Milk Barn in Winter

Sometimes, I first work out a painting in a sketch, then transfer what I learned into a larger painting.  This is the same location I painted yesterday in my sketchbook in ink and watercolor.  The paper was very rough leading to a fresh and energetic painting.  Longing to work in oil, I chose a smooth panel to paint my composition onto.  The painting seems to unfold effortlessly, because yesterday's effort is still fresh in my head.  The snow is melting as the temperature rises, and I am making the most of it while I can!  Time spent in nature painting is time well spent indeed.  Painting number 5080 in 5080 days. 

Jacaronda Snow

What fun to explore this Jacaranda ink from the Inkvent Calendar!  It's a wonderful ink to use on the winter landscape - especially a snow-covered one!  Many of our cedars have grown so tall, they make majestic subjects when laden with heavy snow.  I can remember the days when I had to hunt for baby cedars back in the woods, and they were scarce.  One by one I brought them to the main part of the property, where a few have multiplied to more, and they grow more stately every year.  I didn't know back then how much I would love painting them one day.  Painting number 4032 in 4032 days.

Snow at Winding Creek

 I love the drama of dark January water in the snowy landscape. Only during this time of year are the creeks black against the ice and snow. The light warmed slightly as I painted, twilight approaching. What a blessing this snow has been, one that keeps giving me drama to paint like this each day. I am going to miss this snow when it is gone, to return the the browns it leaves in it's place. It has been a day of solace and rest, and restoration when surrounded by this  Painting number 4031 in 4031 days. 

Home Through the Snow

It has been so long since we've had a heavy snow like this!  This winter wonderland won't last long here in Missouri, so I must paint as much as I can to take advantage of it!  I got out early before the wind brought in three colder temps. We're going down to record lows tomorrow, with windchills in the -30s! So tomorrow will probably find me painting from shelter! I do love exploring the beauty of snow in paint! Painting number 4022 in 4022 days. 

Warm Light on Winter Creek

Oh. how I love a gorgeous snow along a creek!  Warm light cast on the background trees and water as the clouds lifted. No wind and temps in the mid 30s made for a lovely plein air day.  The birds were singing as I worked, and the time spent in nature soothes my soul.  I'm so lucky to spend this time outdoors with my paint. Painting number 4020 in 4020 days. 

Snow on the Hay Bales

What should have been rain turned early to snow - much to my delight!  As I took care of daily chores, I kept an eye out for snow accumulation, checking the light and chroma for optimum painting time. Waiting as long as I thought I could to get the job done before dark - I almost waited too long!  I will need to add a better photo tomorrow in daylight, because the colors are not true in this pic.  It has been SO appropriate that the weather is mirroring my soul.  I've been blue since we moved our youngest to his own place in Saturday, and the skies have been crying since.  He's so excited to take this step, and of course we are beyond proud of him, but this Mama's heart just wants it's babies near, no matter how old they are.  Almost blizzard conditions expected tomorrow, and then an Arctic Blast, so I hope to paint dark, snowy scenes all week to match the very heart of me.  Painting number 4018 in 4018 days. 

Cedar in the Snow

What a treat to get accumulating snow earlier than expected!  After shipping a painting and picking up work at Powell Gardens, I still had daylight to get this painted before dinner!  With such a beautiful snowfall, it was hard to come inside - I just wanted to paint more paintings!  Tomorrow will be a sad a busy day - our youngest is moving out.  Though I'm happy that he's so excited, I am going to miss his smiling face each morning before he heads to work.  Perhaps I'll find some solace painting in the snow.  I hope it stays for days, I'm going to need a LOT of solace. Painting number 4015 in 4015 days. 

First Snow at Yellow Barn

Painting on a snowy morning is one of the most peaceful experiences.  All is still and the air is crisp, snow crunches underfoot.  The sun warms my back as I work, and I turn to face it every so often.  There's almost no wind this morning, and the paint time is delightful.  This early snow makes Christmas feel near, and the beauty around me is invigorating!  I hope there is more snow coming soon, I can hear the dripping as this one melts!  Painting number 3973 in 3973 days. 

Snow at the Blue Barn

A beautiful blanket of snow arrived overnight, covering hill and dale.  Rushing my morning work to get out and paint, I found the sun warm and the wind calm.  The cedars catch the snow so gracefully, it makes me so happy to have nurtured them to this size, to be painted.  All I plant and cultivate here is with an eye to future paintings.  I can already see them in my mind, and all I have to do is work toward that vision.  Painting number 3972 in 3972 days. 

