Creek by the Western Trail

Creek by the Western Trail
Overland Park Arboretum
Oil on panel, 11x14
Stems Plein Air Event

I never tire of painting along the water.  The sounds of the water, frogs and birdsong lull me into a painting stupor where I can so easily lose track of time.  When painting so far from the entrance of the arboretum - and away from most of the crowds, I must set the alarm on my phone to ensure I don't get locked into the place!  This Wolf Creek is full of twists and turns, giving endless compositions to me.  This is the third one I have painted by the creek in the last two weeks.  The only drawback is the long hike.  So, once I am back there, I will paint two if time allows.  This time of year finds the greens in the water warming with golds and browns.  I love this color against the greening foliage.  It was at first a challenge to me, as my brain wants the reflections to mirror the colors of the trees - but they simply don't in real life.  So, I trust my eyes and paint the colors I see, and am rewarded with the scene as it is - not as my brain would make it!  I've been able to paint more this year at the arboretum than ever - and I hope to make it out tomorrow for the last day of the event!  Painting number 516 in as many days :)

Into the Sunken Garden

Into the Sunken Garden
Oil on panel, 16x12
Stems Plein Air Event

As soon as I walked into this back yard, the sunken garden was calling me.  I first did a detailed sketch with my pastel sticks.  With so much in the garden that I wanted to include, I needed to have it mapped out correctly before laying in the paint.  The peonies were down to their last few petals on sight, so I brought back the full bloom while I painted.  The columns, statue and birdbath added so much to this intimate garden space.  There are two beautiful iron chairs back towards the picket fence, and a little footbridge behind the peonies on the left.  It is truly a wonderful space to spend a warm afternoon - and the fresh, cold lemonade was icing on the cake!  Painting number 515 in 515 days.  I have a sunrise paint tomorrow at the Deanna Rose Farm - so I had better get to bed!

Impressions of Allium

Impressions of Allium
Pastel, Molding paste, and Acrylic on panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum, KS
Stems Plein Air - sold

I have been looking at this painting for a few days, unsure of whether to top it off with oils or leave it be.  Working experimentally, I sketched in pastel, molded the areas I wanted a sculpted feel to, and then painted in acrylic.  When I use acrylic, I start with a pale yellow underpainting.  Acrylics do not cover like oils, and the darker washes seem to work against me.  And, especially when trying something new, I don't want to fight my panel int he process!  It was so strange to use acrylics again after so long!  My youngest daughter insists that it is done - and forbids me to "mom it up".......but I am having trouble resisting the urge.  What shall I do?  Painting number 514 in as many days.........

Morning in Washington

Morning in Washington
Oil on panel, 12x9
Washington Sunrise Paint Out
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This painting was started around 10:00 in the morning, instead of the sunrise start time.  I had been over at Mount Pleasant Winery for the 5:00am broadcast on Fox 2 News in St. Louis, so could not be in two places at once.  Some paintings just roll off the brush, but this one certainly did not.  As I look at it now, I still think it needs work, but I'm not sure which direction to take it.  Perhaps stronger color in the water?  Darker towards the lower edge?  Maybe changing up the foreground tree foliage, it seems too near the grass?  I am posting this tonight because it is late, and I haven't taken images of my latest Stems work.  I was hoping to get home in time - but I did not.  Another late ball game - and another win!  Painting number 513 in as many days :)

Redbuds in the Woods

Redbuds in the Woods
Oil on panel, 6x6
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This is my second painting from the Montelle Winery paint-out, where I walked 1/3 of the way down the hill before setting up for a  45 minute painting.  The light coming through the woods cast a warm glow on the ground and illuminated the redbuds.  I used a lot of quick strokes, just trying to get the whole painting mapped in before the time limit.  Therefore, everything about this painting is loose and impressionistic.  Now, I am heading to Michaela's awards banquet for TSA and Michael's baseball game - so I have to go!  Painting number 512 in as many days :)

