Guarding Her Filly

Guarding Her Filly
Instant Coffee on paper, 12x9
Jeek's Farm, Augusta, Missouri

I have sketched this in charcoal and painted it in oils this last month, but THIS time - I have painted with instant coffee!  That's right, I said coffee!  Folgers is the best brand, and it leaves a wonderful glossy look where the "paint" is the heaviest.  A couple of years ago, this was something we tried in a monthly Tri-County meeting for our workshop.  Finding my supplies for this - I remembered how I loved the rich, warm color these leaves on the paper!  It makes me want to paint more subject matter with it!  It flows onto the paper beautifully, and has such an antique feel to it.  I can just see cowboys on their horses painted in such a medium.  It is important to use Folgers brand instant coffee, because I am told that the others do not have the same color and gloss.  You simply mix a little coffee with water, and start painting.  So fun!  This is painting number 199 in 199 days :)

Just Horsing Around

Just Horsing Around
Charcoal on mi-teintes paper
Jeek's Farm, Augusta, Missouri

While waiting for my primed panel to dry, I pulled out my charcoals to do a study of these horses.  One thing I like about charcoals that I don't like in graphite is that I don't have to be as careful with my paper.  The oils from my hand does not affect how the charcoal adheres to the surface.  That is a plus!  Still finding my way around the charcoals, but I am enjoying the process.  I plan to put this one down in oils one of these days, so a study is a real benefit.  This makes artwork number 181 in 181 days.

Pride of Jeek's Farm

Pride of Jeek's Farm
Oil on panel, 12x9

I have fond memories of the first estate paint that I attended at Jeek's Farm in Augusta, Missouri.  It was a very rainy day, and I was using acrylics at the time - so I painted from within the shelter of a barn.  I remember the smell of the wet earth, and the beautiful horses on the property.  The hosts were very gracious, welcoming each artist warmly.  I painted one of the barns on that day, and have only now gotten around to putting these beauties down with oil.  After yesterday's charcoal sketch, this was an easy paint today.  Painting number 175 in 175 days.

Mare and Colt

Mare and Colt
Charcoal Study on mi-teintes paper
Jeek's Farm

I have drawn this tonight from photo reference taken at Jeek's Farm in Augusta, Missouri several years ago at an estate paint.  I am planning to do this in oils, but the charcoal on the tinted paper has such a vintage, timeless feel.  I don't know where my time went today!  It started with running one daughter to work, stopping for tea at another daughter's, then shopping for am upcoming trip, then a baseball game cancelled on the field, to a house full of company until 10:30.  That is when I pulled out my charcoals!  This is painting number 174 in as many days.  I hope tomorrow is not as crazy!