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. 
 

Zebra Plant

 

It is fun to sketch inside on this stormy day with a cup of hot tea and family.  I am working on a few butterfly paintings for Powell Gardens, so i added the little blue butterfly instead of the chicadees that were seeking shelter from the rain. After painting this beautiful zebra plant - I brought it home to enjoy in my own garden!  Painting number 5090 in 5090 days. 

Crossandra and Butterfly

Today was our Monday Morning Watercolorist gathering at Family Tree Nursery in Shawnee. Mom joined me and Michaela and the boys met us there, along with artist friends. We drove through the pouring rain to get there, abs it was totally worth it to paint in their greenhouse as the rain hit the clear roof. There were a few leaks, but we sat strategically at a lovely wooden table in the clear.  After painting this tropical flower from Sri Lanka, we shopped and stopped by Bill and Evelyn's house for a visit. Tonight was an impromptu game night with Michael, Travis, Tiffany, Mom and my brother's family. Another super fun and busy family day!  I brought this beauty home to my own garden, too!  Painting number 5089 in 5089 days. 

Arbor at Family Tree

 

So fun to capture this tropical space in the greenhouse of Family Tree Nursery in Shawnee!  The tropical plants, quilted fabric flags and pots made such a wonderful scene, i just had to paint it.  When I started this sketch - clear through to the end, the tables were not occupied. If I'd only  waited, I could have sketched the people that filled the tables, too!  Feels like a vacation to spend a few hours here in January! Painting number 3680 in 3680 days. 

Family Tree Umbrellas

 

It's a tropical getaway each time I sketch at Family Tree Nursery!  My first time back after renovations - I love what they've done here.  There were so many gorgeous things to paint inside, but I just HAD to spend my time in the greenhouse, soaking up warmth and humidity on this cold January day!  LOVE painting here!  Painting number 3679 in 3679 days and day 31 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Trail at the Park

I love returning to a childhood haunt, and painting the walking trails of Shawnee Mission Park!  This park has grown so much in my lifetime - and the trails are everywhere!  This path is not far from shelter #11, by the still waters of a fishing cove, off the main lake.  So serene and peaceful, it was a joy to gather with artist friends and express ourselves!  Painting number 4260 in 4260 days. 

Shawnee Mission Lake

With much work on my plate, the thought of a two hour "oil painting break" was too enticing to resist, so I headed out to Shawnee Mission Park as soon as I could get away to meet my watercolor friends.  In a place such as this, I always bring my oils, longing for the rich, buttery textures only they can provide.  I've never been in this part of the park, near Shelter #11, where the water was still and reflective.  A double kayak came by, as did a paddle boarder, as a couple fished from bridge and bank.  It was such a peaceful two hours, I left this place renewed, and ready to jump back into my gallery work! Painting number 4259 in 4259 days.  

Garden on Black Swan Lake

What a beautiful morning for painting in a garden on Black Swan Lake!  Meeting a few of the Monday Morning Watercolorists for our weekly outing, I had never heard of Black Swan Lake before!  Nestled in Northern Shawnee, this garden is tucked deep into the area, right on the lake.  In fact, I had to stand on a steep slope near water's edge to get this vantage.  I even set up on a black ant hill, with my yoga mat to separate us, sprayed with bug deterrent on both sides.  Only two brave ants crawled up my legs - until I brushed them off!  I often use this mat for wet ground or snow, to insulate my feet, or in woodsy areas that might be crawling with ticks.  I don't need any hitchhikers while I paint!  This garden is brimming with lovely blooms, and I'm so happy I got to spend the morning exploring them with paint!  Painting number 3107 in 3107 days. 

Cardinal Trees

This enchanting place is a perfect getaway, if only for a couple hours!  With ink and watercolor I sketched out the scene before me, going back in with a little more ink.  The trimmed trees line the pathways, and are in many themes.  One can pick the ornaments right off the trees for purchase.  I found the cheerful cardinals donning this tree irresistible!  After I painted this, I bought a couple for my own tree!  Painting number 2871 in 2871 days. 

Family Tree Nursery

The Family Tree Nursery is a "must paint" during the holiday season!  Christmas trees line the walkways, all glistening with ornaments for sale.  The Monday Morning Watercolorists have met in this special place today, even though it is 64 degrees outdoors!  Though I hardly paint inside on a gorgeous day - this place is the exception!  Love my ink and watercolor for such an interior scene!  Painting number 2868 in 2868 days. 

Poinsettia

With just a little time left, I pulled out a miniature paper for a quick poinsettia painting!  I had to paint these beauties in my favorite color.  So many shoppers stopped to visiti while I worked - I think I talked more than I painted!  It's always a great day when I meet so many nice people!  I will definitely return to paint another day!  Painting number 2549 in 2549 days. 

Family Tree Christmas

purchase here

What a treat today to visit the Family Tree Nursery with the Art Mob!  This place is a Christmas Wonderland full of trees, ornaments, decorations and so much more!  With sitting areas back in the sunlit greenhouses, one could order goodies at their coffee shop, to return and bask in the sun IN SNOWY DECEMBER!  I will definitely be back on those frigid winter days to enjoy this space!  Painting number 2548 in 2548 days. 

Entry to Hardwood Garden

Sometimes it is the very architecture of a place that draws me in.  I love the way the pillars flank the stairs, and those wonderful terra cotta urns filled with blooms - simply inspiring.  The garden here is the backdrop, and these strong features - the stars.  I had to stand on a decline to draw and paint this, the lawn sloping down to the street.  With the gentle music of waterfalls and fountains, I could paint here all week.  Painting number 2386 in 2386 days.

Hillside Lily Pond

Oh how I love painting in a water garden!  The gentle babbling of the water and movement of the fish are restorative.  After a week full of painting architecture, the solace of this garden has been a welcome retreat.  For this painting, I began with India ink, sketching out my scene.  Next, I moved in with a water soluble ink to establish values.  To this, I added watercolor, to capture the color in the landscape.  I could paint here all month and never paint it all!  Painting number 2384 in 2384 days.

Harwood Water Garden

How lucky am I to be invited to paint such a lush garden?  Arriving early for a Fox 4 live broadcast, I am representing the Urban Sketchers KC chapter that is partnering with the Water Garden Society's Tour this weekend.  Artists are located in roughly 21 different gardens tomorrow morning, painting on location, some offering work to sell.  20% of the proceeds go back to the Water Garden and Urban Sketchers KC to further their continuing education projects.  The weather was perfect, and my host so gracious - this was a morning well spent, even if the news coverage was cut short due to a breaking story!  Painting number 1993 in 1993 days.