708 Wilkie Street

I love finding charming towns in the places I visit to paint!  Dunedin, Florida is a hidden gem close to the west coast of Florida.  Stumbling into this town during their Mardi Gras festival, we had a family day of eating, shopping and of course I had to get in some ink and watercolor!  One of these sketches was seen by the owner of this cottage, and she asked me to commit it to paint!  Love the charm of this place - and it was a joy to get to paint this!  Painting number 2627 in 2627 days.

Samsara Alley Inked

An alley may seem like an unlikely place to find beauty, but there are hidden treasures here!  This alley behind Samsara Home in Parkville boasts red doors, window boxes full of flowers, and a wooden awning full of charm!  I quickly decided to do a sketch and just see if this was truly what I wanted to paint. Often times, this step will help me made the big decisions on composition.  Sometimes, I'll move on or make changes.  Most of the time, this helps me mentally work through the painting before laying on a stroke.  Painting number 1726 in 1726 days.

ink on paper, 8x6
purchase here

99 Elm

The cool autumn weather was refreshing today after last week's heat!  Celebrating the new season with paint as I work on this beautiful estate in Parkville.  The skies have been overcast all day which means the color is saturated and so rich to paint.  I start first with a drawing to be sure of all those lines and angles.  Using that sketch, I begin with paint to mark the masses.  As I work, I check and recheck those angles, tweaking right to the very end.  I love the stone and the cool way the greens mingle with ask those shades!  Painting number 1723 in 1723 days.

Edward Jones Lee's Summit

What a fun evening it was at the Summit Art Plein Air event in old town Lee's Summit tonight! Deciding to mix things up a little, I took my water soluble oils (that I have only begun to play with)!  Am I crazy?  Well, yes!  I thought it would be exiting to jump into something new for a timed event!  I learn so fast when I make a mess and then get myself out of it!  Laying in a loose wash, and painting like I was "inking" was fun!  Plenty of loose strokes here - and those water mixable oils have a wonderful sheen to them!  Looking forward to more of these - and mixing the oil with water!  Painting number 1689 in 1689 days.

oil on panel, 12x9
sold

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer
Oil on panel, 8x10
Augusta Plein Air Paint Out

We headed out early for the New Melle paint out.  Since we didn't need to check in until 11:00, I found a sweet spot in the shade from which to paint this church on the hill in Defiance.  The historic St. Paul United Church of Christ is picturesque atop this sunlit, spring green hill.  I have painted it from the other direction, but not from this side.  As I worked, two half grown foxes peeked out of the barn, walking around the old car.  They sat in the sun, and didn’t notice me until I stepped out to take a photo of a bluebird perching on the fence beside me!  Love the wildlife I experience while painting in the open air!  Painting number 1218 in 1218 days.

Old Glory on Lower Street

Old Glory on Lower Street
Oil on panel, 10x8
sold

This morning, this dogwood caught my attention as we drove through Augusta.  The spring blooming trees are just lovely all up and down this street!  Waiting for the light to come in from the west, I returned in the afternoon (when most other artists had left this location).  I had to mark the light and shadow quickly, before it moved off of this fabulous dogwood - and then I started in on the middle tones.  This painting was a joy to create - and it already has a new home!  Painting number 1208 in 1208 days :)

Night on Main Street

Night on Main Street
Oil on wood panel, 9x12

The nocturne paint out in Washington, Missouri was one to remember!  It had been a long day beginning with a 10:00 paint out at Montelle Winery which ended at 3:30.  Rain had started down in sheets shortly after noon, and had me ducking for cover with my easel.  The next paint out on the schedule was the sunset paint in Washington.  I have been wanting to work on my street scenes and buildings, so I chose to stay in town instead of going down to the river.  It was only lightly raining, but I set up under an awning on Main Street, where only the blowing wind would carry the rain to me.  I believe the turn in time was 8:00.  Then, right back to the street to choose a wonderful nocturne scene.  By this time, those wet winds had turned cold.  Several of us packed in tightly under the cover of a wide doorway, and started our paintings.  It was fun to capture the light before me by the lamplight streaming from the shop windows behind me.  Half way through, my main light source switched off - leaving me to guess as to the hues I was applying.  Painting on the streets of an historic district at night is like an erie step back in time.  This was the latest turn in time ever - midnight!  I wish I would have remembered to take location shots for this one and the sunset paint, but I did not.  I think I finally got to bed by 1:45.  Thank goodness we didn't have to show up to the next paint out until 11:00 the next day!  Painting number 893 in 893 days.  Just another crazy day in the life of an artist :)

