Sugar Creek Afternoon

What a gorgeous day for painting at Sugar Creek Vineyard - and the light was spectacular!  Before I landed in this spot, I set up 4 other times in different locations.  First, I was looking up the vineyard trail - but the light was too washed out. Next in the vineyard on the opposite side - but another artist was already heading that way, and the composition wasn't quite right. The next two were two slightly different views of the side of this building with it's umbrellas spreading out like a blanket - but there were already 4 artists working on that view.  Each time I returned to the car, this view spoke to me.  Finally, the 5 time I listened!  I rarely waffle on a painting spot like this, but I think the strong light and shadow here pulled me right in.  Painting number 5035 in 5035 days. 

Ice Melt at the Creek

The sun is helping to melt a little strip down the middle of the creek this afternoon.  It's 9 degrees and sunny, and it feels like a heat wave compared to the recent days.  As much as I love painting those dark, snowy days, I welcome the bright light and shadow on the snow this sunny day!  We may get a little more snow Thursday, but I bet it won't be as glorious as this one!  Painting number 4025 in 4025 days. 

Good Morning Crestview

This scene caught my eye immediately, but I continued to scout the whole property before returning to set up.  That early golden light was irresistible!  I had two hours to complete this, frame and turn in for the Summit Art Plein Air Festival Quick Paint.  It felt good to be out painting with friends again, and I enjoyed visiting as I worked.  Setting my alarm in case I talked right through to the cutoff, it was a fun paint day!  To top that off - this painting win the Quick Paint Award!  Painting number 3384 in 3384 days. 

Morning Light at the Creek

I knew as soon as I saw the golden light spreading across the landscape, that I would paint it. I jumped across to find the perfect vantage, and started knocking on darks. Lightest lights were next, because the light is fleeting early in the morning. The host of this event graciously put out a breakages spread that was amazing!  I do love getting to paint special places like this!  Painting number 3029 in 3029 days. 

Light through the Trees

This evening finds me capturing that magic hour light as it streams through the trees.  Not wanting to venture along the path without my bug repellant lotion on, I choose the west lawn just past where we hosted Michaela's baby shower today.  With most of the party clean up finished, I can settle into my paints for a little art therapy.  Love that quiet time in the countryside!  Painting number 2706 in 2706 days, and day 7 of 30 in the direct watercolor challenge.

Yellow Barn in the Snow

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Dad built this shed when he first came to northern Ohio, many years ago.  After a fresh coat of snow overnight, I am painting the long shadows stretching across the lawn.  Love those cool violet blues against the warm golden sunlit patches.  Clear all day, the colors absolutely sparkled.  If only I could get down to the river, but that sheet of ice is holding me back.  I've heard stories of people getting stuck down that steep hill, unable to climb out, and I don't want to be one of them!  Painting number 2216 in 2216 days.

What a difference lighting makes! 

Golden Hour Grazing

There is something so peaceful about painting cattle in the pasture.  Their slow and rhythmic grazing relaxes me as I paint. Whenever painting animals, I sketch their shape in quickly with paint, adding more values as they hold position.  If one shifts out of position, I move on to the next, returning as each gets back to their pose. These scenes always remind me of my grandma's farm and of my Uncle Richard's farm, and the hours of play in the country.  I still love playing outside, only now I'm using paint! Painting number 1700 in 1700 days!  WOWZA!

A Walk in the Park

What a gorgeous day for painting!  Sunny, with a light breeze,  and temps in the 70's - this day was made for painting!  I love this view of the park!  There is something so peaceful about a path winding to the lake.  I positioned myself in the shade of another very large tree,  which allowed me to keep palette and panel in the shade. I painted this one small - only 10x8, mainly because the last one I painted here was 30x24!  I can't believe the KC Plein Air ends tomorrow.  I never get to paint as much as I want to when the event is local.  There are just too many obligations nipping at my heals!  Painting number 1584 in 1584 days.  Tomorrow's quick paint is at sunrise!

Currently at the Buttonwood Art Space in Kansas City
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Step into my Garden

The day's paint out theme was "trees", and we artists were combing the streets of Washington,  in search of the perfect painting.  The third painting of this day,  we had arrived a little late.  With a simple subject matter,  a composition should have been easy to find.  Nope!  We traveled all sides of town before stumbling on this beautiful garden, and once found - it had to be painted!  I set my easel up street side,  under the shade of a Japanese maple,  and started painting.  I completed an ink drawing first,  so the guess work was gone.  The way the reds and greens played off one another was fabulous!  This garden was definitely planted with an artist's eye.  All I had to do was record the color with paint!  Painting number 1572 in 1572 days 🎨

Abstract Moon

This little bit of craziness was SO challenging!  The moon has been out in full force lately, so I've chosen a spot at the pond for an abstract nocturne!  I am SO not abstract by nature!  Pushing the masses into broken spots of color sounded like an easy thing to do....but I had to keep laying paint, overlapping and abstracting the shapes that constantly kept emerging!  This required so much thought, whereas my normal paintings slip off the brush with very little "brain engagement".  I guess this is part of learning, a painful, time consuming part.  I could have painted three paintings in the time it took for this dip into madness!  Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I did sign this, but nobody will believe I painted it.  I will now return to my sketchbook for a little normally to restore my soul!  This crazy painting is the 1466th in 1466 days.

