Boulevard Brewery

 

I love getting to sketch one of Kansas City's icons - the Boulevard Brewery! I've painted here multiple times through the years - and each time - it's changed and grown!  It seems like only yesterday that iconic stack towered above all else.  Well, now, . those giant tanks are multiplying!  Painting number 3675 in 3675 days, and day 27 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Boulevard Stack

It was a perfect afternoon to gather with artist friends and paint another beloved Kansas City icon - Boulevard Brewery!  I've painted this place a few times over the years, and each time, they've added structures!  It's amazing how this place grows, and for the first time, I've painted it from the top of the Brew House, looking west out of their bay of windows.  Very cushy January painting!  Painting number 3671 in 3671 days and day 23 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Boulevard On Tap

It is so fun to get together with other sketchers on first Saturdays in Kansas City!  This weekend we met at Boulevard Brew House, where they give the tours of their facility.  I found my spot in front of the Shasta Camper on the second floor, and painted three from that location!  This was the second - and it is just to the right of the photo booth.  I don't remember this being here last time, and they have added more sitting areas to gather with friends.  What a great space to spend a little time sketching, sipping and visiting!  Painting 2626 in 2626 days.

Boulevard Brew Hall Shasta

This morning was our monthly Urban Sketchers KC sketch event at the Boulevard Brew Hall!  A Kansas City icon, this is a great place to gather with friends.  While Mike took a tour of the place, I sketched this super cool Shasta camper turned Photo Booth for my first painting of the day.  What a great start to a beautiful day!  Painting number 2625 in 2625 days.

Boulevard Brewery Batik

Oh, my, these urban watercolor batiks are fun!  With all those angles and edges, the line work sets the perfect stage for the loose and unpredictable batiking!  The watercolor flows at will on the delicate rice paper surface, often spreading all willy nilly!  Then comes the moment of truth when the wax is removed, and the brown paper lifted...... it is just like Christmas!  You never know what you have until the painting is unwrapped!  This one is a good present!  Painting number 2269 in 2269 days.

Boulevard Brewing Company - retro

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I love those days when a painting is already swimming in my head, waiting to rush of the tip of my brush.  I'm working with a full piece of delicate rice paper, unsure if I could manage it without tearing the wet paper in process.  So, I worked smaller areas with paint, allowing them to dry, then taking the hot wax to those areas before moving across the paper.  It worked!  The unpredictable nature of the batik is exciting, only revealing your true painting as all of the hot wax is ironed from the surface.  The results only make me want to do it more!!  Painting number 2259 in 2259 days.

Boulevard Brewing Company Inked

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The Boulevard Brewery is a favorite place to sketch and paint, and a wonderful place to gather with friends.  I had an Opening this weekend at The Buttonwood Art Space, where a drawing very much like this sold before I ever got there.  While looking it up on Daily Paintworks and my blog to mark it sold, I realized that I had already marked it so a year ago, instead of even posting this one, which is the original one that sold!  Lol!  So, I am correcting the error and getting this one on the books!  It has been a great weekend, with four paintings selling in 24 hours!  A great way to kick off March!  Painting number 2251 in 2251 days.

Boulevard Brewing Beer Hall

The Boulevard Brewing Company's Beer Hall is a great place to sketch!  It was easy to get in and sketch when they opened at 10:00. People were already lined up for the first brewery tour.  Within an hour, that place was hopping!  You can order food, sample beer, buy Boulevard goodies in the gift shop, or hang out in any of the many areas throughout this large building.  So many cool things to paint!  And a great place to meet friends!  Painting number 1911 in 1911 days.

Boulevard Photo Booth

When the Urban Sketchers KC venue was changed to inside the Boulevard Brewing Company this morning, I couldn't wait to go paint!  I've not been inside of this cool old building just east of the icon.  Wow!  It is very cool inside, with SO MANY wonderful things to paint!  When I went upstairs and saw this Shasta camper-turned-photo booth, I looked no further and claimed my spot to paint!  I painted three from this location before taking a quick spin around to see the whole place.  I really need to return here for a whole day of painting and sampling the fine beers!  Painting number 1910 in 1910 days.

Vintage Boulevard

The old tank at the Boulevard Brewing Company is infinitely more paintable than the shiny new tank that has replaced it.  This local Kansas City icon is a favorite meeting place, and a wonderful place for wedding receptions!  The balcony is beautiful on a warm summer night.  Studying for the painting to come, this is one composition that I first rendered in ink.  I really seem to migrate to the black for my ink, and I have many wonderful, rich colors to choose from!  I have three empty fountain pens drying on the counter now..... perhaps I'll fill each with one of those rich hues.  Painting number 1759 in 1759 days.

Boulevard Brewing Company

Today finds me painting another Kansas City icon - the Boulevard Brewing Company.  I love the architecture and mix of colors in this urban landscape.  I worked from two different plein air drawings, going back to the older one to capture that fabulous vintage tank!  It adds so much character that the shiny new silver tank lacks.  I strongly lean to the vintage in many things right down to the house I live in - predating 1845. What's a girl to do?  Resisting is futile, so why bother?  This one is for the upcoming ArtsKC show running for the holidays.  Painting number 1750 in 1750 days.

10x10, oil on panel
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Boulevard Brewery in Ink

Kansas City has so many icons worthy of capturing!  Today finds me inking the Boulevard Brewery, and I must say I wish the old tank was still front and center on the street view.  I miss it's character and color pop in the urban landscape, though I realize the upgrade probably improves the brewery.  I'm not a fan of progress when it interferes with the painting landscape!  It is fun to be painting close to home again!  Painting number 1748 in 1748 days.

ink on paper, 8x8
sold