Creek at Femme Osage

Creek at Femme Osage
Oil on panel, 10x8
Femme Osage, Missouri - purchase here

On location

Pulling into town, this was the very first location that we got out to scout. Loved the light, loved the reflections - why go anywhere else?  Normally, when we get to town, we go to multiple locations, taking photos, and end up wasting good painting time just making sure we pick the perfect spot.  For the first time ever, we pulled in, looked, and immediately set up our easels!  On this warm, sunny day, the colors of the landscape were just remarkable!  Loving the way the sun spread across the grasses, this was the first thing I blocked in. Moving next to the water and sky colors - I brushed in the cool blues, and then the distant trees.  I started working forward with my paints, until the block in was complete to the foreground.  I then turned my attention to the edges of grass and foliage.  Using my palette knife, I dragged paint from the edges in - leaving the desired mark in my wake.  I like where this painting took me, and it is a treasured spot to paint in!  There is nothing like the babble of the water, the singing of crickets and birds and a warm breeze in the shade of tree to paint by!  Plein air perfection here in Femme Osage, Missouri!  Hoping for more of this tomorrow with my 629th painting in as many days, and Day 19 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Spring at Femme Osage Creek

Spring at Femme Osage Creek
Oil on panel, 14x11
Augusta Plein Air Festival

On location

There were two Private Estate Paints this year, and the artists could only sign up for one - which gave us a free painting day on Tuesday.  The Shipley's graciously invited us back this year to their home to paint.  Six of us showed up - each choosing our favorite location along the creek to paint.  Last year, we had summer color in the landscape for this event.  This year - spring is bursting out all over, complete with redbuds and dogwood!  During our paint-out, Dan walked down to each artist, offering us banana bread, cupcakes, brownies and cookies - SO thoughtful!  This place is simply full of gracious hospitality!  Is it any wonder I keep returning year after year?  The serenity of painting along the creek, with the water babbling beside me is so relaxing.  I could paint all day next to the sound of the water.  This painting makes 485 paintings in 485 days.  Tomorrow is another sunrise paint - this time at Frisella's Nursery :)