Snow on the Cedar

Snow on the Cedar
Oil on panel, 8x10

The beautiful snow is STILL blanketed over the countryside!  This must be some kind of record for Missouri.  The lane is still too high for me to get out to the road, so I am still snowed in and painting!  This giant cedar is out in the front yard and towers above the house.  To get an idea of how large it is, the "little" tree to the left is a mature Bradford Pear.  My uncle told me this past Christmas that he planted this cedar - and the one behind the house - many years ago.  All of our children have climbed way up into these trees while exploring.  Now, they are covered with snow as I've never seen them, making them the perfect subject for painting!  It is another overcast day, but today, there is a hint of pink at the horizon, and a little violet in the gray.  This painting is the 56th in the row - and another month of paintings completed :)

Big Snow at the Barn

Big Snow at the Barn
Oil on panel, 16x12

This winter wonderland continues! Another day of the kids home from school due to the weather - and we have another snow day tomorrow!  I don't ever remember a snow that continued to cling to the trees after the first day - but this one does!  It all still looks like new fallen snow, drifted and unmelted by the sun.   I am on the south side of the milk barn today, where the snow has drifted halfway up the leaning gate.    The cedars are glorious and heavy with snow, I may just paint them tomorrow!  Today makes 55 paintings in 55 days.  I never thought I'd be here when I took that 30 in 30 painting challenge :)

Snow on the Milk Barn

Snow on the Milk Barn
Oil on panel, 11x14

I awoke to a winter wonderland this morning!  It is such a wet, heavy snow - all the branches and brush are covered!  The deep blanket of snow reaches my knees - and drifts above them as I walk the pastures.  I got to work early, I was afraid the 30 mile per hour winds would knock all the snow from the trees.  It is not often we have such a beautiful heavy snow that sticks to the side of everything it hits!  I didn't need to hurry, though.  It is now getting dark, and those trees are all still covered - only the little branches have dropped their snow.  As a child, my brother and I would explore this barn.  Some of the same old treasures hang from old nails inside.  A few trees have sprung up, and a giant wild rose has taken over the front corner - but oh, how glorious they look covered with snow!  I hope the snow stays long enough for me to get a few more paintings done!  This piece makes painting number 54 since the first of January :)

Teakettle of Roses

Teakettle of Roses
Oil on Panel, 8x10

The snow is falling - 12-18 inches expected, and I am enjoying this extra painting time!  I worked on a commission most of the day, only starting this painting this evening.  I chose to paint small - only an 8x10 since I needed to finish it today (to keep up with "a painting a day").  Now that it is finished, I wish I had painted it in a larger size!  I have not yet painted a large painting from one of my smaller studies, but maybe this will prompt me to do so.  This cool little antique green glass lamp sheds an interesting light over the sideboard - fun to capture on the sideboard.  The teakettle was my Grandma Frank's, a small wedding photo, and the books are Monet and an antique Shakespeare.  I found the sideboard at a little shop in downtown Lee's Summit 25 years ago.  I had the painting finished, and then I decided to add the gold detail in the curtains.  I love the detail, and the painting just didn't seem complete without it.  This is the 53rd painting in a row!

Newest Work in Progress

New Work in Progress
Graphite on Bristol

Today I am posting a commission that is in progress.  This is one of my very favorite subjects to draw - mother and baby.  I absolutely love the photo reference - so sweet!  When I start the drawing process, I first sketch out the composition. When I am happy with this, I start with the eyes, followed by noses, and then the lips.  Once I have brought the facial features up to the same level of finish, I move outward from there.  As I work, I will dot back and forth from details, adding depth and shadow while trying to leave the lights.  Here, I have only begun the hair, lightly shading in where needed as a background for the work to follow.  The blanket is hardly begun - there is a lot left to add.  I still have overall polish to do on both faces, and neck - although the fingers are getting close.  I was thinking I would start with a painting today, but maybe I'll get back to work on this - it is calling my name!

