Downtown Albion

What a surprise and honor it is to win Best of Edwards County AND People's Choice Award for this street scene painting on Main and 5th in Albion!  Thanks to @averilgoodman and the whole committee for hosting the Edwards County Paint Out, an event I love to paint!  This historic square in Albion, Illinois is full of small town charm. I started this one thinking the rain would hold off.  As it started to rain, I popped in the car to work.  When it stopped, I hopped out - only to feel the rain picking back up again.  Ink and watercolor can't be rained on - so back in I went.  Starting late in the day, this was quite a bit to bite off before turn in.  It was challenging and fun - and definitely worth the effort!  Painting number 5011 in 5011 days, and it will be hanging in the local bank. 

Along Mill Creek

SOLD 

 

It's so much fun to paint the Country Club Plaza for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  I get to paint with artist friends among the gorgeous architecture of the plaza, with live music serenading me. The plaza will be changing in the future, and I want to paint it as it is right now.  It's especially fun when a painting sells off the easel and I'm so happy this painting found a new home, too! Painting number 5010 in 5010 days.  

Mum Sale!

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 What fun it was to paint the mum sale in downtown Rocheport!  The whole community seemed to pop in for mums while I painted - and I even painted a couple of them into my painting!  It was fun to see small town life unfold in front of me, and to get to capture the magic with ink and watercolor.  I do love the charm of visiting and painting these small towns so much. Life just seemed simpler here.  There were only a handful of mums left by the end of that sale!  I'm so happy this painting found a new home, and it is painting number 5007 in 5007 days. 

Rocheport Winery

 

This beautiful vintage home-turned-winery is right off the Katy Trail in Rocheport, and I couldn't resist painting it!  I've painting quite a bit along this trail, and this is the busiest trailhead I've painted yet!  The Meriweather café and historic depot are right behind me, and if I had the time, I'd paint them, too!  I've really enjoyed these days in Rocheport! Now Showing at Art Off the Trail gallery on Central in town! 

Nocturne at the Nelson

 

What fun it was to paint the illuminated Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art from across the reflecting pool - at NIGHT!  LOVE the painting opportunities that arise for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  It was my first time to paint this beauty at night - and also the first time for me to paint the back of this iconic building.  The evening weather had cooled back from nearly 100 degrees, and it was fun to share this space with other artists, and visit along the way.  Painting number 4991 in 4991 days. 

Ebenezer Church

This beautiful church on Walnut is iconic Augusta.  The leaves are fully open with fresh spring color.  As I paint, locals and friends come by to visit in this small Missouri town, and Troy Tatlock sang Beatles songs from the opposite corner to both Teddy and I. Who knew we would have music to paint by?  Come see the wet paint sale tomorrow from noon until 4:00. Painting number 4868 in 4868 days. 

Along Main Street

 

I LOVE capturing the small town charm of Weston in ink and watercolor!  This is the 7th annual Weston Plein Air event, and I've seen a resurgence in this small town over the years.  The local businesses are thriving and every block in full of life - day and night!  It's fun to come here with Mom and Teddy for a girl's weekend, and enjoy all Weston has to offer!  This painting now showing at Weston Coffee Roastery! 

On Broadway

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Excelsior Springs is full of historic buildings lining the streets.  It's just to choose just one thing to paint, so I painted the widest scene possible!  I talked to many people as they walked by, each so nice and friendly!  It was a lovely day for painting in the ExcelsiorSpringsPleinAir, and I'm so happy this painting was the first one selected for a Purchase Award at the Hall of Waters!  Painting number 4665 in 4665 days. 

Looking Across Mill Street

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 After looking at this scene from multiple angles, I find this one most compelling. I love the historic building in the focus, and the train cars leaving the scene behind it. The front corner building led me in, as did the road, sidewalk and parking lot. I loved the composition, and it had to be painted.  I stood in the shade of a small tree, in high wind, moving with that shade as needed.  I was little uneasy painting right by the jail, and thought twice when someone was released, and he came to my corner to wait for his ride.  But, another artist was within view, so I painted a little faster.  I'm happy this painting was awarded the Purchase Award from Isley, Curry and Howerton, and that it has a new home, too.  Painting number 4660 in 4660 days.  

Kansas and Main

This is the small painting I was finishing when News 5 pulled up and started filming.  I was on the 6:30 and 10:00 broadcast, as I put the last strokes on my painting. What fun! This painting will hang at the City Hall gallery space through the end of the month.  It's been so fun to spend the day painting the historic square in Liberty! Painting number 4659 in 4659 days. 

