Walk through the Rose Garden

 

Happy Mother's Day!!  It's been a wonderful day spent with my amazing Mom and the whole family!!  This year we let the guys take care of the details, which had our daughter by marriage, Rebekah, saving the day with delicious Quiches, cilantro lime slaw and more, while the guys made cheeseburgers and espinaca, picking up a couple of pies.  The weather was beautiful and we spent the day outdoors, enjoying our time together.  This painting is another from a perennial favorite place - the Loose Park Rose Garden, which held a special plein air for arbor day.  Painting number 4877 in 4877 days. 

Jean Baptiste-Valle House Batik

I am painting the Jean Baptiste Valle House in watercolor batik tonight, with the view from the garden.  This place is joyful in bloom, and I love the formal rhythm of this garden.  It reminds me a little of the Loose Park rose garden, and I an really enjoying the process of layering watercolor, ink, and hot wax.  I am teaching this method March 24 and 25 at Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve, and will be bringing paintings to the gallery that reflect the area.  Painting number 3717 in 3717 days. 

Roses over the Fence

 

When I saw the roses spilling over that picket fence - I HAD to stop and paint them!!  This place always captures my artistic eye when I'm in Fairfield, Illinois.  The Victorian on Main is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast full of charm and culinary delights - and a lovely place to visit!  I knew I would use oils for this lush garden scene, and I sketched it on the panel with a paintbrush, and started laying in those lights, darks, and central colors where I saw them.  It was a cool morning, so standing in the sun to paint this warmed me up after an early morning paint in full shade.  It is so inspiring to paint a place like this - I lost track of time a little!  What better way to spend a couple hours than painting such beauty?  Painting number 4351 in 4351 days. 

Past the Roses

 

It was super fun to paint this lovely garden and brick building right in the heart of Wayne City! When I walked over to this location, I intended to paint with ink and watercolor.  I took my salad with me to scout, and ate while studying this place.  The painting began to form in my mind, a lush garden leading to the entry of the building beyond - and it would be in oils!  I like to immerse myself in the space a little, and let it talk to me. This always leads to a stronger painting, one that really connects to my experience in site.  It was a little warm, but it didn't bother me (still clad in my jeans, boots and jacket from a cool morning) as I stood in the sun and painted. The painting was already in me - I just needed to get it out.  I'm so happy this painting has a new home tonight!  Day 27 #stradaeasel painting challenge, painting number 4347 in 4347 days. 

Cottage Roses

What a treat to find these roses in full bloom at the cottage in Steelville!  With so many venues to paint, I had to squeeze in a little time to paint this, too!  At their peak, these lush knock out roses were a joy to paint with their bold color and upright forms.  I think I'd like to paint another to include the window and a wider view of the blooms.  I'll soon be painting the roses at Loose Park, so I think practice may be in order!  I long for the luxury of time to REALLY study their forms as I paint.  Maybe one day...!  Painting number 3096 in 3096 days. 

Wedding Roses

I simply could not pass these roses by when I spotted them in the store.  The wedding was coming and I needed something special for the table. Still tight and unfurled, it was the color that hooked me, so I took them home. Each day they open a little more, their true beauty bursting forth as they grow in size and volume of petals!  I am working them tonight in ink and watercolor, but oh my oils are calling!! Painting number 2440 in 2440 days, celebrating the marriage of Michaela and Cooper.

Pink Palette Roses

My sweet painting students threw me a little birthday party at class this afternoon - complete with my favorite cake!  The same cake my mother made for me when I was young!  How could they have possibly known?  They are precious and I value each and every one of them!  Today's class was focused on finishing up those paintings not quite finished in class, so I brought pink roses to paint from, revisiting the lesson from weeks ago.  Palette knife painting is one of those things that just takes practice to improve the skills.  I like to start with a loose sketch in paint, followed by brush work to fill in the masses.  When I'm happy with this under painting, I pull out a knife and start defining the edges.  I left my knife at home, so Norma shared hers, and I finished this in no time.  I love painting roses as much as I love cake!  Painting number 1907 in 1907 days.

