Path to the Pier

I love painting the vintage charm of this lovely  pavilion in Lakeside on Lake Erie!  It's entry to the pier is iconic to this area, and a beautiful landmark from the water.  Mom and I sure have enjoyed our stay here!  Painting number 4947 in 4947 days. 

Path to Hotel Lakeside

 

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

Brewing in the Stockyards

This historic tavern attached to the Livestock Exchange Building is a great place to enjoy a drink. Brimming with history, I would love to hear the stories the walls could tell.  I set up in the shade of another building to paint this, needing the wind break to keep me on the ground with my easel.  As you can tell by the photo - half of my pochade split off when the whole thing crashed to the street with a strong gust. Plein air is definitely NOT for sissies.  I'm happy this painting was mentioned by the judge tonight in his top 5 picks. Painting number in days. 

Parkville Overlook

This was a lovely bird's eye view over Parkville from the Evolytic's parking lot.  I spent a lovely afternoon painting with my daughter, Tiffany, to capture this scene.  With ink and watercolor I worked on my normal method, then went back into certain areas with more ink.  I have many fountain pens loaded with matching inks, and I carry a few with specific landscape colors.  I went to these four added impact and depth for the finish.  It's so fun exploring what the ink can add!  Painting number 5180 in 5180 days and I'm happy this painting won the Evolytics Purchase Award, too!  Still showing at Parkville Art House for the rest of the week! 

Hickory and 13th St

 

The West Bottoms is such a cool historic place to paint, and this day my daughter, Tiffany, joined me with artist friends.  This building was beautiful in the morning light, and super fun to get all those lines and angles in! We only had about an hour and a half to sketch, and that goes by quickly with all that architecture!  I'd love to capture more of these vintage places as they are now, because much of the area is getting a face lift, and these streets will not be the same.  Painting number 5178 in 5178 days. 

Light on Banneker School

 

I loved painting the morning light on this historic Banneker School to the music of birdsong! When I arrived, golden orange light radiated from the sky behind the school, and was stunning.  With ink I sketched it's perch upon the hill, and painted the light in quickly, before it could change.  Timing is everything and had I waited, I would have missed that beautiful invitation to paint!  Painting number.5156 in 5156 days.  

Retired

 I saw this scene as I headed to Willow Creek this morning, and I could envision the painting and the name instantly.  So, of course I had to return as soon as I finished up at Willow Creek.  The row of pump jacks were so interesting - and like a puzzle to sketch out!  I love a complex painting challenge,  and this was a fun one to paint. Focus is everything as those lines and angels go in, then the color defines the masses as ink pushes up the contrast. I love that this painting is going to the bank in Main Street, to join a few others I have hanging there!  Painting number 3914 in 3914 days, and day 30 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Indiana Design Center

 

So excited this painting won the Indiana Design Center Purchase Award!  It was the very last thing I painted for this event, finishing just before turn in time.  After walking all sides of this building with the bold lines, I decided on this entry. The front side was definitely more glorious, but the strong lines and changing light on this side pulled me in.  Rain threatened as the skies darkened enough for the interior lights to shine a glow from within.  Working fast, I painted that light even as I finished my sketch in pen and ink.  I love when a painting simply falls into place.  Thanks to the Indiana Design Center for choosing my painting and the organizers of Carmel on Canvas for hosting such a fun plein air event!  ♥️🎨 day 19 #stradaeasel challenge

13th and Hickory

I've never been down these streets of Kansas City before tonight.  Arriving a little late to the quick paint - after a day full of family fun time - I walked up and down these streets.  After seeing a few compositions I would like to try, I walked back to get my gear and chose this view instead!  My first time to use this square format paper, it was a learning process.  Each handmade paper is different, and this one was a bit resistant to my paint.  So, I coaxed my paint into position on this paper, allowing it to dry in place - which took longer than normal.  So complex was my drawing,  I was still putting paint on those buildings to the last minute!  I'm so honored to win this first Historic West Bottoms Quick Paint, and I'm happy this painting found a new home, too!  I can't wait to paint here again tomorrow!  Painting number 3783 in 3783 days.