Poppy Parade

Poppy Parade
Acrylic over molding paste, 14x11
sold

This is just another bit of molding paste craziness from the arboretum!  I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, but here it is anyway.  After sketching the amazing poppies of Monet's Garden, I laid down those petals with the side of a long, slim palette knife.  It is fun to finally use some of my knife collection - it seems that I only use two of them, and all the others just sit idly by.  It is like training your hand to do something new - holding the knife differently and pulling the strokes down, or sideways, or turning the whole panel upside down!  The colors are a bit bolder than I normally use, and this is causing me to want to do some more glazing.  Yes, I am enjoying the quick drying time and the easy glazing of color than can be applied immediately of acrylics.  I am using Golden Opens, and I don't think I have added as much of the regular gel medium as last time, so this may be a little tacky for a while.  Oh well, live and learn.......and what better way than by experimenting?  This is painting number 519 in as many days.  Now, off to Michael's baseball game!

Allium and Zinnias

Allium and Zinnias
Acrylic over molding paste on panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum
Stems Plein Air Event - sold

After a morning of awards at school, I headed out Friday to get a couple of paintings in.  I wanted to paint over molding paste again, this time with more careful knife strokes - and adding detail to the background areas which I left flat on the earlier piece.  I am currently using Liquitex light molding paste, where I used Golden last time.  I find the Liquitex has a surface that more readily accepts the overpainting.  I found the Golden brand had a bit of resistance, causing my paint to be lighter when painting over the molded parts.  I had added acrylic paint to the Golden paste to add in the same color as my surface, hoping to improve how the paint adhered afterwards - but it did not.  So, for this technique, Liquitex wins - hard to believe, as I love all of the Golden acrylic products that I have tried, and I use Liquitex very little.  It was so warm, the paste was dry when I was ready to start with the acrylics.  By the time I had finished, I had backed up 30 feet to keep myself out of the sun which kept creeping my way!  I really like painting these florals in this way - I have already done 2 others, and may even try a whole landscape later in the week.  I know, just a little "crazy" in my normal, everyday routine......just to spice things up!  Painting number 518 in as many days - where does the time go?

Bridge Over the Duck Pond

Bridge Over the Duck Pond
Oil on panel, 14x11
Deanna Rose Farmstead Sunrise Paint
Stems Plein Air Event

I can remember taking the children to the Deanna Rose Farm all through the years, and this duck pond has always been a favorite spot.  Every time we have a paint-out here, I find myself going to the original part - which was there for my oldest children.  The trees and gardens have grown mature and so beautiful with time.  The early morning light was illuminating the tops of the trees with a yellow glow - which was reflected in the gentle pond.  Knowing this light would change very quickly - I painted all highlights and strong shadows first.  The ducks and geese kept me company - coming up to the fence, and one duck even flew over to sniff at my art bag on the ground by my easel!  This was a timed event, which I was a little late in starting as I was out taking photos of other wonderful scenes in the early morning light - for later painting reference!  We were allowed in at 7:00, which is 2 hours before the normal time, so this is my one chance a year for that golden morning light!  As a result of my distraction, I felt I needed a little more time to capture all that I wanted to.  So, I went back for an extra 20 minutes afterwards to finish up the scene.  Next time, I will try to stay on track!  This painting makes 517 in as many days.  Now, back to work in my gardens before it gets dark :)

Impressions of Allium

Impressions of Allium
Pastel, Molding paste, and Acrylic on panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum, KS
Stems Plein Air - sold

I have been looking at this painting for a few days, unsure of whether to top it off with oils or leave it be.  Working experimentally, I sketched in pastel, molded the areas I wanted a sculpted feel to, and then painted in acrylic.  When I use acrylic, I start with a pale yellow underpainting.  Acrylics do not cover like oils, and the darker washes seem to work against me.  And, especially when trying something new, I don't want to fight my panel int he process!  It was so strange to use acrylics again after so long!  My youngest daughter insists that it is done - and forbids me to "mom it up".......but I am having trouble resisting the urge.  What shall I do?  Painting number 514 in as many days.........

Wandering Wolf Creek

Wandering Wolf Creek
Oil on panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum
Stems Plein Air Event

There is something so peaceful about painting near water - and especially when that water runs through the woods.  Birdsong and the gentle babbling of the creek were the background music for this painting.  Until a friend posted this bridge in a painting - which he later excluded - I did not even know this bridge existed!  Finding my way to the back of the property with my gear in tow, I set up on part of the dry creek bed.  At the time, it was shaded.  Before I was finished, the sun had moved into my spot, and I had to move up closer to the bridge to regain some shade.  Balancing the deep shade with the light streaming into the water, and the reflected light off the surface was a little tricky.  I was not quite sure I was finished before I moved on to another location.  After letting it rest for a day......I think I am finished.  This painting almost perfectly reflects the way I felt while painting on location........and isn't that what painting is all about?  Painting number 507 in 507 days.  I hope tomorrow is dry enough for more plein air painting :)