Stella and Me atc

 

LOVE sketching on the streets of Sainte Genevieve - and grabbing lunch here!!  This is the very first place we lunched at in this town several years ago, and we had a lovely meal and conversation after a long drive. I return several times a year for gallery openings and Art Walks, when featured.  This weekend was my Watercolor Batik opening at Silver Sycamore Gallery, and i made an appearance with the new copper pieces opening Saturday, at Music Art Love.  Here, in my free time, I am sketching up and down my favorite streets! This miniature painting is now showing at Music Art Love!!  Painting number 3731 in 3731 days. 

Painting from the Point

Painting from the Point
Oil on panel, 12x9

Since Teddy had an easel disability today - we stayed on the point for both paintings of the Augusta Shores event. Once the sun had appeared, I found a place under the deep shade of a red cedar to set up my easel.  As Teddy framed her first piece, I really got into the zone - completely forgetting that I was to turn in my first painting in only minutes!  The sky was changing so quickly, that I wanted to get all sky and water color blocked in while the formation was so fabulous!  Once done, we ran our paintings up to the Berg House - and rushed back to finish up this second.  I had first intended on paint the boat by the water, but Teddy’s umbrella demanded to be painted!  What a fun day - and only a couple of sprinkles in a day calling for rain!  Painting number 1206 in 1206 days.

Blue Umbrella Cafe

Blue Umbrella Cafe
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Oh my gosh!  This was such a challenge!  I think cafe scenes with people, chairs and umbrellas are SO HARD to paint successfully, and I really want to master this - so it is my subject du jour!  I started with my block in, and I had to keep correcting shapes and angles all through the process.  I had trouble seeing each plane as it really was.  With such a complicated composition, my left brain kept feeding me all of this linear information, which was completely wrecking my “painting all the masses” method.  I am not yet happy with this, but I have to start somewhere.  I will look at it again tomorrow.  I already think I need to pop all the lights, and loosen some of the edges on the main umbrella.  I think I’m going to need to paint a month’s worth of cafe scenes before I get them right.....and I’m already dreading the work.  Oh why didn’t I draw butterflies in pen and ink today?  I should have listened to my inner voice!  Grueling painting number 1170 in 1170 days.

Nightfall at Kate's Coffee

Nightfall at Kate's Coffee
Oil on panel, 12x9
Nocturne Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This cute little coffee shop in old town Augusta was the place to go for great drinks and food!  The nocturne paint-out was a new addition to this year's event - and it was super fun!  It was a quick paint - under 2 hours to pick your spot and get that panel covered!  I loved how the light spread out from the windows and lamplights at the door.  I had a pretty cushy spot, sheltered from the wind by an outbuilding - and the light just over my shoulder from the same building was enough to paint by.  This was a complicated drawing for a quick paint - but once again - I threw caution to the wind and painted where my heart lead me!  Painting number 490 in 490 days - only 10 more days to 500 in a row!