Ponderosa Impressions

 

As part of my Artist Residency, I have a couple of "Artist Pop-ups" each week.  During this time, I choose something in my surroundings to paint, as onlookers watch and ask questions.  On this day, a cold rain dictated that we use the covered back porch for shelter.  I talk through my process, discussing what I do as I do it.  It is always fun to visit as I work!  This painting turned out pretty loose and fresh - very impressionistic.  The views are amazing at the YMCA of the Rockies in every direction - in fact, I need much more time here to paint it all!  Love how everyone I meet here is so very friendly, truly a wonderful place to spend some time.  Painting number 4356 in 4356 days.

Evening Phlox

These beautiful blooms originally grew in Grandma Bessie's garden, and she generously shared them with me many years ago.  She would tell me not to thank her for plants, or they would not grow!  Each year as they bloom, I paint them and think of her.  I remember the times I helped her with her flowers, and then we would grab tenderloin sandwiches for lunch!  So many flowers have memories attached to them, just seeing them takes me back to those days.  Painting number 2007 in 2007 days.

Dusk at Monet's Garden

The pouring rain had let up as I loaded my car for the quick paint.  It was only raining lightly as Diane and I headed for the arboretum.  With a little red wine, salad and a sandwich, it was out to the garden to find a spot.  Not in a hurry, I walked around a little and decided on a row of allium with a fence behind them.  But as I set up, the scene behind me kept calling my name.  Twice I looked away, and then I succumbed.  Turning my easel, I began to paint.  I had left my sketch pad in my panel bag,  so there was no pre-sketch tonight.  I really love painting with such moody light,  the feeling of the place can't help but seep into the painting.  I'm going to really enjoy painting here for the next two weeks.  Painting number 1591 in 1591 days.

Dusk at Monet's Garden
oil on panel, 9x12
purchase here

Early Light at the Lake

The wee hours before dawn are quiet and thoughtful. I love the stillness that surrounds me while setting up for a sunrise paint.  The lake at the Penn Valley Park lies in a valley,  so the sun takes its sweet time getting here.  That early light is what I've captured here with my oils. I was at the very edge of the water to see the reflection of that wonderful tree,  and I had to be mindful of not dropping off that edge into the water!  This has been another fabulous week of painting in Kansas City, and next week it will be the Overland Park Arboretum!  Painting number 1588 in 1588 days.

Early Light on the Lake
purchase here

Footpath to the Lake

I got to the park early,  knowing this large painting would take longer than my usual sizes.  Last fall,  my husband got me the largest French resistance pochade by Guerrilla. It is my fourth,  I now have 4 different sizes,  three different styles,  and I love them all!  This one is discontinued,  and at the time I ordered there were only 2 to be found anywhere - so I snapped one up while I still could. It is heavier,  and I can see how I may well have trouble in a strong wind,  but this day was calm.  Thank goodness!  Only a few strokes into my painting, a man came up and started talking to me.  We visited as I worked, and he sat down behind me.  He remained through most of the painting, until he was called away.  I have to admit, it made me a little nervous when he started popping open beers at 10:30 in the morning,  and my artist friends were not in sight. All's well that ends well,  but next time I'll make sure there's a friend in sight!  Painting number 1586 in 1586 days.  This painting is now in the front window of the Buttonwood Art Space!!

Opening at the Buttonwood

This week starts a challenge to paint 100 people in one week!  So,  I will concentrate on paintings with lots of people in them,  as well as doing some extra figure drawing!   What better way to improve those figure skills than this?  I'm not even close to the hundred yet,  and the thing is - they are already getting easier.  I'm getting their proportions faster,  the gesture of movement easier,  and it feels like the mechanics are just slipping into place.  Why didn't I do this earlier?  Well,  art is a journey,  and this is just a road I haven't taken before,  like so many others that lie before me.  I can't wait to see what this year will bring!  Painting number 1517 in 1517 days....I think.....!