Lilac in the Garden

Lilac in the Garden
Oil on panel, 14x11
Augusta Plein Air Festival

Some painting days just do not play out as planned.  I started this painting on the day of the Montelle Winery paint-out.  When only half blocked in, my location became very crowded - and the wind started blowing so much smoke my way.  All I could do was breathe into my jacket, hold my breath long enough to fold up my easel - and make a mad dash for fresh air!  I soon found out it was almost impossible.  I ended by setting up partially down the walking trail off the south side of the winery - with only 45 minutes left on a timed event.  I didn't even try to finish this, I simply moved on to a small 6x6 - turning it in just in the nick of time!  The wild, impressionistic strokes are clearly visible on this as I was frantically trying to get it blocked in!  My difficulty in breathing gave this a very dreamy feel - or is that the lack of oxygen look?  Once again, what the artist is feeling truly comes through in the paints.  Painting number 511 in 511 days.

Retreat to the Cabin

Retreat to the Cabin
Oil on panel, 12x9
Augusta Plein Air Fest

I have painted these cabins a couple of times in years past, but they always draw me in.  I love the trees, foliage, colors of the cabin and roof - all are appealing!  This time, I went uphill a bit, so this view was from a different angle than before - and I loved the english ivy growing up the trees!  It added a dimension to the landscape, a wildness, that strongly appealed to me.  I was working in strong afternoon light - during the downtown Augusta plein air day - and the strong shadows were as important as the light.  I did run down to Halcyon for a massage in the middle of this painting - so you can only imagine how relaxed I felt upon returning - it is a wonder I even finished this painting at all!  Painting number 510 in 510 days :)

On the Lawn of the Frontier Mother

On the Lawn of the Frontier Mother
Oil on panel, 14x11
Penn Valley Plein Air Fest
Buttonwood Art Space, KC, MO

One of the best things about being involved in so many plein air events is that I get to see new places!  This wonderful statue is one such thing!  This quick paint was my third painting of that day - and we were just glad to miss the big rain that was headed our way!  I just realized today that I had not posted this one, so I am doing so now.  I am ahead so many paintings, that it has become a little hard to keep track of them!  This afternoon was spent at Art in the Vines out in Louisburg, KS at the Sommerset Vineyard and Winery.  What a wonderful place, so picturesque and with a guitarist playing for the crowd - who could ask for more?  Painting number 509 in 509 days :)

A Dream of Climbing Roses

A Dream of Climbing Roses
Oil on panel, 12x9
Overland Park Arboretum
Stems Plein Air Event

After two classes and an awards picnic for my oldest grandson, I headed over to the arboretum to paint with Crystal Manning.  This landscape was begging to be painted - and paint it we did!  I have painted it at least 2 previous times, but this year it is simply overflowing with roses!  The first bloom is the fullest - and I wanted to take full advantage of the timing.  I only had two hours to paint before I needed to get to Five Petals in Lee's Summit to paint for the Fourth Fridays event.  So, I slapped on the paint in a rather mad and fast dash - and not in my usual order, either.  Instead, I painted intuitively, hopping from mass to mass in random order.  I wish I had taken a photo of the process, because at one point, it looked crazy with all those darks marked out with pink rose masses - and plenty of orange underpainting showing!  I really didn't tie together the masses until almost the end - and then I did it in a hop-scotch fashion.  Perhaps it was just a reflection of my chaotic day - and the therapy of painting with abandon under a shady tree surrounded with all that beauty, and visiting besides.  I guess this is about as close as I get to painting on auto-pilot!  Painting number 508 in as many days.

