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. 

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. 

Lakeside Pavilion

 

Sometimes, the feeling to paint a specific scene is very strong. Despite time restrictions, I set up on the spot and paint. I let intuition guide me through the process, no matter what my original intentions are.  I trust that still small voice that ever guides me. Though drawn in my sketch book, I think I'll paint this again in a larger square format.  I like the composition, and this one simply unfolded on it's own.  I love when that happens!  Painting number 4589 in 4589 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. 

Heading to the Lake

It was so good to be painting in the shores of Lake Quivira after such a long absence.  The last scheduled plein air event here was 9 years ago. On this lovely day, my daughters finished their paintings while I started this oil, longing to capture the light in the kayaks. This was such a fun painting and it is now showing in the Lake Quivira Clubhouse along with three others of mine and 4 of my daughters' paintings, too.  Painting number 5176 in 5176 days. 

Kayaks at Lake Quivira

I was hoping for a splash of color when I headed toward Lake Quivira, and I found it!  My daughter, Tiffany joined me today for her first real plein air event!  It was so fun sharing the day with her down by the water.  She found a lovely sailboat to paint while I painted these in a sliver of shade. I'm using my new QoR watercolors for this one - so I still have my swatch out as I work.  This is only my second painting with them, and I am still learning my palette.  One big drawback- a few cakes pop out of the pan each time I open them!  I put two drops of water under each one that was out today - so we'll see if they stay.  Painting number 5158 in 5158 days. 

On Lakeside Beach

SOLD

What better way to end this day than with a final paint on the beach at Lakeside?  Music wafted on the air from the sunset service as a cool breeze blew in off Lake Erie.  One my one, people walked down the pier and took seats along water's edge, in a daily ritual to watch the sunset.  This place is special, full of simple pleasures, family values and true community spirit.  I love painting here as much as I love being here.  It was so much fun to find patrons waiting at my booth spot to buy my paintings before I unpacked them!  I'm happy so many paintings find new homes today - as well as this one, tonight!  Painting number 5102 in 5102 days.

Take me to the Lake

 

It's so fun to find places like this to paint right off the Meramec River!  Mound Ridge had several very appealing groupings of kayaks and boats, and I had trouble deciding which to focus on!  Going with the most colorful, these drew me in for my demo.  It's been great fun to teach high school students acrylic in the field, especially at such an inspiring place. Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville  😍🎨

Lakeside Beach

Lake Erie was moody and stormy earlier, clearing off enough for me to set up and start painting by 8am.  Even though I started this painting from the pavillion early, I didn't get it finished until the art sale was over!  It was fun to visit with everyone passing by, sharing their memories of places I'd painted.  This small community is special, and I'm so happy I found it.  I hope to return for years to come to the Lakeside Plein Air Festival!  Painting number 4278 in 4278 days. 

View from Bridal Cave

What a glorious time I've had painting at the Bridal Cave in Camdenton, Missouri!  From the plein air painting inside the Chapel of the cave, to painting this beautiful sweep of the Lake of the Ozarks from the covered overlook just outside the cave entrance, this place will forever hold good memories for me!  As with any body of water, the lake changes color with the sun and sky.  What started as overcast has opened up to a sunny, hot day - and that reflects in the water!  I painted my masses first, lights and darks followed by the central colors, then added the smaller details such as boats and docks. If was very comfortable painting under this covered overhang, with water cooled breezes blowing through. It has been so fun to visit with guests as they wait for their tour guide while painting the beauty of this lake!  This painting won a ribbon at the Lake of the Ozarks Plein Air event and is now showing at Lake Fine Art Galleria in Osage Beach.  Painting number 3140 in 3140 days. 

Docked

 

I've got an art show coming up in August in Osage Beach, Missouri, and I am getting a few things ready for my booth space.  A first time plein air event - The Best Dam Plein Air Event - will celebrate the 90th year of Bagnell Dam.  Along with the various venues, participating artists are offered booth space for paintings other than the work from the event. So, in keeping with the lake theme, I am gathering previous work and even painting from some of my reference pics, to have a few additional things to offer.  I don't normally do "shows" other than art galleries or plein air sale days, so this will be fun to see how it goes!  And, it is an opportunity for me to paint boats again - since I am not going to Door County this year.  Painting number 3104 in 3104 days. 

