Paradise Restaurant

It's fun to get to paint the cool summer places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  This place is called Paradise Restaurant, and it's bright and cheerful.  I'm delivering it and two others to the area soon!  Painting number 4951 in 4951 days. 

Neon Taco

 

I love painting all the fun places at the Lake of the Ozarks!  There are SO many restaurants on the lake, one can simply drive their boat up to the dock to enjoy the fun!  I loved the plein air events that were held down here a few years ago, and wish they would return. I found so many cool places to paint - caves included!  This commission will soon be heading to the Lake Fine Art Galleria, along with two others.  Painting number 4938 in 4938 days. 

HaHa Tonka Sunset

 

Love painting historic Ha Ha Tonka at sunset - especially in oils.  The rich, buttery oils describe the rocky bluff and textured trees so quickly on the panel.  I had to gain my vantage from a perch along the edge to get this dramatic view.  It seems to reflect the historic past of this beautiful place so well.  See this painting and more in person at Lake Fine Art Galleria on Bagnell Dam Boulevard. Painting number 3869 in 3869 days. 

Garden at Willmore Lodge

It's SO fun sketching the garden at Willmore Lodge in ink and watercolor!  This Lodge is gorgeous inside, and the veranda off the back side overlooks the Lake of the Ozarks with a sweeping view! It feels like stepping back in time to enter this place. This painting now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria on Bagnell Dam Boulevard!  It is day 10 #stradaeasel challenge and painting number 4330 in 4330 days. 

On the Strip

I started this one out standing on the sidewalk, close enough to jump in the car should the rain begin.  Well, I didn't get much sketching in before the clouds opened up - and I tossed my gear in the car.  The ink I use would bleed into a black mess if rained on!  So, I sketched in the car (which I'd backed into a spot for a good vantage), and resumed my line work.  Not long after, a "sketchy" guy in a truck parked beside me.  I had several friends on the street who honed in on the situation, stopping by my window, and walking to to me frequently.  Even though the rain had stopped, I finished this one in the car.  It pays to be alert to your surroundings and your intuition.  Happy to have friends looking out for me as well! Painting number 4317 in 4317 days.  This painting now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria on Bagnell Dam Boulevard!  

Ha Ha Tonka Overlook

 

The view from the castle ruins at Ha Ha Tonka castle are remarkable!  From the castle on the steep bluff to the sweeping arm of the Lake of the Ozarks, this vista is beautiful.  I had painted this earlier in the day with a heavy, overcast sky, but as I was departing another painting spot, I realized how beautiful the color now was!  So, I pulled this back out and added the bluer sky and water layer, making it far more appealing. I'm so happy that I walked back by this ridge! Now Showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria! Painting number 4315 in 4315 days. 

Stark Cavern Reflections

LOVE getting to paint lake reflections IN a CAVE!!  It's not every day I get an opportunity like this - in fact it is the first time plein air artists have been allowed to paint inside this cave!  After scouting several views within the first few rooms, this long view over the lake was my choice location!  The light filtering in from the entrance, as well as other lights, illuminated the space in a magical way, other worldly, in fact!  It is ethereal and timeless to paint in the still of a cave.  I heard the guide say there are no fish in this lake, but something jumped from the water as I painted.  There was far less dripping here than in the Bridal Cave, but still there was a gentle lapping of water.  The water runs out the cave entrance flanked on either side with trees and a rocky ridge.  I used my mighty light in this cave - and it's a good thing I had it, since it was very dark behind me!  Painting number 4310 in 4310 days.  Come see this one in person at Lake Fine Art Galleria on Bagnell Dam Boulevard!  

Hot Summer Night on the Strip

This watercolor nocturne sure was a challenge during a busy car show on Bagnell Dam!  There were so many people, I could hardly see my scene at times, and I had to stand back from the walkway without tumbling down into a ravine!  My first attempt at using watercolor for a nocturne, I struggled with getting the colors as dark as I wanted.  I added and added pigment to get it where I needed it.  It is also my first time to use a light while painting at night, and it was a good thing I had it.  It was very dark at my back with no light to paint by!  I would normally choose a more comfortable place from which to paint - this was the view I wanted, so no other place would do.  This painting was certainly a lesson in perseverance, from the gridlock in traffic beforehand to the long walk from the car, to pushing me to pick up my gouache after many years of neglect.  I've found a while new painting adventure with that medium. So happy the gallery owner wanted this painting for her very own, too!  Painting number 4308 in 4308 days. 

