Nature Trail Pond

Nature Trail Pond
Powell Gardens
Kingsville, Missouri

This peaceful setting is in Kingsville, Missouri at Powell Gardens.  There is a nature trail - called the Byron Shutz - that takes you right past this pond and around the skirt of the whole property.  On such a warm and windy June day, this little place of solace was out of the hustle and bustle of the normal garden traffic.  I just love the landscapes that take me back to my childhood.  Visiting my great uncle's farm in Adrian, Missouri and my weekly trips to visit my dearest Grandma Frank -were places of pastures, woods and ponds.  I still love this time of year when the frogs are popping out, and their sweet music is lulling me to sleep each night.  Such is life in the country, and I don't think I could ever go back to the suburbs.  This is painting number 178 in 178 days.  Now it is time for a nice glass of wine :)

Trailing Petunias

Missouri Valley Impressionist Society hosted a paint-out today at the beautiful Powell Gardens.  It has been 5 years since I have been there - and how it has changed!  I remember when all the trees were small near the visitor center, and I could see most of the cement walkway as it circled the large pond.  Now, all the trees are mature, and they create many "rooms" of various garden beauty.  The lily pond was fabulous - and I already have paintings finished - in my mind!  Another late posting - as I stayed out working in the flowers until dark.  Painting number 177 in 177 days.

Trailing Petunias
Oil on panel, 14x11
MVIS Powell Gardens Paint-Out

Arms Full of Love

Arms Full of Love
Charcoal and white pastel on mi-teintes paper

Tonight I am playing with my childhood friends, the charcoals!  I don't think I have ever even used the white charcoal before tonight, and honestly, I am unimpressed.  It simply didn't have any real highlight power, when laid on top of the black charcoal.  So, I pulled out one of my white pastels to push a little light in.  I feel like I am just beginning to learn how to work with these charcoals.  I think I will much prefer working on art spectrum sanded paper - but I simply don't want to take the time to dig it out.  If I am going to start using the charcoals frequently, then I need to do a little exploring down the paper isle at the art store.  I am using simply what I had on hand - and I'm not sure why I even bought them in the first place.  I plan to use this charcoal drawing as a study for an oil painting.  For the painting, I think I will crop in a little closer - to add a little more drama to the piece.  That is the great thing about drawing the study first - I can clearly see the needed adjustments.  This is artwork number 176 in as many days :)

Pride of Jeek's Farm

Pride of Jeek's Farm
Oil on panel, 12x9

I have fond memories of the first estate paint that I attended at Jeek's Farm in Augusta, Missouri.  It was a very rainy day, and I was using acrylics at the time - so I painted from within the shelter of a barn.  I remember the smell of the wet earth, and the beautiful horses on the property.  The hosts were very gracious, welcoming each artist warmly.  I painted one of the barns on that day, and have only now gotten around to putting these beauties down with oil.  After yesterday's charcoal sketch, this was an easy paint today.  Painting number 175 in 175 days.

Mare and Colt

Mare and Colt
Charcoal Study on mi-teintes paper
Jeek's Farm

I have drawn this tonight from photo reference taken at Jeek's Farm in Augusta, Missouri several years ago at an estate paint.  I am planning to do this in oils, but the charcoal on the tinted paper has such a vintage, timeless feel.  I don't know where my time went today!  It started with running one daughter to work, stopping for tea at another daughter's, then shopping for am upcoming trip, then a baseball game cancelled on the field, to a house full of company until 10:30.  That is when I pulled out my charcoals!  This is painting number 174 in as many days.  I hope tomorrow is not as crazy!

Blooming Marigolds

Blooming Marigolds
Oil on panel10x8

Yesterday, Michaela picked these out at the nursery, and I planted them in the front beds.  I have never before tried to paint marigolds - so this is definitely a learning experience!  I may look at this tomorrow and see some adjustments - but for now, I must let it rest.  I have company coming in minutes - and a baseball game in two hours!  This is painting number 173 in as many days :)

Heavenly Hydrangea

Heavenly Hydrangea
Oil on panel, 9x12

Each day now is SO full of yard work in preparation for our annual 4th of July party.  In fine tuning every flower bed, I could see the need for just a few more annuals.  I need things that will be even more beautiful by August - when we have another event planned.  So, while on a trip to the local nursery today, I spotted these beautiful, white hydrangea.  They are very tall already, and in a very large pot.  My daughter and I  had our hands full of a few more annuals, three more perennials and several unusual herbs, so I didn't pick this one up.  After planting all the rest - and thinking of the one left behind, I came in and painted it!  I have a lot of flowers, and any time I come across a variety I do not already have - I pick it up!  I guess I am an avid collector of flowers and plants.  I am heading back up to that nursery in the morning to pick this baby up, too.  I am thinking of planting it somewhere near the pool.......This is my 172nd painting in 172 days.  What new adventure will tomorrow bring?

