Bridge at the Spring

SOLD

My demo for the High School Plein Air at Maramec Spring was so much fun!  Each of us artists had a group of students at the park during the Folky Fish Fest. We chose this gorgeous area by the waterfall for our painting location.  Each student could choose their own subject and medium of choice. I shared my process as I checked in with each during our painting time.  It was a wonderful painting and learning experience for us all! One of my favorite paintings of the week - I'm happy this painting has a new home in Springfield! Painting number 4905 in 4905 days.

Canyon Falls

 My favorite painting location of the week was this gorgeous waterfall n Dogwood Canyon, along the water's edge!!  Best. Office. Ever. 

Waterfall along the Trail

Dogwood Canyon is a magical place.  The spring fed river winds through the park, with multiple low water bridges overflowing. As I hiked to the chapel to paint, I found this hidden gem along the trail.  It was enchanting to paint in this solitary place to the music of the waterfall.  I think I need my own personal waterfall at home.  Painting number 4885 in 4885 days. 

Waterfall Miniature

 

When I find a lovely waterfall along Trail Ridge Rd, I simply MUST paint it!  This miniature painting is now showing at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies!  This tiny painting is number 4558 in 4558 days. 

Glacier Creek

 

After joining Story Time at the library and making bookmarks with the children, I packed up to head to the park. Glacier Creek is gorgeous along Ross Richter's Trail, leading to the Rocky Mountain National Park!  I lose track of time painting next to it's rushing water.  The roar is so loud that I find myself looking up periodically to check for wild animals, because I would never hear them coming. During this residency, I am exploring different papers and methods in creating my illustrated travel journals.  This book is relatively new, 8x6, with soft cotton paper. It absorbs the water and paint quickly, and takes a bit more care to get the results I want. The leather cover is beautiful, and the paper is smoother than I normally choose. As I worked, three park rangers walked down the opposite embankment, obviously looking for something.  It is the very first time I've seen rangers in such a place while painting, and it makes me wonder what was up.  This would be a lovely place to hike in with oils, as well!  Painting number 4549 in 4549 days. 

Falls by the Bluff

 

Wow!  What a glorious scene to paint!  I actually first saw this place last year during the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival, but didn't have time to paint it.  So, upon returning to this lovely community, it was the very first thing I wanted to paint.  It was worth every minute of painting in the wind and rain! Painting number 5166 in 5166 days. 

Near Rainbow Falls

 

I wish I could paint ALL of the Smokey Mountain waterfalls!  I definitely need more painting time in this Great Smoky Mountain National Park!  Michael and I paused long enough for a quick sketch with a wash of color. Thinking this was the top, we didn't round the corner to see the majesty beyond. I returned the next day, but painted lower on the trail. I just couldn't do it without him.  I hope to hike to the top with Michael next time we're here, and paint the glorious falls then.  Painting number 5133 in 5133 days. 

Cataract Falls Inked

 

I love working on my pen and ink waterfall skills in my travel sketchbook! Cataract Falls is so inspiring, and a challenge in black and white.  This paper is rough and resistant to my Pitt pens .5 and larger, but the. 1 seems to glide normally.  So, I lightly sketch in the shapes, going back with my fountain pen.  I darkened the darks with that pen and added a little water to add depth.  Mike is walking towards Alan, Gus and Quinn as they look into the mesmerizing water.  What a great day to capture in my sketchbook.  Painting number 5131 in 5131 days. 

Along Rainbow Falls Trail

Yesterday, Michael and I hiked this trail to the falls, where I quickly sketched in my travel journal. We jogged down as much of the trail as possible in order to get back to the cabin to leave for a family fun day at Dollywood.  At least 10 spots along the way BEGGED to be painted, and I simply did not have the luxury of time.  So, when Tyler and Hannah mentioned a sunrise hike for this morning - I joined them with my paint gear!  What an absolute joy it is to spend the early morning hours along the Rainbow Falls trail!  Tiffany and Alan stopped by on their way up and I was able to finish two paintings before Tyler and Hannah returned.  It FEELS SO GOOD to paint waterfalls in this Smoky Mountain National Park in oils!  A trip is not complete if I don't paint the landscape in oils.  Painting number 5128 in 5128 days. 

Cataract Falls

 

Here with family, this is the first day of sketching waterfalls in the Smoky Mountain National Park! Cataract Falls is on the trail behind the Sugarlands Welcome Center, and i could not resist a quick sketch in my travel journal.  With only essential, pared down supplies, I very quick sketch this scene while the kids are playing, adding a little paint as they finish and start the return hike.  Michael stayed with me as i wrapped it up.  Sketching on family vacations is the absolute best training for fast painting!  Everyone is in a hurry and ice only got minutes to paint.  I'm trying to make every minute count! Painting number 5125 in 5125 days. 

Waterfall on Clare Rd

Today was Plein Air Waterfall Workshop Day for a private group in Olathe, Kansas.  Using acrylics, we set up along a road directly across from this scene. I broke the process down into three steps, as each student created their own unique masterpiece.  I had so much fun with this great bunch of ladies - including 3 Shawnee Mission West alums!  Thanks to Tammie Johnson for organizing this fun event in a gorgeous landscape!  Painting number 5167 in 5167 days. 

