Looking up Main - Across the Tracks

 

What a beautiful morning to start Parkville Plein Air - and I just HAD to paint the whole street scene!  Using a larger panel than usual, this one is 20x10. I am also trying a new tint to my gesso with this one.  I primed the whole panel in a cool gray that pushes a little to the green.  I seem to cycle through the colors trig the years - anything but white!  White is just too bright in the field - and all of it must be covered.  Composing this scene is a bit like putting together a puzzle - painting in each building as it fits, until the whole painting emerges.  It was so nice to visit with everyone as they walked by, Main Street in Parkville is such a friendly place.  This painting was in the top 4 in today's Purchase Award, and is painting number 4358 in 4358 days. 

South Main Street

Starting this very detailed ink drawing late in the event, it took me longer than normal to get all that information down. Once my ink work was done, I started in with the watercolor, working all masses of like colors at the same time.  Short on time, this is a real time saver.  I went back in with the ink a couple times - when I realized I missed a sign or a window - no more than a tiny mark, but necessary to the whole story.  Watching my time closely, I pushed it to 7 minutes left, then quickly packed, got to the car, and framed with 1 minute to spare!  Then I went in for my tag to place in the back!  It reminds me a bit of the old days when it took me all day long to finish a painting, and I still couldn't seem to turn in until the very last minute!  Haha!  The difference now is that this was my fourth painting of the day, instead of my first!  There is something to be said about persistence!  Painting number 3155 in 3155 days. 

North Main Street

My dad used to tell me stories of this town, how his parents grew up here, met in high school and fell in love.  He used to walk these streets as a young boy, carrying coins to the bank with his Aunt Minnie - who his mother fondly called "Mouse" when they were growing up.  Could she possibly be the inspiration for another famous Minnie? They did go to school together.... several of the homes in town were built by his uncles.  Lynns, Slaughters, Gardners and Cupps all have their names in the history and businesses of Marceline, and it feels like home.  I only knew a few of these relatives, but their history lives on.  So, every year I return for the annual NOMO Plein Air Event, paying homage to a place that brought my grandparents together, and capture the beauty of my history.  Painting number 3147 in 3147 days. 

Main and 4th Street

 

I'm so incredibly humbled and honored to win my second Purchase Award tonight in Paint Parkville! I loved painting this street scene from the corner of Main and 4th Street.  The late afternoon light spread across the scene, illuminating the historic building. As I approached from the side of this building, I knew I would stop right here and paint.  The composition was striking, light and shadow leading to the house. I really enjoyed the whole painting process here, basking in that golden light and the cool, beautiful weather!  Have I mentioned how much I love painting Parkville?  Painting number 3121 in 3121 days. 

Stella's

 I love a quick sketch on the street - especially when the scene is as lovely as this one!  Upon arriving in the charming town of Sainte Genevieve, we stopped into this little Cafe for a late lunch.  It was delicious, so I captured a slice of our day in ink and watercolor.  It was too hot to sit outside, but maybe next time we will!  Painting number 3099 in 3099 days. 

303 Main - Inked

I love sketching the charming houses on Main Street in Steelville.  Staying right down the drive, I had to slip out early for a quick sketch before the art show!  This place is now home to Heartland Arts - and showcases the work of local artists.  There is even space for artist housing inside!  What a wonderful way for this vintage place to thrive in the community!  Painting number 3078 in 3078 days.  This ink drawing is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Shops on Main St

I love sketching the historic shops on Main St in Parkville, whenever I'm in town!  Today, I am showing the tools I use when I'm out in the field.  The silver TWSBI Mini fountain pen holds De Atramentis Archive Ink (water resistant), and the white and rose gold pen holds Levenger's Raven Black ink. I sketch out my scene and do all line work with these.  My watercolor half pans are compiled from several different Prisma Watercolorist Confections palettes, arranged to squeeze the most paints in my tins.  The water brush pen I use instead of carrying brushes and water.  If I need to refill, I've been known to pull that water from pond, fountain, or puddles!  My supplies are very compact and can fit in a pocket for easy access.  It's so easy to get out and paint when the set up is simple!  Painting number 3065 in 3065 days. Now showing at the Cathy Kline Art Gallery in Parkville. 

Downtown Parkville

It was so fun painting in Parkville again!  Main Street is full of vintage charm - and trains are a frequent visitor on these rails!  I like to draw wide angle views of vintage towns, capturing as many buildings as I can within the paper borders.  I decided to paint from the other side of the tracks this time - since one always hears a train while here.  I painted from a spot nearby on my very first painting in Parkville years ago - and I was VERY surprised by so many trains!  Haha!  I should have had earplugs that day!  See this painting in person at the Cathy Kline Art Gallery in the old depot.  Painting number 2976 in 2976 days. 

Autumn Rain on Main Street

 

What is the perfect cold, rainy day activity?  Why, painting wet streets, of course!  These autumn colors sing against a backdrop of misty hues - and those reflections were irresistible!!  The charming Main Street of Steelville is so wonderful, I've already painted within this block three times since I arrived!  This painting will be displayed at Gallery Zeke this Thursday and Friday for a Two Day Only Show!  All remaining paintings from these last two weeks will be hanging.  I'm so happy to have hit the peak fall color for this trip!  Painting number 2849 in 2849 days. 