Bowl of Hydrangeas

Bowl of Hydrangeas
Oil on panel, 14x11

I am thinking of spring as another snow storm approaches.  Today I am painting loose and impressionistic hydrangeas in a bowl.  Grandma Bessie had these just outside her back door in the house on Olive.  I now have some outside of my kitchen bay window, where I hope to enjoy them for many years to come.  These little beauties are a challenging subject with their abundance of petals and light reflections from every angel.  I start first with the main masses, squinting down to truly see the colors.  Then, I let the brush do it's work with the flurry of petals.  This is the 52nd painting in a row! Now, its back to work on a commission!

Chandelier Light

Chandelier Light
Oil on panel, 9x12

Some nights, when I can not sleep, settings for interiors run through my head.  I almost always get up and set them up, taking photos for reference - to start the next day.  This is one of those scenes!  Some of my favorite things are in this one - one of Mom's china teacups from the set she gave us on our wedding day, four favorite books, an antique dresser from my parents, beautiful old magnifying glass I found while on a trip with friends, and perhaps my favorite lamp in the house.  This chandelier makes me happy just to see it aglow in the kitchen and it was given to me by one of my favorite people!  It casts the most beautiful, warm light - and I've tried to capture it here.  I'm working late this evening - after a day of family fun - sledding with the kids and grandkids, followed by dinner out.  No stress getting this done, though.  The huge amount of snow has cancelled all of our activities across the board - leaving me extra time for painting - and sledding!  This is the 51st painting in a row - and I'm really enjoying the paint time this evening :)

Winter Reflections

Winter Reflections
Oil on panel, 6x8

Another "snow day" and my schedule has once again been freed up until evening!  Oh, it is such a luxury to finish my housework at a leisurely pace before sitting down to paint.  It is like an easy unfolding of the day, instead of a very disciplined and strict schedule.  I much prefer this pace!  Today, I am painting the snow by the still pond - pushing the warmth in the sky.  The peaceful landscape is so restorative after a hectic week.  Painting in the natural light is much better than painting into the wee hours.  Often times, what I have finished at night will need a little adjusting when viewed in the daylight.  With a busy weekend ahead, I am working small on this one.  I want to start a complicated interior scene later today - and I will need extra time for it!  This painting makes 50 paintings in a row - I can't believe I've made it this far :)

Snow on the Farm

Snow on the Farm
Oil on panel, 12x9

With our heavy snowfall today, I am painting snow!  The best part of this winter storm is that my very full schedule for the day was magically cleared - allowing me time to paint!  This little farm is off the Portage River between Elmore and Woodville, in Ohio.  When I was there for my Dad's surgery last year, we drove by this farm almost every day.  There are SO many lovely barns and farmhouses through Indiana and Ohio!  This is the 49th painting in a row - and now, I hope to get a head start on tomorrow.  I much prefer to be a day ahead :)

On the Lookout

On the Lookout
Oil on panel, 9x12

At about 8:30 tonight, I thought the day had come when I was not going to get a painting finished.  I was bone tired after a day full of grandchildren, running my kids to and from events after school, finishing with a parent's meeting at the the 9th grade center.  When I arrived home, all  wanted to do was collapse.  And I did....for 5 minutes.  I looked at the portrait I had started early in the day.  Ten minutes of painting, and hour away.  15 minutes back at it, 2 hours away - finally throwing in the towel by 2:30. When I returned to it, I gave it another look.  The "bones" were good, so much of the "thinking" work was done.  So, I put on my headphones, turned the ipod to very relaxing meditation music, and just started painting.  I even painted quite a bit of it upside down - to help me see the values without thinking about the specifics.  For, now, I am letting this rest.  I may very well go in tomorrow and make a few adjustments, but at this point - I am just happy to have it finished.  Just a few minutes under the wire........this is my 48th painting in a row.

Old Augusta Barn

Old Augusta Barn
Oil on panel, 10x8

As spring nears, I am thinking ahead to the plein air event in Augusta.  This is one of my very favorite places to paint.  The rolling hills and the numerous vintage buildings and barns offer the artist SO many painting opportunities.  The many area wineries are also picturesque - with the added attraction of their fabulous wines!  I painted this one from photo reference.  It is my second time to paint it, the first was done in acrylic years ago, with a warmer temperature to the painting.  Counting the days until I paint on location..........this is my 47th painting in a row.

