Tanks in the Field

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I love the structure of oil well servicing equipment in a rural setting.  I don't see much of this in Missouri, so when I come to Fairfield, Illinois, I like to paint them. The rain was constant on this day, which had me ducking for cover in the car, when necessary.  Ink and rain don't mix well! I'm using my new Qor palette, and I'm finding a few favorite colors in the mix.  One I never thought I'd love is Payne's gray. I haven't used it for maybe 20 years, and only then in acrylic.  But I'm finding their gray to be rich and bluish, really wonderful for a shadow base color.  This is a new size for me, framing at 6x12. I like the information I can get in this format, and I think I'll do a few more, too.  Painting number 5177 in 5177 days. 

Good Year for Pumpkins

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Shreve's Pumpkin Patch is one of my very favorite places to paint when in Fairfield!  It's just not autumn until I paint here.  With a dramatic sky for a backdrop, these pumpkins nearly glowed in their rows leading to the barn.  I had not painted from this side, so I jumped right in.  Families and children came by a I worked, so interested in what I was creating.  It was a lovely day - and the rain held off until after I was finished  I'm so thankful Shreves chose my painting for their Purchase Award!  Painting number 5176 in 5176 days. 

Mules on the Field

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The Quick Paint tonight was at the Train Yard - the Fairfield Mules were playing football, and I was painting as fast as I could.  The rain was coming, and I was protecting my panel from a few sprinkles.  Dark clouds, thunder and lightening approached as the remnants of Helene roared in.  What an amazing sunset unfolded, after the game was called, followed by increasing rain. That was a full rainbow over the high school in Fairfield!  I finished it and framed it in the rain, thrilled with the experience of it all.  Spencer loved painting here, and he would have loved this show in the sky. Perhaps he even had a hand in it.  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 5175 in 5175 days. 

Alley Magic

What an amazing evening it was to paint such a beautiful alley!  This magical little place is just outside of Jovalou on Main Street in Fairfield, Illinois.  I started this before the twilight sky turned black, and the play between the colors was magical!  Getting lost the moment, I got a little crazy with my color  - as is often the case with nocturne painting.  It seems I stray farther from reality and more toward painting what I feel.  It's all about expression - and SO MUCH FUN! Painting number 5174 in 5174 days.  

Along Petroleum Boulevard

 I love finding and painting the places unique to an area! Here I am on Petroleum Boulevard, painting remnants of a forgotten age. To get this view, I had to stand in the sun, using my car for partial shade.  Since I'm on week two of a new palette, I still have my swatch test out for reference.  A couple of those colors are not recognizable by their dry half pan appearance. I think the bright sunlight on white paper pushed me to get pretty bold with my color.  What fun this was to paint!  Painting number 5174 in 5174 days. 

Night on 3rd and Main

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Another night, another nocturne! I was undecided about painting a fourth painting today, but with several of my friends going out after dinner, I just had to join in on the fun!  I love this corner of 3rd and Main, and have painted it several times through the years. This time, there was a brightly lit message board behind me, which cast it's various colors on my work. There's no telling what it looks like until i open my trunk in the morning! Not quite sure I'm finished, but the lightening and thunder told me I was! Painting number 5173 in 5173 days. 

West Salem Square

 

I am so honored this painting was awarded the Best of West Salem award at the Edwards County Paint Out!  This is a wonderful area to paint, full of good people! My host family took me on a 4 wheeler ride to their 40 acres and surrounding area, and it was so fun.  It's lovely to see the area as only the locals know how to see if, and a great way to start the day.  I'm so lucky to have stayed with them for 3 years running, now.  Painting number 5172 in 5172 days. 

West of the Courthouse

 

What fun it is to return to Albion to find a new view of the courthouse!  Of course, I had to paint it! I'm the space between here and the courthouse stood an old building last year, that was just beginning to be torn down.  When I came through this back alley, the view was striking.  So, in ink and watercolor i captured a view that had possibly never been available until now.  Come see  this and more tonight at the Arist Reception at the Main Event in Albion at 6.  Painting number 5171 in 5171 days. 

Old Barn Batik

 

I love painting the gorgeous farms of the Midwest in watercolor batik!  I'm starting to see that autumn color now, and I can't resist capturing it today in watercolor batik. These large barns dot the landscape, and we lose them as they age. I am happy to paint them while they stand.  Painting number 5170 in 5170 days. 

