Mansfield Roller Mill

This was another glorious day painting an old roller mill in Indiana!!  I've been coming to Indiana for four years, painting the covered bridges before the Carmel on Canvas event - and STILL I find amazing new subject matter each trip!  The weather was perfect this first time on site, and this old roller mill HAD to be my first painting!  I love the way it sits high upon that rock, looking over the falls and creek, as it has for over 200 years.  That is amazing and begs to be painted.  The surrounding village is also very paintable, full of vintage charm.  I sure wish I had more time here today, I will definitely be back!  Painting number 3163 in 3163 days. 🤩❤🎨

Bridgeton Mill

I don't know what it is that calls to me about covered bridges, but they have always called to me.  For many years, I passed by on I-70, noticing a covered bridge sign, but was never able to add extra time to an already 12 hour drive.  So now, once a year, I make a trip to Indiana just to paint a few of the beauties along this driving tour.  I have two artist friends joining me, and I am really enjoying the time spent studying this nostalgic landscape together.  No time limits, no deadlines, just the scene, my panel, and paints  - I am certainly living the dream.  Painting number 3162 in 3162 days. 

Dunn's Cider Mill ATC

Many times I have enjoyed hot cider and doughnuts here! Sometimes, my friends and I would gather for lunch - with grandbabies in tow!  On the outskirts of town, it is picturesque with it's winding drive back to the mill.  Here, I capture this place with ink and watercolor.  I zoom in on the barn for this one (zooming out for the next).  I paint from outside the gate as they are closed for the season.  One of the biggest benefits of painting daily - I get faster as the months roll by.  Faster at seeing what I want, faster at getting it sketched, and faster at laying that paint.  It all becomes SO natural.  Want to change your life?  Change what you do daily.  Painting number 1820 in 1820 days.

The Mill from the Alley

Fourth Fridays are always a lively event in old town Lee's Summit.  Tonight there was a quick paint plein air event sponsored by Got Art.  I walked down Third St, and back up again, looking for a way to frame the glorious clouds in the sky.  Each way, the scene down this alley caught my attention.  It is not my normal subject matter, but I could not resist it!  I started right in with paint, since I was beginning a bit late.  The stormy sky was the perfect backdrop for the old Mill, and all those lines just lead right to my focus.  This was fun, and a good warm up for tomorrow in Marceline.  I was awarded 2nd place for this painting, and it is my 1331st painting in 1331 days.

Spring Comes to Hodgson Mill

Spring Comes to Hodgson Mill
Oil on unstretched canvas, 6x4
3/100 - The {100} Artists - auction bid here

This historic water mill was first built in 1837 down in the Ozarks by Alva Hodgson.  I love painting these historic places, and it makes perfect subject matter for my {100} Artist series.  Before I started this painting, I took my palette knife and skimmed the surface with light molding paste.  It helped fill in some of the weave of the canvas, and allowed my paints to glide over the surface more effectively.  I did commit all 100 paintings to this substrate, so I am going to find ways to love it! This small step helped a LOT, and still left some tooth for interest. This is painting number 820 in 820 days.

Historic Jolly Mill

Historic Jolly Mill, Missouri
Oil on panel, 16x12
sold

The beautiful old Jolly Mill was first built on Capps Creek in Jollification, Missouri in 1848.  This view is actually of the back side of the mill, so as to capture the waterfall running along side.  This mill has been restored in recent years by the Friends of the Jolly Mill and is now surrounded by park land,  It is also a primary trout fishing location where the waters are periodically stocked with rainbow and brown trout.  Missouri is full of wonderful, historic places like this - and this one was brought to my attention by a friend, John Molloski.  This painting makes 587 in 587 days.