Blooming Hydrangea

Blooming Hydrangea
Oil on wood panel, 6x4 - purchase here

Today finds me longing to paint the hydrangea.  Their large blooms are showy - and SO paintable!  With the overcast day, their colors are subdued, more peaceful in their setting.  As this is another very busy day, I have chosen a small wood panel - only 6x4 inches in size.  With palette knife in hand, and start laying in that paint quickly. with the side of the blade.  As I near completion, I then use only the tip of this small pie shaped knife to lay in those individual petals with thick, juicy strokes.  One or two strokes at a time, and then I reload with fresh paint.  Otherwise, the top layer mixes with the bottom layer, creating a mushy mess that is not worthy of those beautiful blooms!  Painting number 912 in 912 days.

Wooded Lake in Palette Knife

Wooded Lake in Palette Knife
Oil on wood panel, 10x8
purchase here

Another day of palette knife fun! This time, I am tackling a wooded lake scene, and using several different knives.  An elongated one, the trowel shaped end, and a rounded paddle head - all metal ones tonight - breaking with my favorite plastic knife!  And guess what, I didn't hate them!  In fact, I actually liked them.  It was super fun to push and pull that paint, using different strokes to make different marks.  My fav of these three was the paddle shaped knife. It was wonderful for blending large areas, especially when blending one color up against another.  Looking forward to more experimenting with ALL of my knives!  Painting number 911 in 911 days :)

Palette Knife Sailing

Palette Knife Sailing
Oil on wood panel, palette knife, 4x6
purchase here

Yesterday’s watercolor left me want to apply thick, juicy oils with a palette knife!  So, today, that is exactly where I head!  Working small, as I am squeezing in this painting time between yard work and a bridal shower for my niece, I start on a 4x6 panel.  First applying a thin layer of color with my knife, I then skim that surface with thicker paint.  I really like the way the colors mixed in the sky with the knife - I am going to have to try more of this!  New on the palette today - Gamblin's radiant turquoise.  It is the very opaque light turquoise paint that is lightly stroked into the sky and water reflections.  For that very sunlit yellow color - I have used Gamblin's radiant yellow as well as lemon cad yellow.  These little pops of color add sparkle to the sunset.  It is SO fun to completely paint this using the knife - it is a great exercise for improving palette knife skills! There is so much to how pulling the knife in different ways will make different marks on the panel. I think perhaps the trickiest parts were pulling the paint on either side of the sails, and the sails themselves. I love coming back to the palette knife in this way. Maybe I'll continue in this strain for a few days....This is painting number 910 in 910 days.

Sunflower Study

Sunflower Study
Watercolor on aquaboard, 6x6 - purchase here

Today, I am experimenting with Aquaboard - by Ampersand.  It is an archival paper mounted on what looks like masonite, which can be sealed and framed without glass.  The idea is great - who wants to fool with matting and glass, if its not necessary.  The flow is different of the pigment within areas I first wet with my brush.  Is it because the paper is thinner?  I do LOVE the 300lb coldpressed paper.  I did not mask with this one either, as another baseball tournament game is soon, and there is no time to wait for “drying” today!  I’m on the fence with this surface......in fact, it makes me long for my oils and a palette knife!  Perhaps, I’ll get crazy with that knife tomorrow :) Painting number 909 in 909 days.

Summer Lake

Summer Lake
Watercolor on 140lb cold pressed paper, 7x5
purchase here

I have always loved bodies of water, the ripple of streams, crashing of waves, and even the gentle lapping at the bank of a pond.  So soothing and peaceful, these are delightful places to paint.  I’ve been very short of time lately, so I have reached for the watercolors.  I can capture the essence of a place very quickly by working wet into wet on my paper.  In fact, I never build up my layers.  I only paint the first layer, so I must be sure to drop in that strong pigment and let it mingle as it will.  This is the 908th painting in 908 days.

Rising Clouds

Rising Clouds
Oil on wood panel, 10x8
purchase here

The most amazing cloud shows have been appearing at every turn!  On the way home from Michael’s guitar lesson - this magic spread out before me.  As we neared home, the clouds grew closer and more beautiful - just in time for me to paint them! Painting number 907 in 907 days.

