Peach Zinnias

 

I love painting the cool zinnias that pop up from saved seed!  LOVE that awesome peach color on those unruly petals!  I save seed over the years, often gathered on trips to special places. These might have come from St. Charles, near the Boone Lick lodging. I also have red ones in the garden, and I hope to paint them soon with butterflies around them!  Painting number 4971 in 4971 days. 

Peach Zinnia

 Tonight I'm painting one of the zinnias I have grown from seed in my hydroponic Gardyn! I LOVE having beautiful blooms growing among my herbs, greens and tomatoes!  Mint is growing behind the long stems of this beautiful peach colored zinnia, and peaks out on the side.  I started my hydronic growing adventure last November, and only planted this seed in early summer.  I'm constantly trying new things, especially new lettuce varieties, and now I'm beginning to sprinkle in blooms.  I'm currently trying to start strawflowers, and just today brought in a lovely marigold seed head from one of my garden plants outdoors.  I save seed, but this plant does not look like any I've grown before. I love the wild and twisty petals, and the unusual color.  Since I waited past dark to paint - this was the perfect subject for today, and right after I finished painting - the power went out for a while!  So happy my timing was on point tonight!  A nocturne by candlelight really would have been something! Painting number 3868 in 3868 days. 

Peonies of April

This was the plein air day for the Tri County Art League at the Overland Park Arboretum,  and what a gorgeous day it was!!  I could see the color of these blooms from across the lake - and I could not believe they were already blooming!  I scouted no farther.  No bloom pulls me right in like peonies!  I blocked in as the visitors ambled by,  visiting as I worked.  I was so caught up in conversation,  I nearly forgot to take the on sight photo!  Just another day in paradise!   Painting number 1559 in 1559 days....I think!   It's SO easy to lose track :)

Sunset Glow

Some days, the setting sun is irresistible, and I must go get my paints!  Everything is so lush outside, with all the rain we've had this week!  What could possibly set off this landscape more than a glorious show in the sky?  With so many clouds, I started this one with my gray cloud colors first,  then moved to the violets overhead.  Next, came the lighter hues, followed be the brightest lights.   The landscape was last, since it was important for me to get the sky color in before it was gone!  This painting îs the 1289th in as many days :)

Sunset Glow
oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

A Dream of Roses

A Dream of Roses
Oil on panel, 9x12
Stems Plein Air Event - purchase here

After a morning paint of a complicated garden scene,  I was in the mood for roses - up close and personal.   So, I dropped off the wet painting at my car, and strolled through the arboretum.   I found several very appealing varieties,  before I landed at these beauties - and I had to stop!  The creamy yellows and salmon pinks were more than I could resist!   I did a quick pastel sketch which was barely more than marking the orbs, and started laying paint quick and loose.  I had the perfect set up, a spot in the shade, soft breezes, friendly passers by, and the floral scent of the garden all around me.  Sheer heaven!  This is my 1236th painting is as many days.

January Glow

January Glow
Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4
purchase here

With a dusting of snow from the other day, the landscape again catches my eye.  The unexpected freezing rain of today cancelled evening plans, and has allowed me some time for capturing the winter landscape.  I have painted this miniature canvas (only 4 inches square) around all edges with acrylics.  I may go over it later with oils, I'll just see how I feel about it tomorrow.  I have been very busy getting ready for my solo show at GOT Art Gallery - Three Years of Daily Painting.  I am including my blog post with each painting, both glued to the back and one to hang beside the painting.  I did a show like this last year, and it is rather like displaying the pages of my diary on the walls for all to see!  This painting makes 1113 in 1113 days, and Day 20 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

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 :)