Tribute to the Washington Nationals

 I finished my latest painting.  I haven't done a trompe l'oeil painting in quite a while because they are very time consuming.  Trompe l'oeil means fool the eye.  So everything must be painted the actual size and with as much realism as can be done. The idea of this trompe l'oeil came from a still life set up that Leigh Culver designed for classroom at The Art League. She had quite a few Trompe l'oeil set ups and they were all beautiful.  I loved the Nats. I tweaked it a bit, but the overall idea was her creativity.

 As for the process, each part of the painting is done before you can add things on top. The cork board was many layers of color and then all the little circles had to be done with a tiny brush.  The "wood" frame had to be painted tan, and then I did the woodgraining on top of the tan color. Each item took hours to get it just right.

I painted Ryan Zimmerman on the baseball card. They call him "Mr. National" due to the fact he was the Nationals very first draft pick, and he has played for them his entire career.

Last year was an exciting year for the Nats.  They made the playoffs and no one thought they would go any further.  But they did!  On to the World Series.  They won their first 3 games that were away, and they lost the next 3 games at home.  So the World Series came down to game 7, and it was an away game.  Washington DC went crazy when they won.
We love our Nats.  Hope you like this painting.  It was a labor of love.  Thanks, Leigh, for your inspiration.

I

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!

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