Winding Maramec Spring

 

This winding spring from the Maramec Spring Park is SO peaceful to paint! Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri!  

Morning on Sunset Ridge

 

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It was a lovely afternoon to paint the view from the top of Sunset Ridge. As I was cleaning my brushes, the two horses walked into my scene - and I added them before my last brush was clean!  What a treat to see them in their happy place - and paint them!  On a personal note - I also have a palomino and a black horse, who is a Rocky Mountain horse, so these two reminded me of my own.  It's so much fun to paint a place I feel such an affinity to!  I'm happy this painting has a new home here, too!  Painting number 4912 in 4912 days. 

Bridge at the Spring

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My demo for the High School Plein Air at Maramec Spring was so much fun!  Each of us artists had a group of students at the park during the Folky Fish Fest. We chose this gorgeous area by the waterfall for our painting location.  Each student could choose their own subject and medium of choice. I shared my process as I checked in with each during our painting time.  It was a wonderful painting and learning experience for us all! One of my favorite paintings of the week - I'm happy this painting has a new home in Springfield! Painting number 4905 in 4905 days.

Waterfall along the Trail

Dogwood Canyon is a magical place.  The spring fed river winds through the park, with multiple low water bridges overflowing. As I hiked to the chapel to paint, I found this hidden gem along the trail.  It was enchanting to paint in this solitary place to the music of the waterfall.  I think I need my own personal waterfall at home.  Painting number 4885 in 4885 days. 

Ozark Overlook

 

What a glorious overlook to paint at the College of the Ozarks!! I could paint here for days!! I intended to paint the historic church on site, but as I walked through the scripture garden, this scenic overlook called my name.  My first painting is at it's feet as I scrambled to paint another in our allotted time.  What fun it has been talking to so many artists that I've painted with over the years.  It is sheer joy to paint such a breathtaking view as this! Painting number 4882 in 4882 days. 

Spring in the Vineyard

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The light was amazing at Defiance Ridge - until the clouds rolled in!  I tucked myself down in the vineyard to get this amazing vantage, sketching both before and after turn in on another.  The grapevines are leafed out more than ever - making them perfect for painting!  It was fun to visit with guests as they strolled through the vineyard, checking in with each artist in the field. I love getting to paint places like this and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 4873 in 4873 days. 

Red Umbrella Day

 

It REALLY poured for this paintout!  Everything was soaked and it was still fun sharing the tiny space with artist friends, Margaret and Troy Tatlock from Wisconsin!  Troy is always so chatty as Margaret tries to rein him in a little. Time flies when you're having fun! Happy to win an Honorable Mention on this, too!  Painting number 4865 in 4865 days. 

Klondike Reverie

 

I love when a stormy afternoon forecast turns out to be wrong! It was a great painting day along water's edge at the waterfront in Klondike Park.  The expected rain had stalled, and two glorious hours turned to three as Teddy and I painted fast and loose. The birds were singing, frogs were jumping, and the weather held even until after the taco dinner hosted at the Creative gallery.  The tranquility of this place is inspirational.  Painting number 4864 in 4864 days. 

Union Station Christmas

 

I truly love this tradition of painting the magic at Union Station during the holiday season!  And today, there were choirs of children singing carols around the Christmas tree!  I gathered with artist friends, and we all chose different painting spots. After a short 2 hours, we lunched together at the Harvey House, sharing our paintings and visiting.  It's a lovely way to celebrate the season, and this very special place. Magical!  Painting number 4731 in 4731 days. 

Chapel in the Snow

 

The chapel at Powell Gardens is such a peaceful place to visit and paint. The walking trail that meanders to this place is lovely, with many painting spots along the way.  Winter is just a breath away, and the snow only makes this place more beautiful. This is painting number 4701 in 4701 days. Now Showing at the gallery in the visitor center. 

Night Falls at the Courthouse

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I love painting nocturnes so much - and love it even more when my paintings find a home!  Balmy, autumn nights are the absolute best for painting, so I set up on Main Street, even though my friends were too tired to join me.  Thankfully, the rain held off until I was finished with capturing the magic! Thanks to Farley Lewis, for the honorable mention and kind words!  Painting number 4671 in 4671 days. 

