Missouri Creek

I love my time spent by the creek with pen and ink.  Only a few birds scatter as I approach, and there is no babbling of water in this bend.  It's really very quiet and peaceful, the light breeze rustling oak leaves overhead.  The snow and ice are gone, but even these colors are lovely, convincing me to return with my oils to see what I can create.  My baby has gone back to college, and I already miss him.  Had it not been for covid, we would have just returned home from Arizona.  I'll have to wait until next year to paint the beautiful hues of that place.  Painting number 2925 in 2925 days and Day 12 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Tranquil Creek Inked

Wanting to soak up another warm day with a run outside, I headed to a favorite trail after the gym.  As I ran, scene after scene appealed to my senses but eventually brought me back here.  A dark day, I was unsure if the rain would hold off.  The ink I use in my fountain pens is fugitive when wet!  This landscape drew me in, and I started with the line work.  Using a pen I have not used for a while - I had a little trouble getting the nib to release that ink!  I kept wetting it over and over again until finally it was flowing freely.  I'll need to rinse out the nib to assure good flow next time.  I'm so spoiled with the TWSBIs, this almost never happens.  I probably allowed the bag to lay over at some point, drying some of the ink inside the pen.  When I was packing up, I realized a storm was fast approaching behind me!  Almost a mile from my car, I ran back as the first raindrops were falling!  Just another plein air adventure - lol!  Painting number 2629 in 2629 days.

Creekside Afternoon

Peaceful and tranquil, I am drawn to the motion of water.  I love the twists and turns of this local creek, and I try to come by often for a run and a paint.  This day was so gorgeous, I had to come!  Spring is in the air!  Hints of green are appearing at water's edge, and the frog song was so loud it almost drowned out the bird song!  This calm day led to glassy surfaces on the water, which is a joy to capture with my oils.  This place has many moods and colors, changing so much with the seasons and days.  This is the way to seize the day!  Painting number 2628 in 2628 days.

JC Nichols Drama

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The plaza is my "go to" place for sketching fountains!  With over 400 to choose from, there is no end to the paintings I can do!  On this one, I've gone old school with my pen and ink, no fancy water and brush work here.  Just good old hatching and line work for shading.  Drawing is very therapeutic, like a balm to the soul.  Painting number 2271 in 2271 days.

Almost Ready to Ride

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Thinking ahead to a Kansas City Parks show at the Buttonwood, I am sketching out this horse team and wagon in ink, thinking of doing it in oils.  Refilling my favorite fountain pen with my favorite ink - Levenger Raven Black - it feels good to play in the ink.  A complicated scene, I also use Pitt pens for light sketching marks before committing to the deep dark ink.  I only do this when I feel the need to keep control of my lines.  I may return to this to wash out the background trees... maybe.  Painting number 2254 in 2254 days.

Winding Creek in Snow

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The quiet beauty of the day was calling to me.  As I headed to the gym, it called.  While dropping artwork off at the Buttonwood, it still called.  Once free from my obligations, I stopped at a favorite creek on my way home,. Knowing the melting snow would now expose very wet ground, I could not wait to paint the inky darks against that cool gray snow.  Love the mood of this place, I am SO glad I stopped!  Painting number 2207 in 2207days.

Sunset Stream

I was awarded an extensive set of Richeson oils, which I got to select myself in the fall.  I have dedicated a palette to just this brand, and have used it for this painting.  Exploring the texture and hues as I find new ways to the colors I want.  After three large paintings, I've decided to add Naples yellow, ultramarine violet, and cad orange to my Richeson palette.  I did not order these originally, and find I'm missing them as I work on winter sunsets.  With each studio painting, the process becomes easier,  I can trust more in all of my field experience for the information I lack from a reference photo.  Perhaps I will grow more comfortable with each one I do in the studio.  Nothing like practice to improve those skills!  Painting number 2195 in 2195 days.

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December on the Trail

The only local snow I was in town for, melted before I could really take advantage of it.  Finishing a painting in the studio is so challenging for me.  So comfortable in the field, where all of my references are before me, I am a fish out of water when inside with only photos to assist me.  Perhaps I simply need more practice.  Painting number 2193 in 2193 days.

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Late Autumn at Cleveland Lake

With the gym closed this morning, I got a painting in early.  I love the morning light, and I am exploring my new Richeson oils again today.  The late autumn colors have me reaching for King's Blue and Golden Ochre as key players.  I ordered 4 different browns (which is crazy town) and I used each one here.  Asphaltum pushes toward warm red, Van Dyle brown is very like burnt umber, the burnt umber cool is true, and raw umber is deep greenish.....at least these are my first impressions in the morning landscape.  I received a round Gray Matters brush as a gift from Richeson, and I find myself going to it again and again.  I NEVER use rounds with my oils, almost always flats, angled or brights, and yet I like this round.  It is firm enough to keep a point, and lays down a good mark with straight paint. I use no solvent or mediums, so my brushes must be able to work that paint.  I'm going to have fun settling in with these new supplies!  Painting number 2126 in  2126 days.

Creek at Frontier Park

St. Charles, Missouri is rich with history and charm!  This gorgeous creek winds from the Missouri River, a bridge leading the way to Frontier Park.  It is so much fun exploring a new place, most especially with paint!  I got down in the woods a little for a perch on the high bank. I painted quickly and as I cleaned up, my Off clip on popped off my pocket and plummeted 12 feet  straight down. Well shoot, at least it wasn't any of my real gear!  Painting number 2027 in 2027 days.

Looking up to Ha Ha Tonka

The castle ruins of Ha Ha Tonka are majestic high upon the bluff in Camdenton.  There is such a feel of the past here, as if time stands still.  I pick up a favorite fountain pen for this one, my TWSBI Eco.  The J. Herbin Caroube de Chypre ink is from their anniversary line, and is full of shimmering gold.  The tiny flecks are visible in the line work, especially in the heavier areas.  Although this gold is supposed to clog up fountain pen nibs, I have never had this issue.  The ink has a rich brown color that shifts to red with a little water.  You can clearly see that in the writing under the drawing.  I love the fancy bottle, too!  Timeless!  Painting number 1906 in 1906 days.