Main and Short

 

I love painting on Main Street in Weston, and visiting with everyone who walks by!  This street is full of charming shops and restaurants, and many are out enjoying the beautiful fall day.  I hope to return soon to take in more of this place with my family!  This painting is now available at the Weston Coffee Roastery and is painting number 5040 in 5040 days. 

Farmstead Goats

What better way to start the day than by painting baby goats?!!  As I sat down to sketch them, one by one came over to lay down beside me.  I sketched them each, foreground to the back, then laid in the background at the finish.  It is calming and soothing to spend time with these little ones, and soak up their cuteness as I painted.  Michaela, Kirby and little Robin joined for the fun and a few artist friends, and I ended the morning with a stroll around the farmstead.  Painting number 5039 in 5039 days. 

Wyandotte County Museum

 It was fun to paint the Wyandotte County Museum for the Walktober Quick Paint this morning - and another place I've never visited! I love exploring these new places with paint! I'm happy this painting was included in the top 5 painted here today!  Painting number 5038 in 5038 days. 

To the Hatchery House

 

I look forward to painting Weston all year, so I didn't waste any time getting started.  I like to find places i have not yet painted, and this gorgeous scene has called to me before.  I love these historic places, especially when it feels like stepping back in time as I paint.  The owner walked up behind me as I was finishing, and was so happy I had painted her house!  She told me I made her heart smile!  I love that!  It was fun to paint the charm of this historic home on the hill for Weston Plein Air, and it is Now Showing at Weston Coffee Roastery with a few others, too!  Painting number 5037 in 5037 days. 

55 Chevy

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Once in a while I get to paint something special for someone special, and this is such a painting.  Cathy's husband just restored this beauty in his retirement, and she commissioned this painting for his Christmas present.  I love getting to play a small role in making a family memory - especially for such a wonderful couple.  Painting number 5036 in 5036 days. 

Willow Tree Wonderland

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I love getting to paint something special in one of my favorite shops!  Willow Tree is always one of my first stops in Fairfield - and I always come out with little treasures to take home with me!  Cathy's husband built this shelf for her collectibles, and I loved painting it decked for fall!  This painting sold before the show, but I still wanted to capture it in a post for others to see.  Painting number 5035 in 5035 days. 

Farmers Market on Water St

I've been so busy at plein air painting events that I forgot to post this one from downtown Liberty! I started this one at the farmer's market with my daughter, Michaela, and her newest little one, Robin. We both painted while sweet Robin laid on a blanket staring at the leaves in the dense shade of a tree.  I spent so long on this one that I left myself short on time for the next one!  This painting is now showing at The Artisan Market in Liberty.  Stop by and see the paintings from Liberty Plein Air!  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Sunset Over the Missouri River

There's nothing like a sunset quick paint on the Missouri River!  I had scouted pretty far from my car in search of this view. I came to this spot late - because I was in the zone on another painting,  and could not leave it. As I painted, I soon realized I was losing the light - and I hadn't grabbed a light.  When did the sun start setting so early?  Finished or not - I had to pack up and leave.  I could no longer see the colors in my darks.  Despite all that, it is exhilarating to race with the sun for a painting!  Come see this and more at the Parkville Art House on Crooked Rd this Friday, Oct 16 from 6 to 8. Painting number 5033 in 5033 days. 

White Farmhouse Charm

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When i arrived on site, my intention was to paint more of the building and include the sweet "Betty" the Volkswagen van.  But as I started sketching, I was drawn to the drama of the angles and I wanted those first lines to pop out of the frame.  I let my pen have it's way, and my focus became the entrance with the side note of another artist who was painting "Betty"! So, I kind of included her after all!  It was super fun to paint one of my favorite shops in Parkville - and I'm happy this painting was selected to join a few of my others, too!  Come see this one and more at the Parkville Art House Oct 16 at 6:00! Painting number 5032 in 5032 days. 

Life on Main Street

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I looked for a place in the shade, but only found a pole to for cover.  As it moved away from my vantage, I stood in the full sun, wishing I had put sunscreen on my feet.  Each time the train rolled by, I popped in my earbuds to buffer the very loud horn.  I moved into the shade to check my close and values, because that it hard to see in full sun.  Despite the challenges, I loved almost every minute of it!  I am honored this painting was chosen for the Paint the Town Purchase Award in Paint Parkville!!  I love capturing the small town charm of this place in oils! 

Prima on 1st Street

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 It was fun to set up by the fire station with the perfect view of 1st Street!  The golden hour is the best time for a quick paint, and the glow lit up the street.  This place will soon look very different as the traffic is going to be routed a different way.  There's something special about capturing it as it is now, while one still can. Thank you Prima Facie for choosing my painting for your Purchase Award, and thanks to Wanda Jackson for hosting Paint Parkville!  Come see the show beginning October 16th at 6:00 at the Parkville Art House. Painting number 5030 in 5030 days. 

