Roasting Coffee

If you've never been to Messenger Coffee in Kansas City, you have got to stop in!  It is three floors of fabulous!  There is a wonderful rooftop sitting area complete with a fireplace and bird's eye view of the surrounding cityscape.  The second floor is where I found this young man roasting coffee.  The sun streaming through those windows was the perfect backdrop for roasting and baking alike. Just to the right, several bakers were busy with their treats, it made me so hungry!  The first floor is the busiest with a constant stream of people ordering coffee and baked goods, sitting at tables and visiting. A wonderful place to draw with a hot beverage in my other hand!  Painting number 1887 in 1887 days.

Making Truffles

The light was stunning as it poured in from the window, illuminating this baker as she dipped truffles in chocolate.  I walked up on this scene with only enough time for a quick sketch on site.  After leaving, and busy with the everyday events of life, I kept thinking about it.  I couldn't stop thinking about it.  So, today I had to put that scene down in paint.  I used my sketch, my very fresh memories, and a photo I took before leaving to assist me.  I'm not sure if it's finished or not, I've lost the daylight now.  So, I will check it in the morning and see how I feel about it in the light of day!  Painting number 1849 in 1849 days.

Messenger Coffee

What a treat to spend a morning at Messenger Coffee in Kansas City!  From coffee roasters, bakers, fireplace going on the upper terrace outside, to the bustle of people in the lobby standing at the counter, this place is full of painting opportunities!  The only place I could grab a chair offered me this painting vantage. I liked capturing the patrons as they came and went with their coffee and pastries.  I sketched the structural lines first, to give me a map to drop the people in, one at a time.  Once the drawing was complete, I started with the watercolor.  In a place like this, speed is key - so I painted fast!  Sketching with friends is certainly a wonderful place to explore places I would not otherwise see!  Painting number 1848 in 1848 days.

SOLD

Looking Down 17th Street

Today's painting adventure took me to Messenger Coffee House for an impromptu gathering of artist friends capturing the cityscape!  I started painting in the crowded lobby, catching the hustle and bustle of this busy coffee shop.  For this one, my second of the morning, I moved to the second floor with a bird's eye view of 17th and Grand.  Feeling "black and white", I used my favorite fountain pen (TWSBI mini) filled with cosmic black ink.  I love the velvety feel as I lay down those marks.  A little water to soften that rich black, and I was out the door to beat the meter!  Really, artists should get a special tag, allowing us to park as long as we need, to finish those masterpieces.  No telling how many paintings will never come to fruition, because I'm limited to 2 hours only.  Painting number 1846 in 1846 days.