Bible Point Sketched

On this morning, I started on a sketch walk on part of the Y-360 trail that I had not yet hiked.  This is my first sketch on the back side of Bible Point, on my way to the Overlook Chapel.  There is a cross and a mailbox visible at the top of those rocks, where one can leave prayer requests and sign a book.  The mountain view is stunning from that peak, truly a view that inspires reflection and gratitude.  This sketch is painting number 4566 in 4566 days. 

The Window Trail

My very first time to visit this part of Texas has me sketching near the visitor center at the Big Bend National Park, as we watch Kirby and Casper on the Window small loop trail.  Michaela and Cooper are in the longer trail as the little ones explore every rock and road runner!  Keeping them close is no small feat, so my sketch is brief in pen and ink.  I'll come back in with the adventures of this day - and they were many!  I would not have imagined it would be in the 90s when it's only in the 20s at home!  I do love going south in February!  Painting number 5095 in 5095 days.

Santa at the Christmas Tree

 

It's a Merry Christmas Eve to capture Santa at the tree - as I finish all those last details with a mug of hot tea!  I'm sending out love and light to all tonight, as preparations wrap up.  On such a night, memories flood back from past Christmas eves, when we waited for all the kids to be asleep before setting out all the presents. Santa would come in the night to fill stockings and to leave something special for each girl and boy.  I loved the days when the house was full and big hugs were just around the corner.  When the family all gathers here tomorrow, we will be a large bunch indeed, and it will be another Christmas of cherished memories together.  Painting number 5048 in 5048 days. 

Santa Painting the Nutcracker

I love the vintage feel of black and white whether in ink, graphite or paint. I've been using many mediums lately, bouncing from one to another daily!  I've picked up acrylics for this one as I also work on a commission at the same time.  Santa is hard at work these last days before Christmas, and i love capturing it all in paint!  Merry Christmas Eve Eve!  Painting number 5047 in 5047 days. 

Thoughtful Santa

 

Santa Claus is on my easel tonight as I burn the midnight oil.  This day has been filled with side by side rides, outdoor and indoor fun as we gathered  with Danny and the boys on this last day in town.  So, I'm coming to my easel late and I'm also working on my Christmas cards - which I'm also getting to much later than ever.  This season has had me busy getting paintings out right up to the last minute!  Which is awesome, and has also set me back on getting my own work done.  I think Santa understands all about that.  Painting number 5045 in 5045 days.  

Chiefs Mouse

 

This little guy is cheering the Chiefs on towards that Threepeat!  GO CHIEFS!  I do love playing in the ink, and these little mice images just seem to march along in my mind!  So, when this one popped in today, I picked up a favorite fountain pen to get sketchy!  This handmade, dyed cotton paper is thin, soft and absorbent, which means I need to use a light touch on the nib, holding back in the water. To easily this paper can tear and pill, so careful is the key with this one. I love the vintage feel of black ink on this paper, even if my subject is quite contemporary!  Hoping for a win tonight as we cheer on our hometown boys! Painting number 5179 in 5179 days. 

Pin Oak Acorns

 

This is today's INKTOBER post and I am sketching our acorns before they all drop off.  As i worked, those acorns were falling from the tree.  I even though a squirrel might be tossing them down, but there was not one in sight  I am getting to know this paper better each day. It is a handmade and dyed paper that is thin.  At first, it is resistant to the water, but then saturates and wells up a little until it dries.  The ink spreads at will when wet, and dries lighter than it first appears. So, layers are necessary to get the full effect. I love how these drawings look so vintage, as if drawn a century ago.  Painting number 5154 in 5154 days. 

Vintage Pumpkins

It's INKTOBER - and this is my first ink drawing of the month!  Not one for prompts, I am delving into vintage Halloween this month.  Using a dyed handmade cotton paper, i draw my pumpkins with a TWSBI fountain pen filled with Raven black ink by Levenger.  I use a little water to move the ink, then go back in with a little more pen work.  This paper is perfect for the vintage vibe I am going for.  I can't wait to try it again tomorrow!  Painting number 5179 in 5179 days. 

Corner of Main and Market

 This vintage Phillips 66 Station is iconic to Weston, and known as Stanley's Station.  With ink, I sketched out this scene from the side of a building, underneath the awning.  As I sketched, suddenly a stream of water flowed down from above - and luckily went over me and my painting!  Knowing that could quickly change, I moved out to an open spot to continue (as I talked history with a long time resident).  The water followed all around the building as I realized the resident on the second floor was watering her plants on the balcony!  One never knows what to expect when painting outdoors!  Now Showing at the Weston Coffee Roastery on Main.  Painting number 5085 in 5085 days. 

Father Christmas in Copper

I've missed working the metal, and this time of year it calls me to it's side. Father Christmas is a perfect subject for the vintage feel of copper.  I'd planned to do several this season, but time grows short. Perhaps I'll have more time in January - one can only hope!  This miniature artwork is the 4001st in 4001 days.  Wowza! 

