Fountain Impressions

 

It was a lovely afternoon to paint the splash fountain at Powell Gardens for Summit Art Plein Air!  I love painting here, and have never before seen  the splash pad running!  The streams remind me of the Nichols fountain when on full blast.  I only wish I'd had time to stay and paint all day!  Painting number in days. 

#artistlife #pleinairpainting #summitart #summitartpleinair #gardeninspiration #powellgardens #fountainpainting

Afternoon Sail

 

What a peaceful afternoon I spent, painting sailboats as they glided across the water.  Soundless, except for the occasional crack of a sail, it was almost like watching toy boats in a pool, from my perch on the hill.  I was too busy to come here today, but came anyway.  There's nothing like a dose of Art Therapy to both inspire and calm my soul.  This has been a day well spent. Painting number 4532 in 4632 days. 

Baby Goats!

 

How could I possibly resist painting these adorable baby goats?!!  The Deanna Rose Farmstead is a wonderful place to take family to see many farm animals.  From chickens to cattle in the dairy barn to fishing in their pond, this place is so very paintable.  I've been painting here for years, but this is the first time I've focused on the baby goats!  They are easily sketched from outside their corral, and so fun to watch as they interact with each other and all the children walking in with tiny bottles!  Painting number 4531 in 4531 days. 

Iris in Batik

The iris are simply beautiful this year, so I've painted one in watercolor batik!  I pick up iris rhizomes from family and sometimes in the wild, and give them a spot in my garden.  It's a surprise when they bloom for the first time - and I remember where each came from.  Painting number in days. 

 

Butterflies Four

 

I just learned this painting has flown away to a new home! Yay! I was entering the newest show at the Buttonwood Art Space when I noticed all four of my paintings in the last show sold!  I was out of town at the time and happy I didn't need to make arrangements to get any unsold work, but I did not check any further.  What fun to learn that my whimsical garden paintings all flew to new homes!  I think I need to paint more of these happy scenes from my garden!  Painting number in days. 

Perched on the Hill

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This rambling farm on the hill was such a sweet spot to paint!  I could hear the sweet sounds of chickens along with a gorgeous turkey that was on watch.  It looked like rain, but three drops held off until a bit later in the day - allowing me to paint this beautiful scene in ink and watercolor.  Our gracious hosts prepared a feast for us when we turned in our work.  I had the absolute best beet hummus I have ever eaten! I'm so happy this painting will have a new home here, too!  This plein air life sure spoils me!  Painting number in days. 

Spring at Defiance Ridge

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I love dining AND painting at Defiance Ridge!  I do not remember this bridge and waterway, and I'm here each year to paint!  So, of course, I have to paint it!  The sound of the water babbling as visitors chatted and shared wine was so relaxing as I worked.  Before I knew it, it was time to turn in, and on I went to the next adventure.  I'm happy this painting found a new home, too. Painting number in days.

Downtown Magic

Hooray for the rain holding off for tonight's quick paint in downtown Overland Park! It was raining lightly when I drove up, and I was prepared with my oils and my raincoat.  I spent way too much time cleaning my palette this afternoon, and the reward was the fresh paints to dip into!  As I packed up my car to head home, the rain began to fall lightly.  Perfect timing!  I love painting this iconic street from my childhood.  Painting number in days. 

 

Georgia's Hen House

After visiting some favorite places inside the Deanna Rose Farm with Michaela and the boys, I settled on a bench swing to sketch the chickens. With ink and watercolor I painted their shapes, and their sweet sounds accompanied the happy families coming to visit.  The best chicken sounds actually came from a couple of boys - I had to look over to make sure the chickens hadn't gotten out!  Painting number in days. 

Voltaire on Genessee

 

This was my demo for this weekend's Historic West Bottoms Sketching Workshop. It was fun to share the process of sketching the urban landscape with fellow artists.  Each worked out three thumbnail sketches with various compositions, and we looked at ways to determine the strongest one before turning that one into a painting.  Each used their own preferred mediums, and had strong work to show at the finish.  We disbanded as the first quick paint of the event was beginning.  What fun to start the event in this way!  Painting in days.....

