Showboat Theatre

 

LOVE sketching the historic Show Boat Theatre in charming Hermann during the Art Walk!  This town is so very paintable!  As I was painting this theater, a woman talked to me about plein air events, and what it takes to put in a good one.  I offered many suggestions, the things I look for when putting them on my schedule, and she was very receptive. I think it would be wonderful to paint these historic streets, in oil and watercolor, saving the memories of this place for generations.  Painting number 4324 in 4324 days, and day 4 of the 30 day #stradaeasel challenge. 

Grafted Cacti

The best part of this artist life is getting to paint a different place every day!  The Monday Morning Watercolorists met at Suburban Lawn and Garden this week, where we painted for two hours, then shared our work before shopping the nursery!  After painting the vibrant colors of these Moon Cacti, I chose three to bring home to fill a small terrarium that looks like a conservatory.  This place is so welcoming, offering us veggies, dip and cookies while we painted!  What a lovely break from another very busy day!  Painting number 3297 in 3297 days. 

Home Inked

I love drawing outdoors in the golden hour - the whole place shines with golden light!  Often when I'm working in the late day, the colors around me turn magical, causing me to want to ditch my efforts and grab a new panel - because my scene is suddenly a different, magical one!  Perhaps I need to wait until the absolute last minute to begin, so the beauty is before me when I start the paint?  This day, I really just wanted to spend a little time with my favorite pen and ink, bask in the peaceful sounds of country life, and become one with my surroundings.  Such a good reset on a stressful day.  Painting number 3296 in 3296 days, and day 10 #stradaeasel challenge.   I think the #win_winter2022 challenge ended yesterday, which is the week long winter plein air challenge.  I hope to paint outside every day this winter! 

Milk Barn Morning

I love a misty, drizzly day for painting in oils.  The colors are saturated and rich, and my paints are still thick from the freezer.  The air is crisp but so much warmer than yesterday's 12 degrees, that I don't feel the cold. It is still and quiet out here, a perfect time to paint.  I am revisiting earlier work, finding new ways to reveal this place, bringing the painting up to my current standards.  I learn with each painting, always striving for excellence, and I'm always my own toughest critic.  As I let the brush do it's work, the painting unfolds.  Immersed in the landscape, this time restores me, and I leave this place refreshed.  Painting number 3293 in 3293 days, day 7 #stradaeasel challenge, and #win_winter2022. 

Melting Snow on East Creek

 I love the turn of this creek with it's high banks, and it is even more interesting when mostly frozen.  The water is moving, so even at 12 degrees it is not frozen over.  The dusting of snow we had overnight is icing on the cake of this landscape. There is little wind down here, thank goodness, and the sun offered warmth until it dipped behind the trees.  I stood facing the sun, with my back to the north, bundled up complete with hand and toe warmers on this cold day.  The seat warmers in my car felt so good as I drove away from this place!  Painting number 3291 in 3291 days, Day 6 of the #stradaeasel challenge, and #win_winter2022. 

Light on the Cars

 

A few snowflakes are flying as I paint my first 17 degree nocturne!  Sure is warmer during daylight hours, but this is my first chance to paint today. I had trouble deciding what to paint tonight, which is rare for me.  I had started another sketch earlier in the day, but the light was gone so had to abandon that idea for now. My thoughts have been on a funeral in the morning, and nothing seemed appealing, but this lonely light pole at the top of our lane.  Painting number 3290 in 3290 days, and day 5 of the #stradaeasel challenge. #win_winter2022 for the Winter plein air challenge sponsored by some artist friends in Russia. 

Snow on the Pumpkins

Today finds me in the pumpkin patch - finally painting snow on my pumpkins!  My first chance of this unseasonably warm season, I am enjoying the interplay between warm light and cool shadows that push violet and blue.  The snow is melting right before my eyes, the sun shining down upon it!  Today I am starting an "extreme plein air event", shared to me from an artist in Russia who follows my work.  For the next week I will be sharing my outdoor pursuit of the perfect winter painting, tagging it with #win_winter2022.  Who  doesn't want to WIN winter 2022?!!  There are several art suppliers involved - and chances to win something everyday.  They are probably looking for creative videos on the experience, which are beyond what I currently share in process.  Maybe I'll try to add some of that to my daily work.  Truly, today was not extreme at all.  I actually got too warm in my thick wool scarf and outdoor gear, shed it all to cool off on the porch when I got back to the house!  Lol!  Pretty sure this time of year IS pretty extreme in Russia!  Painting number 3288 in 3288 days, and day 3 of the current #stradaeasel challenge. Wondering about that number?  I'm going to start correcting that each January, because I seem to lose track during the year, and even find that posts have disappeared for no apparent reason!  Oh technology, why can't you work perfectly all the time? 

Northern Creek

Yesterday I was asked about my sketch supplies, so today I am posting my most compact watercolor kit.  This 42 color Superior Water Colour palette folds neatly in a strip when not fanned out. A single water brush pen fits in it's built in holder.  I've chosen a TWSBI Diamond fountain pen loaded with Robert Oster's Thunderstorm ink to compliment the warm winter colors of grass and greening water.  I can't believe this creek is showing so much green in January!  For this very reason, it caught my eye, so I painted it.  I use this palette when I want all my supplies in a pocket.  I can make them work, though the colors can vary. Not the strong pigment I'm used to with my Watercolor Confections, they still serve me well in the field for a quick sketch.  There is a blot pad built in, but I use a paper towel instead. The biggest benefit is the 42 colors in such a compact set. I can paint anywhere with that and a pen in my pocket. Painting number 2944 in 2944 days. 

Along Cleveland Trail

A sunset spent outdoors with pen and ink?  Priceless.  If I've learned anything from the last 10 months of covid, it is to enjoy the little things.  Bask in the beauty of the sunset.  Soak up the sunrise on the front porch with a hot cup of tea.  Tend the gardens with loving care - and enjoy the simple acts of doing so.  I am truly mindful in a way I wasn't before.  As I walk out into the landscape, I really look before choosing a medium. What do I want to express about this moment?  I work more intuitively now, and tackle the more complicated, loving the process all the more.  I hope I am becoming more sensitive with my work, putting more of myself in every mark.  Maybe I'll choose oil the next time I'm here, basking in the beauty of the sunset.  Painting number 2921 in 2921 days.