Saturday, April 23, 2016

Cupcake #1 - Small Acrylic Painting Food Art Cupcake Still Life by Debbie Shirley

Cupcake #1
4x4 inches
acrylic on MDF panel

Why cupcakes?
I always thought that they looked like they would be fun to paint (they are!).
But my  kids were just happy that it wasn't yet another vegetable!

Available at the North Shore Makers Mart, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Friday, April 22, 2016

Kowloon - Small Acrylic Painting Neon Sign Route 1 Saugus, Massachusetts

Kowloon
8 x 6 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

It's the Kowloon!
Another great neon sign on Route 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts. Gone are the days of neon sign after neon sign on Route 1. Only a few are left! And I am trying to capture as many as I can while they still stand.
It always amazes me how I can paint just one letter from this sign and people immediately recognize it as the Kowloon!

This painting is also available at the North Shore Makers Mart in Topsfield, Massachusetts.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Golf - Small Acrylic Painting Mini Golf Neon Sign Route 1 Saugus, Massachusetts

Golf
6 x 6 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

How about a little mini golf??
Can't believe it has taken me so long to get around to painting this great neon sign in Saugus, Massachusetts. Yes, this is on Route 1 - site of the famous orange dinosaur. I had to get this painting dome - this is the last season for the dinosaur. The  whole complex is due to be demolished this fall to make room for more developments.

Love this sign - I am already sketching out a larger painting with a similar composition. this small painting is available at the brand new North Shore Makers Mart in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Stop by their Grand Opening on April 30th and see all kids of fun things from local artists. And it is in the middle of a vintage shop and consignment boutique - so much fun shopping in one place!

Friday, April 15, 2016

Free HBO - Small Acrylic Painting of a Vintage Motel Sign by Debbie SHirley

Free HBO
(Saugus, Mass.)
5 x 7 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

Back to more of my sign paintings. I need more for local shops - and then with show/festival season getting underway, I will need some for my own inventory as well! I find signs fun to paint - sometimes I keep going back to some of my favorites, playing with composition and color and dimensions. After years in the printing industry and a resulting love for typography, it was inevitable that I would be drawn to signs - the lettering, the shapes, the graphic nature. Then tie in the nostalgic factor - and they are an irresistible subject for me!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

By My Side - Small Acrylic Still LIife Painting of Strawberries

By My Side
6 x 6 inches
acrylic on canvas

Another little 6 x 6 inch painting for the Chococoa Cafe exhibit. Love how these two paintings look paired up, in their little floater frames. I may have to play with a few more of these if I can squeeze them in between other projects.

Back to painting a bunch of smaller pieces for a new venue that is opening up at the end of this month. More information on this coming soon!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Moving On - Acrylic Still Life Painting of a Classic Game by Debbie Shirley

Moving On
8 x 8 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

I actually finished this piece quite a while back. However, there were a few things on it that really bugged me, so this weekend, I went into it and made the changes and am now revarnishing it. I don;t very often go back into a piece after a while has passed, but I am glad that I did with this one!

It is available in my Etsy shop.

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Walk the Line - Small Acrylic Painting Still life of Fruit, Food Art Kitchen Decor

Walk the Line
6 x 6 inches
acrylic on canvas

I haven't done 6 x 6 inch canvases in a while! I wanted a few small pieces to help round out an exhibit and decided to go with 6 x 6. I forgot how cute they can be in floater frames!

Anyhow, I have hung a "food art" themed solo exhibit at the Cococoa Cafe in Newburyport, Massachusetts. What a fun cafe! Great coffee (from Atomic Roasters) and, oh yeah, the WHOOPIE PIES! Anyhow, my paintings there are all food themed and will be on exhibit through May. Be sure to stop by if you are in the area!

Here are two (not-so-great) photos of some of the pieces I hung at the Cafe:

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Gather 'Round - Kitchen Still Life Painting Food Art

Gather 'Round
12 x 16 inches
acrylic on canvas

For some reason, my reds never seem to scan OR photograph well! A lot of the subtlety is lost, and the tones are a little funky, but hopefully the picture still gives you an idea of what the painting really looks like.

This is the painting that I used for two recent demos. I finally finished it up - and it will be a part of the Newburyport Art Association's wonderful Annual Fine Art Auction on June 11. More details to come!

Sunday, April 3, 2016

State Street - Architecture Cityscape Acrylic Painting of Newburyport by Debbie Shirley

State Street
12 x 16 inches
acrylic on canvas

I finally finished up some small changes that I wanted to  make on this painting, painted the edges and varnished and framed it. It's an angled view down State Street in downtown Newburyport, Massachusets.

It will be on exhibit during the Spring Members Show at the Newburyport Art Association  from April 8 - April 30th with an opening reception on April 9, 7-9pm.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Fowles - Small Acrylic Painting of an Iconic Neon Sign

Fowles
5 x 7 inches
acrylic on cradled panel

Back in full sign making mode! Yep, some of the same old....but some new ones, too - and always new crops and colors - love playing around with these and getting ideas for bigger pieces.
I've got a bunch of orders to fill for these - and a new local venue opening in a few weeks. More info to come!