Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Family Tree Umbrellas


 

It's a tropical getaway each time I sketch at Family Tree Nursery!  My first time back after renovations - I love what they've done here.  There were so many gorgeous things to paint inside, but I just HAD to spend my time in the greenhouse, soaking up warmth and humidity on this cold January day!  LOVE painting here!  Painting number 3679 in 3679 days and day 31 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Monday, January 30, 2023

Go CHIEFS


 

How 'bout those CHIEFS?!!! After a REAL nail biter of a game, I am now celebrating with a little metal work to bask in the victory, haha!  I'm working on a few metal gallery pieces, so of course, I needed to represent our home town boys!  I start with an engraved sketch of some of our gear.  I'll need to pick up some of the new stuff this week!  Flipping front to back, I work the areas to recess and push out, accordingly, adding some definition with acrylic and solvent.  This is a great warm up for the architecture to come.  Art piece number 3678 in 3678 days and day 30 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Memory Lane


 

I love using Diamine's Memory Lane ink for this miniature painting out by the barn!  It's a lovely red violet that washes with water and turns turquoise with a little bleach!  I think this ink will be lovely in the spring when blooms are lighting up the landscape!  Painting number 3677 in 3677 days and day 29 #stradaeasel challenge 😍🎨

Saturday, January 28, 2023

January Stream


What a gorgeous January day for a little plein air with ink by the stream!  With temps in the 50s - this day was a gift not to waste!  I am using just 3 Diamine inks from the 2022 Inkvent Calendar - Yulelog, Bliss, and Three Kings, with a tiny bit of One More Sleep for that cool violet blue in the water.  After floating in water, I drop in the ink, allowing it move and blotting where I need it to stop.  As one mass is drying, I work in another, careful to hold my painting level - or all masses will run south! It sure is fun to play with these bold colors - perhaps I'll add a few to my plein air line up! Painting number 3676 in 3676 days and day 28 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Friday, January 27, 2023

Boulevard Brewery


 

I love getting to sketch one of Kansas City's icons - the Boulevard Brewery! I've painted here multiple times through the years - and each time - it's changed and grown!  It seems like only yesterday that iconic stack towered above all else.  Well, now, . those giant tanks are multiplying!  Painting number 3675 in 3675 days, and day 27 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Chiefs Color at Union Station


 

Wet streets and Chief's color rock the Union Station after dark!  Today, I'm using Diamine inks and TWSBI fountain pens for this nocturne ink painting, Three Kings, Solar Storm, Cardinal, Spruce, and Yule Log.  All are from the Inkvent Calendar 2022.  I sketched the scene out with an India ink pen first then added the inkinto wet masses, allowing it to mingle.  That Solar Storm sure makes a wonderful night sky!  Hope to get one more done before the big game this weekend!  Painting number 3674 in 3674 days and day 26 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Snow at Yellow Barn


What fun to awake to a fresh blanket of snow!  But once again, our warm temperatures are melting it quickly!  When I heard the drip! drip! drip! From the eves - I knew time was of the essence!  All those branches were still coated with snow when I started this painting - and by it's finish, it has already melted!  Today, I am using Silent Night and Three Kings inks by Diamine.  Both are from the 22 Inkvent Calendar.  The icy cool blue makes for a wonderful winter landscape ink  - and I had to water down the yellow to make it match the barn color.  At full strength, it is very gold.  Love getting to see how these inks play together - and hope to have another snow soon!  Painting number 3673 in 3673 days and day 25 of the #stradaeasel painting challenge. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Winter Home


 

It is so much fun to mingle these fountain pen inks in the winter landscape!  I am getting a lot of milage out of the Inkvent Calendar I purchased for the holidays!  Here, I am using Ghost, Three Kings, and Dusted Truffle, and the chromatic shifts in those wet areas are pretty awesome.  It would be fun to use these for a series of the Country Club Plaza buildings, choosing perfect ink combinations for each.  So many ideas float around in my head!  I'm hoping for a lovely blanket of snow by morning, so I can escape into my winter wonderland for a spell!  Painting number 3672 in 3672 days and day 24 of the #stradaeasel painting challenge!

Monday, January 23, 2023

Boulevard Stack


It was a perfect afternoon to gather with artist friends and paint another beloved Kansas City icon - Boulevard Brewery!  I've painted this place a few times over the years, and each time, they've added structures!  It's amazing how this place grows, and for the first time, I've painted it from the top of the Brew House, looking west out of their bay of windows.  Very cushy January painting!  Painting number 3671 in 3671 days and day 23 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Frosted Barn


The snow was a gorgeous white blanket this morning when I rose from bed.  Though it was heavily overcast and spitting still, the eves of the house were dripping - my very first sign that time is short for this winter beauty!  After a few morning tasks were done, I headed into the melting landscape with a limited palette of ink.  I chose Diamine's Cardinal red, Ghost (a gray violet), and One More Sleep (a metal blue), all from the recent Inkvent Calendar.  I'm playing with these inks, picking three each day to complete a miniature ink painting, discovering how they mingle and move in the wet masses. I meant to take out a little bleach water pen, but I didn't, and I don't think I need it either.  Lovely chroma, and these three were perfect for this day! Painting number 3670 in 3670 days, and day 22 of the #stradaeasel challenge. If only the snow weren't melting faster than I could paint it!  

