Morning on Sunset Ridge

 

SOLD

It was a lovely afternoon to paint the view from the top of Sunset Ridge. As I was cleaning my brushes, the two horses walked into my scene - and I added them before my last brush was clean!  What a treat to see them in their happy place - and paint them!  On a personal note - I also have a palomino and a black horse, who is a Rocky Mountain horse, so these two reminded me of my own.  It's so much fun to paint a place I feel such an affinity to!  I'm happy this painting has a new home here, too!  Painting number 4912 in 4912 days. 

Clouds over the Water

 

Some days, I've only to look skyward for painting inspiration!  I started working in the garden after the gym this morning, and the hours flew by as Swiss chard and tomatoes found their homes. I like to take my salad outside, to walk the garden as I eat, often finding inspiration to squeeze in a painting before "chicken time". That is when Mom comes by and we let them out for an hour or so, to roam around the yard.  What fun these sweet girls have as they keep close to us in their ventures!  Painting number 4893 in 4893 days. 

Beautiful Sky over Montelle

I love celebrating a beautiful sky with a painting!  There is so much beauty, but I'm running out of panels!  Oils have been on my easel as of late, the juicy skyscapes dictate the medium.  I cleaned my palette (sort of) and loaded my paints in preparation for Augusta.  I even cleaved out my pochade, cleaning abs discarding a few brushes.  I wear them down to nubs before I toss them! I'd like to ship over the housekeeping things, but I am happier in the field when all my tools are fresh and ready.  I'm really looking forward to this upcoming concentrated painting time in the field.  It's been a long time since I've been able to truly immerse myself.  Painting number 5019 in 5019 days. 

 

Dramatic Sky over Mount Pleasant

Hooray for another dramatic sky to paint in a string of stunners!  Looking up is all the inspiration I need to jump into another quick paint!  After last night's late night release of Taylor's newest album complete with a barrage of texting with my daughters most of the night, one would think I'd slowly approach this day.  Nope! I jumped up early and got cracking on my lengthy list of projects to prepare for upcoming galleries and plein air events.  In the middle of all that - streaming Taylor, of course, I found time to capture the beauty in the heavens again.  Just like little gifts offered from the sky, the beauty must be painted.  Painting number 5016 in 5016 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.  

Glory in the Sky

 

I've only to look to the skies above to find such awesome inspiration! So often, I'm too busy to stop everything and paint a gorgeous sky, but I'm trying to be more mindful with my schedule.  Always filling every minute with a many things as I can, I find there really is merit in the here and now, and allowing those things that appear in the moment to REALLY make an appearance.  I let go of time a little, so these opportunities can slip right in, and I can appreciate them completely.  As the color grew in the sky, I knew there were possibilities growing, too.  Beautiful cloud formations abounded to the south where only clearing skies were to the north.  With 3 big brushes, I jumped right into it, painting all the large masses quickly.  Reserving each brush for a color - yellow, blue, and violet, I could didn't waste time cleaning my brushes until I had everything painted - and I saved the green bits until the end, when a dirty brush wouldn't matter.  My paint is getting thick from all my days of painting in the heat. I must clean it up before the next plein air event, but for now I'll concentrate on using it all up!  Painting number 3861 in 3861 days. 

Clear Skies Coming

 I feel like I've been running a race for days now - so I had the tiniest of painting windows.  Using that time for a quick oil study of the skies, I squint down to see the masses and hues, then start adding the color.  When I'm in a hurry, I don't even sketch out with paint - just a fast application of the media.  I want to focus more on cliudscapes this year, so the more practice, the better. Painting number 3372 in 3372 days. 

After the Rain

I am forever drawn to a glorious skyscape!  I don't often take the time to paint them, because it means dropping everything on a time to capture the sky.  So, today I am making that effort, and hope to do more of this.  There's nothing like practice to improve those skills!  Painting number 3370 in 3370 days. 

August Sunset Study

Planning to paint my hydrangea, I started to prep some veggies and wild rice for tomorrow.  One look out the window had me grabbing my paints and turning down burners!  The most glorious sky was unfolding - and the near peak color had me painting fast!   Light is SO fleating at sunset, even if I was painting the eastern sky.  I used one brush per main color, so I wouldn't have to clean any of them until I finished.  It still took me nearly 20 minutes, and it was almost dark before I could take a photo!  I really need to do this often to improve my sunset skills!!!  Painting number 2046 in 2046 days.

A Distant Rain

I love the misty atmosphere that envelops the landscape with an approaching rain.  Up on a hill like this, I can watch that rain for miles as it moves across the prairie.  Every sky is different, and each cloud holds it's own color.  The heaviness is part of that local color, as is the reflected light bouncing up from the ground. This sky has layers of clouds - and even a lovely warm blue behind the cloud show.  Clouds are challenging, ever changing, and the struggle is to capture their color before they are gone.  I think I could paint the sky every day of my life.  Painting number 2036 in 2036 days.

Stormy Evening

Rainy days are made for painting!  From my perch on the hill, I can see the vistas in all four directions.  With everything from clearing sunset to stormy downfall in the skies, all four directions were very different!  Choosing the storm clouds to the north, some of that clearing western light was bouncing off them.  It is always important to work quickly, especially with the fading light.  In this case, I laid in the dark masses first, followed by the mid-tones.  Lightest parts went in next, blending with my brush as needed.  Barely getting this done before nightfall, this is my 2032nd painting in 2032 days.

