On the Courthouse Lawn

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What fun it was to paint the historic Truman Courthouse on the last Walktober of the year! We've had a busy weekend, and I just didn't get away on time, which meant I started painting 45 minutes late on a two hour quick paint.  For a brief second at home, I wondered if maybe I should miss this one.  Nah - I jumped right in and decided to make the most of the hour I had, and this is the result.  Live music, friendly people, and even Harry Truman were on the street during this Walktober!  In just over an hour, this painting was finished, framed, and on display for judging  I'm so happy this one was chosen for today's Quick Paint Award, too!  Painting number 5045 in 5045 days. 

Bullards

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It's so fun to paint the pumpkins lining this market, while all is decked out for fall! I love this time of year, full of pumpkins and hayrides, and now turning leaves.  The unseasonably warm weather has made for perfect painting, and I have been soaking it up like a sponge.  When the days turn cold, I'll bask in the memories of this. Painting number 5044 in 5044 days. 

Baby Goats

We've been thinking of getting some goats for quite a while, and these sweet Norwegians are appealing!  So, why not take the time to get to know them, their personalities and behaviors, while I sketch them on site.  They are young, and very passive - unless one is holding a baby bottle or two!  Then, they are very insistent!  My daughter joined with her two youngest - and those little goats were ravenous!  It was such a wonderful morning, and I look forward to the next time I get to paint them!  Painting number 5043 in 5043 days

Weston United Methodist Church

I love painting beautiful, historic churches in small towns, and this one perches at the top of Main Street in Weston. I can only imagine what history it has seem, and it's a joy to get to paint it now. This painting is now showing at the Weston Coffee Roastery, right down the street from here!  Painting number 5041 in 5041 days. 

Main and Short

 

I love painting on Main Street in Weston, and visiting with everyone who walks by!  This street is full of charming shops and restaurants, and many are out enjoying the beautiful fall day.  I hope to return soon to take in more of this place with my family!  This painting is now available at the Weston Coffee Roastery and is painting number 5040 in 5040 days. 

Farmstead Goats

What better way to start the day than by painting baby goats?!!  As I sat down to sketch them, one by one came over to lay down beside me.  I sketched them each, foreground to the back, then laid in the background at the finish.  It is calming and soothing to spend time with these little ones, and soak up their cuteness as I painted.  Michaela, Kirby and little Robin joined for the fun and a few artist friends, and I ended the morning with a stroll around the farmstead.  Painting number 5039 in 5039 days. 

Wyandotte County Museum

 It was fun to paint the Wyandotte County Museum for the Walktober Quick Paint this morning - and another place I've never visited! I love exploring these new places with paint! I'm happy this painting was included in the top 5 painted here today!  Painting number 5038 in 5038 days. 

To the Hatchery House

 

I look forward to painting Weston all year, so I didn't waste any time getting started.  I like to find places i have not yet painted, and this gorgeous scene has called to me before.  I love these historic places, especially when it feels like stepping back in time as I paint.  The owner walked up behind me as I was finishing, and was so happy I had painted her house!  She told me I made her heart smile!  I love that!  It was fun to paint the charm of this historic home on the hill for Weston Plein Air, and it is Now Showing at Weston Coffee Roastery with a few others, too!  Painting number 5037 in 5037 days. 

55 Chevy

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Once in a while I get to paint something special for someone special, and this is such a painting.  Cathy's husband just restored this beauty in his retirement, and she commissioned this painting for his Christmas present.  I love getting to play a small role in making a family memory - especially for such a wonderful couple.  Painting number 5036 in 5036 days. 

Willow Tree Wonderland

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I love getting to paint something special in one of my favorite shops!  Willow Tree is always one of my first stops in Fairfield - and I always come out with little treasures to take home with me!  Cathy's husband built this shelf for her collectibles, and I loved painting it decked for fall!  This painting sold before the show, but I still wanted to capture it in a post for others to see.  Painting number 5035 in 5035 days. 

Farmers Market on Water St

I've been so busy at plein air painting events that I forgot to post this one from downtown Liberty! I started this one at the farmer's market with my daughter, Michaela, and her newest little one, Robin. We both painted while sweet Robin laid on a blanket staring at the leaves in the dense shade of a tree.  I spent so long on this one that I left myself short on time for the next one!  This painting is now showing at The Artisan Market in Liberty.  Stop by and see the paintings from Liberty Plein Air!  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Sunset Over the Missouri River

There's nothing like a sunset quick paint on the Missouri River!  I had scouted pretty far from my car in search of this view. I came to this spot late - because I was in the zone on another painting,  and could not leave it. As I painted, I soon realized I was losing the light - and I hadn't grabbed a light.  When did the sun start setting so early?  Finished or not - I had to pack up and leave.  I could no longer see the colors in my darks.  Despite all that, it is exhilarating to race with the sun for a painting!  Come see this and more at the Parkville Art House on Crooked Rd this Friday, Oct 16 from 6 to 8. Painting number 5033 in 5033 days. 

