Friday, April 30, 2021

Morning at Montelle


 What an amazing morning to paint at Montelle!  I arrived, intending to sketch in ink first.  When I saw this view and the stunning light, I knew I'd have to switch media!  It was fun to visit with everyone while painting enjoying the beautiful sunshine, cool breezes and this view!  So happy this painting has a new home! Painting number 3033 in 3033.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Goats on the Farm


What a great farm to paint!  Our private estate paint had goats, chickens, labs - and lush scenery - so much to choose from! I first set up inside the gate to paint these sweet goats, but soon discovered that was a bad idea!  Before I had uncovered my paint, three goats were trying to climb my easel, another knocked my palette off and started chewing the plastic, while still another jumped up on me, and a baby walked on my panel - all within 2 minutes of set up!  Grabbing my entire box, I lifted it over this gate and climbed out.  From this side, only four of them squeezed through to nibble on anything they could reach.  I had no idea they were such a handful.  And to think, I have been tossing the idea around of getting a few goats!  So adorable to paint, but rambunctious too! Painting number 3032 in 3032 days. 

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Road to the Vineyard


Oh my, what a perfect morning for capturing that early light!  With fleeting light, I like to lay in my darkest darks and lightest lights, so I can compare all other colors with those two. I am using a mix of black and Alain alizarin crimson for marking darks this week.  I like they way it warms up those deepest dark areas, abs it gives me a nice color to push other masses into.  Painting number 3031 in 3031 days. 

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

La Charette Farm


This place is simply amazing!  With many acres of woods, creeks, bluffs and farm land, it is hard to focus on one subject!  When I saw the old John Deer and hay wagon, I simply had to draw them in pen and ink - and rest them in their setting.  With such a detailed sketch, the actual line work took longer than normal.  I like to do those initial lines with a water resistant ink, coming back in with an ink I can move with a little water.  This particular paper is a handmade Shizen cotton paper, and one that is tricky for me to use.  This paper resists the ink a little before accepting it, making it harder to control.  With a little effort, I bent it to my way, and this drawing now hangs in the owner's home.  Painting number 3030 in 3030 days. 

Monday, April 26, 2021

Morning Light at the Creek


I knew as soon as I saw the golden light spreading across the landscape, that I would paint it. I jumped across to find the perfect vantage, and started knocking on darks. Lightest lights were next, because the light is fleeting early in the morning. The host of this event graciously put out a breakages spread that was amazing!  I do love getting to paint special places like this!  Painting number 3029 in 3029 days. 

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Afternoon at Noboleis


 I headed out to scout with oils on board, and when I found this spot I realized I would HAVE to use my pen and ink!   So, hauling all is my gear back to the car, I switched gears and gathered up my ink gear. Hiking down to the vineyard, I looked up at the buildings on the hill and started to sketch. With pen and ink I drew in each one, coming back in with my favorite TWSBI Diamond mini fountain pen loaded with Levenger's Raven Black ink.  With a little water I was able to achieve the mid tones I wanted, and headed back to the car to frame up.  This was the quick paint, only two hours of paint time, but it didn't take me that long.  I really love my pen and ink, and it is always a good day when I'm sketching!  This painting sold right away, and it will hang in the office of Nobeleis Vineyard.  Painting number 3028 in 3028 days. 

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Rain Over Augusta Bottoms


It has been years since I have painted the Augusta Bottoms!  It was such a pleasure to return again today and capture the beauty - even in the rain! I found shelter at the baseball field with this delightful view, and started laying in darkest darks and lightest lights, then comparing all transitions to those values. The rain lightened up as I was finishing with a little burst of sunshine at the horizon!  It was so fun to visit with artists on site and enjoy the banter between friends!  Painting number 3027 in 3027 days. 

Friday, April 23, 2021

Balducci's Inked


What fun to return to Balducci's Vineyards for a sunset paint!  I walked out to my location intending to paint in oil, but wanted a longer format for this very wide view.  This was my longest substrate for my longest frame, so I chose to sketch the skyline in pen and ink instead.  With such an overcast sky, I was doubtful of the color pop, which also helped to persuade me to work in ink.  Besides, I do love ink and sometimes I just need my ink fix!!  I'm so happy this painting has a new home!  Painting number 3026 in 3026 days. 

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Hickory Lake Boat Launch


We arrived just in time to pick up our packets at the registration in town, dashing to our host home to unload a few things from the car.  Starting a little late, we scouted down the main road through Augusta Shores.  As soon as I saw the light on Hickory Lake, I wanted to paint it!  The very clear blue sky reflected so beautifully off the surface!  Standing mid way up the drive, in the sun, I found my perfect vantage and sketched it out in paint.  Starting a paint at 1:00 is something I almost never do, so the light was a challenge!  I struggled to make sense of the light and shadow in the distant trees, I even had to walk away from my painting to clear my head!  Haha!  With so many daily paintings under my belt, this almost never happens.  With perseverance I tried to make sense of it all as color came back into the scene with time.  This painting took twice as long as it should have - and it ended up winning the Augusta Shores Paint Out!!  The moral of this story is - NEVER GIVE UP!  Painting number 3025 in 3025 days. 

