Union Station Magic

 

There is nothing like painting Union Station during the holidays.  Families visit for photos by the giant tree, as travelers arrive and leave by train, pausing to gaze at it's beauty.  Many breakfast and lunch here - us included - then attend the various exhibits or Science City.  While sipping hot tea, I visit with Mom and artist friends as I paint, and my painting unfolds effortlessly.  A girl from my pilates class stops by to say "hi", and we go about our day.  These little moments spent here in this grand place, are what life is made of.  I'm so lucky to get to do this every single day.  Painting number 4409 in 4409 days. 

Walkers

It is so fun to capture this sculpture in pen and ink.  There are SO many things to paint at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and I've been wanting to paint these walkers since I first saw them here.  The strong morning light is perfect for great shadows, and ink is my medium of choice for this.  The black and white defines the space so well, and there is no need for sky or foliage color on this one.  Kansas City is full of amazing places to paint - and I'm so lucky to get to paint here on a regular basis!  Painting number 4408 in 4408 days. 

Union Station Christmas

 

I LOVED painting the holiday magic at Union Station Kansas City today!  It is so fun to share this special place with my mom and artist friends, capturing the nostalgic decor.  Working on my Christmas cards designs, this giant tree is regal is this rich setting. With ink and watercolor, I sketch and paint, until the scene emerges.  It's fun to enjoy this place with a hot cup of tea and friends, visiting as we paint. It's a wonderful way to ring in the holidays, sharing lunch at the Harvey House afterwards.  I'm so thankful for artist friends to paint with and my Mom to shop and spend the day with!  Painting number 4407 in 4407 days. 

Lights on 47th St

 

I LOVE capturing the Christmas magic of the Country Club Plaza on 47th Street, in ink and watercolor.  I've long done nocturnes in oil, but have only started using my watercolors.  My intention was to start with watercolor and finish in gouache, but I've yet to use my gouache!  I even think it would be far easier to get the intensity I need with gouache, and yet I hesitate.  I'm so comfortable with my normal methods, I find myself leaning on them in the field, rather than jumping into something new.  I will make it a point to do so this week!  No reason to sit in my box when there are methods to explore!  Painting number 4406 in 4406 days. 

Hay Bales

I'm having a little fun with fountain pen ink today in the pasture - do you see who's on watch just behind the tall grass?  I wish he'd been standing there while I was painting - he would be the perfect addition to the scene!  I'm using Diamine fountain pen inks from last year's Inkvent Calendar, Candlelight, Winter Spice and Yuletide, with the tiniest bit of Wonderland added. This is a miniature paper - 4x3 roughly, 140lb cold pressed, and is well suited for this ink work.  The girls were out today and the little ones made ornaments, Mom stopped by and Michael had a friend over to work on a project, all as Mike was working on our septic tank, which decided to cave in!  So, this little sliver of time is my sanity break with the great outdoors!  I do miss all that fresh air when duties keep me inside.  Painting number 4405 in 4405 days. 

Nichols and Broadway

It was magical to walk down Nichols after the lighting ceremony, and only see pedestrians!  Normally bustling with cars - this is a once a year view on the Country Club Plaza.  We try to make a trip here every holiday season, but this is my first time to be right by the stage for all the festivities.  So magical, I wonder why we're not down here every year for the lighting!  This may just become a new tradition - and there are so many other places I want to paint!  Painting number 4404 in 4404 days. 

Lights on Broadway

 

Guess who's painting the Plaza Lighting Ceremony live tomorrow night?!!  I'm so excited and honored to be commissioned for this very special Kansas City tradition!  I have such fond memories of times spent with family, enjoying the Christmas lights on the Country Club Plaza, and now I'm going to capture the event live with paint!  I can hardly wait - losing sleep, even - already painting those paintings in my head!  I will be starting my Thanksgiving at the Gobble Trot 5K with my daughters, rushing home for our family gathering, then rushing off to the Plaza for an unforgettable night!  It's going to be an amazing day!  Painting number 4402 in 4402 days. 

Nelson-Atkins Shuttlecock

 

It was super fun to paint an iconic shuttlecock by the pool at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art!! Even better- I painted this while enjoying a hot Matcha Latte in their coffee shop!  Arriving early to meet artist friends here, I decided to paint this first thing!  I've enjoyed seeing these shuttlecocks on the lawn since I was a child - and it's high time I sketch them!  With ink and watercolor, I capture the scene.  I often self edit the scene as I work, not even conscious that I do it.  I left out an entire building on this - and didn't even realize it until I looked at this photo, lol.  Funny how differently my mind sees things sometimes!  Painting number 4401 in 4401 days. 

