Rooftop View of Washington, DC

I haven't written on my blog for a while, but here is the latest painting I just completed. It was a commission for my friends, Jeanne and Joe, who live in Rosslyn with this beautiful skyline view. They live in Arlington overlooking the Potomac River, and this is their view of Washington. There are 3 monuments in the painting: The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial. It must be wonderful to wake up every day and look out and see this view. Can you imagine watching the 4th of July fireworks from this rooftop? I totally enjoyed painting this beautiful scene.

It's Five o'clock Somewhere

Here's the latest painting I've done. I call it "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." I set up this still life with some bottles I had in our cupboard. I bought Don Julio's, not because I like tequilla, but because I liked the shape of the bottle. I went to Ayers 5&Dime over in Westover and bought the paper umbrellas and swizzle sticks. It took me a while to arrange all of these items. I didn't want bottles to line up at the top or at the bottom. I did some preliminary drawings. Then I painted on this still life for 3 days straight for about 8 hours a day. After I dismantled the still life, I worked on the painting from photographs to do finishing touches. I love how it turned out. It was so fun to paint. And before I could even put it in the gallery or in a show, the painting found a new home. I never realized how fun painting alcohol, instead of drinking it, could be!

This is one of many paintings,The Boathouse on the Potomac, Early Morning, that will be on display At McLean Project for the Arts "Artfest" on October 3 at McLean Central Park from 10-4 pm. It's at the corner of Old Dominion Drive and Route 123 (Dolly Madison Blvd.) My work will be on display at the McLean Art Society's tent, where you can find oil and watercolor paintings, shrinkwraps and note cards. It will be a glorious day! I hope to see many of you there! We will be there rain or shine.

Art Fest Next Sunday, Oct 3 from 10 am to 4 pm

This is one of many paintings, Moonlight Over Georgetown, that will be on display At McLean Project for the Arts "Artfest" on October 3 at McLean Central Park from 10-4 pm. It's at the corner of Old Dominion Drive and Route 123 (Dolly Madison Blvd.) My work will be on display at the McLean Art Society's tent, where you can find oil and watercolor paintings, shrinkwraps and note cards. It will be a glorious day! I hope to see many of you there! We will be there rain or shine.

Fall Online Painting Classes

If anyone is interested in signing up for my online painting class,let me know. I plan to start the class in October and go through November. The people who sign up pick what they want to do for the quarter. I do a video recording of each class, so if you can't make it to the date of the online class, you can watch it later. Also, if you are a rank beginner, you can follow along, stop the recording, paint what I just painted. Then when you are ready, start up the video again, watch the next step and again stop the recording and do what I did. It's a great way to learn. You can send me your works in progress and I will critique them and tell you what is working and what you can do to improve it. That way, the artist can get immediate feedback privately. Email me if this is something you think you might like to do. My email is : Jane.Coonce@verizon.net. It's really a lot of fun! The painting above are ones that we did in past sessions.

Portabellos is Closing

One of my favorite local restaurants is Portabellos in Arlington. The owner, MJ, has allowed me to hang my art work there for many years. I've sold many paintings there. It was great sadness when MJ called me to tell me that Covid had killed his business, and that he was closing after 15 years. This was our go-to restaurant on Friday nights. The food is delicious and reasonable priced. We will miss MJ and his humor. My last show at Portabellos is there now. I belive Portabellos last day is Sept 25. My paintings will come down a few days before. Portabellos will be greatly missed in my family.

It's a Steal This weekend, Aug 27-29

This weekend is a show where once a year, i have a sale. If you've wanted to own a McElvany-Coonce original and couldn't afford it, here is your chance. All painting are $125 or less. I have framed and unframed. Oil and watercolor. There's lots to choose from. I have 100 paintings in the show. So I hope you'll come. Stock up for presents to give at Christmas or wedding gifts. Now is the time to take advantage of the sale. The show runs: Friday Aug 27 from 5 to 8 pm ( I will be there pouring wine from 6:30 to 8 pm) Saturday, Aug 28 from 11 am - 5 pm Sunday Aug 29 from 11 am - 2 pm Address: St Andrews Episcopal Church 4000 Lorcom Lane ( corner of Lorcom and Military) Aralington, VA.