Union Station Ornament

 

Wishing you all a Happy New Year full of family and friends on this last day of 2022!  This year has been full of blessings, and I'm thankful for each and every one.  We've been celebrating Christmas for days with my brother and his boys in town, with all our other family.  I'm looking forward to 2023 and all it's trimmings, and finding new ways to explore the world around me in paint!  Painting number 4139 in 4139 days. 

Serendipity at Home

Diamine's Serendipity ink is on my pen today!  I just HAD to take a break and get out there on such a gorgeous day!  I am taking a few liberties with my landscape, using my Artistic License with this rich blue ink.  It makes a lovely nocturne color, and I'm remembering the snow of just two days ago.  They never last long enough, and if I can't have snow to paint, a December day in the 60s will totally compensate!  Painting number 4138 in 4138 days. 

Suburban Christmas

 

Here is one more holiday painting from Suburban Lawn and Garden to celebrate the season. I love how welcoming this local nursery is to artists, greeting us with snacks and pizza for lunch!  With all the lovely Christmas decor, it was hard to focus on just one subject!  We've had a wonderful day with family, followed by a game of Spades, and now it is time for this artist to rest and recharge.  Painting number 4136 in 4136 days. 

Ghost Creek

 

Diamine's Ghost ink is perfect for the snow covered landscape!  A lovely blue gray that bleeds toward pink in the wet areas.  Those pops of turquoise are the reaction to a little bleach applied with a brush. I don't know what would happen if I flicked some in - maybe a snow effect?  I have so much exploring to do with these inks - and it seems my time is always short!  This ink is the day 6 selection of their Inkvent Calendar - and another wonderful one!  Painting number 4135 in 4135 days. 

Appletini Cedars

 

What a vibrant green ink this is!  I love Diamine's day 11 ink - Appletini - and it IS the same color as the drink, lol!  #diamineinkventcalendar This yellow green will be a wonderful ink to add to my spring palette for those fresh spring greens!  I was going for a dark earthy green, thinking this would deepen when applied heavily, to match a cedars hue more closely. But alas, this is not the ink for that, but a truly fresh spring color that lightens beautifully in the wet areas.  I did not take bleach to this one, so don't know how it will react.  Painting number 4134 in 4134 days. 

Silent Night Hay Bales

 

It is so nice to get a few moments to capture the snow after gathering with family!  With warming temps, the snow won't last long. I'm using a couple of brushes along with my glass dip pen to play with these new colors, after sketching in the scene with an India ink pen  I Love this etch blue ink - Silent Night by Diamine  - day 19 of their Inkvent Calendar!  It shifts with water, but I didn't check for a bleach reaction - I'll have to do that on a warmer day!  Painting number 4133 in 4133 days. 

Barn Pick-me-up

A VERY fast sketch today using another Diamine Inkvent Calendar ink - Pick Me Up!!  This lovely warm brown for a very cold day, is day 15 on their calendar!  It pushes towards the red in such cool blue winter shadow! The blue in the sky is actual from residue left on my tape - I left it since the effect was lovely - but I did not get that from this one ink.  Nice chroma and I love how it moves with water!  By the time I to this photo, my fingers were stinging from the cold and I had to hit the button on my phone with my nose!  No additional video because I was too cold to take my gloves off to do it!  Painting number 4131 in 4131 days 

Alpine Landscape

Love how this new ink from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar captures this cold, snowy day!  There is much chroma in this ink, which really shows it's color on wet areas. The turquoise pops are the reaction to a little bleach, which is lovely!  This ink is day 7 in the calendar - though I've worked much farther than that.  I'll eventually get them all posted, then post them all together at some point.  Seriously, I need so many more hours in every day!  Painting number 4130 in 4130 days. 

Crown Center Wreath

This giant wreath adorns the front entrance into Halls Crown Center, facing the Mayor's Christmas tree which you can see poking out the top, behind the wreath!  This wreath is also a Kansas City icon, with couples and families taking their holiday photos in front of it.  The days are ticking by and Christmas is nearly here.  We have snow and blizzard like winds expected tonight - so I hope to be painting snow tomorrow - maybe from inside looking out - if it really hits -40 windchills!! Painting number 4129 in 4129 days. 

