Mount Pleasant Spring

 

What a lovely day to paint Mount Pleasant Winery! The weather was perfect, and I chose to paint a small one in ink and watercolor.  I had already drawn a similar scene in pen and ink, deciding at the last minute not to add the color. I always say, "If in doubt - don't."  So, I just had to finish my original vision on this one.  Every painting is a lesson, and I think I was simply meant to paint both!  Come see this one in person at the pop-up gallery at Harmonie Verein in the morning! Painting number 4861 in 4861 days. 

Mount Pleasant Afternoon

It was a lovely day for the Premiere Artist's Paintout, full of sunshine and bright spring foliage.  This historic winery has been a favorite haunt through the years, and has changed colors three time in that span.  This color is reported to date back to an historic, original color, and is quite lively in the landscape. My last social occasion here was a celebration of my youngest daughter's upcoming wedding, with bridesmaids, sisters and moms.  There are so many memories here that it is a joy to paint here whenever I get the chance.  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Dramatic Sky over Mount Pleasant

Hooray for another dramatic sky to paint in a string of stunners!  Looking up is all the inspiration I need to jump into another quick paint!  After last night's late night release of Taylor's newest album complete with a barrage of texting with my daughters most of the night, one would think I'd slowly approach this day.  Nope! I jumped up early and got cracking on my lengthy list of projects to prepare for upcoming galleries and plein air events.  In the middle of all that - streaming Taylor, of course, I found time to capture the beauty in the heavens again.  Just like little gifts offered from the sky, the beauty must be painted.  Painting number 5016 in 5016 days. 

Mount Pleasant Afternoon

 

I am so honored to receive an Honorable Mention in the Premiere Artist's Paintout in the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival!!  After reading the clock to get this morning's Walnut Street painting finished and turned in on time, I ran into the same thing with this painting!  I am studying my subjects and honing my skills,, and I am taking more time with track painting.  I'm producing less art, but that art is fine tuned! Thanks to judge Brian Haynes for the mention and to Mount Pleasant Winery for a wonderful Artist Dinner!! Painting number 3760 in 3760 days. 

Mount Pleasant Afternoon

I haven't painted Mount Pleasant Winery in years - and never in pink!  Word on the grapevine is that this is the original historic color - and it certainly looks great against the fresh greens of spring!  My third painting of the day, I choose a third medium. After an oil and a fountain pen ink, I now chose ink and watercolor.  As I started my ink work, I realized I'm missing my neon yellow Twsbi fountain pen full of my favorite black ink!  I searched high and low, and it's not in my stuff.  I last remember having it as I sketched the whole scene at Nobeleis, so maybe it's laying there in the grass!  So today, I had to use my ink full of Robert Oster's Thunderstorm ink, a rich dark that pushes blue when wet. It actually pops in this landscape, adding to the contrast.  Mixing up just the right pink was fun - and these historic buildings are a pleasure to capture!  I feel like I've stepped back in time, just painting here.  Painting number 3401 in 3401 days. 

Midnight at Mount Pleasant

Midnight at Mount Pleasant Winery
Oil on panel, 9x12
Augusta Plein Air Festival 2014

As Teddy and I were walking out of the "Uncorked 100K" social, we stopped dead in our tracks and said. "Wow - wouldn't that make an amazing nocturne painting?"  From behind us, Kathy Kessler replies, "Do you want me to make that happen?"  Of course we did!  Next thing we know, we are going to retrieve my easel and paints, and to quickly prime our panels.  Back in a flash, and set up quickly, the light was fast fading from the sky.  We had the place to ourselves on this clear, warm night in the 70's, with nothing but the amazing light and view before us.  This is pure painting heaven.  The paint just rolled off the brush and onto the panel with a mind of it's own.  The darker it gets, the less you can read the colors, and the values are key.  I really love painting at night - it is so peaceful and quiet.  All of the busy noises of the day are gone, and night descends like a warm blanket.  A few of us gathered again tonight for a quick night paint in downtown Augusta.  I'll have to post that one another time.  At the rate I've been painting, I am going to be way ahead on my paintings for awhile!  What a way to kick off the plein air season!  This one makes painting number 483 in 483 days.  Oh, life is sweet :)