Night at Cobblestone Lodge

During the High School Plein Air event where I mentored for the weekend, I led a group of students each night in a nocturne painting.  The first night painting for many of them, it was a fun adventure!  We painted under some street lamps while looking out at illuminated buildings.  I painted the lodge at the Cobblestone River Resort, who hosted is all for the weekend.  What a fun evening spent sharing my love of art with another generation!  Painting number 4920 in 4920 days. Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 
 

In the Gallery of Oaks

I loved standing in a gallery of oaks to paint the setting of this cabin and the path to the river.  The morning was cool in the shade, and the breeze light, making the day perfect for painting. The trees called to me.  Each large shape and form begged to be immortalized in ink and watercolor, casting the cabin as the understudy.  Truly a study of oaks, I hope I did them justice.  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.❤️🎨

Sunset Over the River

 It was so much fun to paint the sunset with my friends along the Meramec River at Cobblestone Lodge!!  I was the first to hike down to the bank, and thought the others might not make it - so I painted fast! It gets very dark down there at night, and I didn't want to make that climb in full darkness.  Within minutes, here come Larry, Jamie, Dennis and Gabriele, driven down on a side by side in luxury fashion!  It was fun to speed paint the sunset together, then we all hiked up and gathered for some fun conversation outside of the cabins Now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Morning on Sunset Ridge

 

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It was a lovely afternoon to paint the view from the top of Sunset Ridge. As I was cleaning my brushes, the two horses walked into my scene - and I added them before my last brush was clean!  What a treat to see them in their happy place - and paint them!  On a personal note - I also have a palomino and a black horse, who is a Rocky Mountain horse, so these two reminded me of my own.  It's so much fun to paint a place I feel such an affinity to!  I'm happy this painting has a new home here, too!  Painting number 4912 in 4912 days. 

In the Gallery of Oaks

 This cabin studio tucked into the woods is surrounded mostly by oak trees.  The path through the trees leads down to the river, offering another amazing view.  I couldn't help but paint this lovely gallery of oaks offering a canopy of shade from the cabin to the river, as the morning light spread across the landscape.  This one now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4911 in 4911 days. 

Along the River

 

It was worth standing in the full sun to paint this view of the Meramec River from the Cobblestone Lodge beach!  With a painting in every direction, it's hard to decide which view to paint!  The light quality in the Eastern direction called to me, so I chose this for my demo with the High School Plein Air students.   The saturated colors following the rain were glorious - and I get to reap the rewards in paint - and share my process with a new generation. This painting Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and is painting number 4910 in 4910 days. 

Boats at the Boathouse

 

I couldn't resist painting this vintage boathouse with a few boats in the lawn! My morning paint was of this same boathouse, but from the other side, at water's edge. I never saw these boats until I scouted for a second painting! This has been a lovely day of painting that started with the most precarious back road I have ever traveled. I'm so thankful I got myself out of that mess to enjoy the beauty here!  Sometimes, I really shouldn't follow my GPS!  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and painting number 4908 in 4908 days. 

Cabin Time

 What fun it was to stay at Cobblestone Lodge during the Steelville Plein Air! After working a mentors for the High School Plein Air for the weekend, we stayed on with about 11 other artists to enjoy this place between paint outs.  We gathered together at night to talk - and T even played her guitar and sang!  It was such a wonderful time of bonding in a beautiful place along the Meramec River!  I just had to paint this sweet vintage cabin and leave it for a gift. Painting number 4907 in 4907 days. 

Lazy Afternoon

Come see this painting in person and more unseen work in Steelville tomorrow from 10:00-3:00 at Gallery Zeke!!  I painted this scene along a road leading out of Meramec Adventure Ranch, where the cows were in and out of the water.  I worked fast to capture them before they moved on, and had to adjust a few things while I waited on them.  I have 8 other unseen paintings that will be showing tomorrow, first come, first dibs! Painting number 4903 in 4903 days. 

Meramec Adventure Ranch

 

How does one choose a single spot to paint in 1200 acres?!!  With just a little scouting, I decided on this view, with the light spreading across the landscape. I've been painting so much recently, that I seem to be working the block in quite fast.  An artist recently shared that he begins his painting with a paper towel - and dips it in paint and rubs in the underpainting, before pulling out his brushes.  It seems weird, but is a great solution for this solvent free artist!  I think I'll try make- up sponges next!  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke, and this painting is number 4900 in 4900 days. 

