White Farmhouse Charm

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When i arrived on site, my intention was to paint more of the building and include the sweet "Betty" the Volkswagen van.  But as I started sketching, I was drawn to the drama of the angles and I wanted those first lines to pop out of the frame.  I let my pen have it's way, and my focus became the entrance with the side note of another artist who was painting "Betty"! So, I kind of included her after all!  It was super fun to paint one of my favorite shops in Parkville - and I'm happy this painting was selected to join a few of my others, too!  Come see this one and more at the Parkville Art House Oct 16 at 6:00! Painting number 5032 in 5032 days. 

Life on Main Street

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I looked for a place in the shade, but only found a pole to for cover.  As it moved away from my vantage, I stood in the full sun, wishing I had put sunscreen on my feet.  Each time the train rolled by, I popped in my earbuds to buffer the very loud horn.  I moved into the shade to check my close and values, because that it hard to see in full sun.  Despite the challenges, I loved almost every minute of it!  I am honored this painting was chosen for the Paint the Town Purchase Award in Paint Parkville!!  I love capturing the small town charm of this place in oils! 

Veteran's Memorial Fountain

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What fun it was to paint near this fountain on such a beautiful day to kick off Paint Parkville!  This is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, and it is near the old depot.  As I was painting, a train came through, so I painted it in to complete the scene!  Anyone who has spent time on downtown Parkville knows these trains are iconic to this place.  I was surprised and happy to find that City Hall selected my painting for their Purchase Award based on a majority vote!  This painting will join a few others of mine on the walls of City Hall.   Painting number 5027 in 5027 days.  

Belvoir Winery

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I have been to this winery one other time with the Urban Sketchers KC, and that was a cold winter day.  It was a joy to see this place with it's early fall color and lush green grass.  Michaela, Kirby, and baby Robin joined for a little plein air, too!  Thank you to the Liberty Chamber of Commerce for choosing my painting for the Purchase Award at the Belvoir Winery Quick Paint, and to Shaun at The Artisan Market for organizing Liberty Plein Air!  Michaela will be joining me to paint the square tomorrow with a Reception and Sale from 6 to 7 pm, ah the Artisan Market. Painting number 5023 in 5023 days. 

Phillips Taylor Century Farm

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When I arrived in Marceline, I passed the most amazing field full of hay bales.  Instantly, I wanted to paint some, even though I have some dotting my pastoral landscape at home!  Rather than painting in town, I set off for this farm with the landscape in mind.  After scouting within the perimeter of the fence, i decided to walk out into the field, too see what I could see.  Of course, there was no going back after I saw this beautiful scene. Sometimes I've got to set up way back in the pasture to get the full scene I didn't even know I needed to paint!  I'm so happy and honored this painting was selected for the Magnolia Antiques Purchase Award in Paint Marceline!  The extra effort is always worth it.  Painting number 4982 in 4982 days. 

Red Umbrella Day

 

It REALLY poured for this paintout!  Everything was soaked and it was still fun sharing the tiny space with artist friends, Margaret and Troy Tatlock from Wisconsin!  Troy is always so chatty as Margaret tries to rein him in a little. Time flies when you're having fun! Happy to win an Honorable Mention on this, too!  Painting number 4865 in 4865 days. 

Boats and Wildflowers at the Dock

 

It was so much fun to paint this colorful scene in Lake Sherwood this morning, and an honor to receive an Honorable Mention from Lon Braur for it, too!  After an amazing artist church gathering at Harmonie Verein, we arrived a little late to our morning paintout.  After a little discussion on finding a spot, and a short scout, I returned here to capture the color in paint!  How could I possibly pass on painting these beauties at the dock?  Painting number 4863 in 4863 days. 

Infield at Creekside

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This is the largest, giant fiber optic tree sculpture I have ever seen - so OF COURSE, I HAD to paint it!!  When I walked up on site, all I could think was, "Wow!" It was so unexpected, and gigantic!  The leaves look like pale green glass, and were not illuminated in the morning.  I stood and really studied this scene before I marked a line.  After my line work, I ate my salad as I stared at my paper, envisioning the next step.  I rarely do this on any painting, so intuitive the whole process is to me.  But this painting called for it, so I let this painting unfold thoughtfully.  I try to always listen to that small voice inside, and go where I am lead.  I am honored this painting was selected for the Creekside Purchase Award tonight!  Painting number 4664 in 4664 days. 

Wet Streets in West Salem

 

I'm so honored this painting was chosen for the Best of West Salem Award!  As I was scouting trug town, I could see two compositions of buildings with the water tower that I liked.  Then, I drove to find a place that I could park with exactly those buildings lined up, since it was already raining!  I needed to be close to my car in case it started pouring, which it did.  I had multiple mishaps with this painting, including dropping my phone in my palette while trying to get this photo, hitting a pothole full of water, and finding that suddenly my windshield wiper is coming loose in the heaviest rain - but all is well that ends well. My artistic journey does cross bumpy roads from time to time, and I only appreciate the perfect days more. This painting is number 4647 in 4647 days and I'm happy this painting has a new home tonight, too!  

Plant Sale at the Garden

Purchase Award Winner

I love painting in the community garden at the Anita Gorman Conservation Center - especially with artist friends. I started and finished this one in the sun, but painted in between from the shade.  It was 96 degrees as I headed home, such is super hot for this time of year.  The zinnias were glorious, and I've never seen the native plant sale wrap around the parking lot before today - so, of course, I had to paint it!  Today is the second Quick Paint for Brush Creek Art Walk  - and I'm so honored that my painting was chosen for the Purchase Award!  This painting will hang by a bronze plaque with my name on it!  So exciting!  Painting number 4638 in 4638 days. 

