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 

#artistlife #jazzintheroses #looseparkrosegarden #kansascityart #pleinairpainting 

Downtown Rocheport

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I finished this painting up just as the rain started in downtown Rocheport.  This place is so charming that not even rain can discourage me from painting!  This was the first is my paintings to sell at the Wet Paint Sale! Painting number 5002 in 5002 days. 

Looking Down Second St

 

It was a beautiful day to paint the streets of Rocheport! There are SO many lovely, historic buildings lining the streets of this small town, it's hard to choose my painting location.  The red brick homes in the lush green landscape called to me the loudest - so this is where I landed!  This painting is now showing at Art Off the Trail Gallery in Rocheport, Missouri.  I'm so happy this gallery is now showing my work, too!  Painting number 5001 in 5001 days. 

Red House on Second

 I'm so happy the rain let up just long enough to get a couple of paintings in!  Rocheport is so charming! This is only my second time here, and my first to paint the area in plein air.  This small town of 200 has many historic homes and a few wonderful shops that I HAD to check out before my first brushstroke.  With matcha late in hand, I started painting this in oils, filling in the areas quickly.  I work fast when rain is in the air, and I hung my new bug scarf from my easel to ward off any unwanted visitors. It was fun to visit with the locals as they walked by, and I look forward to painting this town tomorrow and Saturday, too. This painting is now showing at Art Off the Trail Gallery in Rocheport, Missouri.  I'm so happy this gallery is now showing my work, too!  Painting number 5001 in 5001 days. 

Monarch on Sunflower

 

It's fun to paint the butterflies circling these sunflowers - even in miniature!  I migrate to these blooms this time each year, and I can't get enough of painting them!  The butterflies,  bees, and hummingbirds love them, and add life to any garden AND painting!  I'm using up some random pieces of watercolor paper on these minis, and it's a great use for them.  When my time is short, Tis size fits my painting window perfectly!  Painting number 4999 in 4999 days. 

Long House Summer

 

It was fun to gather with artist friends for a quick paint at the Overland Park Arboretum!  The Long House is a cool feature in the landscape to paint!  I first spotted the construction on this hill from Monet's Pond, as I painted a sunset quick paint.  I couldn't imagine how the building would enhance the gardens, and could only think of the loss of natural space.  Well, now I see how it anchors the landscape, and has become a wonderful community space.  I love capturing this place in oil, and it is now showing in the gallery space inside that building.  Painting number 4996 in 4996 days. 

Sunflower Song

It was a beautiful evening for painting sunflowers at the Overland Park Arboretum.  These Maximilian sunflowers have been planted in dedication to a member who has enriched the arboretum through the years, and they are putting on a show!  It was a wild and crazy tangle of flowers to try to make sense of, but I gave it my best - and it was fun, too!  I am honored to be among the top 4 with this painting.  This painting is 4996 in 4996 days, and now showing at the Long House gallery on site.  

Bee in the Petunias

 

The bees seem undaunted by the heat as they buzz through the garden - and I'm happy to paint them in miniature!  This paper is buttery soft, and if I press too hard on the nib of my fountain pen, I could damage the surface.  I'm using a little Ocean Blue ink by Robert Oster at the edge, and a bright pink by Diamine to punch the watercolors a bit.  This is the only petunia I planted this year, after many years of not planting them.  I think this bed may be a little too hot, but the beesdon't mind.  Painting number 4994 in 4994 days.  

Swallowtail on the Sunflower

I love this time of year when the butterflies are abundant in the garden!  The sunflowers are blooming and I am painting in miniature on this bright and sunny day.  It's been close to 100 degrees for so many days in a row, that I've fully acclimated to the heat.  I'm completely comfortable in the shade for hours!  Good thing, because this heat wave is expected to last for another week at least!  Painting number 4992 in 4992 days 

Nocturne at the Nelson

 

What fun it was to paint the illuminated Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art from across the reflecting pool - at NIGHT!  LOVE the painting opportunities that arise for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  It was my first time to paint this beauty at night - and also the first time for me to paint the back of this iconic building.  The evening weather had cooled back from nearly 100 degrees, and it was fun to share this space with other artists, and visit along the way.  Painting number 4991 in 4991 days. 

A Stroll through Kauffman Garden

 

The cannas are putting on a show at the Kauffman Memorial Garden, and I am happy to paint it with a few artist friends today!  Taking a break from framing artwork for an upcoming show, I just couldn't resist the chance to paint here again.  I've not seen the cannas blooming here before - and they grabbed my attention immediately. I dreaded seeing the entrance with the stately old trees removed, but found the area charming, with a replanting of my favorite redbud trees in their place.  Flanked by rows of vivid blooms, the space really was much improved.  The music of the fountain had me longing to repair my own.  I didn't realize how much I miss the trickling water.  In this canna bed were white narrow leaf zinnias which looked like daisies, starclusters, and tropical milkweed - three flowers I couldn't identify without Google lens! I LOVE learning something new while out painting something I love!  Painting number 4990 in 4990 days. 

Shuttlecocks on the Lawn

It sure was a windy day for painting on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum during the Arterie event!  I LOVE capturing these iconic shuttlecocks in paint!  

