Saturday, July 31, 2021

Red Salvia


Red salvia always reminds me of Grandma Bessie,  who first introduced this flower to me many years ago!  I haven't placed it in my gardens for a few years, but when I found out at Suburban this spring, I had to plant some!  Showy even in a heat wave, these blooms shine when the days get hot.  I've never tried to capture them in oils, so maybe that week be next!  Love my time spent in the garden with ink and watercolor.  Pictured above is one of my favorite TWSBI Diamond fountain pens!  This one is filled with Robert Oster's Thunderstorm ink.  Painting number 3117 in 3117 days. 

Friday, July 30, 2021

Sunflower


Some days are so busy, I only have enough time for a miniature painting!  So, choosing ink and watercolor, I grabbed an ATC sized paper and started sketching. This week's heat wave has been hard on so many of my flowers this week - I am hoping they make it until things cool off.  I first use a water resistant ink for the composition, and follow this with watercolor.  I have water soluble ink in the TWSBI Diamond mini fountain pen pictured, and I use that where I want the ink to move a little.  Love these little moments in the garden with my paints!  Painting number 3116 in 3116 days. 

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Road to Catala


 

I just realized that I did not post this painting before delivering it!  So happy that I did get a photo, though!  Many is the time I have sold a painting off my easel without a photo to record it.  In fact, I just did that Saturday when in a hurry to wrap up and get to my third event of the day.  This composition pulled me in with the dramatic turn of the road leading to this historic house, with the charming town of New Melle beyond it.  I love painting these places that dot the map! There are so many paintings out there, just waiting to be discovered!  Painting number 3116 in 3116 days. 

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Studio in the Woods


So worth the uneven stance to sketch the dramatic perch of this studio on the hill!  I walked all around this cabin before returning to this spot at the very edge of the woods.  Standing awkwardly in the incline, I knew this must be my vantage!  With water resistant ink, I began my sketch. As I completed my composition, I started working in the water soluble inks.  I added a wet brush to these areas to wash out the ink a bit, gaining those midtones. I love surrounding myself in nature, allowing the landscape to seep into my painting.  That is the true benefit of working en plein air. Painting number 3115 in 3115 days 

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Sunflower Impressions


Sunflowers may just be the happiest flowers in the garden!  I've planted many - and this year I am battling voles and deer, who find them quite tasty!  I have a giant wild one in a raised bed that already towers above me, with many different branches, and I can hardly wait for it to start budding out!  I love how the yellow tones change on a single petal in the light, and I'm having so much fun exploring these forms in paint!  I'm using oils today, but I might just try watercolor another day, as I look forward to many more blooms!  Painting number 3114 in 3114 days. 

Monday, July 26, 2021

Summer Scene


It was so fun to paint the Summer Scene festival at T.B. Hanna Station Park in Raymore!  It has been years since I have been in town during this week to attend this festival.  Last time I was here, a few tents were lined up in the grass under the trees, no Pavillion, no playground or sprayground, no public facilities either.  Wow!  What a difference! It was a lovely evening full of live music, performances and art.  I loved the angles of the festival tents leading to the band, so I sketched in ink and added the watercolor. Once I finished and framed this, it was purchased by the city for someone special.  Love that this painting found a new home! Painting number 3113 in 3113 days. 

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Missouri Bicentennial Celebration


Kansas City Parks hosted a quick paint today to celebrate Missouri's Bicentennial in a park along the Chouteau Trfy.  Unveiling two new statues, the mayor and senator addressed the crowd.  French fiddle and Native American dance music played as I worked, as well as other entertainment.  Food trucks were and horse drawn wagon rides were enjoyed by many.  I stood in the shade of the horse trailer to complete my painting on this very hot morning.  Thank goodness for a little shade!!  Painting number 3112 in 3112 days. 