Historic Jolly Mill

Historic Jolly Mill, Missouri
Oil on panel, 16x12
sold

The beautiful old Jolly Mill was first built on Capps Creek in Jollification, Missouri in 1848.  This view is actually of the back side of the mill, so as to capture the waterfall running along side.  This mill has been restored in recent years by the Friends of the Jolly Mill and is now surrounded by park land,  It is also a primary trout fishing location where the waters are periodically stocked with rainbow and brown trout.  Missouri is full of wonderful, historic places like this - and this one was brought to my attention by a friend, John Molloski.  This painting makes 587 in 587 days.

Midnight at Mount Pleasant

Midnight at Mount Pleasant Winery
Oil on panel, 9x12
Augusta Plein Air Festival 2014

As Teddy and I were walking out of the "Uncorked 100K" social, we stopped dead in our tracks and said. "Wow - wouldn't that make an amazing nocturne painting?"  From behind us, Kathy Kessler replies, "Do you want me to make that happen?"  Of course we did!  Next thing we know, we are going to retrieve my easel and paints, and to quickly prime our panels.  Back in a flash, and set up quickly, the light was fast fading from the sky.  We had the place to ourselves on this clear, warm night in the 70's, with nothing but the amazing light and view before us.  This is pure painting heaven.  The paint just rolled off the brush and onto the panel with a mind of it's own.  The darker it gets, the less you can read the colors, and the values are key.  I really love painting at night - it is so peaceful and quiet.  All of the busy noises of the day are gone, and night descends like a warm blanket.  A few of us gathered again tonight for a quick night paint in downtown Augusta.  I'll have to post that one another time.  At the rate I've been painting, I am going to be way ahead on my paintings for awhile!  What a way to kick off the plein air season!  This one makes painting number 483 in 483 days.  Oh, life is sweet :)

Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor

Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor
Door County Plein Air
Egg Harbor, WI
Oil on panel, 14x11

My second painting at Egg Harbor is this cute little restaurant, pub and inn named "Shipwrecked".  This place was constantly full of people laughing, talking, and enjoying the day.  Music wafted up from the street side cafe - creating a wonderful environment for painting.  I am now ahead on my paintings - which is SO much better than being behind.  Maybe I'll be able to relax a little - and stop the midnight painting for a few days!  This is painting number 211 in as many days.

Confectionary

Confectionery
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Door County Plein Air
Oil on panel, 14x11 - sold

At the top of Cedar and Main Street in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, is this lovely little candy shop.  As I have driven through the villages dotting the landscape, I have noticed that almost every town has a candy shop!  They often don't have grocery stores, but they are covered when it comes to confections.  So many children went in and out of this store as I painted it from the front lawn!  Huge trees sheltered me as I worked, as the constant stream of passers-by chatted and watched me work.  It is such a wonderful environment for painting.  I have met so many wonderful people up here while painting.  This one was bought off the easel - my 206th painting in as many days.

Sister's Sweets

Sister's Sweets
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Door County
oil on panel, 9x12

The town of Fish Creek is such an amazing place!  Picturesque with it's antique buildings and wonderful architecture.  This little sweet shop has the best chocolate in town - so say all the locals!  I will find out tomorrow, as I have been told they have peanut butter cups to die for!  When I started this painting, I actually wanted to do a floral, but the light was too far gone, and the shadows were overtaking my scene.  So, heading towards the shops with the best light show, I picked this beauty out - and began sketching.  This was a fun paint - and I so love the nocturnes!  I was pleasantly surprised the next morning - you never know just what you have until you bring a night paint into the light!  This is painting number 205 in as many days.  Looking forward to another glorious painting day tomorrow!