June Sailing

June Sailing
Oil on wood panel, 6x4
purchase here

After plein air painting at Lake Quivira, sailboats have been on my mind.  I have been longing to capture the beauty of the silently sailing vessels as they skim the water - and today I have (right in the middle of a hectic day). These scenes recall the peace and relaxation of simply being one with nature, if only for a little while.  I tried a similar seascape in watercolors last night, but found it lacking.  So today, I picked up my oils - and got the look I was after. This is certainly my art therapy for the day!  Painting number 906 in 906 days.

Clouds Over Springfield

Clouds Over Springfield
Watercolor on paper, 7x5
purchase here

I have never painted a cloudscape in watercolors before.  I started to think about it as I painted yesterday's cloudscape in oils - how the colors would flow. Playing with my edges, I paint right up to the clouds for hard lines, and a quick stroke with a wet brush softens others.  This is one of the glorious cloud formations of this last weekend in Springfield - when I was driving to a game, and couldn't just set up my easel and paint!  Painting number 905 in 905 days.

Path to Golden Clouds

Path to Golden Clouds
Oil on wood, 6x4 - purchase here

With the storms of the last week - the sky has been full of dramatic clouds!  Several times, I have been caught driving while this beauty unfolded before me!  Thank goodness my youngest son was in the car to take the reference photos for me!  For some reason, he likes to me "on time" to baseball games and guitar lessons - instead of allowing me to pull off the road and paint!!  Sometimes, it is SO hard to be a responsible mom!  Painting number 904 in 904 days........I wonder how this skyscape would unfold in watercolor?  Hmmmmmm - it may be the next thing I paint :)

Morning Farm in Rogersville

Morning Farm in Rogersville
Watercolor on 140lb paper block, 10x7
purchase here

This morning's baseball game was back in Rogersville, Missouri - and the early light was warm and wonderful!  This farm is just north of yesterday's painting - both come right up to the ball fields.  So pastoral and peaceful, these farms are a step back in time.  I have gotten this one painted in a tiny window of time before the game. Watercolors truly are a quick go-to medium when time is short.  I had to lay it in the trunk wet - and get back to the festivities!  Painting number 903 in 903 days.  Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there :)

Rogersville Farm

Rogersville Farm
Watercolor on paper, 10x7
purchase here

I have never been to Rogersville before, and that was the location of our first two baseball tournament games today!  Facing one way was the ball field, and right behind me was this little slice of heaven!  In between games, I was able to sketch this out - and could hardly resist pulling out my paints to get started!  None of these parents know that I am an artist, and certainly the locals would think I was crazy - so, I waited until I got back to the hotel before laying down those paints.  Still so fresh in my mind - I was finished in minutes.  One the next hill over, another glorious farm awaits my paints - complete with cows!  Still too wet to sign - this painting makes 902 in 902 days.

Hollyhock Garden

Hollyhock Garden
Pastel over watercolor on paper, 7x10

We had a wonderful workshop today hosted by our Tri-County Art League.  Cathy Kline shared her technique of pastels over watercolor.  I used 140lb cold pressed watercolor block, and first marked out the whites with a white crayon - for sparkle later.  Next, I used the drawing gun as a resist, applying this with a plastic palette knife.  I started with my darks, then worked into the various colors of the garden with my watercolors.  Most of these were painted in transparent colors.  Once dry, I removed the drawing gum and painted the highlights in.  After this was dry, I popped in a little pastel color - dry, right over the top.  It gives a wonderful dimension to the painting, especially because it visually sits on top.  This was so fun playing with my mediums in a different way!  I think I'll be taking these with me out of town - fast, compact, and fun!  I do love to experiment!  Painting number 901 in 901 days :)

at the workshop...

