I love painting this cool old hackberry on the place. It's one of two very old ones here. It's been rainy and drizzly most of the day, and I love the moodiness of the pasture. Oils are so expressive in the landscape, each stroke marking the flow of the grass and trees. What a peaceful way to spend a little time. Painting number 4809 in 4809 days.
I love a quick, loose paint on a misty, moody day. The colors are more saturated in such light, and the subtle shifts in hue area almost ethereal. The days have been so gorgeous, I feel we've had so little winter. So, I'm soaking it in while I can. Spring will be bursting forth sooner than I think! Painting number 4808 in 4808 days.
Too soon the snow is melting, as I squeeze in one more snowy painting. It's going to be in the 50s and 60s for the next week, with no snow in sight. That also means I'll be spending lots of time outdoors, doing some early work in the garden beds. This was a fun day gathering with Barb, Cathy and Mom at Panera for a long lunch and visiting. I need to schedule that in more often! Painting number 4783 in 4783 days.
My grandparents used to farm with this implement, I bet they never dreamed I'd paint it one day! We have several pieces of the old equipment, some left where they unhooked them last. It is surreal to think of their hands at work in that very spot, so many years ago. And yet, some things remain unchanged when the whole world seems to have changed around them. It's just one of the many reasons I love this place. It is truly in my blood. Painting number 4782 in 4782 days.
This little wren is just one of our many feathered friends who constantly beg to be painted. And in the background, you can see our new Lady Belle, who is also catching my eye! I think she wants to be painted next, but Travis and Rebekah will be here soon to spend some time with her. She's such a sweet addition to our family. Painting number 4781 in 4781 days.
I love painting the branches as they spread out from the trunk of this very old hackberry tree. It is one of two this age in the pasture. A blanket of snow coats the ground and accentuates the branches, adding drama and light to the scene. I though we might get some more snow today, but alas we did not. I hope to paint a few more snowscenes before it all melts away. It was so nice to have Tyler's family and Michaela's family out for snow fun and a campfire today! We've had a while weekend full of family fun! Painting number 4779 in 4779 days.
There's something so peaceful about painting in the snow. Michaela and her family, and Michael and Tess came out today for the afternoon. The kids made snow angels while we visited, while the new kittens frolicked all around then. After tending the chickens, we gathered a while longer. It's lovely to spend a little time at day's end, being thankful, with a brush in my hand. I hope to see more of the family tomorrow. Painting number 4778 in 4778 days.
Hooray for a snow that lasted all week, and for a few more snowflakes to come on Sunday! With a few flakes dancing about, the mood is just right for wooded winter painting. The wind begins to kick up, and I work a little faster as the cold nips at my nose. I love how quiet the world becomes under a blanket of snow. Painting number 4777 in 4777 days.
I love painting these sweet juncos as they play in the snow! My mom calls them snowbirds, and we have so many of them. It is so peaceful to watch them as I sketch. Within a few minutes, they pay me no mind, continuing as if I wasn't there at all. I am working on a sketchbook that I use for wildlife, plant life, and nature related subjects. The leather cover is adorned with an embossed plant, and led me to use it so. When I get inside, I jot down a few thoughts. I often sketch quickly on site and leave the spaces to fill in afterward. I do love the quiet peace a blanket of snow brings the landscape. Painting number 4776 in 4776 days.
Sunsets over the snowy landscape are the best, and occasionally the cattle line up to see the show, too! Well, maybe it was more of a walk to the hay bales, lol. Though pretty nice in the afternoon, it cools off real fast when the sun drops behind those trees. Beau is feeling better, and followed me down to see the cows and sketch. I didn't even know he was there until I turned around and saw him! I hope he continues to improve, he's been a wonderful painting companion for all these years. Painting number 4775 in 4775 days.
What a beautiful, sunny day to paint in the snow - in the warmest part of the day, of course! This is one of two pin oaks planted by my grandma when my Uncle Brian signed up to serve his country as a Marine. I like to think the second was planted for my Uncle Clayton when he signed up for the Navy. They are both glorious trees that I have drawn and painted at various times. This land has been in my family for three generations, with now 5 generations spending time here as our family grows. It's hard to describe how I feel here, with some of my earliest memories from this very place. Two of my children were born here, three have married here, and many family members lived, loved and played here, who no longer walk this world. I still hold their memories in my heart, as if it were yesterday. How are the days so fleeting? I hope to have another 50 years to paint all of the paintings I feel right here. Painting number 4773 in 4773 days.
We've had so many cardinals out in the snow - so I just HAD to paint one! So many were sitting on the ground under the feeders, gathering seeds dropped by other birds. The north side was sheltered from the wind, and they shared the space with other feathered friends. Perhaps I'll paint a few of them tomorrow! Painting number 4771 in 4771 days.
It was a lovely sunset, as the first full supermoon of 2026,the Wolf Moon was rising behind me! I LOVE the stillness of a winter sunset, and oils are my absolute favorite medium to use for this. I've really been into the ink and watercolor recently, so this return to a medium I love is so rewarding. Our day was full of family and farm chores, dragging those fallen trees to the burn pile until it was just too dark to find them in the woods. A quick paint and I finished the day with a bowl of Calico bean soup by the fire, and watched the rise of the wolf moon. Then, I ruled the night of Kings on the Corner, lol. Painting number 4750 in 4750 days.
I'm thankful for the wonderful year we've had, full of so many family adventures! This time last year, I never would have dreamed we'd bring chickens and this beautiful coop into our lives. With a little coaxing from the kids, we opened a new chapter. We traveled so much this year, and i painted every minute I could, finding new favorite places along the way. I'm looking forward to unwrapping all the magic the new year holds, one special day at a time. Wishing you all a Happy New Year's Eve, full of family, friends and fun!! Painting number 4747 in 4747 days.
With pen and ink I capture Santa on his rounds. Diamine's Nostalgia is a lovely warm shade from Day 10 of their Inkvent Calendar. I've penned one of our chickens in, as she follows Santa down the path. The presents are all set under the tree, stockings are hung, as I listen to the sweet notes of Michael strumming on his guitar. It's so nice having him home for Christmas Eve. I've missed this boy's guitar playing before bed each night. Painting number 4740 in 4740 days.
Fir and Fog is behind door 6 of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, and is a moody gray green, perfect for a winter landscape! It just happened to be very foggy in the morning, so the day felt right for this ink. Itreally is a great green for the landscape, unlike any other I own. I may explore this one more fully, and even look for the large version, if it is released. I love these special finds behind the doors! Painting number 4726 in 4726 days.
Energy is the Day 2 ink of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, a cool purple ink with deep olive in the heavy areas! What a moody ink for a winter lake landscape! I want to see if there is a reaction to bleach, but I'm out. I rarely use it and when I recently opened it to use for cleaning, it had gone bad, and didn't help whiten my whites at all. I like the way it lightens into a soft pink in wet areas, and I think I could make more of the green, too. It's so fun to open a tiny present every day up to Christmas! Painting number 4718 in 4718 days.
The chapel at Powell Gardens is such a peaceful place to visit and paint. The walking trail that meanders to this place is lovely, with many painting spots along the way. Winter is just a breath away, and the snow only makes this place more beautiful. This is painting number 4701 in 4701 days. Now Showing at the gallery in the visitor center.