Starry Skies in Batik

Surprise!   How about a wild and crazy watercolor batik fit tonight's painting?   Inspired by some of the amazing photos of deep space, this painting was a blast to paint!  The stars are flicked on first in hot wax and a small bristle brush.  In layers, I paint from lightest to darkest, allowing the paints to mingle.  This is nothing like my regular batik work - thus making it super fun!  I'll be doing more of these as I prepare for a couple of upcoming workshops.  Painting number 1516 in 1516 days :)

January Sky

The late afternoon sky was beautiful and begged to be painted.  In this painting, I have tried a new color - Sevris Blue by Williamsburg.  The color is rich and the pigment is strong, much like their Indian Yellow.  It bends towards the turquois, and is the middle sky color in this painting.  The Williamsburg paints are creamy and richly pigmented.  I have nine of them, and have yet to try two of them.  On the landscape I painted a few days ago, I used them exclusively. It is so fun trying out new supplies!  This painting makes 1454 in 1454 days  :)

Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Fleeting Light

The sky is full of paintings tonight!  Every direction boasts of another fabulous sunset composition!   I am simply not fast enough to paint the three beauties before me!  So, I will have to paint the others from memory and my photos.  I can only hope to do the landscape justice.  I'm trying a couple of new brushes with this one.  They are the poly tipped filberts by Princeton, and they work like my bristle brushes, only they feel different as they apply the paint.  So far, so good.  I may need to use a lighter touch as the brush seems to push down on the surface a little harder.  I am having fun with these sunsets, this may just be a week of sunsets!   Painting number 1290 in 1290 days :)

Fleeting Light
Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Sunset Glow

Some days, the setting sun is irresistible, and I must go get my paints!  Everything is so lush outside, with all the rain we've had this week!  What could possibly set off this landscape more than a glorious show in the sky?  With so many clouds, I started this one with my gray cloud colors first,  then moved to the violets overhead.  Next, came the lighter hues, followed be the brightest lights.   The landscape was last, since it was important for me to get the sky color in before it was gone!  This painting îs the 1289th in as many days :)

Sunset Glow
oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Glory in the Sky

Some days the clouds move so fast, I could paint several sky paintings - if only I could keep up!  By the time I finished this one facing south, a marvelous scene unfolded in the sky to the north!   But alas, the light was already fading, and I knew there would not be enough time to capture it.  This painting is number 1284 in 1284 days :)

Fleeting Light

Fleeting Light
Oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here

Mondays are extremely busy,  and I had not yet given any thought towards my daily painting.   The house quieted down, the daily chores finished, and I jumped into the shower to unwind a bit.  Once done, I walked out to see the most amazing color in the sky!  With wet hair piled high, I grabbed my palette from the freezer and walked out barefoot on the balcony to capture this fleeting beauty!  Color like this only lasts for minutes, so I worked very quickly.  This photo was taken in very little light, and it was almost dark when I cleaned my brushes.   What a gift to have such a lovely cloudscape dropped in my lap!  Painting number 1252 in 1252 days :)

Clouds of May

Clouds of May
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Whenever there is a cloud show in the sky - I can hardly wait to get to my easel!  The formations are ever changing and irresistible!  I am focusing on the subtle color changes, and applying the paint with only a couple of brushes.  The definition of the distant hedgerow and the meadow are loose, and with soft edges.  The dogs look up at me on the balcony - and don’t know what I’m doing!  So far, the cats have not found me.  That little Wesson just jumped on the lid of my open palette two days ago - and lucky for him, he didn’t pick up any of the paint!  He is notorious for jumping onto easels, and I must be on my guard!  This painting makes the 1232nd in 1232 days :)

Clouds Over the Pasture

Clouds Over the Pasture
Oil on panel, 7x5

After realizing how difficult running was after a *surprise* running class at he gym, I added running to my schedule.  Not much, just a mile run, four times a week.  Well, what I had forgotten from high school is that I love running and I really love that “runner’s high” that sets in and lasts for hours.  I am hooked!  So, by the time I came to my *new* easel this afternoon, euphoria abounded and I looked to the heavens for my muse.  I added a few extra paint tubes to my box, as well as business cards.  I am gradually adding the few things I will need when painting at the Stems event, which starts on Friday.  We’ll see how this new set up works out for events.  I have never wanted to carry a backpack, I am simply not a backpack kind of girl.  So, having a detachable tripod will be a challenge to carry, sans backpack - although I think I have the canvas case it came in.  Painting number 1231 in 1231 days, and I think I will actually have time to paint another today!

Skies of May

Skies of May
Oil on panel, 7x5

With rain moving in and out of the area, the sky has been a constant display of racing clouds.  Taking a little time to get those colors down, I am making the effort to really concentrate on the heavens for the next month or so!  I want to pop out at sunrise, sunset, and everything in between, to capture the skies in all their varied glory!  I find sunrise and sunset particularly challenging, so hopefully I can get to my paints during those times.  I am painting small, which I haven’t done for weeks!  At only 7x5, the colors and values are king, with little room for details.  Who was it that recently told me simple was best?  A wonderful exercise - and I have got the hill top view in all directions, so I am going to master these skies in no time!  Painting number 1225 in 1225 days.