Rocket Slide!!

 I LOVE painting these old Rocket Slides - and sliding down them, too!  I remember one from my childhood at the Belton Memorial Park near my grandparent's house in the country.  We used to visit that park from time to time, and later I took my children there to play where I once played.  Now all the equipment has been updated, and the vintage pieces are all gone.  So, it makes me happy to find those same pieces in other historic parks.  This painting is headed to Utah, and the slide is in the Keosauqua, Iowa park by the Manning Hotel - where another Rocket Slide Painting graces the front desk, to later live in the Rocket Room.  Painting number 3822 in 3822 days.  

Farmhouse Lane

 

I love getting to paint wonderful family farms across Missouri - and Kick'N K farm is a beauty!  As I arrived, this rambling lane led me to my first painting of the day, but I could not get the view out of my mind.  So, as I was heading out to check out the Meramec River view, i just HAD to stop and paint this first!  I'm happy this painting has a new home with the family, too!  Painting number 3821 in 3821 days. 

Bridge at Antioch Park

I love painting the bridges along the walking trail at Antioch Park!  The trails around the lake are especially peaceful, and a great place to relax and recharge for the day ahead.  With ink and watercolor, I paint the scene before me as I relax on a bench.  I used to come here as a child, then later with my children, and now with their children, too.  It feels good to paint in a place where 4 generations of my family have walked. Painting number 3820 in 3820 days. 

Crestview Dairy Sunset

 

It's so fun to paint the whole scene at Crestview Dairy!  This may be the first time I've used this long piece of handmade paper, it frames to 27x7.  This is the perfect format for a long, rambling scene.  It was a little challenging because my support was not quite wide enough, but I made it work.  Now, I'll have to get the right size cut - just for times like this!  This was such a joy to paint, in perfect weather, with perfect light spreading over the scene.  I'm happy this sunset painting will stay right here in the farm!  Painting number 3818 in 3818 days 

SE Main Street

 I love painting the small town charm of historic downtown Lee's Summit!  There are SO many vintage buildings lining several blocks east and west of the old depot.  The town is vibrant with people and shops and truly a slice of Midwest living.  It's my pleasure to paint such a place for the Summit Art Plein Air event.  This painting is now showing at City Hall in Lee's Summit, Missouri, through the end of July.  Painting number 3817 in 3817 days.

Old Red Waiting

Old tractors always remind me of my Grandpa Frank, though many times I saw my grandma on the old John Deer 1010. She even showed me how to drive it when we were buying her farm.  We still have that tractor, but our Kubota is the work horse now. So, when I see these old tractors dotting farms, I wonder about the stories they could tell, and I feel compelled to paint them. Painting number 3816 in 3816 days. 

Cottage Garden

 

I love these beautiful summer days for painting in a garden!  Flanked by gorgeous hydrangeas, the view towards the "Bride House" was irresistible.  With ink and watercolor I painted the garden beauty, coming back in with a bit more ink at the end.  I love when the watercolor mingles in the wet masses of the trees!  So fun to push that paint - even while I'm mindful is the thinner paper on the easel.  Every paper is handmade, so each is a new exploration in paint!  Painting number 3815 in 3815 days. 

Dollhouse Hydrangea

 How could I possibly resist such a cute playhouse, surrounded by amazing hydrangea?  Well, of course, I couldn't!  The lush garden was heavenly to paint by as birds serenaded from the trees.  I'm giving more attention to the colors I see in the landscape, ever working on my skills.  I love this kind of place, and fully enjoy the process of capturing it in paint. Painting number 3814 in 3814 days. 

Morning at Crestview Dairy

 Is there anything better than greeting the morning with a quick paint?  Warm, golden light streaming into the dairy farm, making it irresistible to this artist!  Painting at Crestview Dairy, I found the back side of the barns for my subject matter.  I paint the light first, quickly followed by the shadow colors, because light is fleeting at this time of day.  I'm thankful to have reloaded ultramarine blue on my palette, because I needed it for those shadow blues!  I ran out of it in Iowa, and had forgotten it until the last day of this event!  That color is definitely one of my must have primaries, going back to my years of using a limited palette.  I still heavily rely on my favorite three, even with all those worms of paint!  Painting number 3813 in 3813 days. 

