Morning Fisherman at Brooker Creek

 

Today, I'm painting the tropical foliage of Brooker Creek along the boardwalk.  The resident alligator was here to greet me when I arrived!  I've only painted here a couple of times, and never on this side of the trail.  The lovely cypress trees rising from the creek caught my attention immediately. I spent more time than usual on this painting, I was so relaxed as I stood in this peaceful place that I lost track of time.  The sound of sand hill cranes wafted through the preserve, and ibis and pileated woodpeckers flew in and out. The gator never moved as I worked, but was gone when I finished. Before I cleaned my brushes, a white ibis strolled through my scene, so I painted him in! This is a wonderful place to spend the day and I'm looking forward to one more day of paint time!  Painting number 5110 in 5110 days. 

Oasis Beach

Honeymoon Island is a favorite place to visit and paint when in the area.  The beautiful beach pavilions are still battered from October's hurricane, and taped off.  The lovely white beaches still shimmer and I found I could not resist painting this perfect pair at ocean's edge.  They stood there together on this beach and weathered a hurricane. And here they are, still standing strong on this pristine beach in the sun.  Quite a lesson for life this is.  Painting number 5109 in 5109 days. 

Lifeguard Shack at the Beach

 

Another day, another beach! I love what they've done with the lifeguard shack! The yellow and red really pop against the blue of ocean and sky.  I'm painting this one loosely, with quick marks and strokes.  Though I've painted the umbrellas in their natural blue, I have the strong desire to paint them red, orange or yellow at the very least.  Since that paint is thick, I'll let it dry a bit first.  Then, I'm totally boosting their impact!  Painting number 5108 in 5108 days. 

Sunset Beach Afternoon

 

White sand and sun - what a perfect February pairing!! The gulf coast beaches here are so very light that it bounces right back into my eyes as I paint.  I chose this side of the peninsula for a little protection from the wind blowing out of the north.  The cold side lighting is completely different, too. The water is a very dark steely blue, choppy with foam, and the north sky is cooler and more ultramarine.  Comfort and color landed me here, and I wish I could have stayed for another.  It could not be since Mom was ready to head back for a nap. Painting number 5107 in 5107 days. 

Florida Palms

Oh how delightful it is to sketch my brother's palm trees as I sit by the pool, drinking my morning tea! He has a very tropical lawnscape which is perfect for painting!  I'm running a few errands and doing a little shopping with Mom today while the boys are at work, so early sketching is important.  Mom lunches and naps on almost a schedule, which is also a great time for me to paint.  It seems I am always painting around someone else's schedule, lol. Painting number 5106 in 5106 days. 

Dunedin Causeway Sketch

The tide left behind tethered trails of debris on the white sand, and they called to me.  As I grabbed my watercolor gear, Mr Great Egret returned to my side to assist me.  This time, I sketched him in as he waded along the water.  I'm told they follow the fishermen.  It is truly surreal to have a 4 foot tall bird stand by me, cocking his head as I talk as if responding.  I am thankful for the many blessings in this day!  Painting number 5105 in 5105 days. 

Causeway Clouds

 

I found my way to the beach after a day spent at Starkey Park and Ranch with family.  I would have loved to paint there, but it didn't work out.  My family's schedule is often not my own.  When I grabbed my easel out of the car, I realized I was missing the part that holds my panel.  I retraced my steps along the beach, but high tide has totally changed it.  I charged ahead to my painting with only a little light left before sunset. With every brushstroke, the day's stress melted away.  Perhaps I'll find that part or maybe I'll buy some clamps. I have a spare at home, but that doesn't help me here.  Painting number 5104 in 5104 days. 

Dunedin Causeway

It was totally worth the drive through snow and ice to get to this beach and paint!!  Oh sweet Florida!!  That white bird to the right, behind my easel, was my constant companion this afternoon.  This beautiful Great Egret is in his greening, which is represented by a green patch above his eyes, signifying breeding season.  He walked right up to me and was very inquisitive about my gear. When I talked to him, he came closer.  I was just ready to take a selfie with him over my shoulder when my Mom called!  He stepped away a bit and the chance was lost.  He waded along the coast and fished for his dinner while I painted another two from this spot.  There is nothing as therapeutic as the beach for my soul!  Painting number 5103 in 5103 days. 

Casa Grande Sketch

From the top of the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park, I sketched this out in pen and ink while watching the little ones.  I decided to add color as the golden hour approached, and left the upper corner open for tales of the day. Journaling through a trip in a travel journal is great fun, and a good way to work out future paintings to come. This area is full of paintings - if only I could get to them all!  Painting number 5102 in 5102 days. 

