Harbor Morning

Harbor Morning
Oil on panel, 11x14
Egg Harbor, WI
Door County Plein Air

Early in the morning, we headed out to Egg harbor, straight across the peninsula from where we were staying at Kangaroo Lake.  This was my very first paint for the week.  We arrived before the crowds and traffic, while the waters were still.  The weather was SO much cooler up there than in Missouri, more like a fall day than the last week of July!  Cool winds blew in off the water, relaxing me with every soft touch.  It is so tranquil painting by the water - so peaceful are the ripples along the beach.  The pale yellow hollyhocks in the foreground seemed to have grown up out of the rocks as volunteers.  They are everywhere up here, as if the seeds blow in the wind into wild locations.  The sailboats in the distance rocked peacefully to and fro.  What a wonderful place this is to paint!  I only wish I had more time!  This is my 209th painting in as many days :)

Hydrangeas by the Shed

Hydrangeas by the Shed
Edgehill Orchard Gallery
Door County, WI
Oil on panel, 8x6

Several locals told me I must see this gallery, even if I don't see one other place on the peninsula.  It is amazing!  The grounds, gallery and lanscape was simply picturesque.  When I started this painting on location at the beautiful Edgehill Orchard Gallery, the rain had only started to fall.  It increased quickly to the point of flooding the area in which I was standing.  I moved my easel back a little, and a little more, and finally into a corner I could not get out of!  I had to take off my shoes and carry my easel through the water barefoot - to higher ground!  You just never know what the day will bring when painting on location.  Painting number 208 in 208 days :)

Sailboat in Egg Harbor

Sailboat in Egg Harbor
Oil on panel, 6x12
Door County, Wisconsin

On our first morning in Egg Harbor, the waters were very calm.  I walked all around the water's edge, looking for my painting location and composing the perfect shots to paint one day.  This turned out to be the only calm water of the week - and I'm so glad I took advantage of the time.  This sailboat is actually one of two I painted in a much broader view of the harbor on that first morning.  All week long, I wanted a chance at painting these beautiful boats.  Each session took me in another direction, so here - at last - I have started a little work on boats.  The early morning light was amazing, just perfect for capturing the light and shadow of a late July day.  I am playing here with reflections, and colors - to create with paint the joy I felt while painting in such a beautiful location.  I am so thankful to have discovered a whole network of plein air artists.  Painting this way is so much more rewarding than painting in the studio.  This is painting number 207 in as many days.

Tenor Sax

Tenor Sax
Graphite on bristol, 12x16

Music has always been a big part of my life.  When I was only in second grade, I started piano lessons.  I continued them for many years, finally able to play many of the classics by Bach, Beethoven, Clementi - my all time favorite, and Mozart.  I loved the music, and loved the way it made me feel to hear the notes rise up from the piano my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had played.  My husband, oldest son and youngest daughter play classical guitar, all three sons played the clarinet, oldest daughter first played the electric guitar and now plays the violin.  My Aunt Diana can play any instrument, my father played the organ (under duress), and many more relatives with various other instruments.  This sax was a very complicated thing to draw.  Shadows and highlights defined the surfaces - and there are SO many different planes!  This is the 612th artwork in as many days :)

Tiffany with Cello

Tiffany with Cello
Tinted graphite on bristol

Still following the music theme, here is one I put together from several different sources.  Tiffany is drawn from one of her wedding photos, while the cello is drawn from another photograph.  She now plays the violin, which would make a lovely portrait, but at the time - she had been playing the electric guitar.  That would have make a totally different kind of portrait!  Whenever you merge different references, it is very important to make sure your light sources match.  One thing I find when I am working with the tinted graphite, the lead is harder than my beloved 8B.  Which means, I can not achieve the same deep, deep darks.  The graphite is just too gray for that.  Having the tint helps in this case.  I even added a bit more warmth with a watercolor pencil.  This drawing makes 202 in as many days :)

Confectionary

Confectionery
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Door County Plein Air
Oil on panel, 14x11 - sold

At the top of Cedar and Main Street in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, is this lovely little candy shop.  As I have driven through the villages dotting the landscape, I have noticed that almost every town has a candy shop!  They often don't have grocery stores, but they are covered when it comes to confections.  So many children went in and out of this store as I painted it from the front lawn!  Huge trees sheltered me as I worked, as the constant stream of passers-by chatted and watched me work.  It is such a wonderful environment for painting.  I have met so many wonderful people up here while painting.  This one was bought off the easel - my 206th painting in as many days.