Wandering Wolf Creek

Wandering Wolf Creek
Oil on panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum
Stems Plein Air Event

There is something so peaceful about painting near water - and especially when that water runs through the woods.  Birdsong and the gentle babbling of the creek were the background music for this painting.  Until a friend posted this bridge in a painting - which he later excluded - I did not even know this bridge existed!  Finding my way to the back of the property with my gear in tow, I set up on part of the dry creek bed.  At the time, it was shaded.  Before I was finished, the sun had moved into my spot, and I had to move up closer to the bridge to regain some shade.  Balancing the deep shade with the light streaming into the water, and the reflected light off the surface was a little tricky.  I was not quite sure I was finished before I moved on to another location.  After letting it rest for a day......I think I am finished.  This painting almost perfectly reflects the way I felt while painting on location........and isn't that what painting is all about?  Painting number 507 in 507 days.  I hope tomorrow is dry enough for more plein air painting :)

Reflections of Byrd's Grove

Reflections of Byrd's Grove
Oil on panel, 12x9
Overland Park Arboretum
STEMS Plein Air Event

Wanting to get as much painting in as possible while the sun is shining, I headed over to the arboretum early today.  Maggie's Pond is a wonderful reflecting pool for all that surrounds it.  I have always wanted to capture these peonies, and this was my chance!  I found a little spot of shade to work from, where both panel and palette were kept from the sun.  It was so pleasant with the cool breeze coming in off the water!  So often I paint in inclement weather - each day like this is a gift!  Rain is expected for the next 5 days - I hope they are wrong.  Painting number 506 in 506 days :)

Wolf Creek from the West Trail

Wolf Creek from the West Trail
Oil on panel, 9x12
Overland Park Arboretum
STEMS Plein Air Event

I headed over to the Overland Park Arboretum as soon as pilates was over this morning.  Hauling my gear all the way to the back of the property - this is the reward for that effort!  An amazing creek, that I have only found this year.  I have been here countless times, without ever finding it.  In the old days, these mulch trails were often closed due to rain.  But they have done so much to improve them, now!  There are even two wonderful bridges back there - one of which was my first paint of the day!  This one is my second painting, Wolf Creek viewed from a steep embankment on the West Trail.  It was a beautiful and remote spot - only a handful of onlookers walked by.  Just past this turn in the creek, there is one of the iron bridges.  On quick inspection, I couldn't see a way down the embankments.......but there may be one.  The light was beautiful all day, and the high winds were not much of a bother in such a wooded area.  It was a very pleasant day of painting at the arboretum.  I plan to go back in the morning, perhaps to paint one of the challenges for the event.  This painting makes 505 in as many days.  Now, I'm off to late baseball game for Michael :)

Beneath the Sycamore

Beneath the Sycamore
Oil on panel, 12x9
Penn Valley Plein Air Fest
Buttonwood Art Space, Kansas City, MO

I arrived early for the Firefighter Memorial paint-out.  Having already picked my location for the quick paint, I still had too much time left to waste.  Nyle Gordon was talking about doing a light and shadow study - and I was in!  We set up looking towards this beautiful sycamore, with 45 minutes to paint!  It was so fun to just lay in those oils!  I started with the darkest darks, moved next to the lights, and then quickly filled in all the mid tones - and remembering to simplify those shapes.  When the time was up - I had a quick and loose interpretation of yet another wonderful view in the Penn Valley Park.  This painting makes 504 in 504 days and is now showing at the Buttonwood Art Space :)

Springtime at Lakeview

Springtime at Lakeview
Oil on panel, 14x11
Augusta Plein Air Festival
sold

On the morning of the Vineyard Hill Paint-out, the weather was cold and the winds rather harsh.  This home is on the adjoining property - which we were invited to paint on as well.  As soon as I saw the house situated so beautifully - I knew I had to paint it!  I love these old houses, and this one had been in the owner's family for a long time.  I set my easel up close to the vehicle - so as to give me as much of a windbreak as possible.  The drawback here is that I had little room to back up and look at the progress of the painting - which I normally do often.  I had to walk over to the side of the car to glimpse my painting at a distance!  I spent quite a bit of time on this one - wanting to accurately capture what I was seeing, which left less than an hour for the next painting!  This was a special day with special people, and I'm so happy I could be a part of it!  This painting now resides in this home - which is where it was destined to be!  This painting makes 503 in 503 days!

