I've long admired gorgeous hydrangea, and now I'm painting my own! I planted this Bobo hydrangea, because it was a nickname we had for our sweet lab, Beau. It's now bigger than I am and full of blooms, and the pollinators have noticed! It's fun to paint this beauty when once I only dreamed of having them on the lawn. Painting number 4937 in 4937 days.
Some days, it is nearly dark before I get to my easel. It feels so good to finally squeeze in that painting! I only have a few of these plants this year, but the red is definitely a favorite! They all seem a little slower this year to take off, but they are finally showing some color now. I found a few more starts in the garden today, and an already looking for their special spots! Now is better sign off before I fall asleep - it's been a very, very busy day. Painting number 4935 in 4935 days.
Painting zinnias always reminds me of Grandma Bessie! She introduced me to these beauties the first season I helped her in the garden, all those years ago. I remember the giant red zinnias the most, as we dropped seed into a long, shallow row in front of her irises. I helped prepare the area, with her guidance, and she would often have something to eat in the kitchen when we were finished. Sometimes, I'd fun to Sonic for tenderloin sandwiches - a favorite for her and Jewel. What memories return each year with the flowers. Painting number 4934 in 4934 days.
Impressions of my garden phlox are on the easel as the light fades in the garden. The fragrance is heady at night, rich in the air on the front porch. We had a lovely Baby Sprinkle for Michaela and Robin today at Hannah's, and it was amazing. Rebekah came up with a delicious Fairy Tale themed menu with special mocktails, as all the girls made the day special. It was a lovely reprieve from the Big 250 year Independence Day celebration yesterday. I'm so thankful the girls carried the load today because I was beat after the week's preparations, cooking and cleaning. Best family ever! Painting number 4933 in 4933 days.
The rudbekia is blooming and the bees are buzzing! I love how these blooms have spread all over the fields, and they are lush in this year of heavy rain. We're headed to Raymore's Independence Celebration, and enjoying it with Mom, Danny, Jacob, and Michaela's family, too. Painting number 4932 in 4932 days.
On these very busy days, it's refreshing to squeeze in a tiny painting in the garden! I've worked outside most of the day, the heat hardly bothering me with the overcast sky. After finally getting a hammock hung out by the chicken coop, Kirby and I enjoyed it as we looked through the large oak canopy to the sky beyond. I couldn't stop smiling as another small dream was realized. I think we're really going to love this wooded space by the chickens. Painting number 4930 in 4930 days.
Painting generational flowers in the garden brings back so many memories! Five generations have now enjoyed these blooms on this land, and I'm the only one to paint them yet! With many budding young artists in the family, I'll need to gather them together for a paint out among them, and tell them about their Grandma Bessie! Painting number 4930 in 4930 days.
The Rose of Sharon is blooming, and I can't resist capturing it's beauty with a quick sketch! The only color I remember from childhood, the two parent plants of this one spread out beneath two large trees on the front lawn. My brother and I used to climb between them, stepping across the propane tank as a bridge. A white picnic table sat under the branches in the shade, where we gathered with family. As these reseed abundantly, I have moved many of them to other parts of the property, where they now bloom, too. This beauty is behind an old shed, in a secluded part of my garden. Who knew I would sow the seeds of my childhood on this ancestral land - and then paint them? Painting number 4928 in 4928 days.
What fun to take in the excitement of the World Cup in Kansas City with ink and watercolor! This is my first experience with World Cup soccer, it has never been on my radar. My boys all played soccer, and it was one of my favorite sports of their's to watch, but that was pretty much the extent it. Being with the fans from other countries is so much fun, and their enthusiasm is infectious! I'm so happy I was able to come down and sketch the fun with dear artist friends, Liz Vargas and Marcia Willman! Painting number 4927 in 4927 days.
It was fun to meet artist friends to sketch the World Cup fun at Crown Center in Kansas City this morning! It was great to see Liz Vargus here from Chicago, with her family, and Marcia Willman to capture a moment in KC culture. First time ever to experience the excitement of the games, it was fun to see so many enthusiasts from other countries supporting their teams vigorously! Singing their anthems down the streets while wrapped in their flags, and cheering as only they could do. It was a fun glimpse into their culture! Painting number 4925 in 4925 days.
The garden phlox are blooming and the air is heavy with their fragrance! One of my favorite flowers in the garden, these beauties smell almost of lilacs. Vigorous plants, they spread readily and grow in sun and shade. When dead headed or in years of heavy rain, they can bloom into the fall. My first plants came from Grandma Bessie's home in Raymore, where she shared them after a day spent tidying her flower beds. I've shared them and planted them all over the property. So now, I get to paint their beauty and enjoy their fragrance every summer! Painting number 4923 in 4923 days.