Sister's Sweets

Sister's Sweets
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Door County
oil on panel, 9x12

The town of Fish Creek is such an amazing place!  Picturesque with it's antique buildings and wonderful architecture.  This little sweet shop has the best chocolate in town - so say all the locals!  I will find out tomorrow, as I have been told they have peanut butter cups to die for!  When I started this painting, I actually wanted to do a floral, but the light was too far gone, and the shadows were overtaking my scene.  So, heading towards the shops with the best light show, I picked this beauty out - and began sketching.  This was a fun paint - and I so love the nocturnes!  I was pleasantly surprised the next morning - you never know just what you have until you bring a night paint into the light!  This is painting number 205 in as many days.  Looking forward to another glorious painting day tomorrow!

Morning at Moonlight Bay

Morning at Moonlight Bay
Door County, WI
Oil on panel, 14x11

Well, I have finally found some Wi-Fi here in Door County, but the signal is weak.  Here is this morning's paint from the marsh just north of Ridges Sanctuary on the Lake Michigan side.  The distant body of water is that lake.  The beauty around here is just breath-taking - I couldn't capture all of it if I lived here.  I painted with eight or nine other artists along the road, each lined up almost shoulder to shoulder!  I will attach those photos at a later date.  I just can't wait to capture another marsh in oils.....I hope I have enough time.  This is painting number 204 in 204 days - and I am loving Door County!

Kitten Perch

Kitten Perch
Colored Pencil on paper, 12x9

This is one of the darling little kittens in the crotch of our Bradford Pear tree!  I almost never use those waxy colored pencils - but here is another drawing done with just that!  I started this with tinted graphite, but the color just wasn't strong enough.  So, switching to the waxy pencils - there is no going back.  The wax would resist the graphites completely.  The bark on this tree was challenging - but I am happy with how it turned out.  I have seen some amazing artwork done solely with colored pencils, so I am willing to keep giving them chances - but I think it is far more time consuming than just stroking on some paint!  This artwork is the 201st one in a row :)

Will

Will
Graphite on bristol, 14x11

Working again with one of my first loves, graphite!  This medium will just do anything I ask of it, stay where I put it, and shade like charcoal never will.  I have little need for any but the 8B, perhaps a little mechanical pencil for eyelash and brow work, but all else is 8B all the way.  I can not get the deep, dark depth I want from anything harder.  I just love intense subject matter, it draws me in every time.  This is artwork number 200 in 200 days!!!  Time for a glass of wine, or two :)

Guarding Her Filly

Guarding Her Filly
Instant Coffee on paper, 12x9
Jeek's Farm, Augusta, Missouri

I have sketched this in charcoal and painted it in oils this last month, but THIS time - I have painted with instant coffee!  That's right, I said coffee!  Folgers is the best brand, and it leaves a wonderful glossy look where the "paint" is the heaviest.  A couple of years ago, this was something we tried in a monthly Tri-County meeting for our workshop.  Finding my supplies for this - I remembered how I loved the rich, warm color these leaves on the paper!  It makes me want to paint more subject matter with it!  It flows onto the paper beautifully, and has such an antique feel to it.  I can just see cowboys on their horses painted in such a medium.  It is important to use Folgers brand instant coffee, because I am told that the others do not have the same color and gloss.  You simply mix a little coffee with water, and start painting.  So fun!  This is painting number 199 in 199 days :)

Undiluted Love

Undiluted Love
Graphite on bristol, 12x16
not for sale

What is more sacred than the love for a child?  This drawing is of my oldest daughter with her first child, Alan.  Drawn from photo reference, this was truly a labor of love.  I can feel the warmth of those chubby little arms and the baby softness of those sweet little cheeks as I laid kisses upon them.  It is something one never forgets.  The smell of their skin, the wisp of their hair against the face as they are drawn near, each sweet moment is unforgettable.  When I work on something like this, time just fades away.  I lose track of all things around me, my focus is on the paper alone.  I could simply get lost in the work - and not resurface for days!  Well, I guess the kids would be bothering me for food - eventually.  Why does everyone expect to be fed?  This is my 198th artwork in 198 days.

