Peace on the Farm

As I drove back to Fairfield from Shreve's Pumpkin Patch, this beautiful farm spread out before me.  I found a water treatment road to turn into and set up my easel on the spot.  The cattle were all in position, and the distant train rolled right in behind the barn - it was perfect!  As I was finishing up, the mist started to fall and I could see the rain moving in from the north.  I packed up quickly with no time to frame, and headed in for dinner with the group.  I love when all the stars align so well!  Painting number 5016 in 5016 days. 

Phillips Taylor Century Farm

SOLD

 

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. 

Elmore Farm

I love painting this historic Elmore farm along the North Coast Inland Trail. I have passed it many times as I've run this trail while in Ohio.  It passes through lovely farmland, each unfolding like a quilt before me.  Like an old friend, this trail is comforting.  I ran so many steps away from grief on this path, sharing thoughts and tears along it.  We used to bring our little ones on bikes when we first came here to see Mom and Dad in their new home on Portage River Rd. So many memories, and now I return with Mom to see her Ohio friends, and to paint Lakeside next weekend. I'm looking forward to a few more days here, and sketching Elmore.  Painting number 4940 in 4940 days. 

Cabin in the Clover

I am SO at home in a pasture, painting a lovely log cabin homestead on the hill.  This scene grabbed me as soon as I arrived on location, but another scene pulled me away.  After finishing the first painting, I returned to this spot to paint a quick capture, and ended up looking it more!  I'm happy that I was able to get them both finished before heading back up to town!  It has been another beautiful plein air day!

Goats and Chickens on the Farm

 

I forgot to get a photo of this one before I framed it for turn in!  In my rush to start a second, I rushed off to frame.  And the second one I painted of their dogs - I also forgot to get a photo as I was talking to another artist at the time!  It was so much fun to talk to the animals who came near, and give the baby goats snuggles when Ann brought them by for a visit! This goat farm was a special treat to paint and I'm happy this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 4872 in 4872 days. 

Drifts of Yellow

 

I love painting wild mustard in bloom - especially near the barns!  It's just getting started, and I'm happy to find that the horses don't eat them in the meadow!  So, I will continue to have lovely mustard filled landscapes in the years top come!  Painting number 4849 in 4849 days. 

Sunset Over the Milk Barn

 

I've been playing with watercolor batik again, and I love the process of the layers!  On delicate rice paper I sketch out my scene with an India ink pen.  This is important to maintain the lines through the layers of watercolor and hot wax to come.  Much of the ink will have faded through this process.  I can paint a layer or two outside, but need to go in for the hot wax already warming in a dedicated crock pot. The best part of the unveiling of the painting as all of the wax is removed, and the image emerges.  So unpredictable and invigorating!  I have several in progress now.  Painting number 4798 in 4798 days. 

Lady Belle

First sketch of Lady Belle at sunset in her new pasture and she's such a pretty girl!  She comes to us through my dear painting friend, Teddy Jackson.  Arriving Sunday afternoon, she is getting used to our family and the new space.  She watched me paint her today, as I stood in the middle of the field, without coming closer. As soon as I finished and started walking away, her head popped up and she followed me all the way to the gate.  She likes sweet talk, and might have been looking for a treat, but I didn't have one today.  I'll have one next time! Painting number 4761 in 4761 days. 

 

Carlotta Chicken

 

It's fun to sketch this sweet hen while she's at play!  Carlotta is the keeper of the egg box in this flock, always rushing up to the egg box when I go to gather eggs.  She waits for my praise and clucks her thoughts to me as I collect each one.  She has even alerted me to an egg in the corner that had been pushed out of the nest!  She's very sweet and loves the attention she's gets each day.  I never knew how unique and different each hen's personality is before raising them.  What fun we're all having with these sweethearts!  Painting number 4751 in 4751 days. 

Our Coop

 

These sweet chickens are constant entertainment for the whole family - and I'm so happy to get to paint them!  We're preparing for a new horse to arrive, so our days are full of farm work.  We've got two wood piles burning as I clear dead branches from the woods around the chicken coop.  Travis was out to help Mike with fencing, and Michaela and her family joined, too.  Finishing after dark, we came in for calico bean soup,Yahtzee and a game of Kings on the Corner.  Of course, Mom joined us for the games!  We've been playing cards a lot while Mike has had so many days off for the holidays. I love these quiet winter days full of progress and family fun!  Painting number 4749 in 4749 days. 

