Morning at Sister Bay

SOLD

Sometimes, I paint in low coverage areas, and can only post very limited images - if anything goes through at all!  I did not realize how much of the midwest does not have good internet until I started painting in many small towns.  Door County is such a place, and I only recently realized that I could not post this painting as it was completed.  This quick paint in Sister Bay was so fun to paint - and it was the first one purchased that evening at the Peninsula School of Art.  Such a great place to paint!  Painting number 2464 in 2464 days.

Sister Bay Inked

Standing in the Waterfront Park at Sister Bay offers a painting in every direction.  From the crowded beach to the rambling marina stretching off into the distance, the busy shoreline is a wonderful place to spend the morning.  After scouting for a bit, I landed pretty quickly on this spot.  The abundant wildflowers in the foreground with that sweep of water in the background, the different planes appealed to my senses. Using my TWSBI fountain pen and favorite Levenger Raven black ink, I used the very last of the ink drawing this sketch.  I changed sketch bags before heading north, and I didn't bring an extra bottle of ink.  I have got to remember that!  It is not my first time to run out of ink when out of town.  Painting number 2422 in 2422 days.

Sister Bay Saturday

Arriving in Sister Bay early, I stamped both a paper and a panel, unsure of which I would choose.  Without any idea of what I would paint, I walked directly to this place, instantly taken by the view.  Wildflowers bloomed abundantly in the foreground while the beach and marina unfolded behind. The weather was beautiful and warm, with gentle breezes.  The only drawback is that once again, I faced into the sun, with panel and palette in shade.  Thank goodness for sunscreen!  I took care in choosing my colors, laying down just what I saw throughout the painting.  With a two hour limit and a complicated subject, there was no room for error. I always enjoy visiting while I work, the time flies by so quickly!  Before I knew it, time was up and I was cleaning brushes and getting my second stamp!  This painting has a new home and is the 2015th painting in 2015 days.

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Historic Barn in Sister Bay

My first time to visit the historical society of Sister Bay was a wonderful experience. The outbuildings are full of character and there are paintings in every direction.  Inked on site, I am only now adding watercolor to it.  Once the color is in, I add a little more ink where needed.  I use India ink on this one, wanting a waterproof option to keep the watercolor clean.  I love these historic barns, I never grow tired of painting them.  Painting number 1769 in 1769 days.

Sister Bay Barn in Watercolor

I've not used my watercolors for a while, and yesterday, I could have used them in the field.  So, today finds me filling in ink drawings with color!  Sometimes, I only have time for a sketch, which I can come back to later, if I choose.  This is one of my favorite journals, and I especially love the rough texture and how that paint glides over the surface.  The sizing is a little thick in this particular journal, so my watercolor brushes are far more effective than the brushpens.  When I use the brushpens, I need water handy to rinse out the gunk periodically.  I sketch in my line drawing with India ink, which is waterproof, and then follow with paint.  I'm using my watercolor confections for this.  They are small and can be slid in a pocket for in the spot plein air.  I almost never get out my Daniel Smith's now, strictly due to the convenience.  I'm having so much fun, I think I'll do another!  Painting number 1768 in 1768 days.

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Anderson House Watercolor

I've lately returned to my favorite watercolor journal with pen, ink and watercolor.  I sketch out with an India ink pen, in this case a Pitt pen in black. Next, I lay down a warm wash which fades into the sky color.  I paint in the shadow colors before laying down the central hues.  I did use real watercolor brushes here instead of the water brushpens, but I forgot to use my new sword brush!  With the extra sizing in the pages of this book, the real brushes are much more effective.  The brushpens were getting gummed up with sizing, but I still use them on the fly.  Painting number 1669 in 1669 days.

Sister Bay Reflections

Arriving early for the quick paint in Sister Bay, I had no idea what my painting location would be.  The vintage cottages called you me, as did the rhythmic lake, but the reflections of the boats reeled me in.  My intended painting surface was awol, so I decided on a smaller size. An artist friend of mine let me buy a frame to match it, as the stars aligned!  I started with an ink sketch, moving to the paint. Once again, standing in full sun, I talked and visited as I worked, the colors unfolding before me.  I really enjoyed this scene even though my boats kept pulling out!  I had to lay that color in fast when I realized they were on the move!  Just another quick paint adventure!  Painting number 1663 in 1663 days. 

oil on panel, 12x9
purchase here

Sister Bay House Inked

With only an hour until the next event, there was only time for sketching.  A pouring rain had me seeking shelter, and I found several of my artist friends there under the gazebo!  Using my ink and cotton paper, I was careful to keep my sketchbook dry.  After drawing a sketch of the boats in the harbor, I turned towards the main street through town for this old house sketch.  I love the sweep of the street and the garden surrounding the house.  Such an inviting place - I would like to go sit for a spell!  Painting number 1660 in 1660 days

Sailboats at Sunset

There is something so dreamy about sailboats.  The very sight of them brings on memories of summer, slipping through the waves with ease,  the wind on my face.  Quiet and peaceful, it is a joy to capture them with paint.  Today, I've chosen oils, and there are a few colors on my palette that are not normally there.  I've dropped in some radiant blue and radiant turquoise, too better catch the hue of the sky and water.  These Gamblin radiant paints are wonderful for that pop of highlight and strong, opaque color over the transparents.  If you've not tried them, you simply must.  The radiant lemon is probably my favorite of the bunch, but every one is very useful, indeed.  This painting is the 1316th in 1316 days :)

Sailboats at Sunset
Oil on panel, 5x7
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Orange Sail Cover

In the afternoon, this sailboat shined in the harbor.  It was one of three that I had tentatively chosen for the morning's quick paint.  By morning, the light was too different, and the bloom was off the rose, so it was not my choice for the quick paint at Sister Bay.  And yet, I had to paint it.  I couldn't get it out of my mind.  So, here it is, the 1305th painting in 1305 days.

