Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Silos in Bone Gap


 

As I painted the first painting at this location, an artisan, and owner of this place, was working on her jewelry in the far left building.  By the time she made it to the wet paint sale, the painting had sold.  I'm happy this next painting will be hanging at her place!  Painting number 3945 in 3945 days. 

Monday, October 30, 2023

Autumn Wooded Path


I LOVE how the autumn colors shine in the sunlight, after many days of rain!  I was finally able to go paint the magic on our own property today, and it was magical.  The yellows are popping and the reds have barely begun, so I hope to get several more autumn paintings done before the color fades.  I nearly missed the light on this one, as the sun dipped down in the west.  I guess I should have skipped making dinner tonight - lol!  Painting number 3944 in 3944 days. 

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Morning on the Farm


I have wanted to paint this beautiful barn since I first saw it on my way to Rosebud. I could not have imagined I would be invited to paint this very place!  Lovely from all directions, the light was best from this one. Though I would love to paint the sunburst on the other side of the barn - the light was too direct with no shadows to draw the eye through the painting.  A perfect day, perfect light and a perfect scene - this was a lovely plein air day!  Painting number 3943 in 3943 days.  So happy this painting has a new home, too. 

Friday, October 27, 2023

Autumn at Peaceful Valley Lake


 I absolutely love painting the colors of autumn - especially when they are reflecting on water!  The reds are really popping around Peaceful Valley Lake - and I could hardly wait to get back here once I saw the beauty!  I marked all the highlights while the sun was shining, before the clouds moved back in. The calm water reflected those colors so well, in between bursts of wind.  It seems our autumn color fades so quickly in Missouri - I hope to get several more paintings finished before that happens!  Painting number 3941 in 3941 days. 

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Sunset over Peaceful Valley Lake


 I should always seize the opportunity to paint a sunset - the beauty around me is my reward!  With only 30 minutes of light remaining, I grabbed a panel and started slinging paint quickly.  This view was from the lake side of our host home,  and Caroline and I both painted from water's edge! The clouds were illuminated with glorious color, so I marked those masses first, careful to keep them pure.  It's so easy to mix into areas when painting fast, so careful is key.  Once I had my colors marked, I married the edges, bringing it to a speedy completion just as the light was fading.  Sunset painting is always a race with the sun - an invigorating race, indeed! Painting number 3940 in 3940 days. 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Morning on the Farm


I'm so happy for the invitation to paint this lovely farm in Rosebud!  I met the owner, Bob, at my host home last night where he entertained us at the piano after our quick sunset paint along the lake.  What a lovely evening!  He has even inspired me to get back to the piano, too.  The morning light here was glorious, and I've wanted to paint that very unique roofed silo for years! Yay for getting that done and I love that this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 3939 in 3939 days. 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

New Woollam


 I found this scene on my way to paint another, and I just HAD to paint this before going to the next spot.  I've never been to New Woollam, Missouri, before, so of course I had to capture it in paint!  I used ink, watercolor and gouache on this one before adding more ink at the finish.  It's so fun to mix up the mediums when the scene calls for it! I'm honored this painting was awarded a blue ribbon at the final awards, and it has a new home, too.  The owners tell me this foreground house will not stand much longer. I'm so happy to immortalize it in paint.  Painting number 3938 in 3938 days. 

Monday, October 23, 2023

Farmhouse Vineyard



Arriving just in time for the quick paint at White Mule Winery, I searched for a scene that grabbed me.  For the first time here, I found this north vineyard adorned in it's autumn color!  I stepped back into the isle far enough to gain the right composition, with the farmhouse in shadow in the background.  The challenge of the wild vines leading to the cool structure of the house was invigorating - especially for a quick paint!  I painted fast, trying to get all described before bringing the masses together.  I love finding a new scene to paint at a place I've painted before, makes the painting experience fresh again.  That farmhouse is a lovely bed and breakfast just steps from the White Mule Winery.  Painting number 3937 in 3937 days. 
 

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Farm on Boettcher Rd


 What a gorgeous farm this was to paint!  With the many barns and outbuildings scattered across this property, this was the composition I landed on.  I could paint here for a week, and still not paint it all! Love that this painting will now live with the family that owns the property!  Painting number 3935 in 3935 days. 

Friday, October 20, 2023

Afternoon in Rosebud


 

It was super fun painting in Rosebud today!  I LOVE that charming town, and this scene was calling my name!  This lovely building in the foreground is Rachel's Room Boutique, and it is FULL of amazing things!  It was a joy to meet the owners, too!  This painting will be available at White Mule Winery for tomorrow's sale from noon to 3:00. Painting number 3934 in 3934 days. 

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Autumn Reflections on the Lake


I just couldn't resist painting this gorgeous fall color on Peaceful Valley Lake! I'm a bit in love with these first reds and golds, and I just can't get enough of them!  I saw this scene on my way out first thing this morning, and waited until the afternoon light was on them to paint. It is super fun to lay down strong color, and this rich scene surely called for them.  I hope I get many more days to paint the autumn leaves before they drop!  Painting number 3933 in 3933 days.  

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Autumn at Oak Glenn


 

This was such an amazing painting day!  As soon as I pulled up the road leading to the Oak Glenn Winery, I wanted to paint it!  The morning light was streaming through the trees, illuminating the autumn landscape. After a quick look at the top of the hill, I headed back to paint this beautiful stretch of road.  I blocked this one in fast because the light was already changing so much. It was a bit of a struggle to find the right color balance as this is my first real fall color paint this year!  I do love a good challenge!  I'm so happy this painting has a new home tonight!  Painting number 3932 in 3932 days. 

