In the Garden

 

It was so peaceful to paint this lovely scripture garden,  squirreled away in a hidy hole, along with 100s of artists at the Plein Air Convention!  The College of the Ozarks has so many wonderful things to paint, but I knew I must paint the garden as soon as I saw it!  Though my perch was a little awkward, my vantage was perfect - and it was fun to hear the joy as people rounded the bush to find me painting!  What fun, and what lovely people I talked to!  Painting number 4886 in 4886 days. 

Bandstand at Lakeside

It is so fun to paint this iconic bandstand along the path, listening to the waves crash along the coast of Lakeside!  The winding path rambles through Lakeside near the water, to the town, and right back to this bandstand.  Lush and green, the lawn and gardens are beautiful, adding to the romance is this painting.  I'm so happy to get to paint this! Painting number 3849 in 3949 days. 

Gazebo Garden

 

What a wonderful day spent painting on the Solar Acres Farm!  After two other paintings of the old farmhouse, I just HAD to paint this gazebo garden before leaving!  A Century Farm that has been in one family since 1910, this place is rich in history and so very paintable!  With the list of many paintable subjects, the garden color won me over.  With only an hour left to paint, I went in hard and fast with my paint, capturing the spirit of this place.  I'm so happy this painting will reside right here, hanging on the walls of this farmhouse.  Painting number  3800 in 3800 days. 

Lakeside Bandstand

SOLD

I returned in the morning to finish what I started at sunset.  The golden hour was gorgeous, and after a quick run I started painting this lovely scene, with light pouring in from the west.  I had not yet finished all my ink work when it was too dark to work.  With a few touches, this one was finished - and this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 4283 in 4283 days. 

Living Water Farms

This was our second attempt to paint this place - and I'm so glad we found a good way in!  We attempted it from the south on Thursday, but the heavy rains caused rushing water over the road.  What a treat to drive in and find such a lovely place!  The dramatic angle of the architecture sweeping down the hill was irresistible!  Families played in the water, fished and picnicked all day on the grounds, visiting as they walked by.  I set up on this rather step hill, close to the lake, and loved every minute of my time here!  Painting number 4230 in 4230 days. 

Sunset Over the Gazebo

 

Checking in at 5:30am, we had a sunrise paint in downtown Augusta.  Seeing many of the artists set up along the parking lot edge, looking over field and pond, I decided to step back to include this when wonderful old gazebo.  Spitting rain throughout, I tilted my pochade lid downward slightly, to keep the surface dry until I got it covered with paint.  If rain falls on it - oil paints will not stick!  If has been a while since I've painted a sunrise, and it was super fun to do so with friends. I've gotten faster since my last attempt, so this time I felt no pressure to race the clock.  This painting is still available, but they are going like hot cakes! Painting number 3403 in 3403 days.

Albert Kister Park

St Charles has been such a wonderful surprise for me!  Here with Tyler's family for the PGA Championship, we are walking distance from the historic district full of fabulous shopping, antique architecture, and the Mississippi River.  Truly a painter's paradise, I am squeezing in paintings whenever I can,  be it first thing in the morning or during little Nolan's lunch break!  My sketch bag disguised as a purse serves me well with my four pens, two watercolor sets, two water brushpens, and assorted paper.  I can start painting at the drop of a hat, and close up fast when I need to.  With so much historic beauty, I really do need more time here!  I definitely need to return with some of my closest artist friends! Painting number 2034 in 2034 days.

Waterfall by the Bridge

Waterfall by the Bridge
oil on masonite, 10x8
Seven Bridges Paint-Out

In the last 45 minutes of time left in the paint-out, I headed out to paint just one more painting!  The late afternoon light was beautiful as it hit this landscape!  With only a fast sketch, I started laying paint quickly with large, loose strokes. In such a short time, there can be no planning, I simply responded to the scene before me with paint. This is a great exercise in getting to the "meat" of what draws me to paint in the first place!  I should do this more often, because I like the spontaneous feel of this painting!  Painting number 1016 in 1016 days :)

Blooming Trees

Blooming Trees
Oil on panel, 12x9
Defiance Paint Out

This was painted up the street from the Car Show in Defiance on the day of the Defiance Paint Out.  The yard was grand, with trees on either side blooming in profusion.  It was a lovely, warm day, and the family who lived here was very friendly.  Music wafted up from the show as people came by and visited while I worked.  It was a lovely day spent. With all of the visiting, I did cut it very close to the deadline for turning this one in to the Yellow Farmhouse Winery by 4:00!  Thank goodness I am ahead a painting or two - as I have been very busy today indeed!  Painting number 130 in 130 days.