To the Children's Garden

It was a perfect day to paint the entrance to the Children's Garden at Powell Gardens!  I loved talking art with the children walking by, and listening to their laughter while they played.  There was a piano in the other side of this entrance, and the notes wafted through the air.  I remember my own children play notes on our piano, one that has been in my family four generations.  Now, the grandbabies pick out notes, and I always love the sound of it.  This place was such a peaceful place to paint, and a place is wonder for all the children.  Painting number 3779 in 3779 days. 

Arbor at Family Tree

 

So fun to capture this tropical space in the greenhouse of Family Tree Nursery in Shawnee!  The tropical plants, quilted fabric flags and pots made such a wonderful scene, i just had to paint it.  When I started this sketch - clear through to the end, the tables were not occupied. If I'd only  waited, I could have sketched the people that filled the tables, too!  Feels like a vacation to spend a few hours here in January! Painting number 3680 in 3680 days. 

Rusty Arbor Zinnias

This beautiful, rusty arbor called to me as I walked through the arboretum this morning.  After a grueling workout at the gym, the flora and fauna here rejuvenated me, calling to me at every turn.  Years ago, I painted this arbor when it was new, with a blushing pink climbing rose upon it.  The planting has changed from a rose garden to a zinnia garden, perfect choice for the arbor's vintage feel.  Using my oils over an old painting from 2011, I quickly get the masses in.  Since I was painting over a fountain painting - I had to blot that structure out early.  Once in loosely, it is fun to paint, allowing some of that background to peep through.  It really adds a depth in a hurry, and I love the feel.  Plus, reusing panels is always a great idea that saves me time and work!  And, it's kind of fun to have a secret painting hidden underneath!  Painting number 2825 in 2825 days. 

Iris Garden Arbor

The iris bed is now slightly past it's prime, so I feel an urgency to get it painted while I still can.  We are working on this garden, getting ready to add a larger arbor to support a climbing hydrangea that I got for Mother's Day.  So, this arbor may be moved and I may not be able to paint this scene next year.  I like to capture these little moments, it freezes time in paint forever.  Time spent in the garden is so peaceful, much needed today for sure.  Painting number 2699 in 2699 days.

Wedding Arbor

After a long morning run and time spent in a very hot sauna, I am settling in for a little art therapy in the orchard.  Beneath this arbor, Michaela and Cooper exchanged their wedding vows on Sunday.  Once the kid's fort stood here, and many happy hours of play took place on this spot.  She chose it for this special day, and now I commit it to ink and watercolor.  Painting number 2444 in 2444 days.

Iron Gate at H.S. Clay House

After a day spent in Augusta Missouri Wine Country, and an evening celebrating with the girls of Michaela's bridal party, I rise early to bask in the beauty of the H.S. Clay House.  Touring the gardens and enjoying that early light, I grab my pens and paper from my trunk, to capture this place in ink.  I have often looked in towards the house through this arbor, but this time I am looking out.  We have had a magical time here, and will cherish the memories Leigh and Alan helped create!  Painting number 2358 in 2358 days.

Rose Arbor and Poppies

Wowza!  This painting is the 1600th in 1600 days!  Truth be told, there are many others that have not been posted, too!  On this painting journey,  I've gotten faster, and bolder,  jumping into unknown mediums just for the thrill of it! I often do more than a painting a day now, and I'm drawing so much!  Who knew there were so many untried papers out there?  That very first step of "trying" to finish one painting each day was the beginning of a whole new world for me,  one where I could lose myself with reckless abandon in all things art.  My thirst for knowledge is unquenchable, and I am only limited by my imagination.  Want to improve your art skills?  Try a painting a day.  It might just change your life.

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The Rose Arbor

The morning was calling, and I knew I would have to catch this light!  Pushing a million chores out of my mind, I grabbed my palette and headed to the arboretum.  I walked past this place twice,  before setting up. It was a little awkward as I had squeeze close to the hedge, with the arms of a spruce tree reaching over me, and my panel in the light.  The bright light bouncing up from the path was nearly blinding, and yet, this scene called. I had to walk halfway across the bridge just to step back from my painting.  Despite all this, the paint fell right off my brush and the image emerged.  I like it,  though I've not really had a chance to see it in good light.  Hopefully I feel the same way later!  Painting number 1593 in 1593 days.

