Union Station Magic

 

I just had to paint Union Station one more time during this special time of year, and soak up that Christmas magic!  Beautiful in all of it's seasons, Christmas holds something special here.  The iconic tree and yearly visits with family and friends are joyous, as we remember all those who no longer gather here with us.  Each year, I'm compelled to paint this hall, and this year I've chosen ink and watercolor.  I nearly brought my acrylics, but I'll save them for next year.  I hope you're all enjoying this holiday season as much as I am!  Painting number 4739 in 4739 days. 

Union Station KC MO

 

I posted yesterday's Union Station painting in the evening, and this morning it sold before i could leave the house!  So, in a mad dash to come up with another that would match my inventory for Powell Gardens,  I put this one in it's place.  Union Station is a favorite place to paint this time of year, and I hope to get there a few more times while the halls are decked!  This painting and 7 other are now showing at Powell Gardens. Be there first to get your choice!  Painting number 4697 in 4697 days. 

Union Station Christmas

It is not really Christmas until I've painted at Union Station!  I love this tradition of capturing this grand place each year in oils, ink, watercolor and acrylic, at various times of day and night.  This place lights up on a sunny day like today, or glows like a thousand candles after nightfall, each creating a special mood all it's own.  I was set up by the front entrance doors for this one, and I LOVED the countless children who walked into this room and gasped!  Wonder, amazement and wide eyes stopped them in their tracks, as parents urged them forward.  One young child exclaimed, "I've been here before!" ...as if remembering a dream.  I am filled with wonder and reverence each time I paint here, and get to experience Union Station anew. Painting number 3987 in 3987 days. 

Union Station ATC

This is my Day 2 ink of my Diamine Inkvent Calendar - Yule Log!  A rich, warm brown ink that lightens to a reddish tone with water.  I have a little water brush pen that I've filled with bleach, and when pulling it through this ink - it bleaches to a pale turquoise!  Today is our monthly Urban Sketchers KC meet up, and we're gathering at Crown Center.  So, I arrived early to walk the link over to Union Station, and try out this beautiful brown ink here!  Painting number 4112 in 4112 days. #diamineinkventcalendar 

Union Station Magic

 

There is nothing like painting Union Station during the holidays.  Families visit for photos by the giant tree, as travelers arrive and leave by train, pausing to gaze at it's beauty.  Many breakfast and lunch here - us included - then attend the various exhibits or Science City.  While sipping hot tea, I visit with Mom and artist friends as I paint, and my painting unfolds effortlessly.  A girl from my pilates class stops by to say "hi", and we go about our day.  These little moments spent here in this grand place, are what life is made of.  I'm so lucky to get to do this every single day.  Painting number 4409 in 4409 days. 

Union Station Christmas

 

I LOVED painting the holiday magic at Union Station Kansas City today!  It is so fun to share this special place with my mom and artist friends, capturing the nostalgic decor.  Working on my Christmas cards designs, this giant tree is regal is this rich setting. With ink and watercolor, I sketch and paint, until the scene emerges.  It's fun to enjoy this place with a hot cup of tea and friends, visiting as we paint. It's a wonderful way to ring in the holidays, sharing lunch at the Harvey House afterwards.  I'm so thankful for artist friends to paint with and my Mom to shop and spend the day with!  Painting number 4407 in 4407 days. 

Christmas Magic at Union Station

I have longed to paint this large for my own wall all month long.  The first two oil paintings were painted in the daylight hours - and both sold.  As we came back from dinner at Crown Center, we walked through this majestic hall at night.  WOW, was this place breath-taking!  In all these years, I've never been down there after dark, and I did not know what I was missing!  So, for this large substrate, I had to capture that nocturne beauty.  I have chosen a different vantage, one that I looked at the very first time I painted here, and started with all the line work.  I see a few adjustments needed, and a bit of work left to do, but I ran out of time and wanted it on the wall for today's Christmas celebration!  After a day fun of family, food and fun, I will let this painting rest until tomorrow, and probably add more paint while it hangs on the wall - lol.  I may just leave this one up long after the holidays are over.  This place brings back happy family memories, and time spent with my dad on a bench, enjoying the beauty of this place.  Painting number 3263 in 3263 days. 

Christmas at Union Station

I've got that Christmas feeling as I paint at Union Station in ink and watercolor!  I love sketching all the lines and arches of this beautiful old train station.  With so much detail, it can be challenging to keep track of where I am in my drawing.  I will make a few tack marks at doorway edges and corners, just to keep me lined up as I work.  Once I've got the basics in, I start with the watercolor, remembering to squint to see the values.  My eyes can get lost in the magic of it all!  When I see people in postures that I like - I sketch them in quickly, before they move on.  I love to see all the families coming to see this tree, and take photos.  It's a wonderful Kansas City tradition! Love this nostalgic place!  Painting number 3250 in 3250 days.