Ice Melt at the Creek

The sun is helping to melt a little strip down the middle of the creek this afternoon.  It's 9 degrees and sunny, and it feels like a heat wave compared to the recent days.  As much as I love painting those dark, snowy days, I welcome the bright light and shadow on the snow this sunny day!  We may get a little more snow Thursday, but I bet it won't be as glorious as this one!  Painting number 4025 in 4025 days. 

Snow Path

It was so nice to see the sun out bright today - but oh that snow is melting!  Today, I painted to the sound of, "drip, drip, drip", and it made me paint faster!   It is a joy to paint on such a sunny day, even if it was still a bit cold in the wind.  I've used my oils today, so perfect they are to add texture to the painting.  I think I always choose oils when painting in the snow.  I wonder what would happen if I tried it in watercolor?  I should do that before all the snow melts!  Painting number 3335 in 3335 days. 

Road to Catala

 

I just realized that I did not post this painting before delivering it!  So happy that I did get a photo, though!  Many is the time I have sold a painting off my easel without a photo to record it.  In fact, I just did that Saturday when in a hurry to wrap up and get to my third event of the day.  This composition pulled me in with the dramatic turn of the road leading to this historic house, with the charming town of New Melle beyond it.  I love painting these places that dot the map! There are so many paintings out there, just waiting to be discovered!  Painting number 3116 in 3116 days. 

Friday Night Lights in Fairfield

The Fairfield paintout is one of my very favorites!  This year, we had the unique opportunity to go out and paint their undefeated high school football team from the field! It was quite cold, but the rush of the crowd and fast pace of the game kept me moving!  I had to paint fast to get all this down during game time!  Each time the boys moved in front of me, I raced to get them painted!  As they moved up the field, I painted all else in my composition.  It was a wonderful experience and so much fun!!  This painting makes 1445 in 1445 days.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

Sold

Last Light at the Pond

Thundering Oaks has been such a fabulous place to spend the weekend painting!  I'm sure there are many great locations I did not even get the chance to see, as I just kept setting up my easel as fast as I saw another wonderful composition!   It was rather late in the day when I started this one.  In fact, I doubted whether I should start another with so little light left, but the scene was calling..... The deep, cool shadow shades really made that "golden hour" light sing on the foreground stand of trees, so I HAD to paint it!  It was important to get those lights and darks marked quickly - because this light was fleeting!  By the time I finished, the glow was only a memory, with only my painting to record it's wonder.  Painting number 1364 in 1364 days. 

A Dream of White Peonies

A Dream of White Peonies
Oil on wood panel, 16x12
Overland Park Arboretum - Stems
purchase here

On the first few days of the Stems plein air event, the peonies by Margaret's Pond were absolutely gorgeous!  The white beauties called my name - and of course, I had to paint them!  Using a larger wood panel - 16x12, it was a joy to pull out my larger brushes for bigger strokes.  The loose, impressionistic brushwork followed the motion of the petals in the wind, and the misty day set them off.  I have really enjoyed painting these gorgeous flowers this year - I've had nearly a month from the first bloom in Augusta to the last in Overland Park!  Painting number 892 in 892 days.  Now for a little framing, I've got artwork to turn in!

Glory at Balducci

Glory at Balducci
Oil on wood panel, 16x12
Balducci Sunset Paint - Augusta Plein Air Art Festival
now showing - Gallery at Defiance
purchase here

This year's sunset paint at Balducci's Winery was certainly one to remember!  For the first time in years - the weather was warm and wonderful, and a few clouds in the sky promised a fabulous sunset!  The third painting of the day, I started slowly after a thorough scouting of the area.  The barns ALWAYS lure me in!  With red wine in one hand and my brush in the other, I started laying paint.  The oils just flowed onto the surface, and the image emerged.  I left the sky completely blank until the actual sunset colors started - and I was rewarded with a show in the sky to capture on my panel!  Sunsets are SO much easier to paint from life! I should be doing these every day from my balcony at home! Painting number 863 in as many days.

on location

North Side of Defiance Barn

North Side of Defiance Barn
Oil on wood panel, 16x12
Defiance Paint Out - Augusta Plein Air Art Festival
purchase here

This nostalgic old barn is one of my favorite places to paint! Located in such a tranquil and peaceful setting - it is a joy to set up and paint on the spot!  The theme of the day is "barns of Defiance" - and what could be more perfect?  A warm, beautiful day, a pastoral landscape, a fabulous host with an exceptional reception afterwards (thanks to Chris and Jeff at the Inn of Defiance) - all made this the perfect plein air day!  Painting number 853 in 853 days :)

February Snow at the Creek

February Snow at the Creek
Oil on panel, 16x12
purchase here

Finally, we have a beautiful blanket of snow on the ground - turning all into a winter wonderland!  So, on this very overcast, snowy day, I am painting one of our local creeks.  With the unexpected extra time, I am painting larger than normal - 16x12.  The wood panel was first primed a pumpkin shade of orange, which I have allowed to peak through here and there for a little "pop" in a cool winter landscape.  Unusual winter colors used here - a little prussian blue, ultramarine violet and cad orange for that pop.  This is painting number 779 in 779 days - I hope I can make it to all of my scheduled events tomorrow!