Nichols and Broadway Lights

I loved getting one more trip to the Country Club Plaza in today - and got a free hot Matcha Latte, too! Finishing up some shopping on 47th Street, the Kansas City Store handed me a free drink bookmark when I checked out at the register!  So, I turned around and got it to go, enjoying it on the street.  This place is bustling so close to Christmas, and it's great to see everyone out enjoying the Plaza!  Painting number 4128 in 4128 days. 

Ornaments!

 

It is so fun to paint these giant ornaments while children's choirs filter in and out to sing!  Sitting with Mom at a table, sipping hot tea from Sheridan's, it was a very cushy morning for a quick sketch!  I remember coming here to sing while still at school, to sing Christmas carols.  It brings back fond memories of youth and friends.  These ornaments seem to have been here as long as i can remember, so I'm capturing them in paint!  Love the holidays at Crown Center!  Painting number 4127 in 4127 days. 

Nichols and Broadway Lights

I LOVE shopping AND painting the historic Country Club Plaza along Nichols during the holidays!  The Christmas lights switch on shortly after 5:00, and the wet streets lend themselves well to reflections.  The beauty down here is timeless, and 90 years of Christmas lights is something to be celebrated!  I only wish I had many more days available to paint it's beauty!  With a wintry mix expected Monday - I find myself wondering how gorgeous it would be down here with a blanket of snow on...... and the wheels start turning. Painting number 4125 in 4125 days. 

Window Santa at Crown Center

I LOVE spending time shopping AND painting at Crown Center during the holidays!  The window scene at Occasions is a little slice of Christmas heaven - so, of course, I HAD to paint it!  With ink I sketched the scene, and then took my watercolors to it.  As I worked, the lovely voices of a children's choir wafted up from the main entrance.  Christmas magic is in the air here at Crown Center!  Painting number 4124 in 4124 days. 

Lights on Broadway

 

I LOVE capturing the magic on the Country Club Plaza during the holidays!  This place is iconic in Kansas City, and a must visit spot each Christmas season.  I loved painting the Lighting Ceremony, and have returned here several times since to paint the lights on that wonderful architecture!  I'm lucky to have grown up locally, and have many fond memories of the place. I'm so happy to return to paint the beauty again and again.  I am truly living this artist's dream.  Painting number 4123 in 4123 days. 

Magic at Union Station

 

I couldn't resist painting this iconic scene for the Holiday Reflections Quick Paint last night!  Union Station is one of my favorite places to paint during the holidays, and it is a joy to bring my oils for this. The nocturne lighting is rich in here, and the reflections of the floor are magnificent.  Love that generations of my family have walked this grand hall, and so happy to get to paint it again and again.  I am so honored this painting was chosen from so many beautiful pieces as the winner, and I can't wait to paint here again.  It is truly Christmas when one spends time down here!  Painting number 4122 in 4122 days. 

Cardinal Santa

What fun to open a new door of my Inkvent Calendar to find a special surprise each day!  This vibrant red ink is Cardinal by Diamine, and is extra amazing!  It is truly a knock-out red, one that commands attention.  It washes well with water, and bleaches right back to white (the white dots in the background).  I can't wait to see what else it can do!  Painting number 4121 in 4121 days. 

Nutcracker Drummers

Meeting at Crown Center with Mom and artist friends, I couldn't resist these three nutcrackers in the window of the Occasions shop!  With ink I sketched them, and filled them in with watercolor.  Mom browsed the shops while I finished, then we joined the others to share our work before heading to Spin Pizza for lunch.  Love spending the day at Crown Center!  Painting number 4120 in 4120 days. 

Solar Storm Cedar

Solar Storm is the Day 3 ink in the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2022, and it is a beauty!  It's rich, dark bluish violet color is a perfect night sky hue!  Pooling the ink allows it to get very dark, and the application of water shows it's true chroma.  The pale, almost peachy light tree trunk color is the result of a little bleach brushed in - just to see what it would do.  I think it might be pretty cool to flick some into that night sky - leaving the impression of falling snow.  I'll try that with the next really dark ink in this calendar.  Painting number 4119 in 4119 days. 

