Snow on the Cedar

Snow on the Cedar
Oil on panel, 8x10

The beautiful snow is STILL blanketed over the countryside!  This must be some kind of record for Missouri.  The lane is still too high for me to get out to the road, so I am still snowed in and painting!  This giant cedar is out in the front yard and towers above the house.  To get an idea of how large it is, the "little" tree to the left is a mature Bradford Pear.  My uncle told me this past Christmas that he planted this cedar - and the one behind the house - many years ago.  All of our children have climbed way up into these trees while exploring.  Now, they are covered with snow as I've never seen them, making them the perfect subject for painting!  It is another overcast day, but today, there is a hint of pink at the horizon, and a little violet in the gray.  This painting is the 56th in the row - and another month of paintings completed :)

Big Snow at the Barn

Big Snow at the Barn
Oil on panel, 16x12

This winter wonderland continues! Another day of the kids home from school due to the weather - and we have another snow day tomorrow!  I don't ever remember a snow that continued to cling to the trees after the first day - but this one does!  It all still looks like new fallen snow, drifted and unmelted by the sun.   I am on the south side of the milk barn today, where the snow has drifted halfway up the leaning gate.    The cedars are glorious and heavy with snow, I may just paint them tomorrow!  Today makes 55 paintings in 55 days.  I never thought I'd be here when I took that 30 in 30 painting challenge :)

Snow on the Milk Barn

Snow on the Milk Barn
Oil on panel, 11x14

I awoke to a winter wonderland this morning!  It is such a wet, heavy snow - all the branches and brush are covered!  The deep blanket of snow reaches my knees - and drifts above them as I walk the pastures.  I got to work early, I was afraid the 30 mile per hour winds would knock all the snow from the trees.  It is not often we have such a beautiful heavy snow that sticks to the side of everything it hits!  I didn't need to hurry, though.  It is now getting dark, and those trees are all still covered - only the little branches have dropped their snow.  As a child, my brother and I would explore this barn.  Some of the same old treasures hang from old nails inside.  A few trees have sprung up, and a giant wild rose has taken over the front corner - but oh, how glorious they look covered with snow!  I hope the snow stays long enough for me to get a few more paintings done!  This piece makes painting number 54 since the first of January :)

Teakettle of Roses

Teakettle of Roses
Oil on Panel, 8x10

The snow is falling - 12-18 inches expected, and I am enjoying this extra painting time!  I worked on a commission most of the day, only starting this painting this evening.  I chose to paint small - only an 8x10 since I needed to finish it today (to keep up with "a painting a day").  Now that it is finished, I wish I had painted it in a larger size!  I have not yet painted a large painting from one of my smaller studies, but maybe this will prompt me to do so.  This cool little antique green glass lamp sheds an interesting light over the sideboard - fun to capture on the sideboard.  The teakettle was my Grandma Frank's, a small wedding photo, and the books are Monet and an antique Shakespeare.  I found the sideboard at a little shop in downtown Lee's Summit 25 years ago.  I had the painting finished, and then I decided to add the gold detail in the curtains.  I love the detail, and the painting just didn't seem complete without it.  This is the 53rd painting in a row!

Newest Work in Progress

New Work in Progress
Graphite on Bristol

Today I am posting a commission that is in progress.  This is one of my very favorite subjects to draw - mother and baby.  I absolutely love the photo reference - so sweet!  When I start the drawing process, I first sketch out the composition. When I am happy with this, I start with the eyes, followed by noses, and then the lips.  Once I have brought the facial features up to the same level of finish, I move outward from there.  As I work, I will dot back and forth from details, adding depth and shadow while trying to leave the lights.  Here, I have only begun the hair, lightly shading in where needed as a background for the work to follow.  The blanket is hardly begun - there is a lot left to add.  I still have overall polish to do on both faces, and neck - although the fingers are getting close.  I was thinking I would start with a painting today, but maybe I'll get back to work on this - it is calling my name!

Bowl of Hydrangeas

Bowl of Hydrangeas
Oil on panel, 14x11

I am thinking of spring as another snow storm approaches.  Today I am painting loose and impressionistic hydrangeas in a bowl.  Grandma Bessie had these just outside her back door in the house on Olive.  I now have some outside of my kitchen bay window, where I hope to enjoy them for many years to come.  These little beauties are a challenging subject with their abundance of petals and light reflections from every angel.  I start first with the main masses, squinting down to truly see the colors.  Then, I let the brush do it's work with the flurry of petals.  This is the 52nd painting in a row! Now, its back to work on a commission!

