Old Boettcher Farmstead

SOLD

This place is miles off the beaten path, down a narrow country road canopied with trees. One here, this scene unfolded before me, like a story wanting to be painted.  An old saltbox once stood proud on it's foundation before a fire brought it down.  Two swings still hang from the oak tree, reminders of children playing and lives lived through many, many years.  In ink and watercolor I painted the story, and enjoyed a gorgeous day as the autumn color blushed.  I'm so thankful this painting has a new home now and is number 5170 in 5170 days. 

 

Wennwood Farms Winery

 

I love sketching a country road winding through farms and wineries in rural Missouri!  This farm turned winery is on Old Brick Church Rd in Gasconade County, where cattle and sheep are just a pasture away.  Though I was tempted by the livestock, I opted for this turn in the road, capturing the very essence of this place as one drives by.  I intended to add color, but when the drawing was finished, it said all I wanted to say in vintage black and white.  Painting number 5169 in 5169 days. 

Stone Hill Sunset

 

What a treat to find such a gorgeous barn to paint, high on a hill on Hermann! Wandering down the streets in search of autumn color brought me here, and little did i know what I would find.  From this spot were multiple paintings in all directions!  Stone Hill Winery is absolutely stunning, and i week definitely be back!  This painting is now available at Art Works On Main in Owensville!  I sure do love painting this part of Missouri! Painting number 5168 in 5168 days. 

Old Brick Church Rd

I don't think I've ever been on Old Brick Church Rd before now, and it's beautiful as it winds through the Gasconade County countryside between A and P.  It's very dry here, so painting right on the gravel road was quite dusty.  This road was irresistible, and the painting unfolded almost by itself in this beautiful light.  It was a joy to paint near the Wennwood Farms Winery, I only wish it had been open at the time.  Painting number 5164 in 5164 days. 

Tiefenbrun Farm

SOLD

 

Tiefenbrun Farm was so much lovelier than expected!  I felt like i had walked into a French landscape, complete with outbuildings, lakes, and a creek winding through it!  The children of the family were so interested in what we artists were doing - and Alice even painted the pink flowers into the garden on my painting.  She's already has an eye for art, i hope she's inspired to explore all the possibilities!  I LOVED painting this incredible 1889 French inspired home and farm today- and I'm so honored this painting was awarded an Honorable Mention, too!  Painting number 5162 in 5162 days. 

Looking up 1st Street

It was so much fun to return to Hermann to paint on 1st Street.  It's been a couple of years since I've been here, and I have never painted this view before.  It was very cold this morning, and the first cold snap always hits me hard!  With my smart wool base layer and winter coat (warm to -7 degrees) I was warm.  Today was a struggle with the wind - and the paintings were a fight indeed.  At least the sun came out to spread light upon my scene as a was just beginning to add color.  Yay!  Painting number 5161 in 5161 days. 

Morning on the Farm

I have wanted to paint this beautiful barn since I first saw it on my way to Rosebud. I could not have imagined I would be invited to paint this very place!  Lovely from all directions, the light was best from this one. Though I would love to paint the sunburst on the other side of the barn - the light was too direct with no shadows to draw the eye through the painting.  A perfect day, perfect light and a perfect scene - this was a lovely plein air day!  Painting number 3943 in 3943 days.  So happy this painting has a new home, too. 

Autumn at Peaceful Valley Lake

 I absolutely love painting the colors of autumn - especially when they are reflecting on water!  The reds are really popping around Peaceful Valley Lake - and I could hardly wait to get back here once I saw the beauty!  I marked all the highlights while the sun was shining, before the clouds moved back in. The calm water reflected those colors so well, in between bursts of wind.  It seems our autumn color fades so quickly in Missouri - I hope to get several more paintings finished before that happens!  Painting number 3941 in 3941 days. 

Sunset over Peaceful Valley Lake

 I should always seize the opportunity to paint a sunset - the beauty around me is my reward!  With only 30 minutes of light remaining, I grabbed a panel and started slinging paint quickly.  This view was from the lake side of our host home,  and Caroline and I both painted from water's edge! The clouds were illuminated with glorious color, so I marked those masses first, careful to keep them pure.  It's so easy to mix into areas when painting fast, so careful is key.  Once I had my colors marked, I married the edges, bringing it to a speedy completion just as the light was fading.  Sunset painting is always a race with the sun - an invigorating race, indeed! Painting number 3940 in 3940 days. 

Morning on the Farm

I'm so happy for the invitation to paint this lovely farm in Rosebud!  I met the owner, Bob, at my host home last night where he entertained us at the piano after our quick sunset paint along the lake.  What a lovely evening!  He has even inspired me to get back to the piano, too.  The morning light here was glorious, and I've wanted to paint that very unique roofed silo for years! Yay for getting that done and I love that this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 3939 in 3939 days. 

