Glacier Creek Afternoon

This place had been calling me for days! I found this location on my very first trip into the Rocky Mountain National Park, but decided to paint from a different boulder at Glacier Creek's edge.  After a full morning, I only had an hour to knock this one out before an Artist Pop-up at the Maude Jellison Library, where I painted aspens en plein air and field questions about my process.  Painting as fast as I could, I took some short cuts - like painting in masses with central colors and pulling the water colors across with my brush in the manner in which they flowed. My process is very intuitive, picking up paint with the brush and dropping it where I see it, without thinking about the components of the painting.  I become one with the spot, and I let it flow out through my brush.  Painting here is restorative,  like a balm to my soul. I love the very awe of this landscape, the Rockies are truly special, and the YMCA of the Rockies in particular.  The experience truly is about the mind, body and spirit here. Painting number 4345 in 4345 days. 

Glacier Creek

With only an hour to paint before my Sketching in Ink class, I rushed down the Ross Richter hiking trail to Glacier Creek.  This waterfall had been calling for days - and finally I had the chance to paint it. Mike and Michael played Frisbee up the trail while I worked.  It's good to have someone watching your back when you're painting near such loud water. This place is so inspiring, and a wonderful place to paint. This is day 10 of my Artist Residency at the YMCA of the Rockies, and day 20 of the #stradaeasel challenge. Painting number 4340 4340 days. 

Maramec Spring

The turquoise water of Maramec Spring is hypnotic, and calls to me like a siren song!  This park is one place I MUST paint whenever I am close, and I made a little time for it while in Steelville.  Painting by the cold spring water is very comfortable this time of year, and the very saturated color of the water is a joy to paint. I just happen to still have Prussian blue in my palette (from a November portrait study) and it is the perfect blue to mix for this water!  The eagles weren't fishing here today, I've seen one each time I've painted here before.  Time flies when I'm painting, and I spent a little longer here than I anticipated.  Wish I had time to paint the other two large panels I brought with me!  I guess they'll have to wait until next time.  Painting number 3077 in 3077 days.  Not sure why some recent posts did not actually post.  Possibly a connecting issue, and I'll have to go back and fix it when I've got the time.  This painting now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville. 

Purple Clematis Cascade

This clematis has never been this gorgeous!  Given to me by a friend no longer on this earth, I will think of her each year it blooms, remembering the day I freed it from a fence as she coaxed me on!  I was afraid the rain would knock some petals off, so it was first on my easel today.  I'm not quite sure it is finished - and I forgot to sign it - but the raindrops had started and they could make those colors run!  I'll revisit it tomorrow, and see if it calls for any adjustments.  Perhaps I'll even try it again while this clematis still blooms!  Painting number 3048 in 3048 days. 

Winding Spring

Oh how the light changed that water today! As I blocked in this painting, the dark blue green shades were so prominent in the water.  The clouds thinned ever so slightly and washed out the light on the scene!  Resisting the urge to chase the light, I now am not sure of my next step.  It was time to pack up and head to Gallery Zeke, so I am letting this painting rest, to look with fresh eyes tomorrow.  Painting number 2980 in 2980 days. 

Mother and Child

I love the feel of graphite pencils in my hand.  The smell of them takes me back to my childhood and the sheer joy of mark making.  The tactile way they glide over the surface of my paper, meeting resistance with the vellum texture of my Bristol board.  With stumps I blend my masses now, where once I used little fingers for this job.  I have quite a selection of pencils and tools, but I only use the 8B.  I love the softness, and rarely choose another.  The pink eraser from childhood is still my favorite, those other fancy ones are just not for me.  I really love spending time with my old friend graphite, especially when a mother's love is my subject!  Painting number 2719 in 2719 days.

Home by Sunset

So, I'm letting this painting rest for now, but I'm not yet sure if I'm finished.  Sunsets are always a challenge, and with my new palette, my colors are also a little different.  Therefore, some of my very natural mixes are not quite coming out as anticipated.  It is like the first snow scene I did with the new palette, there was definitely a learning curve!  I think I may need to lighten the horizon a bit, and cool off that foreground - again!  It seems like the more I paint, the more critical I become!  Lol!  Painting number 2234 in 2234 days.

