Peace on the Farm

As I drove back to Fairfield from Shreve's Pumpkin Patch, this beautiful farm spread out before me.  I found a water treatment road to turn into and set up my easel on the spot.  The cattle were all in position, and the distant train rolled right in behind the barn - it was perfect!  As I was finishing up, the mist started to fall and I could see the rain moving in from the north.  I packed up quickly with no time to frame, and headed in for dinner with the group.  I love when all the stars align so well!  Painting number 5016 in 5016 days. 

Legacy Park

What a beautiful morning to paint the Anita Gorman Conservation Center for the Brush Creek Art Walk!  This community garden is a favorite of mine to return to and paint.  I love the linear design with an those soft edges of blooms and vegetables.  The early light was amazing, and a treat to capture in oils.  I was happy to run into a few artist friends I haven't seen in a while, too!  Painting number 5008 in 5008 days. 

Jazz in the Roses

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It was a lovely evening to paint Jazz in the Roses at the Loose Park Rose Garden!  It is a special treat when I can paint to live music - and these jazz musicians were stellar!  It was fun to visit when onlookers stopped to talk, and two young girls even painted petals onto my rose garden!  The littlest couldn't hardly reach - and she was very thoughtful with that stroke! Perhaps they are the next generation of painters in this rose garden!  I'm happy this painting went home with a new collector, too! Painting number 5003 in 5003 days 

#artistlife #jazzintheroses #looseparkrosegarden #kansascityart #pleinairpainting 

Sunflower Song

It was a beautiful evening for painting sunflowers at the Overland Park Arboretum.  These Maximilian sunflowers have been planted in dedication to a member who has enriched the arboretum through the years, and they are putting on a show!  It was a wild and crazy tangle of flowers to try to make sense of, but I gave it my best - and it was fun, too!  I am honored to be among the top 4 with this painting.  This painting is 4996 in 4996 days, and now showing at the Long House gallery on site.  

A Stroll through Kauffman Garden

 

The cannas are putting on a show at the Kauffman Memorial Garden, and I am happy to paint it with a few artist friends today!  Taking a break from framing artwork for an upcoming show, I just couldn't resist the chance to paint here again.  I've not seen the cannas blooming here before - and they grabbed my attention immediately. I dreaded seeing the entrance with the stately old trees removed, but found the area charming, with a replanting of my favorite redbud trees in their place.  Flanked by rows of vivid blooms, the space really was much improved.  The music of the fountain had me longing to repair my own.  I didn't realize how much I miss the trickling water.  In this canna bed were white narrow leaf zinnias which looked like daisies, starclusters, and tropical milkweed - three flowers I couldn't identify without Google lens! I LOVE learning something new while out painting something I love!  Painting number 4990 in 4990 days. 

Bend in the Creek

 

It's so peaceful to paint along a wooded creek!  The song of the birds and rustling of the leaves blend with the rippling water to create a little magic at water's edge.  I'm so lucky to get to capture it in paint, and revel in the beauty of it all.  Painting number 4980 in 4980 days. 

Along the Garden Path

 

Known as the most beautiful stroll along the water, Lake Erie is but a backdrop for these glorious daylilies!  Larger than my hand, these bold  blooms rise above the foliage in abundance.  I've never seen them glow like this, so of course, I HAD to paint them!  I had so much fun talking with everyone as they walked by, and I'm happy this painting found a new home here, too!  Painting number  4949 in 4949 days. 

Trail Through the Trees

 

It's so peaceful to sketch this trail through a canopy of trees.  Though the weather is in the 90s, this path is cool in full shade, with a lovely breeze cutting through.  Our time is short, and this may be my last time on this trail until next year.  I wonder if everyone connects to places like I do, as if they are living, breathing things.  It's hard to leave, and I feel this way about many special locations.  It's as if I bond with each place.  What a lovely place to spend some time unwinding!  Painting number 4944 in 4944 days. 

Elmore Farm

I love painting this historic Elmore farm along the North Coast Inland Trail. I have passed it many times as I've run this trail while in Ohio.  It passes through lovely farmland, each unfolding like a quilt before me.  Like an old friend, this trail is comforting.  I ran so many steps away from grief on this path, sharing thoughts and tears along it.  We used to bring our little ones on bikes when we first came here to see Mom and Dad in their new home on Portage River Rd. So many memories, and now I return with Mom to see her Ohio friends, and to paint Lakeside next weekend. I'm looking forward to a few more days here, and sketching Elmore.  Painting number 4940 in 4940 days. 

Winding Maramec Spring

 

This winding spring from the Maramec Spring Park is SO peaceful to paint! Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri!  

