Wagon Rides on the Prairie

The Party on the Prairie is always a fun paint out!  Not only do they have horse drawn wagon rides, but also prairie walks, live music, a scavenger hunt and more!  I set up where I could see the wagon loading and unloading riders, giving me more time to paint the horses and wagon.  The harp music wafted over as I painted, and walkers stopped to talk to me on their stroll. The weather was perfect, though a little warm in the sun towards the end.  I'm so happy to have painted this horse drawn wagon, it is certainly like stepping into the past. Painting number 2335 in 2335 days.

Wagon Rides!

Hard to believe this park is so close to me, and I only discovered it through a local plein air event with the Kansas City Parks!  Not only does this park have wonderful prairie views sunrise and sunset, the hidden, wooded lake down a trail east of the prairie is spectacular.  So, in one location, I can get two very different paintings!  The prairie grasses are already growing, can't wait to go back and paint it again!  Painting number 2282 in 2282 days.

Almost Ready to Ride

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Thinking ahead to a Kansas City Parks show at the Buttonwood, I am sketching out this horse team and wagon in ink, thinking of doing it in oils.  Refilling my favorite fountain pen with my favorite ink - Levenger Raven Black - it feels good to play in the ink.  A complicated scene, I also use Pitt pens for light sketching marks before committing to the deep dark ink.  I only do this when I feel the need to keep control of my lines.  I may return to this to wash out the background trees... maybe.  Painting number 2254 in 2254 days.

Path by the Pond

What a fun morning in a very cool park!  I didn't even know this place was here - and it is only 20 minutes from me!  This was originally a farm, that is now a 380 acre park, complete with prairie, outbuildings, and a fabulous, secluded fishing pond.  It was the "Party in the Prairie" plein air event put on by the KC parks department. There was live music, horse drawn wagon rides, hot dogs on the grill, and plenty of people enjoying the park.  Michaela entered her first quick paint with me this morning - and we BOTH placed in the top 5!  SO exciting!  I love that we can share this over her summer break.  This pond was stunning in the morning light,  and was certainly worth the extra hike to get there.  I will be returning to this spot to paint often, and I see a Workshop on the Prairie in my future!  Painting number 1607 in 1607 days.