Straatmann Feed Store

I love the challenge of this complicated tangle of structures - and have wanted to draw this since the very first time I saw it!  Pen and ink is the perfect medium, so I positioned myself across the street in a parking lot, using a sliver of shade from my car to keep most of the sun off my paper.  The very bright white of this handmade paper is blinding in direct sunlight!  I use a water resistant ink for the first sketchy lines of my composition.  On this one, I started with the central building with the large open door, and scaled all lines out from there.  I make a few tick marks across the composition to make sure I'm where I need to be while working.  I don't use pencil, only ink, so there's no going back if I mess up!  With the water soluble ink, I darken and add a little water for mid tones.  I spent more time than usual on this, largely because it is so complicated!  Happy this drawing went home with a new owner, to join another of my paintings from last time!  New Melle is such a fun small town to paint!  Painting number 3057 in 3057 days. 

Afternoon at Noboleis

 I headed out to scout with oils on board, and when I found this spot I realized I would HAVE to use my pen and ink!   So, hauling all is my gear back to the car, I switched gears and gathered up my ink gear. Hiking down to the vineyard, I looked up at the buildings on the hill and started to sketch. With pen and ink I drew in each one, coming back in with my favorite TWSBI Diamond mini fountain pen loaded with Levenger's Raven Black ink.  With a little water I was able to achieve the mid tones I wanted, and headed back to the car to frame up.  This was the quick paint, only two hours of paint time, but it didn't take me that long.  I really love my pen and ink, and it is always a good day when I'm sketching!  This painting sold right away, and it will hang in the office of Nobeleis Vineyard.  Painting number 3028 in 3028 days. 

Night at the Uptown

Nocturne painting is one of my favorite kinds of plein air!  There is something magical about just painting the light!  I like to wait until it is dark enough to see what the street lights will illuminate.  Once I find my subject, I look for a street light to paint beneath.  I want to position my easel so that the light shines in both palette and panel, if possible.  In this case, I was very far from the street light, so everything was darker than I prefer, but I could still see well enough.  I never know for sure how the painting looks until I check it the next morning - and this one is a keeper!  Painting number 1925 inn 1925 days.

Historic Parkville Inked

Parkville is full of small town charm - especially the downtown district!  I enjoy coming here to paint, and I'm using pen and ink for this street scene.  The pilot varsity is my pen here, and I have a water brushpen in my pocket to move the ink and get my grays. It is fun as challenging to draw that sliding perspective as I look from one side to the other!  Painted during the Parkville in Art event, I just realized I had not posted this one.  Painting number 1828 in 1828 days.... if this Inge posts...... I'm having network errors tonight, and my original post will not post! 

4th and White

I was dreaming of painting this street scene during the night.  It was the first thing I wanted to jump into today, so I set up quickly and put pen to paper.  I was studying this as a painting to come, which helped me to make some important decisions on composition.  From this sketch, I zoomed in a little and shifted slightly to the left. It is such a valuable step to take the time to draw. Painting number 1735 in 1735 days.

Flowers on Main

In town for under an hour - and already capturing the local beauty!  So good to be in Dubuque!! This historic district is really something special - and what a joy to capture it in paint!  Pepper Sprouts, Flowers on Main, and Jimmy John's are just three in tonight's composition of wonderful old buildings!  Using some juicy paint in the expression of this town!  Can't wait to paint tomorrow!  Painting number 1734 in 1734 days.

The Mill from the Alley

Fourth Fridays are always a lively event in old town Lee's Summit.  Tonight there was a quick paint plein air event sponsored by Got Art.  I walked down Third St, and back up again, looking for a way to frame the glorious clouds in the sky.  Each way, the scene down this alley caught my attention.  It is not my normal subject matter, but I could not resist it!  I started right in with paint, since I was beginning a bit late.  The stormy sky was the perfect backdrop for the old Mill, and all those lines just lead right to my focus.  This was fun, and a good warm up for tomorrow in Marceline.  I was awarded 2nd place for this painting, and it is my 1331st painting in 1331 days.

