Union Station Magic

 

Union Station is perhaps my very favorite place to paint in December!  I love painting this iconic tree and decked halls!!  Ink and watercolor is the perfect vehicle to drive this painting, in this place.  After a few children's choirs dang carols at the tree, the crowd thinned out enough to get a beautiful view. Another memory in the books. Painting number 4736 in 4736 days. 

Union Station Christmas

 

I truly love this tradition of painting the magic at Union Station during the holiday season!  And today, there were choirs of children singing carols around the Christmas tree!  I gathered with artist friends, and we all chose different painting spots. After a short 2 hours, we lunched together at the Harvey House, sharing our paintings and visiting.  It's a lovely way to celebrate the season, and this very special place. Magical!  Painting number 4731 in 4731 days. 

Union Station KC MO

 

I posted yesterday's Union Station painting in the evening, and this morning it sold before i could leave the house!  So, in a mad dash to come up with another that would match my inventory for Powell Gardens,  I put this one in it's place.  Union Station is a favorite place to paint this time of year, and I hope to get there a few more times while the halls are decked!  This painting and 7 other are now showing at Powell Gardens. Be there first to get your choice!  Painting number 4697 in 4697 days. 

Christmas at IUnion Station

This has been another wonderful Christmas spent with family - with the special treat of Bill and Evelyn in attendance! They are normally in Arizona by this time, but we are lucky to have them home for the holidays!  For the first time ever we broke with tradition, and has a Mexican burrito bowl feast for dinner!  This might be the first Christmas without a large turkey, and I don't think it was missed!  Mom enjoyed visiting with Mike's parents, and the kids had a blast inside and out!  The Chiefs win was icing on the cake although I didn't see much of it with all the cooking!  Union Station is an all time favorite painting place, especially in the evening!  The place absolutely glows! Wishing you all the merriest of Christmases, and a new year full of family and friends!  Painting number 5049 in 5049 days.

Christmas at Union Station

 

Union Station is absolutely MAGICAL to paint during the holidays!  What a jewel we have here in Kansas City!  I love capturing the beauty of this place with many mediums, but oils are an absolute favorite.  The reflections slide right through with each brushstroke, and the light drops in so smoothly.  I have so many memories here, as have 5 generations of my family.  This is a special place indeed.  Painting number 5039 in 5039 days. 

Christmas Tree in Copper

 I had visions of completing several metal work Christmas pieces this season, but here we are, just days left, and this is my first.  The time gets away from me when so many paintings are going out the door - and commissions, too. So, I'll try to get a few finished for those special few, and perhaps I'll work on these in the winter months.  Painting number 3996 in 3996 days. 

Joy Tree

Tree at Nelson-Atkins Museum

I have never been to the Nelson-Atkins Museum at Christmas time, and was excited to see the nativity scenes at up in this main hall.  My artist friends had told me how lovely it was, but the expansive hall was empty, except for this lovely unadorned tree.  With a few poinsettias flanking it, this was the only seasonal view.  So, I sketched the tree with pencils and lunched with Mom and friends, still longing for a gorgeous Christmas scene.  I think we're going to Union Station in a couple of weeks so that place will surely meet my needs!  Painting number 3974 in 3974 days. 

Family Tree Christmas

 

This place is brimming with Christmas spirit - and one can't help but be swept away!  Meeting artist friends here for our weekly plein air outing, I could hardly decide which tree to paint!  There are many here, all with different themes, just begging to be painted!  Michaela and the little ones met me here, since this is close to their house.  The boys picked out special ornaments, and we enjoyed steamers back in the greenhouse.  It's always balmy out there - even on those snowy days!  I love sketching here so much, and it always gets me in the mood for holiday painting!  Painting number 3966 in 3966 days. 

Christmas at Family Tree

Painting this time of year at a favorite local nursery always gets me in the Christmas spirit!  Family Tree Nursery welcomed our Monday watercolor group today, and Michaela and the boys joined me there as well!  As I sketched a couple of beautiful trees, they picked out special ornaments and a gift for Daddy. We enjoyed hot steamers in the greenhouse afterward, and I picked up a few new plants on the way out.  It was a lovely morning filled with holiday cheer and we'll wishers add I visited with the shoppers. What a lovely way to kick off the week of Thanksgiving!  Painting number 3965 in 3965 days. 

Suburban Christmas

 

Here is one more holiday painting from Suburban Lawn and Garden to celebrate the season. I love how welcoming this local nursery is to artists, greeting us with snacks and pizza for lunch!  With all the lovely Christmas decor, it was hard to focus on just one subject!  We've had a wonderful day with family, followed by a game of Spades, and now it is time for this artist to rest and recharge.  Painting number 4136 in 4136 days. 

