Three Llamas

It was so fun to gather with elementary school friends at the Kelso Family Farm tonight - and to spend a little time with their llamas, too!  I had been here years ago with my youngest daughter, to paint the livestock, and it was wonderful to return! My original thought was to paint the barn with the animals in the landscape, but as I approached, they were so close that I jumped right to painting their forms.  When they moved out of position, I painted the background landscape - until one moved back in.  Patience is key when painting animals, as well as close observation, in case you must finish from memory!  It was wonderful to catch up with my classmates after a quick paint with the llamas! A big thank you to Mike Kelso for hosting, feeding us, and sending us home with beef from his farm!  Painting number 4262 in 4262 days. 

Sainte Genevieve Catholic Church

Sainte Genevieve is one of my favorite places in Missouri to paint!  For years, my artist friends have suggested it to me - after learning of my love for old buildings, and I've enjoyed getting to know this town.  My first trip here was during Covid, purely by accident, it lined up with other gallery deliveries I had to make in 4 states.  I picked the coolest Bed and Breakfast in town, and I've stayed there 3 or 4 times already.  The Main Street Inn is fabulous in all ways, as is the whole town.  Here, I am finishing a larger painting of a small one I did on site, with a companion painting of only the steeple. I am exploring a new handmade paper here, a little thinner, with perhaps a thicker sizing?  Each paper is unique, and I unlock it's secrets as I work.  Every painting is a lesson, after all.  This will hang at the boutique gallery of Music Art Love in Sainte Genevieve beginning next Thursday!  Painting number 4261 in 4261 days. 

Trail at the Park

I love returning to a childhood haunt, and painting the walking trails of Shawnee Mission Park!  This park has grown so much in my lifetime - and the trails are everywhere!  This path is not far from shelter #11, by the still waters of a fishing cove, off the main lake.  So serene and peaceful, it was a joy to gather with artist friends and express ourselves!  Painting number 4260 in 4260 days. 

Shawnee Mission Lake

With much work on my plate, the thought of a two hour "oil painting break" was too enticing to resist, so I headed out to Shawnee Mission Park as soon as I could get away to meet my watercolor friends.  In a place such as this, I always bring my oils, longing for the rich, buttery textures only they can provide.  I've never been in this part of the park, near Shelter #11, where the water was still and reflective.  A double kayak came by, as did a paddle boarder, as a couple fished from bridge and bank.  It was such a peaceful two hours, I left this place renewed, and ready to jump back into my gallery work! Painting number 4259 in 4259 days.  

Butterflies!

It was so fun to sketch the many butterflies that gathered on this rocky beach along the Meramec River. There were many swallowtails, but there were also other varieties that joined to licker something from those rocks.  Mentoring a group of young artists, we were there for hours, as were the butterflies.  One girl even sketched a butterfly as it grazed along her other arm, staying until she finished!  I don't know why they gathered here, but it was a joy to capture the moment in pen and ink and watercolor.  Painting number 4258 in 4258 days. 

Mound Ridge Lodge

There's nothing like pen and ink for a quick sketch, especially when my subject is architecture!  This is the main entrance from the river, where long ago boats would bring the masses to this spot for rest and restoration.  This is my lodging for the weekend mentorship of high school students in the Steelville area.  I have a room in the right side, and love sketching this special place where I have shared wine and conversation with artist friends, getting to know them all a little better.  Love this historic lodge along the Meramec River, and hope to return for years to come!  Painting number 4257 in 4257 days. 

Summer in the Vineyard

This is the second largest ink and watercolor painting I've ever done, a companion piece to the one I posted yesterday.  This vineyard is just south of 94 hwy, between Church and Jackson streets in Augusta.  I love how the rows of grapevines lead back to the farmhouse and barns, with a couple of American flags hanging, too.  The vines are filling out, and beginning to drape, which I never see in April!  It is fun to paint this beautiful place, and even more fun to show it at Gallery Augusta!  Love painting those local Missouri vineyards!! Painting number 4256 in 4256 days, and this is another big one at 36x24!

