Stavkirke Church

 

I LOVE using artisan handmade paper when painting in ink and watercolor!  This one is made by Bhoori, a junior artisan at Leather Village.  Each packet of paper that I order from them comes with a card from the artist with their photo, with a word of thanks and appreciation.  This paper is a little thinner and a bit more absorbent, causing it to really soak in that ink.  Every handmade paper has it's own special qualities, and it is my job to make the most of each one.  This paper is a particularly strong choice for using ink.  If you look closely, you can see the clip marks on the bottom where it was clipped to a line to dry!  This amazing structure is the Stavkirke Church on Washington Island, Wisconsin.  Full of historic character, services are held here still. Painting number 3859 in 3859 days. 

Hemlock Haven

What an amazing place to visit AND paint - with the surf serenading me as I worked! The sound of a surf is one of my favorite sounds to relax and restore by, be it oceans or Great Lakes.  The soothing rhythm of Lake Michigan lulls me into another world where I can create, without thought, and become one with the landscape.  What a perfect place this is to create and unwind.  It's so good to be back in Door County. Painting number 3857 in 3857 days.  

Garden Sprite

In the front garden of the home we staying in on Washington Island, is this beautiful art deco Sprite, surrounded by lush foliage and blooms.  Each day, she has caught my eye, begging to be painted.  So today, I captured her in ink and watercolor.  It is so peaceful to immerse myself in the garden, with the distant surf softly playing in the back yard.  It is truly art therapy at it's best.  Just my paint and ink, translating the beauty of the garden to paper, as I thoroughly enjoy the process.  Painting number 3856 in 3856 days. 

Queen Anne's Lace

On this rainy day, I found some amazing blooms to paint! I've loved Queen Anne's Lace since I was a little girl, and on Washington Island they are now in full bloom!  Back in Missouri, they are glorious in May, and have long since faded away.  So, this was a perfect chance to paint them fresh, from shelter in the rain.  Their lacey caps are delicate, and always a great study in how to describe something loosely with paint.  It is so easy to try to render each tiny petal, but alas, not my mission.  Afterward, Mom and I were treated to a jam session at an Irish pub, by a friend of the Faheys. It's been so fun immersing ourselves in the island life up here! Painting number 3852 in 3852 days. 

Jackson Harbor

We had an amazing dinner in this spot last night - and I had to paint the view!  Jackson Harbor Soup was open for dinner and I had the best French onion soup I've ever had! Jackson Harbor is full of historic charm, and the water is so clear one can see deep into it from the dock.  Washington Island is full of beautiful treasures to paint, and I'm happy to have gotten the chance to do so! Painting number 

Lake Michigan View

 I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the view out the back door of the place we're staying in on Washington Island.  Lake Michigan in all her glory, caning to me to paint!  Setting up on the ragged edge of the bluff - to get the best view -i set my easel up on one rock, and stood in another.  No backing up to check my painting, because I didn't want to fall off the bluff!  The surf kept me company, with it's lapping and splashing, and the painting practically fell off the brush.  What a peaceful way to spend the afternoon!  Painting number 3850 in 3850 days. 

Jackson Harbor

I wish I had time to really paint the rugged beauty here!  The water is so high on Lake Michigan, it comes up to those barns while other outbuildings have flooded. There's an amazing array of fishing boats here - with more rods than I could count!  With only a short time before catching the ferry, I use ink and watercolor to capture this place. The wind was cool and strong, so I had to mind my hat - or lose it in Lake Michigan!  Time stands still here, and I love immersing myself in such a place.  Painting number 2432 in 2432 days.

Fields of Lavender

I look forward to painting in these lavender fields on Washington Island all year.  There  is nothing like the experience of painting while that fragrance wafts through the air around me.  Heavenly!  I took panels of a different size than last year, hoping to paint a wider vista.  I've only started using the 8x16 size, and can hardly keep the frames on hand. I love this format for this scene!  I'm able to show so much more of the landscape than with the 11x14s. I'm so glad I had ordered a Panel Pak in this size.  It is the perfect way to carry two wet paintings face to face.  I can toss them in a bag or beside my easel in the trunk and know they are safe.  Love them!  Painting number 2409 in 2409 days.

