Betsy and Able

Each of my chickens has such a unique personality!  Betsy is one of my sweetest hens, gentle and kind to the others.  She'll sit in my lap contentedly, whether I have treats or not.  A Calico Princess, she has lovely coloring!  Able is a gorgeous Starlight Green Egger rooster, who is still sweet and takes food from my hand so carefully - with a softer touch than any of my hens.  He especially likes taking bites of buns that I hold, when we have some left over from grilling.  I'm so thankful for each of my chickens.  I never dreamed they could add so much to my world.  And of course, I LOVE painting them!  Painting number 4956 in 4956 days. 
 

Today's Cart!

 

Who shops and sketches in an open greenhouse on a 100 degree day?  Me!  Just getting home from Augusta last night, I wasn't sure I'd meet the Monday Morning Watercolorists at Suburban Lawn and Garden this morning.  With the car only half unpacked, I decided not to miss the opportunity!  I was rewarded with more lovely flowers to come home with me, and sketched my shopping cart, too!  Coming home today - large periwinkle basket, rosemary topiary, globe amaranth, young stevia plants and a large begonia for the front porch. I just can't resist a beautiful bloom!  Painting number 4955 in 4955 days. 

Paradise Restaurant

It's fun to get to paint the cool summer places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  This place is called Paradise Restaurant, and it's bright and cheerful.  I'm delivering it and two others to the area soon!  Painting number 4951 in 4951 days. 

Morning on W. Second

 

I love painting downtown Lakeside, where most of the traffic is bicycles and gold carts.  Everyone is so nice, and we visit about all things Lakeside.  Often, couples will walk by a few times to see my progress as I work.  What a great place to visit AND paint!  I'm so happy this painting has found a new home in Kentucky!  Painting number 4948 in 4948 days. 

Path to the Pier

I love painting the vintage charm of this lovely  pavilion in Lakeside on Lake Erie!  It's entry to the pier is iconic to this area, and a beautiful landmark from the water.  Mom and I sure have enjoyed our stay here!  Painting number 4947 in 4947 days. 

Path to Hotel Lakeside

 

It's so much fun to stay and paint at the Historic Hotel Lakeside on Lake Erie!  Come see this and more tomorrow at the Wet Paint Sale near the pavilion at 1:30! ♥️🎨

#hotellakeside #lakesideohio #lakesidechautauqua #pleinairpainting #artistlife

Rush Hour on Walnut

 

I LOVE returning to charming Lakeside to paint! I look forward to this weekend event all year, it's like stepping back in time for a few days.  A great place for families, many return to the same summer cottage for generations.  The Wet Paint Sale Sunday 1:30 to 3:30, outside the hotel near the pavilion on Lake Erie.  It's always cool here by the water.  Painting number 4945 in 4945 days. 

Marblehead Lighthouse

Today, Mom and I visited a place we used to visit with Dad, and I sketched as we listened to the crashing of the waves.  We would visit this place each year with the family, kids jumping from rock to rock, as we looked for Cedar Point on the horizon.  I could spend hours listening to the surf, it is so deeply relaxing.  The breeze blows cool off the water, and the air is very smokey from the Canadian wildfires.  I'm looking forward to painting along Lake Erie the next few days, and sharing some time with Mom in a place she loves. Painting number 4944 in 4944 days. 

Trail Through the Trees

 

It's so peaceful to sketch this trail through a canopy of trees.  Though the weather is in the 90s, this path is cool in full shade, with a lovely breeze cutting through.  Our time is short, and this may be my last time on this trail until next year.  I wonder if everyone connects to places like I do, as if they are living, breathing things.  It's hard to leave, and I feel this way about many special locations.  It's as if I bond with each place.  What a lovely place to spend some time unwinding!  Painting number 4944 in 4944 days. 

Covered Bridge at Sugar Creek

 

It's so fun to sketch this covered bridge in Elmore, from the North Coast Inland Trail!  I've painted this bridge on the Sugar Creek Golf Course a few times through the years, and I'm always happy to see it still stands.  There's a farmers market along the trail closer to town tonight, and Mom and I are headed there when I get back.  It's fun to experience the small town life here on our annual visit.  Painting number 4942 in 4942 days. 

Log Cabin and Depot

 

It was fun to sketch the log cabin and Elmore depot along the North Coast Inland Trail!  I love that we got to tour them, too!  Cool places of interest are open along the trail at certain hours and days.  These two are open every Sunday from 2 to 5, May through October.  It's such a great idea, and it makes the trail a destination to go see something new.  Mom and I enjoyed the buildings before meeting friends for ice cream right up the street. Mom is getting to visit with so many friends in town.  Painting number 4941 in 4941 days. 

