Phlox

I love how long these tall garden phlox flourish in years of heavy rain!  These beauties were gorgeous for the Fourth of July, and here it is middle September and still they shine!  I do deadhead them whenever I see the need, which keeps them sprouting new blooms.  I have had them bloom into November before - but that is rare!  So, today I capture them in miniature with ink and watercolor, because once again my time is short.  Thank goodness for garden inspiration on days like these!  Painting number 3160 in 3160 days. 

Zinnias

I love painting the zinnias planted from seed collected on my travels.  This seed came from giant beauties growing outside of the Boone's Lick Trail Inn in Saint Charles, Missouri. Mom and I were on a gallery trip - dropping off paintings in several galleries through the midwest, staying in awesome, historic B & Bs along the way.  I plucked the seed while we were walking into town to enjoy the live music wafting our way.  Seems like all my flowers have memories, and I do enjoy watching them grow and painting them in their glory. Painting number 3158 in 3158 days. 
 

Coxcomb Celosia

 What showy blooms these coxcomb celosias are!! Given to me by a friend last year, these plants all reseeded from last year's blooms.  Many of the blooms look like fingers, and maybe a third are forming full coxcomb shapes.  I even have a pink fingers one!   So cool to grow and watch the monarchs and bees flock to them!  Ink and watercolor on a miniature paper today - because I have a tiny painting window once again!  Painting number 3157 in 3157 days, and day 8 of the current #stradaeasel challenge. 

12 6th Street

 I have a fondness for old homes full of character and charm, and this place was a joy to paint!  As I scouted the area, I really wanted to include the garden and tree house, so I went back to my car for a longer paper.  I first start my line work with De Atramentis Archive Ink in a favorite TWSBI Diamond fountain pen with an extra fine nib.  I then start in with a broad nib and Levenger's Raven Black ink.  This second ink will move with a little water in a brush pen while the first stays put. As I bring the drawing to completion, I go back in where needed with more ink.  I love the way a fountain pen nib drops a line of ink, and the feel of the nib on the handmade paper.  I guess I really am a fountain pen nerd! Painting number 3156 in 3156 days, and day 7 of the current #stradaeasel challenge. 

South Main Street

Starting this very detailed ink drawing late in the event, it took me longer than normal to get all that information down. Once my ink work was done, I started in with the watercolor, working all masses of like colors at the same time.  Short on time, this is a real time saver.  I went back in with the ink a couple times - when I realized I missed a sign or a window - no more than a tiny mark, but necessary to the whole story.  Watching my time closely, I pushed it to 7 minutes left, then quickly packed, got to the car, and framed with 1 minute to spare!  Then I went in for my tag to place in the back!  It reminds me a bit of the old days when it took me all day long to finish a painting, and I still couldn't seem to turn in until the very last minute!  Haha!  The difference now is that this was my fourth painting of the day, instead of my first!  There is something to be said about persistence!  Painting number 3155 in 3155 days. 

Looking Toward the Rockies

All visitors to the Rocky Mountain National Park have to enter the park on a timed entry pass - which we got months ago online.  This allows people to enter at a more staggered rate for safer distancing during covid.  Our time today was 9am, and there was a bit of a wait - so I started sketching!  This TWSBI Go is a modest fountain pen with a spring loading system for ink - which works really well, actually!  The barrel is a little large for my small hand, but holds a lot of ink for its shorter size.  I keep it in my smallest sketch bag, and I will need to reload it when I get home - it is almost out of ink!!  I power through since my other pens are in the trunk, and soon I will add the watercolor.  The rangers at check in have been interested each time I've had a painting in my lap!  So fun to visit with them briefly!  I guess it's not every day an artist is painting in line!  Painting number 3154 in 3154 days. 

Big Thompson River towards Hallett Peak

This morning we drove into the Rocky Mountain National Park along Bear Lake Rd, to see where a trail led us the day before.  Mike wanted to check out his childhood camping sites, which was very close to the trail of the previous day.  It was so fun hiking this more pristine and less traveled trail!  No busses, no lines, no parking since we left from our lodge and walked in - and still a few hikers on the trail.  We crossed Glacier Creek and landed here on the Big Thompson River  - a gorgeous place to paint!  Mike hiked on a bit within earshot of me as I painted, to return to work a crossword puzzle until I finished.  A couple of new friends from last night's wedding actually passed me in this remote place - coming back to visit when they saw Mike on the trail!  I see paintings everywhere I look, and I've only been able to paint a few.  I wish I had so much more time here!  I am using my oils today, hiking in with just this pochade and tripod over my shoulder.  I think if I'm to hike miles to my spot, it might be wise to bring a lighter tripod.  This one was Dad's, and it is heavy duty indeed.  Great in a strong wind, but also heavy for a long haul. Next time, I think I'll throw in a second, lighter tripod.  Painting number 3153 in 3153 days. 

