Poinsettia

Poinsettia
Oil on panel, 6x6
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

With the long holiday weekend, I fully expected to get so much done to get ready for my upcoming show.  Silly me, I don't know what I was thinking!  Each day has been so full of family activities, I have barely been able to keep up with my daily commitments. I always wake early, and after finishing a few chores, I was able to complete this before heading out to a family get together.  Arriving home with only enough time to turn around and head out again - this time to the Hunger Games movie - "Catching Fire".  Only now, am I getting to the posting.  I have switched gears today, zooming in on those gorgeous flowers of the season - poinsettias!  Painting number 328 in as many days.  I had better get up really early tomorrow, just to catch up on my work!

Winter in the Woods

Back in the Woods
Oil on panel, 8x6
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

The woods are a magical place.  When I was little, my brother, cousins and I would go exploring in the woods.  It seemed like they were so far from the house.  I would look back at the house from the next hill, just to see how funny and small it looked.  It was such a fun adventure.  We called this creek "the wash".  Sometimes, there was only a trickle of water, and in some places there were little pools.  It is so still and quiet in there, a perfect place for reflection.  This is the western side of the woods, towards the back. Painting number 327 in 327 days, and now back to framing :)

Creekside Winter Morning

Creekside Winter Morning
Oil on panel, 6x8
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!  On this day full of family, friends, and celebrating with lavish meals - I am painting early!  I often have trouble sleeping, so I popped up early to get a start on those things that need to be finished.  Food prepared, housework done, painting finished, workout next (out of order today but I can't miss it with SO MANY desserts on the horizon) and then a little framing before heading over to Mike's parent's home.  It is such a wonderful treat to not have to host Thanksgiving this year - I am going to enjoy this day fully!  Painting number 326 in 326 days :)

Winter Sunset by the Pond

In a day plum full of activities, I am squeezing in this little winter landscape.  Playing with the sunset color, and pushing cool and warm against each other, I work out the details of this wintry scene.  Many things are on my mind, and I am having a hard time focusing.  One salad made, a favorite dessert yet to be started - "death by chocolate" - and all that framing that I really needs to get done for next week.....and yet, I take this time to paint.  I may well be up into the wee hours tonight, but at least I have finished this painting at a timely hour!  Painting number 325 in 325 days - and tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!  Oh, when will I have time to paint tomorrow?

Winter Sunset by the Pond
Oil on panel, 6x6

Forgotten in the Snow

Forgotten in the Snow
Oil on panel, 10x8
Rural Cass County

I started off this morning by giving myself a one hour painting time limit.  I watched that time pass.  Only 30 more minutes.....I tell myself.  That, too, slipped away.  Oh well, who needs time limits?  I'll get to that housework when I'm done!  With an impromptu party now fours away, it is time to get those other things done - and walk away from my easel.  Sometimes that is SO hard to do!  This painting site is just a couple miles from my house in rural Cass County - another find while out scouting with my parents in the snow.  Painting number 324 in as many days :)

Under the Hedge Tree

Under the Hedge Tree
Oil on panel, 10x8
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

While my parents were still here on Christmas holiday last year, we had  a beautiful snow.  We jumped in their van, and started driving the country roads, looking for great shots.  They both love photography, and I am always looking for new painting reference!  This farm is not far, and I love these big old hedgeapple trees!  Many were planted all through Missouri as windbreaks after the dust bowl years, and our farm is full of them along the north boundary.  I should be painting simple landscapes at this point, as my schedule is getting very crowded.....but I find I'm painting more complicated and difficult subject matter every day - painting number 323 in as many days.

Sleigh Ride

Sleigh Ride
Oil on canvas, 10x8
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

After a full day of visiting with family in from Australia, tonight finds me painting in a vintage theme.  I have never painted a horse-drawn sleigh before, so this is my first attempt, possibly a Christmas card candidate!  I am really playing with the grays here, pushing a little prussian blue in with a little violet.  I will need to take another photo, as the blues do not appear as strong as they are in the night lighting.  I have discovered that I do not like using the palette knife on canvas - the wood panels accept the knife marks so much better, without all of the skipping off the tops of the canvas tooth.  Painting number 322 in 322 days.

