Hummingbird and Rose Batik

Hummingbird and Rose Batik
Ink, watercolor and wax on rice paper, 12x8
purchase here

Switching gears today, I am experimenting again - this time with a thinner rice paper.  My friend loaned me some scraps of rice paper, and this one is so thin, I have to be careful not to tear it with the paintbrush when wet!  I first sketched this one in with brown india ink, then painted the hummingbird, roses and foliage.  Painting over this with hot wax, I next floated in all background color.  A second coat of wax, and then the crinkling begins.  I had to be super careful here - the thin paper would otherwise be easily torn!  I next painted around the edges and into the cracks with a cool brown watercolor.  This paper was so thin, that even the crack resisted the paint!  I had to crack it multiple times to get the creases to accept some more paint!  All of the other rice papers I have tried worked better than this one - and I think this one came in a tablet.  I will avoid this paper next time, but I have already a second just waiting to be wrinkled up and painted in the last step.  This painting is my 639th painting in as many days and the 29th painting in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunflower Medley

Sunflower Medley
Oil on panel, 14x11
Sunflower Artfest - 2nd Place "Sunflower" Division

I had decided a couple of weeks ago to do enter this "Sunflower" competition.  I had the Brush Creek Art Walk going on, and the the Augusta Harvest Festival, as well as several other showings, openings and receptions to go to.  I had been painting sunflowers, but only two I thought were worthy of entering - and one of those I felt was "iffy"!  Arising at 4:00am on the morning of the event, I had set a small watercolor aside to frame, since I didn't get back to the easel the previous night (after Michael's late baseball game).  Well, I couldn't find the glass for the frame!  In the time it would take me to find glass in another frame to switch out - I could have a painting done.  So, I started this painting with an hour to paint.  I had already planned it in my head, and had sketched it with pastels the night before - so all I had to do was apply the paint.  There is nothing like a time limit to quicken your decisions!  Using a large brush for almost the whole thing, I switched to a palette knife at the end to finish.  The underpainting was thick enough that I had to use the knife to place the highlights - the brush only worked the color in without the desired "punch".  Wishing I could continue - my time was up and I slapped it in a frame and bolted.  I was SO surprised to win 2nd place on this painting in the "sunflower" division!  There is something to be said for working loose and fast.  Painting number 638 in as many days and Day 28 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Bold Sunflowers

September Sunflowers
Watercolor and wax on rice paper, 6x6

This painting is a bit of an abstraction using the watercolor batik technique on rice paper.  Bold and vibrant color reign in this small painting as I have mixed my paints with little water.  Experimenting to see if bold color can even be applied to such a thin, delicate paper, I have indeed found that it can.  I have left a little white - where I applied the hot wax onto the painted sunflowers and stems.  Laying in heavy, wet color for the background was fun!  I just kept dipping in more pigment with my brush, letting the water carry it over the surface.  Once dry, I cover the whole surface with hot wax (in a tiny crockpot).  Dry, and crinkle the painting into a ball, open and float another color into the cracks (brown - shown here).  Laying brown paper on top and bottom of painting, I then heat with a medium iron until no more wax comes off onto the paper.  I needed to change out papers three times to get the wax up.  Painting number 637 in as many days, and Day 27 of the 30 day Painting Challenge by Leslie Saeta.  It was her challenge in January of 2013 that started my daily painting journey!  I have learned so much in the last 637 paintings - and I have Leslie to thank for the nudge in the right direction :)

Sunflowers and Pumpkins

Sunflowers and Pumpkins
Oil on linen board, 8x10

My first painting of the season with pumpkins, so I finally feel like fall is arriving!  My second painting at the Sunflower Festival, these gorgeous beauties were brought in by a local farmer.  As I finished my first painting, I turned around to see these being pulled out of his truck and placed on the tables under his tent.  A trailer of pumpkins also in tow, we were allowed to place them where we wished for a plein air still life!  The colors were so rich in the noon sun, and the cool reflected light from the tent cast a dreamy light on the arrangement.  I had only one surface left, and that was a linen board given to me by an artist friend to try.  It was so lightweight - I had to clamp down my easel onto it to keep it in place.  It moved a little under my brush, which wood never does.  It was white - which I never start with, but I found that brushing on a mid tone with a little safflower oil made a perfect wash!  I wiped it around the surface with a paper towel until most of the oil was off, then began sketching in the composition with my pastel stick.  The stick was a little resistant to an oiled surface, but I could still use it.  The paints behaved as they would on canvas, so this lightweight surface option might be a good choice for overseas travel, or anytime surfaces needed to be checked in for flight.  I much prefer the birch boards, but they would get pretty heavy in a hurry.  This is painting number 636 in as many days, and painting number 26 in the 30 Day Challenge.

