White Rose of Sharon

 

The Rose of Sharon is blooming, and I can't resist capturing it's beauty with a quick sketch!  The only color I remember from childhood, the two parent plants of this one spread out beneath two large trees on the front lawn.  My brother and I used to climb between them, stepping across the propane tank as a bridge.  A white picnic table sat under the branches in the shade, where we gathered with family.  As these reseed abundantly, I have moved many of them to other parts of the property, where they now bloom, too. This beauty is behind an old shed, in a secluded part of my garden.  Who knew I would sow the seeds of my childhood on this ancestral land - and then paint them?  Painting number 4928 in 4928 days. 

White Daffodils

 

I love the delicate color of these early blooms - and it's a joy to paint them!  Too few are our daffodils this season, so I am cherishing every one.  On this day, we have added a new horse to our family - Rebel. He's a sweet little addition to add on my birthday!  I'm looking forward to painting him real soon - with Lady Belle.  They are already best friends in the pasture!  Painting number 4843 in 4843 days. 

White Petunias

 

I love painting and growing cascading petunias, even if the seed randomly sprout. I ordered a petunia selection from aerogarden, but I think the tiny seeds may have been jostled out of most of the net cups. I've only gotten a purple one and this one to grow to glory.  Perhaps, I should try simply putting some petunia seeds in directly.  It's fun to sketch a little of my garden life - when I get the chance!  Tyler's, Trav's and Michaela's families were out for family fun in this 63 degree weather!  It's great to have everyone out - and the horse got plenty of attention, too! Painting number 4793 in 4793 days. 

White Daffodils

These daffodils are normally my first to bloom, but this year they are trailing behind a few others.  I have planted this variety by the windmill and down by the road, and each year they harken in spring.  It's so exciting to see these beauties again!  I'm happy to get them painted after my first Pickle Ball game ever with my high school friends! Painting number 4974 in 4974 days. 

Orchid Joy

 It is so rewarding each time an orchid blooms in profusion!  With my pen, I add the line work, following with watercolor.  For this sketch I also went back in with ink of similar colors to punch the value a bit. I wonder how these beauties would like a hydronic set up - but so far I've not had time to try it.  Painting number 4059 in 4059 days. 

Impressions of Rose of Sharon

I love capturing last light in the Rose of Sharon, before the petals close for the night, but I wish I'd left myself more time to do so!  When painting a flower that closes it's petals, it is important to get that paint down with plenty of time to do the finish work.  I was rather absorbed in the edges and nuances of color as the golden light hit, and suddenly I could see other blooms closing that were already in shadow!  So, I finished in a rush, and I can still see things I would continue with.  I think I need another bold bloom on the mid-bottom right, and to cross the upper plane a third in from the left with foliage.  Perhaps that bee I dashed in is a wee too large?  They move so quickly that I didn't get a good shot at him before he left.  I was playing with my palette knife and tinted whites on those petals (when I lost track of time), and found it very fun indeed!  I think I'll revisit this tomorrow to finish these few things, if I find the time!  Painting number 3864 in 3864 days. 

Anemones at Linda Hall Library

What fun to find a new flower in the garden - one that I've never seen growing in Missouri!  Long ago I admired these beauties in California, and here they are in the Linda Hall Library garden!  The blooms remind me of poppies, with their paper thin petals and long reaching stems.  Using my oils, I started by laying in the blooms, loose and with an eye to their color.  The white blooms were flanked by the red, with a few purple tinged whites in the mix.  What a lovely day for a loose capture of anemones!  Painting number 3044 in 3044 days. 

Orchids

So fun to paint orchids inside the nursery with a few artist friends!  Suburban Lawn and Garden is a wonderful place to paint beautiful blooms.  This orchid planter called out to me as I scanned the nursery.  I'm using Robert Oster's Great Southern Ocean in my blue TWSBI Eco fountain pen, and use it and a black ink to sketch out my lines.  A little watercolor fills out the 3x3 inch paper.  The best part of sketching here is the shopping I get to do afterwards!  I brought 4 new plants home today!  Painting number 2968 in 2968 days. 

First Day of Spring

On this first day of spring, I am celebrating amongst my first daffodils to bloom!  This variety is called Ice Castles, and I planted them many years ago under the windmill, and down by the road.  Their blooms never fail, even though these are very shaded now.  The theme from Ice Castles was playing during the Shawnee Mission West Homecoming announcement on the football field, played by the band, as my name was called.  I remember sweetly the big, big hug my father gave me, and long to feel those strong arms around me again.  So therapeutic to immerse myself in spring, capturing these blooms with paint and brush.  Love these moments with no news, no chatter beside the crickets, frogs and birds!  Painting number 2636 in 2636 days.

White Barns ATC

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Running is more than a workout to me.  It is another way to be one with nature. I can lose myself in thought, in nature, and work out all of the ideas running through my mind.  I am constantly composing paintings as I run, choosing which will be my subject on the return trip.  With a tiny set up in my armband with my phone, I can get a quick paint in before hitting the trail again.  Art, fresh air, nature and a run - perfect way restore and refresh. Painting number 2505 in 2505 days. 

