Old Gate at Crestview

The rain was not letting up, so I went in search of a view with cover.  I loved the old gate and the story of days on the farm that it recalled.  A horse trailer was open with the ramp out, so I backed myself in with my gear.  The wind blew the rain in from 3 sides, but at least it wasn't raining down from above!  I try to get my panel covered quickly when it is raining. If any water hits my surface before the oils, they will not stick.  The rain didn't stop until I was ready to leave - but that's just another day en plein air!  Painting number 3017 in 3017 days. 

Gate to Harwood Garden

This view of the arbored gate to the Hardwood garden caught my attention at first sight.  Once inside, I painted a sweeping landscape of the water garden which I could not resist.  When I came back to this orginal spot, light had flooded the lawn and the scene was totally different.  So, upon arriving today, I knew I must paint this before the morning light dissipated.  I visited with garden tourists as I worked, and soon my time was gone.  There is still another painting I just could not get to.  I guess I'll have to wait until next year!  Never enough painting hours!  Painting number 2385 in 2385 days, I think.  I've been so busy I haven't had time to check!

Iron Gate at H.S. Clay House

After a day spent in Augusta Missouri Wine Country, and an evening celebrating with the girls of Michaela's bridal party, I rise early to bask in the beauty of the H.S. Clay House.  Touring the gardens and enjoying that early light, I grab my pens and paper from my trunk, to capture this place in ink.  I have often looked in towards the house through this arbor, but this time I am looking out.  We have had a magical time here, and will cherish the memories Leigh and Alan helped create!  Painting number 2358 in 2358 days.

Light on the Gate

I have lived most of my life in this area, and I have never been to this park. Furthermore, I did not even know it existed!  The area is gorgeous, and so historic.  After a little scouting, I returned to what grabbed me right at the beginning - this open gate with the dappled sunlight pouring through.  This was a two hour quick paint, and I didn't start my sketch until 20 minutes in.  So, I cut my allotted two hours down to just under an hour and a half.  I had already thought out my painting during the drawing process, so I got right down to business getting those lights marked first.  I pushed into the darks next, getting those masses down.  I work very intuitively when I'm in a race with time, using those last minutes to merge masses and complete the finish work on the edges.  It was a lovely place to spend a couple hours.  I will definitely return here to paint!  Painting number 1930 in 1930 days.

Step into my Garden

The day's paint out theme was "trees", and we artists were combing the streets of Washington,  in search of the perfect painting.  The third painting of this day,  we had arrived a little late.  With a simple subject matter,  a composition should have been easy to find.  Nope!  We traveled all sides of town before stumbling on this beautiful garden, and once found - it had to be painted!  I set my easel up street side,  under the shade of a Japanese maple,  and started painting.  I completed an ink drawing first,  so the guess work was gone.  The way the reds and greens played off one another was fabulous!  This garden was definitely planted with an artist's eye.  All I had to do was record the color with paint!  Painting number 1572 in 1572 days 🎨

Afternoon at the Milk Barn

We have started painting en plein air for my Saturday painting class - and I LOVE taking class to the field!  Inspiring, invigorating, and peaceful, we paint to the music of birdsong!  There is no better place to improve one's painting skills than outside, from life.  All the information one needs is right before them!   Sandy was finishing her start from last Saturday, so I stayed close, choosing a different composition than I've painted before.  The sky was clear today, and the light warm, so all the colors shifted more towards the warm.  I finally reloaded some key colors on my palette after a week of making due without.  It is so much easier to achieve the desired results with the right paints!  I love starting a Saturday with pilates, a run, and plein air!   This is the life!  Painting number 1501 in 1501 days :)

Gate to West Pasture

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My schedule is a very fluid thing.  Often, things come up at the drop off a dime.  Today was such a day.  After finishing too many chores to count, I was finally layered up and ready to go paint by the pond.  The next minute, Michaela needed a ride to her eye appointment since our roads were still slick from the snow.  Arriving home with little daylight left, I turn to my ink and watercolor.  The subtle color shifts in this snowy scene are added with my brushpens and tiny travel pans.  I never would have imagined that I would like these brushpens so much.  They are right up there with my Raphaels.  Who knew?  Painting number 1456 in 1456 days :)

Through the Garden Gate

The Art Mob met this morning at the Thomas Hart Benton house for our monthly paintout, before a little lunch at Q39.  It was amazing!!  His studio was in the stone carriage house, converted just for his needs many years ago.  All furnishings are original, just as if he and his wife left the house one day, and did not return!  All brushes, paints, sketches and supplies are dotted around the studio in various work areas, just ready for the artist's return.  Frames hang from nails on the walls.  The grand stone home was beautiful, inside and out, with an elegance from the 19th century.  The grounds are lush, with a wonderful dappled light that spilled through the trees.   It was magical.  The whole space exuded creativity.  It was really a treat to paint in such a special place.   Painting number 1357 in 1357 days.

Song of Spring

Song of Spring
Oil on panel, 12x6

As a misty drizzle coats our streets, quickly turning to ice, I am toasty inside and painting the view from my window.  The cool, violet skies drew my attention, but the harsh dormant colors of winter really didn't.  Not today.  Using my artistic license, I simply painted the gardens coming into their spring glory - instead of their winter sleep!  The honeysuckle on the fence remains deep green in the winter, and the "dog path" is a little wider here than in reality, but all the new spring growth is completely from memory.  This is a plein air painting - in the warmth of my home and with all the extras I felt like painting today!  Who needs to stick with reality all the time, anyway?  This is painting number 396 in 396 days :)

The Garden Gate

The Garden Gate
Oil on panel, 8x6
Craig Sole's Floral Design

This beautiful gate adorns the walk from the parking lot to the charming cottage of Craig Sole's Floral Design in Overland Park, KS.  For the first time all week, I thought I could start my painting at a leisurely pace.  No one needed to be taxied hither and yon - or so I thought.  Then I get a call from my husband that our daughter's car needed to be dropped off at an upholstery shop 40 minutes prior.  Next, I was ready to begin again, and my other daughter needed me to watch the grandsons for a while before our lunch at a local tea room.  After a few antique shops, we returned home later than expected, and I needed to hurry off to an art reception for the Stems event.  I love these gatherings - it is wonderful to see all of my artist friends again, and great to see all of the amazing paintings on display! Finally arriving home, earlier than expected - I'm ready to jump right into painting.  Nope - my younger daughter needed a trip to Kohl's to pick up a few things for an upcoming trip to Orlando.  So, once again, I am home late and starting my painting at 11:00 at night.  Silly me, thinking this would be a leisurely day for painting!  This is painting number 162 in 162 days :)

Into the Garden

Into the Garden
Oil on panel, 12x16

Today's painting was painted in old town Overland Park at the floral design shop of Craig Sole.  This is part of the Stems plein air event - which runs until June 2.  At every turn at this cottage, there is another painting - and the interior full of fragrant flowers is simply heaven!  I took several photos for reference - for interior paintings on a rainy day.  I worked a little larger today, so the painting took a bit longer to finish.  (And my start was slower - stopping at Homer's for a delightful cup of tea and a cookie!)  I love the layers in this garden landscape - foliage, flowers, iron and structure - and the path to pull the eyes right into the painting.  The shasta daisies are in full bloom, irises abound further in, pink clematis climb the pole, and a beautiful coral hibiscus embellish this garden path.  A feast for the eyes - it has been a joy to paint this lovely landscape on such a beautiful day.  This painting makes 139 in 139 days.