Sugar Creek Afternoon

What a gorgeous day for painting at Sugar Creek Vineyard - and the light was spectacular!  Before I landed in this spot, I set up 4 other times in different locations.  First, I was looking up the vineyard trail - but the light was too washed out. Next in the vineyard on the opposite side - but another artist was already heading that way, and the composition wasn't quite right. The next two were two slightly different views of the side of this building with it's umbrellas spreading out like a blanket - but there were already 4 artists working on that view.  Each time I returned to the car, this view spoke to me.  Finally, the 5 time I listened!  I rarely waffle on a painting spot like this, but I think the strong light and shadow here pulled me right in.  Painting number 5035 in 5035 days. 

Ice Melt at the Creek

The sun is helping to melt a little strip down the middle of the creek this afternoon.  It's 9 degrees and sunny, and it feels like a heat wave compared to the recent days.  As much as I love painting those dark, snowy days, I welcome the bright light and shadow on the snow this sunny day!  We may get a little more snow Thursday, but I bet it won't be as glorious as this one!  Painting number 4025 in 4025 days. 

Sunset in the Snow

Though that sun was warm and inviting, it was SO cold out there in the pasture!  I am painting at home with this lovely blanket of snow on the landscape.  My intention was to paint close, and as many as I could.  We hardly had snow last year, and by gosh, I'm going to take advantage of it!  Well, it was SO cold that I only completed one oil painting!  The brushstrokes are loose (shivering?) and I brought out my old friend the palette knife to assist!  It feels so good to be painting in the oil again, especially for those snowy landscapes to come!  Painting number 1822 in 1822 days.

A Walk in the Park

What a gorgeous day for painting!  Sunny, with a light breeze,  and temps in the 70's - this day was made for painting!  I love this view of the park!  There is something so peaceful about a path winding to the lake.  I positioned myself in the shade of another very large tree,  which allowed me to keep palette and panel in the shade. I painted this one small - only 10x8, mainly because the last one I painted here was 30x24!  I can't believe the KC Plein Air ends tomorrow.  I never get to paint as much as I want to when the event is local.  There are just too many obligations nipping at my heals!  Painting number 1584 in 1584 days.  Tomorrow's quick paint is at sunrise!

Currently at the Buttonwood Art Space in Kansas City
purchase here

Step into my Garden

The day's paint out theme was "trees", and we artists were combing the streets of Washington,  in search of the perfect painting.  The third painting of this day,  we had arrived a little late.  With a simple subject matter,  a composition should have been easy to find.  Nope!  We traveled all sides of town before stumbling on this beautiful garden, and once found - it had to be painted!  I set my easel up street side,  under the shade of a Japanese maple,  and started painting.  I completed an ink drawing first,  so the guess work was gone.  The way the reds and greens played off one another was fabulous!  This garden was definitely planted with an artist's eye.  All I had to do was record the color with paint!  Painting number 1572 in 1572 days 🎨

Elmwood in Ink

As I started this rendering of the historic Elmwood Cemetery, my intention was to simply draw this landscape with pen and ink.  As I completed the complex drawing, it seemed to call for some color.  So, I pulled out my classic Prima "Watercolor Confections" pan set, and added a little color with my brush pens.  I can't believe I like this set so much!  I wish I had all of their collections!  They are small, I can pack them in pocket or purse, and who knew I would be so happy with the brush pens?  I thought I could only use my favorite, very pricy watercolor brushes for such work!  Many, many thanks to fellow artist Peggy Wilson for turning me on to these babies!  This painting makes 1449 in 1449 days  :)

Prints and products are available here

Autumn at the Open Gate

I was charging right through that " to do" list today, as the gorgeous weather called to me softly.  Another chore done, the car loaded up for errands, and my tripod practically jumped out of the trunk!  I could no longer resist. I grabbed my new 8x10 Guerilla Pochade, and headed to the old gate.  The light was particularly nice cutting through the trees, so I set up quickly.  Since this is the first time I've used this easel, I had to head back to the house three times for needed supplies!   I think I'll pack it with a Zorn palette, and keep it in the trunk.  I can't tell you the paintings I have missed simply because I didn't have my gear with me!   No more, my friend.  This painting makes 1418 in 1418 days, now back to work!

Autumn at the Open Gate
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

House on the Hill

On the first morning of the Parkville plein air event, I set up on the lawn of the President's house to capture this lovely scene.  I was in the deep shade of a huge maple tree, with gentle breezes at my back.  When I should have been down to take a group photo by the clock, I was up sketching on the hill, and wondering why all the easels were empty!  Already in my "art brain", I charged ahead, marking that light and shadow before it swept across the whole face of the house.  I really do love old, historic homes.  They have a charm and sense of place that a new house never does.  Painting number 1323 in 1323 days.

House on the Hill
Oil on panel, 14x11
purchase here

Leaning Maple

This is my first time up to Gill"s Rock in Door County, and what a treat!  We taught our plein air workshop just above Lake Michigan with the cool breezes keeping us cool.  What a gorgeous day and a talented group of students!  It is so fun to set their paintings come to life!   I almost forgot to pos this!  We'll be getting up at dawn to start it all again!   Painting number 1299 on 1299 days :)

Light on the Urn

After very little sleep last night, we arrived with our workshop students at our loft in Bailey's Harbor.  A little unpacking and introductions cleared the way for a quick nocturne paint.  Even with only 3 hours of sleep, the brushes and paint exhilarated me as I captured the illumination in the night landscape.  It has been a little while since my last nocturne - and boy do I love them!  Now - off to bed!    Painting number 1298 in 1298 days :)

Abundant Phlox

The light from the west is just too irresistible as it spreads across the lawn.   Grabbing my paints, I get this one down before that wonderful golden light fades behind the trees.  This has been a day full of family, friends, a wedding and a reception at the President's Hotel in Kansas City - how could life be any sweeter?  Painting number 1297 in 1297 days.....I think!