Light on the Daylilies

Light on the Daylilies
Oil on panel, 8x10

We had a family evening out to the theater, and upon arriving home, this was the sight outside of my kitchen window.  The sweet light was shooting across the lawn, illuminating the daylilies and some of the garden phlox in the background.  Since I had not had time yet to paint (or even think of subject matter for today) - this landscape jumped out at me.  The panel I picked up was heavily textured - but I am running so low on panels that I scarcely have a choice now on what to use!  Photographing at night, my colors are not true - so I will take another in the daylight.  This painting makes 197 in 197 days :)

The Orange Ring

The Orange Ring
Oil on panel, 10x8

As the summer days heat up, we find ourselves often in the pool.  This painting is of my youngest son, Michael, just hanging out in the water.  I painted this from photo reference I took a few summers ago.  This little darling is now 13 years old and 5'11".  My neighbor at the paint-in on Tuesday, shared his palette with me.  He uses a paper palette, and rather than throw his oils away, I scraped them onto mine.  The turquoise is a new shade for me - and perfect for this pool painting!  The oils were also of a soft texture - where mine are not.  It was fun to play around with them.  This is painting number 196 in as many days.

A Dream of Roses

A Dream of Roses
Oil on panel, 8x6
original sold - print available here

This summer, I have been posting a painting each week on the Summer of Color site, which I heard of from other artists who had commented on my work.  Each week this summer, all of the participating artists vote on color combinations.  The artists must then create a painting using these two colors - whatever they may be!  This week's colors are sage and sepia - so with this painting I am using these colors to create an antique, vintage mood.  My roses are again in full bloom, so I have an abundance of subject matter to work from!  This is a total departure from the way I normally use color - but oh (!) - I do like it!  Perhaps this is only the first of a whole series of vintage work........so exciting when something ignites that fire for painting!  This is painting number 195 in as many days - I'm almost to 200!

The Red Kayak

The Red Kayak
Oil on panel, 12x16

Today, for our monthly Tri-County Art League meeting, we had a "Paint In".  This is when all the members bring their own supplies, mediums of choice and paint whatever they want.  I have had this panel sketched out for over a week, but simply did not have time to start blocking it in.  Since I ran short of prep time this morning, I grabbed this off of my easel and took it for my project of the day.  I didn't take my normal set up with me either.  Instead, I brought a table easel, my palette, brushes and safflower oil.  Just the bare minimum.  With no extra paint - and barely enough paper towels - I jumped right in with my block in.  I had painted this spot on location just over a week ago, so the place was still fresh in my mind.  The painting developed quickly, and I was able to finish before I left.  I do see a couple of things I need to adjust, but I will do that in the morning.  We just got home from Michael's last baseball game of the season - where he scored 4 runs (!) and I have got to get in the shower!  This is painting number 194 in 194 days.

Colorado Path

Colorado Path
Oil on panel, 8x6
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

I painted this today from photos I took while recently in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  This was a day full of complications.  While watching the grandsons, first one of them threw up, then the next only two hours later.  Nursing was my role today, until the second - who was suddenly so much better - decided to jump on his older brother repeatedly.  I then became bodyguard.  With all the other things involved with running a household, I was VERY distracted today.  With a little time between the little darlings leaving and my youngest son's baseball game, I have managed to paint this landscape.  Nothing short of a miracle-193rd painting in193 days.

Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon
Oil on panel, 12x9

In the last few days, the rose of sharons all around my yard have burst into glorious bloom.  Petals of white, lavender and pink have opened in profusion.  After the day's work  (and an extra long work-out) had been completed, I slipped into the luxury of the refreshing pool.  As I floated lazily on my raft, my eyes were drawn again and again by this beautiful bush.  Why have I never painted one before?  The large blooms are so stunning!  They go hand in hand with summer gatherings and the Fourth of July.  Each one is either a start from my grandmother's original two bushes, or from our "Grandma Rural" - as the kids called our neighbor from years ago.  I remember playing around them when I was very small - such sweet memories!  I love these beautiful flowers, and now I have put them to panel in paint.  This is painting number 192 in as many days.

Geraniums and Marigolds

Geraniums and Marigolds
Oil on panel, 6x6

I have been busy all morning - getting ready for company.  My chores are done - and I actually had a few minutes to "touch this up"!  I painted this yesterday from the flowers in my garden.  When I had finished this, I just felt there was something lacking, something left undone.  With a few strokes today, and a bit more added to the impressionistic background - I like where this has gone!  So glad I had a little window of time to finish this up, before I get into the margaritas!  This is painting number 191 in 191 days!