The Heart of Marceline

 
I knew as soon as I saw this scene, I would paint it.  This would be the very first painting of the day, as it would not let me leave without painting it.  It was cloudy and cool, and absolutely the perfect weather for standing completely in the open to get this vantage.  After my very detailed drawing, I began adding the watercolor, pushing the ink a little more too, until I was finished.  I'm so happy to have received the Reginal Bank Purchase Award for this painting!  Painting number 4617 in 4617 days. 

Along the Trail of Tears

 

Painted on Long Springs road, this is part of the Trail of Tears that runs through Steelville.  We were asked to capture the story in paint as we stood in the very place they walked.  It was emotional. I had read some of the history the night before, and could not imagine their plight, especially the mothers who were losing their babies. This painting will join others that will be auctioned off in support of a sculpture to commemorate this trail.  Those souls should not be forgotten. I am honored to have this painting awarded an Honorable Mention for the Trail of Tears Paint Out. Painting number 4542 in 4542 days. 

Waiting for a Ride

 

I'm so happy this painting was awarded third place in the Sunnit Art Plein Air event.  Legacy Park is full of beautiful places to paint!  It has been years since I've been to this park, and I hardly recognized the place.  I could see these boats of in the distance, so I hunted up the closest parking, then walked the trail to get here.  The light was perfect and it was a fun quick paint before meeting the other artists at the Kick Off Party.  Just as I was finishing up, a large party was arriving to take the boats out on the water.  Perfect timing!  Painting number in days. 

Art Party at the Barn

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I love painting the coolest places, and I'm honored to have won the Broadview Valley Sponsor Award for this painting. Some paintings just fall off the brush, but not this one.  Three times the rain sent me ducking for cover under the eve of that barn.  I lost the cap of a favorite pen, only to find it on my third time back at my spot. I would have switched to oils when the rain started early in the paintout, but our car was a long way away. I walked that distance to get my rain gear (which I didn't think I'd need). I didn't feel like my painting was finished, but I was out of time.  I walked up to the car to frame and back down to turn in, barely making the deadline.  This one was a battle, in a beautiful, peaceful, very rainy place, and I still loved the process of it all. Our hosts were gracious and delightful, and I'm so happy they chose my painting for their award. Painting number in days.... my blogger app has changed, and I can no longer toggle between posts.  So, one day, I'll have to get in my computer and catch up on my numbers, lol. Silly technology, changing my apps to a lesser version of their former selves.....

Parkville Overlook

This was a lovely bird's eye view over Parkville from the Evolytic's parking lot.  I spent a lovely afternoon painting with my daughter, Tiffany, to capture this scene.  With ink and watercolor I worked on my normal method, then went back into certain areas with more ink.  I have many fountain pens loaded with matching inks, and I carry a few with specific landscape colors.  I went to these four added impact and depth for the finish.  It's so fun exploring what the ink can add!  Painting number 5180 in 5180 days and I'm happy this painting won the Evolytics Purchase Award, too!  Still showing at Parkville Art House for the rest of the week! 

Sailing Dreams

 

What an honor to find this painting was awarded 2nd place at the Lake Quivira Paint Out!!  It was super fun painting here with BOTH my daughters for our first plein air event together. It had been 9 years since I had painted here, and I found myself drawn to the waterfront. Last time, there was a yacht race in progress, but today the water was still.  With those lovely sailboats waiting on shore, the wet ground reflected light as though they were on the water.  The painting unfolded naturally as I visited with my daughters, each finishing their own paintings. I'm looking forward to all of our painting time ahead. Painting number 5171 in 5171 days, and this painting is now showing at the Lake Quivira Clubhouse.

Tiefenbrun Farm

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Tiefenbrun Farm was so much lovelier than expected!  I felt like i had walked into a French landscape, complete with outbuildings, lakes, and a creek winding through it!  The children of the family were so interested in what we artists were doing - and Alice even painted the pink flowers into the garden on my painting.  She's already has an eye for art, i hope she's inspired to explore all the possibilities!  I LOVED painting this incredible 1889 French inspired home and farm today- and I'm so honored this painting was awarded an Honorable Mention, too!  Painting number 5162 in 5162 days. 

Parkville Aglow

 

Enamored with the night lights on Main Street the night before, I arrived early to try to capture the magic.  Lights adorn buildings, street lamps abs doorways, spilling or onto the street.  So, I painted all that light first, and then started in on the buildings and the dark passages.  I saved the night sky for last, when light was coming up at the horizon.  That transitional light is my very favorite in the field, and a joy to capture with paint.  I love painting on Main Street in Parkville, and I'm honored this painting won the Paint the Town Purchase Award tonight!  Painting number 5158 in 5158 days. 

West Salem Square

 

I am so honored this painting was awarded the Best of West Salem award at the Edwards County Paint Out!  This is a wonderful area to paint, full of good people! My host family took me on a 4 wheeler ride to their 40 acres and surrounding area, and it was so fun.  It's lovely to see the area as only the locals know how to see if, and a great way to start the day.  I'm so lucky to have stayed with them for 3 years running, now.  Painting number 5172 in 5172 days. 

Welcome to Washington

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I love the excitement of capturing the entire Washington Riverfront in paint - in under two hours!!  I am honored my painting was selected from so many incredible artists for the Washington Sponsor Award tonight. I've wanted to paint this scene for years!  Painting number 5026 in 5026 days.