Vanderslice Hall

 

How could I possibly resist painting this gorgeous historic building?!!  I couldn't!  All those lines and angles called out to me as soon as I checked in, and I KNEW I would paint it.  I didn't even scout the area until it was finished!  We had All Day at the Arterie today, a new painting event on the Kansas City Art Institute campus - and it was super fun!  Check in was at 8am with the final nocturne paint ending at 9:30pm - which is a long day!  Yes, I'm tired, but painting cool new areas is so worth the lack of sleep and food, lol! I'll sleep tonight and eat tomorrow!  Painting number 4988 in 4988 days. 

Calendula Mini

 There is something so rewarding about growing flowers and plants from seeds! I love watching that first little sprout, and the first tiny leaves unfold!  Imagine my joy when that plant grows into this beautiful flower!  I hope to plant these outside, too, where I will paint them in glorious masses!  Painting 4988 in 4988 days. 

413 Market Sketch

There's always time to sketch when the sky lights up!  Mom and I stayed in a sweet Airbnb in Brookfield, and I just HAD to do a quick sketch in my art journal!  It's super fun to create a visual journey through my days in a sketchbook!  I keep several going at a time, one for travel, one in vintage pen and ink only, one for gardening and a few others picked up at random.  All have a blurring of the lines when it comes to theme, as I follow whatever creative muse calls out to me at a given time!  I hope these journals will be fun for my children, their children, and their children to browse through some day!  Painting number 4986 in 4986 days. 

Horse Drawn Wagon

 Mom and I visited Jamesport, and we found plenty of Amish at the local market.  Buggies were parked, awaiting their riders, while others dotted the roads and shops in town.  It wad a lovely day to be out, and fun to share this place with Mom.  She's been wanting to come up here for years!  Painting number 4984 in 4984 days. 

413 Market Street

Mom and I stayed in this sweet vintage house in Brookfield, after a day spent visiting Jamesport.  We shopped the antique stores and I found a few vintage chicken things I had to have!  We had the buffet and Gingerich's Dutch Pantry, and closed down the town before heading out. I stocked up on Amish spices and Mexican vanilla at the local Amish store.  It's the largest Old Order Amish settlement in the state of Missouri.  This house was very comfortable to stay in, even with the quirky, wavy floor from the front door to the back!  Super nice host, too!  Painting number 4983 in 4983 days.  

Phillips Taylor Century Farm

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When I arrived in Marceline, I passed the most amazing field full of hay bales.  Instantly, I wanted to paint some, even though I have some dotting my pastoral landscape at home!  Rather than painting in town, I set off for this farm with the landscape in mind.  After scouting within the perimeter of the fence, i decided to walk out into the field, too see what I could see.  Of course, there was no going back after I saw this beautiful scene. Sometimes I've got to set up way back in the pasture to get the full scene I didn't even know I needed to paint!  I'm so happy and honored this painting was selected for the Magnolia Antiques Purchase Award in Paint Marceline!  The extra effort is always worth it.  Painting number 4982 in 4982 days. 

Garden at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum

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I'm so happy and honored this painting was selected for the Missouri Regional Bank Purchase Award tonight at the Marceline Paint Out!  I loved painting the garden leading to the old depot, visiting with guests as they entered.  There's a beautiful new clock on the grounds, and the garden has expanded since I was last here. I love seeing the extra additions from one year to the next.  Marceline is shining bright today!  Painting number 4981 in 4981 days. 

Bend in the Creek

 

It's so peaceful to paint along a wooded creek!  The song of the birds and rustling of the leaves blend with the rippling water to create a little magic at water's edge.  I'm so lucky to get to capture it in paint, and revel in the beauty of it all.  Painting number 4980 in 4980 days. 

Sunflowers in August

 

The days are growing short and I missed my outdoor painting window!  It's pretty cushy painting inside with a hot cup of strawberry cheesecake tea, though! I helped Tiffany work her PTO's t shirt booth at Back to School night, and arrived back home for Chicken Time. By the time my work was done, it was dark outside, so I an painting these beauties from my table tonight!  The mosquitoes have returned with our days off rain, and I just didn't feel like battling them!  We have less blooms this year, and I'm not sure if it's the heavy rains or the high heat stretch that has shortened their bright blooms.  I'm happy to have a few to paint despite it all! Painting number 4979 in 4979 days 

Butterfly Bonanza

 

The rudbeckia is putting on a show - and the butterflies have noticed!  Of course, I HAD to paint it!!  These blooms really shine as the garden phlox begins to fade.  Though I bought these at a local nursery, they grow wild in every meadow here and I move some up to the gardens each fall. I think this variety has a slightly different shaped bloom than our locals, the brown center more of a ball with dropping petals.  I think the others are flatter, somehow.  I'll have to check that out tomorrow, because they are also in bloom!  Perhaps I should also paint this in oils to see how different they would look!  Painting number 4978 in 4978 days. 

The Cows Come Home

 

No better way to relax than to paint these beauties during the Golden Hour!  After a long day of hard work, immersing myself so completely here, with only the focus of what is before me, restores me in a way nothing else does.  The experience fills me up, and I can go forth with love and light for the world.  Painting number 4977 in 4977 days. 

