Winter Hackberry

 

I love painting this cool old hackberry on the place. It's one of two very old ones here.  It's been rainy and drizzly most of the day, and I love the moodiness of the pasture.  Oils are so expressive in the landscape, each stroke marking the flow of the grass and trees.  What a peaceful way to spend a little time.  Painting number 4809 in 4809 days. 

Old Hackberry in the Snow

 

I love painting the branches as they spread out from the trunk of this very old hackberry tree.  It is one of two this age in the pasture. A blanket of snow coats the ground and accentuates the branches, adding drama and light to the scene.  I though we might get some more snow today, but alas we did not.  I hope to paint a few more snowscenes before it all melts away. It was so nice to have Tyler's family and Michaela's family out for snow fun and a campfire today!  We've had a while weekend full of family fun!  Painting number 4779 in 4779 days. 

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. 

Old Hackberry

This old giant has been here for generations.  The sprawling branches of this hackberry tree reach out so very far, I really should measure one.  It seems to stretch 100 feet, and who knows how may people it would take to reach around it's trunk. We have two of these big beauties in the same pasture. So on this sunny day I am drawing her with pen and ink, using a favorite TWSBI and Levenger's Raven Black ink.  I love the timeless feel ink lends to this subject. Painting number 3307 in 3307 days and day 21 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Hackberry Path

My newest TWSBI Eco fountain arrived yesterday along with De Atramentis Archive Ink.  It sat in my mailbox for hours, hovering around 0 degrees. By the time we got home from dinner, and I brought my new goodies to the house, I was surprised to find the ink not frozen!  This ink is very water resistant, so I use it for lines that I want to remain through the water work. Since I just loaded the pen with ink, the fine nib was a little juicy, dropping more ink than I wanted. Add to that, this paper is very thirsty, so it really sucks in that ink.  For the midtones,  I added Robert Oster's Thunderstorm ink, moving it a little with water. This color of ink is well suited for winter. The original lines do not move when water is added.  This ink is not waterproof, and might move on a smoother paper. So happy to see the sun!  It makes this record cold snap seem so much warmer!  Painting number 2959 in 2959 days. 

Hackberry in the Snow

Painting in this snowy landscape in rural Missouri is surreal.  It is always very quiet, as if the snow absorbs what little sound there is.  The wildlife is still, aside from a few birds flitting in the trees.  I am often so still while painting that squirrels will come quite close.  The sun popped through a bit, but the warming temps are melting the snow far too fast.  If only it would last a little longer.  Oils were made for painting snow - I especially had fun with my palette knife.  I sure can't use that knife with my inks or watercolors!!  Painting number 2589 in 2589 days.

Old Hackberry in the Snow

purchase here

Oh what a gorgeous morning!!  A winter wonderland had arrived overnight - and I simply had to spend time in this beauty!!  After hiking a couple miles first, scouting all that I wanted to paint in the process, I came to this fabulous old hackberry.  It has always caught my attention and has made it's way into multiple paintings.  For the first time I notice some damage on the old tree, and a possible split on the other side.  Situated in the southwest pasture, it is very natural here - which I love!  There is nothing more tranquil than being surrounded by such beauty, without even getting in my car!  No buildings in site, just the natural state of the land as it would have been centuries ago.  Painting number 2583 in 2583 days.

Old Hackberry Tree

purchase here

The sunny afternoon light beckoned me outside. Hiking through the pastures, immersing myself in nature, organically led me to this old Hackberry tree with it's interesting branches. With ink and watercolor, the painting unfolds, as my trusty companion barks st the cows! Just a visual sliver of my day!  Day 4 of the Strada easel challenge and the 2564th painting in 2564 days. 

Hackberry Sunset

Hours before sunset, I have an eye to the sky.  Will the color be beautiful?  Clouds or no?  Some January days are too overcast for color, but not today.  The skies cleared this afternoon, and I anticipated a chance to paint the sunset!   I took my oils out of the freezer literally on my way out the door, and this time, they were still a little frozen!  I took one brush and my easel, and hot footed it to the pasture.  I found myself trying to thaw my paint with a little friction of my brush - but turned to the other paints when this did not work!  My transparent oils were fine, but those sedimentary ones did not thaw in the 10 minutes it took to paint this!   Perhaps next time, I'll remove my paints 10 minutes early!  Painting number 1829 in 1829 days.