Light in the Water

With only 40 minutes to spare in the middle of this very busy day, I got to work!  The day was so beautiful, I had to squeeze in a painting down by the pond!  I like the very natural, woodsy state of this place.  I am capturing the masses and colors, and dropping in texture where I see it.   Working so fast to get down the info, I will probably do a little tweeking tomorrow.  Painting number 1515 in 1515 days :)

Guitar Moment

Wanting to switch gears this afternoon, I grabbed my acrylics and jumped into a loose and impressionistic portrait in black and white.  This type of work normally rolls right off the brush, but not today.  I started by painting the masses with a dry brush technique, laying in the darks first.  Once the lights were in and the panel was covered, I started pushing and pulling the edges until the image emerged.  This was a bit of a struggle!  I've not painted in this way for a while, so it took a while to get comfortable with the paint!  I think I better do a few more of these just to get back up to speed.  Painting number 1509 in 1509 days :)

Red, White and Blue

As I settle into watching the election results, I have gathered together a few of my friends for a little still life.  Since I have many wine glasses, the combinations are endless!  I didn't have long to wait to vote, and am happy I was able to do my civic duty.  Grandma Bessie once told me, if you don't vote, you can't complain!   This painting is the 1398th painting in 1398 days :)

oil on panel, 5x7
purchase here

Ophelia

This sweet little kitten has certainly been a challenge!  I have babied her like no other kitten, just to get her healthy.   She has finally turned a corner and is improving every day, so, today I paint her!   Once skittish, she now revels in attention and is constantly too close to paint!   As she settled down, I "ignored" her, so that she would stay at a distance that I could actually paint her from!  This quick painting is loose and rather wild, and is my 1397th painting in 1397 days :)

Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Rex and Wine Glasses

Pulling out a little Rex Goliath and a couple of wine glasses, I set up a still life with the upcoming paint party in mind.  Starting simply, my brushes took on a mind of their own, and before I knew it, the painting grew into something too complicated to teach in a two hour segment!  Oh well, I will try to reign myself in next time.  As for this painting, I really like the depth and energetic stroke work, and the vibrant color is just what I wanted!  Painting number 1387 in 1387 days  :)

Oil on panel, 11x14
purchase here

Five Glasses

Choosing five of my wine glasses, I set them up on a table, and started sketching them.  I am working on this for an upcoming wine and paint party.  I am keeping the colors more neutral, and I am thinking about what could be easily taught with good chances for success.  After sketching, I fill in the masses with the dominant colors.  With some loose brushwork, these masses have more interest.  In using my three favorite brushes all month, I find I am again returning to my connoisseurs.  They move stiffer paint more effectively, and their bristles are so thick that they never separate like the Bristlons do.  I still love the Silver Silverwhite synthetic brushes for finish work, though.  They will lay paint right on top of wet paint, without brushing into the bottom layer.  Very nice.  This rather contemporary painting is number 1380 in 1380 days.

Shaded Creekbank

Some time ago, I had scouted out this spot and had several painting ideas in mind.  After hiking a bit in talk grass  (with my bare legs and sandals!) I arrived on scene to see almost all edges of the creek so overgrown that I could not even see the water!  If I hadn't hiked so far into the cutting grass, I would have gone back to the car to seek out a different spot entirely.  But, I couldn't stand to leave without a painting, so I persevered.   After walking further, I found an opening in the tall brush with a clear shot of the water!   I would have to stand in the full sun to paint this, but it was overcast so I jumped right in.  Well, the sun came out and was hot as "blue blazes" on my back.  With the sun, came a few biting black flies - which I have never encountered outside of Wisconsin!  I finally finished, thinking that I had gotten the painting too light (painting with my panel and palette in the full sun), only to bring it in and find it was as moody as the darkest shade along the creekbank.  Wow - I had to fight for this painting today!  Painting number 1343 in 1343 days :)