Upper Hot Springs Trail

From the very top of the Upper Hot Springs Trail, I find my way to the edge of the cliff for this spectacular view of the landscape below.  Prominent is the Rio Grande flanked by the Chihuahuan Desert. Mexico is on the left and Texas is on the right, divided by shadow water easily crossed.  In fact, Mexicans cross daily on horseback to sell tamales and wares from Boquillas. They seem to pop over as soon as the Border Patrol drives away.  After the sketch, I reached for my oils to paint this is a slightly different composition. What an amazing perch from which to paint!  Painting number 5101 in 5101 days. 

Prickly Pear Cactus

I sketched this lovely prickly pear at the top of the Window Trail Loop as we played with Casper and Kirby. These beauties are abundant here, so I captured them with pen and ink on the aged pages of one of my favorite travel journals.  We enjoyed prickly pear shiners and prickly pear tacos that were amazing, too!  These come in shades of yellow green to purplish pink, and I can't wait to paint them in oil and watercolor, too!  Painting number 5100 in 5100 days.  

Santa Elena Canyon

 

Sketching Santa Elena Canyon in my travel journal while in Big Bend!  What an amazing place to capture in ink and watercolor.  The trail along the canyon climbs to this perch before hugging the wall and descending to the water quite a ways in.  Wild horses walked the bank before crossing the water, coming very close.  They are quite tame and walked towards me at the sound of my keys jingling. This is bear and cougar country, so I hook my keys on a belt loop when I'm hiking and painting.  I love putting these places into my travel journal. I've left room to write about the day's adventure on the left, and I'll fill that in when I get the chance.  Sketch first, write later is my Journaling motto.  Painting number 5099 in 5099 days. 

Lone Peak

This small mountain is such an odd collection of rocks, pushed up from the earth at an angle.  It caught my attention immediately, though it wasn't until a couple days later that I finally got to paint it.  My som-in-law-s mom remembers scrambling up that mountain with her siblings as the adults dined inside the lodge restaurant. It is lovely up here and I could literally paint in any direction in this basin, and paint a different mountain.  Though it's my first time to visit and paint here, I don't think it will be my last.  This place is magical.  Painting number 5098 in 5098 days. 

Boquillas Canyon

Boquillas Canyon was more beautiful than I'd hoped, and thrilling to paint!  I hiked in with the family and my gear, and set up here as soon as I set eyes on this scene.  My family hiked on and there were only 3 other's on the trail as I worked. Sensing the remoteness and a wish that I had packed what was currently with my husband, I quickened my pace.  The beauty though enthralling, I couldn't shake the feeling of being vulnerable oot there.  Minutes later, and authentic Mexican in horseback walked up behind me, asking if I'd like to buy tamales, empinadas or sopapillas. His two dogs flanked him as his very long knife hanging in a handmade leather case caught my attention. He asked if there were more people in the canyon, and of course I mentioned my family "just over there" and others who just went by.  He stood too close behind me, didn't talk enough, and I was packing up.  He asked if I was done, and I said yes, and that he'd make a great painting - so I took his photo, hoping it wouldn't be needed for evidence.  I walked quickly on and didn't breathe a sigh of relief until I met back up with my party.  As we left the canyon, we did but tamales and sopapillas from him, as he lurked behind some bushes with his horse.  He had crossed over from Boquilla with a friend who was also seeking goods from the little town. One can easily wade through the Rio Grande here, and they watch for the border patrol with their binoculars to cross. I could have painted 3 different paintings here I'd there were more people on the trail.  This one was truly a quick paint and  painting number 5097 in 5097 days. 

Bee Mountain

This beauty is right out our front window view in Terlingua, Texas.  It was the very first sketch I did on site, as the sun was setting.  After a bit of research, I found the name of this one is Bee Mountain.  It was so named because of the numerous bees that would build their hives in the crevices in the sides of this mountain until settlers eventually destroyed them in collecting the honey.  My daughter took a photo of three long horned goats on the side of it as they drove by!  It is so cool to see wildlife we never see in Missouri!  Painting number 5096 in 5096 days. 

Casa Grande in the Chisos Mountains

 

Casa Grande is such a prominent feature in the Chisos Mountain Basin, it simply BEGGED to be painted!  I first sketched this in pen and ink in my aged travel journal, then in ink and watercolor in a different journal and orientation. When I approached it with oil, this mountain felt like an old friend.  I'm really focusing on the glorious mountains - and each quick paint feels more natural. So much natural beauty, so little painting time...... This is painting number 5095 in 5095 days. 

Looking into Mexico

 

As we were hiking this trail, I just HAD to stop and paint here!  I'm standing in Texas and facing Mexico.  This is the Santa Eleno Canyon trailhead on the Rio Grande,  and it is absolutely breathtaking!  I need many more days to paint all is this rugged beauty!  Painting number 5094 in 5094 days. 

Santa Elena Trail Head

 

What an amazing day to paint in Santa Elana Canyon! The left side is Mexico and the right is Texas!!  I have never been here before today - and what a treat it was!  We hiked the trail along the canyon with Michaela, Cooper, Casper and Kirby, and i headed back early to paint here while the kids threw rocks into the water.  I'm painting as fast as I can in between family activities, to make the most of our time in this park!  Painting number 5097 in 5097 days. 