Main and Thomas Street

What fun to paint with a bird's eye view from our 3rd floor corner room at the Saint George Historic Hotel.  Perched in the window seat, I had wonderful light to sketch the buildings below on Main Street. I sketched while Mom napped, and then we went down to the Tin Kitchen for a delicious dinner!  Love this artist's life! Painting number 2829 in 2829 days. This painting is now showing at the Weston Coffee Roastery!  ❤

Dubuque Clock Tower

I pre-sketch almost every painting or metal piece in the field before I start in the destined medium.  Sometimes, I get so busy that I tuck those sketches away in bags and pochades, to be found much later when I run across the forgotten drawings.  I guess that is one of the hazards of daily painting!  The sketch above was actually my way of being sure of my composition before starting it in copper.  I needed to make sure it worked, because once I start on the metal it can be very hard to make a correction.  When asked by a patron for any Dubuque pieces I might have left, I searched and found this one of the iconic Clock Tower downtown.  Such a lovely place!  Painting number 2603 in 2603 days.

Good Morning Dubuque

SOLD

What a beautiful morning for plein air painting on Main Street!  Crisp and cool with the golden light spreading across the street, I started sketching out my composition with paint.  I've been using a Grey Matters round brush for this, and it is holding up well! I bet I've used it on 200 paintings, and still that brush holds its form.  I am going to get more of these!  Perhaps the  best part is that light does not reflect off that brush while outside painting.  Nothing worse than being blinded by the light bouncing off that metal!  Painting number 2481 in 2481 days.

Clock Tower in Copper

SOLD

Choosing a spot on Main Street to get this vantage, I started by sketching with a rounded metal tool.  With metal, I have to keep working from one side to the other, gently working the metal until I achieve the results I'm looking for.  I am learning with each one, I only wish I had brought more copper with me.  It is super cool for architecture!  Painting number 2479 in 2479 days.

Corner of Main and Market

This vintage gas Phillips 66 Station in Weston is such a cool place to sketch!  The old signs and gas pumps were awesome - wonderful sketching matter!  Just warming up for the day, I did this one in ink.  I wish I would have had time to do it in oils, too, that orange really pops in the street scene.  With so much on Main Street to paint - I may never get to another area!  Painting 2405 in 2405 days.

Weston Museum

Standing on the narrow sidewalk by a building, I tried to stay in the shade while I worked.  The museum was very striking as it jutted out from the trees, so I decided to ink out the composition, adding watercolor, too.  It is fun painting on the Main Street in Weston - so many people came by to visit on their way to shops and restaurants.  This town is a wonderful place to visit - I only wish I had time to shop, too!  I guess I'll have to make a trip back!  Painting number 2404 in 2404 days.

Looking Down Market Street

This building has the coolest enclosed porch over the shop, and the pillars set off the openings beautifully.  As I stood by that shop for my morning paint, I had the pleasure of listening to a couple of older gentlemen sitting on that bench, visit and spend some time chatting with everyone who passed.  They introduced me to "Ally Cat", telling me the story of her rescue, as that same cat rubbed against my legs, purring. It was just like a scene from Mayberry, and I love getting to immerse myself in the culture as I stand on the street and paint.  Painting number 2401 in 2401 days.

Fountain Shop on Main

I find the most amazing things in small towns - and this vintage Soda Fountain Shop was a delight to paint!  Once again, I started in the shade, and kept moving with the shade of the Saint George hotel behind me!  The architectural details and colors were perfect for a painting - and after spending all that time painting - I HAD to go in for a Blue Bell ice cream cone!  Painting number 2400 in 2400 days - wowza!!

Main and Thomas Street

This wonderful corner building in Weston, Missouri is the grand Saint George historic hotel.  The architecture is very high brow - and I HAD to draw this at first sight!  The sun was moving pretty fast, and what I started in the shade turned into full sun by the time I finished!  I'm so glad I decided to come to this plein air event - there are so many cool things to paint!  Painting number 2399 in 2399 days.

July on Main Street

Yesterday, I spent worked in ink and watercolor for every painting I did, never taking out my oils.  In the night, I woke up thinking about this scene in oils.  So, of course I arrived early to paint this scene in oils, without even sketching first.  I love the play of color on these sunlit buildings!  I'm so glad I could stay in the shade for all of this painting, it's getting hot out there!  Painting number 2392 in 2392 days.

Flags on Main Street

Deciding just yesterday that I could squeeze this into my schedule, I headed out early for the Weston Plein Air event.  No awards or competitions, just artists descending on this historic town for a couple days of plein air painting.  As each painting is finished, I frame and take to the Weston Coffee Roasterie, where they can be purchased - and this one is the first to find a home!  Would you believe I painted 6 paintings today?  Now THAT is crazy town!  I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring Weston in paint!  Painting number 2391 in 2391 days.