Unity Rose Garden

Unity Village in Lee's Summit is such a perfect painting location.  The architecture is fabulous with its wide variety of buildings dotting the complex.  There is everything from the grand chapel to small cottages, all in the vintage style of times past.  While in town to drop off artwork,I stopped by for some quick watercolor and ink work.  With the roses in bloom - I just had to capture this scene.  There are SO MANY wonderful compositions around those fountains!  I will be returning whenever I'm in town, just to capture the beauty! Painting number 1965 in 1965 days.

Old Apple Barn

Old Apple Barn
Oil on masonite, 12x9
Unity Village, Lee's Summit, MO

on location

What a wonderful day!  Invited to lunch at a dear friend's house, we then went to Unity Village to see her paintings hanging in the gallery out there.  Next, we headed over to the old Apple Barn on the Unity Village property - and I set up my easel to paint.  The light was warm and inviting on the face of the barn. The views of this glorious old building were lovely from each angle - but this one drew me right in!  I have lived in this area all but 5 years of my life - and I never knew this barn was out here! What a treasure this place is - and what fabulous weather for plein air painting!  Knocking this one out quickly between the gym and picking up the grandsons - I hope to get the painting image taken before it gets dark tonight (and I did - while waiting for my daughter, I took this image in the trunk of my car)!  There's a bit of a glare on the wet paint, but otherwise it is pretty true.  Painting number 1003 in 1003 and Day 30 of the current 30 day painting challenge!  Woo-hoo! Another painting challenge met and conquered :)

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 :)

Rose Garden Sanctuary

Rose Garden Sanctuary
Oil on panel, 10x8

Today, I am painting the beautiful roses at Unity Village in Lee's Summit, MO.  I can remember walking through the rose gardens on warm Sundays as a child.  I would hold my Mom's hand, and then go to my Grandma's hand, smelling the roses along the way.  My younger brother explored the side paths along the way.  I can remember the feel of my Grandma's yellow dress on the back of my hand as we walked.  She was always so well dressed.  Still and quiet now, these roses have seen many weddings, and witnessed many celebrations.  This place is truly a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of life.  This painting makes 77 in 77 days :)

Light through the Arches

Light through the Arches
Oil on panel, 11x14

Last September, a dear painting friend and I went out to Unity Village in Lee's Summit to do a little plein air painting.  This is one of the reference shots from that day.  I love the architecture out there - it is like traveling to another country to paint!  The morning sun streaming in through these arches instantly caught my attention.  I love the angles and the curves - all working together with the light and shadow, to tell an inviting and peaceful story.  I used to attend this church as a young girl with my grandma, mom, and brother.  I first sketched this scene on the panel, then applied a detailed underpainting.  Once my values were established, I had some fun with the palette knife.  Not nearly as crazy as yesterday, but enough to add to the texture throughout.  I did have thoughts of trying the fracturing technique on this, but the complexity of the composition persuaded me not to!  I think I will try that technique again tomorrow - on something simple, so I don't get in over my head!  Well, this makes 68 paintings in as many days.  Can't believe I am maintaining this pace.  That, in itself, is a miracle.

Fountain at Unity Village

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This beautiful scene comes from the rose garden at Unity Village in Lee's Summit, MO.  The fountain is truly magnificent and towers over the garden below it.  This was really a joy to paint in oils.