February Sunset

 

Sunset light is so fleeting - each one is a quick paint!  I'm having so much trouble with my cell connection that this will be a quick post, too!  Painting number 5096 in 5096 days. 

The Window Trail

My very first time to visit this part of Texas has me sketching near the visitor center at the Big Bend National Park, as we watch Kirby and Casper on the Window small loop trail.  Michaela and Cooper are in the longer trail as the little ones explore every rock and road runner!  Keeping them close is no small feat, so my sketch is brief in pen and ink.  I'll come back in with the adventures of this day - and they were many!  I would not have imagined it would be in the 90s when it's only in the 20s at home!  I do love going south in February!  Painting number 5095 in 5095 days.

Mahommes Magic

 

How can I resist creating the magic of our hometown boys in copper? GO CHIEFS!  I am looking forward to an amazing game tomorrow!  Artwork number 5094 in 5094 days. 

Another High Five

These hometown boys were super fun to paint in ink, watercolor and hot wax on rice paper! I am manifesting destiny with each painting and keeping the positive energy flowing!  I am using my thinnest paper for truly luminous result, which begins all of the challenges that come with that.  It is rice paper, after all, and it dissolves away with too much brush work.  I've gotten a few requests to teach a workshop on this, perhaps I'll get something on the schedule for just that.  Painting number 5093 in 5093 days. 

Running Kelce in Copper

 

Surprise!  Kelce in copper is on the "Chiefs Easel" today! It has been a while since I've picked up the metal supplies - and it is super fun!  I especially like that he is such a great guy - as are all of our hometown boys.  This is seriously a team all young kids can look up to, and I'm sending out positive vibes and kingdom love with each piece of art I create!  I hope we see plenty of this on Sunday!!  GO CHIEFS!  Artwork number 5092 on 5092 days. 

Mahommes and Kelce High 5

 

I'm working with ink, watercolor and hot wax again on a couple of our home town boys!  I have long been wanting to paint some of our Chiefs in watercolor batik, and this is the perfect week to do it!  The rice paper I am working on is so very fragile that I'm having a bit of trouble with it.  I'm using Qor red here - and it is absolutely perfect for this!  It didn't fade through the hot wax nor the ironing is said wax off, which is amazing!  The other paints are Daniel Smith since I'm working on the studio for this one.  His paints have been my favorite since I first picked up watercolor paint.  I'm lucky to have chosen his first, I probably saved myself lots of time and disappointment with inferior paints.  I've got a theme going, and I hope to keep it up to game time!  Painting number 5091 in 5091 days. 

KC Arrowhead Inked

It's that time again!  As the Super Bowl approaches, I just have to wash some ink in support of our hometown boys!  The excitement around the city is palpable and i simply must get a few Chiefs paintings done before the big day!  I first sketched this with India ink, then went over those lines with a chisel tip Pitt pen.  Next, I dropped in a favorite new fountain pen ink - Grotto - by Diamine, then washed in a juicy layer barely touching the edge of that ink.  The ink moves freely into the very wet masses with a mind of it's own.  How fun it is to watch it unfold!  Painting number 5090 in 5090 days. 

Potpouri Woods

Potpouri is another in from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar in a berry shade.  I left it towards the end to try because of didn't thrill me.  But, to my surprise, it has a lovely chroma bleed that pushes turquoise.  That beautiful spread into wet areas is quite dramatic.  I struggled with how to use it best in the landscape, and perhaps a striking sunset sky is in order. Another day, another lesson.  Painting number 5089 in 5089 days. 

Milk Barn Sunrise

 

How could I resist painting a sunrise over the milk barn?  The light is fleeting this time of day, so special care must be taken to be able to strike when ready!  I watch the sky and wait for peak color, all the while I'm laying in the structure of the painting.  Horizon, barn and trees, then a few marks for the clouds as their color intensifies.  The second I see a dulling of chroma, I lay down all that's left before it all fades away.  It's like running a race with the sun!  Painting number 5088 in 5088 days. 

Cardinal Family

We often have cardinals nesting on the grounds, sometimes even by the front porch. When they are so close, I just can't resist painting them as they tend their little ones!  I've chosen pen and ink for this study on handmade paper - and I like the vintage feel of it!  Maybe I should do more of these studies in black and white.  Painting number 5087 in 5087 days. 

Pine Needle Woods

 

It's super fun to try out another Diamine invent ink - Pine Needle. It's a lovely color for evergreens that saturates almost to a cad green, and washes to a yellow green.  I like selecting pens as artistic as the ink, and this one is a beauty.  I'm looking forward to exploring all this ink can do - when I've got a bit more time.  As for now, I've got a robotics tournament to attend with half the family and my grandsons competing!  Painting number 5086 in 5086 days.