Winter Train - Engine 1632

Winter Train - Engine 1632
Oil on panel, 14x11
Frisco 1632 - Belton, MO - Depot
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

With a larger painting window today, I really should have painted 2 small paintings.  But, alas, I wanted to paint this train today, which called for a larger panel.  Dated to 1918, this Engine 1632 now resides in Belton, Missouri with assorted others near our old depot. My father and both grandsons love trains, and my maternal grandfather worked most of his life at the Roundhouse for the railroad in Kansas City, Missouri.  Many years ago, I drew one in graphite, perhaps another in pastel, and decided it was time to put a few down in oil.  Putting this one on the tracks in a winter landscape suited my inspiration for today.  Painting number 321 in 321 days.

Lamplight in the Park

Lamplight in the Park
Oil on panel, 8x6
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show
sold

After spending hours on finishing up Jury Committee business, I finally found a window to start painting.  It is very hard to finish what I should, before jumping into what I want to do!  With this painting, I am working with my nocturne colors and the snow, pushing one color while pulling another.  I also used my palette knife throughout - even though the small size of the panel made this a bit challenging.  I barely had time to finish this before I have to run another errand, bake some cookies and head off to the Holiday Show Reception at GOTart Gallery on 3rd St. in Lee's Summit.  Painting number 320 in 320 days :)

Horses in the Snow

Horses in the Snow
Oil over acrylic on panel, 8x6

Today has been dark and dreary - rainy and getting colder.  I just love to settle in with my paints and paint the day away in this kind of weather - but, alas, so many other duties called.  My obligations fulfilled, returning to my easel, I found myself putting this dark mood into my painting.  I am playing with the colors a bit, pushing into the blue-violet for my darks.  It was hard for me to get a good image on such a dark day, so I will have to take another photo tomorrow - with better light - I hope!  Off to the Parkville in Art Reception and Auction at the Kansas City Art Institute - painting number 319 in as many days :)

Snowy Path at Night

Snowy Path at Night
Oil on panel, 6x6

It was so fun painting the nocturne the other night, so I woke up wanting to start another.  I planned this painting early, had drawn it out with a pastel stick, and even painted the night sky and some of the background trees.  Then, all the events of the day crept in, keeping me away from my easel all day.  It is SO hard to get up and walk away from a painting!  I was almost late to a meeting yesterday, because I just could not pull myself away!  Arriving home much later, I painted into the foreground, almost finishing, but had to stop to leave the house again.  After so many starts and stops, I think this one is finished, but it is hard to tell - my momentum being lost along the way.  I must paint early tomorrow to avoid this very thing!  Painting number 318 in 318 days.

Sunset in Winter

Sunset in Winter
Oil on panel, 6x6
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

I found myself grabbing little snippets for time to work in this painting today.  I am exploring the different colors of light, and the way it reflects off the snow this week.  Playing with the cloud formations a bit, and topping off with just the palette knife gave more texture into those trees and snow highlights.  I think I'll try doing a strictly palette knife winter scene tomorrow!  Painting number 317 in as many days, now I have to rush off to run some more errands!

Lamplight on the Snow

Lamplight on the Snow
Oil on panel, 6x6
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

It has been a long time since I have painted a nocturne - I forgot how much I love it!  The sky was not yet completely dark, with still a twilight glow at the horizon.  This scene drew me in with the yellow lamplight shining over the snow.  The cool shadows darted in and out, reflecting off the snow.  For this painting, I have used prussian blue, instead of my  usual ultramarine.  I have only started to use this color, and it is so fun to experiment!  This will be another painting at GOT Art at the show on December 5th.  I will be working non-stop to get as many winter scenes done before that date - so wish me luck!  Painting number 316 in as many days :)

The San Juan in Pagosa Springs

The San Juan in Pagosa Springs
oil on panel, 6x6
Colorado
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