White Barn in Autumn

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I have been at my parent's house many times as the leaves begin to change.  Each time, I am drawn to this barn and the golden maple leaves that turn in profusion.  So much beauty in this season, with winter waiting in the wings. There are four views from the house that are amazing, and hopefully I can capture them before the leaves drop!  Painting number 2496 in 2496 days. 

Snowball Blooms

This snowball bush always blooms around Mother's Day, and the big white blooms are a showstopper.  Mike's mom was the first person I knew with such a bush, and we planted ours soon after we moved in many years ago.  I spent 8 hours in the flowers today, so it was only natural to bring a few blooms in to paint after dark!  I have always loved big round blooms of all kinds and these were a joy to paint!  Best way to end the day!  Painting number 2321 in 2321 days.

Bucket of Tulips

Art Mob day at the Mission Antique Mall found me trying a new medium!  When I arrived home from painting yesterday, this beautiful antique tin "palette" was waiting for me!  I love how something with vintage charm can be repurposed to a unique paint palette!  Right down my alley!  I bought it from a sweet little shop - madebymish.bigcartel.com.  I filled mine with GOUACHE from a fancy pants set I've almost never used - and jumped right in when I arrived in site.  I painted two ATCs and this is 6x6.  I started with ink drawings, moving to gouache.  I worked pretty wet, though I know I can get more "full strength" with this medium.  I liked the way it moved today, very like watercolor.  I am going to enjoy experimenting with gouache!  Painting number 1889 in 1889 days.

Rainy Day Greens

I love these dark rainy days for painting flowering trees!!  Their colors really pop against a stormy sky!   In this case, the trees are blooming white,  but their green is showing in the heavy masses.  Light darts out between the clouds irratically,  shooting across the grass.  I wish I had my cad lemon on my palette - it is the perfect shade for the sunlit grass!   I found a few more short brushes for this box that are a little stiffer,  in my stash.  Now, I'll be able to lay down those early strokes in a quicker,  more effective way.  Painting number 1546 in 1546 days :)

Old Saint Nick

On December 3rd, I will be painting a live Santa at GotArt Gallery in Lee's Summit from 3:00 to 5:00.  I will have several Santa paintings as week as 10 miniatures showing for the Holiday Show opening December 1st.  I am using only my black and white acrylics and a dry brush technique for this one, which is so effective when doing portrait work!  This painting makes 1412 in 1412 days :)

Red, White and Blue

As I settle into watching the election results, I have gathered together a few of my friends for a little still life.  Since I have many wine glasses, the combinations are endless!  I didn't have long to wait to vote, and am happy I was able to do my civic duty.  Grandma Bessie once told me, if you don't vote, you can't complain!   This painting is the 1398th painting in 1398 days :)

oil on panel, 5x7
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Five Glasses

Choosing five of my wine glasses, I set them up on a table, and started sketching them.  I am working on this for an upcoming wine and paint party.  I am keeping the colors more neutral, and I am thinking about what could be easily taught with good chances for success.  After sketching, I fill in the masses with the dominant colors.  With some loose brushwork, these masses have more interest.  In using my three favorite brushes all month, I find I am again returning to my connoisseurs.  They move stiffer paint more effectively, and their bristles are so thick that they never separate like the Bristlons do.  I still love the Silver Silverwhite synthetic brushes for finish work, though.  They will lay paint right on top of wet paint, without brushing into the bottom layer.  Very nice.  This rather contemporary painting is number 1380 in 1380 days.

Looking Out

This little guy was one of our kittens that went to live at my daughter's house.  He is gorgeous - and a wonderful painting subject!!  With the family coming over shortly to celebrate the 4th of July,  I am painting small and fast,  using those impressionistic strokes.  I started by negatively painting his whole shape,  before adding the colors in his fur.  I used the edge of my catalyst for those bright highlights.  That tool does not fit in my new easel, so I bought another one to cut down.  I really miss it when I have to use my plain old palette knife!   This painting is 1278 in 1278 days. 

Looking Out
Oil on panel, 6x6
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Hydrangeas by the Wooded Path

Do you ever feel guilty for painting?   I do.  Sometimes,  I even sneak away to paint a landscape en plein air,  without telling anyone.  I always feel like I must have all chores done....housework, laundry, dishes clean, before I can lift a brush, which is why I am sometimes painting in the wee hours.  Do my male counterparts feel this way?  I doubt it.  Even when I've completed all this work, I still feel like painting is my guilty pleasure. Well, this secret rendezvous with my easel took place at the Overland Park arboretum for the Sketch Crawl, and is my 1267th painting in 1267 days.

Hydrangeas by the Wooded Path
Oil on panel, 10x8
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Bloomstruck Hydrangea

I bought the most amazing hydrangeas a few days ago, and I finally got them in the ground today.  And then I painted them!  After working in the yard most of the day, it was almost dark when I started painting.  I have been waiting for the golden hour each day to find my subject matter, which leaves me very little time to execute it!  Oh well, I've got to make hay while the sun shines!   This is painting number 1255 in 1255 days.

Bloomstruck Hydrangea
Oil on panel, 6x6
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