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Lilac Blooms


I was so worried these newly opening lilacs would be nipped by last night's frost!  Checking them yesterday, they still were not open enough to paint. Upon awakening, I could clearly see they were unaffected by the heavy frost covering the lawn and trees.  Only my tulip tree had lost some blooms.  We are expecting another one tonight - and I hope it leaves all my blooms alone!!  Spring has really bloomed in my yard and I'm not ready to let it go!!  Painting number 3024 in 3024 days. 

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

April Snow at the Old Barn


At 4am, there was no snow to speak of and I went back to bed thinking it would be a normal day.  By 6am there was a lovely blanket down and more falling from the sky - so I started rearranging my day to paint early!  The temps were too warm to allow the beauty to stick around, but little did o know it would be vanishing before my eyes while painting!  So glad I got right out there!  If I'd gone to the gym first, it would have ALL been melted!  Painting number 3023 in 3023 days. 

Monday, April 19, 2021

Redbuds on the Trail


As I drove in the back way to Shawnee Mission Park, I knew at once I would be painting redbuds!  They were absolutely popping all along the wooded grounds!  Unable to resist painting the redbuds, several artist friends were meeting on the Gary Haller trail across from shelter 8.  The trees offered a windbreak- it had dropped 10 degrees here from my house - and the sun kept me toasty warm.  It has been such a relief to have my energy back today!  Maybe I will actually get over that silly covid shot!  I blocked this one in quickly while the sun was on the scene, then discovered I didn't have the right color for those redbuds!  I opened a small tube of permanent crimson in my pochade - and it allowed me to mix to the right shade. Magenta would have been perfect, but this is the only time of year I need it, thus did not have it!  I'll correct that for Augusta!  Painting number 3022 in 3022 days.  And tomorrow I might be painting snow with those redbuds!!

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Crestview Pond


Early morning by the pond was so peaceful, my only companions the frogs singing to each other across the water.  It was damp and cold until the sun cut across the pasture, and I stepped into the sunlight for warmth.  Another artist arrived as I was finishing, and it was great to visit a little before I moved to the next spot.  I sure do love painting in the field with artist friends again!  Painting number 3020 in 3020 days. 

Friday, April 16, 2021

Daffodil Impressions


I am constantly picking up new bulb and plant varieties to add to my gardens, often times forgetting what I put where until they bloom!  This is the first bloom of these beauties, so of course I had to paint them before the rain!  With brush, I block in the color masses, adding depth with a knife and thicker paint to finish.  I like the loose impressionistic strokes dropped while squinting to really see where those highlights pop!  It's fun to get loose and fresh with such a subject!  Painting number 3019 in 3019 days.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Home through the Redbuds


The redbuds are simply glorious this year - and I HAD to paint them before tomorrow's expected rain.  With a lot on my plate today, I painted this one quickly with my oils over a previous vineyard painting, with had a previous lake painting underneath it!  As I recycle my surfaces, it is fun to think one could uncover two former paintings beneath this paint!  I don't keep any records on that, but I do take photos of the ones in painting over.  I'll adjust my blog later to reflect they are no longer available.  The covid year has certainly helped me organize all things, and helped me pare down what I will show currently.  I only want my best work out there, after all.  Painting number 3018 in 3018 days. 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Old Gate at Crestview


The rain was not letting up, so I went in search of a view with cover.  I loved the old gate and the story of days on the farm that it recalled.  A horse trailer was open with the ramp out, so I backed myself in with my gear.  The wind blew the rain in from 3 sides, but at least it wasn't raining down from above!  I try to get my panel covered quickly when it is raining. If any water hits my surface before the oils, they will not stick.  The rain didn't stop until I was ready to leave - but that's just another day en plein air!  Painting number 3017 in 3017 days. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Spring at Crestview Dairy



On such a beautiful day, at such a gorgeous place, how could I resist creating one more painting?  With my silver TWSBI Mini with extra fine nib, loaded with De Atramentis Archive Ink, I sketch the outbuildings and farmhouse before me.  Using my white and rose gold TWSBI with a broad nib for the heavier lines, it is loaded with Levenger's Raven Black ink.  This ink is velvety black and moves with the application of water.  I'm using a handmade paper from Shizen, and the surface feels a little resistant to my watercolor.  The sizing is always different from one sheet to the next on these handmade papers, so I adjust my watercolor use.  I could not get a good photo with the sunlight over my shoulder, so the image is a little washed out. I'll try to get another to add to this post.  This day just about wiped me out!  I wonder how long it is going to take me to recover from that first Pfizer vaccine?  I'm going on 3 weeks now.  Painting number 3016 in 3016 days. 
 

Monday, April 12, 2021

Flaming Flag Tulips


I love these fancy tulips in the garden!  My first of the season, the Flaming Flags really show off their stripes - and they close up with the sun!  I have two new fountain pens - TWSBI Minis, one with a broad nib and one extra fine.  I love the rich line of the broad nib for edge work, and the extra fine is perfect for those sketchy lines making up the composition.  I have the white one loaded with my fav Levenger's Raven Black and the silver is filled with De Atramentis Archive Ink (which does not move with water).  I really love the rose gold details of the white pen, and both are super smooth writers.  Super fun to spend a little time in my garden today with a couple of new toys!!  Painting number 3015 in 3015 days. 

