Autumn Falls on Georgetown

Last night, I attended the Juried show, "Locally Sourced" at The Alliance Gallery in Clarendon (Arlington, VA). 30 paintings out of the 100 submitted were in the show, with my painting "Autumn Falls on Georgetown" being one of the ones selected. The judge, Yigit Cakar, a commissioner for the Arts, picked the paintings that are in the show and the ones that won prizes. To my surprise, I won 1st place! I was so thrilled. The painting also found a new home, so it was a double blessing for me. Winning an award is always a wonderful feeling for an artist. Thank you judge, Yigit Cakar, for making my day!

Hot Crabs and Beer on Ice

Twice a year, I go up to Edinburg, Virginia and painting with a group of friends who were all former students of Diane Tesler. We set up still lifes and work from them all weekend. This weekend, I set up another crab painting. Although it's not completely finished, I am pretty close to being done.

Cove in Southwest Harbor, Maine

I've completed another painting from photos I took in Maine. This was a cove that we dropped anchor. We rowed ashore and took a walk into the town of Tremont. I saw this tranquil scene of boats at rest. 2 women were sitting on the rocks enjoying the beautiful scenery. Roses were blooming by the road. I took the photo not knowing I would turn it into a Maine painting. But here it is. Such a beautiful place!

Sisters Visit Turner Farm

In June, I went on a Windjammer Cruise on the Angelique. We left out of Camden, Maine and sailed for a week. It was a great experience that I will never forget. I sailed with 16 other ladies. We helped raise and lower the sails and rowed to shore. I taught watercolor classes and everyone did a great job. When I got back, I realized I have a lot of photos that I want to turn into paintings. Here's my first one. It is called "Sisters Visit Turner Farm." The two women are Marcie and Alysa. They looked so beautiful in their dresses that I had to paint them.

Ft. Smith's Springtime Show

(Wave Watching - oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce). Spring Artul Weekend is almost here. This is a show at Ft. C.F. Smith Park at 24ll North 24th Street in Arlington, VA. It's the weekend of April 12-14. Please put it on your calendar!

(Daffodils and Vinca. - watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce). I had to paint some spring flowers for the show. I love daffodils. So I set up a little still life with Vinca (the purple flowers) and daffodils and put them in by blue and white vase.

(Cherry Blossoms oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce). I also did some Cherry Blossoms because this is the time of year they bloom in DC. Everyone around here is crazy about cherry blossoms. The crowds around the Tidal Basin where they bloom are enormous. It brings in lots of tourists from all over. So come to Ft. Smith and avoid the crowds! The show hours are: Friday April 12 from 4 pm - 8 pm , Saturday, April 13 from 10am - 6 pm and Sunday, April 14 from 10 am-4 pm.

Trip to Japan

I apologize for not posting on my blog in a while. I went to Japan in May. I had a job teaching watercolor on a cruise ship. Tom and I went over early and toured Tokyo on our own. Then we boarded the Queen Elizabeth and went around the southern coast of Japan.

Here are two paintings I did as a demo for my students, many of them who didn't speak English. It was a challenge. Cherry blossoms are a big deal in Japan, just as they are in Washington, DC.

Spring Show at Ft. Smith this weekend

This weekend, the Arlington Artists Alliance has their big show at Ft. C.F. Smith. The hours are: Friday, April 14th from 4 to 8 pm Saturday, April 15th from 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, April 16 from 10 am to 4 pm The opening reception is on Friday, April 14 from 6 - 8 pm. The reception is always fun. You feel like you are at a party. Come share some wine and food with me. I'll be there on Friday and also on Sunday from 10 am to noon.