This painting seemed to take me forever to finish today!  I started the line drawing this morning, before going to A birthday brunch.  Hours later, I returned home to finish the housework - so I could then feel free to paint.  I start my painting, then am called on for a little grandson watching - which of course, I want to do!  Start, stop, start, stop...the method of my madness today, until - just now - I am finished.  I intended to use my palette knife, but I just couldn't get in the zone - so I forgot.  I ended up using my "stick" brush for so much of this, as I worked to define trees and mountains - trying to capture all the colors in their appropriate places.  I also intended to lay down some snow, but was so distracted that I forgot.  So, I guess you could say this painting found it's own way to completion, getting very little leadership from me!  Painting number 315 in 315 days.  And I thought I would get another 5 paintings framed today - ha!

Winter River through the Pines

Winter River through the Pines
Oil on panel, 6x6
Colorado
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

Almost always, while I am painting, I have this little voice that says, "Stop painting, you're done." Not so with this one.  I'm not sure if I am finished, in fact it is quite likely I'll return to it tomorrow after looking at it with fresh eyes.  I will also take a daylight photo, for this one shows more yellow than it actually is.  This is another painting I am doing before the 6x6 show deadline, and to add to my upcoming Holiday Show at GOT Art Gallery on 3rd St, in Lee's Summit.  As well as working on new Christmas card paintings, I will have a selection of small paintings just right for the holidays - as many as I can get painted between now and then!  Painting number 314 in 314 days :)

Snow on the San Juan River

Snow on the San Juan River
Oil on panel, 6x6
Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

As we left Pagosa Springs, we were in a bit of a hurry.  The word was out that snow was expected, and the pass would soon be closed.  On the south side, the sun was out and illuminating the San Juan National Forest as we started through the pass.  About a third the way through, all became very overcast and the skies were spitting snow.  The farther we drove, the snow was accumulating on the roads, making them quite slick.  It also started blanketing the forest floor and one side of the trees, making a winter wonderland on the green grasses and foliage.  Snapping all the way, I was able to get some great reference to work from.  So, my Christmas painting begins with the 313th painting in as many days, and a lot of palette knife work :)

Autumn Walk by the Water

Autumn Walk by the Water

After priming the other 21 panels I had waiting, I was able to paint today what I had intended for yesterday.  I started with my pumpkin underpainting, brushing on the block in colors, then finishing with quite a bit of palette knife with the small rounded tip of an angled one.  Since this is only 6 inches by 6 inches, I needed to use mainly this small tip - the full knife being too large in most areas.  I will check out some new sizes when I am next at the art supply store.  I left the clouds more diffused in this landscape, not to detract from the autumn colors and texture.  I will have family in town for three weeks at Christmas, and I will need to start painting 2 a day to prepare for those busy days!  Painting number 312 in as many days :)

Autumn at the Little Pond

Autumn at the Little Pond
oil on canvas panel, 7x5

I had so much trouble deciding what to paint today!  I need to be working on winter paintings for my Christmas cards, also on smaller works for an upcoming show, and I spent too much time pouring over reference photos!  When I finally decided on a composition in a square format, I realized I had not yet primed the square panels!  In desperation, I had resorted to some ready made canvas panels and had primed about a dozen of them yesterday.  Just not the size I wanted!  So, there was nothing for me to do but choose another subject to fit on what I had.  I hope to get the other 15 or so panels primed today, as I need more 6x6 sizes to choose from for the Randy Higbee Show.  I do like the pop of the colors on this one, and I primed this last batch in pumpkin orange!  So, that color sneaks through here and there!  I am feeling so creative lately, it has been hard to focus on just one thing at a time!  Painting number 311 in as many days.  Maybe I'll get to that square painting tomorrow.....

