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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
I have a special Chicken Sketchbook, that I am filling with only paintings of my girls - and our one rooster! This sweet chicken is a Blue Jersey Giant, and a sweetheart with a floppy comb. It lays over a little, giving her extra personality. Once in a while she delays her re-entry to the run by hanging behind the others for those last few bugs in her way in! Painting number 4960 in 4960 days.
I love painting the world that surrounds me, even in miniature when my painting window is tiny. These little moments stolen in the garden are my reprieve from the weeding and constant cleaning that comes with many flowers. Each is a beauty to behold, and the insects that cling to them are so very interesting, too. As the butterflies dance, they won top billing over the tiny snail on a leaf. Perhaps he'll appear in a later sketch! Painting number 4958 in 4958 days.
Known as the most beautiful stroll along the water, Lake Erie is but a backdrop for these glorious daylilies! Larger than my hand, these bold blooms rise above the foliage in abundance. I've never seen them glow like this, so of course, I HAD to paint them! I had so much fun talking with everyone as they walked by, and I'm happy this painting found a new home here, too! Painting number 4949 in 4949 days.
I love painting downtown Lakeside, where most of the traffic is bicycles and gold carts. Everyone is so nice, and we visit about all things Lakeside. Often, couples will walk by a few times to see my progress as I work. What a great place to visit AND paint! I'm so happy this painting has found a new home in Kentucky! Painting number 4948 in 4948 days.
It's so much fun to stay and paint at the Historic Hotel Lakeside on Lake Erie! Come see this and more tomorrow at the Wet Paint Sale near the pavilion at 1:30! ♥️🎨
#hotellakeside #lakesideohio #lakesidechautauqua #pleinairpainting #artistlife
I LOVE returning to charming Lakeside to paint! I look forward to this weekend event all year, it's like stepping back in time for a few days. A great place for families, many return to the same summer cottage for generations. The Wet Paint Sale Sunday 1:30 to 3:30, outside the hotel near the pavilion on Lake Erie. It's always cool here by the water. Painting number 4945 in 4945 days.
It's so peaceful to sketch this trail through a canopy of trees. Though the weather is in the 90s, this path is cool in full shade, with a lovely breeze cutting through. Our time is short, and this may be my last time on this trail until next year. I wonder if everyone connects to places like I do, as if they are living, breathing things. It's hard to leave, and I feel this way about many special locations. It's as if I bond with each place. What a lovely place to spend some time unwinding! Painting number 4944 in 4944 days.
It's so fun to sketch this covered bridge in Elmore, from the North Coast Inland Trail! I've painted this bridge on the Sugar Creek Golf Course a few times through the years, and I'm always happy to see it still stands. There's a farmers market along the trail closer to town tonight, and Mom and I are headed there when I get back. It's fun to experience the small town life here on our annual visit. Painting number 4942 in 4942 days.
It was fun to sketch the log cabin and Elmore depot along the North Coast Inland Trail! I love that we got to tour them, too! Cool places of interest are open along the trail at certain hours and days. These two are open every Sunday from 2 to 5, May through October. It's such a great idea, and it makes the trail a destination to go see something new. Mom and I enjoyed the buildings before meeting friends for ice cream right up the street. Mom is getting to visit with so many friends in town. Painting number 4941 in 4941 days.
Our beautiful Starlight Green Egger hen, Mabel, is actually a rooster - so we changed his name to ABLE. He's a beauty to sketch in my special chicken sketchbook! This paper is in my Mr. Ellie Pooh sketchbook, which is made from actual elephant dung, in an effort to save these elephants in Sri Lanka. With this sketch, and the one before it, I used more water on the surface with the gouache than previously. The result is a splattered, sparkly appearance on the reverse side, which mimics a spray of shiny kamar varnish, on sprinkles! Though the paper does not work very well for watercolor, I am finding other mediums that will! I love exploring the possibilities! Painting number 4939 in 4939 days.
I love painting all the fun places at the Lake of the Ozarks! There are SO many restaurants on the lake, one can simply drive their boat up to the dock to enjoy the fun! I loved the plein air events that were held down here a few years ago, and wish they would return. I found so many cool places to paint - caves included! This commission will soon be heading to the Lake Fine Art Galleria, along with two others. Painting number 4938 in 4938 days.
The antics of chickens are so much fun to paint! I paid for premium pullets, but 3 months later, Mable started to cockle-doodle-doo! So, ABLE is now an adolescent, and beginning to bother ALL of the chickens. The older girls aren't having it, but the young ones think he hung the moon. So far, he's mainly been a gentleman, and I'm hoping for the very best. He's been handled and cuddled since birth, and he must remain gentle with everyone, or get his own bachelor pad. This painting is headed to Gallery Zeke for the upcoming Art Squared. Painting number 4938 in 4938 days.