Sunflower Cheer

 

What a beautiful day to spend in the garden - among the sunflowers!  A cool front moved in and we're only in the 80s today - so I spent most of the day weeding near the sunflowers.  I planted some rose moss and portulaca to fill in a couple of spots, and have many cosmos volunteers that I'm thinking of transplanting them to other beds.  Could they possibly make full bloom before frost?!! These beauties will quickly fade and then the birds will start pecking out the seed. I'm happy to paint them while I can, they have suffered in our extreme heat.  Painting number 4976 in 4976 days. 

Summer Herefords

 

I'm working on something new for the upcoming Buttonwood show - and herefords are on my easel! Throughout my painting journey, I feel compelled to move in different directions artistically.  Lately, I feel drawn to western themes.  I've always loved cattle, likely due to childhood memories of Grandma Frank's and Great Uncle Richard's herds. Or maybe because we have horses again..... but whatever the reason, I think I'll paint more of these.  It feels like honoring history and the ranchers that work the cattle still.  Painting number 4975 in 4975 days. 

Yellow Sulphur on Zinnia

These are butterfly days indeed, as many fly into the garden to play!  It's such a joy to set down my garden tools and pick up pen and sketchbook for a quick capture of life in my garden!  The zinnias are show stoppers that attract many pollinators, and I choose my favorite here.  Too soon the days are growing short, and I'll miss the long, hot days of summer.  Painting number 4974 in 4974 days. 

Monarch in Ink

 

Sometimes all I need is pen and ink.  There is something so natural about picking up a pen, feeling the contact as I pull out across the paper. I'm using the old techniques here, no water soluble inks, only gradient shading with lines and dots. A sketchbook forgotten with paper much smoother than I use now, still serves well for the old methods.  Like coming home to an old friend, drawing takes me right back to my roots as a little girl, where I spent countless hours creating with endless paper and supplies.  Who knew I would love this forever?  Painting number 4972 in 4972 days. 

Peach Zinnias

 

I love painting the cool zinnias that pop up from saved seed!  LOVE that awesome peach color on those unruly petals!  I save seed over the years, often gathered on trips to special places. These might have come from St. Charles, near the Boone Lick lodging. I also have red ones in the garden, and I hope to paint them soon with butterflies around them!  Painting number 4971 in 4971 days. 

Sunflower Salute

 

I love the process of painting sunflowers!  Each brushstroke describing the turn of a petal is like magic, and the painting slowly unfolds.  Even on these hot days pushing towards 100 degrees, it is a joy to paint in the garden. I'm so thankful for all the grows on this fertile land. Painting number 4970 in 4970 days. 

A Daughter's Love

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I love capturing special memories in paint, and sharing them with others.  This was a special commission of a moment caught in time, to celebrate the special bond of mother and daughter.  I'm honored to have been chosen for such  meaningful work.  Painting number 4969 in 4969 days. 

Garden Nocturne

What a lovely night for a nocturne in the garden, at one of my favorite places - the Main Street Inn in Sainte Genevieve!  After dinner at the Brick House and walking through the town listening to the live music, Mom and I returned to the inn to find live music playing nearby, clearly heard from the garden!  So I grabbed my gear - and Mom - are started sketching.  The band stopped before I hardly got started, and my nocturne light went out.  So, I sketched with the ambient light, only turning this light back on for the photo.  I'll need to put that charging cord in my sketch bag from now on! Painting number 4967 in 4967 days. 

Riot of Roses

 

Beautiful roses are meant to be immortalized in paint - how could I resist painting them?!!  The rich dual coloring on each petal is gorgeous, and so unusual!  Cut bouquets don't last for long, but this painting will live on forever!  Painting number 4966 in 4966 days. 

Bee among Sunflowers

Even on a day so busy I can't sit down, there's time for a quick sketch in the garden!  Today I've painted in one of the many bees that attend each bloom.  The garden is alive with many insects, like a little city humming beneath the petals.  It's fun to watch this tiny world as I sketch, even for the brief time In there between Mom's birthday lunch and packing!  Painting number 4965 in 4965 days. 

Swallowtail and Sunflower

We've had some really beautiful swallowtail butterflies in the flowers, and I just had to capture one in paint!  Ink and watercolor is my chosen medium today on this miniature paper.  This is a great size when I only have minutes to get in a sketch.  I hope to paint another black and blue swallowtail that I also saw today - he caught my attention from across the garden!  I've never seen one like it before, but alas, my time is short.  Painting number 4964 in 4964 days. 

Able and His Chicks

What a beautiful evening for "chicken time"!!  These chicks are fast becoming my favorite models, and Able and his girls are on the easel today!  I started this painting with my granddaughter, Quinn, on Sunday - and finished it tonight.  I rarely break up a painting session, but we were in the middle of a family gathering when Quinn asked me to paint.  So, I dropped everything and were went out to paint the chickens.  We stopped when Quinn was finished, so I went back to hosting to finish this later.  The light was perfect tonight, and had me wanting to capture the sunset - too late!  Painting number 4963 in 4963 days.