Forsythia by the Barn

 I've planted forsythia in multiple locations around the property, where I envision future paintings.  I have a couple of small ones this year, too, that will soon be transplanted to new location!  Nothing shines as bright in spring as one of these beauties in full bloom!  Painting number 4844 in 4844 days.  

Milk Barn Forsythia

 

I think spring is a most magical season to paint in rural Missouri, and especially on our generational family farm.  I wish Grandma Frank could be here to enjoy all that we have brought to this very special place.  It is near and dear to my heart, and forever a place where I am truly grounded as one can only be with a lifetime of memories.  Painting number 4841 in 4841 days. 

Forsythia at the Fence

 

I simply love painting forsythia in the landscape!  I planted another one today near the chicken coop!  I especially like them at the corner of an outbuilding or corral or flanking an old fence post now unused. They spread at their base, so I can move them around the property, wherever I may someday want to paint.  I will wait for my newest plant to grow, and one day paint my chickens in front of it!  Painting number 4836 in 4836 days. 

Milk Barn Forsythia

 

I love painting the bright blooms of forsythia in front of the old milk barn, and moody days make the best backdrop!  I planted this forsythia at the corner of this corral with the intention of painting in one day.  Here, it has grown to full glory and literally makes this composition magical.  I'm already thinking of new places to move it to, with future paintings in mind.  Painting number 5161 in 5161 days. 

Forsythia Bee

I love painting the vibrant yellow of forsythia when it first blooms in the spring! The bees and out, too!  I have planned these in four different places abs I might just move some out to the distant hedge rows for added beauty in the landscape.  Mom is taking me to the Greenwood Tea Room for lunch - so I'd better get a move on!  Painting number 5147 in 5147 days. 

Milk Barn Forsythia

 I planted this gorgeous forsythia many years ago, moving starts from the patent plant all over the property.  Now it is full and glorious, and perfect for painting each spring!  I will soon be painting Augusta, so I just had to get this painted before leaving town - those sunny yellow blooms will not be there when I return.  Painting number 3395 in 3395 days. 

Forsythia by the Corral

I can remember climbing over the rails of this corral when I was little.  My brother and I would wait for the cows to move to the back pasture, then run out to play here!  The cows are no longer here, but I've planted forsythia and lilies around this area.  I just knew these scenes would be perfect for painting one day!  Painting number 2648 in 2648 days.

West Light on the Milk Barn

gifted

Oh my, how I love to paint this place!  I planted the forsythia years ago, looking forward to painting it one day.  I found another plant on the  opposite corner - but it was only emerging from the ground.  Could deer have totally mowed it down?  The light out here was amazing - golden hour, and it had to be painted!  I'm normally too busy this time of day, but made it happen.  Dinner is overrated anyway.  Painting number 2647 in 2647 days.

Forsythia by the Barn

gifted

After the crazy storms we had during the night, I was SO relieved to see blooms still on this forsythia by he barns!  We had so much marble sized hail, the ground was white like snow afterward!  I kept thinking that I had missed my chance to catch their beauty, and they would be stripped in the morning.  I was wrong!  These beautiful bushes still shine on this overcast day, with more storms expected tonight!  Oh, how I wish I could have painted them all day long!  But alas, this is real life and I had much to do around the homeplace today!  Perhaps I can revisit the forsythias tomorrow!  Painting number 2644 in 2644 days!

Milk Barn Forsythia

gifted

Oh how I love the first colors of spring!!  The bright yellow of the forsythia and the yellow green of new grass - I had to capture it in oils!  A very balmy morning turned to 40 mph wind gusts with temps in the 50s.  It did not matter.  The colors were glowing out in the pasture and I had to answer their call.  Whenever I have to paint in the wind, there are a few tricks to make that job easier.  First, find a good wind break!  Mine is a very old, large, twisted osage orange tree once planted by my grandparents.  Second, small is better than large when it comes to easel and panel.  I'm using the Guerilla Painter thumb box pochade which I can hold in one hand while painting with the other.  My panel is very secure, no way for it to blow out.  Third, I wear a jacket with a hood to contain my hair - I do not need that hair whipping all over my paints and panel!  I hope this wind lets up, I have more spring to paint!  Painting number 2290 in 2290 days.

Milk Barn in April

I haven't pulled this sketchbook out since last August, and picked it up today to see only a few pages left.  I had planned to paint in oils this afternoon, even had them out, but just couldn't pick up the brush.  So, I took this favorite book outside in the warm and glorious day, and captured this old barn with her spring trimmings of forsythia and new grass.  The old barns will be getting a facelift this year to prepare for alpacas, so next spring this may be a very different scene.  Painting number 2287 in 2287 days.