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Afternoon in the Water Garden


 

After a quick paint for the Kansas City Parks this morning I am immersed in the most amazing water garden in town!  I haven't been here for two years, and this garden only grows more glorious!  It is sheer joy to listen to babbling water while working, so very peaceful.  Even though we're in a heat wave, the breeze kept me cool as I painted here.  This garden is so inspiring - it makes me long to put one in! Painting number 3111 in 3111 days. 

Friday, July 23, 2021

N. Main and Washington


Some days I have an idea already in my head of what I might want to paint.  I headed out this morning and totally changed my mind!  Instead of the small focus of the federal style building, I wanted the long sweep of Main Street as I looked down Washington.  Luckily, I had one long handmade paper in my bag, so after switching to a longer format I jumped right in.  I started the rather complicated line drawing with De Atramentis Archive Ink, taking a break as I finished the composition.  The breakfast at the Main Street Inn B&B is amazing  - so of course I put my painting on hold!  After feasting and visiting with the other guests while being entertained by our host, I returned to add watercolor to the ink.  I love getting to immerse myself in such a special place, capturing the moment in ink and watercolor. Painting number 3110 in 3110 days. 

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Side Garden


I LOVE getting to paint special places when I travel. Behind that kitchen door, magical things happen!  I've now stayed at this Main Street Inn in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, three times, each stay surpassing the previous one. The Inn is full of historic charm and comfortable spaces, with a wonderful breakfast provided with fun conversation and local stories. The outside gardens are just as lovely with a water garden, statuary, and scattered seating to enjoy quiet moments among the blooms.  I am always inspired to paint here, and always wishing I had time to paint more!  Painting number 3109 in 3109 days. 

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Bear Paw Ranch


 What a lovely spot to sketch in pen and ink!  From the vintage home to the wonderful barns, I knew I wanted to capture the full scene on my paper.  When I start a drawing like this, I make little tick marks that represent each building - just to make sure they all fit into the space.  It is very helpful to make sure that far right barn made it into the scene.  The house and that barn were my favorite buildings so both were important.  Painting number 3108 in 3108 days. 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Morning Hydrangea


This is a showstopper year for my Little Lime hydrangeas!  The fourth year in the ground, they are now vigorous and abundant - so of course, I have to paint them!  Using my oils, I mark the lights and darks first, squinting down to see the masses.  I want the light and shadow to tell their story as they travel through the painting. I still haven't reloaded my palette, so my more sedimentary paints have thickened on the hot days in my trunk between pops in the freezer - my terra verte, asphaltum, and green under specifically. I like the quick colors on my palette, they are a especially nice quick start for those high summer greens in the landscape. I mix yellows into them, and push them cooler where needed. But they do oxidize more quickly, even with a dot of clove oil on them.  It seems like I'm always running out of paint - lol!  Painting number 3108 in 3108 days - now in to clean my palette! 

Monday, July 19, 2021

Garden on Black Swan Lake


What a beautiful morning for painting in a garden on Black Swan Lake!  Meeting a few of the Monday Morning Watercolorists for our weekly outing, I had never heard of Black Swan Lake before!  Nestled in Northern Shawnee, this garden is tucked deep into the area, right on the lake.  In fact, I had to stand on a steep slope near water's edge to get this vantage.  I even set up on a black ant hill, with my yoga mat to separate us, sprayed with bug deterrent on both sides.  Only two brave ants crawled up my legs - until I brushed them off!  I often use this mat for wet ground or snow, to insulate my feet, or in woodsy areas that might be crawling with ticks.  I don't need any hitchhikers while I paint!  This garden is brimming with lovely blooms, and I'm so happy I got to spend the morning exploring them with paint!  Painting number 3107 in 3107 days. 

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Sunfinity!


 This is my first year planting Sunfinity sunflowers, and I was so excited to watch them grow and bloom "all season long" - as the brand says.  So, imagine my disappointment when deer munched all the blooms off as well as most of the plant!  In the last few days, it is coming back to life and loaded with blooms!  It is still pretty short, but I hope it will continue to grow and become the showstopper I know it can be!  To celebrate it's return to bloom, I am painting this one in ink and watercolor.  I hope to paint many more sunflowers throughout the season!  Painting number 3107 in 3107 days. 

