Redstone Inn

It's lovely to return to Dubuque, and stay in the historic Redstone Bed and Breakfast.  I have admired this historic place each time I've been in town painting during the Bluffstrokes plein air event, but have not painted it.  So, it is extra special to stay here overnight after celebrating my new wine labels at the L.May Eatery. This is a gorgeous mansion inside and out, and a delicious breakfast was just icing on the cake! Actually, it was icing on a really decadent cinnamon roll - served warm!  Painting number 3855 in 3855 days. 

L.May Eatery Wine Labels!!

Hooray!!  Mom and I stopped in to L.May Eatery to enjoy a bottle of wine with MY PAINTING ON THE LABEL!!  We enjoyed a lovely meal along with this wonderful Pinot Grigio - and celebrated a new first!  As a wine lover, I have always dreamed of my artwork on a label someday, and now that dream has come true.  Many thanks to L.May Eatery for reaching out to me - I couldn't be more thrilled! Painting number 3854 in 3854 days. 

Rocket Slide!!

 I LOVE painting these old Rocket Slides - and sliding down them, too!  I remember one from my childhood at the Belton Memorial Park near my grandparent's house in the country.  We used to visit that park from time to time, and later I took my children there to play where I once played.  Now all the equipment has been updated, and the vintage pieces are all gone.  So, it makes me happy to find those same pieces in other historic parks.  This painting is headed to Utah, and the slide is in the Keosauqua, Iowa park by the Manning Hotel - where another Rocket Slide Painting graces the front desk, to later live in the Rocket Room.  Painting number 3822 in 3822 days.  

Downtown Bonaparte

I LOVE  painting the small town charm of Bonaparte, Iowa, just a stone's throw from the Des Moines River!  These river towns are full of vintage buildings, parks, and gardens.  It is refreshing to see a town respect it's history and retain the flavor of years gone by.  This artist appreciates the historic beauty I find down every street.  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 3794 in 3794 days. 

Rocket Slide!

After turning in my plein air work for judging, I still had a couple hours before awards.  Wanting to absorb the beautiful day along the Des Moines River, I took my sketch gear to the riverside park.  I used to play on a slide just like this with my brother, at the Belton Memorial Park when we were kids, visiting our grandparents.  I returned to the same park with our oldest three children, and they experienced the same childhood joy of climbing in a rocket!  That park has since been modernized, and the old slide, swings and merry- go-round are gone now.  As I sit and paint this place, I remember all those joyful times,  to the music of laughter and families making memories.  As I turned this painting in, it was purchased to hang in the Rocket Room of Hotel Manning, overlooking this very scene.  Painting number 3792 in 3792 days. 

Ist and Van Buren

I love the vintage charm of historic Keosauqua, Iowa.  There are so many lovely old buildings, I hardly know where to paint!  Choosing to look down 1st street, I sketched in ink and then filled in with watercolor.  The weather has been absolutely perfect - making the whole experience wonderful.  Come see all my work today at Hotel Manning in Keosauqua, from 1:00 to 3:00 for the wet paint sale.  Painting number 3791 in 3791 days. 

Evening Barn on the Water

This morning's 'nocturne surprise' was a good one!  One never knows what will come out of the trunk after painting in the dark!  I just couldn't resist those reflections on the water!  I had hardly set up on the back side of the pond when bugs invaded my space!  Gnats were everywhere to welcome me - so I grabbed my pochade quickly and jumped in my car.  I had to get out twice to get the gear I needed, each time letting in bugs.  With my pochade on my lap, I painted as fast as I could before my light was gone, using only one easel light on low.  With the scene so dark, I couldn't have the car on, and didn't want to draw even more bugs, lol. Another buggy plein air adventure, but I'd do it again for a scene like this!  Painting number 3790 in 3790 days. 

In the Barn Yard

I LOVE painting the beautiful barns of Iowa, and this beauty is in Morris Park, Stockport, Iowa.  My first time here, it was fun to go inside the various old buildings, set up with historic interiors.  After a thorough look, I settled on this sweeping scene of a favorite barn style.  There were MANY gnats rising from the grounds - and I had to wrap my face with my insect shield to keep those bugs out of my ears, nose, and mouth - and they still got in my eyes!  I hear they are Buffalo gnats - and I could do without them!  I powered through, and the painting was worth it, but oh boy I need to find a deterrent!  Love the pastoral landscapes here!  Painting number 3789 in 3789 days. 

Flags Flying on 1st Street

It was a rainy morning when I set up to paint. Looking for shelter, I tucked in close to the bank building, with a narrow awning to shelter me. I surprised the lady inside when she opened the blinds to see me right on the other side! I'm so glad I could catch the sun breaking free of a rainy day, creating a beautiful sky to paint in Keosauqua! Wet streets and a cool sky - what else could an artist ask for?  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 4234 in 4234 days.  ❤️

Silos in Farmington

I don't know what it is about these big silos along the tracks, but I LOVE finding and painting them!  When I first arrive in a small town, I look for these big guys, and they lead me to old train depots.  In fact, I was here to find the depot, but just couldn't resist painting this instead.  It was so peaceful here as I worked, enjoying the ambience of small town life.  I never did get to painting that depot, maybe next time I'm in this part of Iowa.  Painting number 4233 in 4233 days. 

