Main Street

 

I love the timeless feel of a fountain pen gliding across handmade paper! TWSBIs are my absolute favorite fountain pens, piston loaded with inks of my choice, the ink flows smoothly - no matter how long it's been since I've used them.  I have many pens, and these are the only ones that don't fail me in the field.  Painting number 4691 in 4691 days.

Sunset Over Fairfield

 

Sunset turns to nightfall in a moment!  Intending to paint a nocturne, I arrived early to set up my easel.  When this glorious sky was before me, I just could not wait to begin!  So, I painted as fast as I could to capture all that color, before I really got the street scene in.  As soon as color faded from the sky, I made quick work of those lines.  They, too, faded as the dark settled in.  It was fun to talk to a few visitors on the street as I painted. I love that this painting of historic Fairfield will hang in the bank on this street.  Painting number 4690 in 4690 days. 

Hickory and 13th St

 

The West Bottoms is such a cool historic place to paint, and this day my daughter, Tiffany, joined me with artist friends.  This building was beautiful in the morning light, and super fun to get all those lines and angles in! We only had about an hour and a half to sketch, and that goes by quickly with all that architecture!  I'd love to capture more of these vintage places as they are now, because much of the area is getting a face lift, and these streets will not be the same.  Painting number 5178 in 5178 days. 

Mount Pleasant Afternoon

It was a lovely day for the Premiere Artist's Paintout, full of sunshine and bright spring foliage.  This historic winery has been a favorite haunt through the years, and has changed colors three time in that span.  This color is reported to date back to an historic, original color, and is quite lively in the landscape. My last social occasion here was a celebration of my youngest daughter's upcoming wedding, with bridesmaids, sisters and moms.  There are so many memories here that it is a joy to paint here whenever I get the chance.  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Historic Marceline

It was raining when I arrived in Marceline for the Wine and Art Stroll, so I pulled into the park to have a look around.  Loving this composition, I walked to the new stage for shelter.  As the rain picked up, I pulled in a little farther to keep the rain off my ink and watercolor.  The rain let up by the time I was finished, so I could frame out of my trunk.  What a honor that this painting was chosen for the first Purchase Award sponsored by Nature's Grace and Wellness!  Painting number 3882 in 3882 days. 

Looking up Walnut

SOLD

What a gorgeous day for painting the charming streets of Lakeside, Ohio!  This path leads to town from the beach of Lake Erie, and is another iconic part of Lakeside.  As I sketched in ink and painted in watercolor, many stopped to visit and young artists asked about my tools.  It was a lovely day of sharing art, followed by dinner and a show with Mom at Hoover Auditorium.  Painting number 3840 in 3840 days. 

SE Main Street

 I love painting the small town charm of historic downtown Lee's Summit!  There are SO many vintage buildings lining several blocks east and west of the old depot.  The town is vibrant with people and shops and truly a slice of Midwest living.  It's my pleasure to paint such a place for the Summit Art Plein Air event.  This painting is now showing at City Hall in Lee's Summit, Missouri, through the end of July.  Painting number 3817 in 3817 days.

Douglas and 3rd Street

I love getting to paint wonderful downtown Lee's Summit street scenes.  I don't think I've ever painted this street from this vantage before, but that historic building certainly called my name!  I sat outside the ice cream shop, sketching and painting as families and friends dotted the streets. It's so nice to see this Main Street district vibrant with life!  I wish all historic Main streets could thrive so well.  Thanks to the Country Club Bank for choosing my watercolor painting for their Purchase Award!  I'm so honored to have my painting hanging in their collection!  Painting number 3812 in 3812 days. 

Downtown Bonaparte

I LOVE  painting the small town charm of Bonaparte, Iowa, just a stone's throw from the Des Moines River!  These river towns are full of vintage buildings, parks, and gardens.  It is refreshing to see a town respect it's history and retain the flavor of years gone by.  This artist appreciates the historic beauty I find down every street.  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 3794 in 3794 days. 

Music Art Love in Copper

I LOVED capturing the new location of Music Art Love in copper!  I had the chance to work this piece after dropping Mom off for a nap at our cushy abode. I take her nap times seriously - and get as much work finished as possible during that time!  On this day, I actually finished and framed, then needed to wake her up for "Wine Hour" at the Main Street Inn!  One never misses a wine hour if possible!  I'm so happy this piece has a new home, with the lovely owner of this wonderful place!! 😍❤️  Artwork number 3732 in 3732 days. 

Nichols and Broadway Lights

I LOVE shopping AND painting the historic Country Club Plaza along Nichols during the holidays!  The Christmas lights switch on shortly after 5:00, and the wet streets lend themselves well to reflections.  The beauty down here is timeless, and 90 years of Christmas lights is something to be celebrated!  I only wish I had many more days available to paint it's beauty!  With a wintry mix expected Monday - I find myself wondering how gorgeous it would be down here with a blanket of snow on...... and the wheels start turning. Painting number 4125 in 4125 days. 

