Cedar Creek Trail

 

The falls along the Cedar Creek Trail are beautiful all along the water, if only I had more time!  It's always fun to vacation with family, especially when we all like to explore.  This creek is full of painting opportunities, and I am happy to squeeze in a quick sketch while the kids are resting.  Painting number 4826 in 4826 days. 

Along the Creek Sepia

 

Time spent with pen and ink is like time spent with an old friend! I'm using a fountain pen loaded with rich brown ink for this, and a water brush pen in my pocket.  A paper towel completes my gear so I can hike in and out fuss free. It's a little brushy along here, so deep winter is the best time of year to get good sight lines.   It becomes too difficult when the vegetation fills in during summer months.  Quiet and tranquil, this creek is a favorite local spot that I return to again and again.  Painting number 4797 in 4797 days. 

Last Snow at the Creek

 

Too soon the snow is melting, as I squeeze in one more snowy painting. It's going to be in the 50s and 60s for the next week, with no snow in sight.  That also means I'll be spending lots of time outdoors, doing some early work in the garden beds. This was a fun day gathering with Barb, Cathy and Mom at Panera for a long lunch and visiting.  I need to schedule that in more often!  Painting number 4783 in 4783 days. 

Dark Winter Creek

 

I will never tire of painting winding creeks in the snow, especially in the deepest part of winter.  The water is very dark, without the slightest greening that comes with warmer temps. This window is short, and I hope to take advantage of every painting opportunity, while the snow remains.  Painting number 4780 in 4780 days. 

Snow Along the Creek

 

Hooray for a snow that lasted all week, and for a few more snowflakes to come on Sunday!  With a few flakes dancing about, the mood is just right for wooded winter painting.  The wind begins to kick up, and I work a little faster as the cold nips at my nose. I love how quiet the world becomes under a blanket of snow.  Painting number 4777 in 4777 days.  

Overlook View of Rush Creek

 

I couldn't resist this tree top view of Rush Creek at the Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary Plein Air - and I'm happy to win an award for my efforts.  This painting is now showing in their gallery. Painting number 4662 in 4662 days. 

Tuxedo Park View

It is my pleasure to be the Artist in Residence to capture the beauty of Glacier Creek in paint! This morning Michaela and I hiked down to the creek, as we so often do, with the grandsons.  Casper and Kirby LOVE throwing rocks into the rushing water. I have seen families gathering up river a bit, so Casper and I explored the trail to find a park at water's edge. Tuxedo Park was lovely, with still water for the kids and picnic tables, too.  After much play, I was sketching this scene as the others hiked back for lunch.  A lovely family joined me, and the children gathered around to see what I was doing.  I shared my methods as they asked questions, and it was SO sweet.  I hope I've inspired them to take their sketch supplies outside.  They may be our next plein air artists! This painting is now available at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies. Painting number 4558 in 4558 days. 

Spring at Defiance Ridge

SOLD

I love dining AND painting at Defiance Ridge!  I do not remember this bridge and waterway, and I'm here each year to paint!  So, of course, I have to paint it!  The sound of the water babbling as visitors chatted and shared wine was so relaxing as I worked.  Before I knew it, it was time to turn in, and on I went to the next adventure.  I'm happy this painting found a new home, too. Painting number in days.

Sunset Winter Deer

 

Hooray for snow that doesn't melt on the very first day!!  It's fun painting in the deer that visit every day, and their tracks are all over this space.  I think they walk up past the house from the pond in the back, right along a path we mow for the Sidekick. I think the deer are harmonious in their scene, and i feel like they are the eye candy for those who look closely.  Not enough to steel the scene, but to be the supporting actors to this glorious landscape.  I am again painting over an old panel, bringing this one to a place I'm happy with. Painting number 5072 in 5072 days. 

Creek in the Snowy Woods

Another snowfall is nearing as I capture this winter wonderland in oils.  I've recently been playing with multiple mediums, but oh, how good it feels to pick up my oils again.  A few colors on my palette have hardened, so there is palette cleaning in my future. Since I keep my palettes in the freezer, I never know until I'm in the field what needs attention. I could always check first, but I'm always in a hurry to get outside and paint!  The days are so short this time of year, I really do feel limited.  Ever painting what I feel, I've pushed this one a little bluer and darker, as I see the dark clouds moving in from the north.  I haven't used this pochade for a while either, and it needs a little cleaning, too.  This day was absolutely balmy compared to the last few days!  I'm looking forward to fresh snow on the trees tomorrow!  Painting number 5063 in 5063 days. 

