Rozelle Court Balcony

The Monday Morning Watercolorists chose this place for our sketch venue today.  Originally, if didn't think I could squeeze it in, but it was in a direct line with Parkville, so how could I pass it by?  This is 30 minutes of sketch time with watercolor pencils, which I have a love- hate relationship with!  I love the Italian architecture of this court, and hope to do a few more when I have more time. I need quite a bit is Kansas City work for upcoming events, so this was a great scouting opportunity, too!  Painting number 3343 in 3343 days. 

Autumn at Laurel Brook Farm

Its an honor to get to paint a special memory for a family!  The Laurel Brook Farm in Weston is a lovely place for an unforgettable wedding. Ablaze in autumn color, this beautiful old barn is such a cool place to paint.  The side is lit with hanging lights, perfect for the celebration.  And that turquoise truck - so awesome!  What a joy to be a part of something so special!  Painting number 3341 in 3341 days. 

Snow at the Milk Barn

Oh how I wish this lovely snow would last!  With so little snowfall, I must paint it while I can, so I'm outside making the most of my painting time!  I love this moody sky, the colors saturate so well in this atmosphere.  The red has faded from those old walls, but I am pushing them, increasing the chroma and value.  I love the quiet of painting on such a day, there are only a few birds chirping as I work.  Love this painting day.  Painting number 3340 in 3340 days. 

Winter Milk Barn

There was a lovely dusting of snow that fell lightly all day.  I spent most of the day working on some large gallery work, with an eye always on the window, checking light and color.  As a briefly heavy snow lifted, I layered up to go out.  It hovered  around 20 degrees, so I ran first.  This will keep me warm for an hour and a half!  I'm using oil today, the best choice at this temperature.  This is a rework of an earlier painting, in the same light.  So it was the perfect time to bring this to completion.  Feels so good to paint in the stillness of a snowfall. Painting number 3339 in 3339 days. 

Red Moon Cactus

This little Moon Cactus is on my clipboard tonight.  I love the bright and cheerful round moons on top of these cacti, and the red is my favorite.  Tonight, a special artist friend is being remembered across the state,  and I sure wish I could be there.  A kind and gentle soul, he had a winning way with people and with watercolor.  I can't believe he's gone, there will never be another Richard Dutton.  So, tonight, my little ink and watercolor is my art therapy at day's end.  Painting number 3338 in 3338 days. 

Granvia Gold

I spent today at my daughter's house, watching little Casper while she worked and went to a couple of appointments.  We had so much fun!!  We played outside for hours, picking up leaves and sticks.  He would climb into my lap so we could look up at the trees for the little woodpecker that kept chirping at us.  We tweeted back to the bird, and he jumped from branch to branch.  Every toy garden tool was used on the tiny strip of snow remaining, and he put every one back in the toolbox when done.  After a day full of baby snuggles and games, I arrive home to paint sunny blooms in ink and watercolor.  I am painting 3x3 inch tonight - to match my tiny painting window!  So glad to get it in after such a busy, wonderful day. Painting number 3337 in 3337 days.

Home through the Snow

I do love a bright, sunny winter's day - even when it means all that beauty melting away.  If only the snow would last longer, there are so many other paintings I could paint!  I am using my 7x5 thumb box today, mainly because my painting window is small.  The weekends are full of family activities, so there is seldom time for large paintings.  I sketch out my scene with paint, filling in once I have the house and horizon positioned.  I know this place well, and still, I never tire of painting here.  Painting number 3336 in 3336 days. 

Snow Path

It was so nice to see the sun out bright today - but oh that snow is melting!  Today, I painted to the sound of, "drip, drip, drip", and it made me paint faster!   It is a joy to paint on such a sunny day, even if it was still a bit cold in the wind.  I've used my oils today, so perfect they are to add texture to the painting.  I think I always choose oils when painting in the snow.  I wonder what would happen if I tried it in watercolor?  I should do that before all the snow melts!  Painting number 3335 in 3335 days. 

Snow at East Creek

I love the twists and turns of East Creek, blanketed with yesterday's heavy snow.  Often the surface of the water freezes over, and the movement below will start melting tiny rivulets in dark shades.  It can be a challenge to capture all the moods of this frozen water, from shiny to opaque, dark to reflecting, and it often changes as I paint!  So, I lay in those darkest masses first, then the lightest, and proceed to the midtones from there.  Long ago, I would sketch each one in ink before starting.  I've be at it so long now, I can arrive at the place and already know what I want to paint.  Love the winter beauty of this place.  Painting number 3334 in 3334 days. 

Blue Barn in the Snow

We had the most beautiful heavy snow this morning that lasted most of the day.  Large fluffy snowflakes blew in hard as I sat inside my warm, cozy home, watching the beauty from my windows.  The birds were crowding all the feeders and were so fun to watch!  The boys were working from home today so it really felt like a weekend day, and my classes were canceled at the gym.  Once the snow let up, I revisited an earlier painting to improve it in the same weather.  The light is better now, but I think I may adjust the snow lead in.  We mowed wider this year, and I think I'll revisit this again tomorrow.  Painting number 3333 in 3333 days. 

