Peace on the Farm

As I drove back to Fairfield from Shreve's Pumpkin Patch, this beautiful farm spread out before me.  I found a water treatment road to turn into and set up my easel on the spot.  The cattle were all in position, and the distant train rolled right in behind the barn - it was perfect!  As I was finishing up, the mist started to fall and I could see the rain moving in from the north.  I packed up quickly with no time to frame, and headed in for dinner with the group.  I love when all the stars align so well!  Painting number 5016 in 5016 days. 

Downtown Fairfield

What fun it was to paint such a wide view of historic downtown Fairfield!  This scene has been on my mind since I arrived on Tuesday.  Though I've painted Fairfield many times, I've never gotten these whole view, including the courthouse. I had to set up east of the courthouse, in front of a building that was one an historic hotel. There was an awning I had to back into several times when light rain started, to prevent my ink from running!  It's a challenge to capture it all - and a thrill to do so.  Come see this in person tomorrow at the Wet Paint Sale at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, Illinois.  Painting number 5014 in 5014 days. 

Downtown Albion

What a surprise and honor it is to win Best of Edwards County AND People's Choice Award for this street scene painting on Main and 5th in Albion!  Thanks to @averilgoodman and the whole committee for hosting the Edwards County Paint Out, an event I love to paint!  This historic square in Albion, Illinois is full of small town charm. I started this one thinking the rain would hold off.  As it started to rain, I popped in the car to work.  When it stopped, I hopped out - only to feel the rain picking back up again.  Ink and watercolor can't be rained on - so back in I went.  Starting late in the day, this was quite a bit to bite off before turn in.  It was challenging and fun - and definitely worth the effort!  Painting number 5011 in 5011 days, and it will be hanging in the local bank. 

Along Mill Creek

SOLD 

 

It's so much fun to paint the Country Club Plaza for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  I get to paint with artist friends among the gorgeous architecture of the plaza, with live music serenading me. The plaza will be changing in the future, and I want to paint it as it is right now.  It's especially fun when a painting sells off the easel and I'm so happy this painting found a new home, too! Painting number 5010 in 5010 days.  

Phillips Taylor Century Farm

SOLD

 

When I arrived in Marceline, I passed the most amazing field full of hay bales.  Instantly, I wanted to paint some, even though I have some dotting my pastoral landscape at home!  Rather than painting in town, I set off for this farm with the landscape in mind.  After scouting within the perimeter of the fence, i decided to walk out into the field, too see what I could see.  Of course, there was no going back after I saw this beautiful scene. Sometimes I've got to set up way back in the pasture to get the full scene I didn't even know I needed to paint!  I'm so happy and honored this painting was selected for the Magnolia Antiques Purchase Award in Paint Marceline!  The extra effort is always worth it.  Painting number 4982 in 4982 days. 

Paradise Restaurant

It's fun to get to paint the cool summer places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  This place is called Paradise Restaurant, and it's bright and cheerful.  I'm delivering it and two others to the area soon!  Painting number 4951 in 4951 days. 

Lakeside Dreaming

The boats leading to the pavilion are iconic at Lakeside, and I couldn't resist painting them as Mom and I sat on a bench, waiting for the sunset.  The Canadian wildfires have blown smoke our way, and the air is actually hazardous.  It was so thick in Genoa, we could not see the other side of a crop field as we drove through.  The sky only pinked up before fading to dark, so there wasn't much color to capture.  The peace and tranquility here are truly therapeutic.  Painting number 4950 in 4950 days. 

Morning on W. Second

 

I love painting downtown Lakeside, where most of the traffic is bicycles and gold carts.  Everyone is so nice, and we visit about all things Lakeside.  Often, couples will walk by a few times to see my progress as I work.  What a great place to visit AND paint!  I'm so happy this painting has found a new home in Kentucky!  Painting number 4948 in 4948 days. 

Neon Taco

 

I love painting all the fun places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  There are SO many restaurants on the lake, one can simply drive their boat up to the dock to enjoy the fun!  I loved the plein air events that were held down here a few years ago, and wish they would return. I found so many cool places to paint - caves included!  This commission will soon be heading to the Lake Fine Art Galleria, along with two others.  Painting number 4938 in 4938 days. 