Sunflower FIeld at Kill Creek Farm

Sunflower Field at Kill Creek Farm
Oil on panel, 14x11
Sunflower Fest Plein Air Event, DeSoto, Kansas

The morning light was gorgeous on this field of sunflowers at the Kill Creek farm today.  I set up out in the full sun, but at 8:00am, I knew I had time to get this painted before it got too hot.  I loved this composition, the way the angles of sunflower rows and background trees complimented each other.  Perfect weather had me shedding my jacket by 10:00, and finishing by 11:00, ready to start another!  I thoroughly enjoyed this whole process of painting!  Pushing and pulling the paint was a joy, and the bees buzzing from one bloom to another were my constant companions.  This painting won Best of Show today, and is my 635th painting in as many days.  Also, the 25th painting in the

Best of Show

current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunflowers at Night

Sunflowers at Night
Ink, watercolor, wax on rice paper, 10.5x7

Today, I am playing with the watercolor batik technique, using hot wax as a resist between layers.  I have first used pen and ink to define the lines loosely.  The crinkly texture of this thin rice paper after the ironing off of the hot wax is so cool!  Each piece makes a completely unique pattern.  I am really trying to study the method here, pushing the various mediums in different ways.  I first used an indian red in the cracks of the wax, and then went to a sepia.  After the last step, I then went back over the high spots only with an almost dry brush and sepia ink.  There are many layers, and I simply added another layer when I thought some tweaking of color was required.  Experimenting like this just brings so many images into my mind - like a hundred paintings just waiting their turn at the easel!  So many paintings, never enough time!  Painting number 634 of 634, and Day 24 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunflower Magic

Sunflower Magic
Ink, watercolor, wax on rice paper, 12x9
purchase here

The theme for the week is "sunflowers", as I have to decide on three paintings to enter into the Sunflower Festival by Friday morning.  So, another day of experimenting!  I first inked the composition in loosely on this very thin rice paper.  It is so thin I can easily see through it!  Then I added the watercolor to the flowers and foliage - with a paper towel underneath because that paint just runs right through the paper.  Covering these areas with hot wax, I then painted in the background colors.  Next, these areas are also painted with hot wax using a synthetic 1 inch bristle type brush.  Once dry, the crinkling up of the whole thing begins.  Pressing it as flat as possible, I next float a brownish watercolor paint into all of the cracks, which spreads in unpredictable ways that could never be accomplished the same way twice.  This step adds so much character to the painting!  Next, between layers of brown paper, the wax is removed with a medium hot iron until no more wax stains the brown paper.  Some wax remains in the paper, which is now translucent from this process.  Zoom in on the texture, because this whole wax technique adds such depth to the surface.  This painting makes 633 in as many days and Day 23 of in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  So much fun to experiment - I can hardly tear myself away!

Sunflowers Two

Sunflowers Two
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 7x5
Purchase here

Surprise!  I'm experimenting again!  I learned this technique last week, right before I had to do a lot of framing and prepping for my Augusta trip.  I had to wait until today to actually try what I had learned!  First, I watercolored in my flowers and foliage and let that dry.  Next, I brushed hot wax over those areas as a resist for the second layer.  After laying in the background and allowing that to dry, I waxed those areas, too.  Next, I crinkled the whole thing up into a tight, waxy ball!  Unwrapping it and laying it flat, the next step is to brush the darker brown watercolor into all those cracks.  This produces an unpredictable effect, with a mind of it's own.  Once done, I place brown paper under and over it and iron the wax out.  It took a few pieces of paper to absorb all of the wax (well, most of it).  What remains is this translucent painting where the wax has permeated the rice paper and changed it's texture.  I LOVE trying new things, and I have already four others in process!  Painting number 632 in 632 days and Day 22 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

September at Balducci's

September at Balducci's
Oil on panel, 16x12
Sunset Paint - Winemaker's Social at Balducci's Winery
purchase here