"Nimble" at Sister Bay

This morning's quick paint was held at Sister Bay.  I was instantly grabbed by this wonderful, old sailboat - and I had to paint it.  The weather was absolutely perfect - warm, sunny with gentle breezes.  I love getting to paint these sailboats - especially since I never get to see them.   We don't see too many sailboats in Missouri!   Painting number 1304 in 1304 days!

Docked at Sister Bay

Docked at Sister Bay
Oil on panel, 11x14

Sister Bay, and this harbor, was the scene for today's workshop.  Teddy and I each worked on separate boats, with separate focus, in front of the students.  They could look from one to the other, and watch our progress as we talked through our steps.  It was a quick paint, as the rain was threatening - and started before the last strokes were down.  It is a little like tag-teaming between us, as we paint.  So fun!  This painting makes the 1301st in 1301 days :)

A Tug at Sister Bay

A Tug at Sister Bay
Oil on wood, 12x9
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The night before the quick paint, I was dreamed of painting boats.  Two in particular, I had seen on Wednesday, a bright yellow speed boat in front of a tall, elegant blue and white sailboat.  As I approached, another vision leapt out at me - a fabulous tug boat in my favorite color - red!  I set my easel down on the spot, without even scouting the quick paint area!  I always try to have my panel in the shade when I paint, but it was simply not possible in this situation.  I set up on the dock near the edge, sun on my panel and back and wind blowing from the side.  The gracious owners of this beauty came out and visited throughout, even bringing me iced lemon water for refreshment!  What a fabulous day I had - and this painting is going home in this tug!  Painting number 937 in 937 days :)

Sailing Sister Bay

Sailing Sister Bay
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
purchase here

This large, gorgeous sailboat was sailing in Sister Bay, Wisconsin when I was last there for the Door County Plein Air event.  The skies were putting on a show of their own, with glorious color dipping in and out of the clouds.  Catching that colorplay on sky and water is a matter of brushing one color right up to the other, without crossing the line with the brush and "muddying" up those oils.  I then pulled the palette knife across the top with thick, juicy strokes here and there to add to the depth. I sure wish it was warm sailing weather right now! This painting is number 789 in as many days.

Moonlight Sailing

Moonlight Sailing
Oil on panel, 8x10
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Michael had a double header this afternoon, and after dining out, I have come to my easel late on this day.  Keeping with my 4 day theme of nocturnes, I had sketched this composition out before leaving the house this morning.  The work starts more quickly with the planning already done.  I had read an article about turning daylight reference work into night, just by changing the light - so here, I am trying just that.  Since I have finished this at night, the glare off the oils is pretty bad, and thus the color is off, too.  I will try to take a better photo tomorrow with natural light.  The sky and water both are much more prussian blue, and the alizarin is hardly visible in this image!  I tried a new violet on this one - another unburied treasure from my endless paint supplies - thiondigo violet.  It seems to be very much like alizarin, but different.  With so much blue-violet in the water and sky, I scattered it's compliment of yellow-orange around the painting in tiny strokes.  I think I may need to emphasize the mast a bit more, but I am letting this one rest until tomorrow.  This painting makes 593 in as many days.

Sailing Lake Michigan

Sailing Lake Michigan
Watercolor on paper, 5x7
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I am again playing in the watercolors today!  This sailboat was turning off the coast of Sister Bay.  I always have my camera handy - so I was able to get three good shots of his maneuvers.  The sun was dropping, and reflections of the sky skimmed along it's surface.  Painting the surf in watercolor is so much different than in oils or acrylics!  I masked off some highlights first, then went in with some loose, wet color - allowing it to move and spread.  This is hot-pressed paper, and so it leaves it's own mark with the pigment.  It is so exhilarating to experiment with this new medium - just like getting to know a new friend, whom you KNOW is already a kindred spirit!  Such an adventure!  I am just getting to know boats as well, I have not spent much time around large bodies of water.  I think I need to invest in some wonderful watercolor brushes, too. I am basically using one brush - which is now starting to show some wear.  At the rate of which I am painting - I will be going through them like crazy!  All of Door County, Wisconsin is full of scenes like this - it really takes me back to this place to put it to paper in watercolor.  Painting number 576 in 576 days :)

Sailing at Sister Bay

Sailing at Sister Bay
Oil on panel, 16x12
Door County, Wisconsin

I had the opportunity to be at Sister Bay, Wisconsin, watch a sunset paint.  Seldom, do I see such a glorious sunset at a scheduled paint-out!  What a treat!  This boat was sailing back and forth in the harbor - giving the artists ample chance to block it into their paintings.  This is a wonderful town - they even have a restaurant that lets goats out to eat off the roof!  No kidding - goats on the roof!  This is painting number 221 in as many days.