First Snow on the Cedar

Today, I'm thankful for an early snow to paint - and I simply love painting our winter wonderland first thing in the morning! In fact, I skipped the gym to paint this alarmed by the dripping from my eves.  This gorgeous blanket of snow was destined to be short lived, with temperatures hovering above freezing, so I HAD to paint it while I could!  It was still snowing and rather dark when I started this painting, and only at the finish did the skies brighten up. I'm so glad I didn't wait to paint - this landscape was completely different just hours later.  Lovely gift to behold as I'm thinking ahead to Christmas cards!  Painting number 4394 in 4394 days 

Home for Christmas

Last year was the first time we put Christmas lights on this Alberta spruce, and our family celebrated "Outdoor Christmas" in honor of covid.  We lined the covered bar with crock pots full of food and had a campfire and a stove fire going for warmth.  With ink and watercolor I sketch out the scene, choosing a winter snow instead of autumn color.  I might just paint this scene for my Christmas cards this year!  Painting number 3226 in 3226 days. 

Rural Creek

Love how the north side of this wooded hill hangs on to that snow!  As a daily painter, I know all the local spots, and just how the snow will melt.  This secluded little spot in the woods will still be lovely when there is hardly snow left in the surrounding areas. So, with ink and watercolor I do a quick sketch on 3x3 handmade paper.  This fountain pen is a TWSBI Eco in rose gold and white, and I've used one of those very compact strip watercolor palettes that fits neatly in my pocket.  So easy to paint anywhere with a pen, strip palette and water brush pen. A few pieces of paper and I'm good to go!  Painting number 2943 in 2943 days and day 29 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Winter Curve of Creek

Today finds me playing with composition to up the drama on this lovely winter snow scene.  When returning to favorite painting spots, the challenge is always there to find a new way to capture the scene.  I often look to composition first, changing the orientation, scale, or focus.  Sometimes, the sheer difference in light is all I need.  Each season offers different foliage in height and color, altering the painting drastically from summer to winter. Much of these creek paintings I love to do in winter are hardly visible in summer, as all the brush crowds in.  I love exploring all the possibilities, one painting at a time.  Painting number 2941 in 2941 days. 

Red Roof Barn in Snow

The palette of winter is soft and earthy, a challenge every day to find it's true colors.  The shifts from warm to cool are subtle, and reflected light is everywhere as it bounces off the snow.  I brought all four of my new Richeson browns loaded on my palette, when I headed to Ohio.  I'm now out of them all.  I am once again mixing my browns, mindful of my favorite colors, to make them last.  The ochres, blues, and violets are prevalent in this landscape.  I lost the light before truly finishing, so I will check this again in the daylight tomorrow.  Painting number 2230 in 2230 days.

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Winter Farm on Schultz-Portage Rd

When I run the North Coast Inland Trail, I pass this farm every time.  In all seasons, from all angles on the trail, this place makes a wonderful painting.  I love the wet, dark ground against the melting snow, and the lane leading to the farmhouse.  The otherwise quiet colors of the day pop against the fairground, and my challenge is to really capture those colors with my paint.  My Richeson ice blue has been a "go-to" color this winter, and I'm now officially out of what I brought on my palette!  I only bring a few basic colors to reload when away from home, and they are the primaries.  I really wish I had brought that tube with me!  Live and learn!  Painting number 2228 in 2228 days.

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Turning Creek

Grabbing panels in a hurry before heading to northwestern Ohio, I have a mixed bag of primed surfaces!  I used to use this orange surface all the time, switching to a cool blue tone last year.  With the dark winter landscape as of late, I thought it would be fun to use one of the old orange substrates for such a scene.  It is!  Little bits of that primed surface pop through here and there, giving an energy to an otherwise cold winter scene.  I'm working small today - only 5x7, and using my Guerilla Painter thumb box easel. I love this easel for quick paints and traveling, and I use an Altoid tin for my palette inside.  Super convenient!  Painting number 2223 in 2223 days.

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19025 W Portage River Road S

This house is beautiful from many angles, but today I choose this side.  I'm using my Pilot Varsity fountain pen because I am nearly out of ink in my TWSBI Eco T.  I've also switched to my favorite half pan set of Watercolor Confections after days of using the 42 color set.  I love the richness of pigment I get with these that is lacking in the 42 color set.  I also like the slight shimmer I get from a gold and silver in this set, which I mix into my colors at will.  You really only see it when holding it up to the light, or out on the sun!  A little bit of eye candy for those who REALLY look!  Painting number 2221 in 2221 days.

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Winter Grays

This day started icy, then very gray, next it was snowing so hard the atmosphere turned milky, to peeps of blue sky, then finished with a purple pink sunset!  Of course that had me pulling out extra panels!   I started this one while the snowscape was full of grays.  Clouds heavy and dark added to it's allure.  Wanting to explore the subtle shifts, I choose the quiet plane down to the river.  And while I painted, that river completely iced up!  Another riverside study of nature!   Painting number 2218 in 2218 days.

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