The light was magical on the trail today. I've returned to a creek I love to paint in all seasons. The dry grasses popping through the snow add so much interest, more than a solid blanket of white. I am painting on canvas today, adhered to a panel, to fit a specific frame in an odd size, toned in a warm blue. Canvas is always a struggle when I love my masonite panels so well, but I didn't have the time to cut more before heading out. I also grabbed my usual palette today, wanting to paint fast with paints I am so used to. There is something I prefer about Winsor and Newton's ultramarine blue, and Utrecht's, that I have been missing in this snowy landscape. I will switch again tomorrow and see if I still feel the same..... Painting number 2133 in 2133 days.
I draw and paint so much, I never know what I'll find in my various sketch bags! This was an ink drawing done on location, with watercolor added later, while visiting with my parents. There is much to be said for keeping paint supplies at the ready! Painting number 2132 in 2132 days.
I love the quiet of painting in the snow. A bright sun, calm wind, and only the music of a few birds are my companions today. The time moves so quickly when I'm painting, and for the second day I nearly run out of sunlight before finishing. I think I must start sooner tomorrow, and let this art therapy time soak into my bones. Painting number 2131 in 2131 days.
Today I am exploring the subtle color shifts in an overcast, snowy landscape. I'm using my Richeson oils, and all four of the new browns I ordered. They are asphaltum, Van Dyke brown, burnt umber cool and raw umber, and so far today, my favorite is burnt umber cool. Is it because it most closely represents what I see in the snowscape? Maybe. I also gravitate towards the umbers, so perhaps that is why. The Indian yellow is very strong, it takes the tiniest amount to tint my white for a little warmth. I hope to have several more days to paint this beautiful snow. Painting number 2130 in 2130 days.
With a blizzard howling outside, I'm inside painting my "Santa tree" tonight. I've collected many Santa ornaments over the years, many gifts from my parents. I have a tree just for these ornaments, which is set up in our family room (or Front Room, as it's been called for generations). It was so nice to have the children home from college this week, and thanks to them the house is ready for Christmas. I miss them already and am counting the days until they return for their winter break. Tomorrow, I'm painting snow! Painting number 2129 in 2129 days.
Oh what a day! This was a "family fun day", which is code for a family work day - all hands on deck! With temps in the 60s, the guys were working on the truck, camero, and the Cadillac, while Michaela and Cooper helped move some molds to the shed. We then hung the house lights, switching to Edison lights this year for a more vintage feel. Dinner out and a little sketching fills out the day. We are now ready for the snow - hope I can paint some tomorrow! Painting number 2128 in 2128 days.
The holidays are upon us, and it is wonderful to have the kids home from college. Today, they brought in the tree, pulled the ornaments down from the attic, and did most of the decorating for Christmas. They do not know what a help this is, I would never have done so much without them. In fact, the idea of tossing a few ornaments on the banana tree and calling it good, was floating around in my mind. Thankful for such wonderful children tonight. Painting number 2127 in 2127 days.
With the gym closed this morning, I got a painting in early. I love the morning light, and I am exploring my new Richeson oils again today. The late autumn colors have me reaching for King's Blue and Golden Ochre as key players. I ordered 4 different browns (which is crazy town) and I used each one here. Asphaltum pushes toward warm red, Van Dyle brown is very like burnt umber, the burnt umber cool is true, and raw umber is deep greenish.....at least these are my first impressions in the morning landscape. I received a round Gray Matters brush as a gift from Richeson, and I find myself going to it again and again. I NEVER use rounds with my oils, almost always flats, angled or brights, and yet I like this round. It is firm enough to keep a point, and lays down a good mark with straight paint. I use no solvent or mediums, so my brushes must be able to work that paint. I'm going to have fun settling in with these new supplies! Painting number 2126 in 2126 days.
There are so many cool things to paint at the Belton train yard! This caboose is pretty weathered, which only increases it's interest to me. I have sketched out my lines with the Monteverde Monza fountain pen and then filled the color in with my WatercolorConfections half pan sets. This little ATC sized painting will soon be available at the Belton Art Gallery. Painting number 2125 in 2125 days.
The Tri County Art League met today at a wonderful new meeting room at City Center in Raymore. With plenty of room to work, each artist made 2 or 3 art cards to exchange and mail out to inactive members for the holidays. Using a few of my recent Ohio photos, I painted from my phone using ink and then watercolor. What a great way to start the holidays, creating something for others! Painting number 2124 in 2124 days.
I came home to a large box of Richeson art supplies - which I won a gift certificate for at two different plein air events! The first was awarded in Fairfield, and the second was for an Award of Distinction in Still life, in Parkville. Along with my oils, Richeson threw in gray matters brushes and palette papers, brush soap, medium, and three different toned hard board panels! Wowza! I am very picky about my painting surfaces, but I must say I liked the gray one I painted on today. I like how well it shows my brush work, the paint seems to absorb less than on my prepared panels. The paints are rich and creamy, and I really liked the color of their golden ochre - especially for this time of year. I have dedicated a palette just for their paints - can't wait to use them again tomorrow. Painting number 2123 in 2123 days.
I run past a lot of corn fields in northern Ohio, and the texture and colors are rich in the drizzle of this day. Autumn seems to have fled now, leaving plenty of earthy browns in her wake. I think I'll embrace these rich colors as winter approaches. Painting number 2122 in 2122 days.
Knowing I wouldn't get the chance tomorrow, I went for a run on the North Coast Inland Trail after lunch. This trail follows an old railroad line that passes town, golf course and rolling farms. This farmhouse is just past Sugar Creek, and the first farm I pass on my run out of town. I sketch and paint quickly, because that misty drizzle is no companion to ink or watercolor! I then tuck my painting in my pocket and get back to my run. Painting number 2121 in 2121 days.
Rarely do I get to paint snow while autumn leaves are on the tree, but today is such a day. Painting across Portage River Road, this is the view from my window each morning. For the third day, I am painting with a very limited palette. I have become spoiled these last years, with so many choices on my palette, so I felt a little constricted with only the primaries. But, there are some really great things about using only a few colors. Color harmony is effortless. Mixing is very important to painting, and few choices mean everything must be mixed - and I do this on the panel. I've never been one to premix anything, ever. I still wish I had that cool red, because getting those cool violets is difficult when my red is vermilion! The snow is melting faster than I can paint it! Painting number 2120 in 2120 days.
The freezing rain started early this morning, glazing all the surfaces. When it turned to a lovely snowfall, I waited as long as possible for it to accumulate before painting. With a couple of distractions, I had to rush to finish before dark. I don't have my favorite palettes here, so I have improvised with a flat plastic container, loading my very limited oils on it. Oh how I'm missing my favorite white and alizarin crimson! Challenges are good lessons, so I forge ahead. My dad loved this river, it is my honor to commit it to oils this day. Painting number 2119 in 2119 days.
With only a small window available for running and painting today, I hit the North Coast Inland Trail as soon as we arrived home. Running is such therapy, as if I am running away from all those things I don't wish to think about, and one by one they are left in the dust behind me. The hard and fast run is the best for this, and when I wear out, it is time for a quick paint. Today, however, I ran extra miles and could only pick up leaves on my way back, to paint after our appointments. So, here I am, studying leaves with pen and ink, and longing for my dad. Painting number 2118 in 2118 days.
This is one of the ink drawings done on site, and tucked in my bag to add color to at a later date. These little works gave me focus during a difficult time, allowing me a little relief before returning to the real world. The tiny palettes of the Watercolor Confections pack anywhere, a pocket or a bag, so I am never without paint. I've grown so used to them, they are now like old friends. Painting number 2117 in 2117 days.
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