Santa Inked

Looks like Santa is bringing me a fountain pen - lol!  As much as I love trying new inks, I also love getting back to my favorite Raven Black ink in a favorite, reliable TWSBI Eco fountain pen.  After using glass dip pens most of the month, I really love having ink flow smoothly from the nib - with no dipping!  It is very relaxing to settle in with pen and paper, and create.  Its like an art meditation in the midst of Christmas craziness.  So much fun!  Painting number 3261 in 3261 days. 

King Alfred Daffodils

These King Alfred daffodils were early additions to what was my grandmother's iris garden when we first bought the place.  Balancing out some really wonderful fancy ruffled daffodils on the other corners, these have spread beautifully!  This year, I started dividing them a bit, but still have so much to do!  Each time I dig a crowded clump, I bring up 100 that need to be planted around. One day I believe this whole place will burst with daffodils of all kinds!  I've even started them along the wooded trail!  Painting number 3004 in 3004 days, and that fountain pen is a TWSBI Eco with a medium nib, filled with Robert Oster's Great Southern Ocean ink! 

Maramec Spring

I love taking pen, ink and watercolor to this special place! This place is simply stunning, and I love squeezing in a little paint time whenever I am close. Although oils are my preference here, with limited time, ink and watercolor are a quick way to capture the place.  I sketch first in ink, fill with watercolor, then  come back in with a little more ink for those places I want a sharper line.  These painting moments spent outdoors, surrounded by nature are truly a gift, one I treasure every single day.  Painting number 2995 in 2995 days.

Bromiliad!

What a fun day to meet artist friends at a local nursery for a little paint time!  This gorgeous bromiliad reminds me of one my mother had while I was growing up, so of course I had to paint it!  I am using a TWSBI Eco today loaded with Robert Oster's Great Southern Ocean  - a wonderful dark ink which turns into that warm turquoise with the addition of water.  I also have another with a fine nib loaded with a black water resistant ink for this tiny sketchy lines.  It always feels like spring when sketching inside a greenhouse!  Painting number 2987 in 2987 days. 

La Bottega

What fun to paint inside of this vintage market today in Parkville!  Meeting up with the Monday Morning Watercolorists, La Bottega was our destination du jour!  With Mom in tow, I did a quick walk through to scout the market (picking up treasures along the way).  After depositing said treasures at front desk, I chose this lovely spot to paint.  I might have gotten a little busy with the details, and probably should have left a little more white, but it was fun to paint within visiting distance of friends.  Even with masks on, it was nice to catch up.  I miss all the events that used to take place on a regular basis, and I'm so thankful for this little group of rebels!  Painting number 2975 in 2975 days. 

Two Chickadees

Watching the little chickadees at play is so fun!  So many birds are constantly flying to the feeders.  When I am very still, they do not even notice me!  I've started playing a few bird calls on my phone as I work, and the birds come very close indeed!  I've lately been wanting to sketch these beauties in pen and ink, really studying their forms.  The pen I chose today - a TWSBI Eco - mostly has Levenger's Raven Black in it, but there was a mix in it before with their Cocoa Brown, too.  So, it has the tiniest bend in tone.  I have floated a really juicy water brush pen into the lines, giving me wetter areas on the cotton paper for that ink to spread. I like it!  This allows me to get very dark, and I'm leaving plenty of white in the negative space.  I love the whole pen and ink process, and hope to sketch many of my feathered friends!  Painting number 2938 in 2938 days, and day 25 of the #stradaeasel challenge.  Now we're off to dinner at my Mom's - her first time to host us for dinner in her new house!  

Missouri Creek

Even a gray day can be beautiful!  The grasses have been taking on a wonderful golden color over the last few days, and the reds seem more vibrant.  The overnight rains have saturated all the colors in the landscape, and I'm finding new pleasure in exploring them.  As I come to the easel every day outdoors, I notice the slightest changes in light, shadow and season.  Those subtle shifts inspire me to paint.  Ink and watercolor are calling to me today, so of course I choose them.  I try to always listen to that inner voice.  This handmade cotton paper is another tiny one - only 3 inches square.  It's the perfect size today because I must get back to make lasagna before the Chiefs game begins!  Painting number 2937 in 2937 days, day 24 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Osage Orange

I'm using a fountain pen that has been hiding in one of my little used bags, and this pen was loaded with a mix of Cocoa Brown and Raven Black - both by Levenger.  I had forgotten I had done this in my quest for the perfect brown black ink!  Haha!  Well, it has a lovely color to it when wet, perfect for this winter landscape.  This is a miniature painting at only 3 inches square - and a perfect way to capture this old hedge apple tree down by the pond.  Painting number 2590 in 2590 days.

