Pink Ice Ornaments

I spent this warm, lovely day outdoors, working in my gardens!  The ground is so soft that I could actually plant the arbovidaes that adorned my front porch as Christmas trees all season long!  After we spent some time with Mom, Danny and the boys, I am ringing in the New Year with Diamine's Pink Ice ink and a pink glass dip pen!  The color is a lovely fruit punch shade, and the pink of the glass pen is hardly noticeable with the Christmas lights behind it!  Hard to believe that it is almost 2022! Painting number 3268 in 3268 days. 

Vintage Copper Trees

I love sketching the oaks at sunset in this Vintage Copper ink by Diamine!  That oak in the background is a Live Oak, that my grandma babied as a young tree.  I can remember her telling us all to stay off that tree, as she nurtured it into adulthood.  Just this season I can see how those lower branches are spreading out from the central trunk.  What a lovely tree that will become over the years.  This ink is from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, Vintage Copper, and has a lovely coppery hue and rich shimmer, too!  The color is less red and more copper in better light - it is so hard to get a true color pic at sunset!  Painting number 3267 in 3267 days. 

Thunderbolt Creek

I love the rich violet blue of Diamine's Thunderbolt ink!  It is free flowing with the addition of water, washing out to a pinkish hue in the sky a bit.  I sketched the whole drawing with only one dip in the ink, and that pen left a nice line.  It is another of my new glass dip pens.  Last month, I was frustrated when I could not locate my other lovely dip pens - only the older, lesser ones were found.  Since I was preparing for my exciting Inkvent Calendar, this was unacceptable! SO, I ordered nine new ones with different shapes and nibs, to both experiment with them AND ensure I wouldn't run out, lol!  I'm sure I put my other ones somewhere safe during my lockdown time of organizing everything!  It's so fun to try these new inks during the holidays - even if I didn't have time each day to get to them!  Painting number 3266 in 3266 days. 

Night Shade Tree

This newest ink by Diamine is called Night Shade, and is a lovely choice for nocturne painting.  It has a wonderful dark blue color that bleeds into a more turquoise shade with water.  I'm using another new glass dip pen which compliments the ink.  The nib was a little scratchy on my handmade paper, so I think I will sand it a little to smooth that ink flow off the nib.  I love this Inkvent Calendar - so fun to explore a different color each day!  Painting number 3265 in 3265 days.  

Red Robin Cardinal

With this new pale pink glass dip pen, I sketch out the little bird in front of me.  I filled the feeders this morning and it did not take them long to return!  I like the ink flow this pen has.  Besides it's lovely, spiral shape, the nib holds a lot of ink. I did all the line work with 2 dips in my newest ink to try - Diamine's Red Robin!  It is a rich, coppery red, which builds up to really get dark where heavily applied.  With water, it washes out warm and orangy.  This nib is very fine, and the ink flows right to the tip when held at a slant.  Love the little gifts of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar!  Painting number 3264 in 3264 days. 

Christmas Magic at Union Station

I have longed to paint this large for my own wall all month long.  The first two oil paintings were painted in the daylight hours - and both sold.  As we came back from dinner at Crown Center, we walked through this majestic hall at night.  WOW, was this place breath-taking!  In all these years, I've never been down there after dark, and I did not know what I was missing!  So, for this large substrate, I had to capture that nocturne beauty.  I have chosen a different vantage, one that I looked at the very first time I painted here, and started with all the line work.  I see a few adjustments needed, and a bit of work left to do, but I ran out of time and wanted it on the wall for today's Christmas celebration!  After a day fun of family, food and fun, I will let this painting rest until tomorrow, and probably add more paint while it hangs on the wall - lol.  I may just leave this one up long after the holidays are over.  This place brings back happy family memories, and time spent with my dad on a bench, enjoying the beauty of this place.  Painting number 3263 in 3263 days. 

Shiny Ornaments

We have a new family tradition since Mom has moved to town - she hosts Christmas Eve!  On this night, we all share our gift with her, and she with us.  The halls are decked and table set with h'orderves, and the grandchildren playing with the pull toys my brother and I shared.  It is a lovely night to celebrate the season with our closest family, and treasure our time together. Who would have guessed it would nearly be 70 degrees tonight in Missouri?  Painting number 3262 in 3262 days. 

Santa Inked

Looks like Santa is bringing me a fountain pen - lol!  As much as I love trying new inks, I also love getting back to my favorite Raven Black ink in a favorite, reliable TWSBI Eco fountain pen.  After using glass dip pens most of the month, I really love having ink flow smoothly from the nib - with no dipping!  It is very relaxing to settle in with pen and paper, and create.  Its like an art meditation in the midst of Christmas craziness.  So much fun!  Painting number 3261 in 3261 days. 

Santa Portrait Inked

Diamine's Black Ivy ink is behind today's door on my Inkvent Calendar - and bleeds a lovely green and blue when wet.  The line work is pretty dark, and I expected it to be blacker, which would be lovely for a vintage Santa face.  This color would be very nice for a grove of cedars, though, and perhaps I should let down a heavy patch to see what it can do.  My husband has been off this week - and I am not getting nearly as much done in any day.  I sure hope I can finish a few more things before Christmas - time is growing short!  Painting number 3260 in 3260 days. 