Shadows Across the Creek

Shadows Across the Creek
oil on panel, 11x14

I just finished this one up from the Missouri Valley Impressionist paint out yesterday at the Jesse James Farm.  I had this one roughly blocked in yesterday, and then left it on my easel for a tour of the historic house!  The long shadows cutting across this creek and up the bank on the other side called out for me to paint them.  The tree roots were twisted and tangled, dropping into the still water of the creek.  This little stream is on the way up the path to the original farmhouse.  I started with the background, working forward.  I used one of my new palette knives on the foreground tree bark and in the grassy areas to add depth and interest.  It is always fun to play with new tools!  It was so enjoyable to paint in the warm sunshine, on a beautiful day in February......I'll remember it fondly on Thursday when the ice and snow arrives!  This is painting #46 in a row :)

Jesse James Farm

Jesse James Farm
Oil on panel, 14x11

On Location

The Missouri Valley Impressionist's paint out for today was at the historic birthplace of Jesse James.  It was beautiful, so warm for a February day - 57 degrees when I packed up!  This is my first paint of the day - my second of the creek is only blocked in.  I stopped a little early to take the house tour!  I picked the distant view because I loved the lay of the land, and how the hills swept toward the house.  Can't you just imagine Jesse riding his horse along this trail to his house?  I'll try to finish the creek painting in a bit, and post it tomorrow.  This is my 45th painting in a row :)

A Dark Winter's Day

A Dark Winter's Day
Oil on panel, 10x8

I don't think I've painted a winter landscape like this for a month!  It is such a dark, overcast day - a cool light to capture a local creek.  I am painting small today, as I am squeezing this in between Michael's basketball game and dinner out with friends.  There was a dusting of snow on this morning, but it was gone before we got back home from the game.  It can be challenging sometimes to find the beauty on such a dreary day, and with a dry winter landscape.  So today, I explore the beauty in the browns, with just a little burnt sienna and green to set it off.  This is the 44th painting in a row :) 

White Wine and Flowers

White Wine and Flowers
Oil on panel, 11x14

Today was one of those days where it is absolutely a miracle that I could finish a painting.  I had the grandsons all day, the three year old whipping through here like a tornado - stirring up messes everywhere he went!  Once I had fed them lunch, got them settled in with lincoln logs, I set up my still life and started sketching out the piece.  I blocked in the values, in between the damage control, and even got the light in before having to walk away for hours.  When I was able to come back to it, it was now dark behind the set up, with the same warm lamp light from the front left.  I liked the change in lighting, so I started making the changes.  It would have been so much easier to leave it as it was, but you know how it is when you feel in your gut that the changes must be made.  I also had an old pair of scissors sketched in, but I decided against them.  This is one of my Grandma Frank's large Atlas canning jars and a small vintage pink wine glass, from a set, that my mom and I will drink from when we just want a little wine!  Day 43 on the painting trail :)

Roses and Royal Albert

Roses and Royal Albert
Oil on panel, 11x14

I absolutely adore roses - in the garden, in a vase, or on my china.  So, this Valentine's Day - I am painting roses!  I found the antique pitcher and Royal Albert teacup and saucer while antiquing, and the book is one of an old set of my favorite poetry collections.  It just makes me feel good to paint these little treasures - like I am in my own world for just a bit (interruptions and all).  I have only done a handful of florals ever - so this time spent was serious study time.  I am finding that roses are complicated and hard to paint!  That certainly means that I need more practice, and since the roses are not blooming this time of year - I will be buying roses to paint!  I feel like I am learning so much - so fast - by completing a painting every day.  There are no limits to subject matter, I only need to keep my sizes down.  I do need to sprinkle in some larger pieces, as I don't think I've painted larger than 12x16 since this painting challenge began!  This makes the 42st painting in a row - Happy Valentine's Day :)

Bessie's Peonies

Bessie's Peonies
Oil on panel, 12x9

I remember the day I helped dig the peony roots out of Grandma Bessie's garden, to transplant into my own.  She was always so generous with her flowers, always offering me starts of whatever she had.  She taught me so much about planting, tending and harvesting, how working in the earth with your hands was good for your soul.  Grandma is no longer with us, but every year, the countless flowers now in my garden bloom in profusion.  Each one bringing back happy memories of her.  This is the 41st day of painting each day.