Glow at Chimney Rock

Glow at Chimney Rock
Oil on panel, 6x6
Colorado

While in Colorado, we took a side trip over to Durango.  Not far outside of Pagosa Springs, this beautiful monument is on the San Juan National Forest land.  Chimney Rock was the ancestral home to the Peublo people 1000 years ago.  The rock formation is spiritually important to them, their ancestors using the rock to view "lunar standstills" between the two pillars of the rock, occurring every 18.6 years.  Still working on capturing clouds in all their glory, I am working on the sunset glow today.  I am using my artistic license on the lighting, as my reference photos were taken during dismal light.  This painting makes 310 in 310 days, and I wish I could paint all day.....but I have commissions, and paintings to get ready for a couple of shows.....so back to work I go :)

Cabin in the San Juan Mountains

Cabin in the San Juan Mountains
Oil on panel, 6x6
San Juan Mountain Range, Colorado

Trying to get some 6x6's painted for the upcoming Randy Higbee Show, I found myself pouring through photos, looking for a composition that would "wow" in the small, square format.  I found the reference photos I took while on my way back from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and decided these would make wonderful subject matter.  The San Juan Mountain range is so beautiful, and the clouds changed constantly - swiftly moving across the sky.  I was able to snap such a wide variety of cloudscapes, and I am only now beginning to appreciate them.  I think the key to making these clouds work, is simply trying to see all of the colors they contain.  They are so much more than white.  Painting number 309 in 309 days :)

Clouds Over Maumee Bay

Clouds Over Maumee Bay
Oil on panel, 6x6
Maumee Bay, Ohio

Each summer, my family vacations near Lake Erie, meeting my brother and his family as we join with our parents.  We love to go to the beaches around Lake Erie, swimming, riding the jet skis, and the kids burying each other in the sand!  On one of those afternoons, this beautiful cloud bank pushed in from the south, and I was able to snap a few photos.  The rhythmic sound of the waves and soaking in the sun with nothing to do - is so relaxing!  Perhaps next year, I will take my paints and capture Lake Erie's beauty en plein air.  Only my second cloud painting all year, this is painting number 308 in as many days.  Now back to yard work!

Glory in the Sky

Glory in the Sky
Oil on panel, 6x6
sold

I spent the entire day working in the yard, getting the many flower beds ready for winter, and even transplanting a couple of plum trees to the orchard.  After so much hard manual labor, I was left at a bit of a loss when it came to selecting subject matter for tonight's painting.  I had planned to paint our windmill, with the yellow fall foliage of the maples which are crowding it, but it just didn't appeal to me.  As I looked through my many reference photos, it occurred to me that in the last 306 paintings I have painted, not one has been a cloudscape.  In fact, I think cloud painting is very difficult with all the subtle color changes within the clouds.  But tonight, I thought, why not try it?  What do I have to lose?  So, here I have painted a glorious sky using a couple of my recent additions to my palette - manganese and prussian blues, along with my old favorite - ultramarine.  It was fun using them all to create depth in the sky - and challenging!  I was able to finish this small one in an hour, and have another 6x6 to choose from for the Randy Higbee Show coming up soon.  Painting number 307 in as many days.

West Pasture in Autumn

West Pasture in Autumn
Oil on panel, 10x8
"Looking Out My Front Door" Contest

I am again painting from my front yard today.  My Grandma Frank planted this pin oak around the time my Uncle Brian was in the service, some 50 odd years ago.  They planted two of them, and this is the southern one in the yard, just loaded with color.  Looking out past this oak, is the western pasture.  From the time of my childhood, we always called those trees in the distance "the woods", and they were the beginning of many adventures.  Through the gate in the foreground, the cattle walked up to the front pond every afternoon from the back pasture.  This place is rich in history and so full of memories.  I wonder if I can ever capture all of it's beauty in paint.  Painting number 306 in 306 days.

Autumn Pin Oak

Autumn Pin Oak
Oil on panel, 8x10
"Looking Out My Front Door" Contest

When I read about the "Looking Out My Front Door" contest, I went out in search of the perfect composition.  Wishing I had 200 feet from the door to work with, I instead had to stick with the 50 given as the rule.  This pin oak is one of a dozen we bought and planted 25 years ago.  These beauties have grown straight as arrows, and their colors vary from gold to red this autumn season.  This one is at the southwest corner of the front yard, backed right up against the south pasture.  Today, I am letting loose with the impressionistic strokes - first with brushes, following with my new friend, the palette knife. The paint is thick and juicy on this one - and it is so fun to apply it with such reckless abandon!  This day was another start and stop painting day - oh how I wish I could start and finish at one sitting!  This is painting number 305 in 305 days.  I may just paint the grand old oak that my grandma planted tomorrow - now THAT is one glorious oak!

