Clouds over the Water

 

Some days, I've only to look skyward for painting inspiration!  I started working in the garden after the gym this morning, and the hours flew by as Swiss chard and tomatoes found their homes. I like to take my salad outside, to walk the garden as I eat, often finding inspiration to squeeze in a painting before "chicken time". That is when Mom comes by and we let them out for an hour or so, to roam around the yard.  What fun these sweet girls have as they keep close to us in their ventures!  Painting number 4893 in 4893 days. 

Drift of Iris

 

I love painting the yellow flag iris when they erupt in bloom!!  The way they sweep through the lawn is magical - and it all started with a small clump that I ordered from a seed catalog years ago. Great in wet areas, I've seen them planted underwater in the elephant exhibit at the zoo!  I've shared them with friends and family, and they are great to sop up extra water in low lying areas.  Their rhizomes are so dense they need to be cut through to divide.  Their shiny large seeds drop liberally - and those readily grow new plants, too.  I've put a few down by the pond, and they should be blooming now, too.  I love painting the magic that stems from a tiny clump so many years ago!  Painting number 4892 in 4892 days. 

Old Fashioned Peonies

 

I wait all year for the chance to paint the peonies of my garden.  This season seems extra short to get these beauties painted, with multiple storms abs heavy rain to weigh them down.  These are the original variety that my grandmother planted, abs I've moved it to multiple beds around the yard, and it never disappoints!  The bees were buzzing and the big black ants were climbing, and the smell was heavenly indeed!  Painting number 4891 in 4891 days. 

Mother's Lilies

 

In a day full of gardening, I just had to paint the prettiest lilies in the beds today!  I moved these from Mom's home in Ohio when she moved back to Missouri. I remember digging the bulbs from the front corner of their brick Victorian home, as we were preparing to move Mom to the house she found near us.  It was a bittersweet time of loss and heartache, and the grueling task of packing up 35 years to return so close to where she grew up.  Putting them in a large pot with soil, they made the journey to my place, Mom's childhood home, to spread gloriously in several beds.  I think of those times every year when they bloom, knowing they are one of Mom's favorite flowers from a place she loved.  Painting number 4890 in 4890 days. 

Canyon Falls

 My favorite painting location of the week was this gorgeous waterfall n Dogwood Canyon, along the water's edge!!  Best. Office. Ever. 

Light Beyond

 

So happy I could return to Big Cedar to paint during the Plein Air Convention.  I just couldn't resist this bold backlight, and it was fading fast. This is the small lake by the restaurant near a devil's pool, where so many artists gathered earlier in the day.  I only had about 45 minutes to work in this, so I jumped right in and painted that color fast.  I think I might just tweak a could of things before calling it good.  Haha!  Does an artist ever think a painting is finished?  Not this artist but surely someone thinks that!  Painting number 4888 in 4888 days. 

Dogwood Mill

I just about closed down the place with this last sketch at Dogwood Canyon!  On arriving, I thought I'd return to this location to paint.  The waterfalls called me away, so away I went, only to arrive here with 30 minutes to sketch. With pen and ink I drew out my composition, thinking of how timeless it all was.  The vintage feel of this place lends itself well to the medium of pen and ink. I hope to paint this place in oils one day, as well.  On another note, I nearly stepped on a large water snake on my hustle back to my car, in my sandals!  The Plein Air Convention has been SO much fun, and I'm taking good memories and inspiration back home with me!  Painting number 4887 in 4887 days. 

In the Garden

 

It was so peaceful to paint this lovely scripture garden,  squirreled away in a hidy hole, along with 100s of artists at the Plein Air Convention!  The College of the Ozarks has so many wonderful things to paint, but I knew I must paint the garden as soon as I saw it!  Though my perch was a little awkward, my vantage was perfect - and it was fun to hear the joy as people rounded the bush to find me painting!  What fun, and what lovely people I talked to!  Painting number 4886 in 4886 days. 

Waterfall along the Trail

Dogwood Canyon is a magical place.  The spring fed river winds through the park, with multiple low water bridges overflowing. As I hiked to the chapel to paint, I found this hidden gem along the trail.  It was enchanting to paint in this solitary place to the music of the waterfall.  I think I need my own personal waterfall at home.  Painting number 4885 in 4885 days. 

