Lakeside Redbuds

 

What a lovely, warm day for kicking off the Augusta  Plein Air Festival in Augusta Shores!  This balmy day was such a joy to paint in - and those redbud trees were showing peak color down by the water.  After driving in this morning and arriving a little late, we took longer to find our location, too.  Deciding on this lovely scene, I quickly painted in the masses, marking the color to preserve it.  It was wonderful to see so many artist friends and of course, my host family - it truly is like a family reunion!  Painting number 3396 in 3396 days. 

Redbuds on the Trail

As I drove in the back way to Shawnee Mission Park, I knew at once I would be painting redbuds!  They were absolutely popping all along the wooded grounds!  Unable to resist painting the redbuds, several artist friends were meeting on the Gary Haller trail across from shelter 8.  The trees offered a windbreak- it had dropped 10 degrees here from my house - and the sun kept me toasty warm.  It has been such a relief to have my energy back today!  Maybe I will actually get over that silly covid shot!  I blocked this one in quickly while the sun was on the scene, then discovered I didn't have the right color for those redbuds!  I opened a small tube of permanent crimson in my pochade - and it allowed me to mix to the right shade. Magenta would have been perfect, but this is the only time of year I need it, thus did not have it!  I'll correct that for Augusta!  Painting number 3022 in 3022 days.  And tomorrow I might be painting snow with those redbuds!!

Home through the Redbuds

The redbuds are simply glorious this year - and I HAD to paint them before tomorrow's expected rain.  With a lot on my plate today, I painted this one quickly with my oils over a previous vineyard painting, with had a previous lake painting underneath it!  As I recycle my surfaces, it is fun to think one could uncover two former paintings beneath this paint!  I don't keep any records on that, but I do take photos of the ones in painting over.  I'll adjust my blog later to reflect they are no longer available.  The covid year has certainly helped me organize all things, and helped me pare down what I will show currently.  I only want my best work out there, after all.  Painting number 3018 in 3018 days. 

Spring at Crestview Dairy

On such a beautiful day, at such a gorgeous place, how could I resist creating one more painting?  With my silver TWSBI Mini with extra fine nib, loaded with De Atramentis Archive Ink, I sketch the outbuildings and farmhouse before me.  Using my white and rose gold TWSBI with a broad nib for the heavier lines, it is loaded with Levenger's Raven Black ink.  This ink is velvety black and moves with the application of water.  I'm using a handmade paper from Shizen, and the surface feels a little resistant to my watercolor.  The sizing is always different from one sheet to the next on these handmade papers, so I adjust my watercolor use.  I could not get a good photo with the sunlight over my shoulder, so the image is a little washed out. I'll try to get another to add to this post.  This day just about wiped me out!  I wonder how long it is going to take me to recover from that first Pfizer vaccine?  I'm going on 3 weeks now.  Painting number 3016 in 3016 days. 
 

Crestview Redbuds

What a perfect day for painting at the Crestview Dairy!  Day 2 of the Summit Art Plein Air event has it all - soft breezes, warm temps in the 70s, sunshine and the Lee's Summit Symphony playing by the lake!  The spring redbuds blooming pulled me right to this spot - and this is my first from this location.  I'm still recovering from my covid shot over two weeks ago, so I'm slower than usual.  I was able to paint three paintings today before throwing in the towel! Painting number 3014 in 3014 days. 

Redbud Splendor

The redbud trees have been glorious this year!  My grandmother planted this row many years ago, and I look forward to seeing them every season.  Since I'm not on the plein air road yet, I've really been able to enjoy them!  The petals were blowing to the ground as I painted, I sure wish they lasted for months!  Painting number 2674 in 2674 days.

Redbuds and Barn Watercolor

Today's painting class focused on inking a landscape, then filling in with watercolor.  This scene is one of the first I ever painted in Augusta years ago, only the trees are more mature now. Using one of my favorite journals, I first draw the scene with India ink.  This ink Is permanent and does not run with water, though it will fade a bit.   Once the composition is complete, I start filling in with my watercolor, saving the whites.  As watercolor dries, it lightens considerably, so adjustments are necessary.  I like to tweak the masses while they are still wet, allowing the color to mingle in that special way unique to watercolor.  This journal has quite a bit of sizing in the paper, so I will most likely need to rinse out my brushes before using them again.  Painting number 1937 in 1937 days.

unavailable for purchase

Yellow House Redbuds

I have wanted to paint this beautiful farmhouse from the first time I saw it!  This year, the redbuds were in full bloom - and I knew I had to squeeze them into my heavy painting schedule!  I've not hit the redbud bloom here for years!  So, I hiked over and found a nice young man who gave me permission to paint.  As I was finishing up, that same man brought me a boxed bottle of Ruby Norton.  Can't wait to try it with my daughters!  Everyone is so nice down here, just one of many reasons I love painting en plein air!  Painting number 1927 in 1927 days.

Klondike Redbuds

It has been years since I've been able to paint redbuds in Augusta!  This year spring is so late, they are just now starting to pop!  These beauties in Klondike Park are especially picturesque with the bluffs behind them.  I could have used my magenta in these, but I didn't have it in my palette!  So a little alizarin, cad red, ultra blue and white did the trick!  LOVE these blooming trees and I look forward to painting them every spring! Painting number 1918 in 1918 days.

