Paradise Restaurant

It's fun to get to paint the cool summer places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  This place is called Paradise Restaurant, and it's bright and cheerful.  I'm delivering it and two others to the area soon!  Painting number 4951 in 4951 days. 

Morning on W. Second

 

I love painting downtown Lakeside, where most of the traffic is bicycles and gold carts.  Everyone is so nice, and we visit about all things Lakeside.  Often, couples will walk by a few times to see my progress as I work.  What a great place to visit AND paint!  I'm so happy this painting has found a new home in Kentucky!  Painting number 4948 in 4948 days. 

Path to the Pier

I love painting the vintage charm of this lovely  pavilion in Lakeside on Lake Erie!  It's entry to the pier is iconic to this area, and a beautiful landmark from the water.  Mom and I sure have enjoyed our stay here!  Painting number 4947 in 4947 days. 

Rush Hour on Walnut

 

I LOVE returning to charming Lakeside to paint! I look forward to this weekend event all year, it's like stepping back in time for a few days.  A great place for families, many return to the same summer cottage for generations.  The Wet Paint Sale Sunday 1:30 to 3:30, outside the hotel near the pavilion on Lake Erie.  It's always cool here by the water.  Painting number 4945 in 4945 days. 

Marblehead Lighthouse

Today, Mom and I visited a place we used to visit with Dad, and I sketched as we listened to the crashing of the waves.  We would visit this place each year with the family, kids jumping from rock to rock, as we looked for Cedar Point on the horizon.  I could spend hours listening to the surf, it is so deeply relaxing.  The breeze blows cool off the water, and the air is very smokey from the Canadian wildfires.  I'm looking forward to painting along Lake Erie the next few days, and sharing some time with Mom in a place she loves. Painting number 4944 in 4944 days. 

Covered Bridge at Sugar Creek

 

It's so fun to sketch this covered bridge in Elmore, from the North Coast Inland Trail!  I've painted this bridge on the Sugar Creek Golf Course a few times through the years, and I'm always happy to see it still stands.  There's a farmers market along the trail closer to town tonight, and Mom and I are headed there when I get back.  It's fun to experience the small town life here on our annual visit.  Painting number 4942 in 4942 days. 

Log Cabin and Depot

 

It was fun to sketch the log cabin and Elmore depot along the North Coast Inland Trail!  I love that we got to tour them, too!  Cool places of interest are open along the trail at certain hours and days.  These two are open every Sunday from 2 to 5, May through October.  It's such a great idea, and it makes the trail a destination to go see something new.  Mom and I enjoyed the buildings before meeting friends for ice cream right up the street. Mom is getting to visit with so many friends in town.  Painting number 4941 in 4941 days. 

Neon Taco

 

I love painting all the fun places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  There are SO many restaurants on the lake, one can simply drive their boat up to the dock to enjoy the fun!  I loved the plein air events that were held down here a few years ago, and wish they would return. I found so many cool places to paint - caves included!  This commission will soon be heading to the Lake Fine Art Galleria, along with two others.  Painting number 4938 in 4938 days. 

Night at Cobblestone Lodge

During the High School Plein Air event where I mentored for the weekend, I led a group of students each night in a nocturne painting.  The first night painting for many of them, it was a fun adventure!  We painted under some street lamps while looking out at illuminated buildings.  I painted the lodge at the Cobblestone River Resort, who hosted is all for the weekend.  What a fun evening spent sharing my love of art with another generation!  Painting number 4920 in 4920 days. Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 
 

West Building

 

It's fun to paint the historic Shawnee Indian Mission with artist friends on such a beautiful day!  With many things on my plate, I still took the time to paint today - and oh how myth soul was rewarded!  After sneaking in a quick workout, getting two paintings finished early in the day is the very best way to start the day.  I am exhilarated after painting, and I feel invincible for the rest of the day, with all things slipping into place.  This is probably an indication to switch up my schedule for the summer.  Now, if I can only get to my posting earlier in each day..... baby steps.....lol. Painting number 4915 in 4915 days. 

Shawnee Indian Mission West

 

It was a lovely morning to paint the historic Shawnee Indian Mission with artist friends! The Monday Morning Watercolorists were meeting here, so I joined in before dropping two paintings at the Rice Gallery.  I have a few paintings showing in the gift shop here on site, so this have me the perfect opportunity to paint another from a different place.  What a lovely break in my hectic schedule - this will restore me for a little while!  Painting number 4914 in 4914 days. 

