Sunset Over the Missouri River

There's nothing like a sunset quick paint on the Missouri River!  I had scouted pretty far from my car in search of this view. I came to this spot late - because I was in the zone on another painting,  and could not leave it. As I painted, I soon realized I was losing the light - and I hadn't grabbed a light.  When did the sun start setting so early?  Finished or not - I had to pack up and leave.  I could no longer see the colors in my darks.  Despite all that, it is exhilarating to race with the sun for a painting!  Come see this and more at the Parkville Art House on Crooked Rd this Friday, Oct 16 from 6 to 8. Painting number 5033 in 5033 days. 

Sunset in Downtown Fairfield

 

No, I could NOT resist that amazing sunset tonight as we disbanded from our Fairfield PaintOut meeting!  I tried to persuade my artist friends to stay, but one by one they fell away to get to their host homes.  I simply could not leave, so I quickly sketched out the scene with a pastel stick on a gessoed  board. I still had plenty of sunset color in the sky so I quickly set up my easel and slapped on paint as quickly as possible, first the darks then that fabulous color that was still fresh in my mind, though fading in the sky. I won't know until tomorrow how it really looks, when I take it out of my trunk!  It was super fun and I'm so glad I stayed to capture it in oil!  Painting number 5012 in 5012 days. 

Sunset Over the River

 It was so much fun to paint the sunset with my friends along the Meramec River at Cobblestone Lodge!!  I was the first to hike down to the bank, and thought the others might not make it - so I painted fast! It gets very dark down there at night, and I didn't want to make that climb in full darkness.  Within minutes, here come Larry, Jamie, Dennis and Gabriele, driven down on a side by side in luxury fashion!  It was fun to speed paint the sunset together, then we all hiked up and gathered for some fun conversation outside of the cabins Now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Cabin Time

 What fun it was to stay at Cobblestone Lodge during the Steelville Plein Air! After working a mentors for the High School Plein Air for the weekend, we stayed on with about 11 other artists to enjoy this place between paint outs.  We gathered together at night to talk - and T even played her guitar and sang!  It was such a wonderful time of bonding in a beautiful place along the Meramec River!  I just had to paint this sweet vintage cabin and leave it for a gift. Painting number 4907 in 4907 days. 

Sunset Over the Milk Barn

 

I've been playing with watercolor batik again, and I love the process of the layers!  On delicate rice paper I sketch out my scene with an India ink pen.  This is important to maintain the lines through the layers of watercolor and hot wax to come.  Much of the ink will have faded through this process.  I can paint a layer or two outside, but need to go in for the hot wax already warming in a dedicated crock pot. The best part of the unveiling of the painting as all of the wax is removed, and the image emerges.  So unpredictable and invigorating!  I have several in progress now.  Painting number 4798 in 4798 days. 

Cattle at Sunset

 

Sunsets over the snowy landscape are the best, and occasionally the cattle line up to see the show, too!  Well, maybe it was more of a walk to the hay bales, lol.  Though pretty nice in the afternoon, it cools off real fast when the sun drops behind those trees.  Beau is feeling better, and followed me down to see the cows and sketch.  I didn't even know he was there until I turned around and saw him!  I hope he continues to improve, he's been a wonderful painting companion for all these years. Painting number 4775 in 4775 days. 

Sunset Glory

 

It was a lovely sunset, as the first full supermoon of 2026,the Wolf Moon was rising behind me!  I LOVE the stillness of a winter sunset, and oils are my absolute favorite medium to use for this.  I've really been into the ink and watercolor recently, so this return to a medium I love is so rewarding.  Our day was full of family and farm chores, dragging those fallen trees to the burn pile until it was just too dark to find them in the woods.  A quick paint and I finished the day with a bowl of Calico bean soup by the fire, and watched the rise of the wolf moon.  Then, I ruled the night of Kings on the Corner, lol. Painting number 4750 in 4750 days. 

Chicken Coop!

 

I'm thankful for the wonderful year we've had, full of so many family adventures!  This time last year, I never would have dreamed we'd bring chickens and this beautiful coop into our lives.  With a little coaxing from the kids, we opened a new chapter.  We traveled so much this year, and i painted every minute I could, finding new favorite places along the way.  I'm looking forward to unwrapping all the magic the new year holds, one special day at a time.  Wishing you all a Happy New Year's Eve, full of family, friends and fun!!  Painting number 4747 in 4747 days. 

Ponderosa Pines Mini

 

This miniature painting of ponderosa pines is now showing in the gallery at Powell Gardens.  The fountain pen is one of my newest, a TWSBI Diamond, filled with my favorite black ink.  Sadly, my white TWSBI Diamond dropped from my hand into my cushioned mat, bending the nib slightly.  I haven't had time to order a new nib, so I filled this beautiful pen with the ink I use the most.  This pines are a request, so I hope they'll find a new home soon!  Painting number 4700 in 4700 days. 

Sunset Geese

 I am currently mentoring at the High School Plein Air hosted by the Streelville Art Council, and am having so much fun!  For my evening session, we divided our time in half to paint both a sunset and a nocturne!  The kids did marvelous paintings for each, and learned some new skills, too.  We're at Camp Brim Shire, and have had so much fun exploring the whole place with paint!  Painting number 4653 in 4653 days. 

