Augusta Bluffs

I just keep finding paintings I forgot to post!  This is my favorite bluff in Augusta Shores, in Diamine fountain pen inks. I just love the way those inks mingle!  I left my wash brush at home (while paring down supplies)  and had to use a house painting brush instead!  It worked just fine, in fact, I may just look for one to keep with my ink.  The wash brush is softer, but they both lay in a lot of water.  Some of this ink has gold in it, and in the sunlight - it really shimmers!  Would look great with a dedicated light on the wall.  This is painting number 3783 in 3783 days, and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too! 

Lakeside Redbuds

 

What a lovely, warm day for kicking off the Augusta  Plein Air Festival in Augusta Shores!  This balmy day was such a joy to paint in - and those redbud trees were showing peak color down by the water.  After driving in this morning and arriving a little late, we took longer to find our location, too.  Deciding on this lovely scene, I quickly painted in the masses, marking the color to preserve it.  It was wonderful to see so many artist friends and of course, my host family - it truly is like a family reunion!  Painting number 3396 in 3396 days. 

Stream in the Quarry

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Now Showing at Whitlock Company

Oh how I love the beauty of this place!  The expanse of green space flanked with those majestic bluffs pulls me right in!  To top it off, high water has filled the dry creek bed winding through the scene!  I did not care about the many mosquitoes nor the light rain, until it got to heavy - and then I stood under an overhang until I finished!  I was a bit cold by the time I framed it, but SO happy to have spent the morning in such surroundings!  This has truly been good for my soul!  Painting number 2304 in 2304 days.

Morning Light over the Quarry

Who knew this gorgeous scene would unfold at the end of a wooded path?  It was a cold morning, with clouds growing thick, but they soon  opened to a glorious sky.  It was so relaxing to paint by the water.  The turkey vultures would fly overhead - and wow - what a noise their wings made cutting through the air!  It is wonderful to fade into the surroundings, becoming one with nature, if only for a little while.  Painting number 1914 in 1914 days

Secluded Boat Launch

Secluded Boat Launch
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Augusta Shores is SO paintable!  This little slice of heaven was painted from the tall grass,  looking through the opening of the trees to see this view.  What is better than all those spring greens?  Painting number 1589 in 1589 days :)

Boat Launch in Ink

In all the years I have been painting down at Augusta Shores,  I don't think I have ever painted the boat launch!  The canoes and kayaks laying on the beach are so appealing, I started scouting for the best vantage spot.  Deciding on a view nearer the lake,  I changed my mind as I stepped out of the car.  Parked along the road,  the tall brush in the foreground and the view through the trees was very inviting.  So, I put on my rubber boots for the tall grass,  preparing for the expected thunderstorms.  The rain never came,  and I had a wonderful painting day!  This ink drawing prepared me for the oil painting to come.  It is so nice to work out the design before the first brushstroke of paint!  Painting number 1579 in 1579 days  :)

Killdeer Drive

The blooming dogwoods at the top of this street led me to this location.  In my pre-sketch, I found that I downplayed the bright white blooms.  As I painted,  the whole scene demanded my attention,  and the white blooms simply did not work in the composition.  I painted them out,  with only the slightest hint that they were ever there.  It is a funny thing how a painting will take on a life of it's own sometimes,  no matter what I thought my focus would be initially.  This 1561st painting in 1561 days has already sold to the family who lives on that upper bluff :)

On the Shore of the Lake

Canoe on the Point
Oil on panel, 12x9

After painting the canoe up close and personal for my first painting of the Augusta Shores paint out, I moved over to the top of the point to paint it from afar.  It was warming up, and after painting the first one in the sun, I decided to seek the shade of an evergreen now.  With time to spare, I had finished two paintings, turned them in early, and got to enjoy wine with friends at the fabulous Chili Supper at the clubhouse.  This is on of my favorite socials of the event, and a wonderful way to kick off 10 days of painting!  The lake was very still, allowing some fabulous reflections!  This painting is the 1220th painting in 1220 days.