On Broadway

SOLD

 

It was super fun to paint on Broadway in Excelsior Springs  - and I'm so happy this painting was chosen for a Purchase Award!  I love when paintings find new homes! I parked near here for the Artist check in, and when I scouted up and down the street, I returned to paint this view.  The opposite view also had my attention, so I painted it after turning this one in!  I chose ink and watercolor, and it took me a little longer than usual to get this painting finished.  I visited with many as they walked by, and took my time exploring the details.  I also realized that I was out of ink in my black pen and nearly out in my black violet!  Time to reload before the Liberty Plein Air!  Painting number 4657 in 4657 days. 

Sunset Over Main Street

 

I LOVE painting on Main Street in Fairfield - especially at night!  Intending to paint a nocturne, the gorgeous sunset drew me right in!  I very quickly sketched the lines, then jumped right to the sunset ablazeI.  The light is so fleeting that I lay in those colors fast and loose, adding more detail as I go.  When all the color faded, i began the buildings, with only a few color notes to guide me.  Before long, I could no longer see the shapes of the buildings, so I called it.  The painting is actually bluer than the yellow street lights portray.  I love the quiet of painting at night - even in town. I'm happy this painting has a new home in the bank on the left, with a couple of mine from previous years!  Painting number 4652 in 4652 days. 

Adventures of Calvin

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It was so fun to finally paint in historic Fort Scott, Kansas!  Years ago, I was near here painting, and I took a quick spin around town before heading back home.  The beautiful historic buildings lining the cobble stoned streets were so inviting! I was pleasantly surprised to find new life and fresh paint on some of these places - especially this block!  It was a pleasure to paint here - even if I had to work around a downpour! Thank you, Tim Van Hoeke for inviting me, my old high school friend turned mayor!  This painting is celebrating the 10th anniversary of this place.  Painting number 4611 in 4611 days. 

 

Twilight on Second St

It's so fun to paint in the heart of town in Lakeside, Ohio!  Bikes and golf carts are everywhere, as summer fun is in full swing.  This historic street offers endless possibilities for paintings!  I'm so happy this painting has a new home, too. 

Lakeside Plein Air and Wooden Boat Show

 It seems there is a special painting or two each year that gets a lot of attention. I intended to paint this in a small format, but when I set up my gear, I found myself pulling out a larger paper.  This composition absolutely epitomizes historic Lakeside. I will be painting two others, slightly different, so each one is unique.  This was the first painting to sold at the Wet Paint Sale, and is painting number 4587 in 4587 days. 

Lakeside on Lake Erie

 

I LOVE painting this iconic Pavillion on Lake Erie in Lakeside, and stepping back in time!  Hotel Lakeside is celebrating it's 150th year, and the whole place looks like it has been spruced up for the occasion.  It's nice to step out of the historic hotel and start painting on the lawn, right along the water's edge!  Painting number 4581 in 4581 days. 

Historic Cuba along Route 66

 

I have wanted to paint historic Cuba asking Route 66 for years!  WHAT A COOL TOWN - SO happy I finally got the chance! This town has so many sweet old buildings!  Each street I walked down, I find another painting just waiting to be painted.  I did get two done today, but so many others will have to wait until I return to this area.  Painting number 4537 in 4537 days. 

Parkville Aglow

 

Enamored with the night lights on Main Street the night before, I arrived early to try to capture the magic.  Lights adorn buildings, street lamps abs doorways, spilling or onto the street.  So, I painted all that light first, and then started in on the buildings and the dark passages.  I saved the night sky for last, when light was coming up at the horizon.  That transitional light is my very favorite in the field, and a joy to capture with paint.  I love painting on Main Street in Parkville, and I'm honored this painting won the Paint the Town Purchase Award tonight!  Painting number 5158 in 5158 days. 

On Main and Kansas

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I'm honored to win 1st Place in the first Liberty Plein Air event with this painting on Main Street. After all these years in the Kansas City area, I've never been to the square in Liberty. I chose this section of Main Street because the Pumpkin Festival was in full swing, with families ands vendors up and down the street. Today was not only the first Liberty Plein Air, but also my first plein air with BOTH daughters painting, too! I'm so happy this painting was awarded a Purchase Award, too!  This may have been my first time to visit here, but it won't be my last!  Painting number 5153 in 5153 days. 

Marceline Wine Stroll

Painting this historic street has special meaning for me.  My Dad's mother and father grew up here, met and fell in love here.  I can imagine them walking down this street with siblings and friends from school, sharing their days and making plans for the future.  I wonder what these buildings were back then, and Walt Disney was just a boy in class and the families knew each other.  Mom is with me this weekend, and for the first time we are staying overnight.  It will be nice to not worry about the drive after such a busy day.  Painting number 5145 in 5145 days.