Douglas and 3rd Street

I love getting to paint wonderful downtown Lee's Summit street scenes.  I don't think I've ever painted this street from this vantage before, but that historic building certainly called my name!  I sat outside the ice cream shop, sketching and painting as families and friends dotted the streets. It's so nice to see this Main Street district vibrant with life!  I wish all historic Main streets could thrive so well.  Thanks to the Country Club Bank for choosing my watercolor painting for their Purchase Award!  I'm so honored to have my painting hanging in their collection!  Painting number 3812 in 3812 days. 

Parked in the Shade

 

I just HAD to paint this sweet little school bus - even when it meant standing in the sun to do it!  After checking this bus from each direction, this really was the best composition for painting.  So, I sketched in the full sun, moving to the shade for the color work.  I could still see my scene, and only had to shift back and forth a few times.  Crestview Dairy has been a wonderful place to paint!  Painting number 3810 in 3810 days. 

Dualing Pianos

 

Well, this isn't something I do everyday!  Asked to abstractly capture the entertainment tonight, I pulled the smallest panels out of my car. What fun it was to quick paint dual paintings of dualing pianos playing at Crestview Dairy tonight!  I'm always up for a plein air challenge, and this was a wonderful exercise in capturing the moment.  Both were finished in just over an hour, and a fun momento of the evening.  Painting number 3809 in 3809 days. 

Horner Cabin Retreat

Sold

I loved getting to paint this cabin deep in the woods!  The path on the right leads down the bluff, all the way to a dock on the Meramec River.  Several cabins dot this area, all part of the family of cabins.  What history this place holds, 100 years of family fun, generations growing old together.  I'm so happy I could experience this place and I'm happy this painting has a new home with the owner, too!  Painting number 3809 in 3809 days. 

Night at Crestview Dairy

What a gorgeous night for a nocturne paint!  After finishing a sunset painting on the street side of this property, the gentle glow from the barn light led me here.  It gets dark so late this time of year, that it seemed the light would never fade!  I tried a new nocturne light tonight, a Braun slim rechargeable, magnetic one, but I found it to be too bright.  It sheds a bluish light, so I'm guessing this painting has warmer tones that will be revealed in daylight.  I tried painting with very little light on my panel, so tomorrow morning will truly be a surprise when I open my trunk!  I was nearly the last artist on site, and I'm so glad I stayed to capture the night magic! This painting will be hanging at the Crestview Dairy in the wet paint sale until Saturday evening - of it doesn't sell before that! Painting number 3808 in 3808 days 

Bridge over Maramec Spring

Oh how I love painting the water of Maramec Spring!  Arriving a little early, I immediately set my easel up right here.  The morning light was beginning to spread across the water and bridge, so I quickly marked those passages with paint. It's so important to do so in fleeting light, before the moment is lost. The sound of that water is mesmerizing, and loud enough to drown out most voices.  It was like painting alone, though I was surrounded be several other artists.  What ac perfect way to start this day!  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville through the end of the month. Painting number 3807 in 3807 days. 

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop

 

It was super fun to finally visit the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop with artist friends - and get to paint it, too!  This is a place I have wanted to visit for years, and the Monday Morning Watercolorists picked this spot for today.  The grounds are lovely, with outbuildings, a wonderful barn and farm animals.  Three sheep were "mowing' the lawn the whole time I painted, and they didn't even come up to my easel.  They are so much calmer than goats!  I was a bit worried that i might have to defend my gear - like my last goat encounter! But they didn't care about me at all, only about munchingv grass in a very tight group, lol!  It was fun for my first plein air in with sheep!  I can't wait to return with my family, and see all the things I missed today!  Painting number 3806 in 3806 days. 