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Winding Creek in Snow

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The quiet beauty of the day was calling to me.  As I headed to the gym, it called.  While dropping artwork off at the Buttonwood, it still called.  Once free from my obligations, I stopped at a favorite creek on my way home,. Knowing the melting snow would now expose very wet ground, I could not wait to paint the inky darks against that cool gray snow.  Love the mood of this place, I am SO glad I stopped!  Painting number 2207 in 2207days.

Sunset Stream

I was awarded an extensive set of Richeson oils, which I got to select myself in the fall.  I have dedicated a palette to just this brand, and have used it for this painting.  Exploring the texture and hues as I find new ways to the colors I want.  After three large paintings, I've decided to add Naples yellow, ultramarine violet, and cad orange to my Richeson palette.  I did not order these originally, and find I'm missing them as I work on winter sunsets.  With each studio painting, the process becomes easier,  I can trust more in all of my field experience for the information I lack from a reference photo.  Perhaps I will grow more comfortable with each one I do in the studio.  Nothing like practice to improve those skills!  Painting number 2195 in 2195 days.

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Turning Creek

A creek turning and twisting always has my attention.  I love the way it moves through the landscape, calling me to it's edge.  This time, I lay my darks in first.  Working in the golden hour means quickly changing light, so I hold off on the sky until it shows the color I know is coming.  I wish I'd replaced the Off clip on I lost in another creek, because the bugs are coming out!  A few of my paints are getting sticky, I'll have to reload in the morning.  Whatever ultramarine blue I loaded last time, I'm not crazy about it.  It seems a little thinner than my Windsor Newton, and it is not as strong in the mix.  For a color I use a lot, it needs to be very pigmented.  I think I'm finished, but I'll check tomorrow in full daylight to be sure. Painting number 2039 in 2039 days.

Martha's Gardens

A farmer's market offers the most amazing subject matter for paintings!  I am drawn to the flower carts again and again!  Bright umbrellas and sunny blooms adorn this vendor's wagon - and this scene was a joy to paint!  Painting number 1728 in 1728 days.

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Winding Lavender Rows

While on location in Washington Island, I only had time for a quick sketch of these winding rows.  This would have been my third painting on site, had time allowed.  It has been floating around inside my head ever since, waiting for the opportunity to jump out onto the panel!  Today was the day!  Not having my panels yet tinted, I painted on the white of the gesso - which I never do when painting in oil!  I miss the complimentary color underneath for my strokes to lay upon, and found the colors coming off a little too  "clean". I must rely on that underpainting when mixing my color!  Who knew?  It's amazing what I learn from switching things up in my painting routine.  I guess I'll be tinting my panels before the fall flury of plein air begins!  Painting number 1702 in 1702 days.

oil on panel, 16x12
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Creekside Sycamores in Fall

This rambling creek runs along a stretch of highway that leads to New Melle.  I started this painting last time I was in the area, but today have brought up the colors of the changing season.  Already, leaves are turning yellow and dropping along the creek bed.  The days are still warm, but subtle shifts of color are dotting the landscape.  Nothing begs me to paint it like a winding creek.  I think I'll never tire of them.  Painting number 1348 in 1348 days, and now it's time for bed :)

Creekside Sycamores

Creek in New Melle
Oil on panel, 12x16

on location - off F Hwy in New Melle

On the day of the New Melle paint out, Teddy and I had checked in and driven to the east and west on the main streets out of town.  Heading south down F, we decided we had gone too far, and pulled into this untraveled drive.  As I looked down the embankment, I was instantly drawn in.  Our plan was to paint one of the historic buildings.....but the creek was  certainly worth a photo!  Well, once out of the car, I knew I would be unable to resist it’s gently winding curves!  I set up looking to the north, and Teddy set up looking to the south, being careful to avoid the abundant poison ivy along the drive.  This highway turned out to be a speedway full of racing cars and gravel trucks, and all seemed surprised to see artists along this track!  After sketching this out in pastel, I then painted it loosely in acrylics.  I finished it off in oils, and I like the depth this creates.  Painting number 1216 in 1216 days.