Morning at Longview Beach

 

It was super fun to paint Longview Beach during Walktober!  It's such a beautiful place and the trail is wonderful, too!  It has been years since I've been to this beach, and now I wonder why.  The trails are gorgeous and the lake is peaceful.  Mike watches the boys play as both Michaela and Tiffany paint, walking the trail and exploring the beach.  The weather couldn't be more perfect!  I'm happy this painting got a shout out from the judge - it was a joyful paint!  Painting number 4670 in 4670 days. 

Bridge at English Landing Park

This painting was a race with the clock, as turn in was in only 30 minutes!  I just love a challenge, even when I know there's not enough time, and I'll have to quit painting before I want to!  What better way to keep things fresh?  Painting number 4669 in 4669 days, and this one is now showing at the Parkville Art House. 

Night at Kactus Creek

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 It's always fun to explore a new place - especially with paint!  This Croquet Club is super cool! The bright greens illuminated at night, with a vintage home as a backdrop was all I needed to set up on the spot and start painting!  When painting a nocturne, I like to wait for the darkness before really laying paint.  So, I sketched out my scene with my brush, marking lights and darks as they developed. I wanted some of that last blue light in the sky before full darkness, and the water tower in shadow in the background, too.  A real sense of place can be established with just a few small details.  I'm so happy this painting was selected for the Purchase Award, too.  What an honor!  Painting number 4666 in 4666 days. 

On Broadway

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Excelsior Springs is full of historic buildings lining the streets.  It's just to choose just one thing to paint, so I painted the widest scene possible!  I talked to many people as they walked by, each so nice and friendly!  It was a lovely day for painting in the ExcelsiorSpringsPleinAir, and I'm so happy this painting was the first one selected for a Purchase Award at the Hall of Waters!  Painting number 4665 in 4665 days. 

Morning at Gateway Park

 

What a lovely day for painting Gateway Park at Paint Parkville!  This new park is a great stop along the bike trail for relaxation and repairs, and a special place to paint.  The morning light was fantastic and it was especially nice to have both daughters here and little Kirby, too!  What a fun day!  Painting number 4663 in 4663 days. 

Sunset Over Brush Creek

 

The promise of a glorious sunset was popping. As the color brightened, I started laying in color, quickly.  Sometimes, at this point, I wait a little longer for the intensity to heighten. I thought that I would simply add the color as it appeared.  I really wanted to capture that almost green turquoise in that horizon, so I jumped right in. I'm so thankful that I did!   That color faded in ten minutes, and no additional color rose to the occasion. If I had waited, I would have missed the moment, and that moment held a beauty all it's own. Tonight's lesson?  Seize the moment! It was an honor to win a second placing among my peers in tonight's quick paint! Painting number 4639 in 4639 days. 

Plant Sale at the Garden

Purchase Award Winner

I love painting in the community garden at the Anita Gorman Conservation Center - especially with artist friends. I started and finished this one in the sun, but painted in between from the shade.  It was 96 degrees as I headed home, such is super hot for this time of year.  The zinnias were glorious, and I've never seen the native plant sale wrap around the parking lot before today - so, of course, I had to paint it!  Today is the second Quick Paint for Brush Creek Art Walk  - and I'm so honored that my painting was chosen for the Purchase Award!  This painting will hang by a bronze plaque with my name on it!  So exciting!  Painting number 4638 in 4638 days. 

Dancing in the Fountain

 

After a busy weekend of painting in Marceline and watching grandsons, I didn't decide until the last minute to join watercolor friends for our weekly plein air day.  The Kauffman Garden was absolutely stunning today!  And to think that I almost stayed home to catch up on chores!  This is sweet reward for putting everything else on hold.  I actually pulled out several of my rarely used fancy inks to use for final punch - in matching fountain pens, no less.  Lesson of the day?  Don't put off until tomorrow what can be painted today!  Painting number 4619 in 4619 days. 

Hanging with the Girls

 

I LOVE hanging with the girls - with ink and watercolor!  Just returning from my Yoga Bliss weekend, I can see these beauties have grown in the last 4 days! They are so sweet, and come running to me when I walk out to their coop! They grow in beauty every day - and soon I'll try painting them in oil - but I'll have to stay outside the run, or these curious girls will have my paint everywhere! Painting number 4598 in 4598 days.