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Crestview Redbuds


What a perfect day for painting at the Crestview Dairy!  Day 2 of the Summit Art Plein Air event has it all - soft breezes, warm temps in the 70s, sunshine and the Lee's Summit Symphony playing by the lake!  The spring redbuds blooming pulled me right to this spot - and this is my first from this location.  I'm still recovering from my covid shot over two weeks ago, so I'm slower than usual.  I was able to paint three paintings today before throwing in the towel! Painting number 3014 in 3014 days. 

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Spring at the Dairy Barn


The first day of the Summit Art Plein Air event was a rainy one, and first thing this morning was the quick paint. I helped check in artists until it was time to jump in myself, and headed out to find my spot.  Looking for shelter, I found a small shed with a rolling door, partially open, so I set up with my view of the farm.  Crestview Dairy is the venue of this first event with it's 31 acres of lush views.  It was fun to paint in an event with artist friends again, even in a cold, driving rain!  Painting number 3013 in 3013 days. 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Magnolia and Pear


Oh how I love painting the flowering trees of spring!  After today's rain, the trees are absolutely shining!  I'm using my Richeson palette today and loading it up for this weekend's event while I'm at it.  I spent some time earlier getting frames and panels ready, one of those chores best done when the outdoors isn't calling me!  I'm using a 6x8 masonite panel, which I love.  I've been using quite a bit of canvas lately, and I'm so happy to return to my favorite surface. I hope I get enough time to fully capture the beauty of these trees before the blossoms fly away!  Painting number 3012 in 3012 days. 

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Magnolia Chickadees


I love when my tulip magnolia tree starts blushing pink with blooms!  This beauty was a Mother's Day gift years ago from my little darlings, and each year when it blooms I remember that fondly.  I love the connections so many of my flowers and trees have with loved ones, on this earth and not.  Each bloom brings back the memories of those days.  I'm painting in oil on this rainy day, and a sudden rain shower tossed the blooms a bit, changing my composition.  They will brighten again tomorrow, and I might just paint this tree in front of the flowering pear behind it, more from a distance. In between rain, I finished this painting while the birds flew in and out of it's branches.  I enjoy painting to their birdsong!  Painting number 3011 in 3011 days.
 

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Cherry Tree


 

Hard to believe that I did not even know these trees existed last week!  The Monday Morning Watercolorists had already scheduled our weekly paint out here at Loose Park, so I was sure to attend!  I love the shapes and colors of these cherry trees, so I am studying them in depth. I learned some things on the first painting, and am applying that to this one.  I hope to get a few more done before they blossoms fly away - which is already starting.  Painting number 3010 in 3010 days. 

Monday, April 5, 2021

Cherry Tree Bloom at Loose Park


These cherry trees were part of 3000 trees gifted to the United States from Japan in 2012.  I just found out about these beauties last week, so I'm here with my Mom and artist friends painting them this afternoon!  They are absolutely at peak today, with just a little petal fall in the blowing wind. Mid 70s make this a perfect painting day surrounded by a heaven of blooms, exactly what I needed after my extreme negative reaction to the Pfizer vaccine 10 says ago.  Every day in a little better, and getting to paint in a place like this is so healing.  I'm not sure why I didn't know about these trees before now, but I will surely seek them out every year to paint again!  Painting number 3009 in 3009 days. 

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Mixed Daffodils


It was wonderful to gather together as a family for Easter today!  The weather couldn't have been nicer, and we spent plenty of time outside hunting for eggs, sitting in the rockers on the front porch, and playing yard games!  It is so nice to have my Mom and Mike's parents join in the fun.  We had too much food again - thank goodness I can send some home with the kids!  It has been a very busy family weekend, so it was nice to finish it painting the mixed daffodils that grow lovelier each day!  Painting number 3008 in 3008 days. 

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Setting Sun


Oh what a gorgeous day to spend outside!  With temps in the 70s, this kind of day is the reward for those frigid cold days of winter!  I was busy all day preparing for our Easter gathering tomorrow, so when I saw the color rising in the sky, I knew this was my chance!  Using oils on my 6x6 masonite panel, I first mark the shadows as I let that color ripen in the sky.  As soon as I feel it is at peak, I start dropping in the sunlit hues, adjusting where necessary.  I love that sunset dash to get those colors captured - and then it's all over as quickly as it began!  Painting number 3007 in 3007 days. 

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Weston Brewing Co B&B

I continue to find paintings that I forgot to post, especially when I'm traveling!  This sweet little B&B was one of my last sketches of my Weston trip, and a miniature, too.  This place is full of hidden gems around every corner and down every street.  It sure was fun getting to paint different spots and eat at different restaurants with my Mom joining me for this side trip.  I didn't have near enough of these last year, sure hope this year runs according to schedule!  Painting number 3005 in 3005 days.