On location as the sun goes down

I set up on top of the hill west of Balducci's iconic barn with two other artists.  Honored to by asked to paint for this amazing event, the Wine Maker's Social is a crowning jewel of the Augusta Harvest Festival.  The evening was warm, with almost no breeze - and the landscape was lush!  I have painted the sunset here each spring for the last 9 years, but this is the first time in the fall.  The rolling hills were brimming with crops and the trees were so rich in color!  I had to work very quickly, as I painted a large size - and had limited time.  This painting simply fell off the brush.  Perhaps it was the glass of wine as I worked that relaxed my thoughts and allowed the paint to work it's magic while I watched.  The sun sets quickly, and it was very dark before I packed up my easel for the day!   This painting is 631 in 631 days and Day 21 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Pumper #1 in Augusta

Pumper #1 in Augusta
Oil on panel, 14x11
Harvest Festival Quick Paint - Second Place Winner
purchase here

on location

We could not have had a more perfect day for the Augusta Harvest Festival Plein Air Event!  Starting the day with a delicious chai tea late from Kate's Coffee, I could start my day at leisure.  Painting from 11:00 - 3:00, this 1860 Pumper #1 from Bole's Fire Co was our subject for the day.  Such a  fabulous antique fire engine - and so complicated to capture!  I was a little scared of this detail, so I painted the entire "stage" before I ever put one stroke down on the "star"!  Not my usual way of blocking in, but rather - the pansy way!  Once I started adding the reds, it soon fell together and the joy of the process took over.  The greens and the reds work so well with each other, and I "married" these colors by bouncing them around the landscape.  This process prevents the red firetruck from sticking out of the scene like it was cut out and pasted on.  I am honored to have won the second place award for this painting.  It is always a pleasure to paint in one of my favorite places in Missouri!  Painting number 630 in 630 days and Day 20 of the 30 Day Challenge.

Creek at Femme Osage

Creek at Femme Osage
Oil on panel, 10x8
Femme Osage, Missouri - purchase here

On location

Pulling into town, this was the very first location that we got out to scout. Loved the light, loved the reflections - why go anywhere else?  Normally, when we get to town, we go to multiple locations, taking photos, and end up wasting good painting time just making sure we pick the perfect spot.  For the first time ever, we pulled in, looked, and immediately set up our easels!  On this warm, sunny day, the colors of the landscape were just remarkable!  Loving the way the sun spread across the grasses, this was the first thing I blocked in. Moving next to the water and sky colors - I brushed in the cool blues, and then the distant trees.  I started working forward with my paints, until the block in was complete to the foreground.  I then turned my attention to the edges of grass and foliage.  Using my palette knife, I dragged paint from the edges in - leaving the desired mark in my wake.  I like where this painting took me, and it is a treasured spot to paint in!  There is nothing like the babble of the water, the singing of crickets and birds and a warm breeze in the shade of tree to paint by!  Plein air perfection here in Femme Osage, Missouri!  Hoping for more of this tomorrow with my 629th painting in as many days, and Day 19 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Fountain of Brush Creek

Fountain of Brush Creek
Oil on panel, 14x11
Brush Creek Art Walk - purchase here

This was my first painting on the Brush Creek Art Walk.  Arriving early, it was cold and rain was threatening.  I was so hoping for a beautiful day - as I could give the whole day to plein air work.  In such weather, it is wise to look for a spot with shelter nearby, in case I have to run for cover!  Having painted less than an hour, the rain started.  I simply moved to my right - just enough to place me under the bridge, out of the rain.  The drawback is that there is even less light under any cover, making it more difficult to judge the colors.  I pulled my palette knife out for the finish work, especially on the fountain and water.  The knife just leaves a wonderful mark!  I am really enjoying the process of learning how to manipulate the knife and move the paint.  So much fun!  Painting number 628 in as many days and Day 18 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

