Thanksgiving

Teapot and Pears
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite holiday.  No presents to buy, no cards to send, no presents to wrap.  It's all about cooking and being with your family.  I always enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner.  It's a simple meal with the same ol' menu which makes it easy to plan and to pull off.

"Teapot and Pears" is a painting I completed this month.  It's got the colors of autumn.  It's a simple arrangement, but I loved how it turned out.  It's at the framers as we speak.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and rested up because now the hectic season begins: the shopping, the wrapping the decorating, the parties.  Hopefully, I will see many of you before the year ends.  I am thankful for all my friends and family that have supported me through the years.  Life is good when you have good friends and family. That's really what is important in life.

2014 Calendars

For the past several years, I have been making calendars with the paintings that I've done that year.  They have become quite popular, so I decided to order more this year to meet the demand!  Many of my students buy them as well as people who enjoy my art.  

I will have them at Stifel and Capra, 260 W. Broad St in Falls Church.  You can also get them from me.  I may even put them on Etsy, my on line store.  

Here's a sample of a few of the paintings that are featured.  I have picked out my favorite paintings that I did this year.  Actually, I have painted 76 paintings so far this year.  So I have to narrow it down to my 13 favorite ( one for the cover).  This year I've featured both oil and watercolor paintings.  And of course, December, is always my Christmas card painting.  

June

November

January 

February

Ft. Smith Show -Fall 2014

Snowy Day on the Potomac
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Tonight is the opening reception of the Ft. Smith Show, the biggest show of the Arlington Artists Alliance of the year!  I will be there tonight so I hope you can stop by and say hi.  The reception tonight is always lovely; it's like going to a cocktail party.  If you can't make it tonight , you can always stop by on Saturday or Sunday.  Ft. Smith is located at 2411 N. 24th St. in Arlington.

Hours:
   Fri, Nov 22,   6 - 8 pm
   Sat, Nov 23, 10 am - 5 pm
   Sun, Nov 24,  12noon- 4 pm


The painting above is the first winter scene I've ever done of the Key Bridge.  As many times as I've painted that bridge, I never did a winter scene, much less a snow scene.  My husband asked me why I'd never done a winter scene of the bridge before, and I guess it's because I don't go over to Roosevelt Island as much in the winter.  It's too cold!  But maybe this winter, I'll try to get over there more and take some new photos.  I'll take the new puppy, Leila, and introduce her to Seamus' favorite walking spot. He loved going over there and taking a swim in the Potomac.  Some how, that doesn't sound too inviting in the winter, but as crazy as Leila is, she'll probably jump in.

Hope to see you tonight!

The Art League's Small Works Show- Nov 2013

Piper Playing Cello
(watercolor)
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The Art League had the jurying today for the small works show.  I entered "Piper Playing the Cello" and it was accepted!!!!  That always puts me in a good mood when I get into their shows.  Competition is stiff, so it's not an easy feat.

This is a watercolor I did of my great niece, Piper.  Her mother, Leighanne, took the photo and I couldn't resist.  I've really been working on my watercolor techniques.  I am more comfortable as an oil painter, but watercolor is intriguing.  I think when an artist tries a new medium or a new technique, it makes them grow as an artist. Watercolor is a lot less messy.  Easy set up and easy clean up.

This is my first watercolor that has been accepted in a juried show at The Art League.  The show will hang for the month of November, so if you get a chance, take a trip down to Old Town Alexandria and see all the small works in The Art League Gallery.

Analysis of the Studio Tour

Bright Lights on a Rainy Night
by Jane McElvany Coonce

The Arlington Artists Alliance's 3rd Annual Studio Tour was held this past weekend.  I held my studio tour at my house since I no longer have a studio at Stifel and Capra.  ( I still rent wall space at S&C, but I paint at home; this was a decision I made when Seamus, our beloved German Shepherd, was diagnosed with cancer.)

I had a great turn out this weekend, and I want to thank my friends and neighbors that came by to support me.  I had 76 people come by my house.  It was great!  I got to talk with lots of interesting people and met quite a few of my neighbors that I did not know before.  Sales were good, and I am glad I participated.

"Bright Lights on a Rainy Night" was the painting that represented me on the brochure/map.  It's finding a new home, and I have to say, I'm going to miss it. This was a fun painting to do, and I enjoyed it being in my home.  But I know it will be happy in it's new home, and it  inspires me  to paint more.

Thanks everyone who stopped by.  I love you guys!  Everyone needs a cheerleader on their side, and that's what you are to me.  I can't thank you enough!

Studio Tour this Weekend, Oct 26-27, 2013

Spanish Fountain
Painted by Jane McElvany Coonce
after John Singer Sargent's painting

This weekend is the 3rd annual studio tour sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance.  My home is on the tour.  If you don't have a map, you can download one off the website of the Alliance and print it out.  (www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org)  I'm number 4 on the map.  There are 22 artists participating.
I will have framed and unframed pieces as well as notecards and Christmas cards.

The painting above is a watercolor I did after a John Singer Sargent painting.  I figured since I'm going to Italy in May, it wouldn't hurt to practice doing sculptures and fountains since we will probably see a lot of them there.  This piece will be in my bin of unframed pieces.

Please stop by and see me (and my new puppy!)  The tour is both Saturday, Oct 26 and Sunday, Oct 27 from 10 am to 5 pm.  My address is 4057 N. 27th St. , Arlington, VA.  Hope to see you there!

Oct 2013- The Art League Show- "Body Language"

Bright Lights on a Rainy Night
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Every month I play the lottery by entering The Art League show.  Members of The Art League are allowed to submit 2 paintings for jurying, although only one is allowed to be accepted.  I help with the jurying.  I'm one of the workers who holds up the paintings for the judge to see.  I always try to hold up my own two paintings in front of the judge and try to send him mental telepathy that he must select one of these fabulous paintings that is before him.  This month, it worked!  Jay Hall Carpenter was the judge, and he selected my painting, "Bright Lights on a Rainy Night."  It's a small 8 inch by 8 inch painting and it's one of my favorites.  I was happy the judge liked it, too.  It's one of my night series paintings.  I am always in a good mood when I get accepted in The Art League show!