In the Gallery of Oaks

I loved standing in a gallery of oaks to paint the setting of this cabin and the path to the river.  The morning was cool in the shade, and the breeze light, making the day perfect for painting. The trees called to me.  Each large shape and form begged to be immortalized in ink and watercolor, casting the cabin as the understudy.  Truly a study of oaks, I hope I did them justice.  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.❤️🎨

In the Gallery of Oaks

 This cabin studio tucked into the woods is surrounded mostly by oak trees.  The path through the trees leads down to the river, offering another amazing view.  I couldn't help but paint this lovely gallery of oaks offering a canopy of shade from the cabin to the river, as the morning light spread across the landscape.  This one now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4911 in 4911 days. 

Cabin in the Clover

I am SO at home in a pasture, painting a lovely log cabin homestead on the hill.  This scene grabbed me as soon as I arrived on location, but another scene pulled me away.  After finishing the first painting, I returned to this spot to paint a quick capture, and ended up looking it more!  I'm happy that I was able to get them both finished before heading back up to town!  It has been another beautiful plein air day!

The Heart of Marceline

 
I knew as soon as I saw this scene, I would paint it.  This would be the very first painting of the day, as it would not let me leave without painting it.  It was cloudy and cool, and absolutely the perfect weather for standing completely in the open to get this vantage.  After my very detailed drawing, I began adding the watercolor, pushing the ink a little more too, until I was finished.  I'm so happy to have received the Reginal Bank Purchase Award for this painting!  Painting number 4617 in 4617 days. 

Lakeside Welcome

SOLD

 

What a wonderful entrance this is to the beach on Lake Erie!  I have often wondered what the building to the right of the pavilion is, and I was told that it used to be a bowling alley!  This rendition of the Pavilion also includes part of the Putt Putt golf stand, which I don't think I've included in a painting before.  This painting has a happy new home here, too.  Painting number 4589 in 4589 days. 

Lakeside Plein Air and Wooden Boat Show

 It seems there is a special painting or two each year that gets a lot of attention. I intended to paint this in a small format, but when I set up my gear, I found myself pulling out a larger paper.  This composition absolutely epitomizes historic Lakeside. I will be painting two others, slightly different, so each one is unique.  This was the first painting to sold at the Wet Paint Sale, and is painting number 4587 in 4587 days. 

Welcome to Lakeside

 

It is so much fun to paint this charming path to the beach - complete with hotel and pavilion! Our room overlooks this road, and each day, I watch so many families walk through here on their way to summer fun! I just had to capture it in paint!   I'm so happy this painting has a new home!  Painting number 4584 in 4584 days. 

Lakeside on Lake Erie

 

I LOVE painting this iconic Pavillion on Lake Erie in Lakeside, and stepping back in time!  Hotel Lakeside is celebrating it's 150th year, and the whole place looks like it has been spruced up for the occasion.  It's nice to step out of the historic hotel and start painting on the lawn, right along the water's edge!  Painting number 4581 in 4581 days. 

Cook Station Dreaming

SOLD

 

It was raining pretty good when I pulled up to Cook Station. Upon check in at the Mercantile, this view of town grabbed me.  I scouted a bit under covered porches but returned to this first place to paint.  I visited on the porch as I painted, listening to music piped in to speakers.  It was lovely, though it rained the entire time, sometimes hard.  This is a special place, and I'm so happy I got to paint here! Painting number 4539 in 4539 days. 

Come see my plein air work on Main Street in Steelville tomorrow,  June 8 from 10:00 to 2:00. Art, llibations, live music, and food trucks - it's going to be a fun day near Gallery Zeke! 

Perched on the Hill

SOLD

This rambling farm on the hill was such a sweet spot to paint!  I could hear the sweet sounds of chickens along with a gorgeous turkey that was on watch.  It looked like rain, but three drops held off until a bit later in the day - allowing me to paint this beautiful scene in ink and watercolor.  Our gracious hosts prepared a feast for us when we turned in our work.  I had the absolute best beet hummus I have ever eaten! I'm so happy this painting will have a new home here, too!  This plein air life sure spoils me!  Painting number in days. 

Art Party on Genessee

I love returning to the Historic West Bottoms for the 3rd annual Heritage Days Plein Air event - even in extreme wind! I started this day by teaching a three hour workshop on Sketching in the Urban Landscape. I love getting to share my skills with others en plein air.  Afterward, I participated in the first quick paint of the event. It was a fun evening of visiting even as the wind delivered a beating!  I'm looking forward to calmer days ahead!  Painting number in days.