TWA Museum

 

LOVED touring and sketching the TWA Museum at the downtown airport in Kansas City today with my watercolorist friends!  My dad used to keep his plane at this airport when they still lived in Overland Park.  Mom went, too, and it was fun for her to be down there again.  Lots of good memories of their plane and flying over the river down there.  The museum is really interesting, and I can't believe I didn't know this place was here.  I will definitely be bringing some family members down here, there's so much to see.  Love finding these hidden gems all around me!  Painting number 3332 in 3332 days!  ❤🎨

Pinks!

I have always loved the fragrance of pinks!  My mom grew a light pink lavender shade of these in her garden in Overland Park when I was young.  I can clearly remember the silver green shade of the foliage as it shone in the full sunlight of our south facing entry way. They grew right beside the walk, cheerful and small, and smelling of carnations.  Isn't it remarkable how the sight and smell of these blooms take me back to my childhood.  Flowers made such an impression on me at a very young age, and I still can't get enough of them today. I bought these beauties for my mom's new home for Valentine's Day this year.  Something new to bring back memories of old. Painting number 3331 in 3331 days. 

Lindtt Chocolates

It is lovely to have an unscheduled day!  In fact, that is what I miss about the covid lockdown.  I watched the sunrise on the porch with a hot cup of tea, and shipped paintings at my leisure shortly after.  Ran a few errands, spent a little time shopping, dropped valentine pinks off at my mom's, and arrived home with plenty of time to cook a special dinner and dessert.  As I wait on the oven, I get a quick sketch done to commemorate the day.  Happy Valentine's Day to all!  Painting number 3330 in 3330 days. 

Sunset on the Pond

It renews me daily to spend a little time outdoors with paint, especially this time of day.  I try to spend time outdoors at sunrise and sunset, running some energy or of Beau or simply enjoying the beauty as we walk.  Once in a while, I'll paint.  I should do it more often, just a quick impression as those fleeting colors fade.  As I closed up and turned around, the most beautiful twilight scene unfolded at the top of the hill.  A nearly full moon has risen high above our farmhouse in the hill, with the darkening blue violet sky descending.  Lovely.  I will have to paint that another time.  Painting number 3329 in 3329 days. 

Brushes

This day started with the memorial service of a dear artist friend's father, a local watercolorist icon and generous soul.  The whole family then gathered here this afternoon, for the first time since Christmas, silly covid.  Now the house is quiet, Mike and Michael out helping Cooper with a desk, all is clean, so I come to my easel.  I'm so thankful for these days spent together, sharing joy and sadness with those I love.  Life is made up of so many little moments.  Playing peak-a-boo with little Quinn, walking Casper as we kick the little soccer ball outside, holding Layne as his clear blue eyes stare so deeply into mine, Nolan setting timers on my watch - counting down to "hug time", and little Gus packing a car full of his pups as we played with the train set.  Food, fun, laughter, and many voices filling the house as Alastair seeks a quiet place and Alan plays on his computer in the midst of it all.  The older kids play a new board game in the kitchen as Mom pets the dogs filing over for attention.  Trav's new puppy is scared of it all, but she'll soon come around.  Life is short, and as I cherish every moment, I pick up my favorite TWSBI Diamond fountain pen and start to draw.  Ink and paper are old friends, and so together, we draw one of my jars of countless brushes.  Drawing feels like wrapping myself in a warm blanket, which suits me perfectly tonight.  Painting number 3328 in 3328 days. 

Night at Stiefel Theatre

 

This theater is a jewel at night, lit so beautifully as the sun goes down!  I was on the opposite street,  drawing this building in ink right before it got dark.  By the time I had taken a photo and packed my ink and watercolor great, the lights came on!  I knew at once that I would not be leaving this location - not with that beautiful illumination happening before me!  So, I started with my oils with good street lights to make the job easy.  Love getting to paint such cool, historic places!  Painting number 3327 in 3327 days. 

Sunset on Cedars

I enjoy spending a little time outside at sunrise and sunset.  I love sharing the moment with gratitude and wonder for another beautiful creation in the sky.  Often, I watch with a mug of hot tea, or pause during a sunset walk with Beau to savor the moment.  Once in a while, I'll go out and paint it. I should do it more, plan for it, make time for it.  Perhaps I should make that a goal this year?  There is something so peaceful about it all.  Painting number 3326 in 3326 days. 