Red Tipped Roses

These unique roses literally jumped into my cart at a local shop - and it has taken me a week to finally get them painted!  Where does the time go?  My daughter was home for a long weekend - and has already headed back to college in the blink of an eye.  I began this painting by marking the yellow areas first.  Squinting, I add the red loosely.  Next, I work on that background light, following with the darks of the leaves.  From this very loose "map", I bring the edges together.   Pulling out a palette knife for all those finish strokes, I add depth and texture.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll do them in ink and watercolor- before they fade.  Painting number 1885 in 1885 days.

Miniature Roses ATC

This cold and cloudy day finds me painting inside.  The newly blooming crocus kept their little purple heads closed all day, so they are now slated for tomorrow.  My pink miniature rose is the perfect thing to brighten this day - and I choose ink and watercolor at the very last minute.  I had my oils out, but dimly changed my mind!  I am back to my favorite cotton rag paper, which I finally took the time to tear this morning.  I love the torn edges, but it takes a little time to make them ATC size.  The ink flows beautifully over the paper, as does the watercolor!  Oh, how I've missed this paper!  It seems like I'm forever preparing papers and panels, but I can't help liking what I like, and they just don't come the way I want either.  I sure hope to see the sun tomorrow - and maybe I can capture those crocus!  Painting number 1878 in 1878 days.

Coral Rose Impressions

This painting is my demo from painting class this week where we are studying palette knife strokes, and what we can do with them.  Roses are perfectly suited for the knife, as each petal can be pulled from edge to center.  Everyone brought a selection of knifes, and I brought about 20.  I found three that I really liked their marks for use with the roses.  One of my very favorites was only good for stems and leaves, leaving a line too sharp for a rounded petal. It is so good to just pull out the knives and practice pulling paint with each one, using a disposable plate.  No pressure to think about "painting", because it is a plate!  Only the knife, paint and the stroke, because it's ALL about the process.  Painting number 1869 in 1869 days.

Unfurling Impressions

My red roses are unfurling beautifully, their many petals beginning to separate.  Although the warm countryside and a gorgeous sunset fought for my attention, these roses hooked me.  I first begin by loosely brushing in a bowl, the shape of each rose, facing as they face.  To this, I add stems, loose shaped leaves, and fill in the negative space.  I do all of this first layer quickly, and with a light touch.  Next, I pull out various palette knives and begin the first marks, starting at the back of shapes and overlapping the front petals.  The idea is to shape each petal, leaf and mass with the strokes.  I continue to look at my roses to determine where to place my marks.  I do this loosely, as I'm for the mood of the roses more than photographic likeness.  If I want a photo, I'll simply take one, after all.  Once my areas are filled in, I check for color harmony.  I think this one is finished - an hour well spent!  Painting number 1864 in 1864 days.

Crimson Impressions

With such a drab, rainy day washing all of the icy beauty out of the landscape, I turn instead to my palette knives and roses for my daily fix.  I love to play with these knives - each painting an experiment in mark making!  Today, I start each petal at it's outer edge, pulling the paint toward the center.  This leaves the thickest paint at the edge, giving the petal dimension.  Further knife play is in order - but the warmer weekend temps may just get me right back outside!  So many things to paint - so few hours in each day!  Painting number 1862 inn 1862 days.

