West Building

 

It's fun to paint the historic Shawnee Indian Mission with artist friends on such a beautiful day!  With many things on my plate, I still took the time to paint today - and oh how myth soul was rewarded!  After sneaking in a quick workout, getting two paintings finished early in the day is the very best way to start the day.  I am exhilarated after painting, and I feel invincible for the rest of the day, with all things slipping into place.  This is probably an indication to switch up my schedule for the summer.  Now, if I can only get to my posting earlier in each day..... baby steps.....lol. Painting number 4915 in 4915 days. 

Shawnee Indian Mission West

 

It was a lovely morning to paint the historic Shawnee Indian Mission with artist friends! The Monday Morning Watercolorists were meeting here, so I joined in before dropping two paintings at the Rice Gallery.  I have a few paintings showing in the gift shop here on site, so this have me the perfect opportunity to paint another from a different place.  What a lovely break in my hectic schedule - this will restore me for a little while!  Painting number 4914 in 4914 days. 

Twilight in the Garden

 

The flowers are really stunning along the path to the LongHouse! It was a pleasure to paint them at twilight, when the garden was still.  My daughters painted nearby, and we visited as we finished up.  Mom waited for us in the LongHouse, and we turned our next paintings in and joined the reception.  Come see this in person until November 1. Painting number 4625 in 4625 days. 

Butterflies in the Garden

 

The gardens at the Overland Park Arboretum are full of butterflies - and it was a joy to paint them for their very first plein air event!  A wedding reception was taking place in the background, and the music wafted up from the terrace as I worked. The temperature was perfect and only gentle breezes stirred the air. Both of my daughters participated, and Mom walked the garden, finding benches in the shade to rest.  Their paintings are beautiful, and all will be on display until November 1st at the Long House.  What a lovely way to spend an afternoon!  Painting number 4624 in 4624 days. 

Adventures of Calvin

SOLD

It was so fun to finally paint in historic Fort Scott, Kansas!  Years ago, I was near here painting, and I took a quick spin around town before heading back home.  The beautiful historic buildings lining the cobble stoned streets were so inviting! I was pleasantly surprised to find new life and fresh paint on some of these places - especially this block!  It was a pleasure to paint here - even if I had to work around a downpour! Thank you, Tim Van Hoeke for inviting me, my old high school friend turned mayor!  This painting is celebrating the 10th anniversary of this place.  Painting number 4611 in 4611 days. 

 

Baby Goats!

 

How could I possibly resist painting these adorable baby goats?!!  The Deanna Rose Farmstead is a wonderful place to take family to see many farm animals.  From chickens to cattle in the dairy barn to fishing in their pond, this place is so very paintable.  I've been painting here for years, but this is the first time I've focused on the baby goats!  They are easily sketched from outside their corral, and so fun to watch as they interact with each other and all the children walking in with tiny bottles!  Painting number 4531 in 4531 days. 

Downtown Magic

Hooray for the rain holding off for tonight's quick paint in downtown Overland Park! It was raining lightly when I drove up, and I was prepared with my oils and my raincoat.  I spent way too much time cleaning my palette this afternoon, and the reward was the fresh paints to dip into!  As I packed up my car to head home, the rain began to fall lightly.  Perfect timing!  I love painting this iconic street from my childhood.  Painting number in days. 

 

Georgia's Hen House

After visiting some favorite places inside the Deanna Rose Farm with Michaela and the boys, I settled on a bench swing to sketch the chickens. With ink and watercolor I painted their shapes, and their sweet sounds accompanied the happy families coming to visit.  The best chicken sounds actually came from a couple of boys - I had to look over to make sure the chickens hadn't gotten out!  Painting number in days. 

Stroll through the Garden

I had a perfect spot in the shade of an old crabapple, in the rock path herb garden from which to paint.  A cool breeze came across the lake, refreshing as the day warmed up.  Walkers along the path visited before moving on, and it was a joy to paint while surrounded with the sights and fragrance of the garden.  I do love painting here at the Overland Park Arboretum, and I wish I could paint here more.  This is a peaceful, thoughtful place to spend immersed in flowers and paint.  I plan to submit this one to the Rice Gallery, along with a couple more yet unpainted!  Painting number in days. 

Flower Benches

It was super fun to gather with artist friends to paint and shop at Suburban Lawn and Garden this morning!  The three tiers of blooming plants instantly grabbed my attention, so I set up on the spot to paint in this newish leather bound art journal.  The cotton paper is very soft and thin, but I am finding a way to make it work.  I sketched this one first with a Pitt pen, then started washing in the watercolor layers, working a little drier than I normally would for increased pigment strength.  I popped in with more ink and then more paint until I reached the effect I was looking for.  It's fun to explore my mediums in this way - I learn something from every painting!  Painting number 5081 in 5081 days. 

Cyclamen

 

It was super fun to sketch inside the balmy greenhouse today with artist friends and Tiffany!  The Arctic blast is moving through and at 11 degrees, this was a lovely place to sketch!  This gorgeous cyclamen grabbed my attention, so I set it on my table with 5 seed packets to bring home, and a hot tea - and got to work!  I've been working on my sketchbooks lately, getting them organized for future Travel Journal  Workshops. For this one, I'm bringing out bolder colors and fun lettering.  Every page is an exploration and i can't wait to see where it takes me. Thank you, Family Tree Nursery for welcoming us today!  Painting number 5074 in 5074 days. 