Painting from the Point

Painting from the Point
Oil on panel, 12x9

Since Teddy had an easel disability today - we stayed on the point for both paintings of the Augusta Shores event. Once the sun had appeared, I found a place under the deep shade of a red cedar to set up my easel.  As Teddy framed her first piece, I really got into the zone - completely forgetting that I was to turn in my first painting in only minutes!  The sky was changing so quickly, that I wanted to get all sky and water color blocked in while the formation was so fabulous!  Once done, we ran our paintings up to the Berg House - and rushed back to finish up this second.  I had first intended on paint the boat by the water, but Teddy’s umbrella demanded to be painted!  What a fun day - and only a couple of sprinkles in a day calling for rain!  Painting number 1206 in 1206 days.

Resting at the Lake

Resting at the Lake
Oil on panel, 14x11

on location

What a wonderful way to kick off the Augusta Plein Air Festival!  Arriving yesterday, I spied a fabulous wooden dory in Jim and Saundra’s garage!  This morning, Jim and I carried it down to hill to water’s edge - just so I could capture this painting of it!  The skies changed constantly - from dark and ominous to clear and bright - to little rainfalls which sent me under the evergreens!  It was so fun to start laying paint in such a beautiful setting, with ALL of the comforts of home!  Tomorrow will find me at Montelle Winery in the morning and Nobeleis Winery for the evening.  This week finds me consuming more wine than any other week of the year!  This painting makes 1205 in 1205 days.

Hidden Lake

Hidden Lake
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Augusta Shores, Missouri
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This little gem is the result of high rainfall in a short time - creating this lake in a normally dry run-off bed!  After getting the word, Teddy and I hiked over to see the beauty.  I had to balance my easel between two of the flat rocks along the edge - being careful not to back up and drop into the water! This spot was very primitive - nature as God made it, and it was a treat to paint it!  Painting number 849 in 849 days!

on location

Majestic View

Majestic View
Oil on wood panel, 12x16
Augusta Shores Paint Out
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This magical spot is located is a place that has called me back to paint once again.  I was here two years ago, and the beauty is stunning - and not the normal landscape found in Missouri!  East light poured in for this morning paint - and that light skimmed the surface of the water as I laid in my sketch.  Moving quickly to capture the golden light, I marked those areas with paint.  With a quickly changing light, it is important to get all mass colors in before they change.  Then, as they change, I already have that color before me, and I won't "chase the light", thus losing the golden scene that first called me to paint.  Another great plein air painting day!  Painting number 848 in 848 days!

on location

Spring at Tammy's Pond

Spring at Tammy's Pond
Oil on panel, 14x11
sold

I absolutely love painting garden scenes!  I'm an avid gardener - and the paintings I can find among a beautiful landscape are endless.  All week long, I had wanted to paint a waterfall, but I simply didn't have the chance....until now!  I have taken extra time on this one, wanting to accurately portray the essence of this special place.  With such a complicated composition, drawing is key - so I sketched this one out in detail with a pastel stick directly on the panel.  I have started finishing the areas of my block in more thoroughly before moving to the next, and I am really liking this method.  It allows me to make sure each area is on the right path as I go, a more thoughtful way of painting.  The results portray my vision more quickly than when I blocked in all areas first, and then started working each area.  It just feels right, and so much of painting is just "expressing" yourself with the brush.  I have several photos of this beautiful garden......and I may just do a few more paintings in the future!  This painting makes 491 in 491 days - and I'll be painting all day tomorrow at the Penn Valley Plein Air Fest in Kansas City :)

Redbud Lane

Redbud Lane
Oil on panel, 9x12
Augusta Shores Paint-Out

on location

Time flies so quickly when I am painting en plein air! I get so caught up in what I am channeling through my brush, that I lose all concept of time.  The last few days, I have had to set the alarm on my phone to tell me when it is 10 minutes from quitting time - otherwise I would very likely miss entering my painting!  It is the best policy for me to simply frame and enter the first piece before moving on to another, this way the pressure is off, and I don't have to race to the drop-off - which I have been known to do!  This was my second painting of the Augusta Shores paint-out.  The weather was warm and windy - and I had a hard time keeping my hair out of my eyes.  The rain held off just until we were loading our plates at the chili supper!  This painting makes 481 in 481 days.  We have a private estate paint tomorrow and a nocturne paint - I really hope the rain holds off until both events are over!  Could we be so lucky?