Lights on 47th St

 

I LOVE capturing the Christmas magic of the Country Club Plaza on 47th Street, in ink and watercolor.  I've long done nocturnes in oil, but have only started using my watercolors.  My intention was to start with watercolor and finish in gouache, but I've yet to use my gouache!  I even think it would be far easier to get the intensity I need with gouache, and yet I hesitate.  I'm so comfortable with my normal methods, I find myself leaning on them in the field, rather than jumping into something new.  I will make it a point to do so this week!  No reason to sit in my box when there are methods to explore!  Painting number 4406 in 4406 days. 

1st and Sears

 

I love sketching the historic downtown streets of Owensville, Missouri, in ink and watercolor for the Gasconade County Plein Air event!  This was "Owensville Day" so I spent all my time on 1st Street, and didn't get to a couple of other places that I really wanted to paint!  These historic buildings tell a story, and I'm glad they are still standing to be painted. I see so many ruins of buildings in other small towns that are not so fortunate. Painting number 4375 in 4375 days and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  

Morning on 1st Street

 

I love capturing the charm of historic downtown Owensville in paint!  Staying just across the street, this was an easy site to get to on the morning of the Owensville paint day for the 4th annual Gasconade County Plein Air event.  Walking up and down the street, I liked this section most, especially lit by that morning sun.  I sketched it out in paint, then started filling in the masses, like putting together a puzzle.  Go see this one in person at Art Works On Main Gallery on 1st street, in Owensville - in fact, it is one of the buildings I painted! Painting number 4374 in 4374 days. 

Main Street USA

 

I LOVE painting Main Street USA - where my paternal grandparents grew up 3 generations ago. Each of their families lived in this town, where siblings grew, married and started families.  As I stood in the park sketching this street scene, I wondered about those family members shopping in these beautiful buildings when they were new.  It is always lovely to return to a place with so many roots, even when those roots were tramsplanted many years ago. Wish I'd remembered to take the on site photo!  Day 5 #stradaeasel challenge, and painting number 4325 in 4325 days. 

Shawnee Indian Mission - East Building

Not far from where I grew up - I have never been to this Kansas State Historic site!  Timeless in the early morning light, this place feels like the 1800s - there is even a covered wagon in the background in preparation for the upcoming festival.  I am trying out a shiny, new Caran D'Ache Swiss gouache full pan travel set!!!  A few of the colors differ from my norms, but I can still get my colors by mixing.  I'm using a few soft brushes in more of a watercolor way, with plenty of water.  I really like the intensity I'm getting with gouache.  I LOVE using pans and half pans, because I can take them anywhere with a few water brush pens.  I actually took a like container for water, unsure if I could really mix well enough with the brush pens.  I'm at the beginning of this gouache journey - can't wait to see where it leads!  Painting number 4311 in 4311 days. 

Along LaHaye

I love the old historic streets in towns, the ones that tell a story where they stand.  This street has an old grocer's mural still painted on it's side, though it looks as if it hasn't been open in years.  The way the old houses dot the turning street, speaks of families and life lived in a small town, where the corner store was a staple in the community.  With ink and watercolor, I commemorate this place, a little slice of life in old town Sainte Genevieve. Painting number 4287 in 4287 days, and this painting has a new home, too. 

Third and Maple

What a beautiful morning to be out painting Maple street - especially in the early light!  This colorful scene caught my eye yesterday on our way to breakfast, but I didn't get back before the light changed.  So, of course I headed down the street to paint it!  Everyone is so friendly in here, it is taking me quite a bit longer to finish each painting, lol. I was even brought a glass of wine on the street, halfway through the last painting!  I'm having so much fun painting Lakeside!  Painting number 4276 in 4276 days. 

Looking up Maple

I kept coming back to this place today while out scouting the charming town of Lakeside, so I answered the call to paint it before the light faded.  So many walkers, golf carts and people on bikes visited with me on their way to the shops! These 3 historic buildings used to be connected, and were part of the Richard's House, a hotel with 200 rooms - I think!  In the 90s they were separated, and sold as individual units.  There is a plaque in front of the building, I need to go read it to see just what I have painted!  I'm already wishing I had more time to paint here!  Painting number 4275 in 4275 days. 

Beverlin's Statuary

Early in the morning is the best time to sketch the charming shops on Main Street in Weston.  Beverlin's Statuary is adorned with beautiful statues and urns filled with blooms - and I just had to paint it!  With ink, I sketched my composition, and soon filled in with watercolor.  After this painting was finished - Mom and I went to the Green Dirt Farm Creamery for lunch!  Love these warm autumn days spent in such a charming, historic place!  Painting number 2831 in 2831 days