I've long admired gorgeous hydrangea, and now I'm painting my own! I planted this Bobo hydrangea, because it was a nickname we had for our sweet lab, Beau. It's now bigger than I am and full of blooms, and the pollinators have noticed! It's fun to paint this beauty when once I only dreamed of having them on the lawn. Painting number 4937 in 4937 days.
Some days, it is nearly dark before I get to my easel. It feels so good to finally squeeze in that painting! I only have a few of these plants this year, but the red is definitely a favorite! They all seem a little slower this year to take off, but they are finally showing some color now. I found a few more starts in the garden today, and an already looking for their special spots! Now is better sign off before I fall asleep - it's been a very, very busy day. Painting number 4935 in 4935 days.
Painting zinnias always reminds me of Grandma Bessie! She introduced me to these beauties the first season I helped her in the garden, all those years ago. I remember the giant red zinnias the most, as we dropped seed into a long, shallow row in front of her irises. I helped prepare the area, with her guidance, and she would often have something to eat in the kitchen when we were finished. Sometimes, I'd fun to Sonic for tenderloin sandwiches - a favorite for her and Jewel. What memories return each year with the flowers. Painting number 4934 in 4934 days.
Impressions of my garden phlox are on the easel as the light fades in the garden. The fragrance is heady at night, rich in the air on the front porch. We had a lovely Baby Sprinkle for Michaela and Robin today at Hannah's, and it was amazing. Rebekah came up with a delicious Fairy Tale themed menu with special mocktails, as all the girls made the day special. It was a lovely reprieve from the Big 250 year Independence Day celebration yesterday. I'm so thankful the girls carried the load today because I was beat after the week's preparations, cooking and cleaning. Best family ever! Painting number 4933 in 4933 days.
The rudbekia is blooming and the bees are buzzing! I love how these blooms have spread all over the fields, and they are lush in this year of heavy rain. We're headed to Raymore's Independence Celebration, and enjoying it with Mom, Danny, Jacob, and Michaela's family, too. Painting number 4932 in 4932 days.
On these very busy days, it's refreshing to squeeze in a tiny painting in the garden! I've worked outside most of the day, the heat hardly bothering me with the overcast sky. After finally getting a hammock hung out by the chicken coop, Kirby and I enjoyed it as we looked through the large oak canopy to the sky beyond. I couldn't stop smiling as another small dream was realized. I think we're really going to love this wooded space by the chickens. Painting number 4930 in 4930 days.
Painting generational flowers in the garden brings back so many memories! Five generations have now enjoyed these blooms on this land, and I'm the only one to paint them yet! With many budding young artists in the family, I'll need to gather them together for a paint out among them, and tell them about their Grandma Bessie! Painting number 4930 in 4930 days.
The Rose of Sharon is blooming, and I can't resist capturing it's beauty with a quick sketch! The only color I remember from childhood, the two parent plants of this one spread out beneath two large trees on the front lawn. My brother and I used to climb between them, stepping across the propane tank as a bridge. A white picnic table sat under the branches in the shade, where we gathered with family. As these reseed abundantly, I have moved many of them to other parts of the property, where they now bloom, too. This beauty is behind an old shed, in a secluded part of my garden. Who knew I would sow the seeds of my childhood on this ancestral land - and then paint them? Painting number 4928 in 4928 days.
What fun to take in the excitement of the World Cup in Kansas City with ink and watercolor! This is my first experience with World Cup soccer, it has never been on my radar. My boys all played soccer, and it was one of my favorite sports of their's to watch, but that was pretty much the extent it. Being with the fans from other countries is so much fun, and their enthusiasm is infectious! I'm so happy I was able to come down and sketch the fun with dear artist friends, Liz Vargas and Marcia Willman! Painting number 4927 in 4927 days.
It was fun to meet artist friends to sketch the World Cup fun at Crown Center in Kansas City this morning! It was great to see Liz Vargus here from Chicago, with her family, and Marcia Willman to capture a moment in KC culture. First time ever to experience the excitement of the games, it was fun to see so many enthusiasts from other countries supporting their teams vigorously! Singing their anthems down the streets while wrapped in their flags, and cheering as only they could do. It was a fun glimpse into their culture! Painting number 4925 in 4925 days.
The garden phlox are blooming and the air is heavy with their fragrance! One of my favorite flowers in the garden, these beauties smell almost of lilacs. Vigorous plants, they spread readily and grow in sun and shade. When dead headed or in years of heavy rain, they can bloom into the fall. My first plants came from Grandma Bessie's home in Raymore, where she shared them after a day spent tidying her flower beds. I've shared them and planted them all over the property. So now, I get to paint their beauty and enjoy their fragrance every summer! Painting number 4923 in 4923 days.
