Pair O'Pear

'Pair O'Pear ' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

Back in my studio today -- and painting more pears. So many wonderful things to paint in the Autumn! ... and pears are one of my favorites....

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Bartlett Pear • First Blush

'Bartlett Pear • First Blush' 6" x 6"

I sorted through the green Bartlett Pears and found this beauty ... Green blending into red. It was so lovely that I decided it should stand alone. What artist doesn't love to paint the pear? The gentle curves, the hues, the aroma ... the 'woman' of fruit ... first blush.

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Animal Crackers

'Animal Crackers' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

It was 1902 that animal crackers officially became Barnum's Animal and evoked the familiar circus time theme.

With each generation, there have been some changes in the number and variety of animals caged in that colorful little box. In total, there have been 54 different animals represented by animal crackers since 1902. There will probably always be lions and tigers, bears and elephants. But the dog and jaguar have fallen to the hyena and gorilla. Today each package contains 22 crackers with a variety of animals. The Koala is the newest addition, voted on by consumers, beating out the penguin, walrus and cobra.

There have been three different and limited edition boxes produced in the last decade, still the same shape and size, but with a different design on the box. Endangered Animals box in 1995, the Chocolate Zoo in 1997 and the Marine Collection in 1998. Although the circus box has gone through updates and changes over the years, it still remains true to its origin -- bright, colorful and fun.

*****

My great Aunt Sally would sing this song with us when we were young:

Sally and I went to the circus,
Sally got hit with a rolling pin,
We got even with the circus,
We bought tickets and we didn't go in ....


If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Hmmm... Plain... no, Peanut!!

Hmmm... Plain... no, Peanut!! • this painting is sold

There are five children in our family and each summer our Parents would treat us to a holiday weekend in Ocean City, NJ. We had a large station wagon.... the Chevy Caprice - golden in color with wooden side panels - seating eight comfortably. The drive was three hours, so we would pass the time by playing 'I spy' and '20 questions'. My Mother would pack treats for us... mainly M&Ms. She would then count them out and 'divvy them up' before passing them over the back seat ensuring each would receive the exact same amount.
Ahhh ... keeping the peace.

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Studios and Heritage

Studios

This is where I paint - when I'm not painting 'en plein aire'. My studio is located on the second floor of the old Theodoredis and Sons Banana Import Factory ... now known simply as 'The Banana Factory'. I've been a resident artist there since May of 1999. Notice the 9/24 entry of things ending in 'i.o.n.' (organization). The second photo is of my wonderful iMac G5 on an antique desk in my music room -- with a great view of South Mountain. This view is so beautiful that it only increases my joy of computers and design. So... there you are ... my day in a nutshell. Painting - designing - blogging.

On Heritage

Schlegel ... how German is that? However, my Mother always took pride in being Irish. Her maiden name is Fox .... originating from the German translation of Fox (Fuchs). But somewhere there was a 'Dougherty' in her heritage and she stuck with that Irish bloodline. One day, to my Mother's anguish, she let it slip that a close ancestor's last name was 'Ziegenfuss' (loose translation: hoof of the goat). That's when the Shamrock hit the fan.

This beautiful Guinness glass was a gift from my Parents on return from their tour of Ireland.

Guinness is ...

'Guinness is ...' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

Many years ago a contest was held to 'win a pub in Ireland'. The challenge was to write the most fitting, the most clever verse to describe Guinness Stout. The poem or verse was to be entitled 'Guinness is ...'. Well, I sat down and crafted my 'Guinness is ...' I was sure that I was going to be living in Ireland, tapping beer, developing a brogue.... and running my own pub. I licked the stamp and sent the winning poem on its way, and anxiously awaited the news ....
'tis years later .... am still waiting ....

So I present to you:

Guinness is ...

The Peak of Spring, the lure of land
A Pint of Guinness in me hand -
With Sun Ablaze, the summer young,
It's creamy froth upon me tongue,
The Autumn Crisp, and hills of gold
This draft has stirred and soothed me soul
The Winter's frost, the year has passed
This savoured brew, an empty glass.

And so for years the story's told
That luck runs deep, and legends olde
Embrace the love of Irish in us,
So tap me, lass, another Guinness

Ann Elizabeth Schlegel


I dedicate this painting to my dear friends, Dave and Sharon.
More generous souls I never knew.

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Warted Gourd

'Warted Gourd' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

Ode to the Warted Gourd

Lordy Lord
A 'warted' gourd
Could Halloween be near?
Witch and Goblin paths are crossed
'Trick or treat' and sweets are tossed
Candy corn and pumpkin frost
'Bewitching Hour' here.

Ann Elizabeth Schlegel

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Grapes for Maizey

'Grapes for Maizey' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold


notice the 'just started' glass of wine... and the 'just started' painting

notice the 'almost finished' glass of wine ... and the 'almost finished' painting!



Challenges.

I believe that most people have challenges in their life. I also believe that artists have challenges that are unique to their profession. Speaking specifically for myself ... my challenges for the most part end in 'i.o.n.'.

For instance 'Organization' or sometimes 'Inspiration' .. that can result in 'indigestion' .. or better yet 'libation'- oh... that's not a challenge ... but the most challenging challenge for me doesn't end in 'i.o.n.' and that's 'income'.... (as many artists may concur).

But sometimes life experience goes beyond any price tag.

