Boston Wharf and Learning to Simplify

6x6 oil on panel

This was a tough one, and I still need to do some work on it, but I need to learn to simplify a scene like this with lots of detail. I'm posting the reference photo as well as the painting, constructive criticism welcome.

Boston Harbor and 6 squared show

6x6 oil on panel

This is the first of a Boston Harbor series I am doing from my recent trip to New England. I have been debating entering the Higbee 6x6 show, but am not sure if my artwork is "good enough" for the show, and I also am not sure how to price for that show. The cost of framing and then the entry fee is more than my asking price for a painting, so not sure if it is worth it but am wondering from other artists who have entered this in the past if the exposure makes it worth the price and potential rejection? Let me know your thoughts!

Mom always said not to play with knives.....

I watched on online demo of an artist doing a palette knife painting, and she made it look so easy I decided to tackle one of my own. Boy was I wrong. It was VERY challenging. However, I love the way palette knife paintings look when done correctly so I have a feeling I well be visiting my jar of knives again soon, but not until I sell a painting, I almost exhausted my entire tube of white paint on the last one!