Ste Genevieve Catholic Church in copper

 

Love working the Sainte Genevieve Catholic Church in metal for Music Art Love!  It's such a beautiful place! I'll be delivering these at the end of the month.  Artwork number 3710 in 3710 days. 

First Presbyterian Church

Sometimes, I am so busy with the process of painting that I forget to get a photo until I have framed it!  I sketched out this historic church on a 6x6 handmade smooth cotton paper by Shizen. I normally save this smooth paper for ink alone, but I've started using more when adding watercolor - mainly because I need that specific size!  I am finding a way to make it work for me, although it reminds me of 140lb cold pressed paper.  Using that kind of watercolor paper when I first tried watercolor prevented me from picking up watercolor again for many years.  Only when I tried cotton paper did I find my love for it!  Adding watercolor gingerly - because of the paper - I coaxed it to completion. I love painting this sweet church from the Albion area!  Painting number 2833 in 2833 days.

Church in the Snow

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I have wanted to paint this beautiful creek for years!  Gorgeous in both directions, I cross it to get to my mom's new house.  Each time, I have to force myself to keep driving right past this beauty!  Today I sketch with pen and ink, only my favorite water soluble ink, so I can move it around with a water brush pen.  I'm not quite sure what that distant building is, but I cleared some of the trees out from in front of it - to show more of the building.  Time stands still in a place like this, and everything is quiet in the snow.  Painting number 2547 in 2547 days. 

Graham Tyler Chapel ATC

On this one I am working in miniature with my favorite TWSBI Diamond Mini fountain pen and my travel sets of Watercolor Confection half pans.  Each time I'm in Parkville, this chapel is one of the first things I see on entering the town. Love the historic character and lines of this beautiful building - and once or twice I've heard the sound of bagpipes usher from it's halls as I painted.  Now, that is amazing!  Painting number 2317 in 2317 days.

Immaculate Conception Church

I've been through Port Clinton many times through the years, but I think this is the first time I've committed it to paint.  Full of fabulous vintage buildings, there are so many things to paint!  This jewel was across from the courthouse, and since I love historic old churches, it landed on my paper today!  I had my Watercolor Confections and a Pilot Varsity fountain pen on board today, so these are my tools for the special handmade cotton paper that I cannot be without!   Painting number 2225 in 2225 days.

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Belton Presbyterian Church

I draw and paint so much, I never know what I'll find in my various sketch bags!  This was an ink drawing done on location, with watercolor added later, while visiting with my parents.  There is much to be said for keeping paint supplies at the ready!   Painting number 2132 in 2132 days.

Gracelife Church ATC

This little church south of town is my subject du jour!  These little churches dot the rural landscape, and each has it's own charm.  It reminds me of a little church in Adrian that I attended with extended family for special events during my childhood. A little slice of American life in the heartland in pen, ink, and watercolor.  Painting number 1805 in 1805 days.

Belton Presbyterian Church ATC

This historic Presbyterian church on Main Street in Belton often calls me to paint it!  I love the architecture and wonderful angles - it makes a dramatic statement in the landscape.  This is another ATC bound for Mexico, a little piece of Belton.  My intention was to get to Kansas City for some of these, but I simply don't have the time to do it!  I'm drawing first with India ink, then going in with watercolor.  The India ink dries so quickly that I have no issue with it bleeding when my watercolors come in contact with it.  I've been using Pitt pens for this, but I'm thinking of loading a Lamy fountain pen with India ink.  This particular pen has a very fine nib - so may be perfect for this tiny paintings!   But, I've got to clean it first!  Painting number 1797 in 1797 days.

Raymore Presbyterian Church

This beautiful, historic church is right down the street from grandma Bessie's old house in Raymore.  I used to drive by here on my weekly visits, and still come by occasionally.  I love the wonderful, old architecture, and certainly wanted it to be one of my submissions our Urban Sketchers KC group is sponsoring on a trade with artists from a Mexico charter!  Part of the Urban Sketcher's creed is "sharing the world, one sketch at a time" - and I can't wait to see what I will receive from Mexico!  Hopefully, we can start trading with other groups all over the world - sort of like penpals - but with art!  What could be better than that?  Painting number 1796 in 1796 days.

Steeple Square Inked

This church is one of the most beautiful buildings I have had the pleasure to draw!  The architecture is so complex and stunning - I can only hope to do it justice!  Composing with my painting in mind, I started this one on the sidewalk by White St.  As I worked, it was all lines and angles, and the relationships of all those masses.  These street scenes have really been appealing to me lately. As I moved forward in paint, I moved a little to the left, making the street less prominent.  So happy to capture this place in ink, I think it is only the first time of many!  Painting number 1741 in 1741 days.  I had a sprinkling of days where I couldn't get my post to load while out off town.  I'm going to have to play catch up to get things back in order!  And would you believe I'm almost out of panels again???