Giant Tree at Creekside

Well, this isn't something I paint every day!  This giant tree at Creekside puts on lazer show as the sun sets every night.  It's a challenge to get the line drawing in only to wait for nightfall before really adding paint.  I jumped in at twilight, and pushed the colors as light changed.  This place was full of children playing, families enjoying the space, and others dining at the outdoor venues.  It's a fun place to paint a psychedelic tree!  Painting number 5029 in 5029 days. 

Waterfall on Old Kate's Trail

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I LOVE painting to the music of a waterfall!   The birdsong wafted through in notes as I worked.  It has been years since I've painted here,  and these upper falls called to me.  I found a clearing from which I could stand on the east side of the falls, one that I hadn't seen before.  I loved the angles and the light from this side, and Ihad so much fun describing them with paint! The best part is that our judge for this paint, and curator of this sanctuary, purchased this one off the easel!  He had just cleared the honeysuckle from that spot - not knowing I would sweep in and paint it!  Painting number 5028 in 5028 days. 

Veteran's Memorial Fountain

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What fun it was to paint near this fountain on such a beautiful day to kick off Paint Parkville!  This is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, and it is near the old depot.  As I was painting, a train came through, so I painted it in to complete the scene!  Anyone who has spent time on downtown Parkville knows these trains are iconic to this place.  I was surprised and happy to find that City Hall selected my painting for their Purchase Award based on a majority vote!  This painting will join a few others of mine on the walls of City Hall.   Painting number 5027 in 5027 days.  

Rose Garden Impressions

 

The Rose Garden at Loose Park is one is my favorite local haunts.  This garden is ever inspiring to me, and I paint here any chance I get.  My grandmother lived roses, and grew a couple of varieties that I remember.  Peace roses and Tropicana, both with their Jackson and Perkins metal tags attached.  As a little girl, I would smell deeply of their fragrance, and I remember it still.  Isn't it funny that memories in the garden remain so strong?  Like art, it was a love from the beginning that I nurture still. Come see this painting and more hanging at the Anita Gorman Conservation Center for the Brush Creek Art Walk.  It was great to see so many people at the reception tonight, and I'm happy to receive a ribbon, too!  Painting number 5027 in 5027 days. 

Walk Along the Water

Liberty is far enough from me that I've only been there a handful of times.  Each time I've painted the Liberty Plein Air, new locations have been on our schedule.  That gets me to these amazing places, to find the paintings I didn't expect to find.  I love exploring new parks with paint, it's a bit like opening up a new gift!  This pond at  Stocksdale Park was irresistible and I had a blast dropping in those bold color pops!  Painting number 5025 in 5025 days. 

Walk through Gillham Park

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The best part of painting the Kansas City Park's Walktober Quick Paints is getting to experience parks I have never been to!  This is my first time to Gillham Park, and it has lovely trails that wind through giant Sycamore trees!  If you look closely, you'll see how tiny the walkers on the trail are beside the focus tree! Kansas City has so many wonderful parks and I love painting the Walktober Quick Paints - especially when my paintings find new homes!  Gillham Park is beautiful! Painting number 5024 in 5024 days. 

Smelling the Roses on Water Street

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The theme for today's paint was "come smell the roses", in honor of the newest sculpture added to Liberty.  Arriving with only 2 hours to paint, since I first painted the Farmer's Market, the only vantage that appealed to me was from the street, in full sun, right next to traffic!  With a construction fence directly behind me, I shifted an orange cone to my side, to alert the oncoming cars.  Pressed for time, I would have chosen a smaller panel, but I didn't have it with me.  So, I jumped in fast with the thrill of the task ahead of me.  After a quick sketch to get my composition fixed, I started painting in the masses quickly on unorthodox fashion!  I painted all shadows, then all highlights, then all brick, all greens, all blues, and etc.!  I never paint this way but felt it the quickest way to finish with far less brush washing in between.  The process worked - and just maybe I'll try this crazy method again tomorrow!  I finished this 20x10 painting in an hour and 45 minutes - and I'm all about saving time wherever I can! 

What an amazing honor to have this painting chosen for the Premier Purchase Award by the Liberty Arts Council at Liberty Plein Air!!  I had SO much fun painting this!  Painting number 5022 in 5022 days. 