Warrior 2 in Sedona

Yoga is an amazing way to center oneself, and gain strength through very thoughtful moves.  I like it best in the evening to unwind from a busy day, relaxing in the moment.  I have many favorite poses, but this Warrior 2 pose feels very empowering.  I'm drawing this one as a pre- sketch for a painting I plan to do for an upcoming "Beautiful Light" show at the Buttonwood, benefiting the Metropolitan Council for Community Mental Health Centers.  I'm thinking of watercolor batik.... Painting number 2291 in 2291 days.

Pear Tree Blooms

After spending the entire day working in the gardens, I find I can hardly hold my pen!  Choosing tre closest blooming tree to the house, I sketch out tre blooms and branches of this pear.  These trees are outrageous with blossoms!  Why didn't I just capture the whole tree?  Maybe tomorrow.... if I can move....!  I think tomorrow I will paint first and then return to the yard.  I never know when to quit!  Painting number 2288 in 2288 days.

Portage River Inked

I am exploring my newest ink - Colorverse Black Hole - at the river today.  This ink gets very dark quickly, so I use a lighter touch on the pen.  Leaving a lighter line allows me to get those mid tones with a little water, without getting too dark as a whole.  Have I mentioned how smooth the ink flow is off of the TWSBI Eco?  Every time I use this pen, I wonder why I use any other!  It is perfect, every time.  I now have 5 of their pens, and love them all!  Painting number 2233 in 2233 days.

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Inlet to Cleveland Lake

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Grabbing a fountain pen at random, I laid my hand on my very first pen, the TWSBI Eco in clear.  Months have passed since I've used it, and it lays down a line at the very first touch.  No cleaning, no coaxing, just ink flowing effortlessly, as if I've used it every day.  And to top that off, it is filled with J.Herbin Anniversary Ink in Caroube de Chypre, a rich brown ink loaded with gold flecks (known to be clogging to any fountain pen).  I really love tools like this workhorse, that can keep up with my every need, at the drop of a hat.  Painting number 2210 in 2210 days.

Radio Flyer Tree

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Who doesn't love a Christmas tree in a red wagon?  Spotted in the front window of a local antique shop - the certainly was a "must paint"!  After months of non use, I pulled this bright yellow TWSBI fountain pen from my bag - and the ink flowed flawlessly from it's nib.  THAT is something I LOVE about TWSBIs across the board!  This one has a special blend of Levenger Raven Black ink and their Cocoa ink, creating my own blend for brown black.  To that, I add in watercolor from my Watercolor Confections half pan sets, finishing with a little extra ink.  Only a few days left to capture Christmas!  Painting number 2153 in 2153 days.

Toy Car Tree

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After a crazy day around here, mom and I grabbed chai lattes at Starbucks and headed to Main Street for a little antiquing.  I found this beautiful tree full of vintage trucks and cars, and knew I would have to paint it.  Antique shops are the perfect place to find inspiration, and unwind from a little craziness.  Nothing like art therapy to restore the soul.  Painting number 2151 in 2151 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.

Ha Ha Tonka - journal

The Ha Ha Tonka ruins are majestic as they sit high on the bluffs, above a winding spring.  I start first with my TWSBI mini, filled with Caran D'ache Cosmic Black ink.  I most often use black when sketching a scene.  It wasn't long before my pen ran dry - oh why didn't I check it?  It is a demonstrator pen and I can clearly see the ink, if if only pay attention!  So, I move to another favorite, the TWSBI Eco filled with a fancy J. Herbin Caroube de Chypre ink.  My favorite part of this ink is the tiny gold flecks!  I use a little watercolor to tint and a little water to move my ink - which is a little new for me.  I almost always use India ink when using watercolor because it can be tricky to control the ink on a wet surface.  But, I'm growing more adept at the media, and like the depth I can achieve here.  Cool pens, cool ink, cool paper - how can one go wrong?  Painting number 1901 in 1901 days.