It's Been an "On the Water" Holiday in my Studio

Foxy Lady - 8"x10" oil on canvas panel

It’s fun to create small works for my galleries’ holiday shows. These little gems are popular this time of year because they make great gifts. As you can see, I had boats on my mind when I was putting together this group.

If you subscribe to multiple artists and gallery emails, you know there are paintings of many subjects available in many styles. It's almost overwhelming. So how do you, as a the gift giver, decide which painting is suitable for your recipient? That’s such a good question!

The Martha Gayle - 6"x6" oil on canvas panel

In order to make a good choice, you should know the person pretty well, or have good knowledge of the inside of their house or office. Because the most important thing is that the painting have meaning for that person. You can figure that out based on their interests and hobbies, how they spend their time, and what they support, be that a sports team or a charity.

Blue Boat with Gulls - 5"x7" oil on gessoboard

Hobbies are a good way to help figure out what subject matter would suit your giftee. We boaters are easy to please, we like paintings of boats. Golfers love golf course vistas, sports fans will be pleased with an action filled play, and, ... you get the idea.

Mac and Lucy - 6"x8" oil on canvas panel

Location is also a good guide. Nature lovers like landscapes of the areas they enjoy visiting, whether it’s a vista from a nearby hiking trail, or a mountain top view they were rewarded with after a tough climb. It’s best to stick to areas where your recipient lives, or that they have loved on their travels. And choosing the work of a local artist from the area is almost always a winner. They know the area and their work is most likely to evoke that sense of place that is important in a landscape.

Marsh From the Bridge - 8"x10" oil on canvas panel

I’ve recently delivered my "On the Water" small paintings to both galleries that represent me. Those shown in this email are available at Yarmouth Frame and Gallery in Yarmouth, ME. Next time, I'll show my new paintings available at The Drawing Room in New Bedford.