| | | | Book Publication + Upcoming Events | | | | Dear friends, family, colleagues and art-lovers:
Happy September! I hope everyone has been enjoying a safe, happy and healthy summer! I'm excited to share a bunch of news about current, recent, and upcoming events and projects!
My Houses of Lansdowne exhibition at the UtilityWorks Kiosk Gallery in Lansdowne, PA will be closing on September 8th- only a few days left to see the show! Meanwhile, my corresponding, self-published book that chronicles my process working on this project is now available for purchase! Scroll down for more information about the Houses of Lansdowne book and exhibition.
I'm currently preparing to participate in THREE different Philly-area arts festivals this fall: in Swarthmore, Lansdowne, and Philadelphia, respectively. I've been creating a whole bunch of new work specifically for the fall festival season! Stop by and say hi, browse through dozens of original watercolors, and pick up your signed copy of my book! More info below.
In addition to my general studio practice, I've enjoyed working on some larger projects this summer, including a museum gig and a new residential mural. I'm also getting ready to start work on my next project for Opera Delaware: Verdi's Rigoletto, a co-production with Opera Baltimore. I'm even planning to squeeze in another small mural or two this summer/fall, weather and time-permitting....but there are too many factors beyond my control to even feel comfortable talking about these projects publicly (yet!).
For the past several weeks I have also been working with my Lansdowne Arts Committee colleagues to organize a fibers-based group exhibition that will open in conjunction with Delco Arts Week in early October.
Lastly- if you're considering a custom watercolor as a holiday gift this year, please consider ordering soon before the rush begins! Holiday prices will be in effect from November 1st, 2023 through January 8th, 2024.
As always, thank you so much for your continued interest and support! I appreciate every sale, Instagram like/comment, referral and word of encouragment! Please continue reading for more information!
Also in this newsletter: new paintings, new commissions and a new edition of "What's Playing in My Studio?" If you're interested in more behind-the-scenes images and insights into my practice, please follow me on Instagram (@erica_harney_artist) or Facebook (Erica Harney, Artist).
Erica
Featured image: Posing with my book!!
| | | | | | Houses of Lansdowne Exhibition Closing on September 8th:
It's hard to believe that my exhibition of Houses of Lansdowne watercolors is about to come to a close! Thank you for everyone that came to see the show (which will be closing on Friday September 8th with extended gallery hours. See below for details). This event was the culmination and celebration of my Pandemic project, where I "collected" dozens of the houses I love and admire in my neighborhood by painting their portraits. Now, I feel like I "own" all of these homes that I've painted! While it's always fun when a homeowner is united with their house's portrait, I especially enjoy when someone buys a painting of a home that is NOT theirs. That's the whole point- a way to "own" one's favorite houses that they'd never be able to in real life ;)
If you have yet to see the exhibition, you still have a few more chances before it closes this Friday the 8th! The UtilityWorks Kiosk Gallery is open this Wednesday-Thursday 12-4, and this Friday 12-8. Located at 32 E. Baltimore Ave in Lansdowne, PA.
| | | | | | My Book, Houses of Lansdowne: An Artist's Pandemic Project has arrived!
Earlier this summer I self-published a book of essays that includes images of every "House of Lansdowne" that I painted between 2020-2021, including commissions/custom paintings. Initial sales of the book have been so successful that I just placed an order for a second printing (!!!!!) which will be available in mid-September. To order your signed copy:
*Venmo $30/copy to @Erica - Harney (icon is a red tube of paint). Make sure you include your full name and address for shipping/delivery!
*PayPal $30/copy to ericaharney @ gmail.com. Make sure you include your full name and address for shipping/delivery!
*Shop on Etsy! $35/copy.
*If you own and are enjoying a copy already, please send me a photo, post a review on Etsy, or just shoot me a message! :) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The Holiday Giving Season is Coming!
If you're considering giving a custom watercolor as a holiday gift (or any other occasion before the end of the year!) please consider ordering early (like, now-ish!). The closer we get to late December the greater the demand for custom paintings (holiday pricing will take effect on November 1st). Late summer through early/mid autumn is also a terrific time to take your reference photos- and a strong reference photo helps to ensure a strong painting!
You can either order directly from my website (recommended if you're local to Greater Philadelphia and want to pick up your painting from my studio) or from my Etsy shop (recommended if you require shipping).
I spend countless hours updating and editing my website- if you're even remotely curious about my commission work please take a few minutes and check it out! I have literally hundreds of examples to share :)
(To my friends and family that know me personally: if you really love me, PLEASE place your orders before Halloween!)
| | | | | | New Mural in South Philly
The week before Labor Day I finished up a new residential mural in South Philadelphia, not far from where I used to live! It was such a joy bringing this space to life and I can't wait to see how the homeowner continues to transform their backyard oasis.
While my schedule is already full for 2023, I'm starting to think about my schedule for 2024! Let me know if you're interested in a custom mural for your Philly-area home or business. Meanwhile, you can check out my starting rates as well as other factors to consider on my website. | | | | | | Recent Scenic Gig for Agricultural Museum
Earlier this summer I spent about a month with my old friends at Universal Services Associates, a Philly-area fabrication company, working on some museum displays for an agricultural museum in the midwest. My favorite of these projects was painting 200 plastic potatoes (manufactured in Germany) to be used in an exhibit about industrial farm equipment. My spuds came out pretty well, despite the telltale seams ;) Check out these "before" and "after" photos above!
Click here to see more of my past scenic, mural, and other large-scale projects! | | | | | | | | | | Upcoming: Lansdowne Arts Committee will open Threads of Remembrance for Delco Arts Week
For the past several years I've been serving on the Lansdowne Arts Committee (previously known as the Lansdowne Arts Board). We've been in a transitional phase for much of 2023 but are pleased to announce that our next exhibition, Threads of Remembrance, will be opening later this fall in conjunction with Delco Arts Week.
More information will *soon* be available at: lansdownesfuture.org/#calendar and https://delcoarts.org/events/
| | | | | | What's Playing in My Studio?? During the Pandemic, when there was a whole lot of nothing much going on, I began to supplement my newsletters by sharing some of my recent favorites in audiobooks, radio programs and/or podcasts. I'm a HUGE fan of my noise-cancelling headphones to help block out distractions while I work (pictured here) and through them I have devoured countless hours of audio content while in my studio, in my garden, or on a job site.
Here are my 10 favorite audiobooks that I've listened to this past year (so far):
NON-FICTION * Twenge, Jean M. Generations: the Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials,Gen X, Boomers, and Silents- and What They Mean for America’s Future *Bogdanich, Walt and Michael Forsythe. When McKinsey Comes to Town *Loewe, Emma. Return to Nature *Gessen, Masha. Surviving Autocracy
*Wong, Ali. Dear Girls
*Totenberg, Nina. Dinners With Ruth
FICTION *Kraus, Daniel. Whalefall *Makkai, Rebecca. I Have Some Questions For You *Korelitz, Jean Janff. The Plot *Woods, Rita. Remembrance
Meanwhile, thank you as always for taking the time and energy to read this newsletter! Your continued support is greatly appreciated (my dedicated readers, I know who you are, and I am grateful!!!!) and I hope to cross paths again soon!!
Erica | | | | | | | | | | Our mailing address is: Erica Harney Studios Lansdowne, PA 19050
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