Autumn on Augusta Shores Lake

Autumn on Augusta Shores Lake
Oil on panel, 8x10
sold

As I record each day of this painting journey, I realize new truths from time to time.  I have always been a "happy" painter.  I can paint all day long when all is well in my world.  Since I have painted for so many days in a row, I do not want to break the habit - even when things are not so well in my world.  This past week, I spent much of it in the hospital with my dad, who suffered with stroke like symptoms.  With the dawning realization that things may never be the same, I looked to my drawing for soothing and relief.  I could not control what happened around me, but I could control my pencil..and the paper.....and the image emerging.  It was SO hard to pick up that pencil and paper the very first time - I did not want to do it.  I actually thought, "Who cares if I continue this?  I have better things to worry about."  But that's just it.  My worrying did not change a thing.  But, my drawing changed me.  It helped me relax, gave me a better perspective on what I was dealing with.  It gave me strength.  Gratefully, my dad is so much better, and he is completely himself again - though very tired and weak.  This is just a quick one today and my 276th painting in as many days.  I am looking forward to many good days ahead.

End of Day

End of Day
Augusta Shores, Missouri
Oil on panel, 8x10

I thought I had a couple of hours of sunlight left to capture this painting.  I soon realized that was not the case.  Being 3 1/2 hours further east in the central time zone, sunset arrives earlier than in western Missouri.  As the sun went down past the western hill, the highlights on these trees went out like a light.  It was not long after that the damp chill set in.  Rushing to finish this quickly, I could hardly see my colors clearly as I pulled in the last strokes.  It is rare to capture this lake so still, with such marvelous reflections - so I am thankful that I had the chance!  This is painting number 263 in 263 days, and Day 23 in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Rainy Day at Augusta Shores

Rainy Day at Augusta Shores
Oil on panel, 9x12

After a stormy night, the hard rain held off until Teddy and I had just packed up our gear and loaded the car.  We couldn't have timed it any better!  For the last half of my painting, it was lightly raining.  I pulled out my red raincoat (always in my trunk), and tried to cover the flat parts of my easel with plastic.  Rain drops stuck to my painting and filled my palette as I worked.  By the end of this, I was literally moving the water aside with my paint brush full of oil paint.  Oil and water really do not mix.  I was fortunate to have had most of my panel covered with paint before the rain increased.  Those few little areas left unpainted resisted those oils relentlessly!  I see a few things I will probably touch up, but for now, this one rests - and off to the next location we go!  Painting number 260 in 260 days, and Day 20 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Day painting challenge.

First Blush of Spring

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First Blush of Spring
Oil on panel, 12x9
Augusta Shore Paint Out

This very rainy day was a challenge to find places with enough cover to paint from.  In fact, I heard it rained 5+ inches on this day!  My first painting had been done from the front porch, pushed up as close as I could get to the house.  For this one, I was in the garage with the door open - until the rain was blowing so hard we had to lower the door until it let up a bit!  I have never painted in such a heavy rain!  That is the fun of plein air - you never know what kind of weather you will get!  This is painting number 117 in 117 days :)

Redbud Rhapsody

I had such a wonderful time painting in Augusta Shores today!  This little piece of heaven is just outside of the front door in my Augusta home at the Curry's.  Sheltered from the rain by the overhang, I painted this view as my first painting of the day.  The redbuds are just starting to show their color - and I have been wanting to paint them for a whole year now!  It has been years since we have caught the redbud bloom in Augusta.  The residents host a WONDERFUL chili supper at the end of the day to celebrate the occasion - with many desserts to top it off!  It is always a premier event in the Augusta Plein Air Event - and SO wonderful to see so many artist friends and catch up!  It feels just like a family reunion!  Of all plein air events - this is my very favorite - the community welcomes the artists with open arms, and the friends we have met through the years are here to cheer us on!  So amazing, I could paint all day and all night in such a setting as this!  This is painting number 105 in 105 days - I know, it just sounds crazy town to me, too!  I just don't know how I've been able to get it done.  It will be EASY these next 8 days :)

Redbud Rhapsody
Oil on panel, 12x16
Augusta Shores Paint-Out