Old Big Red

I often see this wonderful old fire engine when I'm on Main Street in Belton, and sometimes I stop to do a quick sketch or painting.  Here, I had inked this earlier, waiting until I had a little more time to add the watercolor.  I love this vintage fire truck - one day I'll have to do it in oils.  Painting number 2113 in 2113 days.

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Firefighter Tribute

There was a special challenge for the Paint Parkville event this year, a collection of fireman's tools against the backdrop of the fire truck.  Using both brush and knife, I painted this in oil.  It is very meaningful to work on something like this for our first responders, who put their lives on the line every day.  Always great to mix things up, and a nice change of pace to get in the studio!   Painting number 2096 in 2096 days.

Award of Distinction Still Life
Paint Parkville 2018

Big Red

I admire this beautiful old fire engine every time I come to old town Belton!  Finally, I am painting him!  "Big Red" is painted on the door, and this engine is parked along side the Belton Fire Station on Main Street most days.  The red color and the vintage lines are very appealing, a real eye catcher against the green grass.  I work on this as I stay at my dad's bedside, happy to keep my hands busy while we talk.  SO happy we can converse like this again. It looked like that was behind us for a while. Painting number 2089 in 2089 days.

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Pumper #1 in Augusta

Pumper #1 in Augusta
Oil on panel, 14x11
Harvest Festival Quick Paint - Second Place Winner
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on location

We could not have had a more perfect day for the Augusta Harvest Festival Plein Air Event!  Starting the day with a delicious chai tea late from Kate's Coffee, I could start my day at leisure.  Painting from 11:00 - 3:00, this 1860 Pumper #1 from Bole's Fire Co was our subject for the day.  Such a  fabulous antique fire engine - and so complicated to capture!  I was a little scared of this detail, so I painted the entire "stage" before I ever put one stroke down on the "star"!  Not my usual way of blocking in, but rather - the pansy way!  Once I started adding the reds, it soon fell together and the joy of the process took over.  The greens and the reds work so well with each other, and I "married" these colors by bouncing them around the landscape.  This process prevents the red firetruck from sticking out of the scene like it was cut out and pasted on.  I am honored to have won the second place award for this painting.  It is always a pleasure to paint in one of my favorite places in Missouri!  Painting number 630 in 630 days and Day 20 of the 30 Day Challenge.