Witches Brew

This was a fun Halloween, spending time with the family!  After stopping by Mike's parent's house with Gus, Michaela, Kirby and Casper, we went trick or treating with the grandkids near Tyler's house. Gus is staying over tonight, sleeping in the "robot bed" and watching whatever he wants on the TV in there!  The painting is watercolor batik on rice paper, to celebrate the day! Painting number 4686 in 4686 days. 

Goats in the Pumpkins

What's more fun than painting goats and pumpkins in October?!!  I love having animals on the farm - especially when they are as sweet as these young ones!  This painting is showing at Powell Gardens until November 11th, when I'll be installing new paintings for the holidays!  Painting number 4685 in 4685 days. 

Swallowtail and Pumpkin

 

Butterflies and pumpkins are showing for a few more days at Powell Gardens. The butterflies have been plentiful in my garden, so I sketched as I waited for another to fly by.  Then, I would capture their form and color as fast as I could before they moved on to a new bloom.  The mums and cosmos keep them coming, but it's only a matter of time before a frost comes our way.  I am working on new paintings to go into their gallery space next week, so come see them for the holidays! Painting number 4684 in 4684 days. 

Path to the Pumpkin Patch

There is something magical about visiting farms and orchards in the fall, especially when I'm painting them!  I watched children and families walking up and down that path, with pumpkins in tow.  The Weston Red Barn Farm is the kind of place families return to year after year.  Come see this place in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery.  Painting number 4683 in 4683 days. 

On Red Barn Farm

 

I couldn't resist painting this path through the historic barns at the Red Barn Farm, so nostalgicis the feel of this place. There are many animals here, but only the house and a pig were in my view.  Chickens and turkeys were near the top of this path, on the right, and the goats were right beside me!  I stood in the shade of their building to paint most of this.  It's fun to paint as families come to pick pumpkins and enjoy the animals on this farm. What a lovely way to spend the day! Come see this in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery! Painting number 4682 in 4682 days. 

Fairy House in the Pumpkin Patch

 I just can't resist painting beautiful pumpkin patches - and Shreve's is a yearly favorite!  The autumn mums and pumpkins adorn the lawn as the light dances over it all.  Children raced in and out of this little house, and I heard them call it the Fairy House.  This farm is the first place I paint when arriving in Fairfield, and the weather has been especially nice this year.  I couldn't get enough of this place - so I returned for two more paintings!  Painting number 4681 in 4681 days. 

Night at the Victorian

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This was my first time to paint this beautiful Victorian at night, and in the rain.  As I drove by, coming home from another paint, I simply could not resist the glow of this beauty in the rain!  Choosing watercolor for a nocturne made this painting so much more challenging! As the rain increased, I was forced to finish in my car, where it was really too dark to see my paints.  I learned a few lessons with this one, and the result was worth the extra work.  I'm so happy the painting hangs within it's walls.  Painting number 4680 in 4680 days. 

Holladay Distillery

This historic distillery has been operating since the 1850s, and is so lovely on the hill where it stands proudly.  This is my first time at Holladay Distillery, and the large trees lining the drive offer me the perfect place from which to paint.  This place offers tours, and the interior of this building is grand.  It was a nice afternoon, painting this place as Mom sat in the shade near the house.  Painting number 4679 in 4679 days. 

Red Barn Farm

 

How could I not have known about this place all these years?  There are paintings in every direction at the Red Barn Farm in Weston!  The Monday Morning Watercolorists chose this location, and though it was an hour and 10 minutes away, Mom and I made the trip.  I could hardly peel myself away from this place to gather for lunch with the girls at the Green Dirt Farm Creamery!  This may have been my first trip here, but it crushing won't be my last!  You can see this one in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery!  Painting number 4678 in 4678 days. 

Afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch

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I've painted so much this fall that many paintings are yet unposted. Shreve's Pumpkin Patch is one of my all time favorite places to paint!  I had painted one here, getting the farmhouse into the view, but I couldn't quite squeeze in the events building.  So, I painted from this angle to include the back building and some of the side yard.  Honestly, the whole place is magical, and I really needed a long format panel to get it all in, but alas, I had none. It seems I am forever running out of panels and frames!  This painting is 4677 in 4677 days, and I'm so happy they purchased this painting, too! 

Green Dirt Farm Creamery

 I sketched as Mom, Teddy and I waited for our lunch to arrive.  I finished as we visited, and nearly forgot to get a photo before heading back to turn it in to the Weston Coffee Roastery!  It's been a fun girl's weekend during the 7th annual Weston Plein Air.  Painting number 4676 in 4676 days. 