In the Gallery of Oaks

I loved standing in a gallery of oaks to paint the setting of this cabin and the path to the river.  The morning was cool in the shade, and the breeze light, making the day perfect for painting. The trees called to me.  Each large shape and form begged to be immortalized in ink and watercolor, casting the cabin as the understudy.  Truly a study of oaks, I hope I did them justice.  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.❤️🎨

Sunset Over the River

 It was so much fun to paint the sunset with my friends along the Meramec River at Cobblestone Lodge!!  I was the first to hike down to the bank, and thought the others might not make it - so I painted fast! It gets very dark down there at night, and I didn't want to make that climb in full darkness.  Within minutes, here come Larry, Jamie, Dennis and Gabriele, driven down on a side by side in luxury fashion!  It was fun to speed paint the sunset together, then we all hiked up and gathered for some fun conversation outside of the cabins Now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Morning on Sunset Ridge

 

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It was a lovely afternoon to paint the view from the top of Sunset Ridge. As I was cleaning my brushes, the two horses walked into my scene - and I added them before my last brush was clean!  What a treat to see them in their happy place - and paint them!  On a personal note - I also have a palomino and a black horse, who is a Rocky Mountain horse, so these two reminded me of my own.  It's so much fun to paint a place I feel such an affinity to!  I'm happy this painting has a new home here, too!  Painting number 4912 in 4912 days. 

In the Gallery of Oaks

 This cabin studio tucked into the woods is surrounded mostly by oak trees.  The path through the trees leads down to the river, offering another amazing view.  I couldn't help but paint this lovely gallery of oaks offering a canopy of shade from the cabin to the river, as the morning light spread across the landscape.  This one now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4911 in 4911 days. 

Along the River

 

It was worth standing in the full sun to paint this view of the Meramec River from the Cobblestone Lodge beach!  With a painting in every direction, it's hard to decide which view to paint!  The light quality in the Eastern direction called to me, so I chose this for my demo with the High School Plein Air students.   The saturated colors following the rain were glorious - and I get to reap the rewards in paint - and share my process with a new generation. This painting Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and is painting number 4910 in 4910 days. 

Bridge at the Spring

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My demo for the High School Plein Air at Maramec Spring was so much fun!  Each of us artists had a group of students at the park during the Folky Fish Fest. We chose this gorgeous area by the waterfall for our painting location.  Each student could choose their own subject and medium of choice. I shared my process as I checked in with each during our painting time.  It was a wonderful painting and learning experience for us all! One of my favorite paintings of the week - I'm happy this painting has a new home in Springfield! Painting number 4905 in 4905 days.

Cabin in the Clover

I am SO at home in a pasture, painting a lovely log cabin homestead on the hill.  This scene grabbed me as soon as I arrived on location, but another scene pulled me away.  After finishing the first painting, I returned to this spot to paint a quick capture, and ended up looking it more!  I'm happy that I was able to get them both finished before heading back up to town!  It has been another beautiful plein air day!

Meramec Adventure Ranch

 

How does one choose a single spot to paint in 1200 acres?!!  With just a little scouting, I decided on this view, with the light spreading across the landscape. I've been painting so much recently, that I seem to be working the block in quite fast.  An artist recently shared that he begins his painting with a paper towel - and dips it in paint and rubs in the underpainting, before pulling out his brushes.  It seems weird, but is a great solution for this solvent free artist!  I think I'll try make- up sponges next!  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke, and this painting is number 4900 in 4900 days. 

Stone Bridge over Hoppe Springs

I have enjoyed mentoring at the Steelville High School Plein Air SO much this weekend!  This is such a special opportunity for our youth, I wish more art councils would offer this kind of program.  As I travel the country painting, I see many youth centered art classes, but this program benefits the young artists in ways the others do not. Plein Air Artists are asked to mentor a group of selected high school students during a weekend spent at a camping lodge in Steelville. We guide them through 6 different painting sessions in different locations around the property, working on small groups.  They get to explore their new art supplies, working along side seasoned plein air artists. These paintings then culminate in a gallery show on the final day for friends and family.  It is so rewarding to see these artists bloom during these painting days, immersed in nature.  I absolutely love sharing my passion for painting with another generation.  These will be our future plein air artists!  Painting number 4898 in 4898 days. 

Along the Meramec

There is something magical about painting next to water.  The movement and babbling of the Meramec River is almost hypnotic as I paint, completely in the moment.  The weather was perfect with overcast skies, saturating the color in the landscape.  This was my demo for the High School Plein Air this morning, a wonderful event offered by the Steelville Arts Council.  It's SO rewarding to watch their talents bloom when completely immersed in nature.  I can't wait to see what they create next!  Painting number 4897 in 4897 days.