Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel

After the Opening Reception at Cathy Kline's Art Gallery for Paint Parkville, I walked across the street to draw this beautiful chapel!  With amazing light and a low vantage, I began my drawing in ink.  With such complicated architecture, I found myself measuring out my lines with the long edge of my fountain pen.  Holding it out straight armed, and measuring all of the relationships, I finally got the line drawing finished.  I love these historic stone churches!  Painting number 2376 in 2376 days.

Vineyard in the Flint Hills

This is the first time I've painted a vineyard with the Flint Hills in the background!  It was 97 degrees with a heat index of 106 - very toasty indeed!  Bob and his Prairie Fire Winery were wonderful hosts - even delivering sangria to us artists!  His pop up tent was a lifesaver for me today - and allowed me to paint in the vineyard with this amazing view!  Painting number 2374 in 2374 days.

Geraniums on the Table

At every turn, this Greenwood Vintage Market offered up another wonderful scene!  After taking a quick pass through the main areas, I jumped right in, hoping I could paint three before lunch!  I love the way the geranium branches fell over the edge of the pot, heavy with blooms.  The color was so rich against the antique cupboard and chair.  Again using this new lighter weight cotton rag paper, I start with inking the lines in my sketchy way.  I float the watercolor in with less water than the first one, to keep it where I want it.  I finish with a few more ink lines with India ink, as my orginal lines were quick and light.  Perhaps they rubbed off a little with the watercolor work?  Too soon to tell if it is a trait of the paper.  Next, I'll have to try a larger size, and see how it behaves!  It's like I'm interviewing this paper, and I keep calling him back.  Not sure if he's got the job, yet!  Painting number 2374 in 2374 days.

Vintage Wedding Dream

I love my long fiber cotton rag paper, and today I'm trying a new, thinner weight piece that arrived with a batch from Sweden.  I like it!  It works very much like the heavier paper on the line work and light color. But when it comes to floating juicy watercolor into an area, it sits on top a little more, in danger of spreading past it's boundaries. So, I use a lighter touch to avoid this.  The paper also stays wetter, longer, which means the India ink I pop in at the end can become too strong in an instant.  I'll just wait a few seconds longer next time.  Even with the lighter weight, still no bleed through to the other side.  I will order this paper again.  Painting number 2373 in 2373 days.

Robertson's Barn on the Hill

I really love these wonderful old midwestern barns, especially the strong lines of this one.  I could not have found a more perfect landscape for this barn, big sky, sweeping fields and wide open country.  Working in pen and ink, I draw out my composition and use my water brush pen to get those greys. I like to work on a piece of plexiglass that allows me to see everything around my paper.  Why cover any of this beauty up?  Painting 2372 in 2372 days.

Elmore Train Depot

I have a tiny sketch kit that fits into my armband phone holder, for those times I'm running a trail and simply MUST stop to sketch!  I found this drawing still in that kit, so I am sharing it tonight.  Every time we're in Ohio, we either ride bikes on this trail, or I run, if by myself.  It is a smooth, flat trail that crosses beautiful farms and passes through little towns - always a welcome stop for a cold drink or even ice cream!  Painting number 2370 in 2370 days.

Creekside Daydream

The heavy rainfall has transformed the creeks and ditches into a wonderland for this artist!  The water calls me in, and the lush foliage keeps me there, laying down that paint!  I feel so peaceful in a place like this, no matter the rush and bustle of the day.  All those missed hours of sleep simply slip away, and I am renewed by the surrounding countryside.  I'm so thankful to land in a place like this, even if just for a little while!  Painting number 2369 in 2369 days.

Blanket Flower ATC

With a wedding looming on the horizon, my days are full of garden work.  This variety of blanket flower is new this year, and it has loved all the rain!  I love the bold red marks, as if painted by a brush, so of course I had to paint them!  With only a tiny painting window, I pull out one of my ATC sized papers (of unknown origin) and start with the ink.  These blooms are near the front porch, so I always wonder if I should include that color, or go with something more natural. Today, I choose the actual color, letting the blooms come forward as I see them.  The paper is not my favorite, accepting the watercolor well but lacking with the ink.  Another painting, another lesson, and the 2367th in 2367 days.