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Path through the Rose Garden


Loose Park is one of my favorite places to paint in Kansas City - especially in the rose garden!  Gathering with the Urban Sketchers KC group this morning, I arrived a little late.  Finding this spot immediately, I still took a stroll through the garden just to be sure!  I set up and jumped right in, laying in my lights and darks from the onset.  I simply love the morning light spreading over the garden, and that has to be captured quickly, before it fades.  What a wonderful way to start the day!  Love getting to visit with friends and nature lovers in the field, too.  It is one of the best parts of working en plein air!  Painting number 3106 in 3106 days. 

Friday, July 16, 2021

Hay Bales in the Pasture


 

Oh I love this time of year, when the large round bales are in the pasture!  Just seeing them brings back childhood memories of family farms.  My children loved jumping from one to the other when they were lined up, and scrambling up the sides to be the king of the mountain!  They are never in the field long enough, so I am painting them while I can - this time in oil.  The oils just seem to lend depth and texture to the grasses, and represent the landscape well. I hope I get to paint them again before they move!  Painting number 3105 in 3105 days. 

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Docked

 


I've got an art show coming up in August in Osage Beach, Missouri, and I am getting a few things ready for my booth space.  A first time plein air event - The Best Dam Plein Air Event - will celebrate the 90th year of Bagnell Dam.  Along with the various venues, participating artists are offered booth space for paintings other than the work from the event. So, in keeping with the lake theme, I am gathering previous work and even painting from some of my reference pics, to have a few additional things to offer.  I don't normally do "shows" other than art galleries or plein air sale days, so this will be fun to see how it goes!  And, it is an opportunity for me to paint boats again - since I am not going to Door County this year.  Painting number 3104 in 3104 days. 

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Gladiolus


The garden has been so lovely in recent days - I just had to capture this first gladiolus of the season in bloom!  Given to Mike years ago by a friend at work, these glads come up every year and bloom - even though I never lift them for the winter!  I think this year I will move a few of them to other beds this fall, to spread the loveliness around!  Ink and watercolor is the perfect medium for a miniature painting in the garden!  Painting number 3103 in 3103 days. 

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Path through the Garden


What a beautiful morning for painting at the Anita Gorman Conservation Center in Kansas City.  This path leads right through the wildflower garden, a perfect place for many different paintings!  Meeting together with artist friends - the Monday Morning Watercolorists, this is our weekly painting location.  So happy to get out and paint with friends in such a lovely, peaceful place. Painting number 3102 in 3102 days. 

Monday, July 12, 2021

Morning by the Creek


 The water called to me as I scouted the area.  Looking for a remote spot, I found a flat rock crossing of the creek that I could set my easel on. Standing on another rock, I painted the scene, unable to step back - as that would land me in the water!  It was a very pleasant morning spent with frogs, turtles and bees to keep me company!  Crowded in with marsh, I'm just happy no snakes joined this painting party!  So fun to join my artist friends at such a location, the Anita Gorman Conservation Center is a gem in Kansas City!  Painting number 3101 in 3101 days. 

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Sunflower Song


This afternoon finds me painting cheerful sunflower blooms. I love the bright faces of yellow in the landscape!  Painting a little loose and free on this one, in not quite sure it it is finished. I'm going to let it rest until tomorrow, and check again with fresh eyes.  My paint is starting to get a little thick, and some of it needs to be refreshed on my palette.  I hope to find some blooms to paint again tomorrow.  Painting number 3100 in 3100 days! 

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Stella's


 I love a quick sketch on the street - especially when the scene is as lovely as this one!  Upon arriving in the charming town of Sainte Genevieve, we stopped into this little Cafe for a late lunch.  It was delicious, so I captured a slice of our day in ink and watercolor.  It was too hot to sit outside, but maybe next time we will!  Painting number 3099 in 3099 days. 

