A Watchful Eye

Each time we return to the Main Street Inn, these darling penguins are positioned throughout the inn.  This one was appeared to be on lookout, greeting guests upon entry, so I painted him at his post!  This Inn in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, sets the bar for lovely rooms, spacious common areas, and a gracious proprietor who shares the local history in dashing style.  We've had another lovely stay as I set up a gallery show next door at Music Art Love.  Come see all of my local paintings showing through Jour De Fete in August.  Painting number 4270 in 4270 days. 

Lantern

This has been an emotional day, taking food to a grieving friend and her family, then attending the visitation of another dear artist friend, who we are related to by marriage through Dickerson brothers back three generations. Touching these lives at moments like this, brings so many memories back to the surface. I have not stayed for a funeral service since Dad. I can not. I may not again, until I have to. I find comfort here in the still night, listening to a distant owl, painting in the glow of the Edison lights hanging from the ceiling. Simply being where generations of my family have lived, is comforting. I'm looking forward to more winter nights like this. Painting number 3289 in 3289 days. 

Front Porch Garden

I have often thought of painting this porch scene, but I never seem to find the time to do it.  I like to enjoy a cup of hot tea or here in the early morning, before my day's work begins.  I look over my gardens, determining which task to do next, making plans as I sip my tea. Today, I still have new plants waiting to go in the ground, and beds still to make ready.  I've so many new flowers to paint, but commissions waiting, and so the flowers will wait, too.  This ink and watercolor painting is just a little slice of my very busy day. Painting number 3056 in 3056 days. 

Front Porch Clematis

This stunning clematis is really putting on a show this year!  I painted it in ink and watercolor a few days ago, knowing I would have to try it out in oils!  I know this as Norma's Clematis, named after the dear friend who gave it to me, and this is it's most glorious bloom yet! With oils, I mark the lightest lights and darkest darks, before working towards the mid tones. I am using ultramarine violet for the flowers, and the color is true, but I find it doesn't have much strength when mixed. I probably should have reached for dioxanine purple, but I didn't think of it while painting.  I seldom use that hue, but for certain flowers it is perfect! I have really enjoyed painting this outstanding clematis, it has been a joy!  Painting number 3052 in 3052 days. 

Farm Fresh Pumpkins

This afternoon I am painting a little slice of autumn out on the front porch!  I love the crisp, cool mornings that turn warm in the afternoon, though no leaves are turning here yet.  I'm so happy to have my own little pumpkin patch, and am anxiously waiting the bright flush of orange on those vines!  I am trying a new, thinner version of my favorite paper, and I like it!  I still prefer the heavier weight, but with a light hand, this paper works out perfectly for my style of ink and watercolor.  Painting number 2465 in 2465 days.

Old Pot and Pumpkins

I'm not sure if this old pot is a teapot or a coffee pot, but it belonged to my great grandmother Ethy.  With gourds collected from my garden and pumpkins front and center, this little front porch scene is my subject tonight.   The Edison lights on the porch cast a warm glow on all, and I'm sure this will look much different in the cool light of day.  Painting number 2461 in 2461 days.

Old Metal and Pumpkins

The air was crisp when I opened the door this morning!  The grass so wet with dew, it was too early to start the garden work, so I finished a few things inside before bringing my paints out. I love this little 5x7 Thumb Box by Guerilla Painter, and I don't think I've used it since coming home from my long stay in Ohio.  It is perfect for a quick, small painting, holding everything I need inside the box.  The old metal bucket was my great- grandmother's, and the antique watering can, I picked up many years ago at a local shop. Beau drinks out of the bucket when outside, and I water my potted plants with that can.  They are the perfect backdrop for my pumpkins, and those gourds are fresh picked from my garden. I have several vines, but this vine was fading, and had to be cleared out.  Now I can enjoy them with paint!  Painting number 2459 in 2459 days.

Old Glory in Fish Creek

Old Glory in Fish Creek
Oil on panel, 9x12
Fish Creek, Wisconsin - plein air

Late one afternoon, I started this painting at the Allen Home in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.  The garden was full and abundant, and their flag waved proudly from the porch.  It was such an inviting scene, like a step back into a simpler time.  With only an hour and a half to paint, I blocked in quickly - careful to mark the darkest darks and lightest lights.  I would soon be joining my artist friends for a fish boil - and I could not be late!  I knew I would probably have to set up again the next day at the same hour, but I could not count on having the same light, therefore it was very important to get all prominent colors and values in, however rough the edges.  I did have to return the next day, something I almost never do - but I needed to finish from life.  I had spent most of the day in the same location, painting the glorious flowers, until it was again 3:00 in the afternoon - time to resume this piece.  Working the edges, this time at my leisure, it was an easy task to bring this painting where I wanted it to go.  Just a little slice of vintage America and painting number 606 in as many days :)

Front Porch Garden

Front Porch Garden
Oil on panel, 16x12

When I walked out the front door this morning, this is what awaited me.  With all the rain we have had this summer, the flowers have been absolutely gorgeous!  I like to grow my flowers with reckless abandon, the fuller the better - no boundaries!  So, they spill over their edges and onto the bricks - at least until the first frost.  I added red salvia this year, and I wonder why I ever stopped putting it into the beds.  It is so showy, and only gets better later in the season.  This is painting number 234 in 234 days.  Maybe, I'll get to those panels tomorrow.....

On Lora's Lawn

On Lora's Lawn
Oil on panel, 12x9

On this warm, beautiful day in the 70's, I am thinking of Augusta and a day last April of plein air painting.  On this lawn I painted two paintings, and only had time to sketch this one out.  Today, I work from that sketch and my photo reference to paint the morning light streaming in from the east.  The Lindsey's were gracious hosts, allowing me to paint in their secluded location.  This little slice of heaven is right out the front door.  I will adjust a few details tomorrow, but for now I am letting this one rest.  This painting makes 70 in 70 days :)

On the Lookout

On the Lookout
Oil on panel, 9x12

At about 8:30 tonight, I thought the day had come when I was not going to get a painting finished.  I was bone tired after a day full of grandchildren, running my kids to and from events after school, finishing with a parent's meeting at the the 9th grade center.  When I arrived home, all  wanted to do was collapse.  And I did....for 5 minutes.  I looked at the portrait I had started early in the day.  Ten minutes of painting, and hour away.  15 minutes back at it, 2 hours away - finally throwing in the towel by 2:30. When I returned to it, I gave it another look.  The "bones" were good, so much of the "thinking" work was done.  So, I put on my headphones, turned the ipod to very relaxing meditation music, and just started painting.  I even painted quite a bit of it upside down - to help me see the values without thinking about the specifics.  For, now, I am letting this rest.  I may very well go in tomorrow and make a few adjustments, but at this point - I am just happy to have it finished.  Just a few minutes under the wire........this is my 48th painting in a row.