Belvoir Winery

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I have been to this winery one other time with the Urban Sketchers KC, and that was a cold winter day.  It was a joy to see this place with it's early fall color and lush green grass.  Michaela, Kirby, and baby Robin joined for a little plein air, too!  Thank you to the Liberty Chamber of Commerce for choosing my painting for the Purchase Award at the Belvoir Winery Quick Paint, and to Shaun at The Artisan Market for organizing Liberty Plein Air!  Michaela will be joining me to paint the square tomorrow with a Reception and Sale from 6 to 7 pm, ah the Artisan Market. Painting number 5023 in 5023 days. 

First Apple

This is Day 1 of Inktober 2026, and the official prompt is apple.  So, what better way to sketch an apple than to offer it as a tasty treat for my chickens?  At first, they didn't know what to do with it!  I've only offered tiny bites of them before - never the whole apple!  After I broke the surface of the skin with my fingernail they were more interested, and started pecking at it.  Once the first hen got a bite, her friends joined and made quick work of it!  This fun was in their run because the rain is falling again!  Painting number 5021 in 5021 days. 

Bullard's

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Sometimes, I only have time for a tiny painting - and this is such a time!  Bullard's is full of autumn color now - making it the perfect slice of fall!  The barn color with all the pumpkins was irresistible, so I've painted it quickly in miniature.  Nothing rings in autumn like painting pumpkins!  I need to get a few for my chickens to enjoy - and I will paint them, too!  Painting number 5020 in 5020 days. 
 

E Second and Main

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I love painting the small town charm of Fairfield up and down  Main Street!  As I walked back from my car, I saw this scene - which I never see driving by due to the one way street.  It was lovely, especially how the street landed at the historic hotel-turned- body-shop in my view. I've painted a few people in the painting - and one of them is me at my easel, with a patron looking over my shoulder!  Its fun to occasionally paint in a little surprise!  Painting number 5019 in 5019 days, and I'm so happy this painting has a new home, too!  

Night Falls on Court Street

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Just an hour before, this lovely home was the spot for the Artists Dinner, where good food and good friends gathered. Door prizes and gifts abounded - and I won the first one, true to form!  Dena, Melinda, Cindy, and the other committee members hosted us with flair, making sure that everyone had a gift before leaving. I have a history of winning door prizes often, and I even won a painting raffle, too!  As the artists drifted into the streets for nocturne painting, I kept coming back to this side view of Dena's house.  I asked them to turn on the lights, and then I knew I had to paint it.  As I painted, Kathy Morrison set up to paint the alley, after hanging multi colored string lights on her car!  That girl knows how to nocturne!  It was a fun evening of comraderie as we all painted and laughed.  I finished pretty early, and left the others to finish together, since I had a couple of commissions to work on.  We never leave an artist alone to finish. I'm so happy this painting found a home within those walls, too.  Painting number 5018 in 5018 days. 

South St and Main

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This sweet scene in West Salem called to me first thing. Setting up at the park, I pulled out my oils. It had been raining into the morning, and it still looked like rain.  The first building is now a sweet little ice cream shop opened up by one of the nicest people I know.  The next building is the town's library, and then a few vintage homes complete the scene.  This was a lovely place to paint, and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too.  Painting number 5017 in 5017 days. 

Peace on the Farm

As I drove back to Fairfield from Shreve's Pumpkin Patch, this beautiful farm spread out before me.  I found a water treatment road to turn into and set up my easel on the spot.  The cattle were all in position, and the distant train rolled right in behind the barn - it was perfect!  As I was finishing up, the mist started to fall and I could see the rain moving in from the north.  I packed up quickly with no time to frame, and headed in for dinner with the group.  I love when all the stars align so well!  Painting number 5016 in 5016 days. 

55 Chevy

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It's always fun when I get special requests - and this will be a Christmas surprise for someone's husband!  I've used rough handmade cotton paper that absorbs the watercolor like crazy!  I had to go over and over that paper to get it the color I wanted, and then I needed to add ink to boost it.  That is the fun of handmade papers - I have to learn their needs before they can meet mine!  Painting number 5016 in 5016 days. 

 

Downtown Fairfield

What fun it was to paint such a wide view of historic downtown Fairfield!  This scene has been on my mind since I arrived on Tuesday.  Though I've painted Fairfield many times, I've never gotten these whole view, including the courthouse. I had to set up east of the courthouse, in front of a building that was one an historic hotel. There was an awning I had to back into several times when light rain started, to prevent my ink from running!  It's a challenge to capture it all - and a thrill to do so.  Come see this in person tomorrow at the Wet Paint Sale at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, Illinois.  Painting number 5014 in 5014 days. 

