Waterfall Inked

ink on paper, 6x4

The Nature Sanctuary in Parkville is one of my favorite places to paint!  This is the lower fall leading to a winding creek that trails through the park.  Heavily wooded, it is a bit of a hike in here - but SO worth it!  This sketch is my study for the painting to come.  Rather complicated with the trees, roots, fallen sticks and leaves, I try to simplify to get the values and a sense of where I want the painting to go.  There is nothing like inking to the sound of babbling water....I could do this all day, and probably will!  Painting number 1766 in 1766 days.

A Tangle of Roots

A Tangle of Roots
Oil on panel, 8x10
George Owen Nature Park

While at the George Owen Nature Park judging an event, I walked the Butterfly Path to find this lovely landscape.  There is something so peaceful about the sprawling of roots from a tree at water's edge.  The creek is very low right now, exposing so much of the roots of this tree.  Most of the dirt has been washed away beneath it, and still it thrives.  The panel I used for this is heavily textured, lending itself well to a dense forest scene.  Sometimes I apply more texture with reckless abandon, and others I leave almost sparse of strokes.  Then, when faced with a composition, I simply choose what feels the most appropriate to me.  So much of art is intuitive.  I am posting early for me today as I have a sunset paint tonight at the Overland Park Arboretum.  This is the kick-off for the STEMS event - 2 weeks of painting at their venues.  Looking forward to what the gardens have to offer, as well as my old stomping grounds of downtown Overland Park.  This is painting number 135 in 135 days - and I always have to check yesterday's blog to see where I am at on the count!

The Creek at Vineyard Hill

The Creek at Vineyard Hill
Oil on panel, 8x10
Vineyard Hill Paint Out

On location for this painting

This beautiful creek winds gently beside the drive into Vineyard Hill.  This is my second painting from this paint out, and the temperature had warmed considerably from the freezing cold and snow of the morning.  Peaceful and quiet, this was the perfect way to end the day, before heading up to Blumenhof Winery.  The Virants were so gracious and friendly, it was simply a wonderful painting experience.  With the lake, creek, woods, barns, and the amazing high lookout point from which to paint - it was just a heaven for us artists!  We did go a bit too far on the high road up past the look-out.  Teddy was driving, and I had to move one fallen tree from the path.  We came upon another - and it looked like we would not clear it in her SUV.  The road was so tight and winding, that I had to get out in the rain to guide her as she backed up until she hit a spot where she could turn around.  Just another wonderful plein air adventure!  Painting number 115 in 115 days.

Shadows Across the Creek

Shadows Across the Creek
oil on panel, 11x14

I just finished this one up from the Missouri Valley Impressionist paint out yesterday at the Jesse James Farm.  I had this one roughly blocked in yesterday, and then left it on my easel for a tour of the historic house!  The long shadows cutting across this creek and up the bank on the other side called out for me to paint them.  The tree roots were twisted and tangled, dropping into the still water of the creek.  This little stream is on the way up the path to the original farmhouse.  I started with the background, working forward.  I used one of my new palette knives on the foreground tree bark and in the grassy areas to add depth and interest.  It is always fun to play with new tools!  It was so enjoyable to paint in the warm sunshine, on a beautiful day in February......I'll remember it fondly on Thursday when the ice and snow arrives!  This is painting #46 in a row :)