Loose Park Cherries

I try to come here each spring to paint when the cherry trees are in bloom, and the experience is magical.  Their heady fragrance wafts through the air as petals drift down gently.  After first sketching this place in ink and watercolor (yesterday's post) I sketched it again on watercolor paper.  Returning to my car for my fountain pen inks, I dropped in color and floated water in the masses to see how they would mingle.  All Diamine inks, I am now thinking of a few Robert Oster inks that also have amazing chroma. I am embarking on a whole new art adventure, messy, bold and loose!  So much fun!  Painting number 3387 in 3387 days. 

Blooming Cherry Trees

I paint on Mondays with a group of watercolorists who seek out a lovely location in the Kansas City area.  One discovered the cherry trees in bloom, so our venue was decided and we all gathered under the boughs. With petals gently falling and the fragrance heavy in the air, I sketched the scene in ink, following with watercolor. I should upload another photo, too, since this one is not in focus.  I didn't notice when I snapped the shot quickly and moved on to the next!  Painting number 3386 in 3386 days. 

Cherry Tree Bloom at Loose Park

These cherry trees were part of 3000 trees gifted to the United States from Japan in 2012.  I just found out about these beauties last week, so I'm here with my Mom and artist friends painting them this afternoon!  They are absolutely at peak today, with just a little petal fall in the blowing wind. Mid 70s make this a perfect painting day surrounded by a heaven of blooms, exactly what I needed after my extreme negative reaction to the Pfizer vaccine 10 says ago.  Every day in a little better, and getting to paint in a place like this is so healing.  I'm not sure why I didn't know about these trees before now, but I will surely seek them out every year to paint again!  Painting number 3009 in 3009 days. 

In the Cherry Orchard

In the Cherry Orchard
Oil on panel, 10x8
Door County, Wisconsin

As I rounded the turn on F Hwy, this beautiful orchard caught my attention.  In this field I spotted one of my artist friends already set up with her easel!  I pulled off the road to visit her, and took some great reference photos to paint from.  These cherry orchards were dotted all over Wisconsin!  I had never seen one before - so this was a real treat!  They have cherry wine, cherry beer, cherry jelly, cherry butter - absolutely all things cherry in Wisconsin!  They even had Cherry Festivals scheduled in various towns - and the cherry pie was to die for!  It is so fun to experience the local culture.  This painting makes 218 in 218 days.