By the Window - pencil study

By the Window
Red pencil on tinted mi-teintes paper

I almost never use a waxy, colored pencil.  I don't care for the way they resist blending, and I have to use very different techniques with them.  But, I do LOVE the colors at my beck and call!  The vintage mood I can achieve with these waxy sticks is worth the extra trouble.  This drawing is a study for a painting I soon hope to start.  I first went to my tinted charcoals, but there is no venetian red color - not even close.  With the buttery ochre paper, I really wanted to use none other than venetian red.  So, waxy drawing pencil it was!  The tooth of the paper is also quite large, which is not nearly as noticeable when using graphite or charcoal.  Sometimes, I get a feeling of excitement for things yet unseen, while working on a piece.  I have felt that all through the process on this one.  I want to paint it a bit larger, so I will have to wait for a day with a few hours of working time to start.  This is actually my second work of the day.  I did a small oil painting of geraniums and marigolds in the front bed.  Once done, I decided I wasn't happy with it - so I started on this tonight.  Maybe I can fix it up for tomorrow's posting.  With an afternoon party by the pool tomorrow, I will not have much painting time!  This is artwork number 190 in as many days.

Contemplation

Contemplation
Oil on panel, 12x16

I actually had an unbroken window of time today, where I could actually paint this painting all the way through.  This is my oldest grandson, sitting out on the mulch pile out in the garden.  He has such wonderful coloring to capture in oils!  I may come in at this tomorrow, and layer in a bit more color....but for now, I will let it rest.  I have company coming in minutes, and a baseball game after that!  It is one of the reasons I got this one finished up early.  This is painting number 189 in 189 days - and company is already here!

The River in June

The River in June
Oil on panel, 6x6

I started this painting early this morning, after the housework, and before preparing food for an afternoon lunch, then running my youngest daughter to a friend's house.  I had a lovely time visiting with my Aunt Vicki (in town from Virginia) and Aunt Diana, Tiffany and her family, and Stephanie and her family.  The day was filled with fun and catching up, only to move the party to my house afterwards.  So, here I am again, finishing a small painting late at night - my first chance to get back to it in the whole day.  I still have a 12x16 sketch on my easel, just waiting for me to lay on the paint.  It has been there for days now, after I was interrupted at the critical start time - and I simply haven't had enough time to paint that large since.  Will I ever get back to it?  This is painting number 188 in 188 days.

Shimmer through the Trees

Shimmer through the Trees
Oil on panel, 6x6

I am trying something new today.  To begin, I washed the panel with a thin, peachy burnt sienna.  I always wash my panels, but this is a new color for me.  Then, as I painted, I left this color to show through in outlining areas.  I like the sparkle this adds, contrasting with the blue and violet grays.  This panel had very little texture on it, where most I use these days have quite a bit.  I like the change.  Perhaps, I will lessen the texture for the next batch of panels (which I am in desperate need of!)  I only have a few 6x6's left, then it is up to 16x12's and larger.  On these very, busy summer days - the larger panels seem almost impossible to get covered with such limited time. I will have to get some more cut soon!  This is my 187th painting in as many days.

Up and Away

Up and Away
Oil on panel, 9x12
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This was my second painting started at the Nobeleis Winery sunrise paint this April in Augusta.  This has been one of my favorite events this year and last!  It is the only two times I have been able to paint balloon launches en plein air!  The rumor is that they will not be offering this next year,  I sure hope they do.  At the event, I had only gotten a rough block in done, before time was up and I had to rush off to frame and submit my other painting.  I came across my reference photo for this while looking for something else.  Thinking it is high time I finish this piece, I got right to work on this after class this morning.  I am trying to make a conscious effort to paint earlier in the day (if possible)!  I would LOVE to get one painting ahead - this would allow me the luxury of taking another look before posting, and making adjustments if needed.  Finishing this painting brings back the memories of a crisp, beautiful morning at the vineyards of Nobeleis.  This painting makes 186 in 186 days - and now I am starting on another!

