Black Star Cameo

 

Sweet and sassy Beans is a Black Star beauty, and super fun to paint in my brand new Chicken Art Journal!!  I started this in ink, but when I tried to move that ink with water, it did not move at all!  Hardly any color deposited from my watercolor brush, so I moved to acrylics.  I had limited colors in my travel kit, and found I needed more.  They were not staying wet long enough to mix on the very porous paper.  This sketchbook is going to be an exploration of mediums for this specific elephant poo paper, lol! Painting number 4814 in 4814 days. 

Three Chicks

 

I feel like it's already Easter with these chicks in the house! It's so fun to cuddle and paint them, and they are showing their unique personalities, too!  We brought them home last Thursday, and they are already growing. Michael and Tess gave me an artisan made Chicken sketchbook, so I have decided to fill it with chicken sketches and paintings. The paper is made of recycled paper and ELEPHANT POO!!  There's a whole backstory to creating these sketchbooks and turning poo into funds to support the elephants and their community.  The paper is porous, so I've sketched in ink and colored with acrylic.  Watercolor does not move at all in this paper. The cover is a three dimensional rooster head, which is the inspiration for the theme of this journal.  I can't wait to try more mediums on these pages as I capture all my girls, one by one.  Painting number 4810 in 4810 days. 

Pensive Santa

 

He's making a list and checking it twice - and it's so fun to paint Santa for Christmas!  After a gathering of the Frank side at my cousin's today, it has only left a little time for painting and posting.  It's lovely to see cousins, aunts and my uncle with my brother's family and Mom, too.  And I remember all those that once joined us on this holiday, too. Painting number 4738 in 4738 days. 

Santa painting the Nutcracker

 

Santa is very busy on these last days before Christmas!  I love painting him in black and white acrylic, for a change.  There's nothing like switching between mediums to bring a fresh eye to painting!  Time grows short and my to do list is long, so good night, and I'll try to add more later!  Painting number 4737 in 4737 days. 

Ornaments Five

 

Shiny ornaments are simply irresistible this time of year!  And even though I have a plate full of unfinished tasks, I just had to get a quick painting in.  Bright colors, in acrylic, are my go to for fast and bold painting. I think I'd love to do a large painting in this theme for the holidays, but who knows when I'll find the time?  Painting number 4720 in 4720 days. 

Ornament Impressions

 

Tis the season for holiday decorating - and painting the magic!  It's so much fun to pull out the bold acrylic paints for these shiny ornaments.  Loose and free strokes keep the vibe upbeat and lively. There's so much beauty to paint this time of year, and I hope to make the most of every moment!  Painting number 4714 in 4714 days. 

Shiny Ornaments

 

What fun it is to paint festive ornaments with acrylics again! I love how quickly acrylics dry, and the rich color is perfect for paintball these shiny balls. In fact, I've never reached for my oils for these, and now I wonder why?  I'm normally looking for quick paintings to send out this time of year, and acrylics fit that bill.  This is also the time I reach for gallery wrapped canvases, as I paint right onto the edges.  No need for frames, which is a convenience, too.  Painting number 4709 in 4709 days. 

Festive Ornaments

 

Christmas is coming and it's time to start painting the magic!  We deck the halls right after Thanksgiving, but I light our outdoor Alberta spruce earlier, and pull out these shiny ornaments for that!  It's the perfect opportunity to start painting these shiny jewels, and it really gets me in the mood for the holidays!  Painting number 4705 in 4705 days. 

Santa at the Christmas Tree

 

It's a Merry Christmas Eve to capture Santa at the tree - as I finish all those last details with a mug of hot tea!  I'm sending out love and light to all tonight, as preparations wrap up.  On such a night, memories flood back from past Christmas eves, when we waited for all the kids to be asleep before setting out all the presents. Santa would come in the night to fill stockings and to leave something special for each girl and boy.  I loved the days when the house was full and big hugs were just around the corner.  When the family all gathers here tomorrow, we will be a large bunch indeed, and it will be another Christmas of cherished memories together.  Painting number 5048 in 5048 days. 

Santa Painting the Nutcracker

I love the vintage feel of black and white whether in ink, graphite or paint. I've been using many mediums lately, bouncing from one to another daily!  I've picked up acrylics for this one as I also work on a commission at the same time.  Santa is hard at work these last days before Christmas, and i love capturing it all in paint!  Merry Christmas Eve Eve!  Painting number 5047 in 5047 days. 

Thoughtful Santa

 

Santa Claus is on my easel tonight as I burn the midnight oil.  This day has been filled with side by side rides, outdoor and indoor fun as we gathered  with Danny and the boys on this last day in town.  So, I'm coming to my easel late and I'm also working on my Christmas cards - which I'm also getting to much later than ever.  This season has had me busy getting paintings out right up to the last minute!  Which is awesome, and has also set me back on getting my own work done.  I think Santa understands all about that.  Painting number 5045 in 5045 days.  

