Bridge Over the Portage

 

I used to run the North Coast Inland trail over that distant bridge almost every day when I stayed in Elmore, Ohio.  There were many fun family trips here, all through the years.  When my father had health issues, I found myself running that trail on my short windows away from the hospital.  Many times that trail helped me gather strength, run from pain, and center my soul when I needed it most. It's hard to return here, and yet I want to run again, almost like returning to an old friend who helped me through the bad times.  Painting it again brings back so many memories.  Painting number 3867 in 3867 days. 

Railroad Bridge

While in Elmore taking care of errands, Mom and I stopped by this riverside park to have lunch.  Such a gorgeous warm day in the 70s, it was a delight to sketch this beautiful place.  That railroad bridge is part of the North Coast Inland Trail, that I have run so many times.  Our family also used to ride bikes for miles there.  So peaceful here, this river runs right through my parent's old back yard. I have painted it many times, and it is bittersweet to return after so many things have changed. Painting number 2860 in 2860 days. 

Early Snow Inked

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So many memories within these walls, and now this chapter is closing.  The river calls me to it's edge, but alas I cannot answer.  Furniture and boxes parade out the door, as we linger and wait.  The trail is calling my running shoes, will I ever run there again?  The movers have left to return again in the morning, so now I take up my pen.  One more drawing as I look down that hill, who knows if I'll paint here again?  Painting number 2518 in 2518 days. 

Portage River Early Snow

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We spend every day packing and stacking boxes in mom's house in preparation for next week's move to Missouri.  Today, my duties included burning old documents at the firepit, in the very cold weather. So, as I tended the fire, I sketched the Portage River flanked by snow.  I haven't used pen and ink alone for awhile, and I enjoyed it.  I love the very vintage nature of the ink, so well suited for today.  Painting number 2513 in 2513 days. 

Snowy River Grays

After a day of digitizing some of dad's home movies, and scanning in old photos, I squeeze in a little sanity time with my brushes.  I love the dark days of winter up here in northwest Ohio.  So different from Missouri, the subtle color shifts inspire me.  And it seems only fitting, as we all adjust to life without dad.  Painting number 2240 in 2240 days.

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Portage River Snow

What a beautiful scene unfolded by the river as the snow began to fall.  This winter in Ohio has been full of these days, and it has been my pleasure to really explore those dark and moody colors.  Sunny winter days are few and far between this close to Lake Erie, so different from Missouri.  I've put my ultramarine violet to good use, using far more this winter than ever before.  My browns ran out early, and I've spent a lot of time with my grays and violets.  I have hardly touched those warm cads - except for those sunset days!  It is so very interesting how my palette changes according to region.  I can only hope to have what I need in Arizona!  Painting number 2237 in 2237 days.

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Portage in February

Oh how I LOVE these dark, moody days of winter!  With freezing rain coming down all night, this scene awaited in the morning.  The river now melted, was dark in the early light.  I could sense the light changing, so I rushed to get those first colors in before the warming.  My preliminary sketch was formatted longer, with the front bank included.  But after studying the sketch, I decided to go in close and square it off.   Nothing like a pre sketch to work out all the issues.  Painting number 2232 in 2232 days.

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Sunset Over the Portage

With the foliage off the trees, sunsets over the Portage River can be very dramatic this time of year.  Ice has jammed up on the lower land, keeping it's snowy look.  I wish I could get down there for some fabulous compositions, but I dare not.  There is still flooding on that plane  under all that ice, and I don't want to sink in that icy water!  Painting number 2227 in 2227 days.

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Portage River in January

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There was a fresh coat of snow overnight, and the sun was out briefly this morning.  Every day, I look to see how the river changes.  It has many moods.  The flooded plane is now an ice rink, and the new snow covers it like a blanket.  The water level has dropped, and ice chunks aplenty flow quickly downriver.  I had forgotten how light changes swiftly over Lake Erie, and the scene before me changed three times before completion.  Following my mantra of not chasing the light, I stay with my original vision.  I switched back to my Richeson oils with yesterday's painting, making the process so much easier.  I've grown used to the palette, and pulling my small tin out that I've loaded all willy-nilly was messing with my flow!   Can't wait to see what the river does tomorrow.  Painting number 2215 in 2215 days.

Snow on the Portage

The freezing rain started early this morning, glazing all the surfaces.  When it turned to a lovely snowfall, I waited as long as possible for it to accumulate before painting.  With a couple of distractions, I had to rush to finish before dark.  I don't have my favorite palettes here, so I have improvised with a flat plastic container, loading my very limited oils on it.  Oh how I'm missing my favorite white and alizarin crimson!  Challenges are good lessons, so I forge ahead.  My dad loved this river, it is my honor to commit it to oils this day.  Painting number 2119 in 2119 days.

Portage in July

After an early breakfast out with family, I returned and headed down to the river bank, with my oils in tow.  These rich, colorful landscapes just call for a rich, buttery medium.  Now that summer is in full swing, I am using more raw sienna and yellow ochre.  The heat is beginning to dry out the foliage, thus the shift.  Another surprise choice, permanent rose.  I can see it in the bark and in the shaded masses.  It is always so interesting to me to see the color shifts from one day to the other.  Always fun to capture the moment!  Painting number 2001 in 2001 days.