Rozelle Court

I love meeting artist friends on Mondays for a little sketch time and lunch!  Wanting to use my ink and watercolor, there are only a few places inside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to do so.  One of them is Rozelle Court, the terrace cafe where lunch is served, complete with the fountain.  I love the complicated architecture, with columns and arches to up the drama in this historic interior.  Added bonus - a delicious lunch is my reward!  Painting number 4400 in 4400 days.

Autumn Home

I love how those oaks hang on to their autumn color!  My grandma planted them all 5 decades ago, two giant pin oaks when my uncle went into the service, and the foreground live oak that she babied for years.  As children, we needed to be careful around it, and now it spreads and is glorious in it's growth.  I am again using Diamine fountain pen inks, Candlelight, Wonderland, Yuletide and Winter Spice.  That foreground green is Yuletide (turquoise) bleeding up into Candlelight. So cool. I wonder what else they can do! Today, I'm thankful for a glorious afternoon to paint after a 5K with the girls!  Painting number 4399 in 4399 days. 

Autumn Bales

 I LOVE exploring Diamine fountain pen inks in the pasture, and discovering just what they can do!  I am using 3 from the Inkvent 2021 calendar, Candlelight, Winter Spice, Stargazer Blue and a tiny bit of Wonderland.  These inks are so chromatic that most of the color variations happen as they bleed into the water already brushed on.  Blotting helps control the masses, and I did use a rigger for some application.  In the beginning, I used droppers only - leaving much to chance!  Every painting is a lesson - and this one certainly taught me a few things!  Looking forward to many more!  Painting number 4398 in 4398 days. 

Pumpkins in Fountain Pen Ink

Now that I'm home from so much plein air painting in the road - that creative bug keeps biting me!  There are many mediums I enjoy, though I mainly use a few on the road.  So, this is my chance to play and explore!  I've done a few of these in the field, but I feel like I need a lot more time to see what they can do.  This one is 5x7, but I think I'll do a bunch in a smaller size, focusing more on the mingling of color and controlling the values. I love dropping more ink into the wet areas - they move and spread at will. I hope to get a lot of painting time in this fall!  Painting number 4397 in 4397 days. 

Christmas Tree in Metal

 

Surprise! I'm working in copper tonight - and I LOVE how it bends to my will! When my plein air schedule winds down, it is lovely to pick up some old friends (neglected art supplies) and play a bit.  I will be making a few of these small copper artworks for Music Art Love in Sainte Genevieve, with a focus on the local icons.  This will be the first gallery to carry this work - and I can't wait to deliver it in March!  Spreading my wings in the is the very best part of not being on the road. Can't wait to see what all develops!  Artwork number 4396 in 4396 days. 

Family Tree Christmas

I can always count on the Family Tree Nursery to deliver Christmas cheer, right inside their doors!  So inspirational!  Meeting here with other artists, my Mom also joined us for a little Christmas shopping and a hot beverage!  Walking into a Christmas wonderland, I set right up to paint without scouting further.  With ink and watercolor, I sketched out this scene while holiday music wafted through the rooms.  I never decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving, but this place sure puts me in a mind to!  Painting number 4395 in 4395 days. 

First Snow on the Cedar

Today, I'm thankful for an early snow to paint - and I simply love painting our winter wonderland first thing in the morning! In fact, I skipped the gym to paint this alarmed by the dripping from my eves.  This gorgeous blanket of snow was destined to be short lived, with temperatures hovering above freezing, so I HAD to paint it while I could!  It was still snowing and rather dark when I started this painting, and only at the finish did the skies brighten up. I'm so glad I didn't wait to paint - this landscape was completely different just hours later.  Lovely gift to behold as I'm thinking ahead to Christmas cards!  Painting number 4394 in 4394 days 

Nutcracker Tree

I love painting the Christmas magic at Family Tree Nursery!  What a great way to kick off the holiday season - and how could I possibly resist the nutcracker tree?!!  With ink and watercolor I sketch out this lovely scene, as I listen to Christmas music wafting through the air.  Mom has joined me today, and is shopping with a Chai Latte in hand as I paint.  Though I don't deck the halls until after Thanksgiving, this place sure puts me in the Christmas mood!  What a lovely place to paint on a cold day - and they are so gracious to welcome us in to paint!  Painting number 4393 in 4393 days. 

Pumpkins ATC

Today, I am thankful for the pumpkins of fall - and the chance to get to paint them in between weekend family activities!  I am painting small at 3.5x2.5, ATC sized, with ink and watercolor on cotton handmade paper.  These quick sketches are perfect for a very busy day with no real painting window!  Painting number 4392 in 4392 days. 

