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.  

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. 

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.  ❤️

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!