Watson Theatre Building

I love drawing this historic Watson Theatre Building (also known as Stiefel Theatre) in downtown Salina.  The architecture is so cool in this town - and there is an amazing arts culture here, too.  Across from this theater is the cinema that I posted yesterday.   Museums dot the streets as well as shops and eateries.  Just a couple of blocks away, art classes are held in the Art Center Wharehouse, with creative kids and adults engaging in art.  It's a wonderful place to paint and I'm so happy to have a small part in it all.  Painting number 3325 in 3325 days, and I'm happy this ink drawing sold at the Gala! 

Art Center Cinema

I never quite know what I've got until I look at a nocturne painting again in the morning, in daylight!  I paint where I can find a good street light to illuminate both palette and panel, preferably a white soda light.  Many are yellow or pinkish, and they do influence the painting. All artificial light adds it's own cast to the colors, so I'm not sure what I've got until I get it out of the car in the morning!  This one is a nice surprise!  I often lean to the bold, vibrant colors for nocturnes - probably because of the low light. I don't like the clip on lights, they are too distracting.  I like to immerse myself in the scene, as a part of the scene, while I paint.  I find the truest expression of the place this way.  This painting went to the highest bidder at the Salina Art Center Gala.  So happy I could commemorate 25 years of the Art Center Cinema with this humble painting.  Painting number 3324 in 3324 days. 

Snow on the Trail

As I painted here on the cedar trail, the temperature climbed into the 50's!  The birds were singing, and often, geese call to each other as they for over. The peace and tranquility wrap around me like a blanket, and this place seeps into my soul, and into my painting. The clear blue sky was the perfect backdrop for this winter beauty. I'm so fortunate the snow hasn't melted yet!  Painting number 3323 in 3323 days. 

Stiefel Theatre Inked

What a treat to have an extra day to paint in Salina!  The architecture of this Watson Theatre Building is more complicated than I thought it would be at first glance.  Though it is a chilly, windy day, it feels warm in the sun as I sketch the lines of this building.  As I work on this busy downtown street, there is a constant stream of people filing into the Little Italy restaurant for dine in and take out.  The wonderful aroma coming from that kitchen drove me crazy!  I'm working on this as I wait for the sun to go down - I want to do a nocturne or two while I'm here on this street.  Painting number 3322 in 3322 days. This ink drawing is now showing at the Salina Art Center Gallery on Santa Fe, Salina, Kansas. 

Night at the Gala

What fun to paint the Salina Art Center Gala tonight!!  Everything and everyone glittered in their glam for this Academy Awards themed gala!  Show tunes played on the piano during cocktails as the crowd walked the red carpet.  I set up a little early to paint the event, so I would also have time to dine. Catered by Yaya's - the food was absolutely delicious!   I would come back to the table for a course,  then go paint before the next course arrived.  It worked out perfectly, with the painting finished at the end of the auction.  What a lovely event, people and venue!  I'm so lucky to live this artist's life!  And, this painting went home with the highest bidder!  Painting number 3321 in 3321 days. 

Santa Fe and Walnut

What a cool, historic theater this is!  I remembered it from last year, as the Gala ended it was illuminated at night.  Fitting the theme of this year's Oscar Gala, I am painting this building several ways today and tomorrow.  So excited to get to paint here again - everyone is so friendly.  The Italian restaurant beside me sure smelled heavenly, too!  Painting number 3320 in 3320 days. 

Melting Ice on the Creek

 Waiting until the clearing afternoon sky opened up, I was rewarded with lovely color in the winter landscape. An additional couple of inches topped yesterday's snow, leaving a beautiful blanket of snow.  A little creek melt added drama, and I chose a vertical format to push that a little.  I don't think I've ever come at this creek from this vantage, and it was fun to meet the challenge.  Perhaps I need a little more warm highlight on that snow on the sunlight?  I'll look again with fresh eyes in the morning!  Painting number 3319 in 3319 days. 

Last Light at Snow Creek

It seems I am always trying to cram as much into each day as I possibly can.  The problem with this is that I often run short of daylight when I finally get to paint - especially on these short winter days!  Afternoon is the warmest part of the day, and after 4pm is the best light, normally.  I had three totally different light situations to choose from today as the snow moved in and out. So glad I captured that last warm light.  It was very cold today, so all layers were needed, I even pulled out my battery operated socks - but didn't have time to figure them out. I think I need to charge them first?  I will definitely use them tomorrow, because it is even getting colder!   Painting number 3318 in 3318 days, and this painting also has a secret - another painting underneath it!  

Lantern

Tonight finds me getting a quick pen and ink drawing in as the sleet hits the porch.  It has been one of those days where I was too busy to sit down,  and I just had to get this in before I did!  Using a favorite fountain pen, I get my lines done before adding water with a brushpen.  This old lantern is a perfect subject for the timeless nature of pen and ink.  Looks like my photo could have been a bit clearer.  So hard to tell at night or there - even with the Edison lights  The sleet is really heavy and that wind is whipping around the house.  It should start turning to shnow before midnight, so maybe I'll have a winter wonderland by morning!  Love that snow is coming!  Painting number 3317 in 3317 days.