Porch Welcome

I had seen the windmill from the road days before - and it was rusty!  With that painting in mind, I stopped by Willow Creek to see if I could get it painted.  I walked out here prepared to paint in oils, but found this charming porch scene!  I went back to my car for my ink and watercolor gear - and never did get that windmill painted!  This one is still available!  Painting number 4355 in 4355 day. 

Porch Side Garden

Porch Side Garden
Oil on panel, 7x5
Ephraim, WI

While in Ephraim, I got the amazing opportunity to paint this lovely victorian home with gardens spilling down the hill towards the harbor!  There are paintings waiting at every corner of this place - and this is only my second, and a small one at 7x5.  This painting makes the 1311th in 1311 days :)

Porch Kitty

Porch Kitty
Oil on panel, 10x7
purchase here

This kitty lazily basked in the sun on the porch today, watching me as I worked in the front flower beds.  I cleaned those beds for hours, and there is still so much left to do.  The mulch that I picked up after the gym this morning, had been wet and was still partially frozen inside - so you can imagine how heavy they were!  It was all I could do to lift them out of my trunk - and my lab helped, biting holes in them as I struggled!  He made sure they were all "open" for me to spread over the exposed dirt!  Crocus, daffodils, jonquils, tulips, hyacinth, and even the garden phlox are all pushing out of the ground now!  Painting number 801 in 801 days.

Charlie in Graphite

Charlie in Graphite
Graphite on bristol, 9x6
purchase here

Graphite and paper are, perhaps, my first artistic love.  I remember picking out pencils from a small cardboard box on the little child's desk at my grandma's house.  It was right beside the large antique white stove in the kitchen, looking out of one of the windows.  There was always a Big Chief pad of paper inside that desk - waiting for me to create my childish masterpieces.  Grandma loved everything I drew, from little "Snoopy" cartoons to the old barn in the side yard.  When I pick up a pencil, it is as if my mind disengages, and the drawing materializes without thought.  I love the very act of drawing, it is so personal, so intimate......like my very soul is pouring out onto the paper.  Reveling in my roots today, this is artwork number 694 in as many days.

Orange Cat

Orange Cat
Oil on panel, 12x6
sold

After the seven landscapes of the weekend, I am switching gears today and painting this little darling.  Not one of our cats, I came across the reference photo while looking through pics of Defiance, Missouri.  Taken on the back porch of the Robin's Nest, "Harley" was stretched out like a king with the sun at his back.  After laying in the paint with my brushes, I next went to my palette knife.  I think this is the first time I have used a knife on an animal portrait.  I wanted thick, juicy paint for this darling - and what better way to get that than the palette knife?  I can skim new paint over the previous layer without disturbing what is below it.  It feels good to get away from architecture - even though I enjoy it.  The soft, furry lines of the cat are welcome relief indeed!  This painting makes 624 in as many days and Day 14 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Butterflies in the Yarrow

Butterflies in the Yarrow
Watercolor on paper, 7x10.5

The purple yarrow in the front flower bed is bursting with blooms today!  Unable to resist the beauty - I am trying this in watercolor.  I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one.  I like the flow and the colors, but I am missing the texture of the thick, buttery oils today - or maybe even the molding paste and acrylics.  I have been working in watercolor for two complete weeks, and perhaps it is time to start mixing it up a bit.  This day was very busy - Tuesdays and Fridays are the hardest workout days at the gym, and I followed that with three hours of pool/garden work outside.  Then, I finally found a painting window (instead of eating) before I need to head out to Michael's baseball game.  I guess I could just be tired - it will be a welcome relief to sit in a chair and watch Michael play ball for two hours!  I'll look at this again tomorrow, and try to paint a little earlier in the day!  Painting number 540 in 540 days :)

Hydrangeas by the Porch

Hydrangeas by the Porch
Oil on panel, 11x14

This morning started with a breakfast cooked by one of the civil war men over the campfire.  Eggs, bacon, and ham cooked in an iron skillet - and various sides - so delicious!  After breakfast, it was time to start getting things cleaned up.  Next the organizers came to take down the large tent and the civil war tents were taken down, camp being cleared of all traces of 1863.  With a little more visiting and sharing farewells, it was time to prepare for our next event - a birthday lunch at my Aunt's house for my cousin Stephanie.  Starting to feel a little tired, we headed home for a little more family time on my parent's last day in town.  My oldest daughter came by with her little darlings.  I just got to witness little Alastair's first serious temper tantrum.  It gave me flashbacks of a little darling of my own - Travis, some 22 years ago.  After days of so much non-stop activity, I think it is time for some rest.  Maybe tomorrow.  I started this painting in Fish Creek, and I still want to tweak it a little.  Since time is almost up for the day - this is my 227th painting in as many days.

Confectionary

Confectionery
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Door County Plein Air
Oil on panel, 14x11 - sold

At the top of Cedar and Main Street in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, is this lovely little candy shop.  As I have driven through the villages dotting the landscape, I have noticed that almost every town has a candy shop!  They often don't have grocery stores, but they are covered when it comes to confections.  So many children went in and out of this store as I painted it from the front lawn!  Huge trees sheltered me as I worked, as the constant stream of passers-by chatted and watched me work.  It is such a wonderful environment for painting.  I have met so many wonderful people up here while painting.  This one was bought off the easel - my 206th painting in as many days.

Playing with Kitten

Playing with Kitten
Oil on panel, 12x9

Our little kitten Charlie is the most affectionate cat we've ever had!  He loves everyone - and he is very vocal, "talking" to us all the time.  The boys spend lots of time on the porch, playing with little Charlie.  That kitten never tires of their attention - and the trio is my subject for today.  This is done in oils, starting with the skin tones, and working out from there.  I debated on whether or not to put in the surrounding landscape.  Initially, I thought I would leave it out.  But, as I worked, I wanted the piece to be as truthful as possible, like the sweet memory.  This one makes 40 paintings in a row!