Meramec Adventure Ranch

 

What a great place the Meramec Adventure Ranch is - and the best part is the awesome way they help the youth in this region! There are SO many activities here from bluff propelling, horseback riding, to water sports,  it was hard to see all the painting options available along this Meramec River ranch! I painted this view first of the main lodge, then painted the cattle next on this working farm.  Such a special painting day!  This is painting number 4908 in 4908 days and is Now Showing at Gallery Zeke through the end of the month! 

Lodge at Petit Jean Mountain

 

The Lodge on Petit Jean Mountain is magnificent as one climbs up from the Cedar Falls Trail. I love hiking and sketching the trails on this mountain.  Waterfalls and rocky bluffs dot the park, and I certainly need more time to sketch the beauty.  I find those moments while family rests or at least stays in one spot for a while.  It's been so many years since we've been here.  Our young family were only 4 at the time - and now, two of our children brought their families here, so we were 13 with Mom. It seems like just yesterday we were here in this lodge enjoying a meal with both of my parents.  Painting number 4831 in 4831 days. 

Autumn at Lost Valley Lake

It is SO FUN to explore a new place with paint!  The fall colors are really coming out now, and I just couldn't seem to paint fast enough!  After the ink sketch of the Lodge and boathouse on Lost Valley Lake, I decided to use my gouache paints for the color.  I love how they have a color punch that hits the mark sooner than watercolor - and lately I've been struggling a bit with getting strong color in the field.  I haven't painted any paintings with gouache, but I sure do like what they can do for me!  Painting number 4370 in 4370 days. 

Lodge at Mound Ridge

What a great day to sketch at the Mound Ridge retreat with students as part of a new mentor program for the Steelville Arts Council.  Demonstrating some pen and ink on the lodge for our first paint of the weekend!  Can't wait to see what comes next - the students turned out some lovely work today!  Painting number 4235 in 4235 days 

Steamboat Springs View in Ink

I try to take every opportunity to sketch, and this one was finished while waiting for the kids to bring their luggage to the cars!  I keep a small clipboard loaded with a piece of my favorite handmade paper as well as my current sketch journal in a bag in the car.  With two kinds of ink, watercolor pans and a couple waterbrush pens, I can sketch at a moment's notice.  If I have to wait on anyone, I'm actually happy about it - and hope they don't appear until I'm finished!  This landscape is just across the street from our hotel on Lincoln Street in Steamboat Springs. What a lovely place this is - I only wish I hag more time to lay paint!  Painting number 1614 in 1614 days.

Turning Leaves

Turning Leaves
Oil on panel, 14x11
Fairfield Paint Out - purchase here

The leaves were just turning when I was in Fairfield for the annual paint out.  The Leo French Park was such a popular place for the locals and artists alike.  I painted this one in the rain - seeking the shelter of a dense, but small tree to set my easel under.  Some plein air days are cold and wet, and this was such a day.  Those days only prove to make me more thankful for the warm and wonderful ones!  This painting makes 684 in as many days.  Looking forward to those little gifts of sunshine in the cooler days ahead!