Chandelier Light

Chandelier Light
Oil on panel, 9x12

Some nights, when I can not sleep, settings for interiors run through my head.  I almost always get up and set them up, taking photos for reference - to start the next day.  This is one of those scenes!  Some of my favorite things are in this one - one of Mom's china teacups from the set she gave us on our wedding day, four favorite books, an antique dresser from my parents, beautiful old magnifying glass I found while on a trip with friends, and perhaps my favorite lamp in the house.  This chandelier makes me happy just to see it aglow in the kitchen and it was given to me by one of my favorite people!  It casts the most beautiful, warm light - and I've tried to capture it here.  I'm working late this evening - after a day of family fun - sledding with the kids and grandkids, followed by dinner out.  No stress getting this done, though.  The huge amount of snow has cancelled all of our activities across the board - leaving me extra time for painting - and sledding!  This is the 51st painting in a row - and I'm really enjoying the paint time this evening :)

Winter Reflections

Winter Reflections
Oil on panel, 6x8

Another "snow day" and my schedule has once again been freed up until evening!  Oh, it is such a luxury to finish my housework at a leisurely pace before sitting down to paint.  It is like an easy unfolding of the day, instead of a very disciplined and strict schedule.  I much prefer this pace!  Today, I am painting the snow by the still pond - pushing the warmth in the sky.  The peaceful landscape is so restorative after a hectic week.  Painting in the natural light is much better than painting into the wee hours.  Often times, what I have finished at night will need a little adjusting when viewed in the daylight.  With a busy weekend ahead, I am working small on this one.  I want to start a complicated interior scene later today - and I will need extra time for it!  This painting makes 50 paintings in a row - I can't believe I've made it this far :)

Snow on the Farm

Snow on the Farm
Oil on panel, 12x9

With our heavy snowfall today, I am painting snow!  The best part of this winter storm is that my very full schedule for the day was magically cleared - allowing me time to paint!  This little farm is off the Portage River between Elmore and Woodville, in Ohio.  When I was there for my Dad's surgery last year, we drove by this farm almost every day.  There are SO many lovely barns and farmhouses through Indiana and Ohio!  This is the 49th painting in a row - and now, I hope to get a head start on tomorrow.  I much prefer to be a day ahead :)

On the Lookout

On the Lookout
Oil on panel, 9x12

At about 8:30 tonight, I thought the day had come when I was not going to get a painting finished.  I was bone tired after a day full of grandchildren, running my kids to and from events after school, finishing with a parent's meeting at the the 9th grade center.  When I arrived home, all  wanted to do was collapse.  And I did....for 5 minutes.  I looked at the portrait I had started early in the day.  Ten minutes of painting, and hour away.  15 minutes back at it, 2 hours away - finally throwing in the towel by 2:30. When I returned to it, I gave it another look.  The "bones" were good, so much of the "thinking" work was done.  So, I put on my headphones, turned the ipod to very relaxing meditation music, and just started painting.  I even painted quite a bit of it upside down - to help me see the values without thinking about the specifics.  For, now, I am letting this rest.  I may very well go in tomorrow and make a few adjustments, but at this point - I am just happy to have it finished.  Just a few minutes under the wire........this is my 48th painting in a row.

Old Augusta Barn

Old Augusta Barn
Oil on panel, 10x8

As spring nears, I am thinking ahead to the plein air event in Augusta.  This is one of my very favorite places to paint.  The rolling hills and the numerous vintage buildings and barns offer the artist SO many painting opportunities.  The many area wineries are also picturesque - with the added attraction of their fabulous wines!  I painted this one from photo reference.  It is my second time to paint it, the first was done in acrylic years ago, with a warmer temperature to the painting.  Counting the days until I paint on location..........this is my 47th painting in a row.

Shadows Across the Creek

Shadows Across the Creek
oil on panel, 11x14

I just finished this one up from the Missouri Valley Impressionist paint out yesterday at the Jesse James Farm.  I had this one roughly blocked in yesterday, and then left it on my easel for a tour of the historic house!  The long shadows cutting across this creek and up the bank on the other side called out for me to paint them.  The tree roots were twisted and tangled, dropping into the still water of the creek.  This little stream is on the way up the path to the original farmhouse.  I started with the background, working forward.  I used one of my new palette knives on the foreground tree bark and in the grassy areas to add depth and interest.  It is always fun to play with new tools!  It was so enjoyable to paint in the warm sunshine, on a beautiful day in February......I'll remember it fondly on Thursday when the ice and snow arrives!  This is painting #46 in a row :)

Jesse James Farm

Jesse James Farm
Oil on panel, 14x11

On Location

The Missouri Valley Impressionist's paint out for today was at the historic birthplace of Jesse James.  It was beautiful, so warm for a February day - 57 degrees when I packed up!  This is my first paint of the day - my second of the creek is only blocked in.  I stopped a little early to take the house tour!  I picked the distant view because I loved the lay of the land, and how the hills swept toward the house.  Can't you just imagine Jesse riding his horse along this trail to his house?  I'll try to finish the creek painting in a bit, and post it tomorrow.  This is my 45th painting in a row :)

