Bird Wreath

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After a day of donning the halls and trimming the trees - I squeeze in enough time for a miniature wreath painting before the family arrives for game night.  Nothing like packing the most into every minute!  Painting number 2528 in 2528 days. 

Farmer's Market Morning

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I love spending time at farmer's markets painting. With all those vibrant colors of tents and produce, there is a painting in every direction!  This day was very windy as I set up in the middle of a closed cross street. Within 30 minutes, I had a road block blowing at me with the sandbags in tow! I reached up with my free hand to stop it as others rushed in to grab it!  I just never know what the day will bring when I set up to paint!  Painting number 2526 in 2526 days. 

Night at Brazen II

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Nocturne painting is so rewarding, and so different from the daylight.  I have only started to paint these scenes from a lighter panel, not the dark toned ones I've used for years. There are real benefits to this.  I work by the street lights, and a lighter panel allows me to read color and temperature more effectively in low light situations.  I also find my colors more true.  I can't wait to explore this further, maybe some snowy winter night scenes?  Painting number 2525 in 2525 days. 

View from 12th and Main

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I tried a new format this fall - longer for a more panoramic view.  It is a little daunting when choosing that first start point, radiating all lines out from there!  More than a couple times I wondered, "What was I thinking? "  Perseverance does pay off, and I kept at it until my original vision emerged in paint.  I learn so much by powering through a challenge!  Painting number 2524 in 2524 days. 

Henry

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I have only recently started painting goats - and oh how I love them!  Their form, varied colors, and expressions make them wonderful subjects for painting!  How am I only now discovering them?  I am looking forward to many hours of exploring goats with my pen and watercolor!  Painting number 2523 in 2523 days. 

Della Robbia Wreath

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Adorned with natural fruits, berries, leaves, nuts and greenery, Della Robbia wreaths are inspired by the family in Florence, Italy.  Colonial Williamsburg has many doors donned with these wreaths during the holidays.  Shining with nature's bounty, they are a perfect compliment to this Thanksgiving week!  Painting number 2522 in 2522 days. 

Nutcracker Shopper

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Finally back in Missouri, and we've been shopping like crazy for mom's new house - before and after the movers arrived.  It has inspired me to paint this little shopping nutcracker to commemorate the day!  With so much on my plate - this is a quick post indeed!  Painting number 2520 in 2520 days. 

Field of Dreams

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I just realized I did not post this pre-sketch for my oil painting at the Field of Dreams in Iowa, during the Bluff Strokes event.  In fact, this was still on my clipboard in my sketch bag when I arrived in Ohio!  And, that was the place where I forgot to take photos of my work on site.  It is really a shame because this place is so beautiful!  I hope to have the opportunity to do it again sometime!  Painting number 2519 in 2519 days. 

Santa Wreath

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Oh my, what a day!  Exhausting would only touch the surface of this day!  After the end of the second loading day on the moving vans, we have scrubbed this very large house top to bottom.  Now, a take a minute for a cheerful Santa wreath painting time - and a little sanity break, too!  Really looking forward to calmer days ahead.....in the holiday season....... what am I thinking?  Lol! Painting number 2519 in 2519 days!

Early Snow Inked

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So many memories within these walls, and now this chapter is closing.  The river calls me to it's edge, but alas I cannot answer.  Furniture and boxes parade out the door, as we linger and wait.  The trail is calling my running shoes, will I ever run there again?  The movers have left to return again in the morning, so now I take up my pen.  One more drawing as I look down that hill, who knows if I'll paint here again?  Painting number 2518 in 2518 days. 

Cardinal Wreath

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I start to think of winter scenes and what I would like to choose for Christmas cards. Sometimes I follow a theme, other times not.  But this year, wreaths are dancing through my head, so perhaps this will be my subject.... Painting number 2517 in 2517 days. 

