Lost Valley Lake Bridge

 

The warm autumn days are numbered, and today I'm thankful for another one!  Our temps are expected to drop as low as 20 by the weekend so I'm soaking in every minute before.  We've had such a lovely autumn, I want it to last forever.  So, I paint the beauty while it's still before me, and I'll embrace lovely winter when it comes.  Painting number 4388 in 4388 days. 

Inlet to Cleveland Lake

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Grabbing a fountain pen at random, I laid my hand on my very first pen, the TWSBI Eco in clear.  Months have passed since I've used it, and it lays down a line at the very first touch.  No cleaning, no coaxing, just ink flowing effortlessly, as if I've used it every day.  And to top that off, it is filled with J.Herbin Anniversary Ink in Caroube de Chypre, a rich brown ink loaded with gold flecks (known to be clogging to any fountain pen).  I really love tools like this workhorse, that can keep up with my every need, at the drop of a hat.  Painting number 2210 in 2210 days.

Morning at Moonlight Bay

After watching the sunrise at Gordon Lodge, we headed over to Moonlight Bay for the morning workshop.  The temperature soon heated up, and the girls were dropping like flies!  As they headed back to the Red Shed, I finished my painting.  We were able to finish the class later, in the comfort of the shade!  This painting is the 1300th in 1300 days!! Wowza!

Clouds Over the Water

Clouds Over Water
Oil on canvas, 4x4
sold

Thank you to everyone who attended my Artist Reception today at GOT Art Gallery!  What a fabulous turnout - and those strawberries were delicious in the chocolate fountain!  Thanks to Teresa for all of the hard work! This show runs until February 23rd, if you haven't made it out yet. Since I was too busy to finish my large landscape at the gallery, I am posting this tiny cloudscape, painted from reference photos I took while at Moonlight Bay in Door County, Wisconsin.  The clouds streaming across the sky were a vision, and what could be better than capturing them over the water of Lake Michigan?  It makes the perfect complement to a gorgeous sky.  This is rather loosely painted in purposeful strokes with brush and palette knife.  This painting makes 1131 in 1131 days.

Magic Over the Marsh

Magic Over the Marsh
Oil on panel, 12x9
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Every summer, we go visit my parents near Lake Erie, and I have so many wonderful photos from this beautiful area!  I am using that reference for today, and started with a pastel sketch.  Next, I brushed in the blues of the sky, working from cool to warm at the horizon, and I lay in the water at the same time.  Next, I brushed in the thick, warm whites of the clouds, followed by the plum shadow sides.  The landscape is just a supporting role to the main feature of the sky, so I handle the colors accordingly, being sure to get those sky colors into that landscape for good color harmony. I did not use my palette knife on this - I had so many distractions today, that it is a miracle I was able to finish this at all!  Painting number 787 in as many days.

Clouds Over the Inlet

Clouds Over the Inlet
Oil on panel, 7x5
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I recently sold a cloudscape, and it occurred to me that it has been a long time since I have painted skies.  So, after a day full of the KU Expo with my youngest son, I returned home - thinking about beautiful skies!  When looking at the sky, the higher you look, the more violet the blue.  The closer to the horizon, the warmer the blue.  The clouds reflect some of the ground color, which is reflected into the water.  It is important to shape the clouds with warms and cools - and thick paint in places to really add to their dimension.  I reveled in this painting - and I'm ready to start another!  Perhaps, I will paint several while the mood strikes me!  Painting number 783 in 783 days :)

Early Morning at Moonlight Bay

Early Morning at Moonlight Bay
Oil on panel, 14x11
Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin
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On location with fellow artists

Heading out at sunrise, several of us set our easels up on the edge of the highway.  This beautiful landscape is a favorite among artists, and we make it a priority to paint it at least once while on the peninsula.  This morning was very cool - 47 degrees in July!  And, yes - I wore my ski jacket as well as an extra pair of pants!  I had wished I'd had it last year, so this year I was sure to pack it!  By the time we were all finished, it was already warming up, and I could shed one of those pants as well as my jacket. I love this peaceful and relaxing spot, it is a joy to paint in such a place!  Painting number 584 in as many days.

On location