On Vacation

 

When I travel, it's great to paint the scenes I don't find at home.  I have not painted here before, but found this place while returning from another painting location.  With just enough time to paint before a meeting, I set up on the shade of an airplane hangar, and got to work.  The owner of the building stopped by to say hi, too.  Everyone is so friendly here!  Fairfield is FULL of painting opportunities, and I'm happy this painting has a home there, too!  Painting number 4711 in 4711 days. 

Carnaby Square

SOLD

 It's so fun to paint AND shop the coolest places on Main Street!  Carnaby Square is a favorite boutique to visit when I'm in Fairfield, and I simply HAD to paint the street view!  Kristi,  the proprietor, is such a sweetheart, and a big part of the community here. I'm happy she liked this painting, and has added it to her vast collection.  Painting number 4693 in 4693 days. 

Main Street

 

I love the timeless feel of a fountain pen gliding across handmade paper! TWSBIs are my absolute favorite fountain pens, piston loaded with inks of my choice, the ink flows smoothly - no matter how long it's been since I've used them.  I have many pens, and these are the only ones that don't fail me in the field.  Painting number 4691 in 4691 days.

Sunset Over Fairfield

 

Sunset turns to nightfall in a moment!  Intending to paint a nocturne, I arrived early to set up my easel.  When this glorious sky was before me, I just could not wait to begin!  So, I painted as fast as I could to capture all that color, before I really got the street scene in.  As soon as color faded from the sky, I made quick work of those lines.  They, too, faded as the dark settled in.  It was fun to talk to a few visitors on the street as I painted. I love that this painting of historic Fairfield will hang in the bank on this street.  Painting number 4690 in 4690 days. 

Night at the Victorian

SOLD

 

This was my first time to paint this beautiful Victorian at night, and in the rain.  As I drove by, coming home from another paint, I simply could not resist the glow of this beauty in the rain!  Choosing watercolor for a nocturne made this painting so much more challenging! As the rain increased, I was forced to finish in my car, where it was really too dark to see my paints.  I learned a few lessons with this one, and the result was worth the extra work.  I'm so happy the painting hangs within it's walls.  Painting number 4680 in 4680 days. 

Sunset Over Main Street

 

I LOVE painting on Main Street in Fairfield - especially at night!  Intending to paint a nocturne, the gorgeous sunset drew me right in!  I very quickly sketched the lines, then jumped right to the sunset ablazeI.  The light is so fleeting that I lay in those colors fast and loose, adding more detail as I go.  When all the color faded, i began the buildings, with only a few color notes to guide me.  Before long, I could no longer see the shapes of the buildings, so I called it.  The painting is actually bluer than the yellow street lights portray.  I love the quiet of painting at night - even in town. I'm happy this painting has a new home in the bank on the left, with a couple of mine from previous years!  Painting number 4652 in 4652 days. 

Morning at Cider Barn Farm

 

What a beautiful place for an early morning quick paint!  An hour and a half was hardly enough time to capture it all!  From the little deer playing in their pen to the white swans sailing across the lake, I just had to paint it all.  There were other animals, too, but they were out of my view.  Our gracious hosts welcomed us with a delicious breakfast after we turned in our paintings.  This was a wonderful way to start my day!  Painting number 4650 in 4650 days. 

Sunset Glory

 

I painted this one in my hand while dipping my brush into my palette, in my open trunk - there was no time to waste setting up my easel.  Though rather awkward, I painted as fast as I could, pulling the colors up from a dark palette nocturne style, but knowing where they are.  It was dark in my trunk before it was dark on my panel. This was crazy fun and so exhilarating!  There is nothing like a race with the sun! This was a spectacular sunset, and I'm SO HAPPY I didn't miss my chance to paint it!  Painting number 4649 in 4649 days. 

Along Petroleum Boulevard

 I love finding and painting the places unique to an area! Here I am on Petroleum Boulevard, painting remnants of a forgotten age. To get this view, I had to stand in the sun, using my car for partial shade.  Since I'm on week two of a new palette, I still have my swatch test out for reference.  A couple of those colors are not recognizable by their dry half pan appearance. I think the bright sunlight on white paper pushed me to get pretty bold with my color.  What fun this was to paint!  Painting number 5174 in 5174 days. 

Retired

 I saw this scene as I headed to Willow Creek this morning, and I could envision the painting and the name instantly.  So, of course I had to return as soon as I finished up at Willow Creek.  The row of pump jacks were so interesting - and like a puzzle to sketch out!  I love a complex painting challenge,  and this was a fun one to paint. Focus is everything as those lines and angels go in, then the color defines the masses as ink pushes up the contrast. I love that this painting is going to the bank in Main Street, to join a few others I have hanging there!  Painting number 3914 in 3914 days, and day 30 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Dramatic Clouds over the Corn Fields

 I stared at those clouds the whole drive to Fairfield, anticipating a perfect painting.  Once I found high ground and started painting, the raindrops started.  I worked faster until I had to duck for cover.  After seeking shelter I was able to return to finish this up.  Those clouds had moved to the south, but the other colors remained.  I absolutely love painting farmland after so many town paintings of late.  Painting number 3911 in 3911 days. 