Bridal Cave Pipe Organ

Painting inside the Bridal Cave is ethereal, especially by the "pipe organ" formation!  I recently purchased a mighty light from Judson's Art Outfitters, and this is my first time to use it.  Small enough to slip in my pocket, it has three settings and clamps securely on my pochade.  In this cave setting, it was a lifesaver, since my back was toward a rock wall which was very dark.  The constant dripping echoed within the cave, and was almost like a serenade.  My second time to paint in this cave, I layered up for warmth with a rain coat for my outer layer. What a lovely special way to experience this cave!  Painting number 4307 in 4307 days, and this one is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria on Bagnell Dam Boulevard in Lake Ozark, Missouri. 

Grandma's Country Kitchen

After a rather frustrating nocturne paint in watercolor - my very first attempt using watercolor at night - I pulled out my virgin travel gouache kit for some heavier paint application.  I sketched in ink as normal, and the gouache instantly gave me stronger color in those dark masses.  I left some of my lights, not knowing how gouache would behave in those areas - and it was a good thing!  It was hard to get strong highlights on top of other color.  My rough cotton paper was probably not ideal - but it was the only remaining piece I had stamped.  I meant to get a couple others stamped earlier, but was running late to the nocturne with the additional show set up.  There are things about this gouache that peak my interest, and I will definitely have to explore a little more.  I tried both soft and hard pastels, but only the oil pastels left good marks. Total experiment here, but it was rewarding on a chaotic car show night on Bagnell Dam!  Next time I'll be super early and prepared for gridlock and big crowds, lol! I ended up with two good paintings, but oh it was work tonight!  Painting number 4304 in 4304 days. 

Red Hed Lakeside Grill

It was a beautiful morning for painting on the Lake of the Ozarks!  Arriving at 6:30am, the water was calm and the breeze was cool.  I found my spot on the bridge to a dock, which would remain shaded as the day heated up.  I was close to the edge, so I had to be EXTRA CAREFUL to keep my supplies tucked away.  An errant brush or pen could roll right off the edge and into the lake below!  It is a luxury to start the day painting, with no worries about household chores.  I find I'm painting slower - because I don't have to rush.  It seems I'm forever watching the clock, squeezing in painting time between other obligations.  This is the first day of Lake of the Ozarks Plein Air, and I'm looking forward to a spending quality time with my paint!  Painting number 4299 in 4299 days. I'm honored to have won the Purchase Award at the Red Head Lakeside Grill for LOZ PleinAir! ! ❤️🎨

Toad Cove

What a fun, iconic slice of lake life this place is!  Shady Gators is a popular place on the Lake of the Ozarks, and so fun to paint in ink and watercolor!  Arriving just after sunrise, I found a shady place from which to work.  Already a hot one, this is another heat warning day so I try to stay in the shade as much as possible. I use three inks for the line work, india,De Atramentis Archive Ink and Levenger's Raven Black, then I follow in with watercolor.  Even at this early hour, boats arrive and take off from the nearby socks, leaving ripples on the water's surface.  I really enjoy my time by the water, it is so very soothing to paint.  This painting now available at Lake Fine Art Galleria.  Painting number 3142 in 3142 days. 

Hillside Lodge

What a treat to find this amazing large log cabin on the lake to paint!  This place lodged the workers on the Bagnell Dam, and now houses a museum inside.  Still lovely inside, the lobby is as it was so long ago.  A large veranda sweeps along the lake side, where an amazing view of the Lake of the Ozarks can be had from various spots. With walking trails down the hill, a wonderful lakeside garden is the reward at the bottom!  If only I had more time - I would have painted that view, too!  It would have been a lovely place to rest at the end of the day!  This painting now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach!  Painting number 3141 in 3141 days. 

View from Bridal Cave

What a glorious time I've had painting at the Bridal Cave in Camdenton, Missouri!  From the plein air painting inside the Chapel of the cave, to painting this beautiful sweep of the Lake of the Ozarks from the covered overlook just outside the cave entrance, this place will forever hold good memories for me!  As with any body of water, the lake changes color with the sun and sky.  What started as overcast has opened up to a sunny, hot day - and that reflects in the water!  I painted my masses first, lights and darks followed by the central colors, then added the smaller details such as boats and docks. If was very comfortable painting under this covered overhang, with water cooled breezes blowing through. It has been so fun to visit with guests as they wait for their tour guide while painting the beauty of this lake!  This painting won a ribbon at the Lake of the Ozarks Plein Air event and is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach.  Painting number 3140 in 3140 days. 

