I'm writing to you this morning because you asked to be among the first to learn about opportunities to acquire my originals and I have just completed three lovely smaller works in oils. The images here will give you an idea what these paintings look like. If you click on any of them, you'll be taken to a larger image with far more clarity and detail, but please keep in mind that all monitors vary and colors may not be exactly what you see. Two of the paintings will be on exhibit in the gallery as of tomorrow, Friday, May 23, for you to see in person if you're in town, barring their prior sale from sending this notice out. One is already gone.I've never painted this small in oils before but have discovered I really love painting this size! They're like little worlds of beauty and tranquility.On a cautious note, my smaller originals have a history of selling very rapidly. Each is $1,800 unframed or $2090 conservation framed as displayed in the gallery, your choice. If you think you may be seriously interested in acquiring either of the remaining two, don't put off emailing or calling me. You can email me at ellenrice@mchsi.com and the gallery's number is 302-539-3405 or toll-free 888-355-7423. I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have.Each of these new pieces was painted the same way I approach my larger oils, slowly, patiently blending many thin layers of translucent glazes of colors that must dry between each glaze before proceeding to the next. It requires thinking in reverse about which color needs to go under which, and it's work, but it is this process that helps me achieve the dimension and luminosity you see in my paintings.

The top two paintings on this page are the ones that are available. The first, Evening Dunes, captures one of my favorite views and times of day, the drive along Route 1 between Dewey and Bethany Beach in the evening. I love its dreamy feeling. The second, Whispering Reeds, portrays marsh grasses lit by the glow of the setting sun while a full moon rises in the sky over Wharton's Cove near my home on the edge of the James Farm, such a peaceful place. The name came from the way the grasses seem to be bending and nodding their fluffy heads together in whispered conversation (and my vivid imagination). The third, Summer Sands, is sold, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing it anyway. I love its simplicity.

I'm working strictly in oils now. Over the winter, my goals have been fulfilling corporate and private commissions, progressing on the next in my Strength of Woman series, and doing more of what you see here, putting on canvas smaller impressions of some of the countless ideas dancing around in my head that I may never have time to paint larger. There are just too many.

I have also just started a major new oil painting of Delaware's WWII "Tower 3" just south of Dewey Beach for the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, the organization that restored the Indian River Life-Saving Station. A special edition of archival giclee prints will be created and used to help raise funds for the watchtower's restoration. The original oil painting will be available for sale in June. If you would like to know more about it, please feel free to email or call me. Because my paintings often sell before they're completed, I think you should know it is okay to ask what I've got in the works and ask for first right of refusal. I am glad to do this for serious collectors.I don't know if I'll be doing prints of any of the new paintings shown here. If you'd like to see a particular one in print, please let me know . Your thoughts will help in the decision making process and I'd enjoy hearing from you!

My Strength of Woman painting should debut this summer. I have jumped beyond Vol. III to Vol. IV, something I didn't imagine I'd be doing a few years ago -- but life sends you curves you don't expect and "No Way Out" is the inspirational outcome of one of the curves that came my way. It has a strong message that I feel impelled to paint now and is coming along well. Beyond these paintings and a couple of much larger oils I'm working on off and on -- there is one pastel painting taped to the wall of my studio that is almost complete, but which probably will be my last. Two years ago, I spent a considerable amount of money for an air filtering system designed specifically to handle the airborne dust caused by painting with chalk pastels. The dust causes me incapacitating sinus headaches and some of the colors are extremely toxic. Unfortunately, the filtration system didn't work well, so when I finish this pastel, I seriously doubt I'll use this medium again. It's a shame. I love what I can do with pastels. I'll send a photo as soon as the painting has fully emerged from the paper.I have to get back in the studio now. This was supposed to be a short note! I hope this summer is good to you and your family and that I'll run into you at the gallery on one of my stops.

If you have any questions or want to purchase either or both of the two paintings available as of this writing, the quickest way to do so is emailing me or calling my gallery at the numbers given above. We're moving from winter hours into full season hours as of today, so until next January my gallery is now open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every single day of the week. As much as I'll miss the quiet season at the beach, it will be good to have activity going on again, and I look forward to seeing you.