Old Hackberry

 

This may be the oldest tree on the farm, a large, sprawling hackberry. I love sketching it in ink.  Painting number 4760 in 4760 days. 

TWSBI Fountain Pens!

 

We're doing something new and fun at Urban Sketchers KC!  Fountain Pen Friday! Here's my first sketch to kick off the fun!  I'd you'd like to join the fun, post and use the hashtag #urbansketcherskc and #fountainpenfriday!  This idea popped up during our planning meeting yesterday for the Urban Sketchers KC 2026 calendar.  So, for our initial post, I grabbed a few of my newest pens loaded and unloaded, to sketch!  Once I fill with an ink in a matching color, I stand them in the tea box, nib up. Those new ones are laying on their sides, waiting for my attention.  So, THIS is the perfect in process sketch!  Painting number 4721 in 4721 days. 

Chicadee and Pine

 

The little chicadees kept me company as I worked in the garden, and then I painted one! I'm using three inks, Diamine Nutcracker, Robert Oster's Detox, and Levenger Raven black on a watercolor paper I thought was handmade..... but now I'm not so sure sure... It should be cotton, but I don't think it's 100% based on the ink and water reaction.  It's not bad, but it's different, and every new paper is an exploration of how it handles my specific technique.  I love spending time in nature, and the birds are begging to be painted!  Painting number 5184 in 5184 days. 

Butterfly and Hydrangea

 

I remember the days I longed for hydrangea to paint, and now they bloom abundantly and I'm out in the garden painting!  It's all about the little things, after all.  I ripped this paper down to fit a frame I have, so it is an usual size at 4x2.5 inches.  Additionally, I am using new handmade artisan metallic watercolors that I bought from Chubby Mermaid, and they are amazing as they add a little sparkle to the petals and leaves.  I'm going to have fun exploring these beauties! I think this one is destined for Powell Gardens one of these days!  Painting number 5133 in 5133 days. 

Walkers

It is so fun to capture this sculpture in pen and ink.  There are SO many things to paint at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and I've been wanting to paint these walkers since I first saw them here.  The strong morning light is perfect for great shadows, and ink is my medium of choice for this.  The black and white defines the space so well, and there is no need for sky or foliage color on this one.  Kansas City is full of amazing places to paint - and I'm so lucky to get to paint here on a regular basis!  Painting number 4408 in 4408 days. 

Lights on Broadway

 

Guess who's painting the Plaza Lighting Ceremony live tomorrow night?!!  I'm so excited and honored to be commissioned for this very special Kansas City tradition!  I have such fond memories of times spent with family, enjoying the Christmas lights on the Country Club Plaza, and now I'm going to capture the event live with paint!  I can hardly wait - losing sleep, even - already painting those paintings in my head!  I will be starting my Thanksgiving at the Gobble Trot 5K with my daughters, rushing home for our family gathering, then rushing off to the Plaza for an unforgettable night!  It's going to be an amazing day!  Painting number 4402 in 4402 days. 

Oranges on the Branch

We slept on the enclosed patio, and it was delightful! All night long, the sweet aroma of orange blossoms wafted in, as the Arizona winds blew and rain fell sporadically.  I love the sounds and scents outdoors at night, they lull me like a lullaby.  And, waking outside was amazing.  I studied the form of the branches, blossoms and oranges, from my pillow.  As I leisurely headed in for hot tea, my mind was already on painting.  With ink and watercolor I rendered the scene, and went back in for another cup of tea with fresh lemon from another tree.  What a perfect way to start a day!  Painting number 3373 in 3373 days. 