Pumpkins Batik

Tis the season for watercolor batik pumpkins!!  I love the layers of this magical process!!  I begin with a thin piece of rice paper and I sketch my pumpkins with in India ink pen.  These lines will almost fade away entirely with all the layers.  If I want them to show, I need to use a heavier line. After the watercolor goes on, I add hot wax to any areas I want to resist further paint.  And so I proceed through as many layers as it takes before I wax it all, wad it into a ball, then lay flat to wash on more watercolor.  After ironing to remove the wax, I am left with the above painting, ready to frame and hang for the autumn season!  Painting number 5169 in 5169 days. 

 

Dodge Town

 

I remember playing in Dodge Town when I was a little girl!  It's been modernized through the years, and now I'm sketching it with family, as the little ones run in and out of this play village.  We've gathered here with a few artist friends, and the "moms" in my family are sketching, too!  I've started a little sketch tribe, here, and it's super fun to see the talent shining in my daughters!  Painting number 5168 in 5168 days. 

Old Mill at Fowler Park

 

What a treat it is to paint in the pioneer village by Fowler Park! Mills and covered bridges are absolute favs to paint, and this is the first time that I've been able to paint in the pioneer village.  Surrounded by log cabins and other structures, it took me a second to choose this place.  The trees are already blushing with fall color here, so, of course, I pushed that a little.  Using my Artistic License is fun, indeed!  Painting number 5167 in 5167 days. 

Goodness Gracious

Goodness Gracious Kitchen and Cupboard is a lovely place to paint AND dine!  The food was amazing and the staff was SO gracious - even before we entered to dine!  After getting a tour of the lovely interior, Teddy and I set up to paint out front.  Our host brought us water, and offered more, checking on our progress periodically.  Mom joined us for a late dinner, where I had the best mushroom soup I've ever had!  We all had a lovely dinner here after a full day of painting!  We'll be back whenever we're in town!  Painting number 5166 in 5166 days. 

Indians Design Center

 

What a cool building to sketch in ink and watercolor - and I'm loving my newest Qor palette!  The reviews I read are true, the colors are more intense with a fluidity that is unique.  I'm looking forward to more days of exploring what these paints can do!  Painting number 5165 in 5165 days. 

Farmer's Market Morning

I just can't miss painting this farmer's market when in Carmel, and today the weather was amazing!  The Carmel Farmer's Market is the quick paint venue for Carmel on Canvas, and one only has an hour and a half to start, finish, frame and torn in the painting created on site. THAT is the quickest quick paint I ever participate in.  Time is of the essence, so it is all about painting in the masses, then fine tune as the clock runs down. With 6 minutes left, I pop it in a frame and head to the art tent with an easel. After placing it on display, I can then go back to clean my brushes and put up my gear.  It's all just like running a race!  The bonus today is that this painting won the race!  Yay! I'm so thankful for all the people that voted for mine!  Painting number 5164 in 5164 days, and Carmel Farmer's Market Quick Paint Winner 2024! That's two years in a row for me! ♥️

Farmer's Market on the Green

 

After the morning quick paint at the Carmel Farmer's Market, I stayed to paint one more before leaving this majestic place.  I feel like I'm in Europe as I paint this place, as the market winds down. One by one the vendors pack up, as I quickly paint their spaces while I can.  As I finish, wedding parties arrive for ceremonies and pictures, and a classic cat parks in front of me for a quick photo.  The lawn is quiet as Mom rests on a bench and Teddy packs up her gear. It's fun to immerse myself in this place for a little while. Painting number 5163 in 5163 days. 

Monon and Main

 

It's so much fun to paint downtown Carmel again!  The intersection of Main Street and Monon is such a local icon, with many walkers and bikers hitting the trail.  I get to visit with so many wonderful people as they walk by, and even talked to a lady who's daughter was coming in today from Overland, Kansas  - my hometown!  What a smash world it is!  Come see this one in person in Midtown tomorrow at 6:30, and this is the 5162 in 5162 days. 

Bridgeton Mill and Covered Bridge

 

This is my absolute favorite mill and covered bridge to paint in the country, and we had a beautiful day for painting!  Teddy and Mom are on the covered outdoor terrace just right off the mill, where Teddy is painting a different vantage of the bridge.  I walked back and forth, finally deciding on my perch in the sand.  The slight angle of the sandy ground and dappled light fire shade made the painting a bit of a challenge.  But it was totally worth the effort to capture that curve in the water as it spilled from the falls. What fun to lunch here with Mom and Teddy, afterward, where they serve their sandwiches on homemade buns made with their fresh ground flour. Yum! Painting number 5161 in 5161 days. ! 

Irishman Covered Bridge

 

I LOVE painting the covered bridges in Indiana - especially in such gorgeous weather!  Joining me today is my Mom, and artist friend, Teddy Jackson.  She is responsible for twisting my arm into plein air painting, all those years ago!  We're heading to a favorite event, and will be painting a few lovely bridges on the way.  It's so nice to paint for the joy of painting, in places like this.  Painting number 5160 in 5160 days. 