Chicken Coop!

 

I'm thankful for the wonderful year we've had, full of so many family adventures!  This time last year, I never would have dreamed we'd bring chickens and this beautiful coop into our lives.  With a little coaxing from the kids, we opened a new chapter.  We traveled so much this year, and i painted every minute I could, finding new favorite places along the way.  I'm looking forward to unwrapping all the magic the new year holds, one special day at a time.  Wishing you all a Happy New Year's Eve, full of family, friends and fun!!  Painting number 4747 in 4747 days. 

Chickersons

 

It's fun squeeze in a little chicken sketch between custard and pumpkin pie! Hope your Christmas day was full of family and fun!  Each year I paint something special for each of the kids, a different theme each year. Since they talked us into bringing chicks into our lives at Easter, and spent countless hours raising this chicken coop - this is my subject!  Each one is different, and each features all eleven of our chicks.  We affectionately call the "Chickersons"!  Painting number 4742 in 4742 days.  

Eleven Hens

SOLD

 

My mom comes to visit my chickens every afternoon, feeding them some of the barley grass that I sprout for them.  She has trouble remembering all of their names, and has asked me for a painting, with their names listed, on multiple occasions.  So, here they are, all lined up, as they come to me for goodies.  What fun these little sweethearts have brought into our lives! We're wishing you the Merriest Christmas from our coop to yours!!  Painting number 4741 in 4741 days. 

Autumn Hay Bale

 

Autumn leaves and hay bales, I just had to paint the beauty!  This lush landscape is ever inspiring, just outside my door. The red color seems to be the last to hang on, and the yellows were the first to drop. The bales dot the pastures, and only my busy schedule keeps me from painting them every day.  Perhaps, I should paint them at sunrise or sunset, while I enjoy the glory with a hot cup of tea? Maybe I'll start that tomorrow.......! Painting number 4703 in 4703 days. 

Goats in the Pumpkins

What's more fun than painting goats and pumpkins in October?!!  I love having animals on the farm - especially when they are as sweet as these young ones!  This painting is showing at Powell Gardens until November 11th, when I'll be installing new paintings for the holidays!  Painting number 4685 in 4685 days. 

Red Barn Farm

 

How could I not have known about this place all these years?  There are paintings in every direction at the Red Barn Farm in Weston!  The Monday Morning Watercolorists chose this location, and though it was an hour and 10 minutes away, Mom and I made the trip.  I could hardly peel myself away from this place to gather for lunch with the girls at the Green Dirt Farm Creamery!  This may have been my first trip here, but it crushing won't be my last!  You can see this one in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery!  Painting number 4678 in 4678 days. 

Goats and Sunflowers

These sweet young goats are irresistible as they help clean up various areas on the farm, and I am enjoying them so much!  They have the funniest calls whenever they see me - or any other person who might feed them. I toss weeds in, and they love them! The bonus is that I don't have to take them to the burn pile.  I want to paint them near the barns, too.  I can already see the paintings in my head, if I can just get to them!  This one is now showing at Powell Gardens until November, and is painting number 4644 in 4644 days. 

Cow and Calf

I LOVE finding the time for quick paints not far from my front door - especially when they include mama and baby animals!  Now that the grass has been cut in the west field, I can see these sweethearts as they move about.  I watch for painting opportunities while working in the gardens, ready to drop everything and paint (sometimes, lol)!  The wildflowers are blooming abundantly on my side of the fence, so I use my Artistic License to drop them right into my painting!  Painting things like this just make me smile the whole time in doing it!  Painting number 4620 in 4620 days. 

 

Llama Trio

 

Each time a sketch super cute animals - I want to take them home!  These beautiful animals are very social, communicating with each other and with me!  Their long lashes and bright eyes are so sweet, and I certainly could use more time sketching their shapes.  The more familiar I am with a subject, the better I can draw it.  I wish my neighbors would get a few for me to paint!  See this llama painting in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville!  Painting number 4606 in 4606 days. 

Watering Hole

 I love painting the gorgeous red hereford cattle in the bright summer landscape!  These beauties are always calling my name - and it feels good to get them painted!  I'm looking forward to a relaxed schedule this month, to allow me to paint some of my favorite local places!  Painting number 4599 in 4599 days.