Morning on the Farm

I have wanted to paint this beautiful barn since I first saw it on my way to Rosebud. I could not have imagined I would be invited to paint this very place!  Lovely from all directions, the light was best from this one. Though I would love to paint the sunburst on the other side of the barn - the light was too direct with no shadows to draw the eye through the painting.  A perfect day, perfect light and a perfect scene - this was a lovely plein air day!  Painting number 3943 in 3943 days.  So happy this painting has a new home, too. 

Morning on the Farm

I'm so happy for the invitation to paint this lovely farm in Rosebud!  I met the owner, Bob, at my host home last night where he entertained us at the piano after our quick sunset paint along the lake.  What a lovely evening!  He has even inspired me to get back to the piano, too.  The morning light here was glorious, and I've wanted to paint that very unique roofed silo for years! Yay for getting that done and I love that this painting has a new home, too! Painting number 3939 in 3939 days. 

Red Barn Reflections

 

It feels like stepping back in time to paint the vintage farms of rural Van Buren County, Iowa!  The barn and silo reflecting on that water was irresistible, and it was my first paint upon arriving at this place.  Battling the bugs to get it done - it was worth every minute of it!  Who knew it would only be the beginning of "bug week"?  Every day is a plein air adventure - and cougars and elk would be next up for wildlife sightings!  I love getting to paint these special places in the heartland! Thank you veterans, for the freedom to do so!  Happy Memorial Day!  Painting number 3793 in 3793 days. 

Evening Barn on the Water

This morning's 'nocturne surprise' was a good one!  One never knows what will come out of the trunk after painting in the dark!  I just couldn't resist those reflections on the water!  I had hardly set up on the back side of the pond when bugs invaded my space!  Gnats were everywhere to welcome me - so I grabbed my pochade quickly and jumped in my car.  I had to get out twice to get the gear I needed, each time letting in bugs.  With my pochade on my lap, I painted as fast as I could before my light was gone, using only one easel light on low.  With the scene so dark, I couldn't have the car on, and didn't want to draw even more bugs, lol. Another buggy plein air adventure, but I'd do it again for a scene like this!  Painting number 3790 in 3790 days. 

Missouri Barn and Silo

It was so fun painting the Missouri Barn and Silo at Powell Gardens!  I couldn't resist the challenge of all those geometric shapes, so I sketched them in ink and filled them with watercolor!  The closest beds were zinnias and Lantana, all freshly planted.  In a few short weeks this place will be in full bloom, and I hope to return to see the glory.  Painting number 3780 in 3780 days. 

Living Water Farms

This was our second attempt to paint this place - and I'm so glad we found a good way in!  We attempted it from the south on Thursday, but the heavy rains caused rushing water over the road.  What a treat to drive in and find such a lovely place!  The dramatic angle of the architecture sweeping down the hill was irresistible!  Families played in the water, fished and picnicked all day on the grounds, visiting as they walked by.  I set up on this rather step hill, close to the lake, and loved every minute of my time here!  Painting number 4230 in 4230 days. 

Spring Rain at Crestview

When the day started cloudy and gray - I knew I wanted to take my fountain pen inks!  Making dramatic shifts between masses, I dropped in ink with a dropper, then floated in water with a wash brush. I took a small glass dip pen and 3 other fountain pens with different colors of inks loaded. I was sheltered from the gusting wind, so those wet inky puddles could dry without being blown right off the paper!  So unpredictable, it was exciting to watch the ink do it's magic as I worked on the next mass.  I'm known for keeping everything clean, but tonight I'm sporting a little garland ink on my fingers from the dropper spurting erratically!  I may have to wear it off, or maybe try bleach next!  I know it's crazy for an event, but some days you just have to jump in boldly and embrace what drives you!  Painting number 3383 in 3383 days. 

Sister Bay Barn in Watercolor

I've not used my watercolors for a while, and yesterday, I could have used them in the field.  So, today finds me filling in ink drawings with color!  Sometimes, I only have time for a sketch, which I can come back to later, if I choose.  This is one of my favorite journals, and I especially love the rough texture and how that paint glides over the surface.  The sizing is a little thick in this particular journal, so my watercolor brushes are far more effective than the brushpens.  When I use the brushpens, I need water handy to rinse out the gunk periodically.  I sketch in my line drawing with India ink, which is waterproof, and then follow with paint.  I'm using my watercolor confections for this.  They are small and can be slid in a pocket for in the spot plein air.  I almost never get out my Daniel Smith's now, strictly due to the convenience.  I'm having so much fun, I think I'll do another!  Painting number 1768 in 1768 days.