Day's End on the Water

I love painting by the water, and with the warmer temps this week - it really feels like summer!  The color is up in the water, with those gold greens just starting to show.  I've been painting en plein air so long, that I can tell the season by the color in creeks and lakes.  I've been painting larger, preparing for shows and galleries.  This one is 18x24, and I just dropped it off at Gallery Augusta today.  Such a great day for dropping off artwork across the state!  Painting number 3067 in 3067 days. 

Fish Creek Marina - Alibi Dock

I love coming to a place like this to paint!  With so many boats docked, and the golden hour approaching, I jumped into the paint quickly!  Everyone is so friendly along the water, many stopping to visit while I worked.  One of those people happened to own one of the boats in this painting - and this painting went home with her!  Love when that happens!  Painting number 2412 in 2412 days.

Jackson Harbor in Watercolor

Who knew I would love keeping an art journal?  I've always been drawn to them, and have quite a collection, most with fancy covers.  Once I landed in this journal, I have become very discriminating, choosing only cotton paper for my books.  I found my notes on making paper this week, and it nudges me to try that process again.  After years of using all kinds of paper, I now know exactly what I want to create on.  Nothing short of that will do.  Perhaps I should try gouache in one before I pass them on.  I haven't picked that medium up in years!  Every day is a lesson, and this is definitely the time of year for exploration!  Painting number 1781 in 1781 days.

Sister Bay Marina Inked

On a day of rain, this artist seeks shelter for my work.  Using a water soluble ink pen makes me vulnerable to the bleeding of the ink.  I have even had one sketch blur into obscurity when the cotton paper absorbed too much moisture from the atmosphere!  From a gazebo in the water front park, I had a great view of the marina, and started my drawing.  Several other artists grouped under this shelter, looking out into the harbor for inspiration.  Once complete, I closed the sketchbook to protect it from further moisture.  Painting number 1665 in 1665 days.

Sister Bay Boats Inked

When I come upon a scene, I like to observe the various angles and values before making a mark. Once I begin to draw, the process goes quickly, and I soon take the water to wash in the values.  Working on white paper in the full sun can be pretty blinding.  I had to close my eyes and let them adjust before I could start with the paint!  Painting number 1664 in 1664 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

Secluded Boat Launch

Secluded Boat Launch
purchase here

Augusta Shores is SO paintable!  This little slice of heaven was painted from the tall grass,  looking through the opening of the trees to see this view.  What is better than all those spring greens?  Painting number 1589 in 1589 days :)

Boat Launch in Ink

In all the years I have been painting down at Augusta Shores,  I don't think I have ever painted the boat launch!  The canoes and kayaks laying on the beach are so appealing, I started scouting for the best vantage spot.  Deciding on a view nearer the lake,  I changed my mind as I stepped out of the car.  Parked along the road,  the tall brush in the foreground and the view through the trees was very inviting.  So, I put on my rubber boots for the tall grass,  preparing for the expected thunderstorms.  The rain never came,  and I had a wonderful painting day!  This ink drawing prepared me for the oil painting to come.  It is so nice to work out the design before the first brushstroke of paint!  Painting number 1579 in 1579 days  :)

Red Kayaks

Red Kayaks
Oil on wood, 9x12
Kangaroo Lake, Wisconsin

Resting on the shore of Kangaroo Lake, these bold red kayaks caught my artist’s eye immediately.  No other color is as beautiful against the green grass of the shore - and I knew I must paint it.  The sun was heading to the west, and it’s golden glow was shooting through the trees - so I had to lay down those hues first.  Light is especially fleeting towards sunset, and I had to work quickly.  This is a special place, and I have painted at this location each year I have come to Door County.  Our loft is tucked into the woods, right across from here - so it is only a quick walk with the gear.  A sorority gathering of friends and husbands sang nearby as guitar music drifted our way, and a campfire was just getting started.  What could be better than this?  This quick sunset painting is my 940th painting in 940 days.  I don't think I will ever tire of painting this peninsula :)

sun has set, boat has been moved, but painting is done!