Morning at Montebello Falls

on location

Morning at Montebello Falls
Oil on panel, 16x12
Now showing at Parkville Depot, MO
purchase here

For this vantage of the falls at Montebello, I had to set up in the tall grass up the hill and across the street from my subject.  This was the only little bit of shade when I started, so I got right to laying down paint.  The morning light reflected off the water and foliage, shimmering in the landscape.  Looking into the sun is always difficult, even though my hat shaded my eyes.  As you can see from the photo, the sun tends to wash out the detail of the subject while I'm looking at it, making my color choices a bit harder.  That is the Kansas City skyline in the distance on the left - so cool to be able to get that kind of depth in a landscape!  This painting is now showing at the historic Depot in Parkville through November 13, and is painting number 664 in as many days.

Afternoon at the National Golf Course

Afternoon at the National Golf Course
Oil on panel, 16x12
Now showing at Parkville Depot
purchase here

What an amazing opportunity to get to set up my easel and paint this glorious landscape!  With it's undulating hills and autumn foliage - it was truly a treat!  Setting up near the edge of the course by the cart path, I had a bird's eye view of the land below.  On such a warm day - the course was busy, and there was a constant flow of golfers humming by.  I almost didn't seek out this painting location from our paperwork - and I am so glad that I did!  This painting is now showing at the historic Depot in Parkville, Missouri through November 13, and is painting number 663 in as many days.

210 Kansas Avenue

210 Kansas Avenue
Oil on panel, 16x12
OPA Paint-Out - purchase here

on location

Set up on Kansas Avenue in historic Marceline, Missouri, I blocked in my colors.  The chilly morning had me bundled in two jackets - and wishing I'd had a third.  A young cat kept hanging around my legs - even trying to jump up on my palette a time or two.  As the owner of cats, I know to drop the lid down on my palette when they are near!  As I finished my painting and was taking it to the car, I could see that the fence needed a bit of work.  When I took it out for a little adjusting, I did so with my palette knife.  With knife in hand, I proceeded in bouncing all over the painting with color.  My previous brushstrokes had dried enough to grab the paint from the knife in an interesting way - it had been the first painting of the day, and had been in the warm car drying since then.  So, my question is - cool or crazy?  I like the marks, but have I gone overboard?  It is a little wild - is this an alternate me - the one with the knife?  I just can't decide!  This is painting number 647 in 647 days.

September at Balducci's

September at Balducci's
Oil on panel, 16x12
Sunset Paint - Winemaker's Social at Balducci's Winery
purchase here

On location as the sun goes down

I set up on top of the hill west of Balducci's iconic barn with two other artists.  Honored to by asked to paint for this amazing event, the Wine Maker's Social is a crowning jewel of the Augusta Harvest Festival.  The evening was warm, with almost no breeze - and the landscape was lush!  I have painted the sunset here each spring for the last 9 years, but this is the first time in the fall.  The rolling hills were brimming with crops and the trees were so rich in color!  I had to work very quickly, as I painted a large size - and had limited time.  This painting simply fell off the brush.  Perhaps it was the glass of wine as I worked that relaxed my thoughts and allowed the paint to work it's magic while I watched.  The sun sets quickly, and it was very dark before I packed up my easel for the day!   This painting is 631 in 631 days and Day 21 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Of Garden and City

Of Garden and City
Acrylic over molding paste on panel, 16x12
Brush Creek Art Walk - purchase here

sketch & molding paste

On the lawn south of the Kauffman Gardens, I started this painting with the buildings of the Plaza in the background.  After the initial sketch with pastel, I took my palette knife and sculpted in the detail.  Using a heavier hand on the trees, grass and flowers, and a lighter one on the background, I built up the layers until satisfied.  Allowing this to dry briefly, I started another one of zinnias.  I don't like waiting for anything, so when something requires drying time, I always work on a second and sometimes a third painting in the same technique - so by the time I am through with them - my first one is dry.  I then start blocking in my masses, using extra caution over the molding paste.  The thicker parts take longer to dry, and I don't want to shift the paste.  Now, I push and pull the color to reflect how this beautiful landscape affects me.  So much of a painting is a reflection of that specific time and place, and how I respond to my surroundings.  This was a lovely, warm day with gentle breezes - SO welcome after Friday's cold and rainy plein air day!  I must enjoy these days while they last!  Painting number 626 in as many days and Day 16 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Brush Creek Beauty at the Falls

Brush Creek Beauty
Oil on panel, 16x12
Brush Creek Art Walk - Purchase Information

