Cave Point Splendor

Some places are so spectacular that I return to paint them again and again.  Cave Point in Door Cointy, Wisconsin, is such a place.  The color is the water is stunning, and my perch from atop the bluff offers an amazing view of the rocks and Lake Michigan. Occasionally, someone will run and jump into that water from right beside me - and my heart jumps a bit each time!  This place must be experienced, so stop by next time you're in Sevastopol, Wisconsin.  Painting number 3858 in 3858 days. 

Jackson Harbor

We had an amazing dinner in this spot last night - and I had to paint the view!  Jackson Harbor Soup was open for dinner and I had the best French onion soup I've ever had! Jackson Harbor is full of historic charm, and the water is so clear one can see deep into it from the dock.  Washington Island is full of beautiful treasures to paint, and I'm happy to have gotten the chance to do so! Painting number 

Lake Michigan View

 I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the view out the back door of the place we're staying in on Washington Island.  Lake Michigan in all her glory, caning to me to paint!  Setting up on the ragged edge of the bluff - to get the best view -i set my easel up on one rock, and stood in another.  No backing up to check my painting, because I didn't want to fall off the bluff!  The surf kept me company, with it's lapping and splashing, and the painting practically fell off the brush.  What a peaceful way to spend the afternoon!  Painting number 3850 in 3850 days. 

Jackson Harbor

I wish I had time to really paint the rugged beauty here!  The water is so high on Lake Michigan, it comes up to those barns while other outbuildings have flooded. There's an amazing array of fishing boats here - with more rods than I could count!  With only a short time before catching the ferry, I use ink and watercolor to capture this place. The wind was cool and strong, so I had to mind my hat - or lose it in Lake Michigan!  Time stands still here, and I love immersing myself in such a place.  Painting number 2432 in 2432 days.

Fish Creek Marina

Painting by the water is SO peaceful!  The lapping of the waves against boat and dock are rhythmic, and time slips by without notice.  It is just me, my brush and my subject, and the occasional onlooker.  Sometimes, I'm so in the zone that when I turn to back up, I'm surprised to have an audience!  I laugh, we visit, and I return to the real world for a while. Painting number 2417 in 2417 days.

Morning at Cave Point

The morning light is breathtaking at Cave Point!  From high on my perch, I could see right into that yellow green water to the rock slabs below, and I had to paint it.  As I set my tripod up very close to the edge, I checked to see if the ground was solid under that back leg.  It was not!  So I backed up a couple inches to prevent my favorite easel from dropping to the water below!  Very quiet on arrival, the tourists were in full force by the time to I packed up my gear. It became so busy that I was a little afraid of someone bumping me over the edge!  Just another glorious day at the office!  Painting number 2411 in 2411 days.

Upper Range Light

After scouting a shrinking shoreline, messy with debris, I walked across and down the road to this gem.  Walking along the boardwalks, the flora and fauna were pristine in their natural beauty.  The morning light streamed across the landscape, begging to be painted.  I chose ink and watercolor for this delicate scene, and worked quickly to capture that fleeting light.  It want long before shadows shortened and the golden hour passed.  So thankful I was present for the moment.  Painting number 2410 in 2410 days.

Sister Bay Saturday

Arriving in Sister Bay early, I stamped both a paper and a panel, unsure of which I would choose.  Without any idea of what I would paint, I walked directly to this place, instantly taken by the view.  Wildflowers bloomed abundantly in the foreground while the beach and marina unfolded behind. The weather was beautiful and warm, with gentle breezes.  The only drawback is that once again, I faced into the sun, with panel and palette in shade.  Thank goodness for sunscreen!  I took care in choosing my colors, laying down just what I saw throughout the painting.  With a two hour limit and a complicated subject, there was no room for error. I always enjoy visiting while I work, the time flies by so quickly!  Before I knew it, time was up and I was cleaning brushes and getting my second stamp!  This painting has a new home and is the 2015th painting in 2015 days.

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Storm in Ephraim

Set up on the beach of a friend's home in Ephraim, I watched the approaching clouds with interest.  Mist rolled in like the waves, clouds changed colors and formations.  As it became clear the storm was not dissipating, I passed over the oils for my inks. I have never captured clouds with ink before!  Loving the challenge, I started with my lines, lightly laying them into the sky, which really means I was afraid of messing them up!  Moving the ink with my water brush pen, I manipulated the clouds to represent what was before me.  It was SO fun!!  To darken, I simply dropped in more ink, getting the feel of the day.  THAT is the plein air experience!  Painting number 2013 in 2013 days!.

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Sailboats in Sister Bay

The sailboats along the coast of Door County call me in like a siren call.  I'm drawn to them, and can hardly pass by without painting them.  Living in the Midwest, I don't have the opportunity to paint these beauties, so I must seize the moments when I can!  I'm playing with the color a bit, injecting a little blue in a sunset where there was very little.  This is larger at 20x16, so it is important to step back often for the full view.  I think I'll let this one rest for now, and look with fresh eyes in the morning!  Painting number 1685 in 1685 days.

oil on panel, 16x20
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Sister Bay Boats Inked

When I come upon a scene, I like to observe the various angles and values before making a mark. Once I begin to draw, the process goes quickly, and I soon take the water to wash in the values.  Working on white paper in the full sun can be pretty blinding.  I had to close my eyes and let them adjust before I could start with the paint!  Painting number 1664 in 1664 days.

