To the Hatchery House

 

I look forward to painting Weston all year, so I didn't waste any time getting started.  I like to find places i have not yet painted, and this gorgeous scene has called to me before.  I love these historic places, especially when it feels like stepping back in time as I paint.  The owner walked up behind me as I was finishing, and was so happy I had painted her house!  She told me I made her heart smile!  I love that!  It was fun to paint the charm of this historic home on the hill for Weston Plein Air, and it is Now Showing at Weston Coffee Roastery with a few others, too!  Painting number 5037 in 5037 days. 

Sunset Over the Missouri River

There's nothing like a sunset quick paint on the Missouri River!  I had scouted pretty far from my car in search of this view. I came to this spot late - because I was in the zone on another painting,  and could not leave it. As I painted, I soon realized I was losing the light - and I hadn't grabbed a light.  When did the sun start setting so early?  Finished or not - I had to pack up and leave.  I could no longer see the colors in my darks.  Despite all that, it is exhilarating to race with the sun for a painting!  Come see this and more at the Parkville Art House on Crooked Rd this Friday, Oct 16 from 6 to 8. Painting number 5033 in 5033 days. 

Waterfall on Old Kate's Trail

SOLD

 

I LOVE painting to the music of a waterfall!   The birdsong wafted through in notes as I worked.  It has been years since I've painted here,  and these upper falls called to me.  I found a clearing from which I could stand on the east side of the falls, one that I hadn't seen before.  I loved the angles and the light from this side, and Ihad so much fun describing them with paint! The best part is that our judge for this paint, and curator of this sanctuary, purchased this one off the easel!  He had just cleared the honeysuckle from that spot - not knowing I would sweep in and paint it!  Painting number 5028 in 5028 days. 

Veteran's Memorial Fountain

SOLD 

What fun it was to paint near this fountain on such a beautiful day to kick off Paint Parkville!  This is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, and it is near the old depot.  As I was painting, a train came through, so I painted it in to complete the scene!  Anyone who has spent time on downtown Parkville knows these trains are iconic to this place.  I was surprised and happy to find that City Hall selected my painting for their Purchase Award based on a majority vote!  This painting will join a few others of mine on the walls of City Hall.   Painting number 5027 in 5027 days.  

Walk Along the Water

Liberty is far enough from me that I've only been there a handful of times.  Each time I've painted the Liberty Plein Air, new locations have been on our schedule.  That gets me to these amazing places, to find the paintings I didn't expect to find.  I love exploring new parks with paint, it's a bit like opening up a new gift!  This pond at  Stocksdale Park was irresistible and I had a blast dropping in those bold color pops!  Painting number 5025 in 5025 days. 

Belvoir Winery

SOLD

I have been to this winery one other time with the Urban Sketchers KC, and that was a cold winter day.  It was a joy to see this place with it's early fall color and lush green grass.  Michaela, Kirby, and baby Robin joined for a little plein air, too!  Thank you to the Liberty Chamber of Commerce for choosing my painting for the Purchase Award at the Belvoir Winery Quick Paint, and to Shaun at The Artisan Market for organizing Liberty Plein Air!  Michaela will be joining me to paint the square tomorrow with a Reception and Sale from 6 to 7 pm, ah the Artisan Market. Painting number 5023 in 5023 days. 

E Second and Main

SOLD

 

I love painting the small town charm of Fairfield up and down  Main Street!  As I walked back from my car, I saw this scene - which I never see driving by due to the one way street.  It was lovely, especially how the street landed at the historic hotel-turned- body-shop in my view. I've painted a few people in the painting - and one of them is me at my easel, with a patron looking over my shoulder!  Its fun to occasionally paint in a little surprise!  Painting number 5019 in 5019 days, and I'm so happy this painting has a new home, too!  

Giant Pumpkins on the Farm

How could I possibly resist painting those giant pumpkins?!! I have not seen them this big in all the years I've been coming to this patch in Barnhill, Illinois.  It sprinkled a few times during the painting process, and I moved back under the cover of a concession stand, moving back out when it stopped.  Once I have oils on my whole panel, then it is fine to stand out in the rain.  But if the dry panel gets wet - it will resist that oil paint, stopping it from adhering to the panel.  The rainy day wad the perfect backdrop for those rich, saturated colors  It feels like fall now that I've  painted Shreve's Pumpkin Patch!  Painting number 5013 in 5013 days. 