On the Portage River

The natural beauty here is almost overwhelming.  This is one of my very favorite kind of scenes, full of tranquility and the gentle sounds of nature.  The water babbles gently against the rocks, and those rich summer colors are irresistible.  So often wildlife slips in near me, not realizing I am human.  Today, I was visited by a deer family of four, splashing and playing on the opposite bank of the river.  A blue Herron fished and flew away, staying long enough for me to commit him to paint.  Time seems to stop when I'm surrounded by such beauty, allowing me to REALLY soak it all in, letting the experience seep into my painting one stroke at a time.  Painting number 2000 in 2000 days!!  Wowza!

Reflections on the Portage

Reflections on the Portage
Oil on canvas panel, 10x8
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Waking early, I went down to the river bank to catch the morning light.  As I painted, a doe and her fawn walked along the opposite side of the river - never seeing me until I reached for a different brush.  Fish jumped in the river every so often, and a weasel walked along my side of the river - just below me.  He jumped in for a swim, popping up onto rocks and back in again.  It is the first time I've seen a weasel while plein air painting!  Peace fills the air in this place, and painting is the perfect repose.  Painting number 951 in 951 days.

Along the Portage

Along the Portage
Oil on canvas panel, 10x8 - purchase here

I have really been making the effort to paint outside every day. Near Lake Erie, on vacation with my family, I have packed my paints and easel - and have gotten them out each day.  After several days of painting on the sandy beach, I have quite a bit of sand in EVERYTHING!  Yesterday was very windy, and today I found sand in my oil, on my palette and all over my easel!  I am going to have extra organic matter in the paintings of the next few days! While waiting for my brother to pack his gear for the trip back to Florida, I was able to get this painting done on the banks of the Portage.  Painting number 949 in 949 days.

on location

Portage Gold

Portage Gold
Oil on panel, 8x10
sold

Starting a little earlier tonight, I was able to start and finish this painting before dinner. The river is always calling to me...first thing in the morning, when arriving back at the house, or just before sunset.....it calls me down to paint. All kinds of water are alluring to me - lakes, ponds, creeks, and the ocean.  The wonderful golden light on the surface of the river caught my attention this evening, and it is what demanded to be painted.  This whole week, I am using canvas panels that are not first washed with color - which is something that I always do.  The land mass that juts out from the right is the edge of a small island, and local legend has it that an indian once made that their home.  The water forks here, coming back together on the other side.  So many compositions here on this bank, and the music of the river gently rolling by calls me to paint again and again.  Painting number 946 in 946 days.

on location

Portage Reflections

Portage Reflections
Oil on panel, 10x8
Portage River, Ohio
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The sun was already dropping behind the trees when I finally got out with my easel!  The Portage River was beautiful in both directions, so I chose the direction where the light would last longest. I started by quickly laying in the lights - as they are so very fleeting!  Next, the cool darks were dropped into position, along with those rosy shades dotting the river's edge.  With the light already greatly changed, I used a big brush and loose, fast strokes to get this whole landscape in. Rather impressionistic, this painting is the 945th in 945 days.

Portage River in Fall

Portage River in Fall
Watercolor batik on masa paper, 8x5
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The Portage River runs past my parent's house in Elmore, Ohio, and is a constant source of inspiration when I visit.  This morning, while the grass was still very wet with dew, I walked down the hill and to the water's edge just to get this vantage!  So worth it!  So many of the trees are showing off their yellow foliage - the reflections are stunning!  I first sketched this out with my Pitt india ink pen in sepia, and next filled in with watercolor.  Using the hot wax for some movement in the water, I have left this one rather loose and liquid.  I think I will try to paint several of the river while I'm here!  Painting number 670 in 670 days.

Watching Bugs

Watching Bugs
Oil on panel, 14x11

I have never tried any figure work in oil, so I decided to paint these two little darlings down by the river behind my parent's house.  I used a photo I took last summer for reference - and started laying in my colors.  The push and pull between the figures and the landscape had me cooling off the background to bring the children to the foreground.  This painting took so much longer than usual - on a day I really needed a quick subject!  Out of town all day, I just returned to finish this one up.  The drawing is easy for me, but selecting the right colors takes so much time.  I think this is only the first of many figure explorations on my horizon.  This is day 25 of the 30 day challenge, and I think I'll paint the Flint Hills tomorrow :)

River Retreat

River Retreat
oil on panel, 6x6

I made several trips to Ohio this year to see my parents.  My dad was having serious health issues, and I would find myself walking down by the river in the mornings before returning to the hospital.  This place has such a calming, soothing affect on the soul - just like a tonic.  This is one of several I painted during these times, setting up with only a little step stool, my palette and a panel.  Things easily packed - and they took up barely any space while traveling. I worked small, so I could finish quickly.  The act of painting was as soothing as the place, leaving me restored and ready to face the day ahead.

Sunset Over the Portage

Sunset Over the Portage
20x17, oil on panel

This is painted from a 6x6 study that I did from the bank of the Portage River in my parent's back lawn in Elmore, Ohio.  From my location on the bank, I could simply rotate for many different landscape paintings.  The view is amazing, and the light on the river is constantly changing.  Always a peaceful spot, I love walking at river's edge, and turning those feelings into paintings.