8th and Mulberry

As I pulled down this street, the early morning light was perfect for painting.  The winds were already strong, and I had to keep a firm hold on my easel as I worked. This stretch of the West Bottoms is quiet on a Saturday morning, and I only had a few visitors on foot  - and one by car who was out searching for artists in the field. I love this history of these buildings along 8th street, where Kansas is at the end of the road.  It's fun to paint locations I would never see if not for a wonderful plein air event.  Painting number in days. 

Wettest Block in the World

What fun it was to paint on 8th and Mulberry for the Historic West Bottoms Plein Air - and I'm so happy this painting has found a new home!  The history of this street is very interesting. The end of this block is Kansas, and this used to be known as the "Wettest Block in the World", where Kansans would come across the river to buy their liquor!  I love learning fun facts about the places I paint!  Painting number in days. 

https://kcyesterday.com/articles/wettest-block?srsltid=AfmBOopBdtN4MK-AkZL3D8f51Frwtyk_RiLSm6sJEF_sWjQCdm6-pcsQ

Brewing in the Stockyards

This historic tavern attached to the Livestock Exchange Building is a great place to enjoy a drink. Brimming with history, I would love to hear the stories the walls could tell.  I set up in the shade of another building to paint this, needing the wind break to keep me on the ground with my easel.  As you can tell by the photo - half of my pochade split off when the whole thing crashed to the street with a strong gust. Plein air is definitely NOT for sissies.  I'm happy this painting was mentioned by the judge tonight in his top 5 picks. Painting number in days. 

Art Party on Genessee

I love returning to the Historic West Bottoms for the 3rd annual Heritage Days Plein Air event - even in extreme wind! I started this day by teaching a three hour workshop on Sketching in the Urban Landscape. I love getting to share my skills with others en plein air.  Afterward, I participated in the first quick paint of the event. It was a fun evening of visiting even as the wind delivered a beating!  I'm looking forward to calmer days ahead!  Painting number in days. 

Chicken Talk

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I have had a whole chicken theme woven through my Augusta Plein Air work this season!  I painted several places with chickens - and I'm especially drawn to them since we got our own special chicks for Easter weekend!  So, as I learn about raising chickens, I am compelled to paint them everywhere I see them!  I'm so happy this one will live with my host family at Augusta Shores!  Painting number in days. When will I ever look that number up?  Who knows - I'm to busy painting! 

Stroll through the Garden

I had a perfect spot in the shade of an old crabapple, in the rock path herb garden from which to paint.  A cool breeze came across the lake, refreshing as the day warmed up.  Walkers along the path visited before moving on, and it was a joy to paint while surrounded with the sights and fragrance of the garden.  I do love painting here at the Overland Park Arboretum, and I wish I could paint here more.  This is a peaceful, thoughtful place to spend immersed in flowers and paint.  I plan to submit this one to the Rice Gallery, along with a couple more yet unpainted!  Painting number in days. 

Evening on Walnut

I didn't remember to take a photo of this until I got it framed in my trunk!  It was a lovely evening for Movie Night in Augusta, complete with wine and food trucks, as well as other vendors. Standing on the corner of Walnut and Ferry streets.  I wonder how the river front looked when the ferry arrived, before the wide Missouri shifted away from the town.  This historic street is magical at night, full of small town charm as many visit as I paint. Nocturnes are always fun - and a surprise when you see them in daylight!  Painting number in days and this one is now showing at Gallery Augusta. 

Chicken Parade

 

As a new chick Mama, I have gravitated towards chickens all week! They are the sweetest little creatures!  I love their cooing noises and the way they sit on my boots and cluster around my feet!  I've painted 3 chicken coops already, and  am looking forward to all the chicken paintings yet to come! Painting number in days. This one is now available at Gallery Augusta on Walnut in Augusta, Missouri.  