Tranquil Maramec Spring

What a joy to paint one of my favorite springs!  With less than an hour left before turn in, I just could not resist capturing the tranquil turquoise in the water as the light poured in.  I was nearly the last artist still here painting, as I worked until the last minute. In forty minutes I was popping out in a frame and rushing back to Steelville. I arrived with only 8 extra minutes, and I would do it again.  It's totally worth the time crunch to paint one more painting at this special place!  Come see this one in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri! Painting number 3805 in 3805 days. 

Crossbuck Barn

 I love finding a great barn to paint up a winding road!  Returning from the Meramec River, this beautiful place emerged from the woods as I drove the winding path!  What a treat to get to paint it before I headed back to town!  The whole Steelville area is a full of painting subjects for this artist!  Will I ever be able to paint all the paintings already in my head?  Come see this and others at today's wet paint sale at the Steelville Community Center from 10 to 3. Painting number 3804 in 3804 days! 

Kick'n K

It was such an honor to win tonight's Purchase Award at Kick'n K farm!  Thank you to the Strong Family for hosting and selecting my painting!  I love everything about this place, from the historic farmhouse and outbuildings to the Meramec River beach.  I knew immediately that I had to paint this scene, and I had three more paintings I wanted to squeeze in!  I felt such a pull to this scene, as if I was led to capture the essence of this place.  There is also an equine therapy stable here, with classes scheduled in the morning.  I sure wish I had more time here!  I'm happy this painting will stay with the family who have been here for 5 generations!  Painting number 3803 in 3803 days. 

Afternoon at the Power House

I was SO HAPPY when I learned we were painting at the Maremec Spring Park today for Steelville Plein Air!  After painting the springs, I set up right along the spring and started painting!  I love this dramatic view of the Power House, and especially the warm light in the landscape.  My spray of half vanilla and half water is actually working to keep the mosquitoes and gnats away - and they were rising up from a large hole in the ground beside me.  After a whiff, they moved on!  Yay!  The best part, I smell like vanilla and it doesn't hurt my skin! Painting number 3802 in 3802 days. 

Canoe on the Meramec River

After a steep climb down the bluff on stone steps and a dirt path, this peaceful perch on the Meramec River was a treat!  Tranquil and calm, I started this painting with one other artist on the small cement dock. By the time time I finished, there were 7 of us painting and visiting in close proximity.  About the time I started to "noodle" with this painting, the wind kicked up and I could hear the distant rain - a sure sign to pack up!  Packing quickly, I hiked back up that bluff - thinking of how slick those moss covered stones could become.  I had this framed before the train, and put on my raincoat and wellies for the next one!  What a glorious day!  Painting number 3801 in 3801 days - and I'm so happy this painting has a new home with the owner of this cabin retreat! 

Gazebo Garden

 

What a wonderful day spent painting on the Solar Acres Farm!  After two other paintings of the old farmhouse, I just HAD to paint this gazebo garden before leaving!  A Century Farm that has been in one family since 1910, this place is rich in history and so very paintable!  With the list of many paintable subjects, the garden color won me over.  With only an hour left to paint, I went in hard and fast with my paint, capturing the spirit of this place.  I'm so happy this painting will reside right here, hanging on the walls of this farmhouse.  Painting number  3800 in 3800 days. 

Red canoe at the Pond

It was another beautiful day for plein air in Steelville! The red canoe on the pond was irresistible, so I grabbed my oils and started painting. The red winged blackbirds flew in and out of those cat tails, singing as they perched.  Standing in the shade of a large oak tree, the breeze kept me comfortable as the temps climbed.  I love getting to spend time surrounded by nature, especially when I'm painting!  Painting number 3799 in 3799 days. 

The Main Deck

We left Mound Ridge Retreat this morning with our students to experience a little plein air in downtown Steelville.  Our little group worked at this location, each of us choosing a different subject.  It has been amazing to get to know them, and watch their art skills grow.  I love getting to be part of this experience again this year!  Painting number 3798 in 3798 days. 

Meramec River inked

 Love sketching by the river in pen and ink!