Boats at the Boathouse

 

I couldn't resist painting this vintage boathouse with a few boats in the lawn! My morning paint was of this same boathouse, but from the other side, at water's edge. I never saw these boats until I scouted for a second painting! This has been a lovely day of painting that started with the most precarious back road I have ever traveled. I'm so thankful I got myself out of that mess to enjoy the beauty here!  Sometimes, I really shouldn't follow my GPS!  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and painting number 4908 in 4908 days. 

Meramec Adventure Ranch

 

What a great place the Meramec Adventure Ranch is - and the best part is the awesome way they help the youth in this region! There are SO many activities here from bluff propelling, horseback riding, to water sports,  it was hard to see all the painting options available along this Meramec River ranch! I painted this view first of the main lodge, then painted the cattle next on this working farm.  Such a special painting day!  This is painting number 4908 in 4908 days and is Now Showing at Gallery Zeke through the end of the month! 

Cabin Time

 What fun it was to stay at Cobblestone Lodge during the Steelville Plein Air! After working a mentors for the High School Plein Air for the weekend, we stayed on with about 11 other artists to enjoy this place between paint outs.  We gathered together at night to talk - and T even played her guitar and sang!  It was such a wonderful time of bonding in a beautiful place along the Meramec River!  I just had to paint this sweet vintage cabin and leave it for a gift. Painting number 4907 in 4907 days. 

Morning at the Power House

I LOVE painting the vintage charm of this power house at the Maramec Spring Park.  I try to paint at this park every time I'm in town, so I set off for a different painting spot then I had before. To get the dramatic water angle, I had to plant myself practically in the tree line by the water. The cool air was rising from the spring water - nearly like air conditioning!  Birdsong was my serenade as I painted today, and I can't wait to do it again. Come see this in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4899 in 4899 days. 

Dogwood Mill

I just about closed down the place with this last sketch at Dogwood Canyon!  On arriving, I thought I'd return to this location to paint.  The waterfalls called me away, so away I went, only to arrive here with 30 minutes to sketch. With pen and ink I drew out my composition, thinking of how timeless it all was.  The vintage feel of this place lends itself well to the medium of pen and ink. I hope to paint this place in oils one day, as well.  On another note, I nearly stepped on a large water snake on my hustle back to my car, in my sandals!  The Plein Air Convention has been SO much fun, and I'm taking good memories and inspiration back home with me!  Painting number 4887 in 4887 days. 

Old Mill at Finley's Farm

 

I painted this Old Mill at Finley's Farm with about 700 other artists from an old iron bridge!  We were lined up elbow to elbow by the time I finished! It was SO much fun! I've never painted with so many artists at one time before!  The day was beautiful, everyone visited as they passed by - and fun was had by all.  The wind actually blew a painting from the bridge into the river below - and another artist grabbed it out and the whole place cheered!  How many times does one see that in a lifetime?!! Painting number 4884 in 4884 days. 

Goats and Chickens on the Farm

 

I forgot to get a photo of this one before I framed it for turn in!  In my rush to start a second, I rushed off to frame.  And the second one I painted of their dogs - I also forgot to get a photo as I was talking to another artist at the time!  It was so much fun to talk to the animals who came near, and give the baby goats snuggles when Ann brought them by for a visit! This goat farm was a special treat to paint and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 4872 in 4872 days. 

St Paul's in New Melle

SOLD

 

I loved painting in this peaceful spot in New Melle, in the shade of a tree across the street.  I love the shapes and lines of the buildings as they stand together, testament to the growth of this church over time.  New Melle is full of lovely places to paint, and i only wish I had more time here. I'm happy this painting found a new home that night, too!  Painting number 4870 in 4870 days. 

Red Umbrella Day

 

It REALLY poured for this paintout!  Everything was soaked and it was still fun sharing the tiny space with artist friends, Margaret and Troy Tatlock from Wisconsin!  Troy is always so chatty as Margaret tries to rein him in a little. Time flies when you're having fun! Happy to win an Honorable Mention on this, too!  Painting number 4865 in 4865 days.