Montelle Sunset

Sometimes, all you need is 20 minutes and a challenge to paint from the committee. I arrived very late from the Mystery Paint, with only 30 minutes to turn in. When I walked into the room to see the work already turned in, I mentioned that I'd intended to paint, but now I don't think so. One of those girls - I think it was Vicki - said, "I challenge you to do that painting! "  Well, how could I possibly walk away from that? Walking to the car that was too far away, I pulled out my ink and watercolors - and painted that gorgeous sunset as fast as i could! With only enough time to frame and turn in, I rushed in my painting, tagged and hung it, and turned to the girls and said, "Challenge accepted!"  Another fun plein air memory for the book!  Now showing at Gallery Augusta.  Painting number in days. 

Inspired on Walnut

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This church on the corner of Walnut and Public is a local icon.  My Aunt Diana and children attended this church back in the 70s, with fond memories of candlelight services and special times.  Every year, I admire it's beautiful lines and welcoming spirit. After each final judging turn in, all artists are invited to share a pancake breakfast in the building on the far right. It's a wonderful time of fellowship before setting up for the wet paint sale immediately afterward. I don't remember painting this before, but I will be adding it to the line up in years to come.  It is a very special place.  Painting number in days - when will I get to my computer to check this - lol?!

Clydesdales

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It was so fun to sketch these clydesdales before the paintout, adding watercolor before heading back to town.  I have never gotten the chance to paint clydesdales before, and I know my young 12 year old self would be thrilled at such a thing! I loved finding their forms with ink, and then filling them in with watercolor.  This was rather loose and fresh with my limited time. This painting was snapped up before it ever got a chance to hang - and i love when that happens!  Painting number in days. 

Art Party at the Barn

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I love painting the coolest places, and I'm honored to have won the Broadview Valley Sponsor Award for this painting. Some paintings just fall off the brush, but not this one.  Three times the rain sent me ducking for cover under the eve of that barn.  I lost the cap of a favorite pen, only to find it on my third time back at my spot. I would have switched to oils when the rain started early in the paintout, but our car was a long way away. I walked that distance to get my rain gear (which I didn't think I'd need). I didn't feel like my painting was finished, but I was out of time.  I walked up to the car to frame and back down to turn in, barely making the deadline.  This one was a battle, in a beautiful, peaceful, very rainy place, and I still loved the process of it all. Our hosts were gracious and delightful, and I'm so happy they chose my painting for their award. Painting number in days.... my blogger app has changed, and I can no longer toggle between posts.  So, one day, I'll have to get in my computer and catch up on my numbers, lol. Silly technology, changing my apps to a lesser version of their former selves.....

Girl Talk

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I LOVE hanging out with my peeps in Augusta - and this painting has a new home there, too! It seems I've gone a little chicken crazy during this plein air festival!  Our little chicks at home are now 3 weeks old - and I am migrating to all chickens and coops at our paint outs!  After my larger paintings at each coop scene, I've gotten a chance to sketch a small one, too.  I put this into the Golden Ticket event - and it sold that night. I guess I'm not the only one crazy for chickens!  Painting number in days. 

Just Us Chickens

As I painted these sweet chickens at the yellow chicken coop, several nestled beside my pink boots, chatting me up with their cooing sounds. I'd peep to them, and they'd peep back.  If I peeped twice, they'd peep twice - just like we were having a conversation!  I am drawn to these chickens now, and the Hoffman Farm is a wonderful place to paint them!

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Vineyard Walk

Briefly, the sky brightened to a peachy hue, and I captured it in paint before the downpour! Sugar Creek Winery is a lovely place to gather and paint!  This will be at my wet paint sale on Saturday from noon to 4 in the town center of Augusta, Missouri. Come see my paintings of the week!  Painting number 5170 in 5170 days.