Upper Range Light

After scouting a shrinking shoreline, messy with debris, I walked across and down the road to this gem.  Walking along the boardwalks, the flora and fauna were pristine in their natural beauty.  The morning light streamed across the landscape, begging to be painted.  I chose ink and watercolor for this delicate scene, and worked quickly to capture that fleeting light.  It want long before shadows shortened and the golden hour passed.  So thankful I was present for the moment.  Painting number 2410 in 2410 days.

Fields of Lavender

I look forward to painting in these lavender fields on Washington Island all year.  There  is nothing like the experience of painting while that fragrance wafts through the air around me.  Heavenly!  I took panels of a different size than last year, hoping to paint a wider vista.  I've only started using the 8x16 size, and can hardly keep the frames on hand. I love this format for this scene!  I'm able to show so much more of the landscape than with the 11x14s. I'm so glad I had ordered a Panel Pak in this size.  It is the perfect way to carry two wet paintings face to face.  I can toss them in a bag or beside my easel in the trunk and know they are safe.  Love them!  Painting number 2409 in 2409 days.

Doug and Cindy's Labor of Love

What a beautiful place to paint in the morning light!  This house and very large barn are being restored to their former glory by one of my high school friends, Doug and his wife Cindy. After seeing a photograph as I was painting in Door County, Wisconsin, I HAD to stop by on the way home to capture this jewel in oils!  It was really a pleasure to spend a few morning hours here soaking up the beauty.  I wish all such places would be restored!  Thanks, Doug! Painting number 2408 in 2408 days.

Wheelgate Farm Inked

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This was a day of dodging rain and changing light!  It was raining so hard when I started this, that I worked partially from my car!  My fountain pen ink will totally bleed to black if rained on! The rain cleared and the sun came out, and it turned out to be a gorgeous day!  I really do love these old barns, and those herefords grazing in the meadow was simply icing on the cake!  Painting number 2407 in 2407 days.

Teapot Bouquet

It has been quite a while since I've been to the Vintage Market in Greenwood, so I was delighted that our monthly Art Mob event was scheduled here.  Bonus - after two hours of sketching, we all met at the Tea Room for lunch!  As we sat around the table, I painted this tiny 3x3 card as a gift for the owners.  It is so nice that places like this allow us to invade their space with our artistic ways for a couple of hours!  Painting number 2406 in 2406 days.

Corner of Main and Market

This vintage gas Phillips 66 Station in Weston is such a cool place to sketch!  The old signs and gas pumps were awesome - wonderful sketching matter!  Just warming up for the day, I did this one in ink.  I wish I would have had time to do it in oils, too, that orange really pops in the street scene.  With so much on Main Street to paint - I may never get to another area!  Painting 2405 in 2405 days.

Weston Museum

Standing on the narrow sidewalk by a building, I tried to stay in the shade while I worked.  The museum was very striking as it jutted out from the trees, so I decided to ink out the composition, adding watercolor, too.  It is fun painting on the Main Street in Weston - so many people came by to visit on their way to shops and restaurants.  This town is a wonderful place to visit - I only wish I had time to shop, too!  I guess I'll have to make a trip back!  Painting number 2404 in 2404 days.

Julian Estate

Though I had to stand in the sun to get this vantage, this place was a pleasure to draw!  I jump right in with my fountain pen, I never use a pencil first.  With such a complicated scene, I did pull out my India ink pen to make a few tag marks to help me visualize all the angles and lines.  From the grand entrance, everything is relationships between the masses.  Once I get all my lines down with my fountain pen, I then float over a little water to get my mid tones - and on such a hot day - that water dried SUPER fast!  I thought I might have to fill up my water brush from the fountain - but I had just enough!  Painting number 2402 in 2402 days.  Don't you just love that street?  I wish every street were paved in such a way!

Looking Down Market Street

This building has the coolest enclosed porch over the shop, and the pillars set off the openings beautifully.  As I stood by that shop for my morning paint, I had the pleasure of listening to a couple of older gentlemen sitting on that bench, visit and spend some time chatting with everyone who passed.  They introduced me to "Ally Cat", telling me the story of her rescue, as that same cat rubbed against my legs, purring. It was just like a scene from Mayberry, and I love getting to immerse myself in the culture as I stand on the street and paint.  Painting number 2401 in 2401 days.

Fountain Shop on Main

I find the most amazing things in small towns - and this vintage Soda Fountain Shop was a delight to paint!  Once again, I started in the shade, and kept moving with the shade of the Saint George hotel behind me!  The architectural details and colors were perfect for a painting - and after spending all that time painting - I HAD to go in for a Blue Bell ice cream cone!  Painting number 2400 in 2400 days - wowza!!

