Home Through the Wildflowers

For the second paint of the day, I found this view from Richie, looking east towards Santa Fe, just a couple blocks off Main St in Marceline, Missouri.  I set up on the green space beneath the deep shade of an old oak tree.  I had a large black and climb my leg, then stop at my knee - looking right up at me!  I brushed him off and painted on.  Within a minute, he had done it again!  I thought I must be near an ant hill, so I moved forward a couple feet.  It happened again, and I moved again. I went to load my brush and a large grandaddy long legs was waking along the edge palette!  Each painting is an adventure all on its own.  Painting number 1332 in 1332 days :)

Walt Disney's "Happy Place"

Walt Disney's "Happy Place"
Oil on masonite, 12x9
Marceline OPA Paint-Out - purchase here

Out of bed at 4:00 am, out of the house by 5:00, the three hour drive to Marceline, Missouri was a long one for a one day event.  Once we leave I-70, it is winding highways all the way, and beautiful rolling hills and farmland.  Once we arrived, we headed to the Disney Barn and Dream Tree, which I had never seen before.  The barn is nostalgic, and a short walk from the small gravel parking area by the road.  Walt used to come to this barn when he was a child, and referred to it as his "happy place". The Dream Tree was struck by lightening three years ago, and fell in this last year.  Very large, the trunk remains and a new tree has been planted in it's honor.  The wildflowers were bursting with blooms, and a trail was mowed all around the barn, allowing for a great view from every angle.  I could have painted there all day - in this magical place, if only I had more time!  This is painting number 973 in 973 days :)

on location

Marceline Wine Stroll

Marceline Wine Stroll
Oil on masonite, 12x9
Marceline OPA Paint-Out - purchase here

By 3:00, the main street through old town Marceline was closed on either end.  Tables, chairs and tents were placed up and down it’s width.  Wine vendors started setting out bottles, and adorning their tables for eye appeal.  As I walked from one end to the other, scouting for a painting spot, several things caught my eye, but I kept returning to the St. James Winery table.  There was something about the light hitting the glass, with the grapevines and grapes resting around the ice container - so I set up my easel and did my sketch.  After first participating in the wine testing, I returned to my set up to find I could no longer get a good vantage on those bottles from the front

on location

corner, due to the crowd awaiting their wine!  Moving to the side, I started laying paint.  Bottles were constantly picked up, poured, and set down in different locations.  I liked the disarray of the bottles - it made for a more pleasing composition.  Focus was a little challenging as I was in the thick of the crowd, with all their conversation, wine sharing, and merriment surrounding me!  This was a fun paint in a charming town - who could ask for more?  This painting makes 972 in 972 days.

Marceline Coal Shute

Marceline Coal Shute
Oil on panel, 11x14
OPA Paint-Out
Purchase Information

on location

Both of my dad's parents grew up in Marceline, Missouri.  With family ties to this place, when I received the info about an upcoming OPA paint-out here - I knew I must attend!  I have been to this place a few times as a child, and once or twice as an adult - but never as an artist before yesterday.  With new eyes, I saw the beauty of Marceline - and longed to capture as much as I could in a single day.  This coal shute is one of about three left in existence along the Sante Fe Railroad.  I have never seen a structure like this, and have only painted a grain elevator once - so I really wanted to paint this while I could!  This very large cement structure has not been in use since the replacement of the steam engine - and yet it remains.  The cement structure now homes many pigeons - who came streaming from it's windows at intervals en masse, only to return again and roost.  I pulled my palette knife out to play with this one!  After a detailed sketch done in pastel, I underpainted this with my oils and brushes.  Once complete, I just thought it lacked excitement, so - I reached for the knife.  Right away, the magic started to flow off it's tip - even using some interesting color choices for a little "pop"!  Its funny how I get away from using such a valuable tool - as if I forget all about it, just to find it again like an old friend.  I felt a bit like a child playing with a new toy today - and used this knife for all three of my oil paintings in Marceline!  Day 7 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge and my 615th painting in as many days.