Brushes

This day started with the memorial service of a dear artist friend's father, a local watercolorist icon and generous soul.  The whole family then gathered here this afternoon, for the first time since Christmas, silly covid.  Now the house is quiet, Mike and Michael out helping Cooper with a desk, all is clean, so I come to my easel.  I'm so thankful for these days spent together, sharing joy and sadness with those I love.  Life is made up of so many little moments.  Playing peak-a-boo with little Quinn, walking Casper as we kick the little soccer ball outside, holding Layne as his clear blue eyes stare so deeply into mine, Nolan setting timers on my watch - counting down to "hug time", and little Gus packing a car full of his pups as we played with the train set.  Food, fun, laughter, and many voices filling the house as Alastair seeks a quiet place and Alan plays on his computer in the midst of it all.  The older kids play a new board game in the kitchen as Mom pets the dogs filing over for attention.  Trav's new puppy is scared of it all, but she'll soon come around.  Life is short, and as I cherish every moment, I pick up my favorite TWSBI Diamond fountain pen and start to draw.  Ink and paper are old friends, and so together, we draw one of my jars of countless brushes.  Drawing feels like wrapping myself in a warm blanket, which suits me perfectly tonight.  Painting number 3328 in 3328 days. 

Watson Theatre Building

I love drawing this historic Watson Theatre Building (also known as Stiefel Theatre) in downtown Salina.  The architecture is so cool in this town - and there is an amazing arts culture here, too.  Across from this theater is the cinema that I posted yesterday.   Museums dot the streets as well as shops and eateries.  Just a couple of blocks away, art classes are held in the Art Center Wharehouse, with creative kids and adults engaging in art.  It's a wonderful place to paint and I'm so happy to have a small part in it all.  Painting number 3325 in 3325 days, and I'm happy this ink drawing sold at the Gala! 

Mums!

I got these fabulous chrysanthemums from Suburban Lawn and Garden nearly a month ago - and they are still spectacular!  The very large flowers are bold and bright - lighting up my kitchen table!  I'm painting in miniature tonight, because once again I have worked myself into the late hours.  I had just boxed my last commission up when I sold another painting and got another commission!  I hadn't even made it to the UPS store - lol!  It's a good problem to have and I do like to keep on top of things.  So, that leaves only a little painting window, and I'm using ink and watercolor on handmade paper, and trying to capture those vivid hues.  I hope these sunny blooms last long into winter - and I can try them in oils!  Painting number 3230 in 3230 days. 

Geraniums

As I work in my gardens to put my beds to rest for the season, I am busy bringing in my favorites to winter over indoors.  I simply cannot leave these beauties to the Jack Frost. I bought this one and another fushia geranium at Suburban Lawn and Garden in the spring, and they have flourished - despite being forgotten by my husband while I was away painting.  So, they deserve an extended season, and I'm hoping to get to paint their blooms all winter long!  After this long gardening day, all I can manage is a miniature painting, using ink and watercolor for this floral.  So nice to get a painting in - even if it's a tiny one!  Painting number 3219 in 3219 days. 

Turkey Time

Suburban Lawn and Garden had two of these amazing vintage style turkeys, one standing and one sitting, and of course I had to draw one!  I love how real they look, so pen and ink makes a wonderful medium.  I sketched the lines first with an archival ink and an extra fine nib, then I used a broad nib and Levenger's Raven Black ink. This ink moves with a little water in a brush pen, which I use to get those grays.  Can't wait to sketch more turkeys this month!  Painting number 3210 in 3210 days. 

Phlox

I love how long these tall garden phlox flourish in years of heavy rain!  These beauties were gorgeous for the Fourth of July, and here it is middle September and still they shine!  I do deadhead them whenever I see the need, which keeps them sprouting new blooms.  I have had them bloom into November before - but that is rare!  So, today I capture them in miniature with ink and watercolor, because once again my time is short.  Thank goodness for garden inspiration on days like these!  Painting number 3160 in 3160 days. 

