South Lake at Antioch Park

 

It's fun returning to Antioch Park, where I used to play as a child - to paint!  A budding artist before kindergarten, Childhood Me would LOVE that I'm painting the very steps across the lake to the island!  I remember the feeling of walking gingerly across them, careful to step in the very center of each one.  My brother and I would cross to the safety of hard ground - and be thankful for the feel of it!  Four generations of my family have gathered here. In fact, my daughter,  Tiffany, has joined today and is on the other side of the water sketching turtles. We met the Monday Morning Watercolorists here today, and hope to paint again with them next Monday.  Painting number 4633 in 4633 days. 

Dodge Town

 

I remember playing in Dodge Town when I was a little girl!  It's been modernized through the years, and now I'm sketching it with family, as the little ones run in and out of this play village.  We've gathered here with a few artist friends, and the "moms" in my family are sketching, too!  I've started a little sketch tribe, here, and it's super fun to see the talent shining in my daughters!  Painting number 5168 in 5168 days. 

Bridge at Antioch Park

I love painting the bridges along the walking trail at Antioch Park!  The trails around the lake are especially peaceful, and a great place to relax and recharge for the day ahead.  With ink and watercolor, I paint the scene before me as I relax on a bench.  I used to come here as a child, then later with my children, and now with their children, too.  It feels good to paint in a place where 4 generations of my family have walked. Painting number 3820 in 3820 days. 

Antioch Park Path to the Island

 I love returning to childhood haunts to paint.  Those small stepping stones seemed so large to me as a child, but now they are 1/4 the size, lol!  The beautiful light on the water pulled me right in this morning, and the lush greens were a treat for late summer.  I'm using a couple of new brushes today, Connoisseur taklons, which I purchased up in Marceline over the weekend.  So far, so good.  They are a little soft for the preliminary work, but real nice for the finish strokes. I look forward to exploring these more through the months ahead. Painting number 4319 in 4319 days. 

Antioch Bridge

I have fond childhood memories of this park!  Part of the sprawling lake, I am painting the bridge crossing the water.  With wind gusts greater than 50mph, this low spot near the water is pretty sheltered.  I'm using oils on masonite for this beautiful landscape, and working rather quickly.  I spent too long on my first painting of the day, leaving just 30 minutes for this one.  I checked my watch a little late and headed back over to meet with fellow artists.  So fun to gather in wonderful locations each Monday with artist friends!  There are SO MANY beautiful scenes to paint at Antioch Park!  Painting 3002 in 3002 days.