Iconic Barns of Augusta

I just dropped off the largest ink and watercolor paintings I've ever done at Gallery Augusta!  I LOVE painting the local iconic barns, and these have been long time favorites of mine.  Ordering large pieces of this handmade paper, the whole process from sketch to finish took so much longer than I thought it would. Unwieldy at 36x24, I had a little trouble maneuvering the paper.  And at the onset, I knew my favorite travel paints were far too small for the thick, juicy brushes.  So, after years of neglect, I again turned to a few of my old favorite Daniel Smith watercolors, my old large palette, and an easel that could shift easily from upright to flat, depending on the need.  The project seemed laborious in process, but I was elated at the finish.  These historic buildings are so worth the extra effort, and am I actually looking forward to starting another large project?  Maybe!  This one now showing at Gallery Augusta, and is painting number 4255 in 4255 days. 

HS Clay House

I loved showing my mom Augusta for the very first time - and staying here at this Bed and Breakfast was a special treat!  She missed our original bridal party outing here, so I wanted her to get to experience it, too.  We had a lovely time here in this beautiful, historic place, visiting in this garden. Going out before breakfast, the early light was so appealing, I just had to paint.  Choosing ink and watercolor, the sketch came together quickly.  I was able to drop in a little color to suggest those floral masses, leaving the areas loose and lively.  I finished early, but not early enough to do another, so Mom and I went in to breakfast.  It was delicious, and it was fun to visit with our proprietor over common interests.  Who knew she was collector of plein air paintings?!  So happy this painting will remain at the HS Clay House, and happy to have made a new friend in Augusta! Painting number 4254 in 4254 days. 

Along Chamiere Farm Rd

Sometimes the rain chases me into the car with my ink and watercolor! LOVE finding an amazing old farm way down an old dirt road!  As the road narrowed down, becoming very muddy, I was happy to stop here to paint.  I never know when these old roads will diminish or end in a creek!  In and out of the car twice, finally the rain was too heavy to work outdoors.  Just another day en plein air!  So fun to paint this old farm in Steelville! Painting number 4253 in 4253 days! 

Garden at Liberty Park

Love getting to share my passion for plein air at the Liberty Park rose garden for this morning's plein air workshop.  Requested by the Sedalia Visual Art Association, I led the group in how I approach a plein air painting in oils.  It was fun to talk through my process, sharing tips along the way.  So happy to get to paint such a lovely place, with such lovely artists.  Painting number 4252 in 4252 days. 

Longview Impressions

After a little scouting upon completion of my first painting, i found this lovely view of one of the homes just south of the south barn.  I remember walking through it to go into that barn, loving the detail on the house.  What fun to paint these historic buildings on the Longview Farm, after so many years.  Ink and watercolor was the perfect medium for this place, allowing the water to flow over the tall grasses and wildflowers.  I hope to see these restored one day, and to paint them again in all their glory!  This painting has found a new home, and it was fun to talk to the new owners.    I'm always happy to get a mention from the judge, and love when multiple patrons want a single, humble painting.  Painting number 4251 in 4251 days. 

Longview Barns

I absolutely LOVE returning to the Longview Barns to paint with Summit Art, for a quick paint and party by the lake.  It's been at least 15 years since I've painted the historic Longview Farm, and not things have changed!  The old buildings that once I toured with other Summit Art artists are more boarded up, with new vintage style housing all around.  And still, they have such presence in the landscape.  When other artists were painting comfortably by the Pergola, I just HAD to go paint the barns, they were calling me.  As I finished this one, I framed it in the car and turned it in early, because I already had my eye on another scene, and didn't want to risk missing the deadline!  I'm happy to get a mention from the judge, and it was fun to visit with the new owners of this painting, too!  Painting number 4250 in 4250 days. 