Bee and Yarrow ATC

This wonderful pink lace yarrow originally grew in my family home in Overland Park. My mom got it started at her mother's house, which we have lived in many years now.  After the very cold and wet winter and spring, this once flourishing flower has diminished to a handful of plants.  I was beginning to think it would not be back!  I am so happy to have a few survivors! I will be spreading them around for next year.  Painting number 2366 in 2366 days.

Looking Back

I normally know which medium I would use for a portrait at first sight of the photo.  Not so with this one.  Ink? Graphite?  Oil?  I wanted to use all three!  Even half way through this painting, I was second guessing my choice.  Once I started narrowing down my process, I got into that zone where the brush strokes were exciting, I could feel them leading me where I wanted to go. I will look again with fresh eyes tomorrow, but I think I may be finished!  Painting number 2365 in 2365 days.

Steelville School Inked

I heard the story about this old school the night before, from a local artist who actually went here. After hearing they were having a final walk through and goodbye ceremony for the building, I had to go draw her in ink.  We are losing these old buildings every day, if only they could all be restored.  Painting number 2363 in 2363 days.

Blanket Flowers ATC

These little yellow blanket flowers are new to the garden this year, and this evening, they called out to me.  With ink and watercolor, I first sketch their lines with India ink, then fill with one of my little travel half pan sets of watercolor.  These little sets are perfect to use in the fly, with only a water brush pen to assist.  I hardly had enough light to finish the job!  Painting number 2361 in 2361 days.

Evening Light at Balduccis

Balducci's is a must visit destination each time I'm in Augusta, and this wonderful old barn is an icon.  By special request, I am recreating one that sold during the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival, to deliver while I am in town.  So happy to have wonderful weather for the weekend!  Painting number 2360 in 2360 days.

Water Garden at H.S. Clay House

I love experiencing a new place early in the morning, while others still sleep.  With pen and ink, I walk the grounds, looking for special locations to draw.  I heard the music of this water garden before I could see it, and the magic was in the painting.  I quickly lose track of time while the water babbles. Only when raindrops started to fall on my work did I snap back to reality and look for cover.  Rain and ink do not mix!  A splendid breakfast awaited my return!  Painting number 2359 in 2359 days.

Iron Gate at H.S. Clay House

After a day spent in Augusta Missouri Wine Country, and an evening celebrating with the girls of Michaela's bridal party, I rise early to bask in the beauty of the H.S. Clay House.  Touring the gardens and enjoying that early light, I grab my pens and paper from my trunk, to capture this place in ink.  I have often looked in towards the house through this arbor, but this time I am looking out.  We have had a magical time here, and will cherish the memories Leigh and Alan helped create!  Painting number 2358 in 2358 days.

H.S. Clay House Inked

What an amazing place to spend an evening!  After a day spent in Augusta wine country, and a fabulous private dinner at Kate's Coffee, this is where we have come to unwind and visit. A little soak in tre hot tub and I am good as new.  Looking forward to a few more memories before heading home tomorrow. Painting number 2357 in 2357 days.

Kate's Coffee Inked

This is a special bachelorette weekend for our youngest daughter, Michaela.  In the parlor of this shop, we will have a special dinner after a day of touring through Missouri wine country.  I'm really looking forward to sharing this place so dear to me with the girls of my family.  Painting number 2355 in 2355 days.

Creek Along the Trail

There is something almost magical when painting near the water.  Birdsong and the gentle sound of water over rocks are my music as I work, and are as soothing as the act of painting.  My painting window is always a slice of art therapy, always leaving me renewed.  Most especially in the midst of a crazy, busy week! Painting number 2354 in 2354 days.

Three Polled Herefords

sold

When one paints outside as much as I do, reading the weather becomes second nature. I paint until the very last moment before ducking for cover.  I started this painting right after a heavy downpour.  The colors are fresh from the rain, and the cattle came close after their handler tossed out some feed.  So glad they came close for the end of the day!  Painting number 2353 in 2353 days.

Evans House

While at the show for the Steelville Plein Air event, a man came up to this drawing, looking very closely at it.  After a minute or two, he told me this was his grandparent's house.  His grandparents were married here, and his grandmother's sister died here, it was full of family history.  After asking me to write "Evan's House", he took this drawing home.  I'm so glad this drawing found it's perfect home!  Painting number 2351 in 2351 days.