Dusted Truffle Creek

 

Wow!  This Dusted Truffle ink is luxurious! I LOVE all the chroma in this single ink by Diamine! Day 11 of the #diamineinkventcalendar, this brown reveals jewel tones as it spreads into wet areas as warm and cool hues mingle together.  This is such a great brown ink - it has moved right up to my favorites list!  What a wonderful way to finish a day filled with friends and family and robots! Painting number 4118 in 4118 days. 

Yule Log Landscape

This rich brown Yule Log ink from Diamine's Inkvent Calendar is amazing!  All of this chroma comes from that one ink with a little hero from water. The thin pair line towards the horizon is bleach, applied gently, to see what reaction I would get. I love the serendipity of it all!  Painting number 4117 in 4117 days. 

Westin Christmas Tree

 

I LOVE painting the Christmas tree at Crown Center Westin hotel!  It is the only tree in town with an indoor garden and waterfall behind it - which serenaded me as I worked!  Many families come to this tree for Christmas photos, too, and it's fun to see them gathering.  With ink I first sketch out the scene, then I follow with watercolor.  I've started carrying a few fountain pens with colored ink - to add a little spark at the end.  I think I like the added depth - and each ink moves with water, too, so the possibilities are endless!  Painting number 4116 in 4116 days.

Spruce

I LOVE this luscious green!  Chromatic and shimmery, it pushes towards turquoise with a little bleach and water!  This is the Day 4 ink of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2022, and a standout green.  With all my recent holiday painting, I haven't posted the others yet.  Perhaps I'll have to do several at a time to catch up!  I'm working on watercolor paper - 140lb cold pressed which is never use for watercolor, but it works well for me methods with fountain pen ink.  The glass dip pen is a must for these daily inks, because I don't want to fill a fountain pen for an untried ink.  Once I know I love it - well that's another story!  Painting number 4115 in 4115 days. 

O Christmas Tree

The morning light was stunning on the Union Station Christmas tree - golden and warm as it streamed in through the massive windows.  I sketched this one first with India ink, then laid down watercolors as usual.  Today, I brought 4 additional fountain pens with me, loaded with the primaries and a green.  I next added little bits of ink work, followed by my water brush pen, then a little more fountain pen work.  I like the depth this achieves, and there is so much more to explore!  Painting number 4114 in 4114 days. 

Snowman Tree

 

I LOVE painting the Christmas magic at Suburban Lawn and Garden - almost as much as shopping here!  With such a lovely collection of Christmas items and tropicals - I always take home goodies after painting!  This place is so welcoming - providing the artists with drinks, snacks and lunch - and so many lovely things to paint!  I settled first on this Snowman themed tree, sketching in ink, then filling in with watercolor.  I have a few fountain pens with me loaded with colored ink, but only used them a little at the finish.  This paper really grabbed the color, too.  Each handmade paper is different, and in love exploring them all!  Painting number 4113 in 4113 days. 

Union Station ATC

This is my Day 2 ink of my Diamine Inkvent Calendar - Yule Log!  A rich, warm brown ink that lightens to a reddish tone with water.  I have a little water brush pen that I've filled with bleach, and when pulling it through this ink - it bleaches to a pale turquoise!  Today is our monthly Urban Sketchers KC meet up, and we're gathering at Crown Center.  So, I arrived early to walk the link over to Union Station, and try out this beautiful brown ink here!  Painting number 4112 in 4112 days. #diamineinkventcalendar 

Bliss

 

It's Diamine Inkvent Calendar time again and my Day 1 ink is Bliss - and just look at that beautiful chroma!  Choosing a glass dip pen in a matching color, I sketch my lines with the pen.  I then add ink along the top with a dropper, floating water along the edge with a wash brush.  I add more ink with the dropper, allowing it to mingle naturally.  I did use a little bleach, to see how it would react - but it only lightened, without added chroma.  It's a lovely color ink though, and i think it will may be really great to use in sunny skies.  Painting number 4411 in 4411 days.  #diamineinkventcalendar2022

Country Club Lighting Ceremony

 

What a fabulous experience to paint the Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony from this vantage!  From start to finish, it was such an amazing night!! The lights, music and merriment from the crowd was a delight to be a part of, and the acrobatics involved were really a hit!  I thought one girl would soon be sailing into the audience from the force of being swung around so fast!  Working larger - to fita 20x16 frame, I moved back and forth from inks to watercolor, once my composition was down.  I painted the light masses first, adding more color as I worked, pushing the darks pretty quickly.  It is important to establish that road map early, especially with so many wonderful distractions!  I delivered this painting today to the Country Club Plaza, and I can't wait to see the next chapter to this story!  Stay tuned!  Painting number 4410 in 4410 days. 