Wine Party Poppies

Wine Party Poppies
Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 20x16
purchase here

Today is our 32nd wedding anniversary - it seems like just yesterday!  Where does the time go?  In a couple weeks, I will be teaching a Wine and Paint Party for my sorority - and this is the example for that event. Acrylics work best for this kind of event - drying quickly, and they allow glazing as needed.  I have chosen a composition that will be easy to follow with a glass of wine in one hand, brush in the other! The papery petals can be painted easily with large brush strokes. These wine and paint parties are SO fun - I can hardly wait!  This painting makes 900 in 900 days!  Wowza!

Peonies in Red

Peonies in Red
Oil on wood panel, 6x4
purchase here

The second painting of my late night rendezvous with my easel, these glorious red peonies pop up in my garden every year.  The very first start came from a neighbor's yard, a hidden treasure we surfaced when working on her flower beds.  I knew it was a peony - yet it hadn't bloomed in that spot as long as she had lived there.  The delicate light center is a surprise with petals so rich in color, and these late bloomers are the last of my peonies to bloom.  I'm using smaller brushes on this small painting, and using them to add texture and direction to the loose strokes.  Taking out my palette knife, I add that thick highlight paint for that final pop.  I am no longer looking for a small palette knife, I have learned how to make my large ones work.  I simply stay up on the tip of them when applying that paint!  Painting number 899 in 899 days, and I really feel like staying up all night to paint!  But alas, my mornings start very early :)

Hydrangea in White

Hydrangea in White
Oil wood panel, 6x4
purchase here

I had put in a full day - painting classes, the gym, running Michael to weights and baseball practice, followed by plenty of housework and reorganizing.  I was already ahead by a painting, so I didn't really need to paint today.  As everyone was going to bed, I had the desire to paint!  Ideas floated around in my head, and I knew I would never be able to get to sleep without putting them to panel! So, I painted two.  There is something so still and quiet about working at night.  I can really listen to my inner voice when nothing else competes for that attention.  These large, white hydrangeas are popping out all over town - and they are my focus for today.  Ohhhh - I am loving the sweep and flow of them, as they drift so softly in the breeze.  Painting number 898 in as many days.

Late Afternoon Light

Late Afternoon Light
Oil on wood panel, 6x4
sold

Today, I am capturing glorious color in the sky with my oils on a small wood panel.  I like to simply block in the color masses thickly with my brush to start.  I am just marking off lights and darks, and prominent colors - and I'm not blending at all during the block in process.  Once the painting reads like the sky before me, I then look at those edges.  I blend where the edges appear soft, and add thicker color where the edges should be hard - often times with my palette knife.  Near the end, I make sure the sky colors reflect on the ground below.  Painting number 897 in 897 days :)

Cloud Dance

Cloud Dance
Oil on wood panel, 4x6
sold

This day started with one of Michael's baseball tournament games, followed by various other errands, and it has taken me all day to get to my easel.  Once there, this beautiful skyscape greeted me from the balcony, and the rain was quickly headed my way. With thunder in the distance, I painted quickly.  Using first my brush and finishing with my knife - this was executed in possibly 30 minutes.  The values are key, when they are right - all else falls together.  The clouds were moving very fast - in fact, the rain moved in before I could even take a photo with the dramatic cloud show in the background.  Painting number 896 in 896 days :)

on location

Among the Persimmons

Among the Persimmons
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Vineyard Hill, Augusta, Missouri - purchase here

Vineyard Hill is a wonderful place to paint - with a rambling creek, lake, high hill and vineyards and barns to paint!  It is a painter's paradise with so many choices, and the hosts are second to none! We were treated to bakery goodies upon arriving, and later, a large pot of chili for lunch! An artist can really get spoiled around here - it truly ruins us for ALL other plein air events!  With so many friendly people, why would I ever paint anywhere else?  So many wonderful memories!  This is painting number 895 in 895 days.

Seven Sisters

Seven Sisters
Oil on wood panel, 4x6
purchase here

I thought this would be my first day all week with an uninterrupted painting window in the middle of the day.  I though Michael had no extra activities, I could attend both Zumba and Rip It Up classes, leaving 5 unfilled hours in the middle of the day before the baseball game tonight.  Nope!  As I was leaving the gym, Michael calls with a surprise Robotics meeting.  So, I pick him up from his sister's, run him home for a quick shower, and off we go to Robotics.  After catching up with my parents on the phone, I get ready to paint, and surprise - Michael already needs to be picked up!  I couldn't get to the easel until 4:00 - so, it is a quick and small paint of the roses, and I must post quickly and head off to the cages before the game.  Just another day in this artist's life - and painting number 894 in 894 days.

on location - with Beau, my giant puppy!

