Lavender Field

Oh, how I love the heady aroma of lavender - in full bloom!  So much of the lavender on Washington Island is at peak right now - and it is a sight to behold.  It has been 4 years since I've been here for the lavender bloom, and a few things have changed. Another farm that was just down the road is no longer in business, but the plants still grow in the fields, intended and vigorous.  They were so welcoming to me as an artist last time, opening their farm to us all.  The other farm has kicked it up a notch, bigger, with more offerings, and we joined them for a Tuesday Wine Night, which was lovely.  Again, I am inspired to plant my own lavender, just three rows that I could grow and harvest, and paint for all the years to come.  Painting number 3853 in 3853 days. 

Umbrellas and Lavender

How can I still find new places after all these years of painting in Door County?  Somehow this one escaped my notice until this year, and what a find!  Wonderful wine, food, and ambience, embellished with umbrellas and lavender!  Several of us artists set up to paint (after our food and wine, of course), and I landed in this spot.  I loved the feeling of space from this angle, complete with my fellow artists sprinkled in!  Have I mentioned how fabulous it is to paint in such a setting?  I'll think of this place when I encounter snakes in the wild, without a soul in sight!  Painting number 2023 in 2023 days.

purchase here

Island Lavender

It seems I am always drawn to the furthest painting location from the car.  In search of the densest lavender plants and scenic backdrop, I hike to the back and start painting.  The scent of lavender is all around me, and the buzzing of the bees in and out of their hive entertain me.  An ink drawing confirms my composition as I start laying paint.  I think I'm painting quickly, but in reality the lavender is so relaxing that I slow down the longer I spend in the field!  Instead of finishing three paintings today, I only finish two!   Oh the hazards of mixing plein air and lavender!  Painting number 2018 in 2018 days.

purchase here

Island Lavender Farm Inked

What a treat to return to a lavender farm for some plein air painting!  Island Lavender Farm welcomed a few of us artists today to paint in their fields of lavender!  There is nothing like the experience of painting with that fragrance all around!  As with most of my paintings I begin with a drawing, just to visually work through my painting with ink. I keep a Pilot Varsity fountain pen in my pochade box for this very thing.  That box is in my trunk all seasons, in all temperatures, laying flat, and that pen always flows when I open it to use. Even after breaking all the rules of fountain pen care, it works every time. There is much to be said for that!  So this modest, inexpensive pen can't be beat for this artist's in the field set up!  Painting number 2016 in 2016 days.

purchase here

Lavender Rows

Oh the beauty of a lavender field is a feast for the eyes and for the nose!  The fragrance surrounds me as the gentle breeze whispers through the blooms, and I whisper back with paint.  It is truly a joy to submerse myself in a place like this, and then to capture my experience in the moment with paint. This is what plein air is. A living and breathing thing, only to be shaped by the one holding the paintbrush.  Here, I capture the essence of the place in my journal, to commit to oils another day.  Painting number 1673 in 1673 days.

Lavender Farm

Walking to the very eastern side of the lavender field, I set up my easel with the morning sun at my back.  The light was almost silvery as it gilded the rows.  With all rows leading to the barn, this was my composition of choice.  There is nothing like the scent of lavender surrounding me as I paint.  What an amazing place!  I didn't know this place even existed until a friend posted a photo from here just a couple of weeks ago.  Now, this will be an annual painting location just as the lavender comes into full bloom.  It inspires me to find a variety that will thrive in the heat of Missouri!  Painting number 1667 in 1667 days.

oil on panel, 14x11
purchase here

Lavender Field

What a perfect day this was for plein air painting!  I was unprepared for the breathtaking beauty of this place!  Setting up in the fields of the Fragrant Isle lavender farm, this place is simply heaven.  The lavender is in full bloom, and the fragrance is intoxicating.  I could paint here all week!  There is a wonderful shop here, full of all things lavender.  My lemongrass lavender tea was fabulous! It never ceases to amaze me how lucky I am.  Painting number 1662 in 1662 days.

oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here

Lavender and Roses

Lavender and Roses
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

It was such a warm day, that for my second painting, I was looking for shade!  Standing in the deep shade of a tree, I was able to look onto the northern side of Monet's Garden to capture this view.  This lovely new pillar offers structure to the freely blooming flowers.  The lavender  is so delicate, and the salmon climbing rose a perfect compliment.  The skies clouded over, and rain threatened, but I was able to complete my painting before the first drops fell!  Another wonderful day painting at the arboretum!  Painting number 1245 in 1245 days.

Late Afternoon Light

Late Afternoon Light
Oil on wood panel, 6x4
sold

Today, I am capturing glorious color in the sky with my oils on a small wood panel.  I like to simply block in the color masses thickly with my brush to start.  I am just marking off lights and darks, and prominent colors - and I'm not blending at all during the block in process.  Once the painting reads like the sky before me, I then look at those edges.  I blend where the edges appear soft, and add thicker color where the edges should be hard - often times with my palette knife.  Near the end, I make sure the sky colors reflect on the ground below.  Painting number 897 in 897 days :)

Ruffled White and Lavender Iris

Ruffled White and Lavender Iris
Oil on wood panel, 5x7
purchase here

What a busy day this has been!  After the gym and teaching an oil painting class, I headed out for some yard work.  My - how the weeds have popped up while I was away!  My parents arrive Tuesday for Michaela's high school graduation, so I have been busy trying to get everything in order.  This beautiful iris has just bloomed - and many more are ready to open.  This is one of the starts I was given from an artist friend, Myrtie Gourley, years ago.  I love how so many of my flowers remind me of the friends who shared them with me.  Quite a few have been given to me by those who are no longer with us, and what a joy it is to see them open and bloom each season!  I have completely painted this with my new brushes, not even taking out my palette knife.  I may use my knife in a few days, when the many others bloom.  Perhaps I will go for a looser interpretation then.  I am having fun in the exploration of the iris petals, with their many ruffles and papery texture.  Each day, there  is something new to inspire me.  I simply love this time of year!  Painting number 861 in 861 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 :)

Arboretum Iris

Arboretum Iris
Oil on panel, 9x12
Overland Park Arboretum

This  is another of the paintings I started at the arboretum and have just finished up.  The iris bed was just coming into it's glory on this day.  I am working with loose and impressionistic brushwork on this one - and my paint is pretty thick, as well.  Too thick, in fact, to do any kind of glazing - I will have to add that a bit later!  I am planning on painting at the Festival of Fountains tomorrow on the plaza, so I need to prepare for that tonight.  This is my 156th painting in as many days.  Hoping for good painting weather tomorrow!

On Lora's Lawn

On Lora's Lawn
Oil on panel, 12x9

On this warm, beautiful day in the 70's, I am thinking of Augusta and a day last April of plein air painting.  On this lawn I painted two paintings, and only had time to sketch this one out.  Today, I work from that sketch and my photo reference to paint the morning light streaming in from the east.  The Lindsey's were gracious hosts, allowing me to paint in their secluded location.  This little slice of heaven is right out the front door.  I will adjust a few details tomorrow, but for now I am letting this one rest.  This painting makes 70 in 70 days :)