Mum Sale!

SOLD

 What fun it was to paint the mum sale in downtown Rocheport!  The whole community seemed to pop in for mums while I painted - and I even painted a couple of them into my painting!  It was fun to see small town life unfold in front of me, and to get to capture the magic with ink and watercolor.  I do love the charm of visiting and painting these small towns so much. Life just seemed simpler here.  There were only a handful of mums left by the end of that sale!  I'm so happy this painting found a new home, and it is painting number 5007 in 5007 days. 

Rocheport Winery

 

This beautiful vintage home-turned-winery is right off the Katy Trail in Rocheport, and I couldn't resist painting it!  I've painting quite a bit along this trail, and this is the busiest trailhead I've painted yet!  The Meriweather café and historic depot are right behind me, and if I had the time, I'd paint them, too!  I've really enjoyed these days in Rocheport! Now Showing at Art Off the Trail gallery on Central in town! 

Jazz in the Roses

SOLD

It was a lovely evening to paint Jazz in the Roses at the Loose Park Rose Garden!  It is a special treat when I can paint to live music - and these jazz musicians were stellar!  It was fun to visit when onlookers stopped to talk, and two young girls even painted petals onto my rose garden!  The littlest couldn't hardly reach - and she was very thoughtful with that stroke! Perhaps they are the next generation of painters in this rose garden!  I'm happy this painting went home with a new collector, too! Painting number 5003 in 5003 days. 

Vanderslice Hall

 

How could I possibly resist painting this gorgeous historic building?!!  I couldn't!  All those lines and angles called out to me as soon as I checked in, and I KNEW I would paint it.  I didn't even scout the area until it was finished!  We had All Day at the Arterie today, a new painting event on the Kansas City Art Institute campus - and it was super fun!  Check in was at 8am with the final nocturne paint ending at 9:30pm - which is a long day!  Yes, I'm tired, but painting cool new areas is so worth the lack of sleep and food, lol! I'll sleep tonight and eat tomorrow!  Painting number 4988 in 4988 days. 

Garden at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum

SOLD

I'm so happy and honored this painting was selected for the Missouri Regional Bank Purchase Award tonight at the Marceline Paint Out!  I loved painting the garden leading to the old depot, visiting with guests as they entered.  There's a beautiful new clock on the grounds, and the garden has expanded since I was last here. I love seeing the extra additions from one year to the next.  Marceline is shining bright today!  Painting number 4981 in 4981 days. 

Along the Garden Path

 

Known as the most beautiful stroll along the water, Lake Erie is but a backdrop for these glorious daylilies!  Larger than my hand, these bold  blooms rise above the foliage in abundance.  I've never seen them glow like this, so of course, I HAD to paint them!  I had so much fun talking with everyone as they walked by, and I'm happy this painting found a new home here, too!  Painting number  4949 in 4949 days. 

Rush Hour on Walnut

 

I LOVE returning to charming Lakeside to paint! I look forward to this weekend event all year, it's like stepping back in time for a few days.  A great place for families, many return to the same summer cottage for generations.  The Wet Paint Sale Sunday 1:30 to 3:30, outside the hotel near the pavilion on Lake Erie.  It's always cool here by the water.  Painting number 4945 in 4945 days. 

Sunset Over the River

 It was so much fun to paint the sunset with my friends along the Meramec River at Cobblestone Lodge!!  I was the first to hike down to the bank, and thought the others might not make it - so I painted fast! It gets very dark down there at night, and I didn't want to make that climb in full darkness.  Within minutes, here come Larry, Jamie, Dennis and Gabriele, driven down on a side by side in luxury fashion!  It was fun to speed paint the sunset together, then we all hiked up and gathered for some fun conversation outside of the cabins Now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Meramec Adventure Ranch

 

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! 

Meramec Adventure Ranch

 

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. 

Morning at the Power House

I LOVE painting the vintage charm of this power house at the Maramec Spring Park.  I try to paint at this park every time I'm in town, so I set off for a different painting spot then I had before. To get the dramatic water angle, I had to plant myself practically in the tree line by the water. The cool air was rising from the spring water - nearly like air conditioning!  Birdsong was my serenade as I painted today, and I can't wait to do it again. Come see this in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4899 in 4899 days. 

Old Fashioned Peonies

 

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.