Elf Nutcracker with Snowmen

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I know the holidays are coming when I am suddenly drawn to nutcrackers!  Even with all the packing chaos at mom's house, I take a little time to capture this guy in ink and watercolor. As I sketch him, I wonder if I have painted many of these in watercolor.  The process seems new, and my automatic color choices are in oil or acrylic, not my travel watercolor set.  Perhaps that very thing adds a freshness to this painting.  Always good to mix things up!  Painting number 2516 in 2516 days. 

Lee's Summit Depot in Metal

SOLDOld town Lee's Summit has so many wonderful things to paint!  This time, I am working metal to capture this historic train Depot!  I first sketch the scene out with a rounded metal tool, although I'm thinking of trying some wooden sculpting tools for this process. The metal works well for the copper side, but is a little too abrasive on the aluminum side, scratching a bit as it marks.  Even the seams on the plastic tools can leave additional marks.  I really want to explore more tools in this media before Christmas - I hope I get the time!  Painting number 2515 in 2515 days. 

Candy Cane Wreath ATC

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The days are so full of packing, my head is constantly spinning. With the clock ticking and so much to do, I welcome a sliver of time for painting.  Choosing a wreath in my favorite color, I start with ink for my sketch.  I like the drama of pushing the sides right out of my lines, as if the wreath cannot be contained.  With a splash of watercolor, the image emerges, and it is back to work for me.  I'm really looking forward to long winter days and time for relaxing.  Painting number 2514 in 2514 days. 

Portage River Early Snow

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We spend every day packing and stacking boxes in mom's house in preparation for next week's move to Missouri.  Today, my duties included burning old documents at the firepit, in the very cold weather. So, as I tended the fire, I sketched the Portage River flanked by snow.  I haven't used pen and ink alone for awhile, and I enjoyed it.  I love the very vintage nature of the ink, so well suited for today.  Painting number 2513 in 2513 days. 

Don's Dodge

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I have never really focused on a vehicle for a painting before!  I include many in street scenes where they are just compliments to the road, but never as my subject.  Turns out, they are not hard at all.  In fact, they are just lines and angles like everything else in life, and all I needed to do was study my subject.  Dare I say, it was even fun?  I will be paying closer attention to vehicles in the future!  Painting number 2512 in 2512 days. 

Turquoise Wreath

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I can hardly believe there is already four inches of snow outside here in northeast Ohio!  After a very full day of packing boxes, I can unwind with a cheerful wreath painting in ink and watercolor.  I like to sketch out my lines loosely with India ink, following with my favorite Raven black for those grays.  Next, I add those juicy watercolors to liven things up!  Christmas seems so close in the midst of this winter weather!  Painting number 2511 in 2511 days. 

Union Station in Metal

Kansas City has so many fabulous old buildings for the artist to capture.  I've painted this place multiple times in oil, ink and watercolor.  This is the first time in metal.  Architecture is such a strong subject for this media, with all those lines and planes.  I sketch first on the front side with a metal tool, switching sides to push out the planes.  Next, I reverse and repeat.  I work from both sides until I get the results I want.  Maybe I'll do some in miniature for Christmas this year!  Painting number 2510 in 2510 days. 

Purple Wreath

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This may be the first holiday wreath I've ever painted!  By special request, I may be painting several of these over the next month!  Wreaths are already out in the stores and inspiration is everywhere!  I have sketched this one out in ink, adding in the watercolor after, then returning for a little more ink work to finish.  Since this is a miniature, ink and watercolor is the perfect media!  I think these wreaths are going to be fun!  Painting number 2509 in 2509 days. 

Trail Running

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In the last four years, I have discovered running again.  When I'm near Lake Erie, I love to run this North Coast Inland Trail. We used to bring the bikes and the whole family would ride, stopping in the small towns for ice cream or cold drinks. I've spent a lot of time here the last two years, running this trail whenever I could.  The flat nature of the trail makes it great for distances, and even better for losing myself in thought. Nature, trail running and sketching, best therapy ever!  Painting number 2508 in 2508 days.