Jackson Stables

It brings back fond memories to paint the horses of Jackson Stables!  I'm so fortunate to be the Artist in Residence here at the YMCA of the Rockies, and I an making every moment count!  The family is here and we're planning to take a horseback trail ride through the mountains in the next couple of days. It's great to make the memories and capture them in paint!  Painting number 4551 in 4551 days. 

Pine Cones!

 

What better place than this to study pine cones?  The ponderosa pines around the cabin are gorgeous, and offer up plenty of prime cones for painting.  So, I gathered a few choice ones with the boys and set to painting them.  It's all about the line work and values here, and I chose a blue shadow to vibrate against the green.  I love having the time to really study my subject matter.  We had a fun Fireside Chat at the library tonight, where I shared my Journaling process and progress through the years. It was so fun to visit by the fire, and share my passion for painting.  Painting number 4550 in 4550 days. I will drop this one by the gallery space in the library tomorrow, so come check this out! 

Glacier Creek

 

After joining Story Time at the library and making bookmarks with the children, I packed up to head to the park. Glacier Creek is gorgeous along Ross Richter's Trail, leading to the Rocky Mountain National Park!  I lose track of time painting next to it's rushing water.  The roar is so loud that I find myself looking up periodically to check for wild animals, because I would never hear them coming. During this residency, I am exploring different papers and methods in creating my illustrated travel journals.  This book is relatively new, 8x6, with soft cotton paper. It absorbs the water and paint quickly, and takes a bit more care to get the results I want. The leather cover is beautiful, and the paper is smoother than I normally choose. As I worked, three park rangers walked down the opposite embankment, obviously looking for something.  It is the very first time I've seen rangers in such a place while painting, and it makes me wonder what was up.  This would be a lovely place to hike in with oils, as well!  Painting number 4549 in 4549 days. 

Glorious Sky

 The golden hour in the Rockies is magical!  Ifind myself pulled to paint he first and last 2 hours of light each day - and I mean compelling need to capture the light!  So, tonight I approach the skyscape with oils, where i can layer up color as it appears. That is something I can't do with ink and watercolor.  I can hardly wait for sunrise to do it all again! Day 2 of my Artist Residency  Day 4547 in 4547 days.  This one is now showing at the library in the YMCA of the Rockies. 

Dandelion!

Day 2 - Artist Residency! This is my first Nature Art Journal workshop demo at the YMCA of the Rockies, and this dandelion next to the tables made the perfect subject for line, color and value instruction.  Bonus - Mr. Bee joined for the sketch, and now he's been immortalized on paper!  It was fun to share drawing instruction with an absolute newbie in the group, too.  She's got skills she didn't know she had, and has now started down the path of Art journaling!  Everyone was so nice, and I got some GREAT bear tips from the locals! Painting number 4547 in 4547 days. 

Turkey Trot

Right on cue, the wild turkeys started their single file march up Emerald Mountain as we arrived at our cabin near sunset. These turkeys march down in the mornings to the stable, and up at night to roost. I thought the late comer at the end might just jump up on the porch as he eyed me curiously!  First sketch in my travel journal in Estes Park! I'm the Artist in Residence for the next three weeks!  Come see me if you're in the area!  Painting number 4545 in 4545 days. 

Morning on the Veranda

I rarely do interiors, but this sweeping veranda called to me.  The morning light was golden, and I could not resist the call.  It was rather complicated to mark all that light and shadow at the start, but I knew the clouds would move in, and I would lost my chance. Wildwood Spring Lodge is a special place,  and I'd love to return with my family and spend some time relaxing here.  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville and is my 4544 painting in 4544 days.  

Along the Trail of Tears

 

Painted on Long Springs road, this is part of the Trail of Tears that runs through Steelville.  We were asked to capture the story in paint as we stood in the very place they walked.  It was emotional. I had read some of the history the night before, and could not imagine their plight, especially the mothers who were losing their babies. This painting will join others that will be auctioned off in support of a sculpture to commemorate this trail.  Those souls should not be forgotten. I am honored to have this painting awarded an Honorable Mention for the Trail of Tears Paint Out. Painting number 4542 in 4542 days. 

Making Camp

SOLD

 

This painting on the Whittenburg Creek was my second painting along the Trail of Tears in Steelville, Missouri.  We were asked to envision a scene and recreate as we captured the very landscape thisc tragic event occurred so many years ago. I did as much research as I could the night before, so that I could faithfully recreate the scene.  It was emotional to paint this, letting it all unfold on my panel  I don't understand how something like this could happen, it all is so unfair. This painting, along with my other one,  will be among others to go to auction in support of a sculpture to commemorate this site. Painting number 4541 in 4541 days.

