Early Light at the Lake

The wee hours before dawn are quiet and thoughtful. I love the stillness that surrounds me while setting up for a sunrise paint.  The lake at the Penn Valley Park lies in a valley,  so the sun takes its sweet time getting here.  That early light is what I've captured here with my oils. I was at the very edge of the water to see the reflection of that wonderful tree,  and I had to be mindful of not dropping off that edge into the water!  This has been another fabulous week of painting in Kansas City, and next week it will be the Overland Park Arboretum!  Painting number 1588 in 1588 days.

Early Light on the Lake
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Garden Phlox Illusion

The first downpour was just starting when I arrived home from the gym.  I couldn't go inside,  the rain beckoned to me.  Sitting in a rocker on our covered front porch, I soaked in the atmosphere.  "Paint me, paint me...", came it's siren call.  I had chores to do, children to feed, a shower to take (for crying out loud!), and yet the brushes called.  I could not walk away.  I set up on the porch, sheltered from the rain, and worked while the grandsons ran in and out of the rain, splashing all the way.  Just a little slice of sanity in a crazy,  busy day.  Painting number 1288 in 1288 days.

Garden Phlox Illusion
Oil on panel, 6x6
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Waterside Illusion

Waterside Illusion
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

This dreamy illusion in watercolor is more of a feeling with paint than a place painted.  The strokes are watery and the forms illusive.  Is this waterside wonder real - or only a dream?  This is rather a different rendering for me, and it has been a soft and quiet adventure.  Sometimes the paints scream, and sometimes they only whisper.  This is painting number 1204 in 1204 days - and the Augusta Plein Air Festival begins tomorrow!!  SO EXCITED!!