Fountain at the Rose Garden

Today finds me painting in one of my favorite gardens - the Rose Garden at Loose Park!  The morning was absolutely beautiful as I starting laying down paint.  Many hands were grooming the roses, as other worker bees buzzed around the garden.  When I noticed several workers standing near the fountain, I thought I'd better start getting the fountain in.  Sure enough, it was turned off for a little work.  This often happens en plein air.  A boat sails away, an animal flees the scene, lights are turned out, or a fountain gets shut down.  When this happens, I move to another section of the painting, waiting for the return of my subject.  Animals will return again and again in a rhythmic fashion.  In the case of boats, I normally see the bustle around the boat - and start painting like crazy!  The fountain came back on, and off again two other times - and I finally got it done!  Painting number 1710 in 1710 days.

oil on panel, 14x11
purchase here

Tangle of Roses

Burning the midnight oil tonight with my new assortment of inks and pens!  Trying out each one to see how they work, for every ink is different and responds to water in a wide variety of ways!  More to come later on my personal ink preferences!  Painting number 1698 in 1698 days.

ink on paper, 8x6
purchase here

Twilight on the Clock Tower

I had scouted this clock out in the morning, but the light was less than thrilling for me.  After painting two other paintings, stopping in for an amazing salad at Canyon Pizza, I took another look.  It was wonderful, all aglow with the warmth of twilight - and that light was fading fast!  So, Louanne and I set up quickly, and started slapping paint!  Really - this was a race against the sun, and I only had thirty minutes to capture this light!  This painting makes 1321 in 1321 days :)

Twilight on the Clock Tower
Oil on panel, 9x12
Paint Parkville plein air event
purchase here

Roses in Ink

After finishing a portrait of fatherhood, that I have been working on for days, I am trying my hand at vintage roses.  I love the wonderful, ageless quality of these blooms.  I have never tried them in pen and ink - or graphite - for that matter!  They are simple, and easy to round out their forms with a little shading.  I am really having fun with this media!  I never know when I might stumble on something magical!   Painting number 1283 in 1283 days.

Roses in Ink
Pen and ink on paper, 6x7
purchase here

Rose Dance

I've lately had an internet connectivity issue, and posts are not posting.  I hope to resolve the issue sometime this week, which means going elsewhere to get my ducks in a row.  For tonight, I settled in front of the roses for a quick paint, just before the light was off of them. I've spent so much time in the garden lately, that paintings call to me from all corners. If only I had more time for putting them down on panels!  My windows of time have been so small!  This painting is number 1258 in 1258 days.

Rose Dance
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Lavender and Roses

Lavender and Roses
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

It was such a warm day, that for my second painting, I was looking for shade!  Standing in the deep shade of a tree, I was able to look onto the northern side of Monet's Garden to capture this view.  This lovely new pillar offers structure to the freely blooming flowers.  The lavender  is so delicate, and the salmon climbing rose a perfect compliment.  The skies clouded over, and rain threatened, but I was able to complete my painting before the first drops fell!  Another wonderful day painting at the arboretum!  Painting number 1245 in 1245 days.

A Dream of Roses

A Dream of Roses
Oil on panel, 9x12
Stems Plein Air Event - purchase here

After a morning paint of a complicated garden scene,  I was in the mood for roses - up close and personal.   So, I dropped off the wet painting at my car, and strolled through the arboretum.   I found several very appealing varieties,  before I landed at these beauties - and I had to stop!  The creamy yellows and salmon pinks were more than I could resist!   I did a quick pastel sketch which was barely more than marking the orbs, and started laying paint quick and loose.  I had the perfect set up, a spot in the shade, soft breezes, friendly passers by, and the floral scent of the garden all around me.  Sheer heaven!  This is my 1236th painting is as many days.

Roses in the Rain

Roses in the Rain
Oil on panel, 6x6 - purchase here

on location

This day was overflowing with activities - pilates, step/kettlebell classes, running, jury committee meeting, *baby time*, dinner out with the family, weeding until the rain was starting - and finally I got to my easel!  With only a little light left, and the rain coming down, I set up on the front porch to paint the roses in the garden.  I was sheltered and the light made the colors sing.  This is a quick painting, probably only 40 minutes beginning to end, but I like how the values and hues are coming easier and easier.  I truly believe the best way to grow as an artist is to paint en plein air and from life.  I see color in a way I didn’t several years ago, and each painting teaches me something more.  This is the 1233rd painting in 1233 days.