Stargazer Creek

This lovely bend in the creek that feeds Cleveland Lake is right off the main walk. Easily accessible, it's a great spot for a quick pen and ink drawing.  I'm using a new ink from Diamine's Inkvent Calendar - Stargazer, a rich, warm blue when wet.  It is very dark in the line, but a light brush of water releases the extra chroma.  I can see how wonderful this could be for a snow covered nocturne, with the night sky inked heavily this shade of blue.  I've been very busy getting paintings finished and shipped out.  I'm hoping to get one done for myself, too - if the stars align!  I'm currently behind on my ink doors, but I plan to catch up over Christmas break. Things are bound to slow down!  Painting number 3259 in 3259 days. 

Ornament Impressions

I do love getting loose and impressionistic with these shiny vintage ornaments!  Using my acrylics in a dry brush manner, I can layer in the values and colors.  The heavy body acrylics dry quickly, so different from my oils.  I rarely pull out my acrylics these days, but doing so puts all kinds of ideas in my head!  How fun would it be to paint this large and hang out over a sofa?  I know the perfect spot - if I can find the time to get it done before Christmas!  Painting number 3258 in 3258 days. 

Party Time Ornament

 My latest Inkvent Calendar door opened revealed my newest ink gift - Party Time.  This luscious pink ink is vibrant, so I chose to draw an ornament with it, and fill it in with a brush and water.  Lovely and bright, this seemed the perfect ink for this day of celebration.  Our youngest graduated yesterday and we had a family celebration today.  Life is sweet, and these special moments mean the world. So happy we could spend this day together!  Painting number 3257 in 3257 days. 

Brandy

I really love painting animals, especially beloved pets.  This darling is a commission painting, with beautiful markings, and has been a joy to paint!  In the business of the season, it sure is nice to spend a little time with the paint and create something truly meaningful for a family.  This is the very best part of this artist life. Painting number 3256 in 3256 days.  So happy I can share this painting as we drive back from Michael's graduation from college, Cum Laude, at Missouri S & T.  What a busy wonderful day of celebration and moving him home! 

Storm Nutcracker

 It is so fun to open a new door on my Inkvent Calendar!  This Diamine ink is Storm, and is a wonderful deep blue that bleeds out to a turquoise with water.  I chose my new blue glass dip pen for this drawing and the nib is a little scratchy on this handmade paper.  I think I'll lightly sand it before the next time I use it, see if it helps the flow a little. I think this ink would be lovely in a winter landscape, perhaps when the snow is falling!  Tomorrow, our baby graduates college, and we'll be moving him home!  I can't wait to have him home again as he starts his new career at Burns and McDonnell.  He's going to be a brilliant electrical engineer.  Painting number 3255 in 3255 days. 

Vintage Ornaments

 I'm always thankful to finish that last Christmas card!  Merry and bright is my theme this year, so I've been painting the vintage ornaments I picked up weeks ago, in various compositions.  It takes quite a while by the time I paint each one, attach to cards, then handwrite a personal note or memory.  It's taken me a few years to get back in the groove, losing my dad was so very hard. I realize more than ever how fragile life is, and how thankful I am for every chance to tell my loved ones what then mean to me. Painting number 3254 in 3254 days. 

O Christmas Trees

 It is magical to stand in a place like this, surrounded by Christmas trees and ornaments, and paint.  The beauty of the place seeps into the painting, as soft Christmas music wafts in the air.  It's the little things that make life worth living, and this place is a joy to paint.  I couldn't leave without buying a few of the ornaments adorning those trees!  Painting number 3253 in 3253 days. 

Union Station Magic

 I love to use ink and watercolor for pre-sketching my composition.  In fact, ink alone is my "go to", but I often take it further, adding color.  I have a hard time deciding which media to use here, so I end up bringing ink, watercolor and oils!  It's silly, because it is a long haul to the car, so I carry it all in a heavy bag over my shoulder!  But what's an artist to do?  Once I had finished with the ink and watercolor, I did not go on to paint an oil here.  Happy with this painting, there was no need to express it again.  So, I walked to the adjacent corner for the quick paint using oil.  I again used the portrait format with tree and window, only with a different vantage.  I do like that I could see the historic clock here.  Five generations of my family have walked these halls, and surely checked the time on that clock.  I love that I'm now painting here, in this timeless place.  Painting number 3252 in 3252 days. 

Family Christmas Trees

I simply LOVE painting Christmas!  Family Tree Nursery is so welcoming to us artists, allowing us to come set up and paint their Christmas magic.  Surrounded by all things Christmas, I positioned myself with a view of the fireplace, nestled in the decorated trees.  It was so nice to visit with shoppers and the friendly staff while I painted.  It really feels like Christmas when I'm immersed in a place like this, with my paints.  I really love painting during the holidays!  Painting number 3251 in 3251 days. 

Christmas at Union Station

I've got that Christmas feeling as I paint at Union Station in ink and watercolor!  I love sketching all the lines and arches of this beautiful old train station.  With so much detail, it can be challenging to keep track of where I am in my drawing.  I will make a few tack marks at doorway edges and corners, just to keep me lined up as I work.  Once I've got the basics in, I start with the watercolor, remembering to squint to see the values.  My eyes can get lost in the magic of it all!  When I see people in postures that I like - I sketch them in quickly, before they move on.  I love to see all the families coming to see this tree, and take photos.  It's a wonderful Kansas City tradition! Love this nostalgic place!  Painting number 3250 in 3250 days. 

Union Station Tradition

 I'm so happy the Kansas City Parks have joined with Union Station to organize these holiday quick paints!  There is nothing as iconic as the giant Christmas Tree inside of Union Station, and what a joy to paint it!  The place was very crowded with families taking photos by the tree, and so many wonderful people stopped by