Bajada Wash Trail

Only the second entry in my vintage travel journal, I sketch the Bajada Wash Trail at the Saguaro National Park.  It's so beautiful with it's desert colors, filled with hundreds of saguaro cacti!  They only grow in a small area of Arizona, and are protected here.  It is hard to imagine their size without a person standing by one - they are gigantic!  An Arizona hairy scorpion dashed out in front of me as I was climbing to find a better trail for Michaela!  Since she was carrying Casper on her back, she couldn't make the steep climb on the trail. So glad that scorpion didn't sting me!  They are aggressive and painful!  Who knew there were so many scorpions here?  Love pen and ink for this scene - I'm going to really enjoy filling the pages of this journal with my travel adventures! Painting number 3389 in 3389 days. 

Shiny Ornaments

We have a new family tradition since Mom has moved to town - she hosts Christmas Eve!  On this night, we all share our gift with her, and she with us.  The halls are decked and table set with h'orderves, and the grandchildren playing with the pull toys my brother and I shared.  It is a lovely night to celebrate the season with our closest family, and treasure our time together. Who would have guessed it would nearly be 70 degrees tonight in Missouri?  Painting number 3262 in 3262 days. 

Vintage Ornaments

 I'm always thankful to finish that last Christmas card!  Merry and bright is my theme this year, so I've been painting the vintage ornaments I picked up weeks ago, in various compositions.  It takes quite a while by the time I paint each one, attach to cards, then handwrite a personal note or memory.  It's taken me a few years to get back in the groove, losing my dad was so very hard. I realize more than ever how fragile life is, and how thankful I am for every chance to tell my loved ones what then mean to me. Painting number 3254 in 3254 days. 

Christmas Balls

Tonight finds me hard at work on Christmas Card Art!  The days have been so nice that I've spent the daylight hours on outdoor projects - leaving the wee hours for painting! I picked up these vintage ornaments when holiday shopping with my mom, for the purpose of painting them. I like to hand make my cards, so they take a bit of time, and then I like to write individual notes in each one - which takes even more time. My goal for tonight was 10 cards finished and stamped - and I've gotten through 12 - so that's a win!  Nothing makes me work harder than a challenge, even with myself, lol!  Painting number 3247 in 3247 days. 

Turkey Time

Suburban Lawn and Garden had two of these amazing vintage style turkeys, one standing and one sitting, and of course I had to draw one!  I love how real they look, so pen and ink makes a wonderful medium.  I sketched the lines first with an archival ink and an extra fine nib, then I used a broad nib and Levenger's Raven Black ink. This ink moves with a little water in a brush pen, which I use to get those grays.  Can't wait to sketch more turkeys this month!  Painting number 3210 in 3210 days. 

Pumpkin Truck

I saw this place when I first drove into town, new since I was here two years ago.  I didn't know what I wanted to paint this morning, until something popped up on my feed about this place.  It was exactly what I felt like painting, so I headed right over! Decorated with pumpkins and all things fall - it was the perfect subject!  As I painted, several stopped to talk and one man pulled off the highway just to take photos - loving the truck as much as I do!  Love immersing myself in autumn joy while painting!  Painting number 3179 in 3179 days. Bonus - this painting already has a new home!  ❤🎨

Elmore Clock

I have admired this vintage town clock since I first arrived in this small town so many years ago.  Hanging on the corner of the old Bank of Elmore building, this clock is embellished with the same stained glass as the building.  Stopping in Christie's Cafe across the street for lunch with mom, I sketched this miniature painting while waiting for our quiche.  I'm so happy to finally get to paint it - wish all towns had such wonderful clocks!  Painting number 2866 in 2866 days. 

Orange Daylilies

Oh how I love these daylilies!  The very first starts came from Grandma Bessie's garden, and I carefully planted them in my front gardens.  Over the years, I have scavenged them from gravel road ditches and deserted places, giving them new life in my gardens.  Grandma called them tiger lilies, and they grace many historic homes in the midwest.  So, after having the family out - and TWO tiny babies to cuddle - I am painting these happy blooms in ink and watercolor.  I have Robert Oster's Black is Black in my TWSBI fountain pen, and watercolor half pans for the color.  Such a perfect evening for painting!  Painting number 2717 in 2717 days.

JC Fountain Drama

A return to old school pen and ink techniques - shading and hatching with lines, on perhaps the most iconic fountain in Kansas City.  Using my favorite paper in a square format, I simply begin to draw groom the focus area out. If I feel I need a little guidance for those lines, I drop a dot to mark beginnings or ends of a mass.  I don't ever use pencil first, because I feel it resists the ink.  No water added today - I'm using India ink!  This painting is the 2260 in 2260 days, and is hanging at Burns and McDonnell, 9400 building, straight back from the main entrance, along with 13 other paintings.

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Toy Car Tree

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After a crazy day around here, mom and I grabbed chai lattes at Starbucks and headed to Main Street for a little antiquing.  I found this beautiful tree full of vintage trucks and cars, and knew I would have to paint it.  Antique shops are the perfect place to find inspiration, and unwind from a little craziness.  Nothing like art therapy to restore the soul.  Painting number 2151 in 2151 days.