September Sunflowers

This was a windy painting day!  With gusts blowing those sunflowers hither and yon - it was a challenge to see them well enough to paint them!  I love these blooms, and each year at this time, I long to study them again.  We are expecting heavy rain on Thursday night, so I am "making hay while the sun shines" and not losing these painting opportunities.  Many may be hanging their heads come Friday, and then I might resort to buying some stems for study.  I did not want to take the time to reload my yellows, but I will have to before the next sunflower painting.  I have completely used up my cad yellow light - which is totally necessary for these beautiful blooms!  Painting number 1342 in 1342 days :)

Sunflower Impressions

It was so nice to have Michaela home from college for the weekend!  We started the day with a family shopping trip to the mall, followed by lunch.  Once she was on her way back, and Mike went to run errands, I grabbed my paints.  Without much time, I stuck close to home, choosing the wild sunflowers for my subject du jour! My intention for the month of September is to paint every painting en plein air.  I always try to paint outside when I can, but I know that I can fall back in studio work.  But not this month!  I will not use that as a crutch.  Why take this stand for this?  Well, this is another 30 in 30 challenge, and this will be my focus.  I truly believe that one improves most who paints from life.  This painting is 1341 in 1341 days.

Winding in the Mist

With the rain moving in and out again, we've had several soakings in the last few days.  I love the misty, moody atmosphere for painting!  Colors appear more vibrant, and ask is fresh and clean from the rain.  I have the tiniest painting window this afternoon, so I am choosing my panel accordingly - 5x7.  No time for a sketch, just some fast, quick strokes to get the job done, before I go pick up Tiffany's glasses and then the boys!  This is 1337 paintings in 1337 days :)

Winding in the Mist
Oil on panel, 5x7

Inspiration in the Heavens

As we left the theater this evening, I was surrounded by beauty in the heavens.  In every direction, a glorious show bombarded my senses!  The view to the south showed the approaching storm, and the distant thunder confirmed it.  I started laying paint quickly, getting all lights and darks marked.  I talked to my parents on speaker phone during the entire painting - and then realized it was too dark to get a photo outside!  Darn.  It would have been dramatic.  Painting number 1336 in 1336 days.

Inspiration in the Haevens
Oil on panel, 10x8

Impressions of Nolan

I spent some time cooing over Nolan last night, and today he is on my mind.  His big, blue eyes seem to grow larger every day!  His cheeks and thighs are filling out - and are so squeezable now, I can hardly resist them!  Working from photos I took yesterday, I am using my acrylics and short, impressionistic strokes on this one. Using a dry brush technique, I only go to the water to wash my brush.  No thinning of the heavy body paints, and no mediums.  I am using a Zorn limited palette, and keeping the paint fresh on my small stay wet palette.  I've not used the acrylics for a while, so I am getting reacquainted with my old friend tonight, and of course it is taking a little longer than it should.  It is all about the process, after all.  Am I finished?  I'm not sure, but I'm letting this one rest for now.  Painting number 1315 in 1315 days.

Impressions of Nolan
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

Roses in the Rain

Roses in the Rain
Oil on panel, 6x6 - purchase here

on location

This day was overflowing with activities - pilates, step/kettlebell classes, running, jury committee meeting, *baby time*, dinner out with the family, weeding until the rain was starting - and finally I got to my easel!  With only a little light left, and the rain coming down, I set up on the front porch to paint the roses in the garden.  I was sheltered and the light made the colors sing.  This is a quick painting, probably only 40 minutes beginning to end, but I like how the values and hues are coming easier and easier.  I truly believe the best way to grow as an artist is to paint en plein air and from life.  I see color in a way I didn’t several years ago, and each painting teaches me something more.  This is the 1233rd painting in 1233 days.

Cowboy Talk

Cowboy Talk
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Today finds me painting a couple of men from the reenactment, one on a horse.  These reference photos are full of timeless charm - it is just like stepping back in time to paint them!  Using my limited palette of heavy body acrylics, I block in with my filberts, and finish with a little palette knife (or in my case - my Princeton catalyst, have I told you how much I love them?)  Making this a quick post - we’re about to watch a movie!  Painting number 1184 in 1184 days.