Creek at Meramec Adventure Ranch

Several snakes (that looked like copperheads) circled in the water beneath the low bridge I was standing on, as I set up to paint!  I do see snakes from time to time, but they normally slither off as I make noise. These were aggravated that I was in their territory, but the scene was so delicious I could not walk away.  So, with one eye looking out for them, I began painting in this beautiful place, visiting with an artist friend as we worked.  It was a lovely morning to paint, and the snakes settled down as we quieted our motion.  Some stunning blue birds flitted in and out of the trees, but I couldn't quite identify them.  They were not bluebirds, blue jays or indigo buntings, it's amazing that I see different birds on this side of the state!  SO happy the snakes didn't join us on that bridge! Painting number 4249 in 4249 days, and this one may be showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, I just can't remember for sure, lol!

Standing on Church St

 I've been wanting to paint this since I first laid eyes on it when we checked in.  After a full day of painting, I simply had to get back out in the golden hour for a quick ink and watercolor!  Always with an eye to the sky, I find my subjects when the light is rich and dreamy, bringing out their best on my paper.  It was quiet on Church Street this time of day, with another artist also working and a few birds singing their evening songs. What a lovely end to the day!  Painting number 4247 in 4247 days, and this one is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! 

Along the Courtois

 I LOVE painting from the edge of the Courtois Creek - my very first time to paint this beauty! The color of the rock shines through the very clear water, making that water tricky to paint!  I study those colors, and place them where I see them on my panel.  Careful observation reveals many colors that I could never see from a photograph of the same place.  It's just another reason I love working in plein air so much.  The landscape around me seeps into my painting as I paint, it's just another part of the magic of the field.  Painting number 4246 in 4246 days, and now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! 

Clock Tower

I loved meeting friends to paint in old town Overland Park this morning!  Things are really changing near my childhood home as upscale apartments seem to be popping up everywhere.  I even had trouble recognizing the landscape and streets, they looked so different.  The old Overland Park Bank with the stagecoach on the lawn is now being updated and transformed.  Never a fan of progress, I was relieved to find this old scene pristine, without any high rise apartments looming in the background.  So fun to return here to paint, it sure brings back memories.  Painting number 4245 in 4245 days. 

Covered Bridge in Wesco

I had driven by this place a couple of years ago, and had even done a small ink sketch of it, but this was finally my chance to paint the whole scene!  I began in ink, unsure of whether to add watercolor or not. As I worked, the bright spring light pouring in convinced me to add the color!  I love these timeless little slices of Americana that dot the midwest - and I'm so happy to have painted this!  Painting number 4244 in 4244 days, and this painting now has a new home! 

Path to the Barn

It was so peaceful to paint along the dirt path to this Wesco barn.  Standing in the shade and painting to birdsong, the weather was perfect.  The painting seemed to unfold on it's own on this blissful summer day.  If only all painting days could be like this!  This is painting number 4243 in 4243 days, and is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri!  

Stables at Bass River Resort

What fun to paint the stables at Bass River Resort!  So many great things to paint here - and I won an award, too!  The horses were so active - they went from field to field, not spending much time in one spot.  So, I had to sketch them in loosely, then finish the job when they came back around.  There are even tiny chickens in this painting near the chicken coop - just a little eye candy for those who look closely!  Painting number 4242 in 4242 days. 

Along the River in Wesco

 

Wow!!  What a fabulous place to paint!  We spent this paint day at Wesco Weddings and Events, and it has everything to offer an artist.  I landed at this spot too late to paint for our daily awards, but was lucky to return to get this painted!  I love the color in the water here, it is so distinctive of the area, and a little tricky to capture.   As we painted, the owner came by to check on things.  Allowing us to paint until dark, they even brought us sandwiches on site - with condiments!  Wish I could paint here every day!  Painting number 4241 in 4241 days. 

