Sunflower Hill from the Creek

I think I walked the whole property before deciding on this location, even though this place called me from the start!  Approaching it from two sides, of course the wetter, weedier location had the best view!  Standing in the tall brush and wildflowers, I sketched out my lines with two fountain pens with different nibs and inks, following with a water brush pen to get those mid tones.  The overcast sky grew darker as rain threatened, so I hurried back to the car to frame and turn in.  This painting won an award in Mixed Media for the final judging, and has a new home along with the oil painting from the same place.  Painting number 3047 in 3047 days. 

Klondike Park

The white sands surrounding the lake at Klondike Park are so unique!  Looking forward to painting here, I didn't let the rain stop me!  With umbrella in tow, I set up close to the water, for the best vantage.  I kept the umbrella over my panel until I had covered it with oil paint, necessary to get the paint to stick.  If that surface got wet with rain first, the oils would slip right off.  I've used an umbrella twice this week - when I haven't used one for years. That blowing rain makes it a valuable tool for painting en plein air!  Painting number 3039 in 3039 days. 

Springtime at the Cabins

As we drove down this Locust street, these cabins surrounded by springtime bloom captured my attention!  I had Teddy stop the car and started unloading my art gear on the spot.  I suddenly realized I had left my palette in the freezer back at Augusta Shores!!  Already late to start the History paint out, I dropped Teddy off instead and rushed back to get my palette.  The early light was still strong when I returned so I missed no time setting back up to paint!  I really love the rich colors of early morning light - and this was a delightful painting morning!  Even if I was standing in full sun!  Painting number 3034 in 3034 days!  

Road to the Vineyard

Oh my, what a perfect morning for capturing that early light!  With fleeting light, I like to lay in my darkest darks and lightest lights, so I can compare all other colors with those two. I am using a mix of black and Alain alizarin crimson for marking darks this week.  I like they way it warms up those deepest dark areas, abs it gives me a nice color to push other masses into.  Painting number 3031 in 3031 days. 

Balducci's Inked

What fun to return to Balducci's Vineyards for a sunset paint!  I walked out to my location intending to paint in oil, but wanted a longer format for this very wide view.  This was my longest substrate for my longest frame, so I chose to sketch the skyline in pen and ink instead.  With such an overcast sky, I was doubtful of the color pop, which also helped to persuade me to work in ink.  Besides, I do love ink and sometimes I just need my ink fix!!  I'm so happy this painting has a new home!  Painting number 3026 in 3026 days. 

Water in the Fields

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The rain had not started when I arrived on location at the Katy Trail in Defiance.  As I set up my easel and grabbed a panel, the rain began to fall.  Seeking shelter behind Good News Brewing, the wind kicked up and blew the rain in.  I scooted back as far as I could, and kept pretty dry as I painted my 10x20 panel.  I am so thankful I brought my dad's heavy duty tripod along!  With winds gusting every day to 30 mph, this tripod hardly shifts as I work.  If I were using my former tripod, I would be hanging onto it with one hand while painting with the other!  Painting number 2306 in 2306 days.

Stream in the Quarry

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Now Showing at Whitlock Company

Oh how I love the beauty of this place!  The expanse of green space flanked with those majestic bluffs pulls me right in!  To top it off, high water has filled the dry creek bed winding through the scene!  I did not care about the many mosquitoes nor the light rain, until it got to heavy - and then I stood under an overhang until I finished!  I was a bit cold by the time I framed it, but SO happy to have spent the morning in such surroundings!  This has truly been good for my soul!  Painting number 2304 in 2304 days.

Twilight on Walnut Street

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After a wonderful welcome social at the Harmonie-Verein, Teddy and I headed to the heart of town for a twilight paint. This showy pink dogwood pulled us right in, and we were painting in no time!  Just before we finished, Jessica dropped off a bottle of wine to us on the street!  Only in Augusta do we have wine delivery while plein air painting!  Painting number 2303 in 2303 days.

Farmhouse Forsythia

I am so blessed to be able to paint such gorgeous landscapes!  I was truly speechless when I turned the corner of an outbuilding to see this lovely scene!  That forsythia was SO large, I had to get on the other side of the fence to capture it and the sprawling farmhouse behind it.  I could have painted a dozen paintings from the top of this hill, every one a stunner.  I LOVE how these opportunities just drop in my lap!  This may be my very favorite painting of the event.  I think this will be hanging in my own farmhouse!  Painting number 1951 in 1951 days.

oil on panel, 11x14
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Log Cabin Magnolias

When I scouted this location, I could not decide whether to paint this cabin with magnolias, or the blue frame house with forsythia just across the walk.  SO, I set up in the middle and painted one and then the other for this Daniel Boone quick paint!  The blooms of spring are fleeting, and it seems like they fade away before I can paint all that I see!  Since this is a quick paint, I begin by laying in masses, the lights and darks, meeting edges occasionally.  I wait until I am further along before committing to those edges.  I like to squint at this stage, allowing the painting to come together intuitively.  This is especially helpful when I'm in a hurry.  Once I near the finish, I check my edges.  Happy with this one, I turn my easel and begin another.  Love those days when I can paint two before heading back!  Painting number 1944 in 1944 days.

