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. 

Cave Point Splendor

Some places are so spectacular that I return to paint them again and again.  Cave Point in Door Cointy, Wisconsin, is such a place.  The color is the water is stunning, and my perch from atop the bluff offers an amazing view of the rocks and Lake Michigan. Occasionally, someone will run and jump into that water from right beside me - and my heart jumps a bit each time!  This place must be experienced, so stop by next time you're in Sevastopol, Wisconsin.  Painting number 3858 in 3858 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 

Morning at Sister Bay

SOLD

Sometimes, I paint in low coverage areas, and can only post very limited images - if anything goes through at all!  I did not realize how much of the midwest does not have good internet until I started painting in many small towns.  Door County is such a place, and I only recently realized that I could not post this painting as it was completed.  This quick paint in Sister Bay was so fun to paint - and it was the first one purchased that evening at the Peninsula School of Art.  Such a great place to paint!  Painting number 2464 in 2464 days.

Yellow Barn Inked

After a little morning scouting of Door County barns, I knew as we approached THIS would be our painting location!  Finding the owner on the front porch, she graciously allowed us to stay and paint.  What fun!  I made a new friend who is also an artist, and got to sketch and paint this gorgeous old barn!  A perfect plein air day!  Painting number 2435 in 2435 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.

Anderson House

I love exploring new places in paint!  As I lay down those lines, I spend time getting to know my subject.  The cool of the breeze, earthy smell of the damp ground, and the filtered light through the trees, all seep into my painting.  As I experience the moment, that experience slips into my paint and fills the page. There is truly something magical in plein air painting.  Painting number 2429 in 2429 days.

Old Glory and Chairs

Upon arriving at our lakehouse retreat, this little slice of Americana welcomed us!  The light was stunning, and I tucked the idea of painting it away for the moment.  Each morning, the beautiful light illuminated this scene, and each time I was on my way to paint something else!  Finally, the opportunity arose to capture it in oils - and that is just what I did!  I love the hidden little places I get to see while on the artist's trail!  Painting number 2424 in 2424 days.

Sister Bay Inked

Standing in the Waterfront Park at Sister Bay offers a painting in every direction.  From the crowded beach to the rambling marina stretching off into the distance, the busy shoreline is a wonderful place to spend the morning.  After scouting for a bit, I landed pretty quickly on this spot.  The abundant wildflowers in the foreground with that sweep of water in the background, the different planes appealed to my senses. Using my TWSBI fountain pen and favorite Levenger Raven black ink, I used the very last of the ink drawing this sketch.  I changed sketch bags before heading north, and I didn't bring an extra bottle of ink.  I have got to remember that!  It is not my first time to run out of ink when out of town.  Painting number 2422 in 2422 days.

As we scouted this high water area off the highway, I noticed a snake slithering nearby.  Gently pulling Teddy away, I steered her away from our friend.  She is definitely NOT a fan of snakes!  We set up and had to paint fast, because that light was fading fast.  The wildlife was out - I also saw a muskrat and another snake swimming in that creek before we called it good.  It is amazing how different this creek looks each year I return to it!  Always beautiful!  Painting number 2420 in 2420 days.

Klenke Garage

What started as a beautiful afternoon for painting soon turned into a storm with high winds and hail!  Set up across the street in a bank parking lot, I sketched my lines with paint and started leisurely laying in color. There was plenty of time before the sunset paint, after all.  As the horizon darkened, I started painting a little quicker.  As the line approached, I suggested to my painting friend to be ready for a  quick take down.  I finished up as the first raindrops were falling, and rushed away from the storm.  Now, we're having a "car party" and waiting out the worst of it!  Painting number 2418 in 2418 days.

Fish Creek Marina

Painting by the water is SO peaceful!  The lapping of the waves against boat and dock are rhythmic, and time slips by without notice.  It is just me, my brush and my subject, and the occasional onlooker.  Sometimes, I'm so in the zone that when I turn to back up, I'm surprised to have an audience!  I laugh, we visit, and I return to the real world for a while. Painting number 2417 in 2417 days.

Fish Creek Marina - Alibi Dock

I love coming to a place like this to paint!  With so many boats docked, and the golden hour approaching, I jumped into the paint quickly!  Everyone is so friendly along the water, many stopping to visit while I worked.  One of those people happened to own one of the boats in this painting - and this painting went home with her!  Love when that happens!  Painting number 2412 in 2412 days.

Morning at Cave Point

The morning light is breathtaking at Cave Point!  From high on my perch, I could see right into that yellow green water to the rock slabs below, and I had to paint it.  As I set my tripod up very close to the edge, I checked to see if the ground was solid under that back leg.  It was not!  So I backed up a couple inches to prevent my favorite easel from dropping to the water below!  Very quiet on arrival, the tourists were in full force by the time to I packed up my gear. It became so busy that I was a little afraid of someone bumping me over the edge!  Just another glorious day at the office!  Painting number 2411 in 2411 days.

Upper Range Light

After scouting a shrinking shoreline, messy with debris, I walked across and down the road to this gem.  Walking along the boardwalks, the flora and fauna were pristine in their natural beauty.  The morning light streamed across the landscape, begging to be painted.  I chose ink and watercolor for this delicate scene, and worked quickly to capture that fleeting light.  It want long before shadows shortened and the golden hour passed.  So thankful I was present for the moment.  Painting number 2410 in 2410 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.

Doug and Cindy's Labor of Love

What a beautiful place to paint in the morning light!  This house and very large barn are being restored to their former glory by one of my high school friends, Doug and his wife Cindy. After seeing a photograph as I was painting in Door County, Wisconsin, I HAD to stop by on the way home to capture this jewel in oils!  It was really a pleasure to spend a few morning hours here soaking up the beauty.  I wish all such places would be restored!  Thanks, Doug! Painting number 2408 in 2408 days.