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Dawn in the Garden

Dawn in the Garden
Oil on panel, 12x9
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Saturday morning's quick paint was held at the Deanna Rose farm.  I have always headed over to the original part of the park, where my children loved to go.  Right next to the goats is this lovely garden, complete with white picket fence, trellis and arbor!  I am always drawn to it,  and I think I've painted here every year for the early morning quick paint.  This morning was very dark, with rain threatening, and when the light did break through, there was a beautiful illumination through the garden.  What a wonderful way to start the day!   My daughter also attended, and painted just a few feet from me.  It is her first quick paint ever!  What fun to have her with me - something we can share while she's home from college.  This is painting number 1248 in 1248 days.

Into the Arbor Garden

Into the Arbor Garden
Oil on panel, 12x9
Stems Plein Air Event
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I've been painting in these gardens for years,  but I have never painted it from this view.  Nestled into the shaded cubby where the lily pond trickles down the stones, I found a very comfortable spot to set up.   Breezes were mild, and the temperature was perfect on this overcast day.  Several times I checked my radar, just to be sure the clouds were not going to open up on me!  Michaela has been painting with me each day since Thursday,  and it has been a treat to see what she creates!  She is fast, and has a very natural ability to capture the landscape in oils.  Her values are good from the start,  something so many of us take years to get right.  I hope she can fit these events in whenever she's on break from college!   Maybe I can get her to accompany me daily all summer!  Painting number 1247 in 1247 days.

Lavender and Roses

Lavender and Roses
Oil on panel, 8x10
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It was such a warm day, that for my second painting, I was looking for shade!  Standing in the deep shade of a tree, I was able to look onto the northern side of Monet's Garden to capture this view.  This lovely new pillar offers structure to the freely blooming flowers.  The lavender  is so delicate, and the salmon climbing rose a perfect compliment.  The skies clouded over, and rain threatened, but I was able to complete my painting before the first drops fell!  Another wonderful day painting at the arboretum!  Painting number 1245 in 1245 days.

Garden Stroll

Garden Stroll
Oil on panel, 14x11
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The morning light spilled into the garden, illuminating foliage and bloom.  Setting up in the shade, I had a perfect spot from which to paint.  Soft breezes and friendly conversation were my painting companions.  I was close to the walkway, so many stopped to visit as I worked.  I enjoy the conversation, it allows my creative side to take over while my mind is otherwise engaged, and my creative side never disappoints.  My right brain really needs no attention from my left, when it comes to painting!  I am having an issue with my tripod - I have already stripped out the top!  After a visit to the camera shop, I am giving this project to Mike.  He can fix anything!  Then, I will have something that will never break!  Painting number 1244 in 1244 days.

Morning in the Wedding Garden

Morning in the Wedding Garden
Mixed media on wood panel, 11x14
Overland Park Arboretum - Stems
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This early morning painting is an experiment in mixed media.  I first washed on a dark underpainting with acrylics - in red, blue and green.  This dries quickly, so I then sketched out my garden with a white pastel stick.  Next, using a plastic palette knife, I lay down the foliage and blooms with molding paste.  As this is drying, I start with the background and my oils.  Once the paste is hard enough, I can start over it with my oils, as well.  I am certainly stepping outside of my comfort zone here, and I can't quite decide if it is too dark.  It is not my normal, but it definitely has a mood all it's own. We'll see how I feel in a few days with this one! Painting number 880 in 880 days.

on location

Into the Secret Garden Again

Into the Secret Garden Again
Mixed media, 11x14 - sold

This was my final painting of the Augusta Plein Air Festival.  In the afternoon light, the foliage and blooms of this wisteria glowed against the shade of the garden beyond.  This historic house of H.S. Clay is now a beautiful bed and breakfast, full of charm and an amazing breakfast that simply must be experienced!  This scene was the first to grab my attention when first arriving into town, and it took me the entire event before I could find the time to paint it!  I first sketched this out on an acrylic underpainting - which was a loosely stroked montage of blue, alizarin crimson and green, so I started with a dark surface and worked to the light.  I then used a palette knife to add the texture of the foliage and blooms - where the light was catching the most.  After this step was dry - not long on a warm day, I started in with the oils.  The whole process created a rich depth to the landscape.  This is painting number 856 in 856 days.

