Magnolia and Pear

Oh how I love painting the flowering trees of spring!  After today's rain, the trees are absolutely shining!  I'm using my Richeson palette today and loading it up for this weekend's event while I'm at it.  I spent some time earlier getting frames and panels ready, one of those chores best done when the outdoors isn't calling me!  I'm using a 6x8 masonite panel, which I love.  I've been using quite a bit of canvas lately, and I'm so happy to return to my favorite surface. I hope I get enough time to fully capture the beauty of these trees before the blossoms fly away!  Painting number 3012 in 3012 days. 

Wet Streets and Blooms

Determined to paint spring flowering trees today,  I went in search of those lovely red pink crabapples!   I found this scene from the Kohl's parking lot, looking southeast, towards Jose Pepper's.  The rain got pretty heavy at times,  but let up towards the end.  As long as I've got paint on the whole surface of the panel,  the rain doesn't  hurt anything.  If I don't,  and the panel gets wet,  those wet areas then resist the oil paint - and can't be painted until dry!  So,  I  can tilt my panel downwards a little until I get that paint on,  and then proceed normally.  The light every changing,  I paint it as I see it and then I leave it alone.  I think I paint faster in the rain.   Doesn't everyone?  Painting number 1548 in 1548 days :)

Flowering Crabs in the Rain

As I drove past these beauties on my way home from the gym,  they called to me.  Answering their siren song with paint,  I started quickly.  I had to dodge rain with this one,  as the clouds brimmed over sporadically.  I had to finish this one in my car!  As a result of that,  my reds vary from the ones I see outside of my car.  I had not yet started the tree color when the rain forced me in.  My windows have a bit of a blue tint, and the difference is easily seen when compared with the outdoor photo.  Crazy,  right?  I didn't even realize it until I got out to take a quick photo before heading home!  I still like the results,  but I'll be back to capture their true color on another painting!  Each painting is a lesson,  after all.   Painting number 1547 in 1547 days :)

Rainy Day Greens

I love these dark rainy days for painting flowering trees!!  Their colors really pop against a stormy sky!   In this case, the trees are blooming white,  but their green is showing in the heavy masses.  Light darts out between the clouds irratically,  shooting across the grass.  I wish I had my cad lemon on my palette - it is the perfect shade for the sunlit grass!   I found a few more short brushes for this box that are a little stiffer,  in my stash.  Now, I'll be able to lay down those early strokes in a quicker,  more effective way.  Painting number 1546 in 1546 days :)

Spring at the Homestead

After the gym this morning,  I drove all over old town, Belton,  looking for a fabulous old house surrounded by flowering trees.  Winter is moving back in,  and I want to capture those blooms before the freeze gets them!   I found plenty of historic homes,  but the trees weren't at their peak,  or the light would be better in the afternoon,  blah, blah, blah.  I wasn't feeling it,  so I headed home.  Well,  this is what greeted me  - perfect light,  perfect blooming trees,  even plenty of daffodils to capture!   There really is no place like home!   Painting number 1521 in 1521 days :)

Spring on Main Street

I love the character and charm of these wonderful old houses!  The trees in the yard had just burst into bloom - and I couldn't resist them!   Having finished my errands after the gym,  I jumped right in.  After all,  that shower can wait,  but the changing light waits on no one!   This couldn't have been more true today.  When I started this painting,  the sun was bright and skies were blue.  As I finished one short hour later,  lightening and thunder rolled in with giant raindrops!   I barely wrapped up in time!   And, I thought I was going to knock out two before returning home......!  Painting number 1520 in 1520 days :)