“Mary’s Little Lamb” A New Amish Painting Completed

This is a new completed pastel painting titled, “Mary’s Little Lamb”. Mary has just finished her chores and is enjoying a peaceful moment with the new addition to the family, this little lamb. The serene look on Mary’s face says it all. Just a beautiful piece. Another lovely print to add to your Amish collection.

I am really happy the way this painting turned out. Mary looks quite content holding that cute,little lamb. As I look at this painting, I somehow feel like I am with her enjoying and sharing this quiet moment. I hope you feel like this too. It’s always a good feeling when I have completed a painting such as this one, and it makes me want to go straight back to my drawing board….so I will.

I am almost done with the little amish girl with the bird on her shoulder, so I will share that soon. Thank you and check back soon!

I am further along on this than what you see here now

Back From Vacation and Ready With More Amish Paintings

Hello! It’s been awhile but I’m back from vacation after a couple of weeks and have 3 new paintings to share (1 completed, 2 in the works) with you.

Again we visited Amish Country in Lancaster, Pa, and I couldn’t wait to get back home and try to finish all 3 of these paintings! I will soon!

I’ve finished a new Amish painting titled, “James, Amish Innocence” and I just loved the way this one came out. This one is already on my Etsy Shop!

“James” is an art piece which seems to be just a simple portrait of an Amish boy in his black hat and vest, but really, it is so much more than that. James innocence here shines through from his curious glance and quiet demeanor, to his long eyelashes and rosy cheeks. Such a simple but beautiful portrait. Great for anyone that loves to collect amish artworks or likes to visit Amish Country.

Then I have a little Amish girl holding a guinea pig, which I haven’t titled as of yet. I really like the glow from the sun around her. It was a challenge to try and pull that off as I have never done a painting with a “glow” effect before, but always wanted to. I also like the way she is looking down at the small animal here. I’m almost done with this one, when I am finished with the guinea pig the painting will be complete, then I will share this one as soon as I can.

The last painting is a nice one and I can’t wait to finish this one, also. This painting I actually took from a picture of my daughter sitting under a gazebo in the sunset in Pennsylvania, another “glow effect” painting. I just added a cap and amish dress and she looks like an amish girl taking a rest at the end of a hard working day. I need a title for this painting also. Well, it’s back to the drawing board for now! I will post these as soon as I can! Enjoy!

James

Amish Girl With Guinea Pig

Amish Girl Resting

New Amish Painting “David and the Baby Goat”

Hello everyone, hope you are all well. Ive been on the mend as I had Covid a week or two ago and it was a little tougher than I thought it would be.

Anyway, I’m back and finally finished this painting, just before I got sick actually. It took this long to put it up! I really like the way this painting came out too. The colors are easy on the eye, with a simple, uncluttered background. The focus is right on David…and those beautiful blue eyes. He has a very determined, but gentle look on his face as he tends to the one of many animals on his farm. This is on my Etsy shop now.

Also, I wanted to show you that I am almost finished with Mary-Ellen Walton. I just have to finish her hat! I would love to paint a picture of the Walton House with a light on in the window like on the show. I will let you know if I ever attempt that. But I will try to paint more I promise. Stay safe and check back soon. Enjoy!

David and the Baby Goat

Mary-Ellen Walton

Amish Painting “Finding The Calf”, and The Beginning of a New Painting

I know I haven’t posted in awhile, but I’m still trying my hardest to keep up with the painting. Having some more issues with pastels, I believe, and hoping I’m not allergic to them, as I just love that medium to work with. But for now, I have two to share. One is a little, Amish boy with a baby calf. It’s springtime at the farm, and he is enjoying the new addition to the farm. This painting is titled “Finding The Calf”.

The other Amish one is in the beginning stages of an amish girl daydreaming as she looks out her kitchen window. I have always wanted to do a painting with the reflections of light coming in from a window, so I am going to add many highlights on her edges of clothing to portray that. I can’t wait to see this one completed. I will share when I do.

Enjoy and hope to get more paintings out there soon! Stay safe!

New Amish Sketches In The Works

Hello again. I promised I would bring you sketches and here they are.  There are 4 here that I am currently working on….and I want to paint them all NOW! I am excited about painting each of them, envisioning what I want the finished pieces to look like, and actually seeing what they will become.  So exciting!

The one I am working on presently, and actually have more done than what is shown here, is the little Amish boy with the calf. The background is going to be tricky, as I want color and interest, but don’t want to take away interest from the  connection between the boy and the calf. We will see.

I also have a little girl peeking from behind..hmmm…something. A fence post outside? Around a barn door? The door to her house? So many decisions…and I just want to paint!

Another one here is an older girl in thought…in a kitchen after baking? In a field of flowers? By a buggy, maybe?

And lastly, the little amish girl with the butterfly that rests near her feet. What is the background? On a haystack…on a rock in the garden? The colors…I have to make sure the colors all go together! This is what takes the time…but it is all worth it in the end. Let’s see what happens with each of these. If you have any ideas, please give some insight. Thank you!

Anyway, I will try and share what I have done in several days with the Amish boy and the calf. Please check back. Take care!

P.s. On a sad note…several days ago I heard that N.A. Noel, an artist and beautiful painter of many subjects,  especially Amish and angels, passed away. I was so saddened by this news as she had been an inspiration for my paintings since I saw an amish painting my mother placed above the mantle in our living room years ago. Just to think  how much that  made such an impression on me back then! She was a beautiful person and exceptional artist.  Please check out her paintings when you can. Thank you.