on location

Church on the Hill

Church on the Hill
Oil on panel, 12x16
Defiance, Missouri

This charming old church is atop a hill in Defiance, Missouri, and can be seen from all directions.  It has such wonderful presence in the landscape, as if it has always been here.  Painting a larger size today, 12x16, I am playing with the colors of autumn.  The leaves have just started to turn in the last few days - only a few, as most are still as green as summer.  But these few colorful tints in the landscape are the promise of more to come, and certainly have me thinking of painting fall!  I pulled out my yellow green, only to find it was the wrong shade.  So, digging a little further, I found my favorite - a Grumbacher.  It has a pop that my other brands do not have.  I also found a small tube of Grumbacher white, and used it to load my palette.  Well, it is not my Winsor Newton!  The color was flat in comparison, and not what I would buy again.  Isn't it funny how we artists find very specific supplies that we like, and shun others without mercy?  I went back to my ultramarine blue for this one, after a month of using mainly my prussian blue.  I wanted to cool shade to play the warmer fall colors off of.  Lots of palette knife work on this one - juicy and full of impressionistic strokes!  I will be taking this one to Augusta this weekend!  This painting makes 627 in as many days and Day 17 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Of Garden and City

Of Garden and City
Acrylic over molding paste on panel, 16x12
Brush Creek Art Walk - purchase here

sketch & molding paste

On the lawn south of the Kauffman Gardens, I started this painting with the buildings of the Plaza in the background.  After the initial sketch with pastel, I took my palette knife and sculpted in the detail.  Using a heavier hand on the trees, grass and flowers, and a lighter one on the background, I built up the layers until satisfied.  Allowing this to dry briefly, I started another one of zinnias.  I don't like waiting for anything, so when something requires drying time, I always work on a second and sometimes a third painting in the same technique - so by the time I am through with them - my first one is dry.  I then start blocking in my masses, using extra caution over the molding paste.  The thicker parts take longer to dry, and I don't want to shift the paste.  Now, I push and pull the color to reflect how this beautiful landscape affects me.  So much of a painting is a reflection of that specific time and place, and how I respond to my surroundings.  This was a lovely, warm day with gentle breezes - SO welcome after Friday's cold and rainy plein air day!  I must enjoy these days while they last!  Painting number 626 in as many days and Day 16 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Brush Creek Beauty at the Falls

Brush Creek Beauty
Oil on panel, 16x12
Brush Creek Art Walk - Purchase Information

When I arrived on location in early in the morning, I had the Benton Boulevard Bridge in mind to paint....and then I saw the waterfall!   The golden light skimmed the surface of the water and the tips of the foliage in a poetic way.  I had to paint it, instead!  This light was fleeting, so it was my first priority.  I blocked in all of these highlights before going to the first dark.  I then marked all darks, knowing that this magical light and shadow would be the first to fade out of this landscape as the sun rose.  At this point, the light was already changing - so I blocked in the other color masses rather crudely.  This quick brushwork is all over the painting since time was certainly of the essence!  Using thick, wet paint - I needed to go to my palette knife for the final strokes.  The brushes simply moved the paint around too much.  I even skimmed the surface of the water with the palette knife - leaving a trail of "sparkle" in that water.  I think this one really captures the time and place as I quickly worked at water's edge.  This is painting number 625 in as many days and Day 15 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Orange Cat

Orange Cat
Oil on panel, 12x6
sold

After the seven landscapes of the weekend, I am switching gears today and painting this little darling.  Not one of our cats, I came across the reference photo while looking through pics of Defiance, Missouri.  Taken on the back porch of the Robin's Nest, "Harley" was stretched out like a king with the sun at his back.  After laying in the paint with my brushes, I next went to my palette knife.  I think this is the first time I have used a knife on an animal portrait.  I wanted thick, juicy paint for this darling - and what better way to get that than the palette knife?  I can skim new paint over the previous layer without disturbing what is below it.  It feels good to get away from architecture - even though I enjoy it.  The soft, furry lines of the cat are welcome relief indeed!  This painting makes 624 in as many days and Day 14 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Hidden Garden

Hidden Garden
Watercolor on paper on board, 12x9
Brush Creek Art Walk - Theis Park quick paint
Purchase Information

For the quick paint at Theis Park today, I decided to try a new paper, mounted on birch - and my watercolors!  I almost always use my oils in a quick paint, I am so comfortable with them.  Why not change things up, throw in a curve ball for the competition?  Well, I may be crazy, but it was fun!  This paper was interesting, too - it has a large, dimple like pattern all over it.  I think I may have gotten carried away with the color again, but you only live once (as my children tell me)!  On Tuesday, I will glaze over this with my Golden regular gel gloss medium, as a final layer.  This will seal the surface, thus eliminating the need for glass.  This is painting number 623 in 623 days and Day 13 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Lanterns on the International Bridge