Rainy Day Redbuds

Dark,  rainy days are the perfect backdrop for spring flowering trees!  The redbuds almost glow in such a landscape!  I added permanent rose to my limited palette today,  solely for the redbuds.  I think the color is more true,  with a touch of ultramarine,  to the actual bloom color.  Alizarin alone is not the right shade,  although I have used it when no other color was available.  Spring is definitely the time to pull out my regular palette.  I didn't even miss it most of fall and winter,  but now the color is calling!   It's going to be a little tricky to get all that color on my tiny Altoids palette!  Painting number 1539 in 1539 days :)

Spring at Femme Osage

Spring at Femme Osage
Oil on panel, 14x11

The Femme Osage Creek is such a special place, steeped in timeless beauty!  It winds and twists all through the Augusta region, and I have painted it many times.  Today, I am capturing the beauty of the redbuds as their magenta blooms sparkle against the new leaves of spring.  Often times, these blossoms show up before the green of trees - but not this year! They seem to be “on time” while all other blooming trees were early!  It feels like coming home to paint the landscape in oils again, a wonderful warm up for the plein air days to come!  This painting makes 1195 in 1195 days.

Red Buds in the Peony Garden

Red Buds in the Peony Garden
Oil on canvas panel, 12x9
First Brush of Spring plein air - purchase here

These lovely redbuds were bursting with color on the south side of town in the peony garden. The beds are full of buds, but alas, no peonies yet.  The first painting of the second day at the "First Brush of Spring", the fog was still looming.  A beautiful morning, this painting was a joy to paint.  I have used my new brushes exclusively - which tells you just how much I love them!  I have never felt this way before about a brush - but these little wonders are amazing to paint with.  Thank you to my artist friend, Norma, for making sure I had the rest of them before I left town!  Painting number 840 in 840 days.

on location

Red Roofed Barn

Red Roofed barn
Oil on canvas, 14x11 - First Blush of Spring
purchase here

This fabulous barn in located right next to the park in New Harmony, Indiana.  Heading south out of town to our log cabin in the state park, this scene grabbed my attention as a "must paint".  The day was foggy, and as it lifted we were then "sprinkled on" with a light rain.  I hurried to get oil on the entire canvas, because if it gets wet first. the oils will slide right off.  I tilted my canvas to point downwards a little, until this was achieved.  I then was able to finish normally.  By the time I was done, the sun was out and things were heating up as the temperature climbed to 81 degrees!  I am having so much fun painting in this brand new location!  Painting number 839 in 839 days.

painting on easel - almost done

on location

Redbuds in the Woods

Redbuds in the Woods
Oil on panel, 6x6
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This is my second painting from the Montelle Winery paint-out, where I walked 1/3 of the way down the hill before setting up for a  45 minute painting.  The light coming through the woods cast a warm glow on the ground and illuminated the redbuds.  I used a lot of quick strokes, just trying to get the whole painting mapped in before the time limit.  Therefore, everything about this painting is loose and impressionistic.  Now, I am heading to Michaela's awards banquet for TSA and Michael's baseball game - so I have to go!  Painting number 512 in as many days :)

Augusta Redbuds

Augusta Redbuds
Oil on panel, 10x8

This is one of my favorite places to paint - Augusta, in the rolling hills of Missouri wine country.  This spot is right in town, looking from one of the historic streets, south towards the Missouri River.  Once every few years, the redbuds are in full bloom when I attend an annual plein air event.  I have grown up with such trees and their bright pink burst of color each spring!  I will never tire of painting them!  Painting number 409 in as many days :)

Redbud Rhapsody

I had such a wonderful time painting in Augusta Shores today!  This little piece of heaven is just outside of the front door in my Augusta home at the Curry's.  Sheltered from the rain by the overhang, I painted this view as my first painting of the day.  The redbuds are just starting to show their color - and I have been wanting to paint them for a whole year now!  It has been years since we have caught the redbud bloom in Augusta.  The residents host a WONDERFUL chili supper at the end of the day to celebrate the occasion - with many desserts to top it off!  It is always a premier event in the Augusta Plein Air Event - and SO wonderful to see so many artist friends and catch up!  It feels just like a family reunion!  Of all plein air events - this is my very favorite - the community welcomes the artists with open arms, and the friends we have met through the years are here to cheer us on!  So amazing, I could paint all day and all night in such a setting as this!  This is painting number 105 in 105 days - I know, it just sounds crazy town to me, too!  I just don't know how I've been able to get it done.  It will be EASY these next 8 days :)

Redbud Rhapsody
Oil on panel, 12x16
Augusta Shores Paint-Out

First Redbuds of Augusta

First Redbuds of Augusta
Oil on panel, 16x12

Eight years ago, a dear friend of mine talked me into attending my first plein air event.  Actually, Teddy Jackson had to twist my arm to get me to go for the weekend.  It was so hard to abandon my family and all of my obligations for something so frivolous.  The very first time, we parked high on a hill (where now a fire station resides) to paint the beautiful overlook of hills and farms and vineyards.  It was cold, windy and drizzling - we had to back up under the hatchback of her SUV just to keep our panels dry!  I loved it.  Cold, wet, and shivering, I still loved it.  I was hooked.  I remember Teddy telling me, "If you can paint here, you can paint anywhere!"  She was right!  From 20 degrees to 106, I am out in it - and loving it.  I don't even feel the temperatures while I am painting.  Once finished, I often realize my hands are very cold - and they don't work right!  But, it just doesn't matter while I am in the zone!  I found the photo reference for this work while pouring over old photos.  The very first painting I did on location, I painted in acrylics - and did not get a good image of it.  It was my very first sale in Augusta, to a sweet couple from Indiana - just in town for the weekend.  That very first year, all of the trees were blooming - a perfect spring paradise!  I remember seeing these redbuds in town - and I set up my easel on the street a block to the north, and started painting.  While I worked, a young girl with long, curly hair came over to the center redbud - and started climbing the tree, even hanging upside down from it's branches!  A special place, with special memories........and it was only the beginning.  This painting makes 76 in 76 days :)