The amish boy and the calf…the beginning

little amish girl peeking

Amish girl in thought

Little amish girl with butterfly

Two Amish Fall Paintings (one painting made it to Amish Country News)

Hello. Just wanted to share my latest paintings I created for Fall. They were originally going to be used for the cover to the October Issue of Amish Country News ( a tourist guide for Lancaster Pa) for Zook’s Chicken Pies, but last minute they decided they would do a food photo for the cover instead.  Although I was slightly disappointed,  I  completely understood. They also told me that if there was any room left inside the guide to place my artwork in, they would use it.  I just now checked the Amish country News site and I’m on page 10 of the issue at the top! Check the current issue out here.

Anyway, I wanted to share these nonetheless.  I actually changed the buggy picture with the chicken sign, so it could be used by anyone and not look like the ad for Zook’s Pies. Hope you like them.

Zooks Pies Cover

The Buggy Painting with signs removed and mums/pumpkin in back of buggy.

“First Piece”

Amish Girl With Lamb Painting

Hello everyone.  Im so sorry (as always) that I haven’t written on my blog in such a long while.  I am in like this “artist’s block” where I can’t seem to even find time to sit and paint, and when I do, I can’t get my ideas down on paper. It is so frustrating! The other day,  I just grabbed this drawing that I had half done already…inked it and started painting it, just to get in the mood again! This is tough! At least it’s in the works now.  This little, amish girl walking with her lamb is a watercolor painting …which I haven’t done in awhile, so it’s been fun!

I should just paint something daily…anything…just to get the flow going, and the practice! I am going to be in Country Sampler again soon, and this edition comes out the end of May, so I better be prepared for that. I am also going on a much needed trip to Tennessee to see my son just before the ad comes out, so I better get myself going!

But anyway, it’s another start.Hope you like her so far.

Amish Girl with Lamb

Coming soon in Country Sampler Magazine…

Hello everyone and I hope you all had a great New Year! 2019!  I can’t believe it! “Doesn’t it go by in a blink.” as quoted in the movie, “Meet Joe Black”.

I always feel just a little sad after the New Year, I don’t know quite why that is. I guess it just feels like the years are just racing by and I feel everything is just a big blur. On with the new though!

So I have been making new plans for my Amish Art and I decided I would try to advertise a few pieces in Country Sampler Magazine, a well known publisher of country themed goods.  I had advertised with them many years before for wooden plaques I had painted with amish scenery. (It had worked out well for me then, and that was before computers!) I have been thinking of other ways to reach a wider audience. An audience that has a love for country and simple decor items, where I think my Amish art fits. The process has been great so far.

I’ve decided to advertise “Katie and the Bunny” in the March issue, which should be out near the beginning of February. This will be a small ad in the back of the magazine called “Simply Sampler”. Then I will also be advertising “Daydreaming” (the amish girl in the back of the buggy). This will be a larger ad, and will also feature the framed print in a room scene. This will be out in the June/July issue at the end of May and will also be featured on their Instagram page and Facebook page. So this is a little exciting for the New Year! I can’t wait to see how it all works out. I will keep you posted!

Well..back to the drawing board and on with the new! 🙂

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Katie and the Bunny will be in the March Issue

“Daydreaming” will be in the June/July Issue

An Example of Country Sampler

The Amish Garden Original Painting, Now On Etsy

The Amish Garden in it’s mat frame. Already to go!

Hello all, I just wanted to let you know I have just put up my first original painting on Etsy…which is the Amish Garden. I must say, it was a difficult decision to make as I have never sold an original except for portraits that were commissioned, so this is rather strange.  But I realize I can’t keep every painting I do and just sell prints all the time.  I need to let go!  I realize I need to share more of what I do.

I know how special an original is, as it feel like the artist is right there. That artist touched that paper…the strokes are there and just knowing that the artist had this in their hands, and in their studio, for however long it took them to do this painting is really kind of special.  Also, I know a “picture” of a painting is not near as clear and as bright as the real thing. It’s just different.

Anyway, this is now up on Etsy for however long and I will be putting more of my originals more and more. Thanks for following me and your interest in my work! Cheryl

 

Any Ideas anyone? I’m not at Pebbles and Lace Anymore!

Hello everyone. I just wanted to give you all an update on this new news.

Many of you may know that I was selling mugs, pillows, totes, prints and more in a store in Strasburg, Pa. called “Pebbles and Lace”. They just recently made a move to Lititz, Pa in the hopes of expanding the store. It is a beautiful store, and although my artwork was selling well in Strasburg , it has not been the best in the Lititz location. Strasburg is more tourist oriented than Lititz, and it just seemed they weren’t buying amish items that much at all, but more trendy items seem to be popular there.

With all that said, they had to remove my things eventually, but are still holding on to the products for now in the hopes I can find a store in another touristy area  of Pa.  ( or another State), that would be interested in selling my products. If the store was nearby , the manager said she could drop off what she has on hand instead of sending it all back to me. At the moment, she has also brought some of my things to “Discover Lancaster Visitors Center” on Greenfield Road in Lancaster to see if anything would sell there. Fingers crossed!  So in case you are in  the area, please check it out!

I have also heard that Yoder’s Restaurant and Amish Village Gift shop in Sarasota, Fl.  would be a good place to try. I am gathering photos and writing up some drafts now to reach out to some other places I am familiar with in Pa. (from past trips) and other amish gift shops that may be interested.

So, if you have any ideas or know of anyone that may be interested in having some of my items to sell, please let me know here in a comment or reach out to me at mcprop@cox.net.  I thank you in advance.