Old Mill at Finley's Farm

 

I painted this Old Mill at Finley's Farm with about 700 other artists from an old iron bridge!  We were lined up elbow to elbow by the time I finished! It was SO much fun! I've never painted with so many artists at one time before!  The day was beautiful, everyone visited as they passed by - and fun was had by all.  The wind actually blew a painting from the bridge into the river below - and another artist grabbed it out and the whole place cheered!  How many times does one see that in a lifetime?!! Painting number 4884 in 4884 days. 

Chapel at Big Cedar

 

It was a lovely day for painting the chapel at Big Cedar! It has been years since I painted in the Big Cedar Paintout, and I had been longing to come!  This place is even more beautiful than before, with paintings in every direction!  I only wish I had more time to paint the beautiful cabins and vintage buildings, too! 

Ozark Overlook

 

What a glorious overlook to paint at the College of the Ozarks!! I could paint here for days!! I intended to paint the historic church on site, but as I walked through the scripture garden, this scenic overlook called my name.  My first painting is at it's feet as I scrambled to paint another in our allotted time.  What fun it has been talking to so many artists that I've painted with over the years.  It is sheer joy to paint such a breathtaking view as this! Painting number 4882 in 4882 days. 

In the Woods

 

This is the first painting in the rolling hills of the Ozarks - on the first day of the Plein Air Convention in Branson!  The woods are so full of beauty, I couldn't resist a quick paint after checking in my painting.  This quiet time to focus, immersed in nature,  is a balm for my soul.  I come out renewed and invigorated, ready to do it again tomorrow!  Painting number 4881 in 4881 days. 

Grandmother's Peonies

 

Oh how I love painting Grandmother's peonies - and their fragrance is heavenly!!  I've moved them to multiple locations around the yard, and each bloom reminds me of Grandma Frank.  I remember cutting them with Grandma to bring into the house, and the bouquet would scent the whole room.  Casper asked to cut one for Michaela for Mother's Day, and he and Kirby both presented a lovely big bloom for her!  Maybe they'll remember me when they see these blooms each year.  Painting number 4880 in 4880 days. 

Iris Aglow

 

I love spending time in the garden painting - and these iris are irresistible! I admire their rich magenta hues in the sunlight - which keeps popping in and out, and wonder which friend's garden these came from.  I often plant the tiniest roots found neglected in the strangest places, not knowing what they will one day become.  It's like Christmas when those little babies bloom!  Painting number 4880 in 4880 days. 

Lingering at Monet's Pond

What an amazing way to spend the morning - capturing the beauty of Monet's Pond at the Overland Park Arboretum!  Meeting artist friends for a morning paint, I opted to enter through the original entrance which is closer to all of this beauty.  Kathleen walked by, and we talked as we scouted, mentioning the noon meet up at the Long House.  I set up on the sun on this lovely morning, and visited with onlookers as they admired the garden beauty.  I lingered in this spot, painting for the very joy of it, knowing I would miss seeing the others in doing so.  I left fulfilled and nourished, as only a painting spot like this can supply. Painting number 4878 in 4878 days. 

Walk through the Rose Garden

 

Happy Mother's Day!!  It's been a wonderful day spent with my amazing Mom and the whole family!!  This year we let the guys take care of the details, which had our daughter by marriage, Rebekah, saving the day with delicious Quiches, cilantro lime slaw and more, while the guys made cheeseburgers and espinaca, picking up a couple of pies.  The weather was beautiful and we spent the day outdoors, enjoying our time together.  This painting is another from a perennial favorite place - the Loose Park Rose Garden, which held a special plein air for arbor day.  Painting number 4877 in 4877 days. 

Lunch at the Vineyard

 

I love returning to a favorite place to paint from the vineyard.  Defiance Ridge never disappoints, and is a great place for food and drink.  As I painted, patrons walked from artist to artist to see what was on the easel.  This is the second one I painted from this very spot.  Painting number 4875 in 4875 days.

Alpacaes

Painting these sweet alpacas just makes me want to take them home!  They make sweet noises to each other, and come to check up on me every so often. It was super fun to spend the morning with them, learning their forms and manners.  Their temperament is so docile, too! I think our chickens and horses need some aloaca friends!!  Painting number 4874 in 4874 days. 

Spring in the Vineyard

SOLD

 

The light was amazing at Defiance Ridge - until the clouds rolled in!  I tucked myself down in the vineyard to get this amazing vantage, sketching both before and after turn in on another.  The grapevines are leafed out more than ever - making them perfect for painting!  It was fun to visit with guests as they strolled through the vineyard, checking in with each artist in the field. I love getting to paint places like this and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 4873 in 4873 days.