A Dark Winter's Day

A Dark Winter's Day
Oil on panel, 10x8

I don't think I've painted a winter landscape like this for a month!  It is such a dark, overcast day - a cool light to capture a local creek.  I am painting small today, as I am squeezing this in between Michael's basketball game and dinner out with friends.  There was a dusting of snow on this morning, but it was gone before we got back home from the game.  It can be challenging sometimes to find the beauty on such a dreary day, and with a dry winter landscape.  So today, I explore the beauty in the browns, with just a little burnt sienna and green to set it off.  This is the 44th painting in a row :) 

White Wine and Flowers

White Wine and Flowers
Oil on panel, 11x14

Today was one of those days where it is absolutely a miracle that I could finish a painting.  I had the grandsons all day, the three year old whipping through here like a tornado - stirring up messes everywhere he went!  Once I had fed them lunch, got them settled in with lincoln logs, I set up my still life and started sketching out the piece.  I blocked in the values, in between the damage control, and even got the light in before having to walk away for hours.  When I was able to come back to it, it was now dark behind the set up, with the same warm lamp light from the front left.  I liked the change in lighting, so I started making the changes.  It would have been so much easier to leave it as it was, but you know how it is when you feel in your gut that the changes must be made.  I also had an old pair of scissors sketched in, but I decided against them.  This is one of my Grandma Frank's large Atlas canning jars and a small vintage pink wine glass, from a set, that my mom and I will drink from when we just want a little wine!  Day 43 on the painting trail :)

Roses and Royal Albert

Roses and Royal Albert
Oil on panel, 11x14

I absolutely adore roses - in the garden, in a vase, or on my china.  So, this Valentine's Day - I am painting roses!  I found the antique pitcher and Royal Albert teacup and saucer while antiquing, and the book is one of an old set of my favorite poetry collections.  It just makes me feel good to paint these little treasures - like I am in my own world for just a bit (interruptions and all).  I have only done a handful of florals ever - so this time spent was serious study time.  I am finding that roses are complicated and hard to paint!  That certainly means that I need more practice, and since the roses are not blooming this time of year - I will be buying roses to paint!  I feel like I am learning so much - so fast - by completing a painting every day.  There are no limits to subject matter, I only need to keep my sizes down.  I do need to sprinkle in some larger pieces, as I don't think I've painted larger than 12x16 since this painting challenge began!  This makes the 42st painting in a row - Happy Valentine's Day :)

Bessie's Peonies

Bessie's Peonies
Oil on panel, 12x9

I remember the day I helped dig the peony roots out of Grandma Bessie's garden, to transplant into my own.  She was always so generous with her flowers, always offering me starts of whatever she had.  She taught me so much about planting, tending and harvesting, how working in the earth with your hands was good for your soul.  Grandma is no longer with us, but every year, the countless flowers now in my garden bloom in profusion.  Each one bringing back happy memories of her.  This is the 41st day of painting each day.

Night Falls at Pisa

Night Falls at Pisa
Oil on panel, 14x11

The night falling and the pink sunlight illuminating these glorious buildings is what grabbed my attention.  With photo reference from a friend,  I mapped out the sketch of the main lines of the buildings.  Once the large areas of main color were down, I started to dot in with the many arches and windows.  I felt compelled to get the architecture right, although I started with "loose" in mind!  With most of the colors in place, I pulled down the reflections by lightly skimming the surface of the heavy dark paint below.  I would love to go paint this place on location!  This is 41 paintings in a row :)

Playing with Kitten

Playing with Kitten
Oil on panel, 12x9

Our little kitten Charlie is the most affectionate cat we've ever had!  He loves everyone - and he is very vocal, "talking" to us all the time.  The boys spend lots of time on the porch, playing with little Charlie.  That kitten never tires of their attention - and the trio is my subject for today.  This is done in oils, starting with the skin tones, and working out from there.  I debated on whether or not to put in the surrounding landscape.  Initially, I thought I would leave it out.  But, as I worked, I wanted the piece to be as truthful as possible, like the sweet memory.  This one makes 40 paintings in a row!

Pretty as the Peacock

Pretty as a Peacock
Oil on panel, 12x16

I have always wanted to paint these birds.  They are so majestic with their brilliant plumage!  It is a real challenge to do them justice with brushes and paints.  I first started with the features of the birds, before laying down any background.  I had to use four different reference photos to create the composition I wanted.  Sometimes, I just have the scene already composed in my mind - and I just need to find a little reference to back it up.......like feather color all in the right places.  I was able to get just the right color of blue with cobalt, and used my cad lemon yellow to make a green fit for his tail.  Once the birds were well underway, I started putting in heavy paint for the background - only hinting at the tree foliage behind them.  I thought this painting was finished three times - then I would see something else I wanted to change in the photo I took.  So, now, I am finally happy with where this painting rests.  This is the 39th painting in a row :)