505 E Washington

I'm so thankful to get to meet amazing people who welcome me so graciously into their homes for painting events.  Fairfield, Illinois is one of my favorite places to paint, and I've made so many friends here over the years!  With ink and watercolor, I sketch this sweet house in the heart of town.  I try to bring a special size paper and a special frame to leave for my hosts as a token of my appreciation.  Each host makes it possible for me to fully engage in painting while in town, allowing the magic to happen.  So many paintings wouldn't exist without them!  Painting number 4391 in 4391 days. 

Autumn Oaks Path

The oaks have really put on a show this year - despite the drought!  They were more orange-red than I can remember in the past, and the hues have only deepened.  I'm hoping to get a few more landscapes in before those leaves drop.  The 70s of yesterday have been replaced with 40s, so our long warm autumn has come to a close. It is the middle of November, after all! Painting number 4390 in 4390 days. 

Pumpkin and Gourds Batik

Watercolor Batik is such a rich and complex medium to work with.  Many layers, beginning with an initial ink drawing and watercolor in the field, grows into a painting that takes on a life of it's own.  With tender care and selection on the layers, something special emerges.  I'm looking forward to a deep dive here this winter.  Painting number 4389 in 4389 days. 

Lost Valley Lake Bridge

 

The warm autumn days are numbered, and today I'm thankful for another one!  Our temps are expected to drop as low as 20 by the weekend so I'm soaking in every minute before.  We've had such a lovely autumn, I want it to last forever.  So, I paint the beauty while it's still before me, and I'll embrace lovely winter when it comes.  Painting number 4388 in 4388 days. 

Red Oak Valley Bridge

Today, I'm thankful for the wonderful iron bridges I find, begging me to paint!  Exploring a new place is such an adventure for this artist! Around each bend is a new delight, something I've never laid eyes on before, drawing me in for a closer look.  I'm never as observant as when I'm painting, seeing every color shift, light and shadow as it unfolds live before my easel.  We have a conversation, the landscape and I, she whispers with the breeze and trickling water, as I answer with my brush.  These moments are sacred, and I'm the only one here to capture the beauty. Too soon the painting is done, and I pack up and climb out of this creek bed, possibly never to return.  I'm thankful for this day. Painting number 4387 in 4387 days. 

Autumn Creek

I simply adore painting the autumn color while standing in a creek bed in Gasconade County!  I set up on rock slabs that are most likely under water in other years, making it even more special to get this chance!  Our current drought has not dampened color, in fact I think it has pushed the oaks towards a redder hue. Fall color is so fleeting, I must paint it while I can, and what a treat to have such warm, beautiful days to do it!  I sure do love this time of year!  Painting number 4386 in 4386 days. 

Pumpkin Nocturne Batik

I love exploring watercolor batik.  Every painting is a new experience.  The rice paper is so fragile, and varies greatly between sources, so I push forward carefully.  Using translucent watercolors, the layers add depth, each one rounding the planes of the pumpkin. Hot wax serves to prrserve the masses, allowing deeper color to surround them - which needs to dry without extra brushwork - or the rice will simply dissolve away.  The wrinkling, cracking, adding more color, and ironing the wax away, brings to life something special and unique, that could never be duplicated exactly.  So rewarding, I can't wait to start the process again. Painting number 4385 in 4385 days. 

Bequette-Ribault House

It is so fun to paint the historic Bequette-Ribault House in historic Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, and I'm doing it from the back side - looking out onto that lovely open land approaching the Mississippi River.  The early French construction make this house unique in America with three of the remaining five (if memory serves me) in the United States right here in Sainte Genevieve.  Standing back here, one can imagine we are far back in time, as all this seems unchanged.  Love to see these special places saved for future generations!  This painting is now available at the Antique Mall Ste Genevieve!  Painting number 4384 in 4384 days. 

Red Umbrella Morning

This is the morning view just outside of Mom's favorite room at the Main Street Inn in Sainte Genevieve.  I often paint before breakfast is served (and it is always amazing - one that I'll STOP PAINTING for, lol. And that speaks volumes - anyone who knows me, knows that I pick painting over food every time..... well, almost!  A sunny morning is glorious for spending some time here with a hot mug of tea or coffee, and it is my pleasure to paint the magic.  Love getting to paint such special places on my travels - and can't wait to return to paint AND stay here again!  Painting number 4383 in 4383 days. 

Autumn Cottage

 

Happy November!  Today I'm thankful for autumn color hanging on - so I can paint it still!!  Rarely are the leaves so beautiful into November, so I am taking advantage of it!  The Union Cemetery Historical Society is in this cottage in the grounds of the cemetery.. I had intended to paint some of the headstones in that setting, but my love of old houses took control of my brushes, and soon the focus was cottage and color.  I did include a few stones loosely rendered, to honor the place.  I hope for more lovely days like this - to capture the season in paint before those leaves fall!  Painting number 4382 in 4382 days.