Lanterns on the International Bridge
Oil on panel, 8x10
Brush Creek Art Walk - quick paint
Purchase Information

On location

Who would have known it would be so cold on this mid September day?  With two jackets and my leather one on top, fuzzy chenille socks and boots - I was still shivering and miserably cold.  My impressionistic strokes are no doubt a result of shaky hands and chattering teeth!  It always takes me a while to adapt to the dropping temperatures - and I will be sure to pack my ski jacket next time!  These lanterns are hanging on the Sister Cities International Bridge over Brush Creek at the Country Club Plaza.  This is my favorite zone of the Art Walk, and my third painting on this day.  I was rained on twice as the cold winds blew the front in - and that is the sky painted in this scene.  The lanterns blew back and forth with the wind, and were illuminated as the sun went down.  This is painting number 622 in as many days and Day 13 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunflower Bouquet

Sunflower Bouquet
Watercolor on paper on board, 4x6

I first prepped this panel by brushing it with acrylic gel medium and laying the wet watercolor paper over it.  Weighing it down to dry, I allowed it to dry overnight.  I then paint as I normally would on it's surface.  What I really like about this technique so far is that the wet areas stay wet longer.  I can go in and blot up color past the drying time of normal paper.  The paper I used on this surface it just 140lb cold-pressed.  I have not yet tried it with my expensive 300lb paper - not until I seal the painting and see that it truly does work for a glass free frame.  Perhaps I'll try that sealing process tomorrow on the first one I did, as it should be completely dry from yesterday.  Two days is the recommended time - according to the research I have turned up.  I used permanent blue (Daniel Smith) for the background color - dropping in a bit of indigo here and there for interest.  This permanent blue has become one of my favorite colors!  I love the depth and clarity of this color.  I have painted these flowers in rather a loose manner - striving for fresh and loose here.  The vase was so fun to paint!  I simply laid in wet yellow color, and dropped in other colors while it was still super wet - giving the appearance of glazes on stoneware.  I am going to do more of this as I work these watercolors!  This painting makes 621 in as many days and Day 12 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Behind the Barn

Behind the Barn
Oil on panel, 16x12
Defiance, Missouri

As far back as my childhood, I have always loved the old barns of Missouri.  This wonderful barn is in Defiance, Missouri, and I have painted it several times.  Today, I paint it from the back side, where the trees come up in the hedgerow. On this painting, I took more time with each area blocked in, bringing each space to a more finished place before moving on.  I really wanted to bring interest to the light and shadow, so this was where I worked next.  I know this place so well, that just painting it brings back the memories of the sun on my face and the wind in my hair - almost as if I were standing there right now!  Painting number 620 in as many days and Day 11 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunrise Dinghy

Sunrise Dinghy
Watercolor on paper, 7x9

Rainy days are my absolute favorite for painting in my studio, although not a fav for plein air work!  On this rainy day, I am painting from Kangaroo Lake reference photos I took while in Wisconsin.  I first used my plastic palette knife to lay down the drawing medium as a resist in all light spots.  After that dried, I came in with all of the main color blocks. also allowing that to dry.  Next, I rub the resist off with my rubber cement lifter.  I made this process a little more difficult, because I forgot to remove it for four days - when you should do it within the first day for easy removal.  Ah - such is life!  I am constantly distracted by my real life - and left this one sitting for a few days before pulling it back out today!  Luckily, it was my fabulous 300lb Arches paper, and I was still able to remove the resist.  I may not have been so fortunate with the 140lb.  Totally playing with color - I have stroked on compliments next to one another - to add that extra "pop".  This painting makes 619 in 619 days, and is Day 9 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Electric Sunflowers

Electric Sunflowers
Watercolor on paper on board, 6x4
Purchase Information

Yesterday, I spent so much time priming panels for oils and for watercolors.  For the watercolor ones, I first brushed Golden's gel medium on the panel.  Wetting the paper and just letting the shine come off, I then laid that paper over the panel - pressing to assure no air was trapped.  One by one, I stacked these with plastic wrap between them, and weighted them down with Michael's heavy metal poker case!  This morning, I removed them and all were completely dry.  Now, I am experimenting with the paints on this surface.  The first thing I notice is that the surface stays wetter, longer - probably because the back is sealed.  I have more time to drop different colors into the wet areas before they dry.  The paper wet with paint, did not start lifting even the slightest bit from the panel beneath - good adhesion.  I will let this painting dry a day or two, then spray with Krylon gloss Conserve.  Afterwards, I will top it off with the Golden gel medium.  This should give it a waterproof surface that will not need framing under glass.  Experimenting is SO fun!!  Painting number 618 in 618 days and Day 9 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Marceline First Nat'l Bank