Morning at Maramec Spring

 

What a treat to paint at one of my favorite places today - Maremec Spring Park!  The water is stunning and the light was soft this morning, setting the stage for a moody painting at the waterfall.  Painting to the sound of the water is sheer joy, as the painting emerges from the panel.  This one is now showing at GalleryZeke!  

Bridge over Maramec Spring

Oh how I love painting the water of Maramec Spring!  Arriving a little early, I immediately set my easel up right here.  The morning light was beginning to spread across the water and bridge, so I quickly marked those passages with paint. It's so important to do so in fleeting light, before the moment is lost. The sound of that water is mesmerizing, and loud enough to drown out most voices.  It was like painting alone, though I was surrounded be several other artists.  What ac perfect way to start this day!  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville through the end of the month. Painting number 3807 in 3807 days. 

Babbling Brook

 

It was fun to sketch this babbling brook with my daughter and the little ones, all enjoying this sweet garden!  Little Casper was mesmerized by the water running under a little bridge - right out of view.  He went back and forth, laying down on the bridge to get closer to that water!  Baby Kirby was content to watch the leaves blow on the tree, peaceful and happy.  They enjoyed the area so much, as Michaela and I both sketched our own scenes.  She is participating in Stems again this year, after a few years away.  It's so nice to see her pursue her creative interests.  Painting number 3773 in 3773 days. 

Glacier Creek Afternoon

This place had been calling me for days! I found this location on my very first trip into the Rocky Mountain National Park, but decided to paint from a different boulder at Glacier Creek's edge.  After a full morning, I only had an hour to knock this one out before an Artist Pop-up at the Maude Jellison Library, where I painted aspens en plein air and field questions about my process.  Painting as fast as I could, I took some short cuts - like painting in masses with central colors and pulling the water colors across with my brush in the manner in which they flowed. My process is very intuitive, picking up paint with the brush and dropping it where I see it, without thinking about the components of the painting.  I become one with the spot, and I let it flow out through my brush.  Painting here is restorative,  like a balm to my soul. I love the very awe of this landscape, the Rockies are truly special, and the YMCA of the Rockies in particular.  The experience truly is about the mind, body and spirit here. Painting number 4345 in 4345 days. 

Glacier Creek

With only an hour to paint before my Sketching in Ink class, I rushed down the Ross Richter hiking trail to Glacier Creek.  This waterfall had been calling for days - and finally I had the chance to paint it. Mike and Michael played Frisbee up the trail while I worked.  It's good to have someone watching your back when you're painting near such loud water. This place is so inspiring, and a wonderful place to paint. This is day 10 of my Artist Residency at the YMCA of the Rockies, and day 20 of the #stradaeasel challenge. Painting number 4340 4340 days. 

Along the River in Wesco

 

Wow!!  What a fabulous place to paint!  We spent this paint day at Wesco Weddings and Events, and it has everything to offer an artist.  I landed at this spot too late to paint for our daily awards, but was lucky to return to get this painted!  I love the color in the water here, it is so distinctive of the area, and a little tricky to capture.   As we painted, the owner came by to check on things.  Allowing us to paint until dark, they even brought us sandwiches on site - with condiments!  Wish I could paint here every day!  Painting number 4241 in 4241 days. 

Mansfield Roller Mill

This was another glorious day painting an old roller mill in Indiana!!  I've been coming to Indiana for four years, painting the covered bridges before the Carmel on Canvas event - and STILL I find amazing new subject matter each trip!  The weather was perfect this first time on site, and this old roller mill HAD to be my first painting!  I love the way it sits high upon that rock, looking over the falls and creek, as it has for over 200 years.  That is amazing and begs to be painted.  The surrounding village is also very paintable, full of vintage charm.  I sure wish I had more time here today, I will definitely be back!  Painting number 3163 in 3163 days. 🤩❤🎨

Bridgeton Mill

I don't know what it is that calls to me about covered bridges, but they have always called to me.  For many years, I passed by on I-70, noticing a covered bridge sign, but was never able to add extra time to an already 12 hour drive.  So now, once a year, I make a trip to Indiana just to paint a few of the beauties along this driving tour.  I have two artist friends joining me, and I am really enjoying the time spent studying this nostalgic landscape together.  No time limits, no deadlines, just the scene, my panel, and paints  - I am certainly living the dream.  Painting number 3162 in 3162 days. 

Alberta Falls in September

We started this day hiking the Alberta Falls trail.  There were so many perfect places for painting, I could already see the paintings starting in my head!  When the kids were ready to head back, I grabbed my painting gear and headed back in with Mike.  We knew from the first day that lines to get into parking are long, and we didn't want to lose the time going out for lunch.  So, true to my regular form, I didn't worry about eating until my painting was done!  This place is just off the Alberta Falls trail, down an embankment, by the water. I had to situate my easel on the rocky slope while standing on various rocks to keep level. No easy feat in this place!  One has to work for the best views, they don't just drop in your lap!  Mike stood up by the trail and talked to everyone hiking by that wondered what in the world I was doing!  I couldn't hear any of it, with the roar of the water and the pristine scene - I was totally in my painting zone.  The oils are so well suited for this place, I can lay them on thick, using the brush to express the movement of the water.  What an amazing experience!  I could paint here all month and only capture a fraction of the beauty here.  What an amazing painting day in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Best. Office. Ever.  Painting number 3151 in 3151 days.