Cook Station Stream

 

There is nothing like painting to the music of a stream! Cook Station was such a treat!  Teddy and I drove out to this location in the rain. The rain continued through my first painting, letting up just enough for me to get it framed.  As I waited for Teddy to finish, I found this spot, and couldn't resist it!  The rain had nearly stopped, so I painted as fast as I could, and wrapped it up in time to get back for judging.  I could have painted here for days!  Several people mentioned the outhouse with 4 seats in that painting!  It seems to be a local icon!  This one now hanging at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4540 in 4540 days. 

Cook Station Dreaming

SOLD

 

It was raining pretty good when I pulled up to Cook Station. Upon check in at the Mercantile, this view of town grabbed me.  I scouted a bit under covered porches but returned to this first place to paint.  I visited on the porch as I painted, listening to music piped in to speakers.  It was lovely, though it rained the entire time, sometimes hard.  This is a special place, and I'm so happy I got to paint here! Painting number 4539 in 4539 days. 

Come see my plein air work on Main Street in Steelville tomorrow,  June 8 from 10:00 to 2:00. Art, llibations, live music, and food trucks - it's going to be a fun day near Gallery Zeke! 

Washinton Street

SOLD

 

It was fun to paint charming Washinton street while waiting for my lunch order! We checked in at that beautiful house for the plein air event in Cuba, and Kelly have us the grand tour.  Perhaps my favorite thing about this house is the copper penny floor in the downstairs bathroom!  I was too recreate that at my own place!  Painting number 4538 in 4538 days.  

Historic Cuba along Route 66

 

I have wanted to paint historic Cuba asking Route 66 for years!  WHAT A COOL TOWN - SO happy I finally got the chance! This town has so many sweet old buildings!  Each street I walked down, I find another painting just waiting to be painted.  I did get two done today, but so many others will have to wait until I return to this area.  Painting number 4537 in 4537 days. 

Staying at the Wildwood Lodge

SOLD

 

I couldn't resist painting that cool old car parked in front of that cool old lodge!  As I sat on the bench swing hanging from an old oak, I contemplated this very scene, already composing and painting it in my mind.  I chose ink and watercolor for this place, and I painted from that swing on the lawn.  What a great place to hang out for the day! Painting number 4536 in 4536 days. 

Morning at Cobblestone Lodge

SOLD

 

I have never been to this historic lodge before, so this day was a real treat!  I absolutely love historic lodges, and i have only seen glimpses of it from the opposite side of the Meramec River. So, when i realized where I was painting today - I was thrilled! I am so honored this painting was selected for today's Purchase Award for Steelville Plein Air!  Thank you Cobblestone Lodge for hosting, FCNB bank for sponsoring, and Steelville Arts Council for organizing this event! Painting number 4535 in 4535 days. 

Waiting for a Ride

 

I'm so happy this painting was awarded third place in the Sunnit Art Plein Air event.  Legacy Park is full of beautiful places to paint!  It has been years since I've been to this park, and I hardly recognized the place.  I could see these boats of in the distance, so I hunted up the closest parking, then walked the trail to get here.  The light was perfect and it was a fun quick paint before meeting the other artists at the Kick Off Party.  Just as I was finishing up, a large party was arriving to take the boats out on the water.  Perfect timing!  Painting number in days. 

Fountain Impressions

 

It was a lovely afternoon to paint the splash fountain at Powell Gardens for Summit Art Plein Air!  I love painting here, and have never before seen  the splash pad running!  The streams remind me of the Nichols fountain when on full blast.  I only wish I'd had time to stay and paint all day!  Painting number in days. 

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Afternoon Sail

 

What a peaceful afternoon I spent, painting sailboats as they glided across the water.  Soundless, except for the occasional crack of a sail, it was almost like watching toy boats in a pool, from my perch on the hill.  I was too busy to come here today, but came anyway.  There's nothing like a dose of Art Therapy to both inspire and calm my soul.  This has been a day well spent. Painting number 4532 in 4632 days. 

Baby Goats!

 

How could I possibly resist painting these adorable baby goats?!!  The Deanna Rose Farmstead is a wonderful place to take family to see many farm animals.  From chickens to cattle in the dairy barn to fishing in their pond, this place is so very paintable.  I've been painting here for years, but this is the first time I've focused on the baby goats!  They are easily sketched from outside their corral, and so fun to watch as they interact with each other and all the children walking in with tiny bottles!  Painting number 4531 in 4531 days. 

Iris in Batik

The iris are simply beautiful this year, so I've painted one in watercolor batik!  I pick up iris rhizomes from family and sometimes in the wild, and give them a spot in my garden.  It's a surprise when they bloom for the first time - and I remember where each came from.  Painting number in days.