Captian Rons

 

It is so fun to paint Captain Ron's with those colorful Adirondack chairs in ink and watercolor!  Those vibrant reflections pulled me right into this scene as I arrived just after sunrise.  Peaceful and quiet in the morning, this place sits on the Lake of the Ozarks, promising entertainment later in the day.  These places that dot the edge of the lake are certainly fun, and a great place to visit on a hot summer night!  Now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach!! Painting number 3139 in 3139 days. 

Pa He Tsi Boat Launch

I love painting at water's edge anywhere, but this day finds me at the Pa He Tsi boat launch on the Lake of the Ozarks.  A very hot day with heat warnings issued, this spot in the shade was comfortable indeed. A soft wind carried cool air up from the lake, refreshing in the deep shade of mature trees.  It was peaceful and relaxing here, with the sound of water lapping at the beach to serenade me.  This natural landscape is the perfect complement to all of the buildings I've been painting lately!  It feels so good to immerse in nature again! This painting won a ribbon and is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach! Painting number 3138 in 3138 days. ❤🎨

Boat Rental

Behind the Inn at the Grand Glaze, down the steep hill and right on the water is this amazing blue boat rental shack with various kayaks and even a paddle boat.  The bright colors pulled me in, so I sketched this out in ink and added watercolor as the sun set.  I perched at an angle because of the pitch of the land, and closely observed the interesting angles from looking down on this building.  I like to rest my paints on the ground while sitting on a camp stool for such places, but had to fight the sliding of my tins down the hill!  Haha! Blocking them with rocks, I was able to get this painted before all light was gone.  After all, I had a long hike up that hill to get back to my room!  This painting is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach.  Painting number 3137 in 3137 days. 

Ozarkland

 I just had to return to this corner to capture Ozarkland in ink and watercolor.  This time I am set up diagonally across the square from this iconic place. This intersection is so busy, and interesting!  The square is set like a diamond on the cross of streets from the points. Parking is on several sides with small shade trees to offer cover on this very hot day. I planned to go paint the Ha Ha Tonka castle ruins, too, but I've run out of time!  I've used three kinds of ink on this one before adding watercolor, De Atramentis Archive Ink, Robert Oster's Thunderstorm, and Levenger's Raven Black. The first one is for the sketchy lines I want to stay the second is a great shadow shade, and the last is for lines I want to move.  I have so many inks, perhaps I should explore with more of them in the field.  These favorites are almost always with me!  Painting number 3135 in 3135 days. 

Ha Ha Tonka Spring

Before today, I have only seen this spring from high up on the cliff, from the ruins of the Ha Ha Tonka Castle. It was years ago, and a tiny spot of lime green in the woods, but I wished instantly to find it and paint it! Alas, we were vacationing with family and time was short, so I tucked that memory away for another day, today, and set out to paint the beauty!  It was very hot here on this 100 degree day, with no wind moving to cool me off.  I was in the shade, Thank goodness, but heat did seem to radiate off the water and rock faces. I worked fast, trying to minimize my afternoon painting time.  Starting with the dark masses, then painting in the light values, I used them for my painting map. Color changes quickly in the water, as the sun starts to move across it's surface, so it is important to mark those colors so that I can stay true to that original vision, and not chase the light.  This place was so peaceful, and it was fun visiting with all the walkers on the trail.  Even in the sweltering heat, this was an amazing place to paint!  Painting number 3133 in 3133 days. 

Bagnell Dam

This is the perfect spot to paint this historic dam - which turned 90 years old this week!  I haven't done an ink sketch all week - so I finally got back to my ink this afternoon.  The day turned off cool after two weeks of heat adviseries and warnings - leaving it very pleasant to sit out and draw.  I zoomed in on a favorite part of this dam and started sketching the lines and angles.  A drawing like this is a bit like a puzzle where I have to sketch out each piece.  Once the composition was in, the values made quick work.  I have wanted to paint these towers for so long, it is a joy to finally get to it!  Painting number 3130 in 3130 days.