Bridal Cave Pipe Organ

Painting inside the Bridal Cave is ethereal, especially by the "pipe organ" formation!  I recently purchased a mighty light from Judson's Art Outfitters, and this is my first time to use it.  Small enough to slip in my pocket, it has three settings and clamps securely on my pochade.  In this cave setting, it was a lifesaver, since my back was toward a rock wall which was very dark.  The constant dripping echoed within the cave, and was almost like a serenade.  My second time to paint in this cave, I layered up for warmth with a rain coat for my outer layer. What a lovely special way to experience this cave!  Painting number 4307 in 4307 days, and this one is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria on Bagnell Dam Boulevard in Lake Ozark, Missouri. 

View from Bridal Cave

What a glorious time I've had painting at the Bridal Cave in Camdenton, Missouri!  From the plein air painting inside the Chapel of the cave, to painting this beautiful sweep of the Lake of the Ozarks from the covered overlook just outside the cave entrance, this place will forever hold good memories for me!  As with any body of water, the lake changes color with the sun and sky.  What started as overcast has opened up to a sunny, hot day - and that reflects in the water!  I painted my masses first, lights and darks followed by the central colors, then added the smaller details such as boats and docks. If was very comfortable painting under this covered overhang, with water cooled breezes blowing through. It has been so fun to visit with guests as they wait for their tour guide while painting the beauty of this lake!  This painting won a ribbon at the Lake of the Ozarks Plein Air event and is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach.  Painting number 3140 in 3140 days. 

Chapel at Bridal Cave

 Making history in possibly the coolest place I've ever painted - inside the Chapel of the Bridal Cave!   We are the first artists to plein air paint in this cave!!  What a once in a lifetime experience!!  I didn't know this would be possible, so I was dressed for the high heat warning day of near 100 degrees. Donning a jacket, I walked into this gorgeous, chilly cave and absolutely marveled at the beauty. We could set up anywhere in the first two "rooms", and I chose the chapel. Many couples have been married here, and this is a very special place.  This room was colder than the first and cold water dripped from the ceiling, splashing on my legs from the walls.  I went back out for my rain jacket, and that helped to at least keep the top of me dry.  By the time I finished this magnificent place, I was shivering so much I could hardly manage my brushes and close up my easel.  My feet and sandals were completely wet and so very cold!  It took an hour of standing in the sun at 97 degrees to finally warm up enough to start losing layers.  And it was SO VERY WORTH EVERY BIT OF THE DISCOMFORT!  I am so happy to be among the first artists ever to paint here.  What an honor!  Painting number 2129 in 2129 days.