Summer in the Vineyard

This is the second largest ink and watercolor painting I've ever done, a companion piece to the one I posted yesterday.  This vineyard is just south of 94 hwy, between Church and Jackson streets in Augusta.  I love how the rows of grapevines lead back to the farmhouse and barns, with a couple of American flags hanging, too.  The vines are filling out, and beginning to drape, which I never see in April!  It is fun to paint this beautiful place, and even more fun to show it at Gallery Augusta!  Love painting those local Missouri vineyards!! Painting number 4256 in 4256 days, and this is another big one at 36x24!

Stone Pillar Vineyard Inked

This glass fountain pen has 5 interchangeable nibs, from super fine to broad.  Drawing with dip pens may look intimidating, but once you know a couple tricks, it really is easy.  The most important thing is to dip the nib into the ink to the top of the well (or hole) in the nib.  As you pull the pen out of the ink, simply draw it lightly against the lip of the ink well.  You will be surprised at how much you can draw with a single dip!  When finished, disassemble the pen parts and rinse in water.  Now, go explore those inks! Painting number 1817 in 1817 days. 

Vineyard on the Farm

Vineyard on the Farm
Oil on panel, 14x11
sold

What an amazing place to spend the day painting!  After receiving an ATV tour of the upper vineyard, I knew I had to paint this scene!  The view was breathtaking.  It had been raining most of the day, but there was a brief break in the weather - and I hiked right up to the top of this hill!  As I started to paint, I heard thunder in the distance.  With my hilltop view, I could see just how far away that rain was, so I kept painting.  I worked fast to get the whole foreground in, right past the house and barn, knowing that if I had to run for cover, I could paint this lower background from the house.  The thunder got closer and the sky darkened.  A few wayward drops started falling, and I quickly packed my gear.  With this set up, I can get out of my spot in two minutes - and I headed for the house.  By the time I got there, big drops were falling, and a heavy rain soon followed.  The Schultz family was so gracious to allow me to paint from the attic window - which allowed me to paint in all of the background, that I had only marked the color for while up on the hill.  I really loved working on this painting, and it was awarded Honorable Mention tonight at Swinging in the Vines!  What an honor!  Painting number 1352 in 1352 days :)

Gateway to the Vineyard

Gateway to the Vineyard
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Nobeleis Winery - Sunset Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Art Event
purchase here

This evening's painting was at the beautiful Nobeleis Vineyard, and was a 2 hour quick paint.  It was heavily overcast, but the rain held off.  I'm not so sure about tomorrow, though!  The moody atmosphere made for a wonderful spring painting of the vineyard.  I was sheltered from the cold wind by the pavilion, and a live band played while we painted - and i love that!  I will have to post the photo of this painting tomorrow, as I left my camera in Teddy's car - and that is where all of my images are!  This painting is number 846 in 846 days.

Up and Away

Up and Away
Oil on panel, 9x12
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This was my second painting started at the Nobeleis Winery sunrise paint this April in Augusta.  This has been one of my favorite events this year and last!  It is the only two times I have been able to paint balloon launches en plein air!  The rumor is that they will not be offering this next year,  I sure hope they do.  At the event, I had only gotten a rough block in done, before time was up and I had to rush off to frame and submit my other painting.  I came across my reference photo for this while looking for something else.  Thinking it is high time I finish this piece, I got right to work on this after class this morning.  I am trying to make a conscious effort to paint earlier in the day (if possible)!  I would LOVE to get one painting ahead - this would allow me the luxury of taking another look before posting, and making adjustments if needed.  Finishing this painting brings back the memories of a crisp, beautiful morning at the vineyards of Nobeleis.  This painting makes 186 in 186 days - and now I am starting on another!

Lift-Off at Sunrise

Lift-off at Sunrise
Nobeleis Winery
Oil on panel, 14x11

The Nobeleis Winery invited the artists of the Augusta Plein Air Festival to come paint the hot air balloons lifting off at sunrise this morning.  We had to check in at 6:00am to start painting (SO early after the sunset paint at Balducci last night!)  The sunrise was beautiful - and the balloons made such excellent painting subjects!  I am so glad to have been able to attend this event! Where else can an artist set up to paint hot air balloons in our region?  This makes painting number 107 in 107 days.  I love painting in plein air :)