Cave Point Morning

Arriving at one of my favorite painting haunts, I could hardly wait to jump into the paint!  The color in the water as it swirls into the rock cove is nothing short of spectacular.  I drew two different compositions, and actually adjusted the second to arrive with this landscape.  Starting with the darks, I then dropped in local color for the masses.  I worked very quickly to catch that radiant light before it changed. The beauty of this place simply takes my breath away.  Painting number 1661 in 1661 days.

Churning Water at Cave Point

Watching the churning water of Lake Michigan is as spell binding as staring into a campfire - I do not want to look away.  It beckons me to it's side, reaching for me like a lover.  The crashing melody of it's waves, lulls me into a trance as I paint.  So often, the process of painting fully engages my senses, leaving me unaware of my surroundings.  I am lost in the painting.  I must be careful here, the edge of the cliff is close and it is a long way down.  I don't think I could capture all of Lake Michigan's moods if I could paint here every day.  Painting number 1314 in 1314 days.

Churning Water at Cave Point
Oil on panel, 8x10
Door County, Wisconsin
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Cave Point Cove

Cave Point Cove
Oil on panel, 12x9
Door County, Wisconsin

This amazing place is certainly a feast for the eyes!  I think I could spend every day painting on these bluffs, and never tire of it!  Lake Michigan is ever changing, as the sky - and the color combinations are endless.  This is the kind of landscape I seldom see in Missouri - so I really enjoy the chance to study the moving water!  Waves and crashing water are certainly a challenge!  I have been using my Querilla Painter box and tripod since April, and I officially love it!  This medium French Resistance easel is the perfect compliment to this artist's whims.  If I ever get another, it will be the same style, perhaps in the large size - to give me another option in the field.  If they made a "mini" - I would buy it too!  LOVE this set up!  So light, I can hike into the wilderness without a care about weight.  This dramatic painting is my 1307th painting in 1307 days.

"Nimble" at Sister Bay

This morning's quick paint was held at Sister Bay.  I was instantly grabbed by this wonderful, old sailboat - and I had to paint it.  The weather was absolutely perfect - warm, sunny with gentle breezes.  I love getting to paint these sailboats - especially since I never get to see them.   We don't see too many sailboats in Missouri!   Painting number 1304 in 1304 days!

Waiting in the Bay

Waiting in the Bay
Oil on canvas, 6x4

While in Door County, all around the peninsula boats came into the harbor, tying up for an evening in town.  As the sun begins to set, the wind dies down and a calm settles over the bay.  The hustle and bustle along the coast are gone, as sounds from the coastal restaurants and pubs begin to rise.  What a wonderful life, to live near water’s edge, and simply sail to another town for dinner!  This is number 12 in September’s 30 day challenge and this painting makes 985 for me in 985 days :)

Out to Sail

Out to Sail
Oil on wood panel, 11x14
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
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An early painting already finished at Cave Point, Egg Harbor was next on the agenda.  After scouting out the town, I was drawn down to the marina.  There were two sailboats that really caught my attention, and the first one soon departed.  With only one tiny spot in the shade from which to paint, I set up my easel and got started.  The wind blew right in to me from Lake Michigan, strong at times - which really dries my eyes out as I paint.  Sometimes, I even feel like they are wind burned!  The sun and heat were also strong, but my dappled shade helped.  The panel I used for this one had a molding paste texture on it, which gives it more of an impasto feel.  I find that sailboats are a very appealing subject up here on Lake Michigan!  Painting number 943 in as many days.

on location

Beach Path

Beach Path
Oil on panel, 8x10
Anclam Park, Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin
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Bailey’s Harbor is on the “quiet side” of the Door County Peninsula - all the locals will tell you so!  This path heads off down the beach at Anclam Park, where they have newly planted grasses on the dunes, and added boardwalks.  Last year, it was under renovation, and is hardly recognizable as the same place!  Only the long rocky pier remains the same, as well as a few established old pines.  I set my easel up under one of these trees, as it was already heating up for the day.  Since I was running low on panels to bring, this one happens to be an old winter landscape beneath this new beach scene!  You just never know what secrets are lurking beneath the surface!!  This painting makes 942 in 942 days :)

on location

Cave Point Glory

Cave Point Glory
Oil on wood panel, 14x11
Door County, Wisconsin
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Wow!!  What a magical place this Cave Point County Park is!!  Located in Door County, Wisconsin, I have never explored this park before.  Encouraged by another artist to check it out, it was the “find” of the whole week!  Returning twice to paint at this location, this is the first of the paintings.  Set up on top of the cliff for this vantage, the cool breezes blowing in from Lake Michigan kept us comfortable, and our music was the wind blowing through the trees and the loud “canon shots” made by the waves crashing against the caves beneath us!  I love this beautiful setting - it is magic just to be here, and a dream to actually be painting it!  This one makes 941 in 941 days.

on location

on location

Secluded Beach at Bailey's Harbor

Secluded Beach at Bailey's Harbor
Oil on wood panel, 14x11
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There is something so magical about a secluded beach!  I love the pristine condition of this one - as though untouched by man.  Located down a pedestrian only path, this little jewell simply begged to be painted.  I set up in the sun - which I try not to do, and worked longer than usual to get all of this information down with paint.  Once finished, I had to stop at the local library for internet usage - coverage is spotty all over the peninsula!  Painting number 936 in 936 days.