White Farmhouse Charm

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When i arrived on site, my intention was to paint more of the building and include the sweet "Betty" the Volkswagen van.  But as I started sketching, I was drawn to the drama of the angles and I wanted those first lines to pop out of the frame.  I let my pen have it's way, and my focus became the entrance with the side note of another artist who was painting "Betty"! So, I kind of included her after all!  It was super fun to paint one of my favorite shops in Parkville - and I'm happy this painting was selected to join a few of my others, too!  Come see this one and more at the Parkville Art House Oct 16 at 6:00! Painting number 5032 in 5032 days. 

Life on Main Street

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I looked for a place in the shade, but only found a pole to for cover.  As it moved away from my vantage, I stood in the full sun, wishing I had put sunscreen on my feet.  Each time the train rolled by, I popped in my earbuds to buffer the very loud horn.  I moved into the shade to check my close and values, because that it hard to see in full sun.  Despite the challenges, I loved almost every minute of it!  I am honored this painting was chosen for the Paint the Town Purchase Award in Paint Parkville!!  I love capturing the small town charm of this place in oils! 

Prima on 1st Street

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 It was fun to set up by the fire station with the perfect view of 1st Street!  The golden hour is the best time for a quick paint, and the glow lit up the street.  This place will soon look very different as the traffic is going to be routed a different way.  There's something special about capturing it as it is now, while one still can. Thank you Prima Facie for choosing my painting for your Purchase Award, and thanks to Wanda Jackson for hosting Paint Parkville!  Come see the show beginning October 16th at 6:00 at the Parkville Art House. Painting number 5030 in 5030 days. 

Giant Tree at Creekside

Well, this isn't something I paint every day!  This giant tree at Creekside puts on lazer show as the sun sets every night.  It's a challenge to get the line drawing in only to wait for nightfall before really adding paint.  I jumped in at twilight, and pushed the colors as light changed.  This place was full of children playing, families enjoying the space, and others dining at the outdoor venues.  It's a fun place to paint a psychedelic tree!  Painting number 5029 in 5029 days. 

Waterfall on Old Kate's Trail

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I LOVE painting to the music of a waterfall!   The birdsong wafted through in notes as I worked.  It has been years since I've painted here,  and these upper falls called to me.  I found a clearing from which I could stand on the east side of the falls, one that I hadn't seen before.  I loved the angles and the light from this side, and Ihad so much fun describing them with paint! The best part is that our judge for this paint, and curator of this sanctuary, purchased this one off the easel!  He had just cleared the honeysuckle from that spot - not knowing I would sweep in and paint it!  Painting number 5028 in 5028 days. 

Veteran's Memorial Fountain

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What fun it was to paint near this fountain on such a beautiful day to kick off Paint Parkville!  This is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, and it is near the old depot.  As I was painting, a train came through, so I painted it in to complete the scene!  Anyone who has spent time on downtown Parkville knows these trains are iconic to this place.  I was surprised and happy to find that City Hall selected my painting for their Purchase Award based on a majority vote!  This painting will join a few others of mine on the walls of City Hall.   Painting number 5027 in 5027 days.  

Rose Garden Impressions

 

The Rose Garden at Loose Park is one is my favorite local haunts.  This garden is ever inspiring to me, and I paint here any chance I get.  My grandmother lived roses, and grew a couple of varieties that I remember.  Peace roses and Tropicana, both with their Jackson and Perkins metal tags attached.  As a little girl, I would smell deeply of their fragrance, and I remember it still.  Isn't it funny that memories in the garden remain so strong?  Like art, it was a love from the beginning that I nurture still. Come see this painting and more hanging at the Anita Gorman Conservation Center for the Brush Creek Art Walk.  It was great to see so many people at the reception tonight, and I'm happy to receive a ribbon, too!  Painting number 5027 in 5027 days. 

Walk Along the Water

Liberty is far enough from me that I've only been there a handful of times.  Each time I've painted the Liberty Plein Air, new locations have been on our schedule.  That gets me to these amazing places, to find the paintings I didn't expect to find.  I love exploring new parks with paint, it's a bit like opening up a new gift!  This pond at  Stocksdale Park was irresistible and I had a blast dropping in those bold color pops!  Painting number 5025 in 5025 days.