Night on Main Street

Night on Main Street
Oil on wood panel, 9x12

The nocturne paint out in Washington, Missouri was one to remember!  It had been a long day beginning with a 10:00 paint out at Montelle Winery which ended at 3:30.  Rain had started down in sheets shortly after noon, and had me ducking for cover with my easel.  The next paint out on the schedule was the sunset paint in Washington.  I have been wanting to work on my street scenes and buildings, so I chose to stay in town instead of going down to the river.  It was only lightly raining, but I set up under an awning on Main Street, where only the blowing wind would carry the rain to me.  I believe the turn in time was 8:00.  Then, right back to the street to choose a wonderful nocturne scene.  By this time, those wet winds had turned cold.  Several of us packed in tightly under the cover of a wide doorway, and started our paintings.  It was fun to capture the light before me by the lamplight streaming from the shop windows behind me.  Half way through, my main light source switched off - leaving me to guess as to the hues I was applying.  Painting on the streets of an historic district at night is like an erie step back in time.  This was the latest turn in time ever - midnight!  I wish I would have remembered to take location shots for this one and the sunset paint, but I did not.  I think I finally got to bed by 1:45.  Thank goodness we didn't have to show up to the next paint out until 11:00 the next day!  Painting number 893 in 893 days.  Just another crazy day in the life of an artist :)

Morning Light on the Lawn

Morning Light on the Lawn
Oil on wood panel, 10x8

The early morning light was SO beautiful, I simply could not resist running outside to capture it! Setting up in the side yard, the long shadows stretching across the lawn is my focus.  I only had an hour before taking Michael to baseball practice, so I had to work fast!  Already the light was changing in the first 10 minutes, so I brushed on the yellow highlights - the most important color of the scene.  Next, I moved to the darkest shadows.  I then worked from back to front, until the surface was covered.  I love this kind of light - I may just be getting out this early every day! This is painting number 894 in 894 days :)

A Dream of White Peonies

A Dream of White Peonies
Oil on wood panel, 16x12
Overland Park Arboretum - Stems
purchase here

On the first few days of the Stems plein air event, the peonies by Margaret's Pond were absolutely gorgeous!  The white beauties called my name - and of course, I had to paint them!  Using a larger wood panel - 16x12, it was a joy to pull out my larger brushes for bigger strokes.  The loose, impressionistic brushwork followed the motion of the petals in the wind, and the misty day set them off.  I have really enjoyed painting these gorgeous flowers this year - I've had nearly a month from the first bloom in Augusta to the last in Overland Park!  Painting number 892 in 892 days.  Now for a little framing, I've got artwork to turn in!

Sculpted Peonies in Pink

Sculpted Peonies in Pink
Acrylic over molding paste on wood panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum - Stems
sold

Each day is an experiment when painting.  When using this method, I first sketch out my composition with a pastel stick.  Next, I am working at sculpting the petals more accurately with my palette knife.  The use of the knife definitely becomes easier with use, I rarely have to think about the strokes necessary anymore.  Following this, the paste must dry before the next layer - which takes so long with this wet, rainy weather!  I bet it has taken twice as long to dry as normal!  I paint in with acrylics, unsure of whether or not to proceed with oils.  I have decided to leave it as is.........and I really like something about the white paste on the toned background, too.  I may do one of these in only two tones........there is something timeless about it, almost "cameo" like.  This painting makes 891 in 891 days.