Along Main Street

 

I LOVE capturing the small town charm of Weston in ink and watercolor!  This is the 7th annual Weston Plein Air event, and I've seen a resurgence in this small town over the years.  The local businesses are thriving and every block in full of life - day and night!  It's fun to come here with Mom and Teddy for a girl's weekend, and enjoy all Weston has to offer!  This painting now showing at Weston Coffee Roastery! 

Shoal Creek

This is my very first time to visit the Shoal Creek Living History Museum - and it was super fun!  I'd not for the Walktober Quick Paint, I would not have gotten to experience it!  Full of historic buildings, the old mill and water wheel welcome you into town.  I was a little late getting started, and I worked right up to the last minute! Even though I could have used more time, I did get this turned in my the skin of my teeth!  I walked through the whole village before leaving, and hope to bring the family here in the future.  There is so much to enjoy at the north Kansas City park!  Painting number 4674 in 4674 days. 

Don't George Hotel

It was so fun to stay at this hotel with Mom and Teddy for a girl's weekend while painting in the 7th annual Weston Plein Air event!  This historic place was built in 1847 - just a few years after our home was built!  Reported to be haunted, their were ghost hunters in the hallways trying to capture images on their phones!  We dined, shopped and enjoyed as many local sites as we could paint! This painting will hang with 6 others of mine in the gallery space at the Weston Coffee Roastery! Painting number 4673 in 4673 days. 

Historic Weston Orchard and Vineyard

 

I'm finding some new favorite places to paint in Weston - and autumn is my favorite season for pumpkin patches and apple orchards! Four two days, I'm painting as many beautiful locations in Weston that I can, and they will all be for sale at the coffee shop!  Come see this in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery starting tomorrow! Painting number 4673 in 4673 days. 

Night Falls at the Courthouse

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I love painting nocturnes so much - and love it even more when my paintings find a home!  Balmy, autumn nights are the absolute best for painting, so I set up on Main Street, even though my friends were too tired to join me.  Thankfully, the rain held off until I was finished with capturing the magic! Thanks to Farley Lewis, for the honorable mention and kind words!  Painting number 4671 in 4671 days. 

Morning at Longview Beach

 

It was super fun to paint Longview Beach during Walktober!  It's such a beautiful place and the trail is wonderful, too!  It has been years since I've been to this beach, and now I wonder why.  The trails are gorgeous and the lake is peaceful.  Mike watches the boys play as both Michaela and Tiffany paint, walking the trail and exploring the beach.  The weather couldn't be more perfect!  I'm happy this painting got a shout out from the judge - it was a joyful paint!  Painting number 4670 in 4670 days. 

Bridge at English Landing Park

This painting was a race with the clock, as turn in was in only 30 minutes!  I just love a challenge, even when I know there's not enough time, and I'll have to quit painting before I want to!  What better way to keep things fresh?  Painting number 4669 in 4669 days, and this one is now showing at the Parkville Art House. 

Wild Flour and Wine on Main

 

What fun it was to paint upper Main Street in Parkville, and share a drink with Tiffany and artist friends at Deviant Kava afterward.  We tried a Kava Selter that was sweet and delightful!  It's been a crazy 5 days of painting in multiple places and events, but it was especially fun to have both of my daughters join me with their paints!  Paint Parkville has been so much fun this year! Painting number 4667 in 4667 days. 

Night at Kactus Creek

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 It's always fun to explore a new place - especially with paint!  This Croquet Club is super cool! The bright greens illuminated at night, with a vintage home as a backdrop was all I needed to set up on the spot and start painting!  When painting a nocturne, I like to wait for the darkness before really laying paint.  So, I sketched out my scene with my brush, marking lights and darks as they developed. I wanted some of that last blue light in the sky before full darkness, and the water tower in shadow in the background, too.  A real sense of place can be established with just a few small details.  I'm so happy this painting was selected for the Purchase Award, too.  What an honor!  Painting number 4666 in 4666 days. 

On Broadway

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Excelsior Springs is full of historic buildings lining the streets.  It's just to choose just one thing to paint, so I painted the widest scene possible!  I talked to many people as they walked by, each so nice and friendly!  It was a lovely day for painting in the ExcelsiorSpringsPleinAir, and I'm so happy this painting was the first one selected for a Purchase Award at the Hall of Waters!  Painting number 4665 in 4665 days. 

