Virtual Paintout - Philadelphia II - January 2015

Difficult to miss the "Swann Memorial Fountain" when you visit Philadelphia given its central location near so many of the city's highlights like the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, Moore College of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Free Public Library. I have taken several photographs here over the years, usually of the turtle and frog sculptures near the outside rim. However, I am only now learning that the three figures in the middle depict Native Americans and each represents a local waterway (the Delaware, the Schuylkill and the Wissahickon). A real tribute to water since Dr Swann himself was head of the Philadelphia Fountain Society, a company which helped provide drinking water to the city.

Google Street View Link


"Logan Square"
18x24 cm, oil on canvas

Virtual Paintout - Philadelphia - January 2015

No building in Philadelphia could be built taller than the hat of the William Penn statue on top of City Hall. The rule was finally broken in the late 80s but the story of the hat has always fascinated me so when it came to naming my painting, it dawned on me that I had just painted:

"Two Hats"
17.5x12.5cm, oil on canvas


Google Street View Link

First day of 2015!

In order to get a perfect start this year, I spent the entire day working on some craft projects that have been on my list for ages: first a mosaic. I experimented with some broken dishes on an old wooden plate. Once I get the hang of using glue and grout, I'd like to make a piece incorporating all the bits and pieces I've collected during my walks.

Next, I tried fabric paints on a white toiletry bag using Monet's water lily paintings for inspiration. My basic set of six small pots of paint did not include white and thinning the colors made them bleed so I was somewhat limited, but had fun anyway.

Looks like I'll have to put these projects aside now and take out my oil paints because Bill Guffey just announced January's Virtual Paintout location:  Philadelphia!!  Another great start to the year!