Lakeside Dreaming

The boats leading to the pavilion are iconic at Lakeside, and I couldn't resist painting them as Mom and I sat on a bench, waiting for the sunset.  The Canadian wildfires have blown smoke our way, and the air is actually hazardous.  It was so thick in Genoa, we could not see the other side of a crop field as we drove through.  The sky only pinked up before fading to dark, so there wasn't much color to capture.  The peace and tranquility here are truly therapeutic.  Painting number 4950 in 4950 days. 

Along the Garden Path

 

Known as the most beautiful stroll along the water, Lake Erie is but a backdrop for these glorious daylilies!  Larger than my hand, these bold  blooms rise above the foliage in abundance.  I've never seen them glow like this, so of course, I HAD to paint them!  I had so much fun talking with everyone as they walked by, and I'm happy this painting found a new home here, too!  Painting number  4949 in 4949 days. 

Morning on W. Second

 

I love painting downtown Lakeside, where most of the traffic is bicycles and gold carts.  Everyone is so nice, and we visit about all things Lakeside.  Often, couples will walk by a few times to see my progress as I work.  What a great place to visit AND paint!  I'm so happy this painting has found a new home in Kentucky!  Painting number 4948 in 4948 days. 

Path to the Pier

I love painting the vintage charm of this lovely  pavilion in Lakeside on Lake Erie!  It's entry to the pier is iconic to this area, and a beautiful landmark from the water.  Mom and I sure have enjoyed our stay here!  Painting number 4947 in 4947 days. 

Path to Hotel Lakeside

 

It's so much fun to stay and paint at the Historic Hotel Lakeside on Lake Erie!  Come see this and more tomorrow at the Wet Paint Sale near the pavilion at 1:30! ♥️🎨

#hotellakeside #lakesideohio #lakesidechautauqua #pleinairpainting #artistlife

Rush Hour on Walnut

 

I LOVE returning to charming Lakeside to paint! I look forward to this weekend event all year, it's like stepping back in time for a few days.  A great place for families, many return to the same summer cottage for generations.  The Wet Paint Sale Sunday 1:30 to 3:30, outside the hotel near the pavilion on Lake Erie.  It's always cool here by the water.  Painting number 4945 in 4945 days. 

Trail Through the Trees

 

It's so peaceful to sketch this trail through a canopy of trees.  Though the weather is in the 90s, this path is cool in full shade, with a lovely breeze cutting through.  Our time is short, and this may be my last time on this trail until next year.  I wonder if everyone connects to places like I do, as if they are living, breathing things.  It's hard to leave, and I feel this way about many special locations.  It's as if I bond with each place.  What a lovely place to spend some time unwinding!  Painting number 4944 in 4944 days. 

Covered Bridge at Sugar Creek

 

It's so fun to sketch this covered bridge in Elmore, from the North Coast Inland Trail!  I've painted this bridge on the Sugar Creek Golf Course a few times through the years, and I'm always happy to see it still stands.  There's a farmers market along the trail closer to town tonight, and Mom and I are headed there when I get back.  It's fun to experience the small town life here on our annual visit.  Painting number 4942 in 4942 days. 

Log Cabin and Depot

 

It was fun to sketch the log cabin and Elmore depot along the North Coast Inland Trail!  I love that we got to tour them, too!  Cool places of interest are open along the trail at certain hours and days.  These two are open every Sunday from 2 to 5, May through October.  It's such a great idea, and it makes the trail a destination to go see something new.  Mom and I enjoyed the buildings before meeting friends for ice cream right up the street. Mom is getting to visit with so many friends in town.  Painting number 4941 in 4941 days. 

Elmore Farm

I love painting this historic Elmore farm along the North Coast Inland Trail. I have passed it many times as I've run this trail while in Ohio.  It passes through lovely farmland, each unfolding like a quilt before me.  Like an old friend, this trail is comforting.  I ran so many steps away from grief on this path, sharing thoughts and tears along it.  We used to bring our little ones on bikes when we first came here to see Mom and Dad in their new home on Portage River Rd. So many memories, and now I return with Mom to see her Ohio friends, and to paint Lakeside next weekend. I'm looking forward to a few more days here, and sketching Elmore.  Painting number 4940 in 4940 days. 