oil on panel, 9x12
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Morning on Kessler Farm

I brought two long panels for this plein air event, and when I saw this location I knew I must use one.  I wanted to capture all the barns, silos, cattle, and the wonderful old farmhouse, so I needed a substrate that was long and narrow. I happened to have a piece of birch that I had cut the night before I left town.  I had not washed a color over it, so I had to start on white.  It is a struggle, when I am used to an underpainting. It was a bit dusty on the gravel lane, especially when the tractors were operating, so there is authentic dust embedded in the oils from this site!  These pastoral scenes are among my favorites to paint - so happy the Kesslers allowed me to capture their place!  Painting number 1940 in 1940 days.

sold

Looking up Walnut

Walking all over town, I found several street scenes to draw in preparation for painting.  With so many wonderful vintage buildings, it was hard to decide!  I ended up drawing several and ran out of time for the paint!  Oh, if only there were more hours in each day.  I NEVER seem to have enough!  Down to my last ink in my last pen for this one - which reminds me to refill them before tomorrow!  Plein Air KC starts in the morning!  Painting number 1928 in 1928 days.

Yellow House Redbuds

I have wanted to paint this beautiful farmhouse from the first time I saw it!  This year, the redbuds were in full bloom - and I knew I had to squeeze them into my heavy painting schedule!  I've not hit the redbud bloom here for years!  So, I hiked over and found a nice young man who gave me permission to paint.  As I was finishing up, that same man brought me a boxed bottle of Ruby Norton.  Can't wait to try it with my daughters!  Everyone is so nice down here, just one of many reasons I love painting en plein air!  Painting number 1927 in 1927 days.

Last Days

I can absolutely get lost in the moment when sketching these wonderful old barns!  I can feel the life and work that unfolded here, an untold story of a beautiful place.  The path leads down across a creek and up to a pasture filled with large round hay bales, new spring grass and abundant wild mustard in bloom!  I am drawing with a varsity pilot fountain pen today - since I have emptied three other pens this trip, and brought no extra ink!  Who knew I'd draw SO MUCH?  I started my fountain pen journey with this modest little pen, and I still keep them around to use in a pinch.  Lesson learned?  I will pack some extra ink from now on!  Painting number 1924 in 1924 days.

Reflections of Balducci Inked

This may have been one of the nicest evenings at Balducci Vineyards for our annual sunset paint!  Hiking down the hill into the task grass, I set up with a view of the barns, and their reflections on the water.  I first inked this piece to establish the composition for the painting to come.  I used what little ink was left in my last fountain pen to get this done.  Next time, I'm bringing more ink!  Painting number 1923 in 1923 days.

At Home in the Garden

Another gorgeous day for painting plein air, and what could be more inviting than a trip to a favorite nursery?  I went in wanting to paint flowers close up, and decided on the whole scene for a quick 45 minute paint!  Best part?  I found another fabulous plein air hat!   They have the best hats - I almost painted their hat rack!  Painting number 1922 in 1922 days.

Reflections of Balducci

I can't remember a nicer evening for a sunset paint at Balducci Winery!  After scouting the entire area, I decided on the amazing view from the pond.  I love the way the buildings reflected on the water.  Wanting to capture the entire scene, I grabbed my only long panel left and hiked back down towards the vineyards.  A very windy night had me holding onto that easel, and staring into the sun to paint my chosen composition.  I found myself using strong color for this one, could it be the white surface pushing me this way?  Next time I'll be sure to tone every panel - even the ones cut at the very last minute!  Painting number 1921 in 1921 days.

Still Standing

These barns have been calling my name for YEARS. Each time I'm in Augusta, I long to stop and paint every time we pass them on Church Street.  Finally, today I got the chance!  With a little spare time and a beautiful day, I spent a leisurely afternoon capturing their rustic charm. I had sketched them earlier, but changed my vantage with the different light to get those wonderful shadows.  I especially had fun with the brushwork to express those blooming wildflowers!  Painting number 1920 in 1920 days.

Blue House Forsythia

This may have been the nicest weather we've ever had for the Daniel Boone paint outs!  The forsythia are blooming, and I am capturing them before they fade for another year.  So happy to get to paint them again! Making this quick because champagne is waiting!  Painting number 1920 in 1920 days.

Klondike Redbuds

It has been years since I've been able to paint redbuds in Augusta!  This year spring is so late, they are just now starting to pop!  These beauties in Klondike Park are especially picturesque with the bluffs behind them.  I could have used my magenta in these, but I didn't have it in my palette!  So a little alizarin, cad red, ultra blue and white did the trick!  LOVE these blooming trees and I look forward to painting them every spring! Painting number 1918 in 1918 days.