Roses over the Fence

 

When I saw the roses spilling over that picket fence - I HAD to stop and paint them!!  This place always captures my artistic eye when I'm in Fairfield, Illinois.  The Victorian on Main is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast full of charm and culinary delights - and a lovely place to visit!  I knew I would use oils for this lush garden scene, and I sketched it on the panel with a paintbrush, and started laying in those lights, darks, and central colors where I saw them.  It was a cool morning, so standing in the sun to paint this warmed me up after an early morning paint in full shade.  It is so inspiring to paint a place like this - I lost track of time a little!  What better way to spend a couple hours than painting such beauty?  Painting number 4351 in 4351 days. 

White Mule Winery in Autumn

When I arrived on location, I knew I would paint here.  An old farmhouse with picket fence AND white mules in the pasture - how could I resist?!? The afternoon light was magical as it cast shadows on the house and illuminated the scene!  With a hard wind blowing, I set up beside an outbuilding for shelter.  Autumn is really showing off here - and I'm so lucky to get to paint it!!  Painting number 2845 in 2845 days. 

417 Scotland St.

These cottages in old town Dunedin are full of charm!  Nestled between picket fences and flowering bushes, spring arrives early on the gulf coast of Florida!  So glad I had time for a couple more ink watercoler paintings!  Painting number 2619 in 2619 days.

Rose Arbor in the Garden

Rose Arbor in the Garden
Watercolor on paper, 10.5x7

Today finds me with a limited painting window, so I am applying color to one of the paintings that I had underpainted a couple of days ago.  I am playing with the medium, dropping color to wet areas, letting it spread, and I have brushed out a few areas to blend and blot up paint with a stiff bristle brush.  I am using a limited palette, and I wonder what the untried colors would add....but I don't have time to explore them!  I am wanting to paint my newly opening daylilies - and some fairies, but alas, I don't have the time for that today.  It is very hard sometimes to be a responsible adult when I just want to play in the paints all day!!  Painting number 538 in as many days - now its time to work on the pool!

Into the Sunken Garden

Into the Sunken Garden
Oil on panel, 16x12
Stems Plein Air Event

As soon as I walked into this back yard, the sunken garden was calling me.  I first did a detailed sketch with my pastel sticks.  With so much in the garden that I wanted to include, I needed to have it mapped out correctly before laying in the paint.  The peonies were down to their last few petals on sight, so I brought back the full bloom while I painted.  The columns, statue and birdbath added so much to this intimate garden space.  There are two beautiful iron chairs back towards the picket fence, and a little footbridge behind the peonies on the left.  It is truly a wonderful space to spend a warm afternoon - and the fresh, cold lemonade was icing on the cake!  Painting number 515 in 515 days.  I have a sunrise paint tomorrow at the Deanna Rose Farm - so I had better get to bed!

Beneath the Flowering Plum

Beneath the Flowering Plum
Oil on panel, 12x9
Washington, Missouri - near the Missouri River

On the day of the Washington Sunrise Paint Out, this was the first scene that grabbed me in the town. Two other artists were already painting it, and as we were late from the 5am broadcast paint-out, I knew there was not enough time to do it justice.  Today, as I waited for Mike to have a procedure in the hospital, I combed through articles about color.  One after the other, I studied the words, gripped by the paintings they referred to.  Arriving home and after getting Mike settled and the housework finished, I went to this reference photo.  I wanted to apply some of the new found knowledge in this landscape.  Wow - what a way to hit home the lessons studied.  This is exactly how this place felt to me on that warm, sunny day - with the colors sparkling in the landscape.  Another day, another painting - this 498th was rewarding, indeed :)

Vintage Charm in Fish Creek

Vintage Charm in Fish Creek
Oil on panel, 14x11
Door County Plein Air - Wisconsin

I painted this early one morning in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.  Only a street from the harbor, I could hear the noises of boats and water.  The cool breeze blew in from the bay as the morning light threw long shadows on the grass.  It was so peaceful and serene as I painted under the trees.  A few locals visited with me as they took their daily walks, as well as art lovers - trying to make the rounds and see the artists at work.  I still need to tweak this one a bit, but with family in town and the kids starting school tomorrow - I am far too busy for that!  So, I am posting as is - and it is my 223rd in as many days :)

Blooming Trees

Blooming Trees
Oil on panel, 12x9
Defiance Paint Out

This was painted up the street from the Car Show in Defiance on the day of the Defiance Paint Out.  The yard was grand, with trees on either side blooming in profusion.  It was a lovely, warm day, and the family who lived here was very friendly.  Music wafted up from the show as people came by and visited while I worked.  It was a lovely day spent. With all of the visiting, I did cut it very close to the deadline for turning this one in to the Yellow Farmhouse Winery by 4:00!  Thank goodness I am ahead a painting or two - as I have been very busy today indeed!  Painting number 130 in 130 days.