Path into the Garden

Path into the Garden
Oil on panel, 14x11
Sunset Paint - STEMS
Overland Park Arboretum

The kick-off for the STEMS event was tonight at the Overland Park Arboretum for a 2 hour quick paint.  This is the southern side of Monet's Garden - and all of the blooms called me to paint them!  The evening was cool, and the skies overcast - which saturated the colors in the landscape.  Using impressionistic strokes, I have loosely painted the foreground, with more attention given to the middle ground garden.  I am posting rather late tonight, since I went directly from the paint-out to one of my high school friend's birthday party!  There are just not enough hours in the day for all I want to accomplish!  This painting makes 501 in 501 days - and just the beginning of two weeks of the STEMS Plein Air Event :)

Meyer Family Farm

Meyer Family Farm
Oil on panel, 14x11
Private Estate Paint
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This beautiful barn rests near the bottom road on the Meyer Farm in Augusta, Missouri. The lane winds up to the top of the hill through wooded land and past an outbuilding on a quiet pond.  Stables above, and a view overlooking that vast bottom land reward the artist at the overlook!  So many paintings could be painted here - and yet, there is but one day to paint it!  I was thrilled to have a wonderful old barn with character to paint - so I settled up the dirt path, sheltered from the coldest of winds by an old smokehouse to my left.  I had sketched out the neighbor's barn with pastels (which I later finished in oil), before moving to this one.  I had just packed up my gear and hauled it up to the top of the hill before the thunder and rain started.  It was so pleasant to sit beneath the covered porches of the beautiful brick home, and visit with a little wine and a wonderful meal!  Certainly a special treat after a day of painting!  We moved next to a nocturne paint-out in downtown Augusta.  This painting makes 500 in 500 days!!  WOWZA!  I never would have believed I could continue this long!

Frisella Fountain

Frisella Fountain
Oil on panel, 8x10

I took this photo reference the morning of the sunrise paint at Frisella's Nursery.  They have a wonderful breakfast for the artists - which is always welcome at an early morning paint!  The light was hazy, and it was pretty cold, as well.  That day was the beginning of a morning of searching for the perfect painting destination.  Today, I started with pilates and intervals classes, with only enough time to clean up before a jury meeting.  After fulfilling my duties, it was back home in time for the kids to come home.  With many starts and stops, I was finally able to finish this one - hours after the beginning.  With a house full of family, I am going to let this one rest.  My thoughts are rather disjointed at present - so I'll have to look again in the morning with fresh eyes.  This painting makes 499 in 499 days!  Tomorrow will be the 500th!  I should paint something special on such a day :)

Beneath the Flowering Plum

Beneath the Flowering Plum
Oil on panel, 12x9
Washington, Missouri - near the Missouri River

On the day of the Washington Sunrise Paint Out, this was the first scene that grabbed me in the town. Two other artists were already painting it, and as we were late from the 5am broadcast paint-out, I knew there was not enough time to do it justice.  Today, as I waited for Mike to have a procedure in the hospital, I combed through articles about color.  One after the other, I studied the words, gripped by the paintings they referred to.  Arriving home and after getting Mike settled and the housework finished, I went to this reference photo.  I wanted to apply some of the new found knowledge in this landscape.  Wow - what a way to hit home the lessons studied.  This is exactly how this place felt to me on that warm, sunny day - with the colors sparkling in the landscape.  Another day, another painting - this 498th was rewarding, indeed :)

Bridge Near the Willow

Bridge Near the Willow
Oil on panel, 14x11
Penn Valley Plein Air Fest
Buttonwood Gallery, Kansas City

On the night of the opening social, I saw a couple of the artist's paintings with this amazing stone bridge in it.  I had driven through the park, but had not seen it.  It was therefore, my mission to find this bridge first thing the next morning. After scouting various locations to no avail - I spotted two of these bridges down by the lake in Penn Valley Park!  This side is the rather unkempt part with a wonderful, natural feel to it.  The other side has been manicured with appropriate landscaping, and it faces the lake.  It was a bit of a task to haul my gear down to this location - but hauling it up was quite a workout, indeed!  I finished this one up just as the rain was starting, and stopped for lunch before starting the next painting of the day.  I just can't resist a stone bridge, and this one reminds me of the ones down in Dogwood Canyon - not far from Big Cedar in southern Missouri.  Wonderful and historic, they make such an addition to the landscape!  This painting makes 497 in as many days, and is now showing at the Buttonwood Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri at 31st and Main :)