Majestic View

Majestic View
Oil on wood panel, 12x16
Augusta Shores Paint Out
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This magical spot is located is a place that has called me back to paint once again.  I was here two years ago, and the beauty is stunning - and not the normal landscape found in Missouri!  East light poured in for this morning paint - and that light skimmed the surface of the water as I laid in my sketch.  Moving quickly to capture the golden light, I marked those areas with paint.  With a quickly changing light, it is important to get all mass colors in before they change.  Then, as they change, I already have that color before me, and I won't "chase the light", thus losing the golden scene that first called me to paint.  Another great plein air painting day!  Painting number 848 in 848 days!

on location

Waterfall at the Nature Sanctuary

Waterfall at the Nature Sanctuary
Oil on panel, 12x16
Parkville in Art plein air event

First marks...

On location

I have painted in the Parkville in Art plein air event for three years now, and I only just discovered this amazing waterfall!  It is located off of Kate's trail in the Nature Sanctuary in Parkville, Missouri.  Following the trail, turning left at the fork, I walked through the woods with my gear.  A ribbon of water followed along down an embankment to my right.  Twice, I almost stopped to paint that ribbon as it twisted through the trees.  I could hear the roar of the waters before I could see them, and as I made the last turn - they appeared before me!  Magical - and I set up on the spot quite close to the drop off.  So close, in fact, I could not back up to check my progress.  With such a complicated subject, I first marked off all the darks of the rocks and the lights of the water with pastel sticks.  Following with paint, I brushed the oils into these same locations and started to move toward the middle values.  I began this at 11:30, wanted the midday light to illuminate these waters which are otherwise in shadow.  So, I needed to work quickly while I had this light.  Finishing in two hours, the light had already changed so much that it was no use to work any further.  Such a peaceful and amazing place - and even though it is quite a walk back there - I will be back every year to paint these same falls - and probably the water as it winds through the woods!  Now showing at the Historic Depot in Parkville through November 13 in the Parkville in Art show.  Painting number 658 in as many days.

Church on the Hill

Church on the Hill
Oil on panel, 12x16
Defiance, Missouri

This charming old church is atop a hill in Defiance, Missouri, and can be seen from all directions.  It has such wonderful presence in the landscape, as if it has always been here.  Painting a larger size today, 12x16, I am playing with the colors of autumn.  The leaves have just started to turn in the last few days - only a few, as most are still as green as summer.  But these few colorful tints in the landscape are the promise of more to come, and certainly have me thinking of painting fall!  I pulled out my yellow green, only to find it was the wrong shade.  So, digging a little further, I found my favorite - a Grumbacher.  It has a pop that my other brands do not have.  I also found a small tube of Grumbacher white, and used it to load my palette.  Well, it is not my Winsor Newton!  The color was flat in comparison, and not what I would buy again.  Isn't it funny how we artists find very specific supplies that we like, and shun others without mercy?  I went back to my ultramarine blue for this one, after a month of using mainly my prussian blue.  I wanted to cool shade to play the warmer fall colors off of.  Lots of palette knife work on this one - juicy and full of impressionistic strokes!  I will be taking this one to Augusta this weekend!  This painting makes 627 in as many days and Day 17 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Tenor Sax

Tenor Sax
Graphite on bristol, 12x16

Music has always been a big part of my life.  When I was only in second grade, I started piano lessons.  I continued them for many years, finally able to play many of the classics by Bach, Beethoven, Clementi - my all time favorite, and Mozart.  I loved the music, and loved the way it made me feel to hear the notes rise up from the piano my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had played.  My husband, oldest son and youngest daughter play classical guitar, all three sons played the clarinet, oldest daughter first played the electric guitar and now plays the violin.  My Aunt Diana can play any instrument, my father played the organ (under duress), and many more relatives with various other instruments.  This sax was a very complicated thing to draw.  Shadows and highlights defined the surfaces - and there are SO many different planes!  This is the 612th artwork in as many days :)