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Rogersville Farm

Rogersville Farm
Watercolor on paper, 10x7
purchase here

I have never been to Rogersville before, and that was the location of our first two baseball tournament games today!  Facing one way was the ball field, and right behind me was this little slice of heaven!  In between games, I was able to sketch this out - and could hardly resist pulling out my paints to get started!  None of these parents know that I am an artist, and certainly the locals would think I was crazy - so, I waited until I got back to the hotel before laying down those paints.  Still so fresh in my mind - I was finished in minutes.  One the next hill over, another glorious farm awaits my paints - complete with cows!  Still too wet to sign - this painting makes 902 in 902 days.

Clouds Over the Farm

Clouds Over the Farm
Oil on panel, 7x5

When I start a painting like this one, I sketch it out first with a pastel stick, even marking the position of the clouds.  In this case, my panel is primed a pale yellow - which is a good color behind the clouds.  I can leave as much of this color showing as I want - which I couldn't do if it was a pumpkin orange.  When I start painting the sky, I do so by negatively painting the clouds.  Laying in all of the background color before the first cloud shade is applied.  I find that my clouds are so much more realistic when painted this way.  Finally, I make sure the color harmonizes between sky and field.  Painting number 804 in 804 days.

Snowy Creek Barn

Snowy Creek Barn
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 5x5
bid here

I am running out of painting surfaces!  For a daily painter - this is not good at all!  I much prefer having 12 in each size I may want to paint in, so I can simply pick up what I want, when I want it.  I am getting so low, that now my surfaces are dictating to me how I should compose them!  Yikes!  One more thing to squeeze into my super full schedule!  This peaceful, winding creek and barn are my chosen art therapy of the day.  With family over all day, I have come to the easel late indeed.  Without a plan in my mind's eye, I let this painting unfold naturally.  Colors guided me, working from the background forward, and finishing with the palette knife.  This painting makes 746 in 746 days, Day 15 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  I still have much to do before bedtime.........

In Balducci's Vineyard

In Balducci's Vineyard
Oil on panel, 14x11
Balducci Sunset Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Festival

In the last 8 years that I have been coming to paint the sunset at Balducci's, only a couple of those evenings have been warm and beautiful.  Tonight was such a night.  All day, I had been thinking about my spot.  I really wanted to go down into the vineyard to paint. The view is amazing with the vines in the foreground, and the barns and house in the background.  I set up my easel and painted alongside three other artists.  We visited as we worked, making time fly.  I finished an hour early and turned in my painting, which allowed me the opportunity to watch some of my friends paint!  Painting number 486 in 486 days - I must now get to bed before I fall asleep on my laptop!

Early Morning Barn

Early Morning Barn
Oil on panel

After a 12 hour drive today, I am making this a quick post.  This is one of my favorite styles to paint - and one commonly found dotted along the Missouri countryside.  I passed SO many wonderful barns all through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri - and took photos of as many as I could!  One day this week, I'll have to go through them and pick out a few more to paint!  This is my 275th painting in as many days.  After waking at 3:00am, I am SO ready to get a good night's sleep!

Door County Farm

Door County Farm
Oil on panel, 8x6

While plein air painting in Wisconsin, we came across this lovely farm across from a wonderful pottery gallery.  The setting was picturesque, barns and house sitting on top of the hill, with  meadows spread out around them.  What is it about farms that is so calming to the spirit?  I have arrived home late from a family day at the Sea Life Aquarium and Crown Center, so I am painting small tonight - and using impressionistic strokes.  With just minutes to spare - here is my 217th painting in as many days.

Balducci's Barn

Balducci's Barn
Oil on panel, 18x14
Balducci's Sunset Paint Out

This is the first time I have painted this beautiful barn from the front.  I am normally down the hill, near the pond or in the vineyard, looking at the back side if the barn - with the sunset behind them.  The weather was chilly - but not nearly as cold or wet as last year - another gift!  We had an early dinner here and a glass of wine before setting up our easels.  It is such a nice way to begin a paint!  This is painting number 120 in 120 days.  Tomorrow - I hope to be painting in the mountains :)