Reibolts Creek Revisited

I can't pass by a winding creek, they lure me in every time!  We have been so fortunate the last two weeks to have cool August temperatures - SO uncommon for Missouri!  I am taking advantage of this beautiful weather, even though my household chores are constantly nagging at me!  We've had some major renovating under way - and with that comes all that extra work!  I'm trying not to let it cut into my paint time, but it has to come from somewhere and it looks like "sleep" is the big loser here!  Looking forward to all projects finished and carefree painting days!  Painting number 1677 in 1677 days.

oil on panel, 18x24
purchase here

Early Light at the Lake

The wee hours before dawn are quiet and thoughtful. I love the stillness that surrounds me while setting up for a sunrise paint.  The lake at the Penn Valley Park lies in a valley,  so the sun takes its sweet time getting here.  That early light is what I've captured here with my oils. I was at the very edge of the water to see the reflection of that wonderful tree,  and I had to be mindful of not dropping off that edge into the water!  This has been another fabulous week of painting in Kansas City, and next week it will be the Overland Park Arboretum!  Painting number 1588 in 1588 days.

Early Light on the Lake
purchase here

Sanctuary Steam

There is nothing more appealing than a winding steam.  When I first see winding water, I am already painting it in my head - yes, even if I'm driving.  I really should have a special sticker for my bumper, alerting other drivers to use caution.  Perhaps something like, Warning!  Plein air painter!  I stop on a dime for great landscapes!  On this particular scene, the way the distant blue sky reflected off the water was ethereal, and I knew I must capture it!  This may be a spot I return to again and again.  So glad I found it!  Painting number 1329 in 1329 days :)

Sanctuary Stream
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

Garden Phlox Illusion

The first downpour was just starting when I arrived home from the gym.  I couldn't go inside,  the rain beckoned to me.  Sitting in a rocker on our covered front porch, I soaked in the atmosphere.  "Paint me, paint me...", came it's siren call.  I had chores to do, children to feed, a shower to take (for crying out loud!), and yet the brushes called.  I could not walk away.  I set up on the porch, sheltered from the rain, and worked while the grandsons ran in and out of the rain, splashing all the way.  Just a little slice of sanity in a crazy,  busy day.  Painting number 1288 in 1288 days.

Garden Phlox Illusion
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Into the Arbor Garden

Into the Arbor Garden
Oil on panel, 12x9
Stems Plein Air Event
purchase here

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.

A Dream of Roses

A Dream of Roses
Oil on panel, 9x12
Stems Plein Air Event - purchase here

After a morning paint of a complicated garden scene,  I was in the mood for roses - up close and personal.   So, I dropped off the wet painting at my car, and strolled through the arboretum.   I found several very appealing varieties,  before I landed at these beauties - and I had to stop!  The creamy yellows and salmon pinks were more than I could resist!   I did a quick pastel sketch which was barely more than marking the orbs, and started laying paint quick and loose.  I had the perfect set up, a spot in the shade, soft breezes, friendly passers by, and the floral scent of the garden all around me.  Sheer heaven!  This is my 1236th painting is as many days.

Roses in the Rain

Roses in the Rain
Oil on panel, 6x6 - purchase here

on location

This day was overflowing with activities - pilates, step/kettlebell classes, running, jury committee meeting, *baby time*, dinner out with the family, weeding until the rain was starting - and finally I got to my easel!  With only a little light left, and the rain coming down, I set up on the front porch to paint the roses in the garden.  I was sheltered and the light made the colors sing.  This is a quick painting, probably only 40 minutes beginning to end, but I like how the values and hues are coming easier and easier.  I truly believe the best way to grow as an artist is to paint en plein air and from life.  I see color in a way I didn’t several years ago, and each painting teaches me something more.  This is the 1233rd painting in 1233 days.

Waterside Illusion

Waterside Illusion
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

This dreamy illusion in watercolor is more of a feeling with paint than a place painted.  The strokes are watery and the forms illusive.  Is this waterside wonder real - or only a dream?  This is rather a different rendering for me, and it has been a soft and quiet adventure.  Sometimes the paints scream, and sometimes they only whisper.  This is painting number 1204 in 1204 days - and the Augusta Plein Air Festival begins tomorrow!!  SO EXCITED!!

Poppies Pink

Poppies Pink
Watercolor on paper, 9x6

Today finds me playing around with the loose colors of pink poppies in watercolor.  Quite a few of the poppies in my front bed did not return this spring - but thankfully, I found them surviving in an outlying bed.  My poppies are the old fashioned variety, started from a neighbor up the road a bid who lives in her grandmother’s house.  My starts are from her grandmother’s poppies.  I love that!  This painting is the 1199th in 1199 days.