Sunset Over Main Street

 

I LOVE painting on Main Street in Fairfield - especially at night!  Intending to paint a nocturne, the gorgeous sunset drew me right in!  I very quickly sketched the lines, then jumped right to the sunset ablazeI.  The light is so fleeting that I lay in those colors fast and loose, adding more detail as I go.  When all the color faded, i began the buildings, with only a few color notes to guide me.  Before long, I could no longer see the shapes of the buildings, so I called it.  The painting is actually bluer than the yellow street lights portray.  I love the quiet of painting at night - even in town. I'm happy this painting has a new home in the bank on the left, with a couple of mine from previous years!  Painting number 4652 in 4652 days. 

Sunset Glory

 

I painted this one in my hand while dipping my brush into my palette, in my open trunk - there was no time to waste setting up my easel.  Though rather awkward, I painted as fast as I could, pulling the colors up from a dark palette nocturne style, but knowing where they are.  It was dark in my trunk before it was dark on my panel. This was crazy fun and so exhilarating!  There is nothing like a race with the sun! This was a spectacular sunset, and I'm SO HAPPY I didn't miss my chance to paint it!  Painting number 4649 in 4649 days. 

Sunset Over Brush Creek

 

The promise of a glorious sunset was popping. As the color brightened, I started laying in color, quickly.  Sometimes, at this point, I wait a little longer for the intensity to heighten. I thought that I would simply add the color as it appeared.  I really wanted to capture that almost green turquoise in that horizon, so I jumped right in. I'm so thankful that I did!   That color faded in ten minutes, and no additional color rose to the occasion. If I had waited, I would have missed the moment, and that moment held a beauty all it's own. Tonight's lesson?  Seize the moment! It was an honor to win a second placing among my peers in tonight's quick paint! Painting number 4639 in 4639 days. 

Sunset Yoga

 

I love exploring how ink, watercolor, and hot wax play on delicate rice paper.  First, I draw the lines with India ink, then follow with the first layer of watercolor.  Hot wax is added where a resist is desired, and I build the layers from there. Once the crumbling of the wax and last wash of watercolor goes on, I iron off the wax between sheets of paper, this revealing the painting.  I love the very unpredictable nature of this medium. Come see this watercolor batik on rice paper painting at the Harmonie Verein, and take a restorative class at the Yoga Bliss Festival!  Painting number 4596 in 4596 days. 

Glorious Sky

 The golden hour in the Rockies is magical!  Ifind myself pulled to paint he first and last 2 hours of light each day - and I mean compelling need to capture the light!  So, tonight I approach the skyscape with oils, where i can layer up color as it appears. That is something I can't do with ink and watercolor.  I can hardly wait for sunrise to do it all again! Day 2 of my Artist Residency  Day 4547 in 4547 days.  This one is now showing at the library in the YMCA of the Rockies. 

February Sunset

 

Sunset light is so fleeting - each one is a quick paint!  I'm having so much trouble with my cell connection that this will be a quick post, too!  Painting number 5096 in 5096 days. 

Milk Barn Sunset

 

I just couldn't resist a little sketchbook time at sunset - and what a beauty it is!  Perhaps this ink and watercolor sketch would make a lovely larger painting, possibly even in a panoramic format.  I love spending some time at sunrise and sunset, watching and appreciating the beauty of each day emerge and wan.  It's something we started years ago while on vacation, and many is the time we're too busy in our everyday lives.  So, I come again with a conscious intent to bask in these moments, and express my thankfulness in pen, ink and watercolor.  Painting number 5078 in 5078 days.   

Sunset Winter Deer

 

Hooray for snow that doesn't melt on the very first day!!  It's fun painting in the deer that visit every day, and their tracks are all over this space.  I think they walk up past the house from the pond in the back, right along a path we mow for the Sidekick. I think the deer are harmonious in their scene, and i feel like they are the eye candy for those who look closely.  Not enough to steel the scene, but to be the supporting actors to this glorious landscape.  I am again painting over an old panel, bringing this one to a place I'm happy with. Painting number 5072 in 5072 days. 

Sunset on the Snow

 

Time spent out in nature painting is time well spent.  The temps have gone up and it's absolutely balmy here as I work.  The shivering of a few days ago is now a cozy warm.  I must be acclimating to the cold now, and no wind is a blessing!  I've long looked across these pastures to watch the setting sun from the house.  It's a joy to paint it now from a little closer to the woods.  The air is so still and calm, there hardly seems to be any sound and l love the peacefulness of it all.  I'm ticking a few more of my new year goals with this one - spending more time in the woods, and painting more meaningfully. Of the thousands of times I've watched the sun set here, I need to be painting it more.  Painting number 5065 in 5065 days. 

Sunset Sleigh Ride

 

Happy New Year's Eve! I hope you all have an amazing New Year!  Before heading out to celebrate the ringing in of the new year with a family game night, I am sketching a sunset landscape in Sleigh Ride red ink by Diamine, day 15 in the Inkvent Calendar.  The red is lovely and softens when applied to wet areas, getting pretty dark when heavily applied.  It's so fun to play with the inks and pens!  Painting number 5054 in 5054 days.