Island Lavender

It seems I am always drawn to the furthest painting location from the car.  In search of the densest lavender plants and scenic backdrop, I hike to the back and start painting.  The scent of lavender is all around me, and the buzzing of the bees in and out of their hive entertain me.  An ink drawing confirms my composition as I start laying paint.  I think I'm painting quickly, but in reality the lavender is so relaxing that I slow down the longer I spend in the field!  Instead of finishing three paintings today, I only finish two!   Oh the hazards of mixing plein air and lavender!  Painting number 2018 in 2018 days.

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Island Lavender Farm Inked

What a treat to return to a lavender farm for some plein air painting!  Island Lavender Farm welcomed a few of us artists today to paint in their fields of lavender!  There is nothing like the experience of painting with that fragrance all around!  As with most of my paintings I begin with a drawing, just to visually work through my painting with ink. I keep a Pilot Varsity fountain pen in my pochade box for this very thing.  That box is in my trunk all seasons, in all temperatures, laying flat, and that pen always flows when I open it to use. Even after breaking all the rules of fountain pen care, it works every time. There is much to be said for that!  So this modest, inexpensive pen can't be beat for this artist's in the field set up!  Painting number 2016 in 2016 days.

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Island Lavender Farm

Washington Island is one of my favorite places to paint - and most especially the lavender farms!  Painting this year at the Island Lavender Farm, and of course, I chose the farthest corner from the buildings to set up my paints!  I loved the view from that corner looking back towards the buildings, the fragrance wafting up from the blooms.  It was so relaxing that I lost all track of time!  What a wonderful way to spend the day - I only wish I had more time!  Painting number 2014 in 2014 days.

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Jackson Harbor in Watercolor

Who knew I would love keeping an art journal?  I've always been drawn to them, and have quite a collection, most with fancy covers.  Once I landed in this journal, I have become very discriminating, choosing only cotton paper for my books.  I found my notes on making paper this week, and it nudges me to try that process again.  After years of using all kinds of paper, I now know exactly what I want to create on.  Nothing short of that will do.  Perhaps I should try gouache in one before I pass them on.  I haven't picked that medium up in years!  Every day is a lesson, and this is definitely the time of year for exploration!  Painting number 1781 in 1781 days.

Winding Lavender Rows

While on location in Washington Island, I only had time for a quick sketch of these winding rows.  This would have been my third painting on site, had time allowed.  It has been floating around inside my head ever since, waiting for the opportunity to jump out onto the panel!  Today was the day!  Not having my panels yet tinted, I painted on the white of the gesso - which I never do when painting in oil!  I miss the complimentary color underneath for my strokes to lay upon, and found the colors coming off a little too  "clean". I must rely on that underpainting when mixing my color!  Who knew?  It's amazing what I learn from switching things up in my painting routine.  I guess I'll be tinting my panels before the fall flury of plein air begins!  Painting number 1702 in 1702 days.

oil on panel, 16x12
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Lavender Farm

Walking to the very eastern side of the lavender field, I set up my easel with the morning sun at my back.  The light was almost silvery as it gilded the rows.  With all rows leading to the barn, this was my composition of choice.  There is nothing like the scent of lavender surrounding me as I paint.  What an amazing place!  I didn't know this place even existed until a friend posted a photo from here just a couple of weeks ago.  Now, this will be an annual painting location just as the lavender comes into full bloom.  It inspires me to find a variety that will thrive in the heat of Missouri!  Painting number 1667 in 1667 days.

oil on panel, 14x11
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Lavender Field

What a perfect day this was for plein air painting!  I was unprepared for the breathtaking beauty of this place!  Setting up in the fields of the Fragrant Isle lavender farm, this place is simply heaven.  The lavender is in full bloom, and the fragrance is intoxicating.  I could paint here all week!  There is a wonderful shop here, full of all things lavender.  My lemongrass lavender tea was fabulous! It never ceases to amaze me how lucky I am.  Painting number 1662 in 1662 days.

oil on panel, 10x8
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