My volunteer cosmos is starting to bloom - and the bees are thrilled! I'm transplanting them into many beds to add their cheerful color everywhere! With their light, fern like leaves, the blooms almost float in the foreground. I hope they will fill in to sunny and shady beds alike, for an effortless bloom time that nearly goes till frost! Painting number 4922 in 4922 days.
How fun it is to explore summer flowers with watercolor - and to share the process with young artists! These radiant red blooms remind me Grandma Bessie, and of driving to the local nursery to buy these beauties for planting. I would pick them up and plant them for her, in her layer years. Occasionally, i bring a few home to plant, and they always remind me of her. Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri.
It was a wonderful day to celebrate the fathers in our family together! The phlox are just starting to bloom, so a quick paint was in order before the day became too busy. Working in miniature, this is ATC sized, which is perfect for a day when all the family is coming over! I only wish my own dad was still here to celebrate with us. Painting number 4919 in 4919 days.
This winding spring from the Maramec Spring Park is SO peaceful to paint! Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri!
My days are very full, with to-do lists much longer than the hours, but, there is always time for a miniature painting in my garden. The endless weeding brings all blooms to focus as I work, and the bees and butterflies appreciate my efforts. Between grandkids, cooking and cleaning, it is a tiny place to recharge within the day. A special bonus today - Rebekah and Travis made chili for us all tonight! What a treat! Painting number 4917 in 4917 days.
I loved standing in a gallery of oaks to paint the setting of this cabin and the path to the river. The morning was cool in the shade, and the breeze light, making the day perfect for painting. The trees called to me. Each large shape and form begged to be immortalized in ink and watercolor, casting the cabin as the understudy. Truly a study of oaks, I hope I did them justice. Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.❤️🎨
It's fun to paint the historic Shawnee Indian Mission with artist friends on such a beautiful day! With many things on my plate, I still took the time to paint today - and oh how myth soul was rewarded! After sneaking in a quick workout, getting two paintings finished early in the day is the very best way to start the day. I am exhilarated after painting, and I feel invincible for the rest of the day, with all things slipping into place. This is probably an indication to switch up my schedule for the summer. Now, if I can only get to my posting earlier in each day..... baby steps.....lol. Painting number 4915 in 4915 days.
It was a lovely morning to paint the historic Shawnee Indian Mission with artist friends! The Monday Morning Watercolorists were meeting here, so I joined in before dropping two paintings at the Rice Gallery. I have a few paintings showing in the gift shop here on site, so this have me the perfect opportunity to paint another from a different place. What a lovely break in my hectic schedule - this will restore me for a little while! Painting number 4914 in 4914 days.
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It was worth standing in the full sun to paint this view of the Meramec River from the Cobblestone Lodge beach! With a painting in every direction, it's hard to decide which view to paint! The light quality in the Eastern direction called to me, so I chose this for my demo with the High School Plein Air students. The saturated colors following the rain were glorious - and I get to reap the rewards in paint - and share my process with a new generation. This painting Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and is painting number 4910 in 4910 days.
I couldn't resist painting this vintage boathouse with a few boats in the lawn! My morning paint was of this same boathouse, but from the other side, at water's edge. I never saw these boats until I scouted for a second painting! This has been a lovely day of painting that started with the most precarious back road I have ever traveled. I'm so thankful I got myself out of that mess to enjoy the beauty here! Sometimes, I really shouldn't follow my GPS! Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and painting number 4908 in 4908 days.
What a great place the Meramec Adventure Ranch is - and the best part is the awesome way they help the youth in this region! There are SO many activities here from bluff propelling, horseback riding, to water sports, it was hard to see all the painting options available along this Meramec River ranch! I painted this view first of the main lodge, then painted the cattle next on this working farm. Such a special painting day! This is painting number 4908 in 4908 days and is Now Showing at Gallery Zeke through the end of the month!
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How does one choose a single spot to paint in 1200 acres?!! With just a little scouting, I decided on this view, with the light spreading across the landscape. I've been painting so much recently, that I seem to be working the block in quite fast. An artist recently shared that he begins his painting with a paper towel - and dips it in paint and rubs in the underpainting, before pulling out his brushes. It seems weird, but is a great solution for this solvent free artist! I think I'll try make- up sponges next! Now Showing at Gallery Zeke, and this painting is number 4900 in 4900 days.
First demo of the Steelville High School Plein Air - an ink and watercolor of my cabin! What fun to introduce new students to the plein air experience! I drove 4 hours through sometimes torrential rain to get here this morning, and I really needed some paint time to unwind. We're headed to the Folksy Fish Festival tomorrow, where we'll find the stunning Meramec Springs park. Painting number 4896 in 4896 days.
