Hydrangea Path Home

Sunrise found me painting  hydrangea, lining a path to this house in the woods. It was cold enough for two jackets, fuzzy socks and my boots, and the light was glorious!  This was exactly whay I wanted to paint this morning.  I first sketched this scene, establishing my values, and jumped right in to paint.  The painting almost painted itself, all I had to do was hold the brush.  Painting number 1659 in 1659 days.

Bold Sunset Sailing

Feeling bold today, the palette knife was calling my name.  I had sold a sailboat painting last week, and the memories of so many other seascapes came flooding back.  Using personal photos on my phone, I started this demo in class today to assist a student through the process.  This is painted entirely with my Princeton Catalyst, which I normally prefer to any metal knife.  The handle was too long to fit in my pocket box, so I took the head off the handle, holding it from the ferrel end!   It slid right off, and I can stick it right back on for normal use!   It is super fun to get chunky with the paint, while using the photo as a "jumping off point" for my painting.  It gives me some guidance, as I let the whims of the paint run wild.  Sometimes, I just have to run free!  Painting number 1482 in 1482 days.

Sunset over Kangaroo Lake

During our Door County workshop, we were all sitting out on the deck when Sue spotted the amazing sunset.   We all hustled across the street to the beach of Sunset Shore,  to share in the glory of this sunset!  Too late to grab my paints, I settled for photos instead - and I am painting from one right now.   The true color was stronger than I have painted, and I still find this painting so bold!  Oh, the challenge of a sunset!  Perhaps one day, I'll master them!   Painting number 1309 in 1309 days :)

Linen in the Line

The neighbor across the street from us at Kangaroo Lake  has the most amazing garden in front of her home.  After admiring them on my nightly runs,  I caught her outside to ask permission to paint them.   As I was talking to her, I caught sight of this lovely scene in her side yard!  I think her husband thought we were crazy, but they allowed us to spend the afternoon "painting their laundry!   Another painting adventure and the 1302 painting in 1302 days!

Red Kayaks

Red Kayaks
Oil on wood, 9x12
Kangaroo Lake, Wisconsin

Resting on the shore of Kangaroo Lake, these bold red kayaks caught my artist’s eye immediately.  No other color is as beautiful against the green grass of the shore - and I knew I must paint it.  The sun was heading to the west, and it’s golden glow was shooting through the trees - so I had to lay down those hues first.  Light is especially fleeting towards sunset, and I had to work quickly.  This is a special place, and I have painted at this location each year I have come to Door County.  Our loft is tucked into the woods, right across from here - so it is only a quick walk with the gear.  A sorority gathering of friends and husbands sang nearby as guitar music drifted our way, and a campfire was just getting started.  What could be better than this?  This quick sunset painting is my 940th painting in 940 days.  I don't think I will ever tire of painting this peninsula :)

sun has set, boat has been moved, but painting is done!

Sunrise at Water's Edge

Sunrise at Water's Edge
Oil on panel, 12x9
Kangaroo Lake, WI - sold

This charming cabin at Sunset Shores was just across the road from the Red Shed in Bailey's Harbor.  Two other times I had walked across to check the lighting, and neither the afternoon or early evening had sun on the face of this cabin.  On the third try, I went over at sunrise - knowing I would probably have enough time to paint it before the girls were ready to leave.  Sunrise lighting was perfect - golden and fresh on the cabin, kayak and across the grass.  It was cold, and I had left my boots in Teddy's car, so I had to wear my fuzzy purple chenille socks with my black beaded sandals - the only shoes I had at the shed!  I am SO glad nobody snapped a photo of that little fashion faux-pas!  Working very quickly to get all the warm color and sunlight in, I next blocked in the darks.  Marking all the color masses was next, all important as I had limited time and could not be sure the next day's lighting would be the same.  Although early, the winds were kicking up on the lake behind.  Sometimes, this lake reflects like glass, but not this day.  There was a beautiful blue in the water, tinted with turquoise.  It is so amazing how the water appears in so many different shades. One morning, it was a warm emerald green in the foreground, and dark blue at the horizon.  I never get tired of painting near the water.  This painting makes 597 in as many days.

Sunset at Kangaroo Lake

on location

What a fun finish to a very busy painting day!  While enjoying a blazing campfire, with s'mores ready for the making, I set up my easel and quickly painted the sun as it was setting on Kangaroo Lake.  This resort belongs to a friend of mine - and they are so welcoming to us artists across the road!  This boat was catching the orange glow as were the waves upon the water.  When the light is quickly fading, I first painted all of these highlights.  Next came the clouds, which were quickly blowing across the sky in the strong winds. It is very important to get these colors in fast - because once the sun is gone - I can no longer see.  By the time I was finished, all of my darks looked like straight black and only the light and dark values showed - so it was time to stop putting that paint down!  This painting makes 569 in 569 days.

Sunset at Kangaroo Lake
Oil on panel, 12x9
Sunset Shores Resort, Wisconsin

Roots Entwined

Roots Entwined
Kangaroo Lake
Oil on panel, 6x8

Walking along water's edge, near Sunset Shores on Kangaroo Lake, the stillness was comforting.  I don't know what it is about the woods that is so alluring.  Since I was little, I have always loved exploring through the layers of trees and hidden paths.  I would search for treasures in the fallen leaves, filling my pockets as I walked.  The morning light peered through, throwing shadows on the woodland floor.  The woods are so dense up in Wisconsin, there is almost no undergrowth beneath them.  As a result, they look so well manicured.  I am working with impressionistic strokes today, letting the memory of this place guide my brush.  Perhaps I will dedicate the whole month to paintings of Door County - since I am well on my way!  This is painting number 215 in 215 days.

Docked

Docked
Kangaroo Lake, Wisconsin
Oil on panel, 8x10

Visiting near the dock across from our lodging, this picturesque scene instantly caught my attention.  The water was calm on Kangaroo Lake, as I started taking photos.  Light rippled off the water as the reflections of the boat and dock danced on it's surface.  The water is so peaceful, so tranquil.  It beckons for me to sit at it's edge, relaxing as it laps at the bank.  I love the sounds of the water,  always a peaceful painting companion.  I used a panel that had a more porous surface than usual.  It really soaked up the paint as I worked, and the blending was made more difficult.  I am playing with the light on boat, dock and water here, showing movement by bouncing it around the painting.  This was a fun one to paint after a very hectic day.  Just painting this scene, helped me to unwind.  This is painting number 210 in as many days.  Tomorrow my parents are coming for a good, long visit!