Crown Center Wreath

This giant wreath adorns the front entrance into Halls Crown Center, facing the Mayor's Christmas tree which you can see poking out the top, behind the wreath!  This wreath is also a Kansas City icon, with couples and families taking their holiday photos in front of it.  The days are ticking by and Christmas is nearly here.  We have snow and blizzard like winds expected tonight - so I hope to be painting snow tomorrow - maybe from inside looking out - if it really hits -40 windchills!! Painting number 4129 in 4129 days. 

Ornaments!

 

It is so fun to paint these giant ornaments while children's choirs filter in and out to sing!  Sitting with Mom at a table, sipping hot tea from Sheridan's, it was a very cushy morning for a quick sketch!  I remember coming here to sing while still at school, to sing Christmas carols.  It brings back fond memories of youth and friends.  These ornaments seem to have been here as long as i can remember, so I'm capturing them in paint!  Love the holidays at Crown Center!  Painting number 4127 in 4127 days. 

Window Santa at Crown Center

I LOVE spending time shopping AND painting at Crown Center during the holidays!  The window scene at Occasions is a little slice of Christmas heaven - so, of course, I HAD to paint it!  With ink I sketched the scene, and then took my watercolors to it.  As I worked, the lovely voices of a children's choir wafted up from the main entrance.  Christmas magic is in the air here at Crown Center!  Painting number 4124 in 4124 days. 

Westin Christmas Tree

 

I LOVE painting the Christmas tree at Crown Center Westin hotel!  It is the only tree in town with an indoor garden and waterfall behind it - which serenaded me as I worked!  Many families come to this tree for Christmas photos, too, and it's fun to see them gathering.  With ink I first sketch out the scene, then I follow with watercolor.  I've started carrying a few fountain pens with colored ink - to add a little spark at the end.  I think I like the added depth - and each ink moves with water, too, so the possibilities are endless!  Painting number 4116 in 4116 days.

Poinsettia

So fun to paint the poinsettias at Crown Center for the Urban Sketchers KC sketch walk!  The small one is an ornament for the artist exchange, the blanks with ribbon were ready to pick up and paint when I checked in.  We all check in, paint two hours, then meet up and share our work.  This time we shared more - any artist creating ornaments got to exchange them with another ornament!  Love getting to paint with artist friends with the whole place decked out for the holidays!  Painting number 3245 in 3245 days. 

Crown Center Wreath

It is so fun to paint the Mayor's Christmas Tree as seen through the giant wreath at Crown Center! Kansas City is magical during the holidays, and today is our monthly Urban Sketchers KC sketch venue.  We gather afterward to share our work, and the tiny painting is actually an ornament to exchange with other artists. There were several blanks available that we could paint to share, so I painted three, along with two larger works. There is something to be said for daily practice, my speed on site increases with time!  This place is a yearly favorite for the holidays, but this is the first time I've painted from the third floor!  Wonderful view from the top!  Painting number 3242 in 3242 days. 

Tree Trio

Another gorgeous December day - and I'm out sketching a slice of Christmas at Crown Center.  I wish I had a better on site image - but I didn't check this before moving to another location.  I didn't have my normal sketch bag, so my fountain pen ink is a blend of mostly Levenger's Raven Black with a little of their Cocoa brown.  I initially only had the brown in that pen, but it was far too red when washed with a little water, so I added the black.  Which, is not advised, by the way.  All inks are different and have different properties, and many simply don't blend well, causing issues on the paper.  Or, so I've read.  I like to blaze my own trail, throwing caution to the wind when it comes to such things - lol!  There's no rules in art!  Painting number 2892 in 2892 days. 

Mayor's Christmas Tree

Today finds me at Crown Center capturing the holiday magic with ink and watercolor!  The Urban Sketchers have a challenge out for postcard paintings, so I picked up some blanks at Blick, and headed to the playland by the ice skating rink.  With the very first mark I remembered how much I dislike standard watercolor paper!  What was I thinking?  I keep picking up these special items - totally forgetting that I only use handmade paper, and then I have to try and make it work.  What a lovely place on a lovely day, if only I had handmade paper postcards!  I am now thinking of creating my own, but I still have three pads full to use!  Yikes!  Postcards from the edge, maybe?  Painting number 2891 in 2891 days.  

Poinsettia Wreath

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It is so important to always have my tools on board - I never know when the a quick paint opportunity will present itself!  This little ATC sized miniature painting just took minutes to do, starting with an ink sketch.  A little watercolor was added with a water brush pen using my classic Watercolor Confections set.  Crown Center is always a festive place to paint during the holidays - I'm so lucky to have two opportunities to do so this season!  Painting number 2556 in 2556 days. 

Crown Center Trees

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Crown Center Ornaments

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I always look forward to painting at Crown Center during the holidays.  Intending to walk over to Union Station as well, I never did make it!  I just couldn't tear myself away from all that holiday glam!  This is the first painting of the day - of the first thing that caught my eye on my way in!  What a great place to paint, eat, and shop!  Painting number 2537 in 2537 days. 

Milano ATC

The first cold and rainy day of the season has me longing for my heavy raincoat and wellies!  Not wanting to interrupt my process, I forge ahead, finishing my work before seeking shelter in the warmth of Crown Center.  This quick little ink and watercolor is of a favorite place to eat - Milano Italian Dining!  SO delicious, and a great way to warm up on a cold day!  Painting number 2058 in 2058 days.

Kansas City Chalk Walk

It was barely misting when I started my lines with a favorite fountain pen.  Teetering on the fence between soluble ink and India ink, I decided to go with India ink.  So glad I did!  As I worked, the mist increased to more of a drizzle, and my paper grew damp. My first lines continued to spread as I added in my watercolor.  I held my paper under the edge of an umbrella table to try to protect it, because rain and watercolors do not mix!  I used a light touch with the water, as my paper was already saturated.  As I dropped in the final ink marks, they intensified and spread in a tight, spidery fashion, as only India ink works wet.  Chilled to the bone, wishing I had my rain jacket, I finished up and headed inside Crown Center to warm up!  Yes, I had boots and extra jackets and rain gear in the car, I just didn't want to walk all the way back there to get them!  Painting number 2057 in 2057 days.

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