Shiny Ornaments

 

It's fun to squeeze in a painting during all the fun holiday festivities with family!  I LOVE this time of year! This day started with a goat emergency, one was being chased by the others and was limping.  After calling for reinforcements. I was off to Casper's Christmas party at preschool.  I arrived home in time to prepare for Aunt Diana and Uncle Ed to come visit. Danny and boys, Mom, Tiffany and family all joined the fun, too, which we watched Kirby and Casper.  The campfire was also fun, though we didn't stay out long in this cold night!  Painting number 5044 in 5044 days. 

Ornaments on Pink

 

I love getting wild and free with the bold colors of the season, and it seems I can't settle on just one style this year!  I guess that's what my Artistic License is for!

I truly am all over the place artistically this month.  I often narrow in on a theme for my cards as the time draws near, but not this year.  I feel like ink and watercolor birds are for sure the theme, then I switch completely to acrylic Santas.  No, wait!  I'll do Union Station in grand style, but then I have these amazing herefords - and now goats - that are begging to find their way into my paintings!  So, here I am, switching back and forth, letting the wind blow me wherever it pleases, and just allowing myself to roll with it until I land on solid ground. Painting number 5040 in 5040 days. 

Shiny Ornaments

 

I love painting the bright colors of Christmas in acrylic on canvas!  These shiny ornaments are super fun to describe with paint.  The acrylic layers quickly with the fast dry time, and luxury I don't have with oils.  I mark my lines first with a dark hue, then get those masses in, painting the reflections while each color is on my brush.  This is a quick paint between commissions, just a little something to brighten up the day! Now, I'm off to start another one!  Painting number 5036 in 5036 days. 

Santa Painting a Nutcracker

 

Santa is on my easel tonight, as he paints a nutcracker!  It's super fun to play with acrylics again - in between commissions.  I've been VERY busy this season, so it truly is a little bit of therapy time to work on something like this.  I've used a base of mars black, with ivory black on the final layers. The first is cool while the next is warm, allowing depth in the simple black and white.  Additionally, I use titanium along with white gesso for the same reason.  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Waterfall on Clare Rd

Today was Plein Air Waterfall Workshop Day for a private group in Olathe, Kansas.  Using acrylics, we set up along a road directly across from this scene. I broke the process down into three steps, as each student created their own unique masterpiece.  I had so much fun with this great bunch of ladies - including 3 Shawnee Mission West alums!  Thanks to Tammie Johnson for organizing this fun event in a gorgeous landscape!  Painting number 5167 in 5167 days. 

Nestled in the Woods

This rainy day painting started as one of my acrylic demonstrations with the High School Plein Air sponsored by the Steelville Arts Council last weekend.  I mentored 20 students over three days in 5 different paint-outs.  It was such a super fun weekend filled with very talented young artists, and I hope that I have impacted their art journey in some small way.  I would have loved an opportunity like this at their age.  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri through mid-July.  Come take a peak in person.  Painting number 5068 in 5068 days. 

Libby

 I love getting to paint special requests for others - especially when it is for one of my best friends from high school!  Commissioned by her husband, this portrait is of her horse, Libby, an equine therapy horse. This one was a bit of a challenge, as the reference photo had a lot going on in it.  I simplified the masses to bring the focus back to Libby, and painted this one in acrylic.  I've been doing acrylic paintings lately, stretching my boundaries again.  I use it full strength now with no water, almost in a dry brush technique way, and am enjoying that process. The best part is the quick dry time - allowing me to add layers the same day.  I hope this this painting will be a treasure for all the years to come. 

Jake

I love getting to paint a beloved pet portrait, to be cherished when they are no longer at one's side.  This sweetheart is striking a signature pose on this canvas, and was given as a Christmas gift.  I have lately painted a few of these in acrylic, after a pretty long separation from this media.  I do like it's layering and crisp lines, and the almost instant dry time is a big bonus.  I use a dry brush technique, never wetting those brushes until I am washing them out. Heavy body paint gives me strong pigment, even in the lightest areas.  I hope this painting will be cherished for many years to come. 

Three Ornaments

This painting and local plein air work will be at the Holiday Open House at the Oliver Building Gallery tomorrow night in the historic West Bottoms from 6:00 to 9:00. What a wonderful way to celebrate the season!  I'll be featuring two paintings from the Inaugural Historic West Bottoms Plein Air Event in May as well as 4 holiday paintings, one of the Country Club Plaza, one of Union Station and another Christmas ornament painting.  It promises to be an evening full of good cheer with friends and local businesses.  Painting number 3985 in 3985 days.