Milk Barn in Autumn

Milk Barn in Autumn
Oil on panel, 12x6
"Looking Out My Front Door" Contest

While trying to decide what to paint today, an artist friend of mine posted an online contest challenge - "Looking Out My Front Door".  The main rule is the view must be from within 50 feet of the front door, anything visible from there.  I have been wanting to paint the milk barn with the fall foliage, so that is my first view.  There are two others that were amazing today with the heavily overcast sky and red pin oaks in the foreground - so I may well do them tomorrow.  This is the first day in a week that I could actually have a little quiet time - where I could be the boss of my time, no other commitments until 3:45.....and then I was constantly on the road as the "taxi driver" until just now.  I sure need to get some more panels ready - maybe I can get those done by the weekend.....painting number 304 in 304 days.  The leaves are dropping quickly now, I hope I can capture all of their beauty before they all hit the ground!

Autumn Footbridge

Autumn Footbridge
Oil on panel, 5x6

This was such a busy day!  Up by 4:15 to catch an early bus for a KU Engineering field trip with Michael.  Spent most of the day there, coming home briefly between basketball try-outs and picking up Michaela from working on a school project.  Started this painting, then class until 9:00.  Back to finish this painting, and get it posted.  I am so tired, it feels more like midnight than 10:00!  Another rainy day, another rainy painting - number 303 in 303 days :)

Misty Autumn Morning

Misty Autumn Morning

The rain is headed our way, and a chill is in the air.  Today I am capturing the changing leaves as they cling to the trees - before the rain blows them to the ground.  The fall colors are reflected in the water, lending a very peaceful, tranquil mood to the landscape.  If only I could linger in this quiet place.  But, once again, I have a busy night ahead, so will need to make this quick.  This is painting number 302 in as many days, now I'm off to pick up Michael from school and get him a sports physical for basketball :)

Autumn in the Pasture

Autumn in the Pasture
Oil on panel, 6x5

This has turned out to be one of those days where my painting window just never materialized.  So today, I find myself painting at the eleventh hour, instead of sleeping!  This is a quick little 45 minute painting of the pasture showing off a bit of fall color, starting with brushwork and finishing with palette knife.  I am so tired that I almost dipped my brush into my hot tea to clean it off!  Yikes!  Time to get to bed!  Painting number 301 in as many days :)

Autumn Road

Autumn Road
Oil on panel, 6x6
Lake Quivira

The autumn colors are absolutely glorious this year!  I can't remember a more colorful season - and lucky for me that I am in the throws of daily painting, where I have ample opportunity to capture as much as I can!  This is painted from photo reference I took out at Lake Quivira last weekend.  Again, I have started with brushwork, ending with palette knife - trying to enhance the depth and foreground texture.  I find that I am running out of panels to paint on once again - I must very soon get some more cut!  I want to try a different priming technique where I use a roller to lay on the gesso and the underpainting, maybe trying some wild and crazy underpainting colors.........!  This is painting number 300 in 300 days - woo-hoo! Wow.  I can't believe I found time to paint 300 days in a row.  Simply a miracle :)

November Morning

November Morning
Oil on panel, 8x6

I had a wonderful time at the Nelson Atkins Museum earlier!  I went with a friend to see the Impressionists of France exhibit - and it is amazing!  It is quite an education to be face to face with their brush work and color choices!  Arriving home with just a small window before heading out with high school friends tonight, I must paint a small and quick one.  Today finds me in the mood for soft, quiet colors and a gentle landscape.  I pulled out a heavily textured surface - which I soon discovered was not a good candidate for the palette knife!  I have mainly used a brush here, with a little palette knife for topping off foliage.  I have so many creeks close by - I am lucky to have the reference matter so close!  This is painting number 299 in 299 days.....almost 300 :)