Farmhouse Forsythia

I am so blessed to be able to paint such gorgeous landscapes!  I was truly speechless when I turned the corner of an outbuilding to see this lovely scene!  That forsythia was SO large, I had to get on the other side of the fence to capture it and the sprawling farmhouse behind it.  I could have painted a dozen paintings from the top of this hill, every one a stunner.  I LOVE how these opportunities just drop in my lap!  This may be my very favorite painting of the event.  I think this will be hanging in my own farmhouse!  Painting number 1951 in 1951 days.

oil on panel, 11x14
purchase here

Blue House Forsythia

This may have been the nicest weather we've ever had for the Daniel Boone paint outs!  The forsythia are blooming, and I am capturing them before they fade for another year.  So happy to get to paint them again! Making this quick because champagne is waiting!  Painting number 1920 in 1920 days.

Barn Lot Forsythia

How glorious to be painting in the sunshine!  The grass is starting to green up and oh how bright the forsythia shine in the sunlight!  Yummy!  I've been using panels this month that I primed with a blue gray, which is a departure from my norm.  I really am enjoying it.  There is something about changing the color of that surface that changes the way I approach the scene.  I need to start preparing all of my spring event panels soon - and I think I'll use this new tone for at least half of them.  The cool tone seems to tone down my tendency towards the warm.  You just never know what you'll learn by experimenting!  Painting number 1904 in 1904 days.

Of Barns and Forsythia

As I am posting this painting, there is a giant owl sitting high on a branch supervising my activity.  I am so still as I work, many different kinds of wildlife will come close.  I don't think they notice me until I back up to look at my painting!  It is growing dark on this rainy day, so I guess he's coming out for the night, and this girl is going in!  That wind was harsh today, but thank goodness the forsythia were not nipped!  I will paint these beauties as long as they last!  After all, I did plant them years ago for this very reason!  Painting number 1903 in 1903 days.

Forsythia by the Barn

I arrived home last night to find my forsythia bursting forth!  I look forward to capturing them in paint each spring - especially since they are one of the first bloomers!  With diving temps tonight, I must make the most of this time!   The rain was falling again as I finished, but at least my panel was already covered!  I love all these colors together - it makes me want to paint this scene in a large size for my living room.  I have just the spot for it......!  Wondering what that red reflection on my easel is?  My bright red rain slicker!  Painting number 1902 in 1902 days.

Milk Barn Forsythia

With each day,  the forsythia blooms open even more!   Their spring glory is so fleeting,  that I feel duty bound to capture them while I can!   I love their sunny yellow cheerfulness - and am already planning on new places to plant the new babes.  The dogs have gotten quite used to me painting in the pasture,  and are my constant companions.  I added a new color to my palette today - raw umber.  I rarely use it,  but have lately thought how perfect it would be for the dried grasses in the pasture.  I like it!   I'll see how much I use it before deciding if it is a keeper or not.  Painting number 1530 in 1530 days,  and what a gorgeous day it is!

Forsythia by the Barn

It was sheer joy to spend an hour in the pasture putting paint to panel this afternoon!   Warm and a little windy,  I set up my camera to record a video of this painting.  First thing I learned - I should have had my phone fully charged!   When it blew to the ground from a tripod behind me - I realized it was completely dead!   I haven't looked yet to see if there in anything to salvage,  perhaps how I start a painting?   Oh well - I was far too involved in the process before me,  to think about anything else!   I planted this forsythia years ago by the barn, and each year it grows more lovely.  What a joy it is to paint again each spring!  I've also planted it by an old gate, and at the back corner of the house - I hope to get those paintings done before these beauties fade.  Painting number 1527 in 1527 days.

Watercolor Forsythia

Watercolor Forsythia
Watercolor on paper, 5x7

The forsythia are almost out of bloom for another year, and I am painting this one on the lawn in watercolor on paper block.  I prefer these watercolor paper blocks to all other paper!  Perhaps because they are so easy to use in the field, they stand firmly on the easel with no taping to another board.  When the painting is dry, I simply slip a plastic palette knife in the opening between the sheets, and separate the top one from the block.  Very handy indeed, and they do not buckle - which is something I despise!  This painting is the 1198th in as many days.

Forsythia Wasp

Forsythia Wasp
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

The forsythia have passed their prime, and soon the green foliage will replace the gorgeous yellow blooms.  From one parent plant, I moved these lovelies to the barn, along an old gate, and to a corner of the house.  Each spring, they're among the first to bloom their shades of vibrant yellow.  Today, I am painting them in watercolor - and catching a wasp amongst the blooms!  Painting number 1196 in 1196 days.