Infield at Creekside

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This is the largest, giant fiber optic tree sculpture I have ever seen - so OF COURSE, I HAD to paint it!!  When I walked up on site, all I could think was, "Wow!" It was so unexpected, and gigantic!  The leaves look like pale green glass, and were not illuminated in the morning.  I stood and really studied this scene before I marked a line.  After my line work, I ate my salad as I stared at my paper, envisioning the next step.  I rarely do this on any painting, so intuitive the whole process is to me.  But this painting called for it, so I let this painting unfold thoughtfully.  I try to always listen to that small voice inside, and go where I am lead.  I am honored this painting was selected for the Creekside Purchase Award tonight!  Painting number 4664 in 4664 days. 

Morning at Gateway Park

 

What a lovely day for painting Gateway Park at Paint Parkville!  This new park is a great stop along the bike trail for relaxation and repairs, and a special place to paint.  The morning light was fantastic and it was especially nice to have both daughters here and little Kirby, too!  What a fun day!  Painting number 4663 in 4663 days. 

Overlook View of Rush Creek

 

I couldn't resist this tree top view of Rush Creek at the Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary Plein Air - and I'm happy to win an award for my efforts.  This painting is now showing in their gallery. Painting number 4662 in 4662 days. 

Along the Riverfront

What fun it was to return to Berkley Riverfront Park to paint for the Walktober Quick Paint, and with the Urban Sketchers KC group!  Wow - this place has grown since I last painted here!  I love how this area is turning into such a destination!  One can walk that trail all the way to the Kaw - where I've got another plein air in November! This painting and some of my process were shown on the Channel 9 News on Sunday!  It's been a big weekend for personal TV coverage, lol! Painting number 4661 in 4661 days. 

Looking Across Mill Street

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 After looking at this scene from multiple angles, I find this one most compelling. I love the historic building in the focus, and the train cars leaving the scene behind it. The front corner building led me in, as did the road, sidewalk and parking lot. I loved the composition, and it had to be painted.  I stood in the shade of a small tree, in high wind, moving with that shade as needed.  I was little uneasy painting right by the jail, and thought twice when someone was released, and he came to my corner to wait for his ride.  But, another artist was within view, so I painted a little faster.  I'm happy this painting was awarded the Purchase Award from Isley, Curry and Howerton, and that it has a new home, too.  Painting number 4660 in 4660 days.  

Kansas and Main

This is the small painting I was finishing when News 5 pulled up and started filming.  I was on the 6:30 and 10:00 broadcast, as I put the last strokes on my painting. What fun! This painting will hang at the City Hall gallery space through the end of the month.  It's been so fun to spend the day painting the historic square in Liberty! Painting number 4659 in 4659 days. 

Weaving her Nest

 The second day's prompt from Inktober is "weave", so I'm sketching Betsy on the best, which she's woven for herself.  We have 11 chickens, and they all Leo in the same nest, until today!  Five eggs ended up in this nest, and two on the nest farthest from this one! It's the first time we've gotten 7 eggs in one day! So exciting!  And Betsy is a favorite, who is the first to jump on my lap, and loves being showered with attention!  She's a Calico Princess - and she certainly lives up to the name!  I plan to fill 31 pages of this new sketch book with Inktober prompts involving my chickens!  Painting number 4648 in 4648 days. 

On Broadway

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It was super fun to paint on Broadway in Excelsior Springs  - and I'm so happy this painting was chosen for a Purchase Award!  I love when paintings find new homes! I parked near here for the Artist check in, and when I scouted up and down the street, I returned to paint this view.  The opposite view also had my attention, so I painted it after turning this one in!  I chose ink and watercolor, and it took me a little longer than usual to get this painting finished.  I visited with many as they walked by, and took my time exploring the details.  I also realized that I was out of ink in my black pen and nearly out in my black violet!  Time to reload before the Liberty Plein Air!  Painting number 4657 in 4657 days. 

Cafe on Broadway

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 I have wanted to paint the streets of Excelsior Springs for years - and today, I seized every opportunity to paint during the Excelsior Springs Plein Air event!  After first painting an ink and watercolor of the street scene in the opposite direction, I turned around to paint this vantage.  This scene called to me - even though it meant standing in the sun for part of it! I waited for my favorite trolley to drive by, too!  What a busy, thriving small town community this is - and so much fun to paint!  This painting was selected for the Purchase Award and of number 4656 in 4656 days.