Magic on the Cutting Table

Magic on the Cutting Table
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Craig Sole Designs, Shawnee Mission, Kansas - Stems
purchase here

Craig's floral shop is FULL of treasures!  Every view is a painting, and there were many things drawing me in - but THIS view grabbed me and didn't let me go!  So picturesque was the composition of chair, table, awning and all of those pots and buckets of greenery!  I set up in a tight spot, and painted in the shade - with an ice cold glass of lemonade served to me while I worked!  Ahhhh - life should be like this every day!  Painting number 888 in 888 days :)

Cottage Illumination

Here is the nocturne I rushed off to paint last night again in old town Overland Park - a renovated 1908 bungalow.  Craig Sole is a such a kind, gracious host!  In the two times I have been there painting, he has come out with cold water with key limes, lemons and oranges - and last night he brought out split pea soup to nourish us!  This was a fun paint - so much to see with the indoor lights and the street lights on.  There is quite a glare on this photo - so I will try to get another tomorrow in the daylight.  The sky is actually a darker blue, and the house reads whiter than it really is. This is my 149th painting in 149 days as the Stems event comes to a close tomorrow.

Cottage Illumination

Oil on panel, 16x12

Craig Sole's Floral Design

Old Town Overland Park

Into the Garden

Into the Garden
Oil on panel, 12x16

Today's painting was painted in old town Overland Park at the floral design shop of Craig Sole.  This is part of the Stems plein air event - which runs until June 2.  At every turn at this cottage, there is another painting - and the interior full of fragrant flowers is simply heaven!  I took several photos for reference - for interior paintings on a rainy day.  I worked a little larger today, so the painting took a bit longer to finish.  (And my start was slower - stopping at Homer's for a delightful cup of tea and a cookie!)  I love the layers in this garden landscape - foliage, flowers, iron and structure - and the path to pull the eyes right into the painting.  The shasta daisies are in full bloom, irises abound further in, pink clematis climb the pole, and a beautiful coral hibiscus embellish this garden path.  A feast for the eyes - it has been a joy to paint this lovely landscape on such a beautiful day.  This painting makes 139 in 139 days.