Today I was invited to paint in the vineyard of my friends, John and Jan Landis. They are the owners/vintners of 'Vynecrest Winery'. Picture this.... I show up and Jan asks her son (also a wine maker) Sam (earthy and complex with great tannins) to uncork the 2005 Cabernet Franc - my favorite wine in all of the world - and set me up with a bottle and glass in the picnic area in the center of their vineyard... birds, clouds, quietness, vines and the best visitors turned friends that you'd ever want to meet. Maizey, their yellow lab, rolling around on the grass or happily standing by my side, wagging her tail and treating me like an old pal. What a peaceful, grounded, soulful day painting in the vineyard. That's when the unpleasant words ending in 'i.o.n.' turn into words like... 'perfection'.


If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Jack Be Little

'Jack Be Little' 6" x 6"

One day I found two pumpkin seeds.
I planted one and pulled the weeds.
It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.
The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
(I really am quite proud of that.)
But there is something I'll admit
That has me worried just a bit.
I ate the other seed, you see.
Now will it grow inside of me?

(I'm so relieved since I have found
That pumpkins only grow in the ground!)

unknown

Happy Autumn!

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Winter Pansies

'Winter Pansies' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

There is a large flower shop - greenhouse down the road from where I live ... and since I haven't painted any flowers in my 'Painting Each Day' quest, I decided to stop in. These are listed as 'Winter Pansies' and are pretty much guaranteed to survive in my enclosed rooftop garden. Hopefully, I'll be painting them next spring! (That's my garden with South Mountain in the distance - if you look very closely, between the Sedum and the Rosemary topiary, you'll see the little purple Pansy).

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h. Rooftop garden is not for sale!

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More Pears from Mead Farm, NY

'More Pears from Mead Farm, NY' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

Mead Farm has a wonderful little shop on Pitcher Lane in Red Hook, NY. It is located on the Greig Farm. I traveled there for the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival and if you have never been there before, you're in for a treat. There are long, winding country roads and apple orchards, Farm Stands and quaint little villages. There is the Rip Van Winkle bridge which spans the picturesque Hudson River .... and there are the Catskill Mountains rising high into the sky. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit .... and if you have extra time, you may want to explore the town of Saugerties with its antique shops, galleries and historical architecture.

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Cork Unscrewed

'Cork Unscrewed' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

Well .... I still had fresh paint from yesterday's painting 'Darts from the Olde Brewery Tavern', so I decided to keep to a similar color theme. I found this corkscrew in my studio and borrowed a cork from a fellow artist and friend, Liz Magno.

Funny, these last two paintings are even headed in the same direction ....

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Darts from the Olde Brewery Tavern

'Darts from the Olde Brewery Tavern' 6" x 6"

So.... today I was going to paint pool balls ... but, saw an incredible (!) rendition on 'Daily Painters' by James Neil Hollingsworth and a). didn't want to seem like I'm encroaching on ideas and b). wanted to let the 'hoopla' over his painting subside a while before my humble undertaking. (not in any particular order).

So I went in search of darts. I stopped in two 'toy' stores, one 'sports' shop and one 'sporting goods supply store'.... nothing. Not one dart. By this time I had made my mind up - and I was on a mission to find darts... so where better to find them than an old corner bar - The Olde Brewery Tavern.

Sure enough, when I walked in, there was the dart board. I relayed my plight to the barmaid and she happily handed over one dart. Complimentary.

I felt badly about accepting her gift and just walking out .... so I pulled up a bar stool, sat myself down.... and enjoyed a nice cold Guinness. The bar was incredibly dark, incredibly smokey and it was only just after the noon hour. But, what the heck .... sometimes we have to suffer for our art.

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Kiss, Kiss, Kiss

'Kiss, Kiss, Kiss' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

Still feeling nostalgic after painting 'Butterscotch for Bud', I decided to be 'in keeping with the spirit' and paint 'Kiss, Kiss, Kiss'. Affectionately yours, Ann.

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Butterscotch for Bud

'Butterscotch for Bud' 6" x 6" • My Dad's Birthday Present

This painting is in honor of my Father. Although his name is John, Mary Schlegel, my Grandmother, would always call him 'Bud'. Many happy childhood memories of long drives through the countryside ... my Father with either a toothpick or a butterscotch candy in his mouth ... or if not, he'd be telling a funny story or whistling a tune. He's quick witted and kind - thoughtful and humble ... the kind of guy you'd be happy to call 'friend' ... Happy Birthday, Dad! (9/24).

Baby Eggplants from Mead Farm, NY

'Baby Eggplants from Mead Farm, NY' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Lime

'Lime' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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'Red Pears from Mead Farm, NY'

'Red Pears from Mead Farm, NY' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Baby Eggplant from Mead Farm, NY

'Baby Eggplant from Mead Farm, NY' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Oyster Mushrooms

'Oyster Mushrooms from Greig Farm, NY' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Pears from Greig Farm, NY

'Pears from Greig Farm, NY' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold
If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Red Onion

'Red Onion' 6" x 6"

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Sugar Snap Peas

'Sugar Snap Peas' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Strawberries

'Strawberries' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Pears

'Pears' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Peach

'Peach' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

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Olives

'Olives' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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Jalapeños

'Jalapeños ' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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'Apple'

'Apple' 6" x 6" • this painting is sold

If you would like to purchase this 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas, please visit my website. This painting is priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

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