Old Augusta Barn

Old Augusta Barn
Oil on panel, 14x11
Augusta Plein Air Fest

I have wanted to paint this beautiful old barn for years!  It is one of the amazing barns on the bottom road from Augusta to Washington - just east of the Meyer Farm.  I love the large scale and the wonderful open side on this barn.  I stood back close to the tree line - in the tall grass by the road, to get this all sketched in with pastels.  It was the day of the private estate paint, and I didn't have time to finish this one on site.  While the time and place is still fresh in my mind, I have finished this one today.  The day was cool and windy, with the winds blowing quickly up from the bottom land.  I found a windbreak for the next painting - another barn, making for an easier paint!  Painting number 496 in 496 days :)

Honeysuckle Path

Honeysuckle Path
Oil on panel, 12x9
Penn Valley Plein Air Fest
Buttonwood Gallery, Kansas City

This was the second painting of a three painting day, just before the Pioneer Mother Paint-Out at the Penn Valley Park on Thursday.  While walking the loop around the Pioneer Mother Statue, the sweet smell of honeysuckle along the western edge wafted through the air.  The bushes spilled over the path, creating such an inviting scene, I just had to paint it. With under 2 hours before the quick paint, I blocked in the light and shadow - loving the way the shadows stretched across the lawn.  The lightposts gave a nostalgic feel to the place - so like Central Park!  This was another day spent fighting the wind!  It really is exhausting when gust of wind blow me, the panel and the brush in unexpected directions!  I guess that just adds to the impressionistic strokes on this painting!  How wonderful it is to have such a beautiful park in the heart of the city.  This and 5 others are now showing at the Buttonwood Gallery just down the street from this park in Kansas City.  Painting number 495 in 495 days.  Happy Mother's Day!

Winding Creek in Penn Valley Park

Winding Creek in Penn Valley Park
Oil on panel, 11x14
Lake Area Quick Paint
Buttonwood Gallery, Kansas City
sold

When I arrive at a quick paint location, I first walk the entire site.  I don't even get my gear out, until I have selected my scene.  I knew it was going to be hot today, so a place in the shade would be best - and the wind was up again, so a windbreak would be in order.  As I walked the lake area of the Penn Valley Park, I started on the east side, then completing the circle around the lake.  Finding a creek flowing to the south from the lake, this composition instantly called my name.  And, I liked the view best from an incline in the full sun, looking towards the sun - and with a good headwind, as well.  So much for seeking comfort!  All that goes out the window when the place calls my name!  Since this was a two hour quick paint, it was important to mark the lights and the darks first, especially when there was so much information to get down on the panel.  Shadows change quickly, and as I was looking towards the sun, there was a backlighting effect on the background brush, as well as a diffusing effect on the distant trees.  The sun laid a golden light on the shallow water, which was challenging to capture.  I have found to trust my eyes in these special situations, and simply paint what I see.  This was my favorite painting of the whole event - and a great way to finish the Penn Valley Plein Air Fest.  Who knew we had such beauty in the heart of Kansas City?  I was born here and have spent most of my life here, and I have never been to this park before this event.  I look forward to participating in the years to come!  This painting is now showing at the Buttonwood Gallery on Main Street in Kansas City, MO.