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Autumn in the Farm


 

I love painting the historic farms in Owensville, Missouri!  This private estate is part of the Gasconade County Plein Air event, and our venue for today.  After painting a panoramic view this morning, I stood in the full sun to paint the gorgeous color from this pasture.  This place could be painted for days, but alas, turn in is at 4. This painting now showing at Seaons of Faith Church in Owensville through Thursday, and will be at the White Mule Winery for the Saturday sale, if it lasts that long.  Painting number 3931 in 3931 days. 😍🎨

Monday, October 16, 2023

Kansas City Skyline from Main


 

I love capturing Kansas City in watercolor batik!  This view is looking down Main from near Union Station, where I could sketch from the Link that connects Crown Center to Union Station. Catching this place in the golden hour was my good fortune, so I marked those colors quickly!  This large gallery piece is one that shows with my Kansas City Collection for the Now Showing program with ArtsKC. Painting number 3930 in 3930 days. 

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Ink Play


I LOVE how these Diamine inks mingle on paper - so dramatic!  These specific colors capture a rainy, overcast autumn day so well!  From the previous year's Inkvent Calendar, it now inspires me to order the 2023 version.  I just can't miss out on a new, limited edition collection of Diamine inks, ready to open each day in December!  It is still my favorite advent calendar ever!  Painting number 3929 in 3929 days. 

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Bartle Hall Sky Stations


Love capturing the iconic Bartle Hall Sky Stations in watercolor batik on rice paper!  These towers shine like jewels on our skyline at night!  I'm posting another large gallery piece focusing on all things Kansas City, as we celebratethe wedding of our middle son with a woman who already feels like our daughter! How very blessed we are indeed!  Painting number 3928 in 3928 days. 

Friday, October 13, 2023


Kansas City is full of beautiful bridges, and this one crosses Brush Creek on Benton Boulevard. I've drawn this from a smaller piece I did en plein air during one of the Brush Creek Art Walks.  I show this piece in the Now Showing program with other large pieces in Kansas City.  Love getting to paint these great places! We're celebrating the marriage of our middle son tonight to a wonderful young woman who is now our newest daughter!  Can't wait to share the fun with the whole family tomorrow!  Painting number 3927 in 3927 days. 

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Mid-day at Union Station


 

I love using pen and ink in a place I always use color - Union Station Kansas City.  The timeless beauty and architecture keep me coming back to this place where generations of my family have walked.  I can feel the history, almost see my relatives meeting trains and departing on trips.  The clock high above the bustle is an icon here.  Kansas City is special, and I'm so happy to create in such a place. Painting number 3926 in 3926 days. 

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Victorian on Main


What a grand lady the Victorian on Main is in Fairfield, Illinois! Beautiful inside and out, she is a joy to paint!  I found a small shady spot from which to paint, tucked into a corner garden.  With ink and watercolor I painted the scene, with careful attention to those lines and angles.  With so much ornamentation on this beauty  it was a bit complicated to draw out.  I do love a challenge - and this painting now graces the walls within!  Painting number 3925 in 3925 days. 

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Fifth and Main


I love painting the historic square in Albion, Illinois.  This two story pagoda is a star on Main Street, and decorated for the fall festival.  Full of small town charm, this is a wonderful place to paint architecture in ink and watercolor. This was my first of four different town paints on the same day!  Painting number 3924 in 3924 days. 

Monday, October 9, 2023

Willow Creek Inked


I love a rambling farm scene, and I knew immediately this would be done in pen and ink. Sometimes, I see my painting in my mind's eye as I drive up to a location. No matter what my initial intentions are, I listen to this inner voice and follow through with my vision.  So much of art is intuitive, all I need to do is listen.  Even as I worked my "brain" was asking about the watercolor, maybe a little color to pop the scene.  At the very end of my drawing I decided that pen and ink captured how I felt in this place perfectly.  No need to toss some color it's way.  I'm honored this painting was awarded the Willow Creek Purchase Award, too. Painting number 3923 in 3923 days. 

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Bullard's Farm Market


I look forward to painting this picture perfect place each fall when I'm in Fairfield!  That red barn and all those pumpkins make for a great autumn painting! Arriving shortly before closing time, this was a quick paint before I had to check in to another event.  It's always fun to paint with such rich colors - and the results make a splash this time of year!  This painting now hangs at the Fairfield National Bank on Main Street - yay! Painting number 3922 in 3922 days. 

Saturday, October 7, 2023

913 Center Street


 I love getting to paint vintage homes full of character and history.  This beautiful place was built by a friend's grandfather, and she had so many childhood memories here. As I worked on this one along the street, a older man pulled up next to me to see if I needed help.  I showed him that I was drawing and everything was fine.  It is the second time this week that someone has asked if I needed assistance. Everyone is so friendly here!  I'm happy this painting earned the Willow Tree Purchase Award! Painting number 3921 in 3921 days. 

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Evening at Jovalou


 

What a great alley to paint for a nocturne, and the night was balmy and so very comfortable! Many is the time I shiver when painting at night, so I appreciate the gorgeous weather!  I only just saw these lights for the first time the day before, and popped in to see if they'd turn them on when i arrived.  It didn't take long to get the masses marked, and I started filling in the color.  As I worked I could see lightening rolling in from the west, so I worked quickly.  Painting outside nearly every day, I can tell when I need to kick it up a notch - or get wet! I finished and was back at my host home when the first raindrops began to fall.  It was pouring in no time, and I'm thankful I dodged the rain! Now that I've found this place, I can hardly wait to paint it again next year.  I'm happy this painting has a new home, and it is painting number 3917 in 3917 days.  ♥️🎨