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Sailing Inked


What fun it is to capture the sailboats in motion with pen and ink!  This TWSBI Eco fountain pen delivers a smooth line and a little more ink than a few others that I have, which I love for a quick sketch!  It is loaded with Levenger's Raven Black ink, and is probably mixed with a bit of their Cocoa Brown because I did not rinse the pen or between fillings!  Oops!  I was in a hurry, in my defense.  I'm working on several paintings to bring to a show down at Osage Beach, and this is one of them. Looking forward to more beautiful days on the lake!  Painting number 3097 in 3097 days. 

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Cottage Roses


What a treat to find these roses in full bloom at the cottage in Steelville!  With so many venues to paint, I had to squeeze in a little time to paint this, too!  At their peak, these lush knock out roses were a joy to paint with their bold color and upright forms.  I think I'd like to paint another to include the window and a wider view of the blooms.  I'll soon be painting the roses at Loose Park, so I think practice may be in order!  I long for the luxury of time to REALLY study their forms as I paint.  Maybe one day...!  Painting number 3096 in 3096 days. 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Mary's Slice of Heaven


I love when I first land on a spot and it calls to me to paint it!  A special private estate paint during the Steelville Plein Air, it was a treat to experience this place with pen and ink.  I loved the rather dramatic view from the side of the front lawn, so I set up drawing tucked in close to a tree for shade.  Summer is here and so is the heat!  I used one of my favorite TWSBI fountain pens to draw this coming in with a little water to get my midtones.  I love the nostalgic feel of pen and ink - especially on handmade paper.  What a pleasure it has been, drawing while music played in the backyard, with our amazing host offering sustenance and smiles.  I have the best job ever!  Painting number 3095 in 3095 days. 

Monday, July 5, 2021

Daylilies


These vibrant double daylilies are spectacular in the garden!  A real showstopper, I have only seen the doubles at the Amelia Earhart home in Atchison, Kansas. Another friend told me these lilies are a civil war era variety. They stand tall among lilies and are at their best for the 4th of July.  On this busy holiday weekend of festivities and family fun here, I am slipping in a miniature painting to match my tiny painting window.  With ink and watercolor I sketch first the lilies, then follow with watercolor to add life to the blooms.  I love painting in the golden light of evening - the perfect time to capture these beauties!  Perhaps I'll paint them in oil this year, I'm not sure I ever have!  Painting number 3094 in 3094 days. 

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Phlox!


My first garden phlox is a giant!  So, of course I had to paint it!  After spending a full day weeding various beds, I kept noting special blooms that are popping!  Grabbing my ink and watercolor while there was still enough light, I sketched a miniature of this beauty.  The paper is a rough cotton watercolor type and pretty crisp with sizing.  Each handmade paper is different, and it's interesting to see how they behave.  This one accepted the ink in a bleeding fashion, so I switched to De Atramentis Archive Ink for the line work.  It is more resistant to the water.  The bleeding ink in this case is Robert Oster's Great Southern Ocean, which I LOVE, so I'm totally blaming the paper for this one!  Lol! Painting number 3093 in 3093 days. 

Friday, July 2, 2021

Falling Water


 I love painting at the nature sanctuary when in Parkville, Missouri.  It's a bit of a hike in, but totally worth the effort.  The trail is a beautiful one to walk or run, as it passes through woods and along the creek fed by these falls. This place is especially nice after a good rain, when the water is rushing.  I've painted this a few times, and each trip reveals something new to me. The light streaming through the trees was exceptional this day.  Love these tranquil moments painting by the falling water. Painting number 3092 in 3092 days. Now showing at the Cathy Kline Art Gallery for the MVIS Signature Show. 

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Red Door at Main St Inn


What is it about a red door that is so inviting?  This lovely place is our room for this stay, so of course I had to paint it!  Love stepping out for early morning tea among the flowers adorning this terrace garden.  In fact, I brought my tea with me as I painted this from across the street at the gallery.  This place is charming, especially early in the morning when only a few are out on the street.  Painting number 3091 in 3091 days.