Walnut Hill Farm

What an amazing day of painting at Walnut Hill Farm in Saint James!  Early morning thunderstorms cleared off in time to paint, and the weather was perfect! This farm has rolling hills dotted with cattle and walnut trees, and I view in every direction. I started this as soon as I arrived, loving the story it told of the farm, complete with a few timid visitors that I had to chase to sketch! So happy to paint the pastoral beauty and honored to win a red ribbon  for my effort!  Painting number 4240 in 4240 days. 

Golden Meadow

This morning's paint location was the Meramec Adventure Ranch - an equine therapy center.  This place is so big, I hardly got a chance to scout it.  My first paint was down at a creek leading to the lake.  The very next place I saw was the horses in this golden meadow, and I couldn't resist them! The  winding road was just icing on the cake.  Love getting to paint such a great place!  Painting number 4239 in 4239 days 

Wood Valley Junction

Each daily paintout in Steelville is a secret, announced just prior to the event.  I heard this place is a thousand acres, and I only made it to two different spots in here to paint.  This spot was brimming with train tracks, railroad crossing lights, wooden water tank and cool buildings, with a vintage feel to the whole place!  Raining when I started this, I tucked under the edge of a shed to get my panel covered before rain hit it.  When the rain let up, I'd shift back out, then in again as the rain returned.  I often hit my oil paintings with a light coat of varnish on finishing, but not today.  I think there was probably too much precipitation on top of the oils for that - so I'll wait until I'm sure it's dry.  So happy to win an award on this one, too!  Painting number 4238 in 4238 days. 

Stone Ruins

I loved getting to paint some of the stone ruins with students at Mound Ridge today.  After a several paints down by the Meramec River, it was refreshing to spend some time in here among some old stone structures.  I love getting to connect with others in the landscape, be they young or old.  We can all bond when studying the landscape, no matter what our favorite mediums are, it's all colors, shapes and values after all.  This first mentoring event with high school students in the Steelville area has really been a success - in SO many ways!  I hope to be a part of it for years to come.  I've really enjoyed my time here with them all!  Painting number 4237 in 4237 days. 

Meramec River from Mound Ridge

Oh my what a glorious day for painting the Meramec River in oils!!  After mentoring another group of wonderful young artists this morning in ink and watercolor, it was a "free paint" afternoon for my CO-instructor and I.  Oils were calling to me in this landscape, so I took them down to the river from the sprawling stone lodge.  The colors are so rich right now - truly a joy to capture the beauty with paint.  The bonus was getting to visit and hang out with everyone while painting - since we were all being painted by another artist as we worked!  So much fun to enjoy this space, immersed in paint! LOVE this gorgeous area!! Painting number 4236 in 4236 days. 

Lodge at Mound Ridge

What a great day to sketch at the Mound Ridge retreat with students as part of a new mentor program for the Steelville Arts Council.  Demonstrating some pen and ink on the lodge for our first paint of the weekend!  Can't wait to see what comes next - the students turned out some lovely work today!  Painting number 4235 in 4235 days 

Flags Flying on 1st Street

It was a rainy morning when I set up to paint. Looking for shelter, I tucked in close to the bank building, with a narrow awning to shelter me. I surprised the lady inside when she opened the blinds to see me right on the other side! I'm so glad I could catch the sun breaking free of a rainy day, creating a beautiful sky to paint in Keosauqua! Wet streets and a cool sky - what else could an artist ask for?  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 4234 in 4234 days.  ❤️

Silos in Farmington

I don't know what it is about these big silos along the tracks, but I LOVE finding and painting them!  When I first arrive in a small town, I look for these big guys, and they lead me to old train depots.  In fact, I was here to find the depot, but just couldn't resist painting this instead.  It was so peaceful here as I worked, enjoying the ambience of small town life.  I never did get to painting that depot, maybe next time I'm in this part of Iowa.  Painting number 4233 in 4233 days.