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St. Johns in Albion

I saw this steeple from afar, and headed in it's direction!  Setting up across the street, I had to head for cover twice from the rain!  The skies soon cleared and the light was beautiful as the final strokes went down.  What a beautiful day of painting in Albion!  Painting number 1731 in 1731 days.

oil on panel, 8x10
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Church on Jefferson

After today's jury committee meeting,  I scouted for a place to sketch.  I've noticed this church before,  and it was the first place to draw me in.  I'm using my journal with the handmade khadi paper in it,  and making my marks with my favorite fountain pen.  Once this lines are dry (ish), I take the water brushpen lightly over those marks to get my mid values. The ink moves readily when water is applied,  often with a making of it's own.  I left out the very modern looking ramp, and I did it without thought.  There is so much editing that happens automatically in my brain before my hand even starts moving!  Painting number 1590 in 1590 days :)

Old Salem Church in Spring

The wind gusts today were unbelievable!  They were strong enough to blow me back from my easel multiple times!   Me easel even blew over when I walked away from it!  Poor Sandy was scrambling after my stuff when a gust came and blew her easel over, too!  So, we just put our stuff back and got back to work!  This is the first demo of the Red Oak II workshop weekend!  I love the old country charm of this vintage church!  The warm, morning light is fleeting,  so I painted that first, after sketching my composition in with my brush.  Next came the shadow planes in their cooler tones.  With the lights and darks in,  it was time to work to the middle values and get the panel covered.  I had to keep constant hold of my easel,  with one leg planted ahead of me - just to keep my balance in that wind!  It even blew my painting arm back and forth as I painted!   I will not soon forget this painting day!  Painting number 1551 in 1551 days :)

Cornerstone Chapel

This chapel was calling my name, long before I got home from the gym.  I've been wanting to paint it, and each time I had a chance, the light was lacking, or time was too short.  With the beautiful sunny day, this was my chance!  I scouted the area a while before deciding on the angle.  I was also tempted by the Feed Store down the street, but it will be best with morning light, so I resisted!  I am using my limited palette of yellow oxide, red oxide, alizarin crimson, ivory black and white, but with the addition of ultramarine blue.  I absolutely had fits last time I was trying to mix green, so I added the blue. This beautiful chapel has 1909 stamped in the concrete over the large window.  I once attended a wedding there, and it was charming inside with the graceful stained glass windows.  I love painting this small town treasure!  Painting number 1513 in 1513 days :)

St. Eunans Cathedral in Ink

I am drawn to dramatic architecture like a mouth to a flame.  The more complex, the more mesmerizing!   When I start to draw something of this scale, I begin with a rather central area of focus, and start spreading out from there.  On this cathedral, my first lines were of the large second floor arching window.  Once roughly in, I moved to each side, up and down.  I am always checking those angles, the whole drawing is angles and how they relate to each other, just like a figure drawing.  This constant checking keeps everything in scale, and the perspective true.  This drawing is 1498 in 1498 days.

Coleman Baptist Church

I had not yet decided what to paint today, when a friend sent me a message about this old church.  It's not far from me, but I've never driven this road east of J Hwy.  I saw several wonderful old houses, barns and farms that I will need to return to, but this church suited me perfectly for my small painting window.  I started this one by looking at each mass carefully, and then blocking in that color on my panel.  With the gray day lighting, my colors and values were close in the scene before me.  I look for subtle differences within each plane as I paint.  The charm of this old church was a joy to capture, even though it was getting blustery out.  Cattle were lining up along the fence to my right - I sure wish I had time to paint them, too!  Painting number 1477 in 1477 days.

Raymore Presbyterian Church in Ink

Circa 1876, this historic Raymore Presbyterian Church was the first church built in this town. It has a charm and character that does not grace newer buildings.  Until a few years ago, there was a beautiful 2 story parsonage on the property, but it has been torn down.  Unsure of whether or not to add watercolor, I stopped. You know the old adage, "..if in doubt, don't! "  After a little thought, I may just loosely add in some watercolor later.  I like this building so well, I may just paint it in oil after the gym tomorrow!   This drawing makes 1476 in 1476 days :)

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Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer
Oil on panel, 8x10
Augusta Plein Air Paint Out

We headed out early for the New Melle paint out.  Since we didn't need to check in until 11:00, I found a sweet spot in the shade from which to paint this church on the hill in Defiance.  The historic St. Paul United Church of Christ is picturesque atop this sunlit, spring green hill.  I have painted it from the other direction, but not from this side.  As I worked, two half grown foxes peeked out of the barn, walking around the old car.  They sat in the sun, and didn’t notice me until I stepped out to take a photo of a bluebird perching on the fence beside me!  Love the wildlife I experience while painting in the open air!  Painting number 1218 in 1218 days.

Little Church by Winter Creek

Little Church by Winter Creek
Oil over acrylic on wood panel, 8x6
original sold - print available

I am playing with technique today - namely, negatively painting the trees.  I first start with an acrylic underpainting, with the tree mass and sky darker than it will ultimately be.  Going in with a brush, I start with the true sky colors, negatively painting the trees as I go.  I really like the effect!  What is left is energetic, and much more lifelike than painting each branch and twig.  Plus, the edges are softer, working well with the distance and mood of this painting. I have only used a little palette knife on this one, layering the oils over acrylics added all of the depth I desired.  Painting number 744 in 744 days, and Day 13 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Winter Church by Stream - miniature

Winter Church by Stream
Acrylic on canvas, 3.5x2.5
sold

I love to paint small town churches!  This painting is a miniature - only the size of a business card!  I first start with an acrylic wash, sketching in the composition.  The layers are built up with acrylic paint, and then molding paste is mixed into the white for snow, and applied with a palette knife.  The molding paste dries to a cloudy clear, so if no color is added, it will not look like snow!  I have made so much progress on my upcoming show today, that I feel like I will actually be ready on time.  It is no easy task getting 48 paintings together, framed, and bagged for delivery!  Painting number 724 in 724 days on this eve of Christmas Eve!