Giant Pumpkins on the Farm

How could I possibly resist painting those giant pumpkins?!! I have not seen them this big in all the years I've been coming to this patch in Barnhill, Illinois.  It sprinkled a few times during the painting process, and I moved back under the cover of a concession stand, moving back out when it stopped.  Once I have oils on my whole panel, then it is fine to stand out in the rain.  But if the dry panel gets wet - it will resist that oil paint, stopping it from adhering to the panel.  The rainy day wad the perfect backdrop for those rich, saturated colors  It feels like fall now that I've  painted Shreve's Pumpkin Patch!  Painting number 5013 in 5013 days. 

Sunset in Downtown Fairfield

 

No, I could NOT resist that amazing sunset tonight as we disbanded from our Fairfield PaintOut meeting!  I tried to persuade my artist friends to stay, but one by one they fell away to get to their host homes.  I simply could not leave, so I quickly sketched out the scene with a pastel stick on a gessoed  board. I still had plenty of sunset color in the sky so I quickly set up my easel and slapped on paint as quickly as possible, first the darks then that fabulous color that was still fresh in my mind, though fading in the sky. I won't know until tomorrow how it really looks, when I take it out of my trunk!  It was super fun and I'm so glad I stayed to capture it in oil!  Painting number 5012 in 5012 days. 

Downtown Albion

What a surprise and honor it is to win Best of Edwards County AND People's Choice Award for this street scene painting on Main and 5th in Albion!  Thanks to @averilgoodman and the whole committee for hosting the Edwards County Paint Out, an event I love to paint!  This historic square in Albion, Illinois is full of small town charm. I started this one thinking the rain would hold off.  As it started to rain, I popped in the car to work.  When it stopped, I hopped out - only to feel the rain picking back up again.  Ink and watercolor can't be rained on - so back in I went.  Starting late in the day, this was quite a bit to bite off before turn in.  It was challenging and fun - and definitely worth the effort!  Painting number 5011 in 5011 days, and it will be hanging in the local bank. 

Along Mill Creek

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It's so much fun to paint the Country Club Plaza for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  I get to paint with artist friends among the gorgeous architecture of the plaza, with live music serenading me. The plaza will be changing in the future, and I want to paint it as it is right now.  It's especially fun when a painting sells off the easel and I'm so happy this painting found a new home, too! Painting number 5010 in 5010 days.  

Legacy Park

What a beautiful morning to paint the Anita Gorman Conservation Center for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  This community garden is a favorite of mine to return to and paint.  I love the linear design with an those soft edges of blooms and vegetables.  The early light was amazing, and a treat to capture in oils.  I was happy to run into a few artist friends I haven't seen in a while, too!  Painting number 5008 in 5008 days. 

Mum Sale!

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 What fun it was to paint the mum sale in downtown Rocheport!  The whole community seemed to pop in for mums while I painted - and I even painted a couple of them into my painting!  It was fun to see small town life unfold in front of me, and to get to capture the magic with ink and watercolor.  I do love the charm of visiting and painting these small towns so much. Life just seemed simpler here.  There were only a handful of mums left by the end of that sale!  I'm so happy this painting found a new home, and it is painting number 5007 in 5007 days. 

Blufftop View of the River

 

How quickly the light changes at the A Frame Les Bourgois!  This is THE best view of the Missouri River that I've found to paint in Rocheport!  It's been so fun exploring this place in paint - and equally fun to do it with artists friends!  I hope to return next year to see what other jewels I can find to paint!  Come see this one in person at ART Off the Trail gallery on Central!  Painting number 5006 ink 5006 days. 

Rocheport Winery

 

This beautiful vintage home-turned-winery is right off the Katy Trail in Rocheport, and I couldn't resist painting it!  I've painting quite a bit along this trail, and this is the busiest trailhead I've painted yet!  The Meriweather café and historic depot are right behind me, and if I had the time, I'd paint them, too!  I've really enjoyed these days in Rocheport! Now Showing at Art Off the Trail gallery on Central in town! 

A Frame at the Blufftop

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The view of the A Frame Les Bourgois from the blufftop overlook was so much fun to paint!  I've only been here once, years ago.  The entertainment space is much expanded and the overlook on the Missouri River is gorgeous!  Rambling flower beds soften all the hard edges - making this very paintable. This view grabbed me, and I HAD to paint it!  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 5005 in 5005 days. 

Jazz in the Roses

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It was a lovely evening to paint Jazz in the Roses at the Loose Park Rose Garden!  It is a special treat when I can paint to live music - and these jazz musicians were stellar!  It was fun to visit when onlookers stopped to talk, and two young girls even painted petals onto my rose garden!  The littlest couldn't hardly reach - and she was very thoughtful with that stroke! Perhaps they are the next generation of painters in this rose garden!  I'm happy this painting went home with a new collector, too! Painting number 5003 in 5003 days.