Phlox and Redbuds

Every morning as I head to the gym,  I see this amazing landscape and long to paint it.  I almost never have enough time for a painting before the gym, but today I did.  Once I start painting, it is SO easy to get lost in the process, and lose all track of time!   Especially alluring is the play between shadow and light, and I've used only a couple of brushes for the whole painting - except for a little finish work executed with my catalyst. This painting is the 1297th in 1297 days :)

Light on the Trees

Every day, as the sun pushes into the "golden hour", I am drawn to this place.  It is just to the northeast of the lawn between the pasture and the yard.   It used to be the old barn lot, when I was young.  I am mesmerized by the sunlight hitting the trees from the west, and I find myself painting it again.  I know I've done it before, but it's pull is strong, and I must submit!   This may be for me what the lily pads were for Monet.  One day, I may have a dozen paintings of this exact scene in all different seasons.  It is also alluring in the early morning, when the light cuts in from behind the trees, and there is a little clearing right in the middle,  where I could spend all day painting in the shade.  This painting makes 1296 in 1296 days :)

Light in the Woods

After talking to an artist friend of mine at last weekend's art reception, I started this painting out with a sketch in alizarin crimson.  From this unusual start, I filled in the light.  Then the rest came together, but I tried to keep that wonderful hue active in the darks.  I spent hours over the weekend pruning and weeding this area, and it has called me to paint it!  Thanks to Carole McCall for sharing her technique with me!  So fun to try new things!   Painting number 1265 in 1265 days.

Light in the Woods
Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer
Oil on panel, 8x10
Augusta Plein Air Paint Out

We headed out early for the New Melle paint out.  Since we didn't need to check in until 11:00, I found a sweet spot in the shade from which to paint this church on the hill in Defiance.  The historic St. Paul United Church of Christ is picturesque atop this sunlit, spring green hill.  I have painted it from the other direction, but not from this side.  As I worked, two half grown foxes peeked out of the barn, walking around the old car.  They sat in the sun, and didn’t notice me until I stepped out to take a photo of a bluebird perching on the fence beside me!  Love the wildlife I experience while painting in the open air!  Painting number 1218 in 1218 days.

Old Glory on Lower Street

Old Glory on Lower Street
Oil on panel, 10x8
sold

This morning, this dogwood caught my attention as we drove through Augusta.  The spring blooming trees are just lovely all up and down this street!  Waiting for the light to come in from the west, I returned in the afternoon (when most other artists had left this location).  I had to mark the light and shadow quickly, before it moved off of this fabulous dogwood - and then I started in on the middle tones.  This painting was a joy to create - and it already has a new home!  Painting number 1208 in 1208 days :)

Silos and Bridge in Leavenworth

Silos and Bridge in Leavenworth
Oil on canvas panel, 10x8
Leavenworth Paint Out - purchase here

The second painting of the plein air day in Leavenworth, I had left myself only 30 minutes to paint before turn in!  So, fast and furious, I dropped paint into their masses with hardly a sketch to work from.  I set the alarm on my phone for 20 minutes before turn-in, which was my “time’s up” cue to pack up and get to the park.  This painting of the iconic bridge into Leavenworth with the silos in front, is the scene from the park on N. Esplanade, down by the covered shelter.  The shelter offered good shade and a nice vantage of the large cement silos.  I could hear the train running just past the bluff, but I could never actually see it with the heavy foliage between cliff’s edge and

on location

the steep drop to the Missouri River.  Another wonderful painting day, painting number 965 in 965 days.

Among the Persimmons

Among the Persimmons
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Vineyard Hill, Augusta, Missouri - purchase here

Vineyard Hill is a wonderful place to paint - with a rambling creek, lake, high hill and vineyards and barns to paint!  It is a painter's paradise with so many choices, and the hosts are second to none! We were treated to bakery goodies upon arriving, and later, a large pot of chili for lunch! An artist can really get spoiled around here - it truly ruins us for ALL other plein air events!  With so many friendly people, why would I ever paint anywhere else?  So many wonderful memories!  This is painting number 895 in 895 days.

Morning Light on the Lawn

Morning Light on the Lawn
Oil on wood panel, 10x8

The early morning light was SO beautiful, I simply could not resist running outside to capture it! Setting up in the side yard, the long shadows stretching across the lawn is my focus.  I only had an hour before taking Michael to baseball practice, so I had to work fast!  Already the light was changing in the first 10 minutes, so I brushed on the yellow highlights - the most important color of the scene.  Next, I moved to the darkest shadows.  I then worked from back to front, until the surface was covered.  I love this kind of light - I may just be getting out this early every day! This is painting number 894 in 894 days :)

Dogwood on Chestnut Street

Dogwood on Chestnut Street
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Augusta Plein Air Art Festival - purchase here

Arriving in the afternoon, a quick drive around the beautiful vintage town of Augusta brought me to this location, with it's strong light and shadow dancing across the lawn.  I was instantly drawn in.  Setting up my easel, I had an hour and a half before a scheduled social at "Pop-a-Wheelie" on the Katie Trail (which was excellent - by the way!)  I let the brushes do the work, laying in the masses with big strokes.  I am SO happy to be painting on wood this week! Last week I had left my panels behind, and had to paint on canvas for the New Harmony event.  Boy, am I ever appreciating my specially prepared wood panels now!  The next 10 days are going to be amazing in the heart of Missouri Wine Country!  Painting number 845 in 845 days :)