A Day at Park Place

Today was my first plein air outing with the local Art Mob group.  I heard about them from an artist friend, got on the email list, and showed up at Park Place with my daughter and another artist to share in the fun.  Once a month, on fourth Thursdays, they meet at a different location, paint for two hours, then have lunch and show their paintings.  We left ours in the trunk, since they were oils and we had to park in the parking garage,  but next time I'll be prepared.  I have a Panel Pak that will be perfect for toting wet paintings, even in a purse.  It sure was fun to meet some new art friends and paint a cityscape!   That sure is something I need to do more of!  Painting number 1268 in a 1268 days.

A Day at Park Place
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

French Street in Batik

French Street in Batik
Watercolor batik on thin rice paper, 6x8.5
purchase here

It has been quite a while since I have painting using this technique!  It is exhilarating to delve into something different, exploring new ways to bend the media!  This technique leaves the painting with such a vintage feel - I love it!  I am using very thin rice paper - this one came in a roll, instead of the pad I used yesterday.  I must handle the paper very carefully, when painting, the paper is so saturated that it feels like the soft brush will tear the delicate surface!  I put a piece of waxed paper under each piece of rice paper before I paint on it.  This allows the paint to fully saturate, getting very strong pigment where desired.  I leave it on this paper as it dries, so there is no tearing while it is wet.  I still keep it under the painting as I paint the hot wax onto the surface, this will keep the painting from sticking to the foam core (which I have underneath the wax paper as I paint).  The white surface of the foam core is perfect for helping me to see how the painting is progressing.  The paper is so thin, it becomes translucent with paint - and needs a white surface below it to see where you are at in the painting.  I remove it from the wax paper only when it is full dry and ready to put between the layers of newspaper for the final ironing. This painting makes 1023 in 1023 days :)

Spring Along the Avenue

Spring Along the Avenue
Oil on unstretched canvas, 6x4
4/100, The {100} Artists - auction bid here

My first chance to get to my easel was late today.  Teaching two classes, boxing and shipping out two paintings, and the regular daily housework tied me up all day.  So, the easiest option would have been to choose a really comfortable subject, and let the paint flow naturally.......Nope!  Instead, I went with another painting in The {100} Artists theme, with substrate I am going to make myself like, a size so small as to make any building scene difficult, and of course a subject I want to push myself to excel in!  Crazy!  I rarely take the easy road when I could learn something instead.  Go figure. Painting number 821 in 821 days.

A Walk in Belfort

A Walk in Belfort
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

I've just arrived home from a very frustrating basketball at William Chrisman High School for the 9th grade team that Michael plays for.  I can not remember being SO mad at a game in a VERY long time!  Anyone who knows me will know that I don't get mad about anything - ever, but tonight did it.  The refs were unbelievably biased, and it has left me too mad to finish this painting tonight.  I simply did not leave myself enough time earlier to finish this painting, and I don't know what I'll get if I paint angry!   I tried to get it in before leaving for a basketball game - but alas, I just had to go.  I know I'll see it tomorrow with different eyes, and then I'll make adjustments.  This street scene is located in Belfort, France and is a wonderful medieval village.  I have used the palette knife throughout, but still have some work  to do.  I hadn't decided whether to add foliage or not, but I think I will, and a few people walking the streets too.  If I did it now, they would be angry, fighting people :)  This is painting number 760 in 760 days, Day 29 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  Now, I think it is time for a nice, large glass of wine!