Firefighter's Memorial in May

Firefighter's Memorial in May
Oil on panel, 14x11
Penn Valley Firefighter's Memorial Quick Paint

Wow - what a beautiful day to paint!  Me second paint of the day was the quick paint scheduled for this fountain.  I had scoped out my spot early, but then went on to paint a tree study.  When I finished, I turned to find that three other artists had set up in my chosen location!  So, as I carried my easel to the fountain area, the dappled light of the sun through the trees captured my attention.  This composition was so much more "me" than the first I had selected!  I set up - in the sun, which I had to be to soak in all of the scene, and got to work when the whistle blew.  This is a two hour timed event, and I finished a little early.  My first fountain painting of the season and 493 in as many days :)

Sunset Glow at Nobeleis

Sunset Glow at Nobeleis
Oil on panel, 9x12
Sunset Paint at Nobeleis Winery
Augusta Plein Air Festival

Today, I spent all day painting at the Penn Valley Plein Air Fest.  I finished three paintings, the last of which was a quick paint at the Frontier Mother statue.  Getting home after dark, I will wait until tomorrow to take photos of my work.  So, I am posting this one from the Sunset Paint at Nobeleis Winery.  The vineyards spread out from the winery, and live music wafted on the air as we painted.  I loved this path along the tree line - especially as the shadows lengthened to the east!  A beautiful night for painting, the evening was unseasonably warm.  A little food, a little wine, a little music, and this amazing view of the vineyard......life is sweet indeed.  Every painting day should be perfect!  Today?  Well, By the second painting, I was seriously considering the name of "Fighting the Wind" for the title!  I have been battered by that wind all day - I even thought I would be blown right off the hill during the quick paint!  I guess it really makes me appreciate the perfect weather of the Nobeleis Sunset Paint!  Painting number 492 in as many days.  Tomorrow - another quick paint at the Penn Valley Park - this one is at the Firefighter's Memorial :)

Spring at Tammy's Pond

Spring at Tammy's Pond
Oil on panel, 14x11
sold

I absolutely love painting garden scenes!  I'm an avid gardener - and the paintings I can find among a beautiful landscape are endless.  All week long, I had wanted to paint a waterfall, but I simply didn't have the chance....until now!  I have taken extra time on this one, wanting to accurately portray the essence of this special place.  With such a complicated composition, drawing is key - so I sketched this one out in detail with a pastel stick directly on the panel.  I have started finishing the areas of my block in more thoroughly before moving to the next, and I am really liking this method.  It allows me to make sure each area is on the right path as I go, a more thoughtful way of painting.  The results portray my vision more quickly than when I blocked in all areas first, and then started working each area.  It just feels right, and so much of painting is just "expressing" yourself with the brush.  I have several photos of this beautiful garden......and I may just do a few more paintings in the future!  This painting makes 491 in 491 days - and I'll be painting all day tomorrow at the Penn Valley Plein Air Fest in Kansas City :)

Nightfall at Kate's Coffee

Nightfall at Kate's Coffee
Oil on panel, 12x9
Nocturne Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This cute little coffee shop in old town Augusta was the place to go for great drinks and food!  The nocturne paint-out was a new addition to this year's event - and it was super fun!  It was a quick paint - under 2 hours to pick your spot and get that panel covered!  I loved how the light spread out from the windows and lamplights at the door.  I had a pretty cushy spot, sheltered from the wind by an outbuilding - and the light just over my shoulder from the same building was enough to paint by.  This was a complicated drawing for a quick paint - but once again - I threw caution to the wind and painted where my heart lead me!  Painting number 490 in 490 days - only 10 more days to 500 in a row!

Still Waters at Vineyard Hill

Still Waters at Vineyard Hill
Oil on panel, 11x14
Vineyard Hill Paint-Out

Our Thursday's paint out was at the beautiful Vineyard Hill, private property of the Virants.  Always gracious, our wonderful hosts served us breakfast goodies and a wonderful chili lunch - which was so warming on the cold day!  This special place has a hilltop view of the surrounding landscape, lake, winding creek, barns, woods, and wonderful vineyards.  Some of the grapevines were thicker around than my arm! I painted this winding water from a footbridge into the woods on a walking path.  I knew as soon as I saw it, I must paint it.  The bridge was lined up with artists, so we had selected another spot to paint first, arriving at this location late in the day.  With only 45 minutes to lay in paint - I brushed it on with my large brush, working as quickly as I could with the 11x14 panel.  The feel of this place was so peaceful, I was glad we had waited for the crowd to clear.  Rain had loomed close all day, but did not actually start to fall until I was nearly finished with this piece.  This was perhaps the coldest day of the ten, and was I ever thankful for my rainslicker!  It blocked that wind completely, and I was not longer cold.  Painting number 489 in 489 days :)

