x 2 feet.  It is done in shades of gray, blue and purple.  It's a little different than what I normally paint.  In my class, I had my students do monochromatic paintings in shades of gray.  This is a take off on that theme.  I also have a series in watercolor going on right now with white umbrellas.  So this is a cross between the two projects.

Tickets to this event are a mere $10.  This includes entry to the auction, beer and wine and food from the local Clarendon restaurants.  I guarantee a fun time for all.  Also, it's a good way to pick up a painting for a VERY reasonable price (much cheaper than if the paintings were in a normal show at the gallery.) There will be lots of paintings to choose from in all styles and sizes.  There will be abstracts, representational works, sculpture, glass pieces, wood turned pieces and ceramics.  So don't miss it.  It's a great way to help our organization and also a great way to decorate your home.

Tickets can be purchased on line at :  www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org
Go to the website and click on Upcoming Events.

Hope to see you there.

Rainy Day Mission at The Art League, Old Town Alexandria

Rainy Day Mission
original oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

Each month, The Art League has a juried show.  I enter pretty much every month and roll the dice to see if my painting is accepted.  This month, "Rainy Day Mission" was accepted into the show.
It's always thrilling when I get the notice that my painting has been accepted.  I'm like a kid who just found the bag of Halloween candy that the mother has hid.  I clap my hands and do a little happy dance!

The show will be up for the month of October in the 1st floor gallery in the Torpedo Factory Center. 
The Art League is located at the corner of Kings St and Union St. in Alexandria, VA. 

Chaos

Saigon Traffic
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

The new show at Gallery Underground this month is called "Chaos."  I submitted this piece, "Saigon Traffic", and it was used on the postcard to advertise the show.  That's always exciting for an artist to be featured on their advertising. It's hanging in a prime spot in the gallery.  It really looks great!

 I did this painting from a photo I took in Vietnam.  I was on a bus, and as I looked at the window, all I saw was wall to wall mopeds on the street.  It was an amazing site. Although the official name of the city is Ho Chi Mien City, the locals there would correct me and say they still called it Saigon.

Crossing the street as a pedestrian is a daunting task.  The locals also told me not to look both ways. They said to have faith, and step off the curb and look straight ahead. Whatever you do, you must not look at the oncoming traffic.  The reason is, if you just look straight, then you just walk at an even pace, and the drivers on mopeds know how to go around you.  But if you look at the traffic coming at you, you will stop.  This will mess the drivers up, and they will hit you.  So I followed the advice, although it was very scary not to look, and I just walked straight, knowing that hundreds of mopeds were coming towards me.  But the advice was sound; the mopeds went around me and I made it to the other side in one piece.

Vietnam was a beautiful country.  I really enjoyed my visit there.  If you want to get a little taste of Saigon, come to Gallery Underground in Crystal City this month.  The reception is tonight, Friday, October 4 from 5 to 7 pm.