Three Little Doves

Three Little Doves
Oil on panel, 8x6

I have always loved animals.  My youngest daughter works at a pet store, and we have brought many little creatures home, as a result.  Two little diamond doves were up for adoption in the fall.  Their little voices are so sweet, making a little train whistle sound that is always pleasant.  We have added one female to the two males since then.  They sit in the large kitchen window, with the garden as their backdrop, as well as the many wild birds that frequent the feeders.  Here is a little painting to capture their sweet spirits.  Painting number 171 in as many days.

Longhorns in the Pasture

Longhorns in the Pasture
Oil over acrylic with pastel, 16x12

These longhorns are just down the road from me, and they beg me to paint them each time I pass by!  Finally, I have painted them today. With this painting, I am working on loosening up my brushwork.  Especially when I work with animals and people - I tighten up those strokes to follow each and every curve.  So, in a real effort to be more impressionistic, I have painted this with broad strokes.  It is fun and liberating to treat this is such a manner!  I guess my resolve to do a figure a day only lasted one day!  This is painting number 170 in as many days :)

Michaela in Charcoal

Michaela in Charcoal
Tinted charcoal on mi-teintes paper, 12x9

The last couple of days I have been drawn to figure work again, wanting to try different mediums and surfaces.  I pulled out my tinted charcoals - which I have only used a hand full of times, and this creamy paper.  I selected the burnt embers color of charcoal - and started my work.  It has been so long since I have used charcoals - that I had forgotten the feel.  The way they scratch against the surface, resisting in some areas - it is so unlike my consistent graphites.  But like an old friend, they grew on me......I remembered how I liked them and how they were one of my first real mediums, when only in the second grade.  The idea of doing 30 figures in 30 days has kept popping into my mind.  I have thought of it before, but I have always drifted away from it.  Maybe it is time for me to give it some attention.  It is a sure way to hone those skills in a hurry.  This is my 169th painting in 169 days.  Where will tomorrow lead me?

Barn Across the Pond

Barn Across the Pond
Oil on panel, 12x9
Augusta, Missouri

This picture perfect setting is nestled in the hills of Augusta, Missouri.  I took the reference photos last year at the private estate paint, but did not have time to squeeze one more painting into that particular day.  I have wanted to paint this little slice of heaven ever since.  Some landscapes are so peaceful and serene, it is simply a joy to paint them.  I can still remember the perfect temperature and soft breezes by the pond.  Its funny how a painting can truly bring back the memories of the day.  This is painting number 168 in as many days.

Hydrangea Impressions

Hydrangea Impressions
Oil on panel, 6x6

All over town, these beautiful blue hydrangeas are beginning to bloom. Right outside my kitchen window, my own little beauties are stretching towards the sky.  I love these flowers, they have always been one of my favorites.  I was tempted to paint these in a larger format, but with all I had on my plate today, my logical side won out.  So, painting small at 6x6, I first sketched this out with pastels.  Using a rather large brush, I blocked in all the masses, and started to define the petals in a light and loose fashion.  Originally, I intended to paint more of the glass vase, a view a little zoomed out.  But, as it progressed, I found that I wanted a closer vantage, a bit more drama.  So, here we have the 167th painting in 167 days.  I'm feeling a little restless for new subjects.....

First Light

First Light
Oil on panel, 6x6

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary.  Hard to be believe 30 years have flown by in the blink of an eye.  Our lives have been rich with love, laughter, 5 children, 2 grandsons (so far), and so much more - and I still feel this is only the beginning!  On this special day, I am painting a quick and small 6x6 inch painting of the dreamy morning light as it first shows it's color.  Feeling impressionistic today, I am minimizing the details.   I am using some loose brushwork, in fact the whole thing was painted with a 1/2 inch bristle brush - a rather shaggy one at that!  Off to enjoy the rest of the evening - this is painting number 166 in as many days :)

Early Morning Light

Early Morning Light
Oil over acrylic on panel, 14x11

The early morning light was spectacular this morning, in between the rains!  I started this one with an acrylic underpainting in golden tones.  The acrylic really makes a resistant coat for the oils, one that doesn't soak up the paint.  My brushstrokes hold their shape better, and I am leaving more paint off my brush.  So far, I like the way I can manipulate the oils with this kind of base.  Our baseball game was rained out tonight, so I am posting early for a change!  This is painting number 165 in 165 days.  I just put the finishing touches on a graphite portrait, too.  Today has been a good day!