Elmore Train Station

There is something magical about capturing memories in ink and watercolor in the pages of a sketchbook.  The blank white handmade cotton paper begins to transform into a story with each line and letter.  The color brings the shapes to life, and my experience spills out onto the page.  The painting brings up other memories of children playing, biking this trail, and dinners held on festival days.  And then, the many solo runs that started not far from here, always running past as I really gained momentum for the miles ahead.  My parents lived here for 35 years, and Mom and I visit yearly to reconnect with her friends.  It's a special place indeed.  Painting number 4614 in 4614 days. 

Wooden Boat Show

 

I just found this painting in my sketch bag of the Wooden Boat Show at the Lakeside Chautauqua!  I never framed or displayed it in the wet paint sale.  Once in a while I run out of time and simply stash my painting in my bag - fully intending to take care of it when I have a moment.  Alas, I completely forgot about this one! Painting number 4605 in 4605 days. 

Old Railway Bridge

 

I love capturing memories in my sketchbook as I travel - this one of a favorite bridge over the Portage River on the North Coast Inland Trail.  I've run many miles on that trail. It used to be a plank bridge, bumpy when ridden with bikes, as we so often did when our family was young.  Later, I ran this trail when Dad was having health issues, and i found comfort in every footfall.  Now, the surface is concrete and the sides are high, almost too high to see over, and it goes all the way to Geneo through farmland.  I have so many memories here, and one day my kids can relive them through these pages. Painting number 4603 in 4603 days. 

Village of Elmore Clock

This place is full of memories, and this gorgeous clock has hung from the bank building for decades. As Mom and I sat at Christie's Café waiting for quiche, I sketched this town icon.  This clock is a real showpiece here, and I've never seen another one like it.  It's funny how sketching these places full of memories take me back in time.  Painting number 4594 in 4594 days. 

Most Beautiful Mile in Lakeside

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What a wonderful garden path this is curving along the edge of Lake Erie!  Garden blooms flourish as the waves lap the rocky banks, and many walk to and fro.  I have painted here several times, soaking in the fragrant beauty of it all.  It makes me happy to leave my paintings where they are created!  Painting number 4590 in 4590 days. 

Lakeside Welcome

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What a wonderful entrance this is to the beach on Lake Erie!  I have often wondered what the building to the right of the pavilion is, and I was told that it used to be a bowling alley!  This rendition of the Pavilion also includes part of the Putt Putt golf stand, which I don't think I've included in a painting before.  This painting has a happy new home here, too.  Painting number 4589 in 4589 days. 

Twilight on Second St

It's so fun to paint in the heart of town in Lakeside, Ohio!  Bikes and golf carts are everywhere, as summer fun is in full swing.  This historic street offers endless possibilities for paintings!  I'm so happy this painting has a new home, too. 

Lakeside Plein Air and Wooden Boat Show

 It seems there is a special painting or two each year that gets a lot of attention. I intended to paint this in a small format, but when I set up my gear, I found myself pulling out a larger paper.  This composition absolutely epitomizes historic Lakeside. I will be painting two others, slightly different, so each one is unique.  This was the first painting to sold at the Wet Paint Sale, and is painting number 4587 in 4587 days. 

Lakeside Farmer's Market

 

I love painting the historic charm of the Lakeside School - especially during the Farmer's Market! I just happened to walk up to the south gate to pick up my packet, and noticed the vendors and tents. I rushed back for breakfast with Mom, which ran late, and back up here in time to paint the tents before they packed up!  It was a bit of a race with the clock - but I'm so glad I was able to commemorate this weekly summer event!  This is painting number 4586 in 4586 days, and I'm happy this painting has a new home!

Welcome to Lakeside

 

It is so much fun to paint this charming path to the beach - complete with hotel and pavilion! Our room overlooks this road, and each day, I watch so many families walk through here on their way to summer fun! I just had to capture it in paint!   I'm so happy this painting has a new home!  Painting number 4584 in 4584 days.