Along the Meramec

There is something magical about painting next to water.  The movement and babbling of the Meramec River is almost hypnotic as I paint, completely in the moment.  The weather was perfect with overcast skies, saturating the color in the landscape.  This was my demo for the High School Plein Air this morning, a wonderful event offered by the Steelville Arts Council.  It's SO rewarding to watch their talents bloom when completely immersed in nature.  I can't wait to see what they create next!  Painting number 4897 in 4897 days. 

Cabin 2

 

First demo of the Steelville High School Plein Air - an ink and watercolor of my cabin!  What fun to introduce new students to the plein air experience! I drove 4 hours through sometimes torrential rain to get here this morning, and I really needed some paint time to unwind.  We're headed to the Folksy Fish Festival tomorrow, where we'll find the stunning Meramec Springs park. Painting number 4896 in 4896 days. 

Canoes!

 

What a fun sculpture to paint with the High School Plein Air Artists in this Canoe Capitol of the World! Today was our paint out on Main Street in Steelville, and this is where my group of students wanted to paint! It's been so fun mentoring for this event, and to skate my skills with such talented young artists!  Painting number 4654 in 4654 days. 

Llama Trio

 

Each time a sketch super cute animals - I want to take them home!  These beautiful animals are very social, communicating with each other and with me!  Their long lashes and bright eyes are so sweet, and I certainly could use more time sketching their shapes.  The more familiar I am with a subject, the better I can draw it.  I wish my neighbors would get a few for me to paint!  See this llama painting in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville!  Painting number 4606 in 4606 days. 

Chicken Walk

 

Who knew painting with chickens would be so fun?!!  We've raised many animals through the years, and I spent time on two family farms as a child, but I had never been exposed at length to chickens before Easter.  We've raised many birds - parakeets, parrots, doves, pheasants, ducks and geese, but never chickens.  These sweet darlings are so very personable, coming to greet us whenever we head their way.  I'm teaching them to jump up on my lap for treats - and four learned the trick the first day!  I know it's silly, but they really are wonderful - and I see many chicken paintings in my future!  Go see this one in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.  Painting number 4604 in 4604 days. 

Baby Goat Pair

 

Baby goats are so much fun to paint - and they pose constantly at the Deanna Rose Farmstead.  I've been painting a few farm animals for a special show, and this will be in the collection along with 8 others.  I sure love baby animals, and if I spend too much time with them - they might have to come home with me!  This one is also heading to Gallery Zeke in Steelville!  Painting number 4593 in 4593 days. 

Buff Brahmas

 

Oh yes, I am painting with my chickens tonight!!  My girls are so very curious - I think it would be a fun video to see their reactions to my every move!  They are growing so fast - our Easter chicks will soon be all grown up!  I'm painting a few of the ladies to add to my collection of farm animal paintings heading to Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Be sure and stop by for this very special collection!  Painting number 4592 in 4592 days. 

Morning on the Veranda

I rarely do interiors, but this sweeping veranda called to me.  The morning light was golden, and I could not resist the call.  It was rather complicated to mark all that light and shadow at the start, but I knew the clouds would move in, and I would lost my chance. Wildwood Spring Lodge is a special place,  and I'd love to return with my family and spend some time relaxing here.  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville and is my 4544 painting in 4544 days.  

Along the Trail of Tears

 

Painted on Long Springs road, this is part of the Trail of Tears that runs through Steelville.  We were asked to capture the story in paint as we stood in the very place they walked.  It was emotional. I had read some of the history the night before, and could not imagine their plight, especially the mothers who were losing their babies. This painting will join others that will be auctioned off in support of a sculpture to commemorate this trail.  Those souls should not be forgotten. I am honored to have this painting awarded an Honorable Mention for the Trail of Tears Paint Out. Painting number 4542 in 4542 days. 

Making Camp

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This painting on the Whittenburg Creek was my second painting along the Trail of Tears in Steelville, Missouri.  We were asked to envision a scene and recreate as we captured the very landscape thisc tragic event occurred so many years ago. I did as much research as I could the night before, so that I could faithfully recreate the scene.  It was emotional to paint this, letting it all unfold on my panel  I don't understand how something like this could happen, it all is so unfair. This painting, along with my other one,  will be among others to go to auction in support of a sculpture to commemorate this site. Painting number 4541 in 4541 days.