Main and Thomas Street

This wonderful corner building in Weston, Missouri is the grand Saint George historic hotel.  The architecture is very high brow - and I HAD to draw this at first sight!  The sun was moving pretty fast, and what I started in the shade turned into full sun by the time I finished!  I'm so glad I decided to come to this plein air event - there are so many cool things to paint!  Painting number 2399 in 2399 days.

Heavy with Grapes

On this very hot day in the Flint Hills, I was fortunate to have a pop up tent, graciously provided for me by the owner of the winery.  I had planned to set up in the shade for the day's festivities, but this view of the vineyards was only gained from the full sun!  This vine was heavy with white grapes - so fun to paint!  Painting number 2398 in 2398 days.

A Sweet Expression

Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is such a charming town!! After co judging the county fair event, I took a quick spin through town.  The carnival was setting up on the fairgrounds, and the streets are lined with charming shops and businesses!  The depot is amazing, and I think this would be such an excellent place for a plein air event!  I had a pared down sketch bag with me, so my ink was different and my paints minimal, but I made this work with a little mixing. I didn't have the right India ink pen, so I grabbed the one out of my pochade box in the trunk!  Turns out I really like this "eclipse" color of ink for shadow work.  I think this is part of the Colorverse line. I may just add this color to my regular set up! Painting number 2397 in 2397 days.

Hay Bales in the Pasture

Oh how I love hay bales in the field!  I can hardly go about my duties with these lovelies calling my name.  The bales are already lined up in the front two fields - I hope these stay awhile, the are so many paintings wanting to be painted!  All day long I worked to reclaim the flower beds on this side of the yard, and all day long I was composing in my head and laying down paint.  When I could finally get to it, I had to work small.  Time is short and the chores are many.  Painting number 2396 in 2396 days.

Hay Bales in the Field

I can remember playing on hay bales on this farm, when I was little.  My kids played on them, too, jumping from one to another as they lined up like soldiers in the field.  The large round ones are my favorite, they have such a beautiful shape in the landscape.  For two days I have been admiring these, with no time to get them painted.  So, this morning I got up early to get them painted before I left for the gym.  Ink and watercolor for this quick study, and I hope to paint them in oils tomorrow!  Painting number 2394 in 2394 days.

Weston from the Top of Main Street

Standing in the shade of the museum's covered porch, I inked this composition and added watercolor.  With the golden hour fading, I left the sky unpainted as I waited for sunset.  I dropped it in at the last minute and then forgot to get a picture of it!  This was the 6th painting of the day - and the last before heading home. It has been a busy day!  Painting number 2393 in 2393 days.

July on Main Street

Yesterday, I spent worked in ink and watercolor for every painting I did, never taking out my oils.  In the night, I woke up thinking about this scene in oils.  So, of course I arrived early to paint this scene in oils, without even sketching first.  I love the play of color on these sunlit buildings!  I'm so glad I could stay in the shade for all of this painting, it's getting hot out there!  Painting number 2392 in 2392 days.

Flags on Main Street

Deciding just yesterday that I could squeeze this into my schedule, I headed out early for the Weston Plein Air event.  No awards or competitions, just artists descending on this historic town for a couple days of plein air painting.  As each painting is finished, I frame and take to the Weston Coffee Roasterie, where they can be purchased - and this one is the first to find a home!  Would you believe I painted 6 paintings today?  Now THAT is crazy town!  I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring Weston in paint!  Painting number 2391 in 2391 days.

Sketchbook Caladium

I've only used gouache a few times, and never on paper.  Somehow, I thought it was a great idea to fill the pages of this brown paper sketchbook with gouache paintings from my garden!  The idea of it appeals to me, but oh how I dislike that paper!  It is smooth and thin, and only the color is good.  The gouache seemed so chalky compared to ink, watercolor, and oils, but I have this really wonderful set that NEEDS to be used.  Am I up for the challenge?  Or is this little bit of insanity going to push me over the edge?  Well, only time will tell because I am not one to leave things undone.  Painting number 2390 in 2390 days.

Main Street Charm Inked

When I first approached this home in the afternoon, I loved the angle and the way the trees spread their branches like a canopy.  Through that window the neighboring houses could be seen.  So, with this view I started drawing.  My daughter called while I was working, so I stepped into the car for hands free talking.... so I could continue to work!  I was right beside my car, so this was perfect!  Stepping out to finish, because I really don't even like glass between me and my subject, I wrapped up quickly.  Have I mentioned how much I love my TWSBI fountain pens?  They are the best! Painting number 2389 in 2389 days.