Marceline First Nat'l Bank
Oil on panel, 8x10
OPA Paint-Out - Purchase Information

This little bank building in the corner instantly grabbed my attention as I walked down Kansas Avenue.  After scouting all the way down to the park and back, I set up across the street in the shade.  With only 45 minutes until turn-in, I had this brush painted, but had to go in afterwards and do the knife work.  I started late, as I was participating in the Wine Stroll and visiting.  Everyone in this town is so friendly!  There was a wonderful reception afterwards for the artists - so appreciated after a full 8:00am to 7:00pm painting day!  When I later talked to my parents to tell them where I had been painting, my dad had a story for me about this very bank.  He and Grandma Slaughter had gone to the train station to sell a bunch of pigs when he was four years old.  Grandma was payed in silver dollars - and she couldn't carry all of them in her apron.  So, my dad had to carry his own load of silver dollars, holding up the bottom of his shirt to contain them!  He and Grandma walked all the way down Kansas Avenue to this little bank to deposit them!  Isn't this a marvelous story and isn't it something that I felt led to paint this very spot instead of all the other shops in town?  It was certainly fun to walk the streets where my grandparents, great-grandparents, and great aunts and uncles had so many years ago, and really rewarding to paint a few of the local icons.  This little town of 2400 people is also the birthplace of Walt Disney, and this street is called "Main Street, USA".  So nice when these little slices of Americana are preserved for future generations.  This painting makes 617 in as many days and Day 8 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Marceline Coal Shute

Marceline Coal Shute
Oil on panel, 11x14
OPA Paint-Out
Purchase Information

on location

Both of my dad's parents grew up in Marceline, Missouri.  With family ties to this place, when I received the info about an upcoming OPA paint-out here - I knew I must attend!  I have been to this place a few times as a child, and once or twice as an adult - but never as an artist before yesterday.  With new eyes, I saw the beauty of Marceline - and longed to capture as much as I could in a single day.  This coal shute is one of about three left in existence along the Sante Fe Railroad.  I have never seen a structure like this, and have only painted a grain elevator once - so I really wanted to paint this while I could!  This very large cement structure has not been in use since the replacement of the steam engine - and yet it remains.  The cement structure now homes many pigeons - who came streaming from it's windows at intervals en masse, only to return again and roost.  I pulled my palette knife out to play with this one!  After a detailed sketch done in pastel, I underpainted this with my oils and brushes.  Once complete, I just thought it lacked excitement, so - I reached for the knife.  Right away, the magic started to flow off it's tip - even using some interesting color choices for a little "pop"!  Its funny how I get away from using such a valuable tool - as if I forget all about it, just to find it again like an old friend.  I felt a bit like a child playing with a new toy today - and used this knife for all three of my oil paintings in Marceline!  Day 7 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge and my 615th painting in as many days.

Dreaming of Iris

Dreaming of Iris
Acrylic on panel, 11x14
sold

I have been all day painting in Marceline, Missouri - and am just now arriving home.  I was able to finish 3 paintings - but did not get images of any yet!  I will get them tomorrow, and get ahead of the game.  These iris were painted from the wonderful gardens at the Overland Park Arboretum.  Choosing acrylic for this one, they are glorious in bloom - if only the blooms lasted longer!  It is so late, and my bed is calling me - so this will be a shorter post than normal!  Painting number 614 in as many days - and Day 6 of the 30 Day painting challenge!