I loved painting these sweet chickens at Sunflower Hill Farm- and just realized I forgot to share them! I paint so many paintings at a plein air event, that one or two slip through the cracks at times. This handmade paper is particularly rough, and it soaked up the paint like crazy! I thought I was finished a couple times only to go back in with more color. Watercolor can fade so much on this handmade cotton paper! Painting number 4894 in 4894 days.
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Some days, I've only to look skyward for painting inspiration! I started working in the garden after the gym this morning, and the hours flew by as Swiss chard and tomatoes found their homes. I like to take my salad outside, to walk the garden as I eat, often finding inspiration to squeeze in a painting before "chicken time". That is when Mom comes by and we let them out for an hour or so, to roam around the yard. What fun these sweet girls have as they keep close to us in their ventures! Painting number 4893 in 4893 days.
I love painting the yellow flag iris when they erupt in bloom!! The way they sweep through the lawn is magical - and it all started with a small clump that I ordered from a seed catalog years ago. Great in wet areas, I've seen them planted underwater in the elephant exhibit at the zoo! I've shared them with friends and family, and they are great to sop up extra water in low lying areas. Their rhizomes are so dense they need to be cut through to divide. Their shiny large seeds drop liberally - and those readily grow new plants, too. I've put a few down by the pond, and they should be blooming now, too. I love painting the magic that stems from a tiny clump so many years ago! Painting number 4892 in 4892 days.
I wait all year for the chance to paint the peonies of my garden. This season seems extra short to get these beauties painted, with multiple storms abs heavy rain to weigh them down. These are the original variety that my grandmother planted, abs I've moved it to multiple beds around the yard, and it never disappoints! The bees were buzzing and the big black ants were climbing, and the smell was heavenly indeed! Painting number 4891 in 4891 days.
In a day full of gardening, I just had to paint the prettiest lilies in the beds today! I moved these from Mom's home in Ohio when she moved back to Missouri. I remember digging the bulbs from the front corner of their brick Victorian home, as we were preparing to move Mom to the house she found near us. It was a bittersweet time of loss and heartache, and the grueling task of packing up 35 years to return so close to where she grew up. Putting them in a large pot with soil, they made the journey to my place, Mom's childhood home, to spread gloriously in several beds. I think of those times every year when they bloom, knowing they are one of Mom's favorite flowers from a place she loved. Painting number 4890 in 4890 days.
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So happy I could return to Big Cedar to paint during the Plein Air Convention. I just couldn't resist this bold backlight, and it was fading fast. This is the small lake by the restaurant near a devil's pool, where so many artists gathered earlier in the day. I only had about 45 minutes to work in this, so I jumped right in and painted that color fast. I think I might just tweak a could of things before calling it good. Haha! Does an artist ever think a painting is finished? Not this artist but surely someone thinks that! Painting number 4888 in 4888 days.
I just about closed down the place with this last sketch at Dogwood Canyon! On arriving, I thought I'd return to this location to paint. The waterfalls called me away, so away I went, only to arrive here with 30 minutes to sketch. With pen and ink I drew out my composition, thinking of how timeless it all was. The vintage feel of this place lends itself well to the medium of pen and ink. I hope to paint this place in oils one day, as well. On another note, I nearly stepped on a large water snake on my hustle back to my car, in my sandals! The Plein Air Convention has been SO much fun, and I'm taking good memories and inspiration back home with me! Painting number 4887 in 4887 days.
It was so peaceful to paint this lovely scripture garden, squirreled away in a hidy hole, along with 100s of artists at the Plein Air Convention! The College of the Ozarks has so many wonderful things to paint, but I knew I must paint the garden as soon as I saw it! Though my perch was a little awkward, my vantage was perfect - and it was fun to hear the joy as people rounded the bush to find me painting! What fun, and what lovely people I talked to! Painting number 4886 in 4886 days.
I painted this Old Mill at Finley's Farm with about 700 other artists from an old iron bridge! We were lined up elbow to elbow by the time I finished! It was SO much fun! I've never painted with so many artists at one time before! The day was beautiful, everyone visited as they passed by - and fun was had by all. The wind actually blew a painting from the bridge into the river below - and another artist grabbed it out and the whole place cheered! How many times does one see that in a lifetime?!! Painting number 4884 in 4884 days.
It was a lovely day for painting the chapel at Big Cedar! It has been years since I painted in the Big Cedar Paintout, and I had been longing to come! This place is even more beautiful than before, with paintings in every direction! I only wish I had more time to paint the beautiful cabins and vintage buildings, too!
