Castle Rock in Ink

 We stopped in Castle Rock after leaving Colorado Springs to gas up the cars.  That's all the time I need to capture the scene before me.  Sometimes, I even ask Mike to park a certain way to give me the best vantage!  I had watched this rock formation from afar as we approached.  It's funny how observing it closely beforehand really speeds up the drawing process.  I already knew where all the planes and values were and it came together in a snap!  This drawing makes 1612 in 1612 days. 

A Dream of Hydrangeas

Early one morning before a workshop, I set out to find just the right spot to paint at the Overland Park Arboretum (during the STEMS Plein Air Event).  As I approached the beautiful iris garden, these hydrangeas bloomed in profusion!  It has been such an early year for all the flowers, that these were out a month early.  It was misty and damp as I started blocking in the masses.  This time, I worked in acrylic, fully intending to top it off with oils.  The early morning sun cast a golden glow as it rose over the tree line.  I used a little soft gel medium to add texture to the petals, laying in the colors in a loose manner.  As I neared the finish, I stepped back, took a long look, and decided the oils just weren't needed.  The effect was misty and moody - and it was time to put the brushes down.  That is one of the hardest things to know - just when to stop.

A Dream of Hydrangeas
14x18 acrylic on panel
sold

Magic in the Morning

I painted this one at the Two Hour Quick Paint competition at the Deanna Rose Farm on the last day of the STEMS Plein Air Event.  Arriving by 6:30 am, the artists were treated to donuts and bagels, before we all headed out to paint at 7:00.  This spot is located a good distance from the entrance, but is a favorite place of mine for garden painting.  Hustling down with my gear, I came to this spot, and the light grabbed me.  The early sun lit up the flowers, while the shadows remained long across the path and into the more heavily treed area through the gate.  I set up my easel and started on my masses.  About half way through, the sprinkler system came on, drenching the whole left side of my scene!  I already had most of the preliminary work done, so I concentrated on the rest, knowing the sprinkler would go off soon.  As I worked, I noticed there were also sprinklers right in front of my easel leg.  Boy, I hoped they wouldn't go off next!  I worked faster, feeling the pressure that I might have to suddenly move if the "rains" started.  In 20 minutes, the sprinklers went off.  Five minutes passed, and YIKES!!! - they came on right behind me!  I quickly moved up six paces to clear the downpour - and set back to work!  I raced to a finish, and started packing up my easel, just before the last sprinklers went off in front of me!  Plein air painting is always an adventure.  One day, it is the bugs in my pant (or up my leg), the next - hidden sprinklers pop up out of nowhere and rain down on my painting.  I have almost lost my easel twice as it started sinking down into the edge of a lake.   I have painted in the cold, driving rain (and hail), as well as the hottest summer sun at 105 degrees.  But, I have also painted numerous occasions in weather so beautiful, surrounded by God's beauty and abundance - that I am forever inspired to go back out and capture the glory.

Magic in the Morning
11x14 oil on panel

Summer Oasis

 My easel was set up close to water's edge, in the shade of the trees.  This one was started in the afternoon on one of those 105 degree days.  Despite the heat, the breeze blowing over the water was cool and refreshing.  There were several us Missouri Valley Impressionist Society members on the banks, painting en plein air at the Perry Yacht Club.   It was one of those days where time stopped as I worked, and I could have painted all day.  The yachts and the waves were such a compelling subject, I painted three panels in oil from this place.  This day was my first experience painting sailboats - and I loved it!  I can't wait to paint at this event again next year.

Summer Oasis
9x12 oil on panel

Autumn in Augusta

I tried something new on this painting.  I first sketched out my composition, then applied molding paste with a palette knife to add texture to the trees and grasses on my panel.  I had to hold this in front of my car heater to speed the drying, so I could quickly get to the next step.  Working in plein air allows me about a 2 hour window before the light changes, making this step necessary.  I next painted in my masses in acrylic, which dries quickly.  Then, I painted over the underpainting with my oils.  I love the effect - and trying a new technique is always exciting!  This piece will be at the Harvest Festival in Augusta this weekend.

Grapevines and Roses

The early morning sun was streaming in through the grape arbor.  I knew immediately I must paint this light.  Nestled in the back yard of the Red Brick Inn in Augusta, MO, I set up easel and paints.  I loved the process as the lights and shadows seemed to effortlessly lay themselves down.  Not every painting flows off the brush so easily, and sheer joy washed over me as I worked.  This may have been my favorite painting of my favorite painting event of the year - The Augusta Plein Air Event.  This piece now resides at The Red Brick Inn.