Magic at Union Station

 

I couldn't resist painting this iconic scene for the Holiday Reflections Quick Paint last night!  Union Station is one of my favorite places to paint during the holidays, and it is a joy to bring my oils for this. The nocturne lighting is rich in here, and the reflections of the floor are magnificent.  Love that generations of my family have walked this grand hall, and so happy to get to paint it again and again.  I am so honored this painting was chosen from so many beautiful pieces as the winner, and I can't wait to paint here again.  It is truly Christmas when one spends time down here!  Painting number 4122 in 4122 days. 

Cardinal Santa

What fun to open a new door of my Inkvent Calendar to find a special surprise each day!  This vibrant red ink is Cardinal by Diamine, and is extra amazing!  It is truly a knock-out red, one that commands attention.  It washes well with water, and bleaches right back to white (the white dots in the background).  I can't wait to see what else it can do!  Painting number 4121 in 4121 days. 

Westin Christmas Tree

 

I LOVE painting the Christmas tree at Crown Center Westin hotel!  It is the only tree in town with an indoor garden and waterfall behind it - which serenaded me as I worked!  Many families come to this tree for Christmas photos, too, and it's fun to see them gathering.  With ink I first sketch out the scene, then I follow with watercolor.  I've started carrying a few fountain pens with colored ink - to add a little spark at the end.  I think I like the added depth - and each ink moves with water, too, so the possibilities are endless!  Painting number 4116 in 4116 days.

O Christmas Tree

The morning light was stunning on the Union Station Christmas tree - golden and warm as it streamed in through the massive windows.  I sketched this one first with India ink, then laid down watercolors as usual.  Today, I brought 4 additional fountain pens with me, loaded with the primaries and a green.  I next added little bits of ink work, followed by my water brush pen, then a little more fountain pen work.  I like the depth this achieves, and there is so much more to explore!  Painting number 4114 in 4114 days. 

Snowman Tree

 

I LOVE painting the Christmas magic at Suburban Lawn and Garden - almost as much as shopping here!  With such a lovely collection of Christmas items and tropicals - I always take home goodies after painting!  This place is so welcoming - providing the artists with drinks, snacks and lunch - and so many lovely things to paint!  I settled first on this Snowman themed tree, sketching in ink, then filling in with watercolor.  I have a few fountain pens with me loaded with colored ink, but only used them a little at the finish.  This paper really grabbed the color, too.  Each handmade paper is different, and in love exploring them all!  Painting number 4113 in 4113 days. 

Union Station Magic

 

There is nothing like painting Union Station during the holidays.  Families visit for photos by the giant tree, as travelers arrive and leave by train, pausing to gaze at it's beauty.  Many breakfast and lunch here - us included - then attend the various exhibits or Science City.  While sipping hot tea, I visit with Mom and artist friends as I paint, and my painting unfolds effortlessly.  A girl from my pilates class stops by to say "hi", and we go about our day.  These little moments spent here in this grand place, are what life is made of.  I'm so lucky to get to do this every single day.  Painting number 4409 in 4409 days. 

Union Station Christmas

 

I LOVED painting the holiday magic at Union Station Kansas City today!  It is so fun to share this special place with my mom and artist friends, capturing the nostalgic decor.  Working on my Christmas cards designs, this giant tree is regal is this rich setting. With ink and watercolor, I sketch and paint, until the scene emerges.  It's fun to enjoy this place with a hot cup of tea and friends, visiting as we paint. It's a wonderful way to ring in the holidays, sharing lunch at the Harvey House afterwards.  I'm so thankful for artist friends to paint with and my Mom to shop and spend the day with!  Painting number 4407 in 4407 days. 

Christmas Tree in Metal

 

Surprise! I'm working in copper tonight - and I LOVE how it bends to my will! When my plein air schedule winds down, it is lovely to pick up some old friends (neglected art supplies) and play a bit.  I will be making a few of these small copper artworks for Music Art Love in Sainte Genevieve, with a focus on the local icons.  This will be the first gallery to carry this work - and I can't wait to deliver it in March!  Spreading my wings in the is the very best part of not being on the road. Can't wait to see what all develops!  Artwork number 4396 in 4396 days. 

Family Tree Christmas

I can always count on the Family Tree Nursery to deliver Christmas cheer, right inside their doors!  So inspirational!  Meeting here with other artists, my Mom also joined us for a little Christmas shopping and a hot beverage!  Walking into a Christmas wonderland, I set right up to paint without scouting further.  With ink and watercolor, I sketched out this scene while holiday music wafted through the rooms.  I never decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving, but this place sure puts me in a mind to!  Painting number 4395 in 4395 days.