Union Station Magic

 

There is nothing like painting Union Station during the holidays.  Families visit for photos by the giant tree, as travelers arrive and leave by train, pausing to gaze at it's beauty.  Many breakfast and lunch here - us included - then attend the various exhibits or Science City.  While sipping hot tea, I visit with Mom and artist friends as I paint, and my painting unfolds effortlessly.  A girl from my pilates class stops by to say "hi", and we go about our day.  These little moments spent here in this grand place, are what life is made of.  I'm so lucky to get to do this every single day.  Painting number 4409 in 4409 days. 

Walkers

It is so fun to capture this sculpture in pen and ink.  There are SO many things to paint at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and I've been wanting to paint these walkers since I first saw them here.  The strong morning light is perfect for great shadows, and ink is my medium of choice for this.  The black and white defines the space so well, and there is no need for sky or foliage color on this one.  Kansas City is full of amazing places to paint - and I'm so lucky to get to paint here on a regular basis!  Painting number 4408 in 4408 days. 

Union Station Christmas

 

I LOVED painting the holiday magic at Union Station Kansas City today!  It is so fun to share this special place with my mom and artist friends, capturing the nostalgic decor.  Working on my Christmas cards designs, this giant tree is regal is this rich setting. With ink and watercolor, I sketch and paint, until the scene emerges.  It's fun to enjoy this place with a hot cup of tea and friends, visiting as we paint. It's a wonderful way to ring in the holidays, sharing lunch at the Harvey House afterwards.  I'm so thankful for artist friends to paint with and my Mom to shop and spend the day with!  Painting number 4407 in 4407 days. 

Lights on 47th St

 

I LOVE capturing the Christmas magic of the Country Club Plaza on 47th Street, in ink and watercolor.  I've long done nocturnes in oil, but have only started using my watercolors.  My intention was to start with watercolor and finish in gouache, but I've yet to use my gouache!  I even think it would be far easier to get the intensity I need with gouache, and yet I hesitate.  I'm so comfortable with my normal methods, I find myself leaning on them in the field, rather than jumping into something new.  I will make it a point to do so this week!  No reason to sit in my box when there are methods to explore!  Painting number 4406 in 4406 days. 

Hay Bales

I'm having a little fun with fountain pen ink today in the pasture - do you see who's on watch just behind the tall grass?  I wish he'd been standing there while I was painting - he would be the perfect addition to the scene!  I'm using Diamine fountain pen inks from last year's Inkvent Calendar, Candlelight, Winter Spice and Yuletide, with the tiniest bit of Wonderland added. This is a miniature paper - 4x3 roughly, 140lb cold pressed, and is well suited for this ink work.  The girls were out today and the little ones made ornaments, Mom stopped by and Michael had a friend over to work on a project, all as Mike was working on our septic tank, which decided to cave in!  So, this little sliver of time is my sanity break with the great outdoors!  I do miss all that fresh air when duties keep me inside.  Painting number 4405 in 4405 days. 

Nichols and Broadway

It was magical to walk down Nichols after the lighting ceremony, and only see pedestrians!  Normally bustling with cars - this is a once a year view on the Country Club Plaza.  We try to make a trip here every holiday season, but this is my first time to be right by the stage for all the festivities.  So magical, I wonder why we're not down here every year for the lighting!  This may just become a new tradition - and there are so many other places I want to paint!  Painting number 4404 in 4404 days. 

