Roses over the Fence

 

When I saw the roses spilling over that picket fence - I HAD to stop and paint them!!  This place always captures my artistic eye when I'm in Fairfield, Illinois.  The Victorian on Main is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast full of charm and culinary delights - and a lovely place to visit!  I knew I would use oils for this lush garden scene, and I sketched it on the panel with a paintbrush, and started laying in those lights, darks, and central colors where I saw them.  It was a cool morning, so standing in the sun to paint this warmed me up after an early morning paint in full shade.  It is so inspiring to paint a place like this - I lost track of time a little!  What better way to spend a couple hours than painting such beauty?  Painting number 4351 in 4351 days. 

536 Clinton

The charming small town of Elmore has so many wonderful, historic homes!  This beautiful place is the Victorian home of old friends, and I'm painting it for them while Mom and I are still in town.  The weather has been gorgeous - 80 degrees today - which is a gift for Northern Ohio in November!  There is still autumn color holding on here, and it makes the perfect landscape for this beauty to shine!  A funny little thing about this painting?  I've sketched on the "original porch" from an old photo, which is what will be added back on to this place.  It was just a little challenging from such an old, dark photo - but you know I love a challenge!  So happy to get to visit with friends, too!  Painting number 2861 in 2861 days.