Night Falls at Pisa

Night Falls at Pisa
Oil on panel, 14x11

The night falling and the pink sunlight illuminating these glorious buildings is what grabbed my attention.  With photo reference from a friend,  I mapped out the sketch of the main lines of the buildings.  Once the large areas of main color were down, I started to dot in with the many arches and windows.  I felt compelled to get the architecture right, although I started with "loose" in mind!  With most of the colors in place, I pulled down the reflections by lightly skimming the surface of the heavy dark paint below.  I would love to go paint this place on location!  This is 41 paintings in a row :)

Playing with Kitten

Playing with Kitten
Oil on panel, 12x9

Our little kitten Charlie is the most affectionate cat we've ever had!  He loves everyone - and he is very vocal, "talking" to us all the time.  The boys spend lots of time on the porch, playing with little Charlie.  That kitten never tires of their attention - and the trio is my subject for today.  This is done in oils, starting with the skin tones, and working out from there.  I debated on whether or not to put in the surrounding landscape.  Initially, I thought I would leave it out.  But, as I worked, I wanted the piece to be as truthful as possible, like the sweet memory.  This one makes 40 paintings in a row!

Pretty as the Peacock

Pretty as a Peacock
Oil on panel, 12x16

I have always wanted to paint these birds.  They are so majestic with their brilliant plumage!  It is a real challenge to do them justice with brushes and paints.  I first started with the features of the birds, before laying down any background.  I had to use four different reference photos to create the composition I wanted.  Sometimes, I just have the scene already composed in my mind - and I just need to find a little reference to back it up.......like feather color all in the right places.  I was able to get just the right color of blue with cobalt, and used my cad lemon yellow to make a green fit for his tail.  Once the birds were well underway, I started putting in heavy paint for the background - only hinting at the tree foliage behind them.  I thought this painting was finished three times - then I would see something else I wanted to change in the photo I took.  So, now, I am finally happy with where this painting rests.  This is the 39th painting in a row :)

June in Monet's Garden

June in Monet's Garden
Oil on panel, 14x18

I started this painting during the STEMS plein air event at the Overland Park Arboretum.  The day was hot and I had to set up under a small tree opposite this scene.  Another artist warned me of snakes so near the water - and not long after a very long snake swam across the lake toward this little inlet on the left!  I finished the sky and the water today, as well as cooling off many of the very warm tones I had painted in the heat.  I also widened the path to gently lead the eye more deeply into the painting.  In reality, the flowers are so dense - they divide the landscape in half, hardly showing the narrow path.  I barely got this 38th painting done under the wire!

Away in Dreamland

Away in Dreamland
Oil on panel, 12x9

My darling little grandson had fallen asleep while watching me paint - so I quickly snapped a few shots to use as reference.  I love his sweet little expression and the way he propped himself up on the pillows!  Whenever the little ones are over when I'm painting, I let them each load up a brush and lay down a few strokes on my panel.  Each is SO careful to put the paint where it should be!  I leave those strokes in place - as a lasting memory to their little hands at work.  This one makes 37 paintings in a row :)

A Taste of Europe

A Taste of Europe
Oil on panel, 8x10

This painting was started en plein air in acrylic, and finished today in oils.  The very geometric lines of the buildings drew me in - calling to be painted.  All of the different roof pitches and angles make for some fun and dramatic perspective!  This painting has become more of a portrayal of what I would do with the north side of the Longview Shelter Barn - adding window boxes and flowers to adorn the beautiful building.  Since we are beginning to plan a trip to Europe - these additions to add a little european flare were only natural!  Isn't artistic license great?  The thing I love best about painting every day, is getting up each morning, and just being able to paint whatever I feel like painting.  It is liberating and exhilarating, just a little piece of freedom in a very busy life.  I think this is called painting therapy!  So, this is the 36th day of completed paintings........and I guess that makes 36 days of therapy!

