2015 Watercolor Art Show at Hollin Hall in Alexandria

Chinese Take Out and Beer
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

For those of you who live near Alexandria, Virginia, there is a wonderful watercolor show this weekend at Hollin Hills.  All of the paintings in the show are watercolor, and there are probably 40 artists who are showing their work including me!

I'll be there with a few of my newest watercolors.  "Chinese Take Out and Beer" was just finished yesterday.  I'm always amazed at the fabulous paintings that are in this show.  Gwen Bragg has organized the show.  And she always does a fabulous job.  I hope you will stop by Saturday or Sunday to see it.

Hollin Hills is located at 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria , VA.  It's right off the GW Parkway, just south of Old Town.  The hours are:

         Saturday, Dec 5th  from  4 pm to 7 pm
          Sunday, Dec 6th from noon to 4 pm

It's a great way to do some holiday shopping.  An original painting would make a great gift!  It's one of a kind, and no one on the face of the earth will ever have that painting but you!  Hope to see you there.

Artregeous 2015

Walking in the Rain
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The Arlington Artists Alliance is having its annual fundraiser this Friday evening at the Gallery Underground in Crystal City.  If you haven't been before, it's a MUST!  It's a silent auction where artists donate a painting or a service , and people can bid on them.  All of the money goes to the organization to help us to accomplish our goals.
Many artists donated paintings.   Agnes Yackshaw will donate her skills to do the state bird of your choice.  George Bowles has donated a basket full of wine, chocolate, olive oil and other wonderful goodies.  Tony Neville donated an art lesson in watercolor.  So there is something for everyone.

I hope you will join us for a night of artwork, sculpture, pottery and jewelry.  There will be live music, and the refreshments will be donated by the restaurants of Crystal City.

It's always a fun event.  You can see the art work ahead of time this week.  You can actually bid on work throughout the week.

On Friday, the festivities will begin from 6 - 9 pm.  It's at the Gallery Underground at The Shops at 2100 Crystal Dr. in Arlington.  There is free parking in the garage.  

So come party with me!  See you Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Silver Teapot and Pears
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

A Piggy Bank's Dream
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  It's not about buying presents or decorating the house. It's about cooking food and spending time with your family and friends. It's about sitting around the table and being grateful and thankful for those who are sharing the meal with you.  It's that simple.

I have been blessed with a great family (my parents, my husband, my children) and great friends.  I have the greatest friends in the world.
I don't know how I would have made it this far in life without them.

I have been blessed with doing a job I love: painting and teaching.  I can't think of anything better!

God has been good to me.  And I'm thankful.
Tomorrow is the day we set aside to give thanks.  I hope everyone has a day that makes them thankful for the other 364 days of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Still Have Time To See Ft. Smith Show

SOLD1  
Deer in Snow
Watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

If you missed the reception at Ft. Smith last night, you still have time to go and see the show.  It's open today until 5 pm ( I will be working this afternoon so stop by and say hi) and it's also open on Sunday from 12noon to 4 pm.

Three of my paintings have found a new home so far.  I had to take up replacements so there is more paintings of mine up today.  I sold the "Study in White" painting that I posted last time.  I really loved this painting.  I hope it's going to a good home!  Paintings are like your babies; you care about them and are happy someone has adopted it and will enjoy it for years to come.

SOLD!
Study in White
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Ft. C.F. Smith Show - Fall 2015

Shades of White
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend is another art show!  Seems that the Fall is the busiest time of year for artists.
The Ft. C.F. Smith show is always the highlight of the season.  I hope you will stop by and see this beautiful show.  The reception is Friday night, and it's like attending a cocktail party.  It's a lovely setting and wonderful food and wine.

Here's the schedule:
Friday, November 20, from 6 to 8 pm  - Opening Reception
Saturday, November 21, from 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, November 22, from 12 noon to 4 pm
Address:  2411 N. 24th St.  Arlington , VA.
(It's right off the GW Parkway , Spout Run Parkway, and Lorcom Lane.)

I will be there on Friday night and also , I'm working the sales desk on Saturday from 3 - 5pm.  But stop by whenever you can and do some early Christmas shopping.  There are paintings, pottery, notecards and holiday cards.

Bicycle by the Garden Wall
oil painting by Jane McElvany Coonce

St Andrew's Art show this weekend, Nov 14 and 15, 2015

Early Morning Commute
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend, Potomac Valley Watercolorists are having an art show at St. Andrews which is located at the corner of Lorcom Lane and Military Rd.

The show runs from Saturday from 3-7 pm and Sunday from 1 - 5 pm.  I will have several framed pieces hanging on the wall and lots of unframed pieces in my own bin.

Hope you will stop by and see me.  I'll be there on Saturday from 3-5 and on Sunday from 1-3.

Remnants of Fall
by Jane McElvany

Fish Market

Fish Market
watercolor by Jane McElvany Coonce

 People ask me how do I know what I want to paint.  I'm always searching for new ideas that excite me.  Sometimes I find these ideas in places I would never expect.  It can be a beautiful scene of a new place I'm visiting or an old familiar scene that I just love. Sometimes it's certain colors that attract me.  In this case, I saw the fish, loved all the colors, and knew I had to paint them.  I loved the juxtaposition of the textured tray with the scaly fish.  And the colors on the fish were incredible! Next time you go to a market, especially a place like H Mart out in Merrifield, (it's an Asian market if you aren't familiar with it) take a look at their fish department.  It's incredible!  Not only do they have tasty fish, but I've bought seafood just so I could paint it!  This one, though, I did from a photograph.  After the "model" sits under the lights for hours, holding still for the artist, it would probably not be a good idea to eat the subject matter.