Willie G on the T&T Farm

My first time painting in Wayne City brought me to this place to paint the flag barn.  Little did I know there would be several outbuildings and a famous pig modeling on the lawn!  This 300 pound beauty is a family pet who has his own following on social media and even does interviews! It was a lovely afternoon to paint - and I'm so happy my painting has a new home here as well!  Painting number 4357 in 4357 days. 

Porch Welcome

I had seen the windmill from the road days before - and it was rusty!  With that painting in mind, I stopped by Willow Creek to see if I could get it painted.  I walked out here prepared to paint in oils, but found this charming porch scene!  I went back to my car for my ink and watercolor gear - and never did get that windmill painted!  This one is still available!  Painting number 4355 in 4355 day. 

Evening Light on Second Street

After an amazing dinner and drinks on this lawn, I just HAD to paint this place at night!!  The lights illuminated the entry and spread out on the lawn, welcoming all to enter. Two other artists were staying to paint, so why not join in the fun?  It was a warm night, a lovely scene, and my paints were ready in the car - it ALWAYS pays to keep those Art supplies on board!  Painting number 4354 in 4354 days. 

Retired on the Farm

On

Sometimes, I get a "painting" in my head, and it won't let me rest until I get it painted! I had seen this scene two days before, but didn't have time to paint it was time to get to the Car Show Quick Paint.  It stayed on my mind until I got back there on the last painting day to paint it.  It was a beautiful fall day, abs the early morning light was delightful. The cows tried to lure me away as they stepped into the water of the pond to my left, but I stayed on track, lol. So happy to have finished this slice of farm life, and glad this painting now resides right here at Shreves Pumpkin Patch.  Painting number 4352 in 4352 days. 

Roses over the Fence

 

When I saw the roses spilling over that picket fence - I HAD to stop and paint them!!  This place always captures my artistic eye when I'm in Fairfield, Illinois.  The Victorian on Main is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast full of charm and culinary delights - and a lovely place to visit!  I knew I would use oils for this lush garden scene, and I sketched it on the panel with a paintbrush, and started laying in those lights, darks, and central colors where I saw them.  It was a cool morning, so standing in the sun to paint this warmed me up after an early morning paint in full shade.  It is so inspiring to paint a place like this - I lost track of time a little!  What better way to spend a couple hours than painting such beauty?  Painting number 4351 in 4351 days. 

Morning at the Pumpkin Patch

My first painting stop when I land at the Fairfield Paint Out is Shreves Pumpkin Patch!  There is literally a painting everywhere I look, and there is not enough time to paint them all!  The pumpkins are a local icon, and I simply love painting the season.  So many families come for the fun, and it is fun to paint to the sound of children laughing and playing.  This place is a slice of Americana, and I'm so lucky to paint it!  Day 30 of the #stradaeasel painting challenge! Hooray! Now I hope I win a strada easel! Painting number 4350 in 4350 days. 

Evening Glow on Second Street

 

I talked an artist friends into painting a nocturne, when she mentioned it. The weather was perfect, others were staying, so it was the perfect time.  I stayed for a quick one, packed my gear and was ready to leave.  She had restarted hers and had a ways to go on it.  She then talked me into painting another one - and this is it!  It was the perfect night, so how could I resist?  LOVE painting nocturnes with artist friends - especially after a wonderful dinner! Day 29 of the #stradaeasel painting challenge and painting number 4349 in 4349 days. 

Car Show at the Park

 

Only my second time to paint a car show, the Car Show Quick Paint at the park was super fun!  I couldn't decide which car to paint, so I painted as many as I could in an hour and a half!  I loved the challenge of describing such a scene in paint!  I did think about using my watercolors, but the long format I have left is too big for such a short time, so I chosec oils instead.  It was fun to visit with everyone who came by to watch, and especially fun to paint such cool cars. Day 28 of the #stradaeasel painting challenge, and painting number 4348 in 4348 days. So happy this painting has a new home tonight! 

Past the Roses

 

It was super fun to paint this lovely garden and brick building right in the heart of Wayne City! When I walked over to this location, I intended to paint with ink and watercolor.  I took my salad with me to scout, and ate while studying this place.  The painting began to form in my mind, a lush garden leading to the entry of the building beyond - and it would be in oils!  I like to immerse myself in the space a little, and let it talk to me. This always leads to a stronger painting, one that really connects to my experience in site.  It was a little warm, but it didn't bother me (still clad in my jeans, boots and jacket from a cool morning) as I stood in the sun and painted. The painting was already in me - I just needed to get it out.  I'm so happy this painting has a new home tonight!  Day 27 #stradaeasel painting challenge, painting number 4347 in 4347 days.