Lights on Broadway

 

Guess who's painting the Plaza Lighting Ceremony live tomorrow night?!!  I'm so excited and honored to be commissioned for this very special Kansas City tradition!  I have such fond memories of times spent with family, enjoying the Christmas lights on the Country Club Plaza, and now I'm going to capture the event live with paint!  I can hardly wait - losing sleep, even - already painting those paintings in my head!  I will be starting my Thanksgiving at the Gobble Trot 5K with my daughters, rushing home for our family gathering, then rushing off to the Plaza for an unforgettable night!  It's going to be an amazing day!  Painting number 4402 in 4402 days. 

Nelson-Atkins Shuttlecock

 

It was super fun to paint an iconic shuttlecock by the pool at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art!! Even better- I painted this while enjoying a hot Matcha Latte in their coffee shop!  Arriving early to meet artist friends here, I decided to paint this first thing!  I've enjoyed seeing these shuttlecocks on the lawn since I was a child - and it's high time I sketch them!  With ink and watercolor, I capture the scene.  I often self edit the scene as I work, not even conscious that I do it.  I left out an entire building on this - and didn't even realize it until I looked at this photo, lol.  Funny how differently my mind sees things sometimes!  Painting number 4401 in 4401 days. 

Rozelle Court

I love meeting artist friends on Mondays for a little sketch time and lunch!  Wanting to use my ink and watercolor, there are only a few places inside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to do so.  One of them is Rozelle Court, the terrace cafe where lunch is served, complete with the fountain.  I love the complicated architecture, with columns and arches to up the drama in this historic interior.  Added bonus - a delicious lunch is my reward!  Painting number 4400 in 4400 days.

Autumn Home

I love how those oaks hang on to their autumn color!  My grandma planted them all 5 decades ago, two giant pin oaks when my uncle went into the service, and the foreground live oak that she babied for years.  As children, we needed to be careful around it, and now it spreads and is glorious in it's growth.  I am again using Diamine fountain pen inks, Candlelight, Wonderland, Yuletide and Winter Spice.  That foreground green is Yuletide (turquoise) bleeding up into Candlelight. So cool. I wonder what else they can do! Today, I'm thankful for a glorious afternoon to paint after a 5K with the girls!  Painting number 4399 in 4399 days. 

Autumn Bales

 I LOVE exploring Diamine fountain pen inks in the pasture, and discovering just what they can do!  I am using 3 from the Inkvent 2021 calendar, Candlelight, Winter Spice, Stargazer Blue and a tiny bit of Wonderland.  These inks are so chromatic that most of the color variations happen as they bleed into the water already brushed on.  Blotting helps control the masses, and I did use a rigger for some application.  In the beginning, I used droppers only - leaving much to chance!  Every painting is a lesson - and this one certainly taught me a few things!  Looking forward to many more!  Painting number 4398 in 4398 days. 

Pumpkins in Fountain Pen Ink

Now that I'm home from so much plein air painting in the road - that creative bug keeps biting me!  There are many mediums I enjoy, though I mainly use a few on the road.  So, this is my chance to play and explore!  I've done a few of these in the field, but I feel like I need a lot more time to see what they can do.  This one is 5x7, but I think I'll do a bunch in a smaller size, focusing more on the mingling of color and controlling the values. I love dropping more ink into the wet areas - they move and spread at will. I hope to get a lot of painting time in this fall!  Painting number 4397 in 4397 days. 

Christmas Tree in Metal

 

Surprise! I'm working in copper tonight - and I LOVE how it bends to my will! When my plein air schedule winds down, it is lovely to pick up some old friends (neglected art supplies) and play a bit.  I will be making a few of these small copper artworks for Music Art Love in Sainte Genevieve, with a focus on the local icons.  This will be the first gallery to carry this work - and I can't wait to deliver it in March!  Spreading my wings in the is the very best part of not being on the road. Can't wait to see what all develops!  Artwork number 4396 in 4396 days. 

Family Tree Christmas

I can always count on the Family Tree Nursery to deliver Christmas cheer, right inside their doors!  So inspirational!  Meeting here with other artists, my Mom also joined us for a little Christmas shopping and a hot beverage!  Walking into a Christmas wonderland, I set right up to paint without scouting further.  With ink and watercolor, I sketched out this scene while holiday music wafted through the rooms.  I never decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving, but this place sure puts me in a mind to!  Painting number 4395 in 4395 days. 