Halcyon Glow

Halcyon Glow
Oil on panel, 9x12
Halcyon Spa
Augusta Plein Air Festival
sold - print available here

On location

I just love painting nocturnes!  As we left the nocturne paint of the other night, I saw this scene outside of the Halcyon Spa.  This is a special place for a little pampering, and I always try to get a massage while in town!  Returning the first chance available, I set my easel up quickly.  I like to paint fast for nocturnes - especially because it was rather cold and windy.  I backed up close to the lower level of the building, right under a porch light.  This gave me all of the light I needed to see my palette and panel.  Of course, the darker it gets, the harder it is to determine hues - so it is like opening a present when you bring it inside!  You never know what you find!  This one was a happy surprise!  This painting makes 488 in as many days :)

Sweet William on the Bank

Sweet William on the Bank
Oil on panel, 11x14
Augusta Plein Air Festival
sold

I think this may be my favorite painting of the week.  The day started slowly.  We had a delicious sunrise breakfast at Frisella Nursery, but I couldn't decide on a subject.  Next, we headed to Defiance, with thoughts of painting the beautiful old hillside church.....but we couldn't find the right composition.  We stopped by to pick up my cell phone (which I had left at the house) on our way to Klondike Park.  Still, nothing called my name.  After stopping by the Visitor's Center for a little snack - and an amazing chocolate palette, we headed west out of town on the Augusta bottoms road.  After a turn, I caught sight of a winding creek set back from the road.  We had to turn around to get back to it - but IT was calling my name!  The water was such an amazing red-brown-gold, with only tints of green - and it was a challenge to paint!  In fact, I painted the whole scene before I even started laying in the water!  Starting timidly, I put the first strokes down.  The color seemed so unnatural - but that was also what drew me to the landscape, so I painted them true to life.  My grandma always had this wild Sweet William growing in the yard and woods, it makes me think of her every time I see it.  I'm so glad I was led to this spot to paint!  What a wonderful painting day!  Painting number 487 in 487 days :)

In Balducci's Vineyard

In Balducci's Vineyard
Oil on panel, 14x11
Balducci Sunset Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Festival

In the last 8 years that I have been coming to paint the sunset at Balducci's, only a couple of those evenings have been warm and beautiful.  Tonight was such a night.  All day, I had been thinking about my spot.  I really wanted to go down into the vineyard to paint. The view is amazing with the vines in the foreground, and the barns and house in the background.  I set up my easel and painted alongside three other artists.  We visited as we worked, making time fly.  I finished an hour early and turned in my painting, which allowed me the opportunity to watch some of my friends paint!  Painting number 486 in 486 days - I must now get to bed before I fall asleep on my laptop!

Spring at Femme Osage Creek

Spring at Femme Osage Creek
Oil on panel, 14x11
Augusta Plein Air Festival

On location

There were two Private Estate Paints this year, and the artists could only sign up for one - which gave us a free painting day on Tuesday.  The Shipley's graciously invited us back this year to their home to paint.  Six of us showed up - each choosing our favorite location along the creek to paint.  Last year, we had summer color in the landscape for this event.  This year - spring is bursting out all over, complete with redbuds and dogwood!  During our paint-out, Dan walked down to each artist, offering us banana bread, cupcakes, brownies and cookies - SO thoughtful!  This place is simply full of gracious hospitality!  Is it any wonder I keep returning year after year?  The serenity of painting along the creek, with the water babbling beside me is so relaxing.  I could paint all day next to the sound of the water.  This painting makes 485 paintings in 485 days.  Tomorrow is another sunrise paint - this time at Frisella's Nursery :)