Delphiniums

Delphiniums
Watercolor on paper, 4x6

Years ago, I had the most beautiful delphiniums, until they did not survive a particularly harsh winter.  While in Door County, Wisconsin - these beauties were in full and glorious bloom in Fish Creek.  I have never tried to paint them - and they are a bit complicated!  The leaves are deeply cut and the abundant delicate blooms run up and down the many stalks.  This is painted on the 100% rag paper, which soaked up some of the pale blue tint of the drawing gum.  I do really like the texture of the paper, though.  I think I would like to try some rough paper - but I haven't found any in my supplies, yet!  This is the smallest size I have painted with watercolors so far - only 4x6 inches.  Would you believe I have painted all of these recent watercolors with one brush?  I had one other that I used once or twice in the beginning, but I found my single large round could make every mark I desired.  Now, after 70 paintings or so, this treasured brush is beginning to show a little wear - and I will have to go in search of other round watercolor brushes of like kind.  I had better do some research!  What is more important than brushes to the artist?  This is painting number 613 in as many days, and Day 5 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sailing Song

Sailing Song
Watercolor on paper, 9x6
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Luxuriating in this fabulous paper again today!  In a couple of days when this is completely dry, I am going to adhere it to a substrate with Golden's regular gel gloss (weighting it down with a heavy book for solid adhesion).  Then, I am going to very gently cover the surface with the same gel medium, up to three coats.  This should make a watercolor that can be framed without glass!  When I get that finished, I will post another photo of the completed process - no telling how it will change the way the painting looks visually!  Day 4 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge, and number 612 in 612 days :)

Two Sailboats

Two Sailboats
Watercolor on paper, 6x9
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Today, I am channeling summer by painting sailboats!  There is something so soothing about sailing on the water.  Even sitting beachside and watching these quiet boats glide atop the surface is relaxing.  Living in Missouri, I don't often have the opportunity to catch these vessels on the big water.  So, whenever I am near the water, I take countless reference photos to pull out on a day like today.  I bought some Arches 300lb rough watercolor paper yesterday - and I LOVE it!!  The weight is so substantial - and the texture is delicious!  I think I have found my new favorite paper!  I took this photo with the light to the side, so you can see the tooth in this fabulous paper.  Painting on it is a dream, blotting off a few clouds with a paper towel was almost effortless, and the color mingled and spread in super cool ways!  It is a pricey paper, of course.  I don't know why I do that, but if something grabs my attention - it is almost always an expensive choice.  But - so worth it!!  I also bought a new watercolor brush - a Raphail size 14 round, and I painted almost the entire painting with that one brush.  It is full and holds a lot of paint, but narrows down to a tiny point for the tiny line work - just as a good watercolor brush should!  This painting is Day 3 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge, and my 611th painting in 611 days.

Missouri Sunflowers

Missouri Sunflowers
Oil on panel, 12x9
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This month, I will be participating in the Sunflower Festival in DeSoto, Kansas.  The kick-off is a plein air event at the Kill Creek Farm - which is full of history and sunflowers!  Growing up in Kansas, this is the official state flower - and a challenge to capture!  Today, I am using oils - and pushing the color a bit.  The "cads" are having their way with this piece - it is full of cad yellow light, lemon, medium yellow, orange, red and green!  All cads!  The only one that is not a cad in this painting - prussian blue.  This colorful painting is Day 2 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge and my 610th painting in 610 days.

Sunset Sailing

Sunset Sailing
Watercolor on paper, 6x9
sold

I have been thinking of other surfaces to use for my watercolors.  Doing a little research has turned up clayboard texture, yupo, watercolor canvas (which does not appeal to me at all since I don't like the canvas weave), and using absorbent grounds on all kinds of surfaces.  Of all of these, I think I am going to pick up a jar of Golden absorbent ground and try it on my birch panels.  When the painting is finished, I should be able to seal it with an acrylic UV sealer - and frame it without glass.  You can also paint with watercolors on Golden's fiber paste - and since I have some of this, I am going to try it, too.  These other options are not like paper, but have their own kind flow - and I won't know if I like them until I try them.  I will probably try all the options eventually, but what I am looking for now is an easy option to take with me to plein air events that does not require glass and matting.  My load will become so much heavier if I have to add glass to the mix!  So, in the coming days, I will be exploring these new techniques - and see what appeals to me the most.  On this painting, I have pushed the colors in the sunlit sky and water, and left many whites untouched.  I like the clean flow of color and the way the color spread in the wet sky.  Watercolor is always an adventure!  Remember the 30 Day Painting Challenge that started my daily painting in January of 2013?  Well, there is another one starting today for September, and this is Day 1, and painting number 609 in as many days.