Nightfall at Traditions

Nightfall at Traditions
Oil on panel, 9x12
Old Town Overland Park

Tonight, three of us went out to old town Overland Park to paint a nocturne.  This spot was one of three we had narrowed down.  There is something magical about painting a nocturne.  When I started, there was still light in the sky.  I like to pick a spot where I can paint under a street light, and a white light is better than the yellow ones.  There was only one street light in line with the view I wanted, and this one was yellow.  It is a very windy night, so I had to secure my panel well to the easel.  By the time I had finished the painting, I could no longer tell the hue of my darks, only that they were dark.  Neither could I tell the true color of my lights, only that they were light.  I love the whole process of painting a nocturne - it is like a mystery!  I do not know what I have really painted until I bring it into the light!  This painting is a happy surprise!  I can hardly wait to go and paint another nocturne!  This painting makes 146 in 146 days.

Come Sit a Spell

Come Sit a Spell
Oil over acrylic on panel, 24x20
On display at Executive Offices of Blue Cross Blue Shield

This loose and impressionistic painting is of my home, which has been in my family 70 years now.  I have so many wonderful memories here from very early childhood to raising my own babies in this house.  There is so much history connected here - from Alexander's purchase in 1845, President Harry S Truman's childhood home - circa 1860, and a stopover of Quantrell's Raiders on the eve of their visit to Lawrence, KS.  A peaceful and serene place on a hill, away from the road, with plenty of land to paint in all it's wonder - a very good place for this artist to land.  This is painting 91 in 91 days - done a little early since my daffodils of today may not make it in time!

Through the Garden

Through the Garden
Oil on panel, 20x16

Last August, in the heat of summer, we vacationed up by Lake Erie.  On a day trip to the Henry Ford Museum, we went through the beautiful homes in Greenfield Village.  This magnificent garden is  between the Cotswold Cottage and it's barn.  The garden was absolutely busting with blooms!  I LOVE to be surrounded by these flowers, and to paint them is second nature.  Today was very full, and as time was short - I painted this one fast and loose, using my palette knife where needed.  I used the sides of various brushes for the many flowers - making them much faster to paint than they may look.  Painting 74 in as many days :)

The Old Dairy Barn

The Old Dairy Barn
Oil on panel, 6x6

I had a beautiful, warm November day for this plein air painting.  Although, the 40mph winds kept me grabbing for the panel!  A Summit Art event, David Gale graciously opened the Longview Dairy Barns for us to paint and photograph on site.  Music wafted from the barn, and the abundance of subject matter could occupy me for days!  It is as if time stops, and all that exists is this bond I share with the scene unfolding before me.  I simply love painting in such an environment :)  More to come from this stunning place.

Majestic Mackay Hall

Majestic Mackay Hall
Oil on Panel - 11x14

I have wanted to paint this beautiful building since my first trip to Parkville, MO.  Autumn's changing of the leaves made this the perfect time to do it!  This is one of three plein air paintings submitted on Saturday for the "Celebrate Parkville in Art - Exhibition and Art Auction" on Dec. 13, 6:00-9:00pm.  Please come out to the Old Mill for an evening of art created by the artists of the Missouri Valley Impressionist's Society and sponsored by the Parkville Chamber of Commerce.

Lamplight in the Garden

Lamplight in the Garden
12x9 oil on panel
Original Sold
Print Now Available

The night was cold and crisp as the signal was given for painters to start their pieces (for the Nocturne Paint at Big Cedar).  I was quickly grabbing my panel and heading to a spot that had just grabbed my attention.  I loved this garden scene, and how the lamplight illuminated the path.  The paints flowed freely and I finished before the two hour time limit.  Painting a nocturne outdoors is always a surprise.  You just don't know what you have until you are finished and bring it inside.  With this one - it was a pleasant surprise, indeed!  I love when that happens.

Woodville Grain Elevator

Irene Webster Pippitt Historical Award
2012 HFAA Show

This fabulous grain elevator is virtually unchanged since it was built in 1920.  It received it's last coat of paint in the 80's, and has only been used sporadically in recent years.  It resides in the town of Woodville, OH - which is just down the Portage River Road 4 miles from my parent's house.  Reports say that it will be torn down before it becomes a dangerous building.  I wanted to capture it in oil, before it goes the way of so many other american icons.  This is hands down the most beautiful, historic grain elevator I have had the pleasure of seeing and painting.  This is now showing at the HFAA Show in the Historic Catergory.

Woodville Grain Elevator
Oil on panel - 11x14