Suzie and the Pony

Suzie and the Pony
Tinted graphite on bristol - vellum
not for sale

I drew this from an old photograph given to me by my husband's parents.  It is of his older sister, Suzie, and their pony named Stony.  With this drawing, I am playing with tinted graphite.  They come in a handful of colors, all weakened as they are simply tinting the graphite. I normally use mainly 8B, and these are definitely harder.  I love the soft color they give the subjects, vintage in a way.  The tinted graphites are very tight in their application - and have quite a bit of color, where the tinted charcoals are loose and the natural darkness of the charcoal overpowers the little bit of tint in the color.  They are both fun to play with - sometimes you just have to shake things up.  I have another painting half done, and a second sketched out.  Maybe this week I can get ahead a little (instead of finishing at the 11th hour every day!).  I've picked out a portrait of one of my grandsons to paint tomorrow.......unless I change my mind over night!  This makes 185 days of artwork.

Lily in the Pond

I have wanted to try my hand at painting water lilies for years!  The lilies at Powell Gardens are so beautiful this year - I knew this was my chance!  Working from a wonderful photo I took at the paint-out, I set out with my oils on a small panel.  (With company here most of the day - small is all I could work in tonight!)  I actually had fun painting this - and I have always been intimidated by these little beauties!  I will be painting another landscape with a broader scope of the pond one day soon.  I couldn't get the blues to show true in this nighttime photo - so I will try to take one during the daylight hours tomorrow.  This is painting number 184 in as many days.  Now, I'm going to go out and watch some more fireworks!  That's the great thing about living in the country - 4th of July is a non-stop week of fireworks displays each night :)

Lily on the Pond
Oil on panel, 6x6
Powell Gardens Lily Pond

Butterfly Kiss

Butterfly Kiss
Graphite on panel, 20x16
sold

We had our annual Fourth of July party today, and had so much fun with friends and family!  The last of the guests have left, besides the ones that are staying over, so I am only now getting this portrait posted.  This commission is a portrait of three sisters, capturing that sweet little "butterfly kiss".  I love the control I have over the graphite, I can make it do whatever I want.  So unlike the charcoal I having lately been using, where it often times throw me a curve ball.  Making this post short and sweet - this is artwork number 183 in as many days.  I am so tired, I may just sleep in late tomorrow!

Light on the Path

Light on the Path
Oil on panel, 6x6

What a busy day!  I had just a tiny window for painting - so I chose my smallest size - 6x6.  The light was absolutely beautiful this morning as I was working in the flower beds.  I took the reference photo with my phone, and later painted when the opportunity arose.  Light is fleeting, so the moment would have been lost, had I waited.  This is rather loose and impressionistic - largely due to my limited time!  Tomorrow will be even busier, I have no idea when I'll get a chance to paint.  I sure wish I had one as a back-up, now!  This is painting number 182 in as many days.  Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Just Horsing Around

Just Horsing Around
Charcoal on mi-teintes paper
Jeek's Farm, Augusta, Missouri

While waiting for my primed panel to dry, I pulled out my charcoals to do a study of these horses.  One thing I like about charcoals that I don't like in graphite is that I don't have to be as careful with my paper.  The oils from my hand does not affect how the charcoal adheres to the surface.  That is a plus!  Still finding my way around the charcoals, but I am enjoying the process.  I plan to put this one down in oils one of these days, so a study is a real benefit.  This makes artwork number 181 in 181 days.

At Water's Edge

At Water's Edge
Oil on panel, 16x12
Peculiar, Missouri

Thanks to a phone call from a dear friend, I had the chance to do a little plein air painting from her back yard today.  Her lake is absolutely gorgeous, with marsh grasses and cat tails on the back side.  The weather was perfect, and this was such a peaceful location from which to paint!  Yes, I played hooky for a while from my long to-do list, but it was totally worth it!  I'm looking forward to many more painting days like this one!  This is my 180th painting in 180 days.

Tending the Flowers

Tending the Flowers
Oil on panel, 12x16
Old Missouri Town

I have wanted to paint this scene ever since I took the photo on a school field trip to Old Missouri Town.  This lovely woman was gently tending her flowers while the children ran from one building to the next.  This place is full of many vintage landscapes to paint.  I love the 1855 feel of the town, it is like stepping back in time for just a little while.  The morning light cast a warming glow as it burned through a bit of haze - a perfect light for this subject in her garden.  I meant to under paint this one in acrylics, but I only remembered once the panel was already half covered!  This was one of those days of starts and stops.  Three different times I had to leave this painting, only to return hours later.  Finally finishing up, this is my 179th painting in as many days.  It just gets harder and harder to get a painting done each day in the summer!  The kids are home, we have so many family and sports activities, and I am constantly searching for that tiny painting window - normally in tiny segments!  Oh how I hope this gets easier soon!