Morning in the Greenhouse

This was our day to explore Farmington, and this sweet greenhouse was my first stop in town after taking a quick spin through the historic district. I am forever drawn to a greenhouse full of blooms, so when I was offered a spot inside to paint - I jumped on it! The flats full of geraniums sealed the deal!  It was a chilly morning, but I was cozy inside as I painted the morning light.  Thoroughly enjoying my time, the painting unfolded naturally, surrounded by such beauty.  The family running this place is so friendly and welcoming, it really was a joy to paint here.  The icing on the cake is that this painting now has a home here!  Painting number 4233 in 4233 days. 

Stockport Depot

 I loved finding this wonderful old historic red train depot to paint!  It is next to a veterans memorial, and along a bike trail, and it was fun to visit while painting.  I meet such good people everywhere I go, it restores my faith in humanity in crazy times. Wishing you all a happy Memorial Day!  Painting number 4232 in 4232 days. 

Rocket Slide

What fun to find a rocket slide - so like one from my childhood - in Keosauqua, Iowa!  Several of us slid down this beauty the evening before, so of course I had to paint it!  This park is located in front of the historic Hotel Manning (pictured in the background on the left) along the Des Moines River.  A cool breeze wafted up from the water as I worked, and children played nearby.  There was even Misty's Ice Cream shop behind me on the corner!  This charming place is a joy to paint - and I'm happy I have finally made it to Van Buren County to paint!  Painting number 4231 in 4231 days, and this painting has a new home tonight! 

Living Water Farms

This was our second attempt to paint this place - and I'm so glad we found a good way in!  We attempted it from the south on Thursday, but the heavy rains caused rushing water over the road.  What a treat to drive in and find such a lovely place!  The dramatic angle of the architecture sweeping down the hill was irresistible!  Families played in the water, fished and picnicked all day on the grounds, visiting as they walked by.  I set up on this rather step hill, close to the lake, and loved every minute of my time here!  Painting number 4230 in 4230 days. 

River Valley Horsecamp

What a treat to get to paint at a horsecamp for the Quick Paint at Van Buren County plein air event!  With horses and an assortment of barns and rings, this place is eye candy to this artist!  I wanted to paint this as soon as I pulled in, so I pulled over to get out and look.  Already 3:00, I had to eat my lunch salad before painting, I was just too hungry to wait until 5:00. So, I used up 40 minutes of my quick paint time eating, while studying the scene before me.  Once I started, I painted fast, laying down light, shadow and chroma.  Horses and riders passed by and visited, adding so much to the whole day.  I sure wish I had more time to paint here, this place is amazing!  It was an honor to win the Quick Paint, too!  Painting number 4229 in 4229 days. 

Day in Bentonsport

I've never been to this part of Iowa, and I love finding this historic village nestled by the Des Moines River.  So charming, I started this one before the rain in a hurry to get the panel covered.  I could hear the rain start before I could see it hitting the other side of town.  I grabbed my gear and rain coat and dashed to the gazebo!  Making it before the downpour, I settled in to finish the masses.  About half way done, I worked on values and chroma until bringing it to a finish.  I shared this gazebo with another artist - Troy, who sang early Beatles songs that I did not know, trying to get me to sing harmony!  It was a lovely day spent by the River, with many Amish families in town for a picnic outing.  Painting number 4229 in 4229 days. 

Crossing the Mississippi in Dubuque

I found this bluff top view strictly by accident while looking over another house for a commission.  When I came around the curve and saw this - of course I had to stop for a quick watercolor!  I was on my way out of town, so this ink and watercolor has not been seen.  I will definitely return to this spot next year to paint this beauty in oil!  Painting number 2651 in 2651 days.

Lock and Dam II

When asked by a patron for any Dubuque pieces I might have left, I searched and found this one of the iconic Lock and Dam II, drawn off a bluff at the Eagle Point Park.  I pre-sketch almost every painting in the field before I start in the destined medium, which was the case here.  I painted a large, long painting, changing the format after completing this ink study.  I had run out of frames, so this one was not framed for the show, and came back home in my paper tote.   Such a unique place!  Painting number 2645 in 2645 days.

Dubuque Clock Tower

I pre-sketch almost every painting or metal piece in the field before I start in the destined medium.  Sometimes, I get so busy that I tuck those sketches away in bags and pochades, to be found much later when I run across the forgotten drawings.  I guess that is one of the hazards of daily painting!  The sketch above was actually my way of being sure of my composition before starting it in copper.  I needed to make sure it worked, because once I start on the metal it can be very hard to make a correction.  When asked by a patron for any Dubuque pieces I might have left, I searched and found this one of the iconic Clock Tower downtown.  Such a lovely place!  Painting number 2603 in 2603 days.

Main Street Dubuque

purchase here

I am always so busy at the end of a plein air event, I sometimes leave final paintings and sketches in my boxes and bags - especially when I have run out of frames in particular sizes!  This ink and watercolor is just such a piece!  This sketch was in preparation for a longer format in the same location.  Painting number 2560 in 2560 days.