Overlook Chapel

As a momento to the bride and groom, I am painting the scene where they will exchange vows tonight.  I actually sketched this in ink, and started laying in color earlier, when rain moved in - and we headed for cover!  Rain and watercolor do not mix!  Returning from a morning hike - where Mike and I scouted several new places to paint - we went back up to the chapel so I could finish this before the ceremony! Mike had a wonderful conversation with a youth leader who came to this spot for reflection.  I wish I could have been part of the conversation, but alas time grew short!  Mike corralled little Casper as I worked, and he became very adept at walking up and down the incline of the mountain top! What a breathtaking view - I could paint here for days and not tire of the endless beauty!  What a slice of heaven this is.  Now I must get ready for the wedding!  Painting number 3152 in 3152 days. 

Alberta Falls in September

We started this day hiking the Alberta Falls trail.  There were so many perfect places for painting, I could already see the paintings starting in my head!  When the kids were ready to head back, I grabbed my painting gear and headed back in with Mike.  We knew from the first day that lines to get into parking are long, and we didn't want to lose the time going out for lunch.  So, true to my regular form, I didn't worry about eating until my painting was done!  This place is just off the Alberta Falls trail, down an embankment, by the water. I had to situate my easel on the rocky slope while standing on various rocks to keep level. No easy feat in this place!  One has to work for the best views, they don't just drop in your lap!  Mike stood up by the trail and talked to everyone hiking by that wondered what in the world I was doing!  I couldn't hear any of it, with the roar of the water and the pristine scene - I was totally in my painting zone.  The oils are so well suited for this place, I can lay them on thick, using the brush to express the movement of the water.  What an amazing experience!  I could paint here all month and only capture a fraction of the beauty here.  What an amazing painting day in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Best. Office. Ever.  Painting number 3151 in 3151 days. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

What a glorious place this is! With it's outstanding views in every direction - each choice is a stunner! How will I ever be able to leave without capturing it all!!  With several cars ahead of us in line to reenter the Rocky Mountain National Park, I painted a quick paint of the mountains to the right!  As we pulled up, the girls inside were commenting on my painting - so I pulled up and gave them a card to check my future progress!  It's so fun to capture the beauty while waiting in line - one of the few times in life that I wish the line was longer and slower!  Today I used a favorite TWSBI fountain pen to quickly sketch the composition, then I used a travel brush pen (always in my sketch bag) to dip into my halfpan travel watercolor set.  I am using three sets that I combined into two tins from Watercolor Confections, but seeing the colors here, I could have used the Essence collection from them.  It is SO well suited to the local color. Painting number 3150 in 3150 days. 

Last Light over the Rockies

After spending the day with family in the Rocky Mountain National Park, we scouted our area and found this wonderful spot!  We are staying here at the YMCA of the Rockies for a family wedding this week, so of course I am finding time to paint the beauty in our down time.  The views from this Overlook Chapel in Estes Park are amazing, and this is where the ceremony will take place at week's end.  I finally have time to work with my oils this evening, and there is nothing as satisfying as letting the painting unfold before me.  Surrounded by cool, dry air and stillness, I revel in the exploration of the local color here . I'm surprised at how little wildlife I see here compared to Missouri.  At home, birdsong is everywhere, as are bees and butterflies.  Not so here, very few birds and I've seen one butterfly way up Trailridge Road.  We've seen about a dozen deer, three elk babies, a giant moose tonight, and a few chipmunks.  But all are quiet, even at night.  In such a climate, when a crow started making warning noises downwind of us, we packed up and headed out.  We've been warned the bears are more active than usual, and it was starting to get dark!  This is my first adventure in Estes Park, and I can't wait for more!  What a treat to get to immerse myself here - with paint!  Painting number 3149 in 3149 days. 

Road to Marceline

I love how a road going into town tells a story.  Water towers are such icons for small towns, and this one begged to be painted.  So, in positioned myself in the parking lot of Walworth Publishing with a view of the sweep of road.  Starting with De Atramentis Archive Ink, I sketched in the lines of my composition, following with Levenger's Raven Black ink and watercolor. Though the day was hot a good breeze kept me cool while working.  Every day that's not a 100 degrees feels cool to me now!  Haha!  Painting number 3148 in 3148 days. 

North Main Street

My dad used to tell me stories of this town, how his parents grew up here, met in high school and fell in love.  He used to walk these streets as a young boy, carrying coins to the bank with his Aunt Minnie - who his mother fondly called "Mouse" when they were growing up.  Could she possibly be the inspiration for another famous Minnie? They did go to school together.... several of the homes in town were built by his uncles.  Lynns, Slaughters, Gardners and Cupps all have their names in the history and businesses of Marceline, and it feels like home.  I only knew a few of these relatives, but their history lives on.  So, every year I return for the annual NOMO Plein Air Event, paying homage to a place that brought my grandparents together, and capture the beauty of my history.  Painting number 3147 in 3147 days. 