The Hoeft Wine Cellar

The Hoeft Wine Cellar
Oil on panel, 10x8

Augusta, Missouri is one of my favorite places to paint in plein air.  When I was there in the fall, I attended an event called "Swinging in the Vines".  Everyone takes a hay ride down to the Hoeft Vineyard, graciously hosted by the family and the Chamber of Commerce.  We then pick up our picnic baskets full of delights - and sit at hay bale tables while listening to the live band.  I was able to enjoy the best port wine I have ever tasted in this beautiful wine cellar.  The evening was amazing - and I'll remember it forever in this painting.  This makes 35 days of paintings :)

Longview Shelter Barn

Longview Shelter Barn
Oil on panel, 8x10

I started this painting at a Summit Art plein air paint-out at the Longview Farm, graciously hosted by David Gale.  The day was warm and sunny, and I was drawn to the way the light hit the south side of this grand barn.  At the time, I was using acrylics, and had completely underpainted this beautiful building.  Now that I am using primarily oils, I thought it the perfect time to go back to this piece and finish it.  I'm using a couple of new colors here, both by Terre Grezze D'Italia - antique green earth and the yellow earth.  I've used the yellow earth on several recent pieces - I like the color, which is warmer than yellow ochre.  I have never really liked yellow ochre, it is too dirty a shade for me.  The cool thing about these paints is that they are coarsely ground - and that texture shows in the strokes (especially good for earth and foliage).  I really want to work on buildings before the new plein air season gets busy in the spring.  Maybe, I'll reach the point where these buildings are easy!  34 paintings in a row........

30 Paintings in 30 Days Collage!

Here is the 30 in 30 Challenge Collage!

This challenge was SO much fun - and such a learning experience!  This commitment had me pushing into new frontiers of painting - and fine tuning my schedule to make time to finish a painting EVERY day!  It has been very motivating to see all the artwork posted each day by fellow artists - and the support within the whole community has been wonderful and SO inspiring!  What a way to jump start the new year!

Guitarist

Guitarist
Oil on panel, 11x14

We went to see the band Tailspin play in Martin City on Saturday night with friends.  This guitarist, Noel,  plays in the band.  I love the way the light illuminated the guitar and his shirt.  Now that I am painting figures - no one is safe.  I see paintings everywhere I look........another bonus of painting every day.  It is as if I am now conditioned to see all things in a new way.  So fun and pretty challenging to explore these new compositions!  I underpainted this panel in a dark wash before beginning to lay down the lights.  Once I had the figure the way I wanted it, I went into the background with bold paint - just picking up the spots of color in the dark.  Super fun.  I really do like working with such dark colors - like night scenes.  I may just paint a couple more from this night a little later.  This makes 33 days of paintings.......

Independence Square

Independence Square
Oil on panel, 14x11

MVIS Paint-Out

Yesterday was a beautiful day for plein air painting and this is my piece from yesterday's MVIS Paint-Out in Independence.  The wise approach here would have been one doorway, one building, or one window......as you can see, I painted every building on the street!  My first daytime street scene - and of course I bite off more than I can chew.  I see things that I want to "loosen" up a bit - but I am posting for now.  I will let this one rest a day or two - and then go in and reevaluate.  I think this one made day 32 on the daily paintings - and I am painting a member of the band we saw last night for today's painting.........

Finding the Music

Finding the Music
Oil on panel, 12x9

So the 30 day painting challenge is over, and I can now take a break.  But the routine of the last 30 days is still with me.  I waited until late in the day to start this one, but I still had to paint it.  I have only started to do figure painting - and I really want to explore every avenue in this new genre.  It is also very appealing to capture with paint some of our daily family memories.  You know, the small stuff.  It could be like a painting journal of our lives together.  This is my oldest daughter - and I had to sneak up behind her to take the photo reference for this painting! This makes 31 paintings in a row :)