Acrylic on panel, 9x12
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Elmwood in Ink

As I started this rendering of the historic Elmwood Cemetery, my intention was to simply draw this landscape with pen and ink.  As I completed the complex drawing, it seemed to call for some color.  So, I pulled out my classic Prima "Watercolor Confections" pan set, and added a little color with my brush pens.  I can't believe I like this set so much!  I wish I had all of their collections!  They are small, I can pack them in pocket or purse, and who knew I would be so happy with the brush pens?  I thought I could only use my favorite, very pricy watercolor brushes for such work!  Many, many thanks to fellow artist Peggy Wilson for turning me on to these babies!  This painting makes 1449 in 1449 days  :)

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Autumn at the Open Gate

I was charging right through that " to do" list today, as the gorgeous weather called to me softly.  Another chore done, the car loaded up for errands, and my tripod practically jumped out of the trunk!  I could no longer resist. I grabbed my new 8x10 Guerilla Pochade, and headed to the old gate.  The light was particularly nice cutting through the trees, so I set up quickly.  Since this is the first time I've used this easel, I had to head back to the house three times for needed supplies!   I think I'll pack it with a Zorn palette, and keep it in the trunk.  I can't tell you the paintings I have missed simply because I didn't have my gear with me!   No more, my friend.  This painting makes 1418 in 1418 days, now back to work!

Autumn at the Open Gate
Oil on panel, 8x10
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Flowing into East Creek

Oh!  What a busy day!  This morning's classes at the gym were grueling - but always totally worth it.  I followed that with four hours of hard labor in the yard (with a few plantings :).  After Mike and Michael left for a little shopping, I grabbed my paints and headed to the closest creek!  I checked two before deciding this light would last the longest.  It was late enough, there was little traffic.  One small dirt bike came by three times - to check my progress!  One little boy was exclaiming to his dad as they drove by, "She is painting!  She is!"  The weather could not have been nicer for painting - and the bugs just weren't out!  Unexpected so close to the creek.  The hoot owls were calling to each other, and lulling me right into the zone with their conversation.  I love being totally enveloped by the beautiful place I am painting.  Its just a little mini vacation, minutes from home.  Painting number 1338 in 1338 days.....I think.....!

House on the Hill

On the first morning of the Parkville plein air event, I set up on the lawn of the President's house to capture this lovely scene.  I was in the deep shade of a huge maple tree, with gentle breezes at my back.  When I should have been down to take a group photo by the clock, I was up sketching on the hill, and wondering why all the easels were empty!  Already in my "art brain", I charged ahead, marking that light and shadow before it swept across the whole face of the house.  I really do love old, historic homes.  They have a charm and sense of place that a new house never does.  Painting number 1323 in 1323 days.

House on the Hill
Oil on panel, 14x11
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Leaning Maple

This is my first time up to Gill"s Rock in Door County, and what a treat!  We taught our plein air workshop just above Lake Michigan with the cool breezes keeping us cool.  What a gorgeous day and a talented group of students!  It is so fun to set their paintings come to life!   I almost forgot to pos this!  We'll be getting up at dawn to start it all again!   Painting number 1299 on 1299 days :)

Light on the Urn

After very little sleep last night, we arrived with our workshop students at our loft in Bailey's Harbor.  A little unpacking and introductions cleared the way for a quick nocturne paint.  Even with only 3 hours of sleep, the brushes and paint exhilarated me as I captured the illumination in the night landscape.  It has been a little while since my last nocturne - and boy do I love them!  Now - off to bed!    Painting number 1298 in 1298 days :)

Abundant Phlox

The light from the west is just too irresistible as it spreads across the lawn.   Grabbing my paints, I get this one down before that wonderful golden light fades behind the trees.  This has been a day full of family, friends, a wedding and a reception at the President's Hotel in Kansas City - how could life be any sweeter?  Painting number 1297 in 1297 days.....I think!

Phlox and Redbuds

Every morning as I head to the gym,  I see this amazing landscape and long to paint it.  I almost never have enough time for a painting before the gym, but today I did.  Once I start painting, it is SO easy to get lost in the process, and lose all track of time!   Especially alluring is the play between shadow and light, and I've used only a couple of brushes for the whole painting - except for a little finish work executed with my catalyst. This painting is the 1297th in 1297 days :)

Light on the Trees

Every day, as the sun pushes into the "golden hour", I am drawn to this place.  It is just to the northeast of the lawn between the pasture and the yard.   It used to be the old barn lot, when I was young.  I am mesmerized by the sunlight hitting the trees from the west, and I find myself painting it again.  I know I've done it before, but it's pull is strong, and I must submit!   This may be for me what the lily pads were for Monet.  One day, I may have a dozen paintings of this exact scene in all different seasons.  It is also alluring in the early morning, when the light cuts in from behind the trees, and there is a little clearing right in the middle,  where I could spend all day painting in the shade.  This painting makes 1296 in 1296 days :)

Light in the Woods

After talking to an artist friend of mine at last weekend's art reception, I started this painting out with a sketch in alizarin crimson.  From this unusual start, I filled in the light.  Then the rest came together, but I tried to keep that wonderful hue active in the darks.  I spent hours over the weekend pruning and weeding this area, and it has called me to paint it!  Thanks to Carole McCall for sharing her technique with me!  So fun to try new things!   Painting number 1265 in 1265 days.

Light in the Woods
Oil on panel, 7x5
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