Elmore Farm

I love painting this historic Elmore farm along the North Coast Inland Trail. I have passed it many times as I've run this trail while in Ohio.  It passes through lovely farmland, each unfolding like a quilt before me.  Like an old friend, this trail is comforting.  I ran so many steps away from grief on this path, sharing thoughts and tears along it.  We used to bring our little ones on bikes when we first came here to see Mom and Dad in their new home on Portage River Rd. So many memories, and now I return with Mom to see her Ohio friends, and to paint Lakeside next weekend. I'm looking forward to a few more days here, and sketching Elmore.  Painting number 4940 in 4940 days. 

Mabel/Able

 

Our beautiful Starlight Green Egger hen, Mabel, is actually a rooster - so we changed his name to ABLE.  He's a beauty to sketch in my special chicken sketchbook!  This paper is in my Mr. Ellie Pooh sketchbook, which is made from actual elephant dung, in an effort to save these elephants in Sri Lanka. With this sketch, and the one before it, I used more water on the surface with the gouache than previously.  The result is a splattered, sparkly appearance on the reverse side, which mimics a spray of shiny kamar varnish, on sprinkles!  Though the paper does not work very well for watercolor, I am finding other mediums that will! I love exploring the possibilities!  Painting number 4939 in 4939 days.  

Neon Taco

 

I love painting all the fun places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  There are SO many restaurants on the lake, one can simply drive their boat up to the dock to enjoy the fun!  I loved the plein air events that were held down here a few years ago, and wish they would return. I found so many cool places to paint - caves included!  This commission will soon be heading to the Lake Fine Art Galleria, along with two others.  Painting number 4938 in 4938 days. 

Monarch and Hydrangea

 

I've long admired gorgeous hydrangea, and now I'm painting my own!  I planted this Bobo hydrangea, because it was a nickname we had for our sweet lab, Beau.  It's now bigger than I am and full of blooms, and the pollinators have noticed!  It's fun to paint this beauty when once I only dreamed of having them on the lawn.  Painting number 4937 in 4937 days. 

Pink Zinnias

 

Painting zinnias always reminds me of Grandma Bessie!  She introduced me to these beauties the first season I helped her in the garden, all those years ago.  I remember the giant red zinnias the most, as we dropped seed into a long, shallow row in front of her irises.  I helped prepare the area,  with her guidance, and she would often have something to eat in the kitchen when we were finished.  Sometimes, I'd fun to Sonic for tenderloin sandwiches - a favorite for her and Jewel. What memories return each year with the flowers. Painting number 4934 in 4934 days. 

Pink Rose of Sharon

On these very busy days, it's refreshing to squeeze in a tiny painting in the garden! I've worked outside most of the day, the heat hardly bothering me with the overcast sky.  After finally getting a hammock hung out by the chicken coop, Kirby and I enjoyed it as we looked through the large oak canopy to the sky beyond. I couldn't stop smiling as another small dream was realized. I think we're really going to love this wooded space by the chickens. Painting number 4930 in 4930 days. 

 

White Rose of Sharon

 

The Rose of Sharon is blooming, and I can't resist capturing it's beauty with a quick sketch!  The only color I remember from childhood, the two parent plants of this one spread out beneath two large trees on the front lawn.  My brother and I used to climb between them, stepping across the propane tank as a bridge.  A white picnic table sat under the branches in the shade, where we gathered with family.  As these reseed abundantly, I have moved many of them to other parts of the property, where they now bloom, too. This beauty is behind an old shed, in a secluded part of my garden.  Who knew I would sow the seeds of my childhood on this ancestral land - and then paint them?  Painting number 4928 in 4928 days. 

World Cup 2026 KC

 

What fun to take in the excitement of the World Cup in Kansas City with ink and watercolor!  This is my first experience with World Cup soccer, it has never been on my radar.  My boys all played soccer, and it was one of my favorite sports of their's to watch, but that was pretty much the extent it.  Being with the fans from other countries is so much fun, and their enthusiasm is infectious!  I'm so happy I was able to come down and sketch the fun with dear artist friends, Liz Vargas and Marcia Willman!  Painting number 4927 in 4927 days. 

World Cup Kansas City 2026

 

It was fun to meet artist friends to sketch the World Cup fun at Crown Center in Kansas City this morning!  It was great to see Liz Vargus here from Chicago, with her family, and Marcia Willman to capture a moment in KC culture.  First time ever to experience the excitement of the games, it was fun to see so many enthusiasts from other countries supporting their teams vigorously!  Singing their anthems down the streets while wrapped in their flags, and cheering as only they could do.  It was a fun glimpse into their culture! Painting number 4925 in 4925 days.