In the Hydrangea Garden

In the Hydrangea Garden
Oil on wood panel, 14x11
Lake Quivira Paint Out
purchase here

This lovely garden scene is near the front door of the Lake Quivira clubhouse.  The day was heating up, and there was only one little patch of shade for me to set up my easel, to capture the composition that I wanted.  These are the first blooming hydrangea that I have seen - so of course, I had to paint them!  Painting number 890 in 890 days :)

Magic in the Garden

Magic in the Garden
Oil on wood panel, 14x11
Deanna Rose Farmstead - Stems
purchase here

Tonight was bittersweet as some grade school classmates and I came together to celebrate the life of a truly talented friend, taken too soon from this world.  Kenny Davis touched so many lives.  I am posting late, and this one is from this morning's sunrise quick paint from the Deanna Rose Farmstead. The one hour lightening delay threw off my schedule for the whole day, but I came away with a painting that truly expresses the way I felt in this garden. This painting is number 889 in 889 days.  Life is short, each day is a gift.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Magic on the Cutting Table

Magic on the Cutting Table
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Craig Sole Designs, Shawnee Mission, Kansas - Stems
purchase here

Craig's floral shop is FULL of treasures!  Every view is a painting, and there were many things drawing me in - but THIS view grabbed me and didn't let me go!  So picturesque was the composition of chair, table, awning and all of those pots and buckets of greenery!  I set up in a tight spot, and painted in the shade - with an ice cold glass of lemonade served to me while I worked!  Ahhhh - life should be like this every day!  Painting number 888 in 888 days :)

Pink Rose Trio

Pink Rose Trio
Oil on unstretched canvas, 6x4
purchase here

I squeezed this painting in between the gym and taking Michael to his guitar lesson, along with umpteen other chores.  Fully intending to get to Overland Park to paint, it simply did not happen. Arriving home, we found Mike had gotten the truck stuck in the back field - where it was so wet, we were sinking down as we walked.  Four hours later, he is finally out of the mud, and I am not going to make it out to paint again tonight.  Thank goodness, I had gotten this one in when I did! Painting number 887 in 887 days.

The Poetry of Poppies

The Poetry of Poppies
Acrylic over molding paste on wood panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum - Stems - purchase here

I have struggled a bit with these poppies by the lake.  I've had them sitting on an easel - trying to decide if they were finished -or not!  The sketch was easy, the application of acrylic molding paste went smoothly, but then I am faced with just how to layer on the acrylics.  I am now so accustomed to my oils, that returning to the acrylics is daunting!  So, I begin slowly - glazing in the layers, beginning with the darks.  As I work, it becomes more fun, and eventually I am no longer thinking about the method - only about the color. These beauties were near the lake, but I was tempted to darken the background.......yet, I restrain myself!  Painting number 886 in 886 days.

in progress - it is here that I see how nicely a dark background would work.......

Winding Wolf Creek

Winding Wolf Creek
Oil on wood panel, 18x14
Overland Park Arboretum - Stems
purchase here

I have been painting so many flowers lately, that today finds me returning to the wooded landscape. At the back of the arboretum, on the Western Trail, a narrow muddy walkway led to this view.  It is a long hike back here - but totally worth it!  The mosquitoes were out in full force - but this time, I was prepared.  Not only did I spray liberally with my natural spray, I attached an Off! clip-on to my pocket.  It is the first time I've had to use it, and it worked great!  They swarmed around me as I first arrived, but within 30 seconds they had moved along.  I kept it on as long as I painted - and I will be sure to keep it in my bag!  Painting number 885 in 885 days.

on location

Rose Study in White

Rose Study in White
Oil on unstretched canvas, 4x6
purchase here

Another overcast day - heavy on the clouds, but no rain - thank goodness!  After teaching a couple of classes, shipping out a painting, and the countless house chores of maintaining a household - I have jumped out to the garden for a quick rose study.  I am really concentrating on the structure of the foliage and petals of the various blooms as they come into their glory.  They can easily become too complicated, so I am striving for some simplicity!  I have started on a white canvas with a stroke of molding paste over it (to take down the tooth a bit).  Next comes the pastel sketch, and then paint application begins.  On this one, I started with the background, cutting in around the rose.  Then, the darks, followed by the whites.  The palette knife was last with just a few strokes of thick highlight for a little pop on this otherwise subtle painting.  This one makes painting number 884 in 884 days.

on location