Park University Campus

I love painting the architecture of the grand old buildings on the Park University Campus!  Sitting in the shade of a tree, I do my line work with De Atramentis Archive Ink, following with Levenger's Raven Black in this pictured fountain pen with a broad nib.  This is my first pen in all these years to have a broad nib, and in only a few paintings I have grown to love it!  It drops a smooth, rich line, more intense than the medium nib. On smoother papers, the line may be too bold, but the majority of my papers are rough in texture, so the broad nib really helps speed the drawing process.  I love my fountain pens!  In fact, I have a brand new one just out of the box, just waiting to be inked! Painting number 3143 in 3143 days.  This painting now showing at Cathy Kline Art Gallery through October! 

Sunflower

Some days are so busy, I only have enough time for a miniature painting!  So, choosing ink and watercolor, I grabbed an ATC sized paper and started sketching. This week's heat wave has been hard on so many of my flowers this week - I am hoping they make it until things cool off.  I first use a water resistant ink for the composition, and follow this with watercolor.  I have water soluble ink in the TWSBI Diamond mini fountain pen pictured, and I use that where I want the ink to move a little.  Love these little moments in the garden with my paints!  Painting number 3116 in 3116 days. 

Flag Iris

I love getting out in my gardens, coaxing forth blooms while discouraging weeds, and ever transplanting wayward plants.  Often as I work, I see compositions before me, paintings already forming in my head.  Soon, I return to these places to paint with minutes I steel from another task.  Other times, I don't make it back before the fleeting blooms fade, and my chance is lost for another year. Hope I get to all those paintings just floating around in my head. Painting number 3062 in 3062 days. 

Flaming Flag Tulips

I love these fancy tulips in the garden!  My first of the season, the Flaming Flags really show off their stripes - and they close up with the sun!  I have two new fountain pens - TWSBI Minis, one with a broad nib and one extra fine.  I love the rich line of the broad nib for edge work, and the extra fine is perfect for those sketchy lines making up the composition.  I have the white one loaded with my fav Levenger's Raven Black and the silver is filled with De Atramentis Archive Ink (which does not move with water).  I really love the rose gold details of the white pen, and both are super smooth writers.  Super fun to spend a little time in my garden today with a couple of new toys!!  Painting number 3015 in 3015 days. 

King Alfred Daffodils

These King Alfred daffodils were early additions to what was my grandmother's iris garden when we first bought the place.  Balancing out some really wonderful fancy ruffled daffodils on the other corners, these have spread beautifully!  This year, I started dividing them a bit, but still have so much to do!  Each time I dig a crowded clump, I bring up 100 that need to be planted around. One day I believe this whole place will burst with daffodils of all kinds!  I've even started them along the wooded trail!  Painting number 3004 in 3004 days, and that fountain pen is a TWSBI Eco with a medium nib, filled with Robert Oster's Great Southern Ocean ink! 

Maramec Spring

I love taking pen, ink and watercolor to this special place! This place is simply stunning, and I love squeezing in a little paint time whenever I am close. Although oils are my preference here, with limited time, ink and watercolor are a quick way to capture the place.  I sketch first in ink, fill with watercolor, then  come back in with a little more ink for those places I want a sharper line.  These painting moments spent outdoors, surrounded by nature are truly a gift, one I treasure every single day.  Painting number 2995 in 2995 days.

Trees Inked

I love studying the nature of trees in pen and ink!  With just a little time left before sunset, I jumped right in with a quick sketch of this stand of trees. Using one of my TWSBI Ecos with medium nib, I sketch what is before me, only glancing at the paper.  Using sketchy little marks, I get the place captured, then coming in with a little water in a brush pen.  I think the ink in this pen is almost entirely Levenger's Raven Black.  Pretty sure I didn't rinse out the barrel before reloading ink in the field.  Love the velvety richness of that ink!  I'm on my third large bottle of this ink, and I've not run out of any other inks.  That's I pretty good indication of how much I use this ink!  Painting number 2988 in 2988 days.  I'd like to spend more time on sketching trees before their leaves return.  I really like the forms of trunks and branches and feel like I need more practice!