Wooded Winter Creek

If you look closely, my altoid tin palette has chomp marks in it - left by my pictured painting assistant above!  I pulled my pallette from the freezer and set it on the stairs as I gathered my thumb box and bundled up.  I rounded the stairs to find he had my palette in the front room, trying to get into it! Thankfully, he did not get any paint, but it will no longer close right.  So when this paint is gone, I will load another.  Silly dog!  He has not gotten into my paint for 10 years - and then, he licked all the cad lemon yellow off of a fresh forsythia painting!  Another day, another adventure, and this is painting number 5062 in 5062 days. 

Icy Liac Winter

Icy lilac is such a luscious ink for a winter landscape.  The Diamine Inkvent Calendar is something I look forward to each year, and this one does not disappoint!  I use my glass dip pen to sketch the scene first.  Next, I wet the masses i want to be loose, and drop the ink in.  It spreads as turquoise and pink emerge.  I go back in with a little more ink to those areas i want to boost the contrast.  I love working in miniature, too, especially during such a family packed time!  Painting number 5051 in 5051 days. 

Lost Creek Trail

I LOVE painting these winding Arkansas creeks with water spilling over the rocks!  It was super fun to hike along here with the kids after a quick sketch.  The little ones were mesmerized with the rocks along the bank and in the clear puddles, tossing one after the other into deeper water.  As we walked, another family hiked down the middle of this creek dressed in bohemian garb, enjoying this place as we were.  They arrived in a school bus with living quarters and a stovepipe in the back half.  I think they were real life gypsies.  How very cool.  Painting number 5006 in 5006 days. 

Missouri Creek

 I love this rustic creek even in the dead of winter where color is scarce.  Ink and watercolor are perfect for this creekside sketch.  The birds are singing as the water gently trickles along, and I am restored in this place as I paint.  Nature is so very soothing. Painting number 4054 in 4054 days. 

Creek in Sepia

 I love to haunt my favorite local creeks in winter.  The brush has died back and the banks are more accessible.  I can get in closer for the perfect vantage, and sketch with pen and ink.  For this one, I am using a sepia ink on a smoother than normal paper. I love the vintage effect the brown ink lends to such a scene.  Every twist and turn of this creek is picturesque.  Painting number 4047 in 4047 days. 

Snow at Winding Creek

 I love the drama of dark January water in the snowy landscape. Only during this time of year are the creeks black against the ice and snow. The light warmed slightly as I painted, twilight approaching. What a blessing this snow has been, one that keeps giving me drama to paint like this each day. I am going to miss this snow when it is gone, to return the the browns it leaves in it's place. It has been a day of solace and rest, and restoration when surrounded by this  Painting number 4031 in 4031 days. 

Snow at the Creek

I'm so lucky to have a snow that continues to offer such beauty to paint!  In fact, I don't remember ever having a stretch of snow covered landscape this long during my 11 years of daily painting to paint. So, I paint fast and furious each day, trying to get in a many snow paintings as possible.  It may well be years before I get this opportunity again here in Missouri.  Painting number 4029 in 4029 days. 

Winter Creek

Yay! I found snow to paint in a wooded creek bed here in Branson behind our place - and it's 10 degrees warmer than KC!  Seriously - it feels like a heat wave in the sun, sheltered from wind.  LOVE painting the rolling hills of Branson!  Painting number 4028 in 4028 days.   ❤️🎨❄️

Ice Melt at the Creek

The sun is helping to melt a little strip down the middle of the creek this afternoon.  It's 9 degrees and sunny, and it feels like a heat wave compared to the recent days.  As much as I love painting those dark, snowy days, I welcome the bright light and shadow on the snow this sunny day!  We may get a little more snow Thursday, but I bet it won't be as glorious as this one!  Painting number 4025 in 4025 days. 

Snowbank Creek

We are so fortunate to have a gorgeous snow that is lasting for days!  This rarely happens in Missouri, the sun comes out and melts the beauty away before I can paint it more than a couple times. So, I am getting out there as much as possible, savoring each gorgeous snow scene I find!  We still have a couple of cold days ahead - so hopefully I'll get a few more done before I'm faced with the browns of winter once more! Painting number 4024 in 4024 days.