Japanese Garden in the Woods

Japanese Garden in the Woods
Oil on panel, 14x11
Gardens of American Rose Society
Shreveport, Louisiana

The gardens of the American Rose Society in Shreveport, LA are beautiful and varied.  There are many different areas, all with their own specific garden structures.  This one is in the woods, beneath the very tall pines that fill the northwest louisiana landscape.  Paths lead the visitor from one place to another, or you can drive from one end to the other.  I have prepped this panel with a coat of acrylic underpainting.  Wow - the oils are moving so freely, I can push them around with my brush!  Not sure if I'll do this every time, just experimenting a bit.  This is painting number 164 in 164 days.

Rainy Day at the Pond

Rainy Day at the Pond
Oil on panel, 14x11

I love rainy days!  They keep me out of the gardens and really put me in the mood to paint.  I'm a little late at getting this posted tonight.  I had finished this painting right before we rushed out for a late night showing of Man of Steel.  So, just now returning, I captured an image to get it on my blog.  Feeling more impressionistic today, I have painted this one with loose brushwork.  When I first started landscape painting, I only wanted to paint the sunny days with the golden light.  Now, I find I really enjoy painting the rainy days!  This is painting number 163 in 163 days - and it is time for bed!

The Garden Gate

The Garden Gate
Oil on panel, 8x6
Craig Sole's Floral Design

This beautiful gate adorns the walk from the parking lot to the charming cottage of Craig Sole's Floral Design in Overland Park, KS.  For the first time all week, I thought I could start my painting at a leisurely pace.  No one needed to be taxied hither and yon - or so I thought.  Then I get a call from my husband that our daughter's car needed to be dropped off at an upholstery shop 40 minutes prior.  Next, I was ready to begin again, and my other daughter needed me to watch the grandsons for a while before our lunch at a local tea room.  After a few antique shops, we returned home later than expected, and I needed to hurry off to an art reception for the Stems event.  I love these gatherings - it is wonderful to see all of my artist friends again, and great to see all of the amazing paintings on display! Finally arriving home, earlier than expected - I'm ready to jump right into painting.  Nope - my younger daughter needed a trip to Kohl's to pick up a few things for an upcoming trip to Orlando.  So, once again, I am home late and starting my painting at 11:00 at night.  Silly me, thinking this would be a leisurely day for painting!  This is painting number 162 in 162 days :)

The Arbor

The Arbor
Oil on panel, 6x6
Loose Park Rose Garden

After a full day of working in the yard with the grandsons, I had little energy to think of painting.  When you paint as much as I do, keeping panels prepped and ready is a challenge.  As I looked for a surface tonight, all I could find was 11x14, 12x16, and larger.......and then I found a few 6x6's.  When I'm exhausted, small is by far the wisest choice - even though the scene I wanted to create would have been well suited to a larger size.  The Loose Park rose garden is absolutely gorgeous this week - so I am taking advantage of the beauty!  Arbors like this one surround the rose garden, with a beautiful fountain in the center.  I feel like I have just walked out of a palace and into this garden - that is how amazing this place is!  Painting number 161 in 161 days.

Apples in Crystal Bowl

Apples in Crystal Bowl
Watercolor on paper
12x9

Avery, very busy day has me posting a painting that is not quite finished.  This is a still life done in watercolor (yes, I did say watercolor).  I like to experiment with different mediums from time to time, and this is one of those experiments.  Watercolors are so very different from oils, and more difficult to work with for me.  I already see things I would do differently here, but I will save that for another day and another painting.  This is painting number 160 in 160 days.

Sculpted Roses

Sculpted Roses
Molding paste, heavy gel w/acrylics, oils
9x12

Feeling experimental today, I first sketched out these roses from the Loose Park rose garden.  Then, I took out the molding paste, and applied to the roses, foliage and other assorted areas.  After drying, I mixed acrylics with heavy gel medium and applied the first coat of paint, also adding texture.  When just dry enough to work over this, I started laying in the oils.  Then, it was off to baseball photos and then another game, and I have only now returned home.  And, guess what?  It is almost midnight, so there is no time for further painting with oils to explore the depths of shading.  So, wild and crazy and it is, this is my painting for the day.  Painting number 159 in 159 days.  I think I'll return to something a little more sane tomorrow :)