Lake Quivira Yacht Club

 

It has been years since I've painted here, and I love returning to Lake Quivira to paint!  The last time I was here, I remember painting a yacht race right off of the docks.  It was a lovely day to be near the water with ink and watercolor.  I can't wait for these paintings to hang in the clubhouse for the artist reception October 16th! Painting number 5159 in 5159 days. 

#artistlife #inkandwatercolor #inkandwash #pleinairpainting #LakeQuivira #yachtclub #paintinglife

Kayaks at Lake Quivira

I was hoping for a splash of color when I headed toward Lake Quivira, and I found it!  My daughter, Tiffany joined me today for her first real plein air event!  It was so fun sharing the day with her down by the water.  She found a lovely sailboat to paint while I painted these in a sliver of shade. I'm using my new QoR watercolors for this one - so I still have my swatch out as I work.  This is only my second painting with them, and I am still learning my palette.  One big drawback- a few cakes pop out of the pan each time I open them!  I put two drops of water under each one that was out today - so we'll see if they stay.  Painting number 5158 in 5158 days. 

Cockrell Mercantile Company

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It was a spectacular day for plein air painting and shopping at Cockrell Mercantile!  Arriving early, the street was not busy in front of this shop.  I love the view from here, so I set up in the ditch!  Laying down my yoga mat first, it kept the tall, wet grass at bay.  With ink and watercolor, I painted as the scene unfolded.  I love when a painting comes together in such a lovely way, in such s gorgeous day.  Painting number 5157 in 5157 days, and I'm so happy this painting has a new home, too!  ♥️🎨

Fiesta Welcome

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I'm trying my new Qor watercolor palette for the first time at one of my favorite places to paint!  I love how these paints move, and the colors are well pigmented. The biggest surprise today?  I LOVE the Payne's gray, and I have not used that color since I first started acrylics many years ago.  My swatch test is even clipped to my board so o would know what color I was picking up.  Unlike my other watercolors, I could not tell the paint colors by the look of the half pans, so this step was necessary.  I did wipe my palette clean - you might not see this again, lol! The best part is that this painting has a new home, and it's image may be on a Cockrell Mercantile product soon!  Painting number 5156 in 5156 days. 

Bee and Sunflowers Four

The bees were buzzing all around me as I painted these beautiful sunflower. I try to remember to wear my hat outdoors - because the bees and hummingbirds are attracted to my hair, and sometimes get too close!  I am using the sennelier watercolor half pans again today, ace the feel is a little creamy off the cake. My daughter told me they have honey in them, so that accounts for that - and maybe the bees, too!  Painting number 5155, and this one is also headed for Powell Gardens next week! 

Cosmos Bee

I love painting the bees on my giant cosmos!  This flower towers above me - and is loaded with blooms!  My paper is a new handmade cotton paper that is less porous than most.  It feels more like 140lb cold pressed, so I'm not a fan.  I like the way ink behaves on it, so I may reserve this paper for only ink in the future. I am also trying new Sennelier half pan watercolors, and the jury is still out.  They feel a bit creamy pulling off the cake, but I was hoping for stronger pigment without layering to get it.  It's the first time I've tried this brand, so let the exploration begin!  This painting is number 5154 in 5154 days, and is headed to the gallery at Powell Gardens if someone doesn't buy it first! 

Monarch on Hydrangea

 What an amazing day for painting and gardening! I bought this Bobo hydrangea years ago solely because that is what we sometimes call our sweet lab!  Now Beau is 10, and this hydrangea overflows with blooms each year, and I get to capture the magic in paint!  It's so nice to see the monarchs in the garden.  Painting number 5153 in 5153 days.

Sunny Blooms

 

Sunflowers are the happiest blooms to paint, and what fun it is to squeeze in painting time in the garden!  It makes me smile too see them, and even more to paint them!  I'm trying to paint them while they are here, too soon they fade away for another year. Painting number 5152 in 5152 days. 

Sunflower Dance

We're still dry and this wild sunflower is fading fast, so I am painting it while I still can.  Focusing on just one bright bloom, I sketch out the form in paint before blocking in the masses. I'm using my altoid palette while painting the 7x5 panel, and turning it upright on my thumb box.  This is a wonderful size for the garden, and I can paint this side quickly and move onto a second.  Or, in this case, I have 7 paintings to frame and two to ship, so I have to get back to work!  It's time to pay the piper after a whole weekend of family fun.  Painting number 5151 in 5151 days.