New Woollam

 I found this scene on my way to paint another, and I just HAD to paint this before going to the next spot.  I've never been to New Woollam, Missouri, before, so of course I had to capture it in paint!  I used ink, watercolor and gouache on this one before adding more ink at the finish.  It's so fun to mix up the mediums when the scene calls for it! I'm honored this painting was awarded a blue ribbon at the final awards, and it has a new home, too.  The owners tell me this foreground house will not stand much longer. I'm so happy to immortalize it in paint.  Painting number 3938 in 3938 days. 

Farm on Boettcher Rd

 What a gorgeous farm this was to paint!  With the many barns and outbuildings scattered across this property, this was the composition I landed on.  I could paint here for a week, and still not paint it all! Love that this painting will now live with the family that owns the property!  Painting number 3935 in 3935 days. 

Afternoon in Rosebud

 

It was super fun painting in Rosebud today!  I LOVE that charming town, and this scene was calling my name!  This lovely building in the foreground is Rachel's Room Boutique, and it is FULL of amazing things!  It was a joy to meet the owners, too!  This painting will be available at White Mule Winery for tomorrow's sale from noon to 3:00. Painting number 3934 in 3934 days. 

Autumn Reflections on the Lake

I just couldn't resist painting this gorgeous fall color on Peaceful Valley Lake! I'm a bit in love with these first reds and golds, and I just can't get enough of them!  I saw this scene on my way out first thing this morning, and waited until the afternoon light was on them to paint. It is super fun to lay down strong color, and this rich scene surely called for them.  I hope I get many more days to paint the autumn leaves before they drop!  Painting number 3933 in 3933 days.  

Autumn at Oak Glenn

 

This was such an amazing painting day!  As soon as I pulled up the road leading to the Oak Glenn Winery, I wanted to paint it!  The morning light was streaming through the trees, illuminating the autumn landscape. After a quick look at the top of the hill, I headed back to paint this beautiful stretch of road.  I blocked this one in fast because the light was already changing so much. It was a bit of a struggle to find the right color balance as this is my first real fall color paint this year!  I do love a good challenge!  I'm so happy this painting has a new home tonight!  Painting number 3932 in 3932 days. 

Autumn in the Farm

 

I love painting the historic farms in Owensville, Missouri!  This private estate is part of the Gasconade County Plein Air event, and our venue for today.  After painting a panoramic view this morning, I stood in the full sun to paint the gorgeous color from this pasture.  This place could be painted for days, but alas, turn in is at 4. This painting now showing at Seaons of Faith Church in Owensville through Thursday, and will be at the White Mule Winery for the Saturday sale, if it lasts that long.  Painting number 3931 in 3931 days. 😍🎨

Lost Valley Lake Bridge

 

The warm autumn days are numbered, and today I'm thankful for another one!  Our temps are expected to drop as low as 20 by the weekend so I'm soaking in every minute before.  We've had such a lovely autumn, I want it to last forever.  So, I paint the beauty while it's still before me, and I'll embrace lovely winter when it comes.  Painting number 4388 in 4388 days. 

Red Oak Valley Bridge

Today, I'm thankful for the wonderful iron bridges I find, begging me to paint!  Exploring a new place is such an adventure for this artist! Around each bend is a new delight, something I've never laid eyes on before, drawing me in for a closer look.  I'm never as observant as when I'm painting, seeing every color shift, light and shadow as it unfolds live before my easel.  We have a conversation, the landscape and I, she whispers with the breeze and trickling water, as I answer with my brush.  These moments are sacred, and I'm the only one here to capture the beauty. Too soon the painting is done, and I pack up and climb out of this creek bed, possibly never to return.  I'm thankful for this day. Painting number 4387 in 4387 days. 

Autumn Creek

I simply adore painting the autumn color while standing in a creek bed in Gasconade County!  I set up on rock slabs that are most likely under water in other years, making it even more special to get this chance!  Our current drought has not dampened color, in fact I think it has pushed the oaks towards a redder hue. Fall color is so fleeting, I must paint it while I can, and what a treat to have such warm, beautiful days to do it!  I sure do love this time of year!  Painting number 4386 in 4386 days. 

Autumn Path

 

I'm so happy to paint the peak color at Gasconade Fall Plein Air at the Lost Valley Lake!  I loved this path winding through the fall trees, and I just HAD to paint it.  This 35 minute wonder happened because I could not leave this space before painting it - and had only minutes to rush to turn in other work!  No better was to keep things loose and fresh!  Painting number 4377 in 4377 days.