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Moon Cactus


 

This was a day full of family volunteering at our local robotic tournament, with lots of grandbaby time!  After watching another Chief's win, it was great to unwind with my ink collection.  Already dark, I chose to paint this little moon cactus, choosing Diamine's Flame ink for the "moon".  Best Wishes was my green with a little Olive Swirl for warmth.  I floated in Memory Lane pretty wet, and that mass moved in it's water as I continued to work.  All of these inks are from the Inkvent Calendar 2022, and I love getting to know them better!  Painting number 3669 in 3669 days and day 21 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Friday, January 20, 2023

January Creek


 

What a gorgeous January afternoon at the creek for playing with my new inks! Using three of my Diamine Inkvent Calendar inks - Three Kings (the yellow gold), Bliss (blue) and Dusted Truffle (brown).  It's fun to mingle them in the field, letting them flow at will.  It would have been helpful to have brought a cool blue or violet, so I'll try to do that next time.  I have a favorite blue violet that has gone missing - and is probably at the bottom of one of my bags!  I'm looking first to more fun with inks en plein air!  Painting number 3668 in 3668 days and day 20 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Cozy Up Amaryllis


 

I am using pen and ink for the last blooms on my amaryllis tonight - Diamine "Cozy Up" from the Inkvent Calendar.  I think this is my last ink to try from the collection, and it has been a beautiful run.  Now, I will have to decide which inks to add to my palette from so many beauties. Painting number 3667 in 3667 days and day 19 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Autumn Oaks


 

I love how those oaks hang on to their leaves deep into winter!  I am using several fountain pen inks on this miniature on the west side of the lawn, and love the bold color play! I think most of these inks are Diamine, and they sure do have since beauties to choose from!  Painting number 3666 in 3666 days and day 18 #stradaeasel challenge

Monday, January 16, 2023

Union Station KC


 

I LOVED sketching Union Station from the Link with Artist Friends today! The glass walkway between the Westin Crown Center and Union Station is a great place to paint views of the city.  I rarely get the chance to paint this building from the outside, so this was my first focus.  Also on my list is another street scene over Grand, and the Liberty Memorial World War 1 Museum.  I used ink and watercolor, adding fountain pen ink with a few special pens.  It was a great day for sketching and visiting in the community, with many families coming by on this holiday!   Painting number 3665 in 3665 days and day 17 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Young Bucks


It is super fun to sketch young deer at play, with three fountain pens loaded with different inks, adding water for flow within the masses!  I have an assortment of fountain pens that I loaded with some of the amazing Diamine inks from the 2021 Inkvent Calendar, and I took three with me - a blue, brown and yellow.  With these three inks, I sketched and added water to move the ink while I worked.  The deer had bolted before hardly any of their color was on,  but I always paint the animals first in a scene - as they often drift right out of sight! The sketch and color is loose - just like the quick moment I caught them at play! Painting number 3664 in 3664 days and day 16 of the current #stradaeasel challenge.

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Creek Upon the Stars


I'm playing with another Diamine ink by the creek today!  From the 2022 Inkvent Calendar, "Upon a Star" is a lovely blue ink that warms to turquoise when wet, and is a dark ultramarine in heavy areas.  I did not try bleach on this, I seem to forget that more than I remember in the field.  There are so many lovely blue inks, I'll have to compare them all side to side before deciding to load a fountain pen.  I do not like switching inks in pens, so my decisions are made to last, lol!  Painting number 3663 in 3663 days and day 15 of the #stradaeasel challenge.  Now, on to little Layne's 1st birthday party!  😍

Friday, January 13, 2023

Deck the Halls Creek


What a lovely ink to use down by the creek!  This rich plum shade by Diamine is gorgeous in the winter landscape!  "Deck the Halls" is one of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2022 inks, and a joy to use.  I can't wait to find other ways to use this ink, and it's a contender for it's own fountain pen in my collection!  Painting number 3662 in 3662 days and  day 14 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Baby Linens


 

It is so fun to find hidden little places to paint inside Glenwood Antique Mall! This wonderful booth is full of sweet tiny clothes, dishes and blankets, and that beautiful cabinet begged to be painted!  In ink and watercolor, I sketch out this interior, and come back in with a few fountain pens loaded with colored ink.  I love the memories such things bring back to me - days of baby kisses and hugs! Painting number 3661 in 3661 days and day 13 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Salon at KC Museum


Meeting at the Kansas City Museum with Urban Sketchers KC artists, this was my first time back in years.  Care has been taken to keep the historic beauty, while creating a lovely gathering space.  It was fun to step back in time, and sketch the grandeur of this wonderful old mansion.  The architectural details are majestic, and a bit challenging to capture! I can't wait for the cafe and bar to open on site, so I can bring my family here to enjoy the beauty!  Day 12 of the #stradaeasel challenge, and painting number 3660 in 3660 days. 


Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Arctic Blast Creek


Love experimenting with Arctic Blast ink!  Its a lovely blue where the heavy areas push to a shimmery deep red, and the wet areas lighten to turquoise.  A really nice ink from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2022. I think I'll take a few of these in the field to play with soon, like a very limited palette, and see how they interact together. Painting number 3659 in 3659 days and  day 11 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Monday, January 9, 2023

Royal Merchant Doorway


 

What fun to explore a "new" antique mall with artist friends today!  My first time to the Glenwood Antique Mall, I was enchanted down every isle! So many painting possibilities!  After scouting (and shopping) for far too long, I finally came back to the first scene that caught my eye!  I inked first, and then added watercolor, and then I tried something relatively to my method - I went in with a few colored inks in fountain pens.  I try to match the ink color to the color of pen, and I carry a few primaries for extra "pop" in my work.  I like the depth!  All in TWSBIS, one was newish - the gem one pictured.  It is a new, very economical style - and it had actually dried up s bit when i tried to use it.  This is something I NEVER experience with TWSBIS, so I am certainly disappointed. I don't much care for the hands feel when using it, nor do I like the super tight clip. It comes in a few cool colors, but I will not order this style again, and I might even give this one away to one of my children. I don't have time for tools that aren't perfect!  Painting  number 3658 in 3658 days, and day 10 of the current #stradaeasel challenge. 

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Celebration Amaryllis


 

Love this "Celebration" ink for it's WOW factor!  Another ink from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2022 - this vibrant ink is a stand out.  Not a color i would normally use in the landscape, it may not graduate to my palette.  But i know where to go when certain flowers call for it!  Gorgeous intensity!  Day 9 #stradaeasel challenge and painting number 3657 in 3657 days. 

Saturday, January 7, 2023

Kansas City Museum


I loved sketching this grand staircase at the Kansas City Museum this morning.  My first time back here since the major renovations, this place is lovely.  A cafe and a bar downstairs will open early this year, making it a place to gather in a grand setting.  Here with the Urban Sketchers KC, it was nice to sketch with artist friends while browsing through the museum.  I need to return here with family to REALLY see all there is here.  With only an hour left to sketch, this is my first of two drawings.  This place is another gem in the Kansas City Crown, another wonderful Long mansion transformed! Painting number 3656 in 3656 days, and day 8 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Friday, January 6, 2023

Three Deer


 

It was so fun to catch our local deer family playing in the yard, I had to sketch fast before they ran away!  Lucky for me, Beau was inside, where he couldn't run them off!  They did get spooked, so I let Beau out to join me as I finished this miniature.  He took off for the hedgerow barking, and pretty soon the baby cows came running up from next door!  I put him back and circled the house to make sure those little ones really did head back to their mommas. Within minutes, a pack of coyotes was yiping from the north!  I'm so happy Beau wasn't out, he would have run in their direction!  LOTS of wildlife excitement this evening!  Day 7 of the #stradaeasel challenge, and painting number 3655 in 3655 days. 

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Flame at Sunset


 

Waiting until sunset to try out this new "Flame" ink by Diamine - it is a vibrant orange indeed!  I tend to hold off on using the vibrant colors, because they aren't that suitable for a landscape. I almost waited too long, as the color fade quickly from the sky.   It is hard to juggle dinner and sunset painting - when they happen at the same time!  This ink does not get very dark, even with heavy application, so the jury is out whether this one will make it to my palette or not!  Painting 3654 in 3654 days.  number #diamineinkventcalendar2022 Day 6 #stradaeasel challenge

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

One More Sleep Barn


What a cool ink from Diamine!  "One More Sleep" is dreamy and magical - I can't wait to just it on the next snowfall!!  There's no snow today, so I am pushing my Artistic License forward and letting the ink set the tone.  That very turquoise shade is from the application of bleach, which is very dramatic here!  Each one is this month's inks are special and in so happy to explore them all!  Painting number 3652 in 3652 days.  


Monday, January 2, 2023

Three Kings Barn


 

Love how luminous this Diamine ink is!  Three Kings is a rich, warm brown that turns to gold with a little water!  I didn't think to take bleach to it, so I don't know what the reaction is.  This golden color is well suited for the winter grasses, and shimmers in the lighter areas.  Another beauty from the Inkvent Calendar - boy am I glad I didn't pass on this year's inks!  Pricey, but so worth it!  Painting number 3651 in 3651 days. 

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Olive Swirl Cedar


When I first opened the little door and saw this ink, I must admit I had reservations.  Olive ink?  Well, this is no ordinary green!  It shifts from a cool, almost cad green to warm olive with shimmering gold.  Then, little sparkles in that cool green emerge as the ink dries - truly inspired!  I am painting my rural Missouri landscape with chic, glamorous inks - and I'm loving the exploration of it all!  I must find a fountain pen for this one, because I am adding it to my arsenal!  What lovely color play it will create in my ink work!  Day 18 in Diamine's Inkvent Calendar 2022, and painting number 3650 in 3650 days.  Ten years of daily painting today!  I did have to correct my number - I got off track somewhere along the way, haha!