Stone Bridge over Hoppe Springs

I have enjoyed mentoring at the Steelville High School Plein Air SO much this weekend!  This is such a special opportunity for our youth, I wish more art councils would offer this kind of program.  As I travel the country painting, I see many youth centered art classes, but this program benefits the young artists in ways the others do not. Plein Air Artists are asked to mentor a group of selected high school students during a weekend spent at a camping lodge in Steelville. We guide them through 6 different painting sessions in different locations around the property, working on small groups.  They get to explore their new art supplies, working along side seasoned plein air artists. These paintings then culminate in a gallery show on the final day for friends and family.  It is so rewarding to see these artists bloom during these painting days, immersed in nature.  I absolutely love sharing my passion for painting with another generation.  These will be our future plein air artists!  Painting number 4898 in 4898 days. 

Graham Tyler Chapel ATC

On this one I am working in miniature with my favorite TWSBI Diamond Mini fountain pen and my travel sets of Watercolor Confection half pans.  Each time I'm in Parkville, this chapel is one of the first things I see on entering the town. Love the historic character and lines of this beautiful building - and once or twice I've heard the sound of bagpipes usher from it's halls as I painted.  Now, that is amazing!  Painting number 2317 in 2317 days.

Cornerstone Chapel

This chapel was calling my name, long before I got home from the gym.  I've been wanting to paint it, and each time I had a chance, the light was lacking, or time was too short.  With the beautiful sunny day, this was my chance!  I scouted the area a while before deciding on the angle.  I was also tempted by the Feed Store down the street, but it will be best with morning light, so I resisted!  I am using my limited palette of yellow oxide, red oxide, alizarin crimson, ivory black and white, but with the addition of ultramarine blue.  I absolutely had fits last time I was trying to mix green, so I added the blue. This beautiful chapel has 1909 stamped in the concrete over the large window.  I once attended a wedding there, and it was charming inside with the graceful stained glass windows.  I love painting this small town treasure!  Painting number 1513 in 1513 days :)

Waldo Mausoleum

What a special Halloween treat to paint at the Elmwood Cemetery this morning with the Art Mob!   Painting with a couple of my favorite artists and roomies at the ranch, we relived a few of our haunted tales as we worked!   Could anything be more appropriate for the season?  The grounds here are so beautiful - and the autumn color beginning in the mature trees was a joy to capture!   On such an unreasonably warm day, this was plein air perfection......and I think we're in for a whole weekend of such perfection for the fall foliage workshop!!  Painting number 1388 in 1388 days :)

Oil on panel, 9x12
purchase here

Through the Garden Gate

The Art Mob met this morning at the Thomas Hart Benton house for our monthly paintout, before a little lunch at Q39.  It was amazing!!  His studio was in the stone carriage house, converted just for his needs many years ago.  All furnishings are original, just as if he and his wife left the house one day, and did not return!  All brushes, paints, sketches and supplies are dotted around the studio in various work areas, just ready for the artist's return.  Frames hang from nails on the walls.  The grand stone home was beautiful, inside and out, with an elegance from the 19th century.  The grounds are lush, with a wonderful dappled light that spilled through the trees.   It was magical.  The whole space exuded creativity.  It was really a treat to paint in such a special place.   Painting number 1357 in 1357 days.

Waterfall by the Bridge

Waterfall by the Bridge
oil on masonite, 10x8
Seven Bridges Paint-Out

In the last 45 minutes of time left in the paint-out, I headed out to paint just one more painting!  The late afternoon light was beautiful as it hit this landscape!  With only a fast sketch, I started laying paint quickly with large, loose strokes. In such a short time, there can be no planning, I simply responded to the scene before me with paint. This is a great exercise in getting to the "meat" of what draws me to paint in the first place!  I should do this more often, because I like the spontaneous feel of this painting!  Painting number 1016 in 1016 days :)

Historic Courthouse

Historic Courthouse
Oil on panel, 11x14
Independence Paint Out

On location

The Independence Paint Out was a quick paint celebrating the one year anniversary of the Truman Courthouse restoration.  It was fun to walk through the halls, one room is full of Harry S Truman memorabilia  while another has a gift shop.  There was a youth division paint out as well for ages 14-18, and Michaela and her friend Clint participated.  Michaela's charcoal drawing was awesome - and Clint had a good start on his painting, but two hours was just not enough time.  Even the seasoned artists agree with the time issue!  It was dark when this photo was taken, and the glare from the flood lights reflects off the surface.  It is always so fun to paint with fellow artists - and extra special to have Michaela and Clint there too!  This is painting number 729 in as many days!

Bridge in Autumn

Bridge in Autumn
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Some days it is just hard to focus.  I took a kinesis class Wednesday morning, and all seven classes since then have been SO much harder!  Piyo class this morning just about did me in!  With muscles so sore, I have persevered through the housework, and the countless chores of every day.  I am pretty obsessive about all things being done before I paint - since painting is a reward!  So, finally getting to my easel, I was at a loss of what to paint.  Several big projects are waiting in the wings, but I needed something smaller for my little painting window.  This is what I decided on - and it was hard to stay on task.  Perhaps tomorrow I should get back to drawing - where I don't even have to think!  Graphite truly is the best therapy - and maybe ditching the housework!  Painting number 693 in 693 days :)

Through the Stone Arch

Through the Stone Arch
Oil on panel, 6x6
Palette Knife

On this beautiful day, I am playing with my palette knives and color on a landscape from Unity Village.  There are so many wonderful places to paint out there - the cool stone work and architecture is so alluring!  I first scrape on a thin layer of paint for my block-in, then lay down additional, thicker layers with the various knives - just skimming the surface of the layer beneath.  As I start the foliage - I remember that I just broke my favorite knife with the narrow tip!  Shoot!  No other knife will make the same marks for me!  I will have to get to the art store soon to replace it!  It is fun to push around the thick paint, and I am "pushing" the colors here, too - looking for the hues that may not be so quickly seen at first glance.  This painting makes 527 in 527 days.  Now, off to dinner with friends :)

Nightfall at Traditions

Nightfall at Traditions
Oil on panel, 9x12
Old Town Overland Park

Tonight, three of us went out to old town Overland Park to paint a nocturne.  This spot was one of three we had narrowed down.  There is something magical about painting a nocturne.  When I started, there was still light in the sky.  I like to pick a spot where I can paint under a street light, and a white light is better than the yellow ones.  There was only one street light in line with the view I wanted, and this one was yellow.  It is a very windy night, so I had to secure my panel well to the easel.  By the time I had finished the painting, I could no longer tell the hue of my darks, only that they were dark.  Neither could I tell the true color of my lights, only that they were light.  I love the whole process of painting a nocturne - it is like a mystery!  I do not know what I have really painted until I bring it into the light!  This painting is a happy surprise!  I can hardly wait to go and paint another nocturne!  This painting makes 146 in 146 days.