Vintage Charm

I love the character and charm of an historic old home.  This beautiful stone house was built in 1910, and the grandson of the original owner keeps this place pristine.  Flowers spill from the gardens, well loved by the lady of the house. It was a pleasure to paint a place so full of joy and life.  I'm so happy this painting won the Downing Purchase Award at Paint Parkville on Sunday.  Painting number 2389 in 2389 days.

Entry to Hardwood Garden

Sometimes it is the very architecture of a place that draws me in.  I love the way the pillars flank the stairs, and those wonderful terra cotta urns filled with blooms - simply inspiring.  The garden here is the backdrop, and these strong features - the stars.  I had to stand on a decline to draw and paint this, the lawn sloping down to the street.  With the gentle music of waterfalls and fountains, I could paint here all week.  Painting number 2386 in 2386 days.

Gate to Harwood Garden

This view of the arbored gate to the Hardwood garden caught my attention at first sight.  Once inside, I painted a sweeping landscape of the water garden which I could not resist.  When I came back to this orginal spot, light had flooded the lawn and the scene was totally different.  So, upon arriving today, I knew I must paint this before the morning light dissipated.  I visited with garden tourists as I worked, and soon my time was gone.  There is still another painting I just could not get to.  I guess I'll have to wait until next year!  Never enough painting hours!  Painting number 2385 in 2385 days, I think.  I've been so busy I haven't had time to check!

Hillside Lily Pond

Oh how I love painting in a water garden!  The gentle babbling of the water and movement of the fish are restorative.  After a week full of painting architecture, the solace of this garden has been a welcome retreat.  For this painting, I began with India ink, sketching out my scene.  Next, I moved in with a water soluble ink to establish values.  To this, I added watercolor, to capture the color in the landscape.  I could paint here all month and never paint it all!  Painting number 2384 in 2384 days.

Harwood Water Garden

After a whole week of hot painting days, today was beautiful in this water garden!  I'm painting on site during the Water Garden Society Tour at #29 on the ticket.  I LOVE painting with the sound of the water babbling, it is so soothing.  Every place I look in this garden is another painting!  I'll be returning in the morning, and I hope to paint two more scenes before heading to the Parkville Opening Reception at 2:00! Painting number 2382 in 2382 days.

FOPA'S Fabulous Finds

Heavy rain in the morning yielded to a rain free afternoon.  Upon arriving, I chose a view from the middle of the street, with absolutely no shelter in sight.  With more rain expected, I started my sketch in India ink - permanent in the event of rain.  Once I had my lines in, I decided to add watercolor to show those great pops of color.  I finished with my fountain pen, moving the ink a little with a brush.  Its nice to switch gears away from my oils and inks for a little break.  Tomorrow, I'll be painting in oils for the Water Garden Society Tour!  Painting number 2381 in 2381 days.

Mackay Hall

This very iconic building in Parkville is a favorite to draw and paint!  It stands high on a hill at Park University, looking over the historic downtown.  I walked up to higher ground to get this vantage without too much tree cover. As beautiful as the trees are, they cover so many of the details of this building from the road.  We've had some very hot days, so a place in the deep shade was a must!  Marking the edges lightly, I then start with the center section and work out from there. I adjust lines where necessary, it's all about relationships.  I think this one is finished, so time to go frame!  Painting number 2380 in 2380 days.

Vintage Charm

I painted on Main Street in Parkville all day, north of town in the historic neighborhoods.  I love how the sidewalk winds up to these homes, connecting them like a ribbon.  Each vintage home is full of turn of the century charm and character.  I sketched this one ink last night, and came back this afternoon to catch the light I wanted.  Afterward, as I was driving home, a tiny hitchhiking spider dropped down from my bangs  - just another plein air adventure.  I'm glad it wasn't a tick!  Painting number 2378 in 2378 days.

Main Street Charm

Just north of downtown Parkville, this is the neighborhood scene full of beautiful old homes and landscaped lawns.  With mature trees to shade me, this was a cool place to paint on a very hot day.  The last time I checked my phone, it was 92 degrees with a feels like temperature of 100!  Yikes!   As long as the wind softly blew, it was comfortable enough.  I had drawn this house from a completely different vantage, but as light changed, this view appealed to me for my oils.  All of these homes are historic, and full of character.  It is a pleasure to paint them!  Painting number 2378 in 2378 days.

407 Main Street

What a pleasant surprise to find such a charming house on Main Street for today's painting challenge in Paint Parkville!  I walked back and forth, looking for just the right vantage before deciding on this one.  A little rattled for juggling too many things this morning, it was hard to get my head in the game.  I let the pen work it's magic, and pretty soon I was in the zone.  Creative time is therapeutic, and I lost track of time as I sketched.  It was easy to get lost in all those lines and angles!  I popped a few more darks in after this shot, and framed her up.  Now, on to the oils!  Painting number 2377 in 2377 days.