Late Summer Blooms at the Disney Barn

I love painting in Marceline, Missouri each year for the NOMO Plein Air Event!  This place calls to me in the early morning light from afar - and I always head here for my first paint of the day! The bloom season is more progressed here than in years past, and I revel in the changes!  Many greens are golden now, and the trees actually have fall color starting  - probably from so many hot days and the stress of causes.  I walked the grounds twice before settling on this spot, and then I jumped right in.  Painting in my composition with a burnt umber, I then marked the light, shadow and color pops with paint.  My fresh ultramarine violet was too buttery to serve me well, so I was mixing my cool shadow shades again. That color has been disappointing me lately, I think I may just banish it from my palette! As I finished, I dropped heavier paint marks for all this wildflowers - and loved the effect and dimension it added.  It was a wonderful morning spent among the wildflowers, soaking in the quiet beauty of this very special place.  I'm so happy this painting won a Purchase Award tonight and will now go live in New York to remind it's family of Marceline!  Painting number 3146 in 3146 days. 

Monet's Bridge

With only 30 minutes left before meeting the Art Mob, I just had to do a quick paint of Monet's Bridge before leaving.  I've never thought of painting this view before, but didn't want to take the time to move my set up from my first painting!  So, I jumped in with big masses first. When I'm short on time, I try to get down as much information as I can in that time.  I had not yet reloaded my palette, so I had to work with the ultramarine violet for my quick darks - which does not work well!  It is far too translucent to push into other masses and achieve impact.  But when time is of the essence, I let my hands work as they will!  I could have used 15 more minutes to tighten this up, but it still gives a good representation of my impressions of the moment.  Painting number 3145 in 3145 days. 

Garden Path

I LOVE painting the lush gardens at the Overland Park Arboretum!  I try to pop in whenever I get a chance to paint among the flowers here, but this is the first time I've been here so late in August. The blooms are overflowing the beds, so abundant and full that I simply could not resist painting them!  I started by painting in the masses, marking the flower colors, before going in with my darks.  I did not want to lose the flowers in the scene, so those notes hold their places in the composition. My palette is in dire need of a clean and reload after two weeks of long days spent in the heat, but alas I did not have time before heading out this morning.  I MUST do it tonight to prepare for Saturday's event - and next week!  There's just never enough hours in a day!  Painting number 3144 in 3144 days. 

Park University Campus

I love painting the architecture of the grand old buildings on the Park University Campus!  Sitting in the shade of a tree, I do my line work with De Atramentis Archive Ink, following with Levenger's Raven Black in this pictured fountain pen with a broad nib.  This is my first pen in all these years to have a broad nib, and in only a few paintings I have grown to love it!  It drops a smooth, rich line, more intense than the medium nib. On smoother papers, the line may be too bold, but the majority of my papers are rough in texture, so the broad nib really helps speed the drawing process.  I love my fountain pens!  In fact, I have a brand new one just out of the box, just waiting to be inked! Painting number 3143 in 3143 days.  This painting now showing at Cathy Kline Art Gallery through October! 

Toad Cove

What a fun, iconic slice of lake life this place is!  Shady Gators is a popular place on the Lake of the Ozarks, and so fun to paint in ink and watercolor!  Arriving just after sunrise, I found a shady place from which to work.  Already a hot one, this is another heat warning day so I try to stay in the shade as much as possible. I use three inks for the line work, india,De Atramentis Archive Ink and Levenger's Raven Black, then I follow in with watercolor.  Even at this early hour, boats arrive and take off from the nearby socks, leaving ripples on the water's surface.  I really enjoy my time by the water, it is so very soothing to paint.  This painting now available at Lake Fine Art Galleria.  Painting number 3142 in 3142 days. 

Hillside Lodge

What a treat to find this amazing large log cabin on the lake to paint!  This place lodged the workers on the Bagnell Dam, and now houses a museum inside.  Still lovely inside, the lobby is as it was so long ago.  A large veranda sweeps along the lake side, where an amazing view of the Lake of the Ozarks can be had from various spots. With walking trails down the hill, a wonderful lakeside garden is the reward at the bottom!  If only I had more time - I would have painted that view, too!  It would have been a lovely place to rest at the end of the day!  This painting now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach!  Painting number 3141 in 3141 days. 

View from Bridal Cave

What a glorious time I've had painting at the Bridal Cave in Camdenton, Missouri!  From the plein air painting inside the Chapel of the cave, to painting this beautiful sweep of the Lake of the Ozarks from the covered overlook just outside the cave entrance, this place will forever hold good memories for me!  As with any body of water, the lake changes color with the sun and sky.  What started as overcast has opened up to a sunny, hot day - and that reflects in the water!  I painted my masses first, lights and darks followed by the central colors, then added the smaller details such as boats and docks. If was very comfortable painting under this covered overhang, with water cooled breezes blowing through. It has been so fun to visit with guests as they wait for their tour guide while painting the beauty of this lake!  This painting won a ribbon at the Lake of the Ozarks Plein Air event and is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach.  Painting number 3140 in 3140 days.