First Snow on the Cedar

Today, I'm thankful for an early snow to paint - and I simply love painting our winter wonderland first thing in the morning! In fact, I skipped the gym to paint this alarmed by the dripping from my eves.  This gorgeous blanket of snow was destined to be short lived, with temperatures hovering above freezing, so I HAD to paint it while I could!  It was still snowing and rather dark when I started this painting, and only at the finish did the skies brighten up. I'm so glad I didn't wait to paint - this landscape was completely different just hours later.  Lovely gift to behold as I'm thinking ahead to Christmas cards!  Painting number 4394 in 4394 days 

Nutcracker Tree

I love painting the Christmas magic at Family Tree Nursery!  What a great way to kick off the holiday season - and how could I possibly resist the nutcracker tree?!!  With ink and watercolor I sketch out this lovely scene, as I listen to Christmas music wafting through the air.  Mom has joined me today, and is shopping with a Chai Latte in hand as I paint.  Though I don't deck the halls until after Thanksgiving, this place sure puts me in the Christmas mood!  What a lovely place to paint on a cold day - and they are so gracious to welcome us in to paint!  Painting number 4393 in 4393 days. 

Pumpkins ATC

Today, I am thankful for the pumpkins of fall - and the chance to get to paint them in between weekend family activities!  I am painting small at 3.5x2.5, ATC sized, with ink and watercolor on cotton handmade paper.  These quick sketches are perfect for a very busy day with no real painting window!  Painting number 4392 in 4392 days. 

505 E Washington

I'm so thankful to get to meet amazing people who welcome me so graciously into their homes for painting events.  Fairfield, Illinois is one of my favorite places to paint, and I've made so many friends here over the years!  With ink and watercolor, I sketch this sweet house in the heart of town.  I try to bring a special size paper and a special frame to leave for my hosts as a token of my appreciation.  Each host makes it possible for me to fully engage in painting while in town, allowing the magic to happen.  So many paintings wouldn't exist without them!  Painting number 4391 in 4391 days. 

Autumn Oaks Path

The oaks have really put on a show this year - despite the drought!  They were more orange-red than I can remember in the past, and the hues have only deepened.  I'm hoping to get a few more landscapes in before those leaves drop.  The 70s of yesterday have been replaced with 40s, so our long warm autumn has come to a close. It is the middle of November, after all! Painting number 4390 in 4390 days. 

Pumpkin and Gourds Batik

Watercolor Batik is such a rich and complex medium to work with.  Many layers, beginning with an initial ink drawing and watercolor in the field, grows into a painting that takes on a life of it's own.  With tender care and selection on the layers, something special emerges.  I'm looking forward to a deep dive here this winter.  Painting number 4389 in 4389 days. 

Lost Valley Lake Bridge

 

The warm autumn days are numbered, and today I'm thankful for another one!  Our temps are expected to drop as low as 20 by the weekend so I'm soaking in every minute before.  We've had such a lovely autumn, I want it to last forever.  So, I paint the beauty while it's still before me, and I'll embrace lovely winter when it comes.  Painting number 4388 in 4388 days. 

Red Oak Valley Bridge

Today, I'm thankful for the wonderful iron bridges I find, begging me to paint!  Exploring a new place is such an adventure for this artist! Around each bend is a new delight, something I've never laid eyes on before, drawing me in for a closer look.  I'm never as observant as when I'm painting, seeing every color shift, light and shadow as it unfolds live before my easel.  We have a conversation, the landscape and I, she whispers with the breeze and trickling water, as I answer with my brush.  These moments are sacred, and I'm the only one here to capture the beauty. Too soon the painting is done, and I pack up and climb out of this creek bed, possibly never to return.  I'm thankful for this day. Painting number 4387 in 4387 days. 

Autumn Creek

I simply adore painting the autumn color while standing in a creek bed in Gasconade County!  I set up on rock slabs that are most likely under water in other years, making it even more special to get this chance!  Our current drought has not dampened color, in fact I think it has pushed the oaks towards a redder hue. Fall color is so fleeting, I must paint it while I can, and what a treat to have such warm, beautiful days to do it!  I sure do love this time of year!  Painting number 4386 in 4386 days.