Wennwood Farms Winery

 

I love sketching a country road winding through farms and wineries in rural Missouri!  This farm turned winery is on Old Brick Church Rd in Gasconade County, where cattle and sheep are just a pasture away.  Though I was tempted by the livestock, I opted for this turn in the road, capturing the very essence of this place as one drives by.  I intended to add color, but when the drawing was finished, it said all I wanted to say in vintage black and white.  Painting number 5169 in 5169 days. 

Stone Hill Sunset

 

What a treat to find such a gorgeous barn to paint, high on a hill on Hermann! Wandering down the streets in search of autumn color brought me here, and little did i know what I would find.  From this spot were multiple paintings in all directions!  Stone Hill Winery is absolutely stunning, and i week definitely be back!  This painting is now available at Art Works On Main in Owensville!  I sure do love painting this part of Missouri! Painting number 5168 in 5168 days. 

Old Brick Church Rd

I don't think I've ever been on Old Brick Church Rd before now, and it's beautiful as it winds through the Gasconade County countryside between A and P.  It's very dry here, so painting right on the gravel road was quite dusty.  This road was irresistible, and the painting unfolded almost by itself in this beautiful light.  It was a joy to paint near the Wennwood Farms Winery, I only wish it had been open at the time.  Painting number 5164 in 5164 days. 

Looking up 1st Street

It was so much fun to return to Hermann to paint on 1st Street.  It's been a couple of years since I've been here, and I have never painted this view before.  It was very cold this morning, and the first cold snap always hits me hard!  With my smart wool base layer and winter coat (warm to -7 degrees) I was warm.  Today was a struggle with the wind - and the paintings were a fight indeed.  At least the sun came out to spread light upon my scene as a was just beginning to add color.  Yay!  Painting number 5161 in 5161 days. 

Lost Valley Lake Bridge

 

The warm autumn days are numbered, and today I'm thankful for another one!  Our temps are expected to drop as low as 20 by the weekend so I'm soaking in every minute before.  We've had such a lovely autumn, I want it to last forever.  So, I paint the beauty while it's still before me, and I'll embrace lovely winter when it comes.  Painting number 4388 in 4388 days. 

Evening on 1st Street

 

I always love painting at night, abs it is even more fun with artist friends! We gathered together on 1st Street, and I chose a favorite venue to begin my painting.  I am staying at the Merchant Townhouse above 1st Street Eats. This little Cafe fills up as soon as they open, and the food is amazing!  The left door is the one we enter to walk up the stairs in this beautiful old bank building.  It's fun to paint places that I'm connected with!  This oil painting is now avaliable at Art Works On Main in Owensville, Missouri and is painting number 4373 in 4373 days. 

Old Blue on the Farm

 

I'm so happy my effort on this Quick Paint was awarded tonight at the White Mule Winery!  Loving this whole scene from behind the barn, I backed up until I could see the entire space in front of my easel.  Farm equipment drove past me - kicking up dust, as did a gorgeous team of horses with a shiny red wagon!  The horses were off to give wine country rides, so I couldn't include them, too!  The best advice on a quick paint is to narrow your field and simplify, of which I did neither!  It was a bit of a struggle as I realized I had many masses to paint - and the minutes were ticking by!  I almost bit off more than I could chew on this two hour painting - and still, it was super fun!  In fact, it was exhilarating!  There is something about a real painting challenge that revs me up and gets my blood pumping.  I do so love plein air painting in all it's forms!  Painting number 4371 in 4371 days. 

Hilltop Home

 When I see a complicated house composition, I am drawn to pen and ink for my medium.  With an extra fine nib, I sketch in most of the line work, coming back with a medium nib and Levenger's Raven Black ink.  This ink moves a bit with water, allowing easy gradation of the masses.  With a little water and more archival ink, the drawing is complete.   I love getting to sketch this hilltop home - and happy it has a new home too! Painting number 3205 in 3205 days. 

Rosebud Mo

 I started the ink work on this (beside my car) between showers, only to be forced back into my car as the rain kicked up.  I took advantage of the break to eat some fruit, rehydrate, and then headed back out as the rain let up.  Shoppers along the walk stopped by to talk as I worked - and one of those visitors ended up buying this painting for her own wall!  The charming town of Rosebud is a wonderful place to shop on a Saturday - and droves of people walked out of that bakery on the far right with boxes of goodies!  I sure wish I had more time for shopping on this day!  Painting number 3204 in 3204 days.