Atop the Hill

What an honor to win tonight's paint out at Lake Creek Winery!  It was a battle with those gusting winds - but boy am I happy I kept on painting! Wish a great way to start Augusta Plein Air!  Painting number 3755 in 3755 days. 

Morning at Lake Creek

This farmhouse turned winery sits high upon a hill, with sprawling views all around.  Picking my spot carefully, I knew rain would be blowing in from the south and west.  Finding cover at the north edge of a shelter, I found my composition in the landscape, and started drawing in ink.  On misty, rainy days, I must work fast to protect paper and ink.  The cotton handmade paper absorbs water from the atmosphere, which will add flow to the ink - sometimes far too much spread!  As I finished, the light rain was paused long enough for me to grab a frame and get the drawing between glass. Once framed and turned in, I could sigh in relief and move on to the oil painting inspired by this piece. Painting number 3407 in 3407 days. 

Rainy Day at Lake Creek

I love coming to Lake Creek Winery to paint!  The pastoral scenes and sweeping landscape are an artist's dream - even on a rainy day!  I set up as rain threatened, getting everything dry as sprinkles started.  I first did a pen and ink, and was having so much fun that I sketched right into my paint time. Everything is timed, but no matter, I wanted to finish the ink - and frame it- before rain turned my painting into smeary blackness.  So I did, leaving myself short for this delightful scene!  You can't tell it here, but it rained very hard as I painted under their shelter, rain even flooding the floor around me, like a lake filling up! I had on my wellies and was standing on a thick yoga mat, so I didn't get too wet. We all squeezed into the center of that cover as the wind blew the heavy rain in.  Plein air is not for the faint of heart! Still, I loved painting this, and this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 3399 in 3399 days. 

Early Morning at Lake Creek

sold

I scouted 2 locations before deciding on the sweeping landscape with barn and house for my painting subject. A timed paint, I first wanted to sketch this complicated scene out. The act of sketching works out all the details in my mind before I start in with paint. That gorgeous light was fleeting, so I painted it in every time I saw it, skipping back to the masses when in shadow.  I really loved this location, even though I stood uphill sideways on uneven ground, blown by the wind and cold. Now THAT is a love of plein air!  This one came in second in the Lake Creek Paint Out and went to a new home afterwards!  Painting number 2307 in 2307 days of living the dream!

Lake Creek Barn

This  amazing barn is on the property of the Lake Creek Winery.  New to the event this year,  it was my first experience at that location.  The music was inviting,  the wine delicious,  the food spectacular,  and the landscape is an artist's paradise!   High atop a hill, I could see paintings in every direction!  Rolling vineyards,  nostalgic barn and farmhouse,  wooded and rustic areas,  including a beautiful pond nestled by trees, and I only had time for one painting!  Arriving late due to a workshop,  I jumped in with paint flying, letting the painting fall from the tip of my brush,  plenty of juicy strokes and loose marks.  Visiting as I worked,  it was a joy to paint here on such a beautiful day.  I can't wait to return for a little wine,  food and painting!   Painting number 1580 in 1580 days :)