Gateway to the Vineyard

Gateway to the Vineyard
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Nobeleis Winery - Sunset Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Art Event
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This evening's painting was at the beautiful Nobeleis Vineyard, and was a 2 hour quick paint.  It was heavily overcast, but the rain held off.  I'm not so sure about tomorrow, though!  The moody atmosphere made for a wonderful spring painting of the vineyard.  I was sheltered from the cold wind by the pavilion, and a live band played while we painted - and i love that!  I will have to post the photo of this painting tomorrow, as I left my camera in Teddy's car - and that is where all of my images are!  This painting is number 846 in 846 days.

Pink Roses on the Arbor

Pink Roses on the Arbor
Oil on canvas, 7x5
Loose Park, Kansas City, MO

Getting back to my comfortable roots today, I have pulled out my oils.  In preparation for the Door County trip, I dutifully scraped my palette and reloaded the paints.  I do this before leaving, because I only carry tiny tubes in my french easel - except for white.  Loose Park is one of my favorite places to paint, so picking a theme of comfort was a must on such a hectic day.  I found some canvas in my supplies, so I have taped it to a substrate for this painting and the next.  I rarely do this, but why not take advantage of all the surfaces I have?  This painting makes 565 in as many days.....not it is time for lunch :)

Garden Walk

Garden Walk
Oil on panel, 24x26
Deanna Rose Farmstead

A couple of years ago, I had painted a study for this painting at one of the early morning quick paints at the Deanna Rose Farmstead - part of the Stems Event.  I have a fabulous frame I want to use in my living room, and this was my chosen subject for it.  I am working large today - 24x26, so it seems like it took me quite a while to get the panel covered!  I think I still need to add in a little palette knife detail, but since I am leaving shortly for Michael's baseball game, I thought I had better take this photo in the good light of day, instead of fighting the artificial lighting of night later!  I may just frame it up and hang it for a few days, letting it rest.  The colors are a little brighter than my normal oil landscapes - probably due to my recent watercolor craziness - so this will allow me to judge in a few days whether changes are needed.  This painting makes 546 in 546 days - I just can't wait to see how in looks in my new frame!!

Rose Arbor in the Garden

Rose Arbor in the Garden
Watercolor on paper, 10.5x7

Today finds me with a limited painting window, so I am applying color to one of the paintings that I had underpainted a couple of days ago.  I am playing with the medium, dropping color to wet areas, letting it spread, and I have brushed out a few areas to blend and blot up paint with a stiff bristle brush.  I am using a limited palette, and I wonder what the untried colors would add....but I don't have time to explore them!  I am wanting to paint my newly opening daylilies - and some fairies, but alas, I don't have the time for that today.  It is very hard sometimes to be a responsible adult when I just want to play in the paints all day!!  Painting number 538 in as many days - now its time to work on the pool!

Hydrangeas by the Arbor

Hydrangeas by the Arbor
Oil on panel, 14x11
Lee's Summit Garden Walk - Plein Air

Oh my goodness, what a full day!  I started this morning as the guest speaker and painter with the Scarritt Renaissance Coffee Club in northeast Kansas City, and next headed for the Garden Walk in the historic downtown Lee's Summit district.  This is my third painting today, and such a lovely spot it was!  The giant hydrangea was begging me to paint it - and after scanning the other gardens on the street and visiting with fellow artists - I returned to my favorite.  As is sometimes the case, I had to tuck myself into a cubby hole of shade to get this exact view.  I wanted the abundant blooms spilling over the iron fence, with the path and arbor leading you right into the garden, so there was no other place to set up. The biggest drawback here is that I could not keep stepping back to check on progress as I worked.  I really could only step to the side along the hedge to get a different vantage.  Once finished, I pulled it out of the deep shade to check the hues, and found it was just what I was after.  The weather was beautiful, though a little windy, and the owners were so gracious and welcoming.  I always enjoy visiting with passersby as I work - and what is better than strolling through lush gardens on a perfect June day?  This painting makes 530 in 530 days, and I will post one of the others tomorrow :)

Wisteria on the Vine

Wisteria on the Vine
Oil on panel, 10x8

Wisteria is one plant I have never grown.  When the kids were small, I didn't plant it because the seeds are poisonous.  The flowing purple beauty if this vine are beyond compare.  I've been doing so much gardening lately, I find I am planning out where to plant such a lovely specimen.  I would love to grow it as roof to a large open arbor - perhaps near the pool where we could really benefit from some added shade.  The ideas are many, and as an extension of my thoughts today - I am painting what is on my mind.  Loose and impressionistic with my strokes, this painting makes 525 in 525 days.