Ferris Wheel at Scheels

 

It was fun to meet inside to sketch the Ferris wheel on this very cold day with artist friends and Mom!  Lunch afterwards at their Cafe was icing on the cake.  Scheels is a great place to shop, with painting subjects ranging from architecture to the grand aquarium and taxidermy.  I brought a sketchbook today, wanting to immerse myself a little deeper in my methods.  Many subjects would have been far easier than this Ferris wheel, but when I think of Scheels, this is what comes to mind.  I've left the upper left corner a little dreamy because I plan to write about my day in that area.  I find it best to sketch on scene and fill in the words later - when I'm not so distracted by family and friends.  I can paint all day while talking to others, but it takes solitude to pull together the right words that really 'paint' my experience.  Painting number 5068 in 5068 days. 

Gingerbread House

I loved meeting artist friends with Tiffany at the Urban Sketchers KC event at Family Tree Nursery this morning!  Though the winter storm was fast on our heels, we had time to sketch in the greenhouse and enjoy the light and foliage!  This gingerbread house is new in the Cafe seating at the Shawnee nursery. So of course, I had to sketch it!  I'm using ink and watercolor in a new leather sketch bag I picked up in Branson.  The ATC miniature sketch I left as a thank you for allowing us in to sketch today. I think this is the first time I've been here in January!  It was the perfect way to spend our last morning out before becoming ice abs snow bound!  And now, I'm looking forward to painting snow!! Painting number 5058 in 5058 days. 
 

West Building

The Shawnee Indian Mission is such a lovely place to paint in the fall.  With autumn color on display, the historic building took on a special glow. With half the proceeds benefitting the Mission, I love being a part of it all.   I just dropped this painting and more off at the Shawnee Indian Mission for the Three Springs Market opening next Tuesday!  It's going to be a wonderful place to shop for the holidays! Painting number 5196 in 5196 days. 

 

Teepees at the Indian Mission

 

These three teepees were set up at the Shawnee Indian Mission for the VIP event - and I'm lucky to get to paint them.  The blush of autumn glowed in the afternoon light, as vendors and patrons arrived for the event.  Set up on the west side of the West Building, this was a painting opportunity I couldn't pass up! Besides the three originals, I will also bring some miniature prints priced right for the holiday season! This painting and more will be available at the Three Springs Market opening November 26! Painting number 5195 in 5195 days. 

North Building

 

This is one of three paintings I will be dropping off at the Shawnee Indian Mission this week for the Three Springs Market!  I have painted here now twice, and i love the historic buildings. Autumn is a special time here, and I'm happy to be a part of the upcoming market.  They will have 1200 trees to sell along with artisan goods, half the proceeds to benefit the Mission  Come support the Shawnee Indian Mission with your purchase bringing November 26. Painting number 5191 in 5191 days. 

Heading to the Lake

It was so good to be painting in the shores of Lake Quivira after such a long absence.  The last scheduled plein air event here was 9 years ago. On this lovely day, my daughters finished their paintings while I started this oil, longing to capture the light in the kayaks. This was such a fun painting and it is now showing in the Lake Quivira Clubhouse along with three others of mine and 4 of my daughters' paintings, too.  Painting number 5176 in 5176 days. 

Longhouse at the Arboretum

 It's so fun to sketch at the Overland Park Arboretum with artist friends and my daughter, too!  This grand new entrance with it's long reflection pools spilling one into another, is beautiful.  I am using a long, thin cotton paper for this sketch, and it buckles a little when wet. As with all handmade papers, each one is different, and part of the process is learning it's attributes, and focusing on what works rather than what doesn't. Once, I set the more challenging papers aside, now I embrace those differences, and am driven to make the most of them.  It's a bit like life, isn't it?  Painting number 5173 in 5173 days. 

Autumn Bench

 

It was super fun to paint the autumn color with artist friends and my daughter at the arboretum today!  This place is beautiful in every season, and it's always a treat to paint here. I used only my newest mini Qor palette today, and i love the fluid spread of this paint - even on my very absorbent, thin, soft cotton paper today.  This red may be my all time favorite red watercolor!  It's so rich and vibrant!  This was only a 30 minute sketch, but I'd love to return and paint here in oils!  Painting number 5172 in 5172 days 

Sailing Dreams

 

What an honor to find this painting was awarded 2nd place at the Lake Quivira Paint Out!!  It was super fun painting here with BOTH my daughters for our first plein air event together. It had been 9 years since I had painted here, and I found myself drawn to the waterfront. Last time, there was a yacht race in progress, but today the water was still.  With those lovely sailboats waiting on shore, the wet ground reflected light as though they were on the water.  The painting unfolded naturally as I visited with my daughters, each finishing their own paintings. I'm looking forward to all of our painting time ahead. Painting number 5171 in 5171 days, and this painting is now showing at the Lake Quivira Clubhouse.