Meet Mason, My Latest Portrait

I  finished a commissioned portrait not too long ago, as a gift from a mom to her daughter (for Mother’s Day) of her baby son. I was not a friend of this woman on Facebook, so I never got to see all the rave reviews that other people were seeing and sharing. But, she was very happy I heard and so this makes me happy.

I couldn’t believe it when I first saw his photograph, the expression on his face was priceless and I couldn’t wait to try painting him. It was a lot of fun.  So here he is, Mr. Mason! So cute!

Mason – A Pastel Portrait

Amish Watercolor Continued

Hello!  Yes, I am still trying to complete this watercolor and I can’t wait to get it done. It’s at the point now where I kind of know what I want to do, but I don’t want to overdo or underdo…if that makes sense.  So I paint what I can and look up reference material over and over until something hits me.  Do I paint a full background or do I just suggest and mute the background.  Do I just leave it simple and focus on the subject…like this girl’s pretty, little face?  So this is why it takes so much time, besides getting things printed for Etsy, printing things for the shop in Strasburg, Pa (which is going great by the way!),managing the house…etc…etc.. But, I am almost done…I have to be!  I need to start another! Hope you like what you see so far and if you want to leave a note…do you think this should have a background, light background, no background? Let me know what you think.  Thanks and I will post the finished piece soon.

Anna in the Orchard A Watercolor Continued

A New Amish Watercolor

Hello all.  I have been in a slump lately, and not getting much done in the art department.  It comes and goes like this with me sometimes.  There are times I am so creative, I can complete more than 5 items on my drawing board. And then there are times when I fill my day with chores and fixing the house, etc., it seems I am purposely avoiding the drawing board, because the chores are easy and  I know the artwork takes more concentration, and therefore…more difficult. I also have to be in a very creative frame of mind with music playing and …I guess…a sort of flow going.

Anyway, I have watched some amish videos which somehow got the flow going again, thank goodness!  (There are some good ones on amishclothesline.com) When I do this, it’s almost as if my body  knows it has been starving for this creativity and peacefulness…with all the noise and anger going on in the world right now. Then, all of a sudden,  peaceful images start revealing themselves to me again. The love comes back and it’s so strong, I have to get it down on paper somehow.

This is one I am starting because I love going to Lancaster, Pa when the peach harvest is going on. I had wanted to paint a little amish girl harvesting peaches for the longest time.  I could picture the pale color of the bushel basket with the bright colors of the peaches, with the green of the grasses and her  colorful skirt… then add butterflies and a cat or dog…that’s what I am trying to capture with this painting.  I had originally wanted  it to be a pastel painting, but I may do one of those with peaches too, soon. This will be a watercolor.  Like I’ve said before, I never really know how it will turn out in the end, but it usually is good.  Let’s hope for the best! 😉

Amish girl with peaches

Amish Themed Book Marks on Etsy

I just recently tried to pair up my Amish art with inspirational quotes and create something that people could not only admire, but also use everyday.

I created a set of 4 bookmarks made from 4 of my most popular Amish pastel paintings. The paintings, paired along with the most lovely quotes, make a lovely keepsake for yourself, for part of amish themed gift basket, or given as a small gift of appreciation or thanks to someone. The lamination helps to keep the bookmark from fading and other damage so that their beauty will last. The background is a textured and aged wood grain effect to add to the artwork and quote. These pretty bookmarks measure about 2.75 x 8.5. I hope you like them!

(While you’re here, please check out the new beginnings of an Amish watercolor that is in the works in the post after this one. It will be an Amish girl in the peach orchard.)

I hope to create more products in the future with my artwork, I just wish I had so much more time!  I’ll see what I can do!  :)))

Until next time…

Amish Bookmarks by Cheryl McNulty

Funny Cows Photograph

This photo was taken one year when we were on our annual trip in Lancaster, Pa.  I came across these cows, and so, started taking pictures. Little did I realize not only what the first cow was doing, but the cow behind him followed suit! Ok, are these two wise guys giving me raspberries here? Are they sticking their tongues out at me…or are they just tired of the tourists taking their photos? Whatever they were doing, it turned out pretty funny.  So of course I am selling this on my Etsy store.  Who could resist? Just thought I would share.  Enjoy!

I think they are telling me to leave them alone!

Hah! Framed!

Hannah and Jacob, The Buggy Ride

Well, I finally finished it! But this was so worth it.  I must admit, I was happy the way it turned out. But then of course, I had to get picky and start touching and retouching, trying to capture all the right shading and highlights… until I just  had to tell myself to stop.  It doesn’t have to look perfect…that’s what makes it art.  I wanted to capture two angelic faces, full of curiosity of the world…from a different perspective. Not from the usual perspective of looking at the back of a buggy and seeing the children peer out at the world, but be in the buggy with them and feel that curiosity with them as they peer “out”. Almost like we are sitting beside them on this journey.  That’s what I wanted to achieve with this painting, and I think I did that…and so it is done.

I also think the colors seem to make it look like it should be inside a storybook of some kind. I could picture this in a book. But anyway, I thought I would finally share this one and now I can create some cards and prints and share them on Etsy, and ship some to Pebbles and Lace in Strasburg, PA!  I hope you like the painting…until the next one…hmmmm.

Hannah And Jacob, The Buggy Ride

Amish Children…Inside Looking Out Continued

Here are two photos of the painting  I am working on of two Amish Children looking out the back of a buggy. This is taking some time as I can’t seem to find the time I need to work on it, first of all.  Second, I want this to be one of my best, so I want to get everything right.  Only thing is, that takes a lot of research.  Looking up lighting and shadow…trying to figure out what the clothes will be and what color…what will the scene be outside the back window…everything seems to be a small step…but at least it’s a step ahead.

I think I may want to try some landscapes after this and just throw color down and see what happens. Sunset skies and trees, blobs of color here and there…not really being perfect, but suggestions of trees and flowers and wistful clouds. Ahhhhh….

Yes, after this, I will certainly try a landscape.  But for now, I am still working at this and I can’t wait to even see what happens with it…so we will all be surprised!  I will try to have something up again in a few days!  Enjoy!

The faces are somewhat all set…maybe some more color will be added for punch near the end

More color added to the inside of the buggy and hat and girl’s cap drawn out roughly