When I arrived on location in early in the morning, I had the Benton Boulevard Bridge in mind to paint....and then I saw the waterfall!   The golden light skimmed the surface of the water and the tips of the foliage in a poetic way.  I had to paint it, instead!  This light was fleeting, so it was my first priority.  I blocked in all of these highlights before going to the first dark.  I then marked all darks, knowing that this magical light and shadow would be the first to fade out of this landscape as the sun rose.  At this point, the light was already changing - so I blocked in the other color masses rather crudely.  This quick brushwork is all over the painting since time was certainly of the essence!  Using thick, wet paint - I needed to go to my palette knife for the final strokes.  The brushes simply moved the paint around too much.  I even skimmed the surface of the water with the palette knife - leaving a trail of "sparkle" in that water.  I think this one really captures the time and place as I quickly worked at water's edge.  This is painting number 625 in as many days and Day 15 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Behind the Barn

Behind the Barn
Oil on panel, 16x12
Defiance, Missouri

As far back as my childhood, I have always loved the old barns of Missouri.  This wonderful barn is in Defiance, Missouri, and I have painted it several times.  Today, I paint it from the back side, where the trees come up in the hedgerow. On this painting, I took more time with each area blocked in, bringing each space to a more finished place before moving on.  I really wanted to bring interest to the light and shadow, so this was where I worked next.  I know this place so well, that just painting it brings back the memories of the sun on my face and the wind in my hair - almost as if I were standing there right now!  Painting number 620 in as many days and Day 11 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Rose Garden Fountain

Rose Garden Fountain
Acrylic, molding paste on panel, 16x12
Loose Park Rose Garden - Purchase Information

Some paintings require a little time to find their conclusion.  Wanting to sculpt this garden, I added texture with molding paste and palette knife to the pastel sketched composition.  It took longer to sculpt a whole garden scene than it does for a floral study.  I added a second layer to the first, to really add dimension to the foreground roses.  Laying in the layers of open acrylics, I added a gel medium in between.  I brought it to the place where I thought it was finished, but something felt undone.  So, I put in on an easel where I would see it every day, in different light, coming and going.  Days later, I went back in with a couple more layers of paint, warming and cooling the temperatures of the masses.  So glad I took this extra time with the painting, as now I am happy with the mood and feel of this beautiful place.  When I paint on location, it is important to me that the painting reflects my feelings and experience while in that place.  Now, this painting does that.  Painting number 595 in 595 days, and I will be entering this one in the auction to support our Fountain Foundation in Kansas City.........unless I decide to keep it :)

Historic Jolly Mill

Historic Jolly Mill, Missouri
Oil on panel, 16x12
sold

The beautiful old Jolly Mill was first built on Capps Creek in Jollification, Missouri in 1848.  This view is actually of the back side of the mill, so as to capture the waterfall running along side.  This mill has been restored in recent years by the Friends of the Jolly Mill and is now surrounded by park land,  It is also a primary trout fishing location where the waters are periodically stocked with rainbow and brown trout.  Missouri is full of wonderful, historic places like this - and this one was brought to my attention by a friend, John Molloski.  This painting makes 587 in 587 days.

Sculpted Prairie Wildflowers

Sculpted Prairie Wildflowers
Acrylic, molding paste on panel
Konza Prairie Wildflowers

Summer at the Konza Prairie finds so many different flowers in bloom!  There are more than 60 prairie grasses and a whole page list with four columns - full of flowers and plants which grow on this prairie!  With this painting, I first sketch out my composition with pastel sticks.  Next, I capture the petals and foliage with my palette knife and light molding paste.  It is important to first have a sketch here, so I can be sure and put the paste where I want it!  No willy nilly application when it comes to molding paste!  After this dries, which is fairly quickly, I go in with my first layer of paint.  Using Golden Open acrylics, I thin down with water and regular gel medium - building up the color and value.  Stepping back periodically, to make sure I get a good feel for where the painting is headed, I make adjustments to the diffused background flowers.  I have tried a stiff, semi gloss medium between layers, but will top this off with the regular gloss for the top coat.  Applying a clear medium between layers adds another dimension to the paint.  I hope to enter this painting for a fundraising auction to benefit the Flint Hills.  It is important to do all we can to preserve the beauty of this Kansas prairie for generations to come.  This painting makes 586 in 586 days.

Fountain by the Roses

Fountain by the Roses
Oil on panel, 16x12
Loose Park, Kansas City, Missouri

This is possibly my favorite park in  which to paint in Kansas City.   I love roses with a passion, and this park has it all - roses, fountains, arbors, and paths.  Twice, I have painted here when a wedding party arrived, and the ceremony performed, all before I had finished my painting!  I set up on the lower level for this one, I have been on the upper tier for my previous two. I wanted to get in a little closer, and more directly in line with the fountain.  I am thinking of entering this painting in the Fountain Foundation Auction - to support the repair and maintenance of our 400 fountains in Kansas City.  Painting number 578 in 578 days :)