Along the River

 

It was worth standing in the full sun to paint this view of the Meramec River from the Cobblestone Lodge beach!  With a painting in every direction, it's hard to decide which view to paint!  The light quality in the Eastern direction called to me, so I chose this for my demo with the High School Plein Air students.   The saturated colors following the rain were glorious - and I get to reap the rewards in paint - and share my process with a new generation. This painting Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and is painting number 4910 in 4910 days. 

Old Mill at Finley's Farm

 

I painted this Old Mill at Finley's Farm with about 700 other artists from an old iron bridge!  We were lined up elbow to elbow by the time I finished! It was SO much fun! I've never painted with so many artists at one time before!  The day was beautiful, everyone visited as they passed by - and fun was had by all.  The wind actually blew a painting from the bridge into the river below - and another artist grabbed it out and the whole place cheered!  How many times does one see that in a lifetime?!! Painting number 4884 in 4884 days. 

Rain on the River

A dramatic sky always grabs me - and this one was no exception.  With an eye always on the sky, I could see clouds approaching on the horizon.  Dodging wind and rain, I knocked this one out quickly before the whole sky changed.  I've lately felt the pull to explore sky paintings more.  Here's the first to upping my sky game!  Painting number 5015 in 5015 days.  

Snowbank Creek

We are so fortunate to have a gorgeous snow that is lasting for days!  This rarely happens in Missouri, the sun comes out and melts the beauty away before I can paint it more than a couple times. So, I am getting out there as much as possible, savoring each gorgeous snow scene I find!  We still have a couple of cold days ahead - so hopefully I'll get a few more done before I'm faced with the browns of winter once more! Painting number 4024 in 4024 days. 

Fishing in the Meramec

 

I love painting along a river, to the music of birdsong!  It is such a peaceful place for reflection. The water babbles gently, and as I sketch, a fisherman enters the river from the bank.  As he walks and casts, I sketch him in to my painting.  Just a moment in time, captured by chance, and a lovely memory of the day.  Painting number 3830 in 3830 days. 

Meramec River inked

 Love sketching by the river in pen and ink! 

Standing along the River

 

I finished this one up just as the sun went down, and  I have never seen the Missouri River so calm!  I drove through here in my way to an artist reception from a paint out, and the light on the bank was glorious! Pulling myself away, I popped into the reception and took a quick spin around the place.  The scene along the Missouri River was calling - so I rushed on back to paint it!  Several artist friends were still there, so I had company as I worked.    This painting now has a new home, too!  Painting number 3767 in 3767 days. 

Autumn River Bank

 This autumnal painting is a very special technique, using rice paper, ink, watercolor and hot wax, layering between watercolor applications, until just the right image emerges.  It is so unpredictable that no painting can be replicated, and therein lies the beauty.  Upon request, I have given a handful of watercolor batik workshops, and now I will show these special paintings at one gallery.  Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve will now show this work exclusively, and I will teach a two day workshop in the medium in March at the Gallery. I'm looking forward to this new partnership, and to painting some local icons exclusively for this gallery.  Painting number 4378 in 4378 days. 

Looking Down the Meramec

The views are always amazing along the Meramec River!  This location grabbed me as soon as I walked to water's edge, so I was happy to find some free time to paint here during my mentorship weekend.  The water is so clear, I love the way the golden of the stones beneath reflects through the water.  The colors in the area are unique to this part of the world, and it is a joy to capture them in oils. I've had such fun mentoring the high school students - I can't wait for my next opportunity to do so!  Their enthusiasm for art inspires me, and I hope to have shared my passion for painting, too!  Painting number 4265 in 4265 days. 

Along the River in Wesco

 

Wow!!  What a fabulous place to paint!  We spent this paint day at Wesco Weddings and Events, and it has everything to offer an artist.  I landed at this spot too late to paint for our daily awards, but was lucky to return to get this painted!  I love the color in the water here, it is so distinctive of the area, and a little tricky to capture.   As we painted, the owner came by to check on things.  Allowing us to paint until dark, they even brought us sandwiches on site - with condiments!  Wish I could paint here every day!  Painting number 4241 in 4241 days. 

Meramec River from Mound Ridge

Oh my what a glorious day for painting the Meramec River in oils!!  After mentoring another group of wonderful young artists this morning in ink and watercolor, it was a "free paint" afternoon for my CO-instructor and I.  Oils were calling to me in this landscape, so I took them down to the river from the sprawling stone lodge.  The colors are so rich right now - truly a joy to capture the beauty with paint.  The bonus was getting to visit and hang out with everyone while painting - since we were all being painted by another artist as we worked!  So much fun to enjoy this space, immersed in paint! LOVE this gorgeous area!! Painting number 4236 in 4236 days. 

