A Pair of Sheep

A Pair of Sheep
Oil on masonite, 10x8

The sheep at the Green Dirt Farm were simply adorable!  Despite growing up with farmers in the family - I was never around them. My great-uncle had every other farm animal, and my grandma did have sheep, but long before I was born!  So, it was a treat to get to spend some time with them!  I love their sweet and gentle nature. In an effort to separate the color of the sheep from their background, I got a little carried away with the red oxide.......so these are "breast cancer awareness" sheep....you know, their pink color........!  I plan to tone them down a bit tomorrow - but as for today, I am already onto other projects!  Painting number 1004 in 1004 days :)

Morning Farm in Rogersville

Morning Farm in Rogersville
Watercolor on 140lb paper block, 10x7
purchase here

This morning's baseball game was back in Rogersville, Missouri - and the early light was warm and wonderful!  This farm is just north of yesterday's painting - both come right up to the ball fields.  So pastoral and peaceful, these farms are a step back in time.  I have gotten this one painted in a tiny window of time before the game. Watercolors truly are a quick go-to medium when time is short.  I had to lay it in the trunk wet - and get back to the festivities!  Painting number 903 in 903 days.  Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there :)

To the Barn

To the Barn
Oil on wood panel, 7x5
auction - bid here

Some days are so hectic, that by the time I make it to my easel - I REALLY need my painting fix!  I had sketched this one out a while ago, and then I switched gears to another theme.  It was a treat to return to this, the composition and sketch already complete.  It left me to mindlessly paint with brush and palette knife and oils.  When there are no distractions between me and the panel, I can quickly lay in that paint - almost as if the oils just roll of the brush!  I wish it weren't so late, I would go right on painting.  But alas, its been a very long day and I have another one ahead of me tomorrow.  Painting number 810 in 810 days.

Glorious Sky

Glorious Sky
Oil on masonite panel, 10x8
purchase here

Taking a break today to explore some of the beautiful color variations in the sky.  When I primed this panel - and 15 others, I brushed on the first layer of gesso, an acrylic tint, a little acrylic sealer, and some pumice for texture.  I normally go over this with a mix of acrylic color with acrylic gel glass medium.  This layer seals the first layer, allowing my oils to flow easily over the surface.  Well, I have not yet done that, but had no other 10x8's - so I painted on this first coat.  It is grabbing at my brushes - and wearing them right down to nubs!  I must finish priming them before I paint on another one - or I will soon be replacing my bristle brushes - which are my workhorses for painting!  Painting number 794 in 794 days :)

Dandelion Dance

Dandelion Dance
Watercolor on paper, 7x10.5

Dandelions are a wonderful subject for this technique in watercolor!  Using the Pebeo Drawing Gum and my thinnest plastic palette knife, I marked off all areas that I wanted to remain lighter than the background painting.  Once I had haphazardly dropped in the colors on the dampened paper, I started brushing on a bit more of the grasses - getting stronger, drier pigment for the closer weeds.  I have various watercolor papers, which I know nothing about - so I am trying them and marking the backs to see which I prefer.  This was a Canson 140 lb paper, and what I like most about this paper is that the Pebeo comes right off when the watercolors are dry.  I would guess it is because of the sizing on the paper.  I have another unknown make of paper - and it was quite hard to rub off the drawing gum.  I do like how fast the watercolor is to work when compared to the oils.  I know there are some cool effects that can be achieved by adding salt, and something about crinkling up plastic wrap and putting it on top of wet paint, and laying a book over it until it dries.  This is just some of the random info that has seeped into my brain over the years - even though I wasn't using the medium.  I think it would be very fun to paint something whimsical - like fairies in this style!  I can just see a fairy hovering above one of these dandelions!  This painting makes 536 in 536 days :)

Rambling Redbud

Rambling Redbud
Oil on panel, 14x11

On location

This is the first day of the Augusta Plein Air Festival - and our paint out today is one of my annual favorites at Augusta Shores!  This glorious redbud is located just up the street from where I stay - overlooking Hickory Lake.  The weather was the best ever in the history of this location - and I made full use of it.  Finishing two paintings before the driving rain made it into town, the artists were treated to cheese and wine before the amazing chili supper.  Is it any wonder this event has grown to 130 artists this year?  It is just like a family reunion to come back here and see so many friends!  I probably could have completed a third painting if I hadn't visited so much!  The best part about this day is that I felt like I had all the time in the world to paint!  My painting windows are SO small in my normal, everyday life, that when I am given from dawn until 5:00 to paint - I hardly know what to do with myself!  I will bask in the glory of all the time tonight, because tomorrow will be a different story!  I have 3 painting windows tomorrow - and the first two overlap!  I must get up at 3:40am to leave by 4:40am to arrive at Mount Pleasant Winery by 5:00am - I will be painting the sunrise with a few artist friends while Channel 2 News in St. Louis films the process!  So exciting!  This painting makes 478 in as many days - I had better get some rest!

Willow in the Pasture

Willow in the Pasture
Oil on panel, 6x6

Years ago, I planted a willow cutting in the ground near the south property line.  Now, this willow is a beautiful tree - and just now blushing with it's yellow spring leaves.  I blocked this in early, while the light was just showing it's color in the sky.  I had to work very fast today - as I have not stopped since my feet hit the floor!   I have been up since 2:40am to get my youngest daughter on a plane with her robotics team to California), finishing the day with picking Michael up from a track meet.  I am now ready to drop, and with so much left to do!  This is painting number 476 in as many days :)