Dusted Truffle Creek

 

Wow!  This Dusted Truffle ink is luxurious! I LOVE all the chroma in this single ink by Diamine! Day 11 of the #diamineinkventcalendar, this brown reveals jewel tones as it spreads into wet areas as warm and cool hues mingle together.  This is such a great brown ink - it has moved right up to my favorites list!  What a wonderful way to finish a day filled with friends and family and robots! Painting number 4118 in 4118 days. 

Spring at the Winding Creek

Spring was late this year, barely showing color in the trees when I arrived in Augusta.  I love those first gentle signs of spring, a blush of rose in some trees, while others burst forth in a yellow green flurry of leaves.  So much earth is visible when the foliage is still in the bud, it adds interest and depth to the landscape. I found a new spot on the Katy Trail from which to paint, and the many curves of the creek make this painting a joy!  I love how very deep this view is, so peaceful, surrounded by birdsong. I could paint here every day, and not tire of this place.  I will certainly be back next year.  Painting number 3409 in 3409 days, and this painting is now showing at Gallery Augusta. 

Winding Sunset Creek

One just never knows what medium I will pick up on any given day.  If you are a regular on my feed - aren't you surprised by these bold ink landscapes?!  Each media seems to bring out a completely different style from me, and I LOVE feeling free enough to blaze that trail!  It doesn't matter if I end up with a masterpiece when the process and exploration are so much fun! The bonus is that a have a very large supply of fountain pen ink - so the possibilities are endless!  Painting number 3371 in 3371 days. 

Snow at Winter Creek

I can't possibly resist a winding rural creek flanked with snow!  These warm days are melting the snow quickly in open areas, but in the shady areas down by the water, the snow remains.  Through the years, I've become adept at finding snow, knowing where the last vestiges will be, going to those spots to paint.  The ponds and creeks have been frozen around here, and each day I return to see if there's a little melting.  The water looks black this time of year - if the ice is off - and I love to paint it.  This winter's day has been full of soft colors and dappled sun, and I hope it has seeped into my painting.  Painting number 3303 in 3303 days, and day 17 of the #stradaeasel challenge.  

Snowfall at the Creek

 I was getting this painting ready to take to the gallery, and I had not written on the back. I often skip this step in the winter, I just want to get packed up and out of the cold. So, I looked back on my blog to find my post, with the date and name I would have given it at the time.  I looked at each winter month, and nothing. I searched my blog for the location and key tags - also nothing.  I found the photo I took of the ink sketch and the place before I painted in oil, and then I found this photo in my phone, unshared.  This is one of my favorite winter paintings, and I didn't even post it.  I don't think I have ever forgotten to post such a large painting, this one is 24x18.  I am entering this painting along with several others into the MVIS Signature Show at the Cathy Kline Art Gallery in Parkville for July. Who knows what number this painting really was, but I'm giving it today's number - 3083 in 3083 days. 

Creekside in Defiance

A winding creek grabs my attention every time!  There is something so alluring about water gently meandering across the landscape.  Painting from a different vantage than before, I am street side, standing on a bridge for a bird's eye view.  The spring colors are singing on this overcast day, and it is a joy to paint as I visit with people walking by.  It's the best part of plein air, getting to share what I do every day with others!  Painting number 3046 in 3046 days. 

Leading to Mines of Spain

SOLDWhile trying to work our way out to some farmland, I drove right to a "road closed" sign, where cement barriers blocked entry.  Loving the look of this old bridge, of course we had to check out the view!  Amazing!  I have been longing for a winding creek to paint, and here it is!  What a beautiful way to start a Monday!  Painting number 2471 in 2471 days.

Still Waters at Vineyard Hill

Still Waters at Vineyard Hill
Oil on panel, 11x14
Vineyard Hill Paint-Out

Our Thursday's paint out was at the beautiful Vineyard Hill, private property of the Virants.  Always gracious, our wonderful hosts served us breakfast goodies and a wonderful chili lunch - which was so warming on the cold day!  This special place has a hilltop view of the surrounding landscape, lake, winding creek, barns, woods, and wonderful vineyards.  Some of the grapevines were thicker around than my arm! I painted this winding water from a footbridge into the woods on a walking path.  I knew as soon as I saw it, I must paint it.  The bridge was lined up with artists, so we had selected another spot to paint first, arriving at this location late in the day.  With only 45 minutes to lay in paint - I brushed it on with my large brush, working as quickly as I could with the 11x14 panel.  The feel of this place was so peaceful, I was glad we had waited for the crowd to clear.  Rain had loomed close all day, but did not actually start to fall until I was nearly finished with this piece.  This was perhaps the coldest day of the ten, and was I ever thankful for my rainslicker!  It blocked that wind completely, and I was not longer cold.  Painting number 489 in 489 days :)