Day's End on the Water

I love painting by the water, and with the warmer temps this week - it really feels like summer!  The color is up in the water, with those gold greens just starting to show.  I've been painting en plein air so long, that I can tell the season by the color in creeks and lakes.  I've been painting larger, preparing for shows and galleries.  This one is 18x24, and I just dropped it off at Gallery Augusta today.  Such a great day for dropping off artwork across the state!  Painting number 3067 in 3067 days. 

Huzzah River Autumn

 The Huzzah River is a favorite place to paint when down in Steelville, Missouri.  Known for it's rafting, the banks of this river are fabulous to paint from. On this day, I stayed close enough to the large bridge to duck for cover of the rain started.  It wasn't rain that poured down from the bridge, but road crews cleaning and rinsing the bridge!  That was fun to dodge all the dirty water!  Lol!  Just another plein air adventure!  Painting number 2903 in 2903 days.  This painting is currently available at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.

Railroad Bridge

While in Elmore taking care of errands, Mom and I stopped by this riverside park to have lunch.  Such a gorgeous warm day in the 70s, it was a delight to sketch this beautiful place.  That railroad bridge is part of the North Coast Inland Trail, that I have run so many times.  Our family also used to ride bikes for miles there.  So peaceful here, this river runs right through my parent's old back yard. I have painted it many times, and it is bittersweet to return after so many things have changed. Painting number 2860 in 2860 days. 

Huzzah Valley Morning

I'm so lucky to have an artist friend refer me to this place!  The Huzzah River Valley Resort boasted this gorgeous landscape along the campground, and it was only a short walk down to water's edge to paint!  Arriving early, a few campers were just starting their breakfasts, and the smell of bacon wafted down from their campfires as I painted.  Not a soul ventured down to the water this early, just a pileated woodpecker working on a nearby tree and the occasional fish jumping. I set up on a rocky bar to capture this scene, and was charmed by the babbling water. If only every morning could start like this.  This painting won third place in the "Paint Anywhere" category, and has now gone to auction.  I have thoroughly enjoyed painting Steelville!  Painting number 2768 in 2768 days. 

Early Snow Inked

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So many memories within these walls, and now this chapter is closing.  The river calls me to it's edge, but alas I cannot answer.  Furniture and boxes parade out the door, as we linger and wait.  The trail is calling my running shoes, will I ever run there again?  The movers have left to return again in the morning, so now I take up my pen.  One more drawing as I look down that hill, who knows if I'll paint here again?  Painting number 2518 in 2518 days. 

Mississippi River Overlook

SOLD

The sky color reflecting off the water of this Mississippi River changes with every cloud bank.  What started as slate blue, turned icy, then warm as the sun peaked through.  The current looks rather swift, as movement is continuous on the surface. The trees are just starting to show their fall color, and the temps are certainly dropping!  It always takes me a few days to acclimate, and yes, I'm missing those 90 degree days!  Painting number 2492 in 2492 days. 

Bridgeton Covered Bridge and Mill

I could not believe my eyes when we rounded the turn to see this amazing site!  By far the most beautiful covered bridge and mill I've ever had to joy to see, let alone paint!  Very hungry after ther long drive, my mom Teddy and I stopped at that mill for a late lunch.  Would you believe they had a gourmet cheeseburger with an artisan bun made from their own ground flour?  It was amazing and gave us the nourishment to paint!  It was hot, windy, humid day, and there were plenty of little bugs - and I enjoyed every minute of it! Painting number 2447 in 2447 days.

Snowy River Grays

After a day of digitizing some of dad's home movies, and scanning in old photos, I squeeze in a little sanity time with my brushes.  I love the dark days of winter up here in northwest Ohio.  So different from Missouri, the subtle color shifts inspire me.  And it seems only fitting, as we all adjust to life without dad.  Painting number 2240 in 2240 days.

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Portage River Snow

What a beautiful scene unfolded by the river as the snow began to fall.  This winter in Ohio has been full of these days, and it has been my pleasure to really explore those dark and moody colors.  Sunny winter days are few and far between this close to Lake Erie, so different from Missouri.  I've put my ultramarine violet to good use, using far more this winter than ever before.  My browns ran out early, and I've spent a lot of time with my grays and violets.  I have hardly touched those warm cads - except for those sunset days!  It is so very interesting how my palette changes according to region.  I can only hope to have what I need in Arizona!  Painting number 2237 in 2237 days.

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