Return to Reibolt's Creek

Return to Reibolt's Creek
Oil on masonite, 18x24

One evening, as the last light was stretching across the landscape, Teddy and I were able to paint quick color studies of this very place in just over 30 minutes.  Standing thigh high in tall grass and weeds, I had climbed down into the ditch to get this vantage point.  It was far safer than roadside with the west sun directly in the eyes of oncoming traffic.  After a couple of cars flew by  before even seeing us, we shimmied on down that hill.  With the creek coming alive with night life, I painted with one ear open for the curious snake - or bear, as the locals had mentioned sightings up and down the coastline!  I have painted this entirely from my color study, which was a 9x12, and will now let it rest until morning.  It is always hard for me to tell of I’m finished when I start a painting with natural light, and finish it with artificial.  So, I will look with fresh eyes in the morning, and then decide.  This was a very special place to paint, and doing so again takes me right back to the cool, damp air of that still evening by the creek.  Painting number 1119 in 1119 days, and Day 26 of the 30 day painting challenge.

Whispering Water

Whispering Water
Oil on masonite, 18x24
purchase here

I have painted this secluded creek one other time in the early spring, when trees and brush were just sprouting forth their buds.  I love this location, it is so peaceful - and a hike from the road.  Just painting it again takes me right back to the spot. On this occasion, I am painting large from small color studies, adjusting as I go.  I don't remember if I've done this  before. I normally just paint the size I want from the beginning, but this one is the 9x12 kept calling out to me.....larger......larger.  Over the last few days, I have worked on this.  I really had the bulk of it finished the first day, but then let it rest until morning.  Well, that morning was Monday - and there is next to no wiggle room for me on a Monday, so I could only cast my eyes in it's direction....making mental notes.  Late this afternoon, while I still had natural light, I began to push the paint a little here and there.  It is night again, so I am letting it rest once again.  I believe I am finished, but will look again tomorrow with fresh eyes in the natural light.  This painting makes 1107 in 1107 days, and Day 14 in the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Remembering the Footbridge

Remembering the Footbridge
Oil on masonite, 10x8 - purchase here

By special request, I am painting the footbridge in the park in Fairfield, Illinois.  I will be returning in a week for the Fall Foliage Paint Out - and I am hoping for some turning leaves.  What I love about this bridge is that it is the way into the park from the neighborhood on the other side, so this bridge is much used and much loved.  I have always been drawn to these small bridges, they seem timeless and nostalgic.  On this particular day, it had been raining.  Once that rain had lifted a little, the sun peaked through and illuminated bits of foliage and the handrails of the bridge.  The freshly washed grass and leaves were left shiny and clean - and radiant.  This was a peaceful painting day, even though it had been cold and rainy all morning!  Painting number 1002 in 1002 days, and Day 29 of the current 30 day painting challenge :)

Fish Creek Hydrangea

Fish Creek Hydrangeas
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Fish Creek, Wisconsin - purchase here

Each year when I return to Door County, Wisconsin - the hydrangeas are simply amazing! Unable to restrain myself, I MUST paint them!  These white beauties are my first painting in the area - and finished up right before the fish boil started!  An artist must eat eventually!!  Painting number 934 in 934 days.

View From the Terrace

View From the Terrace
Oil on panel - 14x11
Sold at "Parkville in Art Auction"

I painted this beautiful garden from the upper terrace of Frank's Italian Restaurant in Parkville.  The morning soon warmed up so much - no jackets were needed.  Wafting all around me was the delightful smell of garlic bread and italian sauces!  A few of the staff greeted me as I worked - and I was given a lovely tour of an upper room with a mural painted inside (by dear friend Cathy Kline).  Some plein air days are a magical painting adventure - and this was one of those days.  Everyone should enjoy such a day in the picturesque town of Parkville, MO.

A Flurry of Roses

A Flurry of Roses
Oil on panel - 6x6

This is another small work I am considering for the Randy Higbee Show.  I currently have my favorite six featured on facebook, and am encouraging the public to vote on their favorite three.  Tomorrow is the deadline - so you have until then to make your vote count!  It is so fun to see how everyone picks different paintings!  This scene is from the Overland Park Arboretum, painted in a smaller scale than the original which is 22x28.  I like the square format - it gives it a different feel.  I painted this completely in oil, where the original was under-painted in acrylic first.  I am always drawn to a beautiful garden landscape!

Sunset Over the Portage

Sunset Over the Portage
20x17, oil on panel

This is painted from a 6x6 study that I did from the bank of the Portage River in my parent's back lawn in Elmore, Ohio.  From my location on the bank, I could simply rotate for many different landscape paintings.  The view is amazing, and the light on the river is constantly changing.  Always a peaceful spot, I love walking at river's edge, and turning those feelings into paintings.

Autumn Coffee Stop

Autumn Coffee Stop
10x8 - oil on panel

The leaves were swirling, the sun was shining, and a blue grass quartet serenaded from the lawn beside this painting spot.  I could have painted all day here - and nearly did!  Only my fellow artist calling me to finish (so we could set up for a show in 30 minutes)  - could make me leave this place!  I think everyone should visit Big Cedar in October - every Saturday is filled with fun autumn events - I wish I were there painting again right now.

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.