First Impressions of Fairfield

First Impressions of Fairfield
Oil on panel, 9x12
Fairfield Fall Foliage Paint Out
purchase here

Quick Paint

On Location

This painting is from the Quick Paint at the Fairfield Fall Foliage Paint Out.  This charming town is full of historic buildings - and this was the very first one that caught my eye.  The morning was cold and windy - and I was so thankful to have brought my ski jacket!  Toasty in my layers, it was a fun 2 hour paint! This town was a delight to enjoy for four days this October - and I am looking forward to next year, too!  I don't think I am quite finished with this one - I see areas I would still like to work.  When I get the finishing touches on, I will post an updated photo.  This painting is number 668 in 668 days.  Today finds me in the hospital with my mom, who is here for a full knee replacement surgery.  I have some supplies with me, and will probably have time to start working on some small watercolor sketches tomorrow during her rest times.  I always feel better with a little something to keep my hands busy :)

Night in Fairfield

Night in Fairfield
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on rice paper
purchase here

I had finished my nocturne painting - the first painting of the Fairfield Fall Foliage Paint Out, and had put my gear away early.  Visiting with the other artists who were still out painting, I walked up the street to "Hucks" - a small town gas and convenience store.  I passed this beautiful building, illuminated by the glow of lamplight.  Snapping a photo with my phone, I am painting from that reference today.  This is my first attempt at painting a nocturne - and a street scene - in this new watercolor batik style.  Not at all sure of the results, I forged ahead! I've never even tried to do a night scene in watercolor, and it is SO much different in application to oils on my panel!  The tricky part is determining where I want that "glow" to be - and making sure I save those areas in the light!  Using indigo for my darkness, I dropped it in wet, after waxing off the buildings already blocked in with their color.  Wadding this up and unwrapping it three different times, I then floated the brownish tones into the cracks if the wax.  After ironing as much of this wax out as I could between brown paper, I used the side of my round brush to barely paint along the tops of the creases for added dimension.  I have noticed that my india ink fades a little through this whole process, and I can not go back over my painting when done - there is just too much wax embedded in the rice paper at this point.  So, I will need to be sure and darken those lines a bit, if I want them to remain.  Painting number 652 in 652 days :)

Of Garden and City

Of Garden and City
Acrylic over molding paste on panel, 16x12
Brush Creek Art Walk - purchase here

sketch & molding paste

On the lawn south of the Kauffman Gardens, I started this painting with the buildings of the Plaza in the background.  After the initial sketch with pastel, I took my palette knife and sculpted in the detail.  Using a heavier hand on the trees, grass and flowers, and a lighter one on the background, I built up the layers until satisfied.  Allowing this to dry briefly, I started another one of zinnias.  I don't like waiting for anything, so when something requires drying time, I always work on a second and sometimes a third painting in the same technique - so by the time I am through with them - my first one is dry.  I then start blocking in my masses, using extra caution over the molding paste.  The thicker parts take longer to dry, and I don't want to shift the paste.  Now, I push and pull the color to reflect how this beautiful landscape affects me.  So much of a painting is a reflection of that specific time and place, and how I respond to my surroundings.  This was a lovely, warm day with gentle breezes - SO welcome after Friday's cold and rainy plein air day!  I must enjoy these days while they last!  Painting number 626 in as many days and Day 16 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Rainy Day in the City

Rainy Day in the City
Acrylic on paper, 14x20

Surprise!  An abstract acrylic cityscape for today's painting of the day!  Today at the Tri-County Art League, we had Jim Ryon in to instruct a brayer workshop with acrylic paint.  It was SUPER fun!  With a rubber brayer, I dropped on paint, mixing with the brayer right on the paper to achieve the desired color.  No pre-mixing, no palette even - we used a foam plate for the little bit of brush work at the end to delineate the buildings, cars and people.  When pulling the color down into the street reflections - I simply slid the 4inch brayer from side to side for squiggly areas.  To loosely place the figures, I used the edge of my rather large bristle brush to dot in "carrot" shapes - one of Jim's tips for figures!  Although we used large sheets of paper for the workshop, this can also be easily done on a masonite type of surface.  I can't wait to try this technique on some of my Kansas City reference photos!  I have always liked the wet street scenes, but have never even attempted them!  How fun and invigorating to try something new and completely out of my box!  This painting makes 561 in 561 days - what will I paint tomorrow?

Santa Over the Chrysler Building - miniature

Santa Over the Chrysler Building
Santa Whimsey Series #4
Acrylic on canvas, 2.5 x 3.5 inches
sold

Oh, what a day!  Today, my parents and I went down to see the Holiday Train Express at Union Station with Tiffany's family and her friend Candice, and her family.  The kids loved it!  Union Station is absolutely beautiful this time of year!  In fact, I plan the paint the giant tree in the main hall, surrounded by family members (tiny next to the tree) one day soon!  The boys LOVE trains - and they were so excited by everything, we could hardly keep track of the 4 year old!  After lunch at Fritz's - where the meals are delivered by trains that run along the top of the walls, we dropped the boys off and headed out for some shopping.  Since freezing rain is expected tomorrow, and snow the next day, we had to make the most of the 60 degree day!  I have just arrived home, grabbed a bite to eat, and am now hoping to post this before midnight!  This special painting is for an old friend from school, who requested this favorite building with Santa for a loved one.  This makes painting number 347 in as many days.  My children are hoping for freezing rain tomorrow - so they will be able to miss school!

Parkville Jewelers

Parkville Jewelers
Oil on panel, 9x12
Parkville in Art

When I first took a look down Main St. in Parkville, I loved the historic buildings lining the street.  I had wanted to paint them last year, but I just didn't get around to it.  In addition, I have been wanting to work on street scenes - especially since I find them a bit tricky. This little jewelry shop is one of the challenges for the event, so I thought this was my chance.  Setting up across the street in the shade of the buildings, I finally found a vantage point from which to paint.  This building sets back a little, so it is more challenging to get a good composition.  As I worry about my dad, who is in the hospital, I find therapy in this work.  I truly do love details, so I just let myself go on this one.  It has helped me to unwind.  I can't control what is going on with my dad, but I can control my brush.  Somehow, I don't feel so helpless when I can bring a painting into being.  This is painting number 268 in 268 days, and Day 28 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunlight on Benton Boulevard

Sunlight on Benton Boulevard
Brush Creek Quick Paint
Oil on panel, 6x12

Friday night was the scheduled Quick Paint for the Brush Creek Art Walk.  Setting up with some craggy trees in mind for my painting, I soon realized that the breeze was blowing the strong turpentine odor from a group of artists right to me.  Well, shoot.  I picked up my easel and moved until I was out of range, and picked a new subject.  I liked the was the light struck these buildings between the trees.  This painting is not quite finished.  I still need to break up the very uniform tree shapes, and vary the colors throughout.  I may be to busy to get to it today, so I am posting now.  This is my 257th painting in as many days and Day 17 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Night at the Dragon Inn

Night at the Dragon Inn
Oil over acrylic on panel
Old Town Overland Park

I am posting late tonight, as it has been a very busy day - ending with a late baseball game.  This painting is from old town Overland Park, Kansas.  The reference photos were taken after I had finished up another nocturne, and the lights were still on here.  This is an Overland Park icon - and I have wanted to paint it for years!  This sky was very, very dark - rain was just starting.  The streetlights illuminated the buildings even more than usual against such a sky.  There was still the delicious aroma of late night dinners in the air, and I wish I had been able to set up and paint on the spot.  But, framing yet-to-do and a sunrise paint-out reigned me in.  I find that I really do enjoy painting these nocturnes.  There is something so still and quiet in the night, it makes painting so inviting.  This is the 154th painting in as many days and I'd better get to bed.  I am watching the grandbabies in the morning!

April in Mount Pleasant

April in Mount Pleasant
Augusta, Missouri
Oil on panel, 12x9

For the last few years, the Augusta Plein Air Art Show and Sale has been held at the beautiful Mount Pleasant Winery on the Saturday at event's end.  Last year, they repainted all of their buildings to the charming yellow with lime green accents you see here.  After an absolutely wonderful event, I snapped a photo of this as I was packing up to leave.  I love the old buildings and the 1859 charm that abounds here.  I enjoyed a very special dinner the night before, and this painting brings back the fond memories of my Augusta family and artist friends.  I am experimenting with the palette knife on painting 62 (in 62 days :)