Doumar's Restaurant -Solarplate Etching

"Welcome to Doumar's, where everyday is Ice Cream Day!" That's what they say at the restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia that sports this funky sign! It's very famous for its ice cream and handmade waffle cones, made by hand on the original waffle machine, built in 1904. It was invented by Abe Doumar and was first used at his restaurant on Coney Island, New York. In 1907 he relocated to Norfolk where he's been ever since. Reading about the history and the food on their website certainly has made me hungry! It's true!

A Sunny Gathering - Bird Linoleum Cut

 I see goldfinches quite often in my yard and at my bird feeders so why not be inspired to make a new linocut of them? I like colored backgrounds with black on top. I carved two plates of linoleum and printed both with one first and the other on top. The final looks nice alongside the one I did of the seagulls which is the same size. 

Solarplate Etching of Epworth United Methodist Church, Norfolk, Va

I see this steeple every time I drive to my art studio. I really like the architecture of the church and especially the steeple. I was inspired to do my next solarplate etching of a local steeple! My building series is coming along with No. 9. The church has been at this site since 1896 and is located in the historic Freemason district in the heart of downtown Norfolk. In 1896, the Norfolk press declared that it was "the handsomest ecclesiastical structure south of New York." I would say that's quite a compliment!

Casa Cortona Linocut

I saw this charming building in Italy a few years ago and thought it would be an interesting challenge to show all of the stonework and other details as a linocut. At first I was wondering if my patience would make it though all of the details but in the end, I was glad that it held out. I was anxious to see how it would turn out! You never know until you make a print!

It would be great to be able to see more of Italy one day😔

Zeke's Beans and Bowls Restaurant Solarplate Etching

Yes, it's another solarplate etching in my series of etchings of Norfolk, Virginia old buildings. It's a small casual restaurant on Granby Street. I do like the name! I need to go by there soon and see if I can find out a little history of the building. There's a popular French bakery across the street and a few other interesting restaurants close by. In fact Granby Street is known as "restaurant row" and the street is in the very heart of the old waterfront city of Norfolk.

Blooming Sanseveria

I was so surprised to see a bloom on my Sanseveria! It is at least 25 years old and hasn’t bloomed before now. It’s a houseplant that is considered very easy to grow in low light so it doesn’t always get the light attention that it needs. This one is near a window though. Maybe I should move it and see what happens! Flowers galore?!