Night at Kane Family Farm

The live music and people gathering were simply irresistible to this artist!  With gear in tow, I set up with a vantage including the large barn, and started painting the light.  I'm using a new clip-on mighty light that I bought from Judson Art Outfitters, to help with night painting.  I never use lights, choosing instead to paint under street lights when working at night, but the pastoral landscape does not offer lights!  So far, so good, but I'm not sold on the color of the light yet, it is warmer that what I see in the landscape. It's size and ease of use are a big plus, though.  I won't know how this really turned out until tomorrow - in the daylight!  Painting number 3418 in 3418 days. 

Rainy Day Allium

Oh the beauty of a misty day - and allium!  I just got back to town, and the arboretum is alight with these beauties!  I've a few blooms opening of my own (which I almost stayed home to paint), so I was rewarded with this when I arrived on site.  I did not walk further!  Painting two paintings while in Monet's Garden, I didn't scout the rest of the place until finishing!  I wait all year to paint the alluring allium!  Painting number 3035 in 3035 days. 

Fort Frisco

Nestled at the end of a cobblestone street is this charming stone house in Fort Scott.  It was a beautiful drive all the way down, so many places were calling my name!  I drive north constantly, so heading south was a real treat!  So much so, I want to return for more painting!  I start with a small ink drawing to establish my composition, and start painting those lines on my panel.  I'm working 16x20 today, which is a good size for this particular easel.  If the wind is up, a larger box or tripod is necessary.  It is always good to have these back ups in the trunk.  I was painting close to the street to get the perfect view, and I was a bit of a novelty!  Cars stopped, everyone talking and commenting on the painting, a few even took pics!  I do this so often in places where it's "normal" to see artists in the field, that it was super fun to see such surprise on those faces!  I LOVE how friendly small towns are!  I even did a little scouting of Main Street and the old Fort on my way out of town.  I'm so glad my childhood friend invited me down to paint his home!  Thanks, Tim!  Painting number 1964 in 1964 days.

oil on panel, 16x20
sold

Crops in the Field

I've been carving enough time out of each day to paint larger pieces, and this one is 16x20.  The light is so warm in the golden hours of summer, it is a joy to paint the landscape.  The rows of crops have a beauty all their own, much like the rows of lavender and the vineyards.  The rich color of summer abounds here, where the days have been comfortable and the rain plenty.  Everything is so lush during a time of year that is normally hot and dry!  A gift to the painter indeed!  Painting number 1680 in 1680 days.

oil on panel, 20x16
purchase here

Light on the Urn

After very little sleep last night, we arrived with our workshop students at our loft in Bailey's Harbor.  A little unpacking and introductions cleared the way for a quick nocturne paint.  Even with only 3 hours of sleep, the brushes and paint exhilarated me as I captured the illumination in the night landscape.  It has been a little while since my last nocturne - and boy do I love them!  Now - off to bed!    Painting number 1298 in 1298 days :)

Clouds Over the Meadow

Clouds Over the Meadow
Oil on masonite, 10x8

For this afternoon's painting class, Donna suggested that we set up outside - and take advantage of the fabulous day.  What a great idea!  So, we had a little "plein air workshop" where I demonstrated this painting, beginning to end. There is just something magical about painting outside, with a gentle breeze blowing, light dancing through the clouds, and the experience of the day unfolding in the paint.  I really love plein air painting.  Painting number 1001 in 1001 days, and Day 28 in the 30 day painting challenge :)

Historic Bentel House

on location

Historic Bentel House
Oil on canvas panel, 9x12
New Harmony, Indiana - purchase here

Built between 1814 and 1825, these Harmony Society buildings dot the streets of New Harmony, Indiana.  A beautiful dogwood was putting on a show at the George Bentel House, and drew me right in.  The way the white petals caught the light against the brick was a bit of a challenge to capture, but it was also what most attracted me to this house, so I had to forge ahead until I had accurately portrayed the feeling this place gave me.  The town's people are all so friendly, it is such a welcoming place to stand on the street corners and paint!  It seems like everyone drives golf carts instead of cars - and they all come by to see what you're up to, and visit a bit. This place is unlike any other that I have painted, and it is such a pleasure to have hit the peak of spring bloom here!  Painting number 844 in 844 days.

Elizabeth's Tulips

Elizabeth's Tulips
Oil on canvas panel, 10x8
New Harmony Quick Paint - purchase here

This was painted during the hour and 15 minute quick paint at the New Harmony plein air event, First Brush of Spring.  With such a short time limit, I decided to take the pressure off and paint something fun - tulips!  The bold red blooms were very large, and some were full blown in the bed.  I tuned out the whole event while I painted, oblivious to what was going on around me - just me and those tulips, the light and the shadow.  When I did look up, people were already framing and heading to check-in, so I popped this in a frame to stand in line with the rest.  Painting number 842 in 842 days. This is the shortest quick paint I have ever participated in - 75 minutes long!

on location

Night Falls at Pisa

Night Falls at Pisa
Oil on panel, 14x11

The night falling and the pink sunlight illuminating these glorious buildings is what grabbed my attention.  With photo reference from a friend,  I mapped out the sketch of the main lines of the buildings.  Once the large areas of main color were down, I started to dot in with the many arches and windows.  I felt compelled to get the architecture right, although I started with "loose" in mind!  With most of the colors in place, I pulled down the reflections by lightly skimming the surface of the heavy dark paint below.  I would love to go paint this place on location!  This is 41 paintings in a row :)