Bounty on the Farm

I've painted this beautiful farm multiple times in the spring, but I've never seen the corn tall in the field. I knew it had to be painted as soon as I saw it.  I'm using a paper from a new batch, and I'm learning it's specific little idiosyncrasies.  It somehow soaks up color, and I add another layer.  I'm finding that working a little drier facilitates this, though I often want to wash on that color.  I do like the finish and the feel, once I play enough with that pigment.  It's a thing that is both challenge and joy, and I love the process of it all!  Painting number 4597 in 4597 days. 

Kessler Farm Home

 

What a lovely place to land between sessions at the Yoga Bliss Festival in Augusta, Missouri.  I've painted different parts of this farm on multiple occasions, but this is my first time to paint the farmhouse.  It was nice to spend a little time with our hosts during our stay, and so gracious of them to welcome in my daughter, too.  I love making new memories here with two souls who are the salt of the earth.  Painting number 5123 in 5123 days. 

Morning on Kessler Farm

I brought two long panels for this plein air event, and when I saw this location I knew I must use one.  I wanted to capture all the barns, silos, cattle, and the wonderful old farmhouse, so I needed a substrate that was long and narrow. I happened to have a piece of birch that I had cut the night before I left town.  I had not washed a color over it, so I had to start on white.  It is a struggle, when I am used to an underpainting. It was a bit dusty on the gravel lane, especially when the tractors were operating, so there is authentic dust embedded in the oils from this site!  These pastoral scenes are among my favorites to paint - so happy the Kesslers allowed me to capture their place!  Painting number 1940 in 1940 days.

sold

Kessler Farm Inked

In the early light of morning, I set up my easel for a quick drawing of this rambling farm.  That quick draw took more time than expected, due to all that detail!  I enjoyed it so much, and this country farm scene is totally in my wheel house! I'm off to a nocturne paint - so this is a quick post!  Painting number 1916 in 1916 days!

Fields of Plenty

Fields of Plenty
Oil on wood panel, 14x11
Kessler Farm, Augusta, Missouri
Augusta Plein Air Art Festival - sold

The special theme paint for the week was "Cream of the Crop".  I wanted to paint cows - and had been looking for them as we drove back and forth to other events.  A conversation on the night of the Balducci paint led us to the Kessler farm just hours before the turn in deadline.  A bit of scouting uncovered this amazing scene - off of the beaten path.  Tucked in beside the fence, I started this complicated composition with only and hour and 15 minutes to complete.  One by one, these beautiful cows came up and greeted me.  I kept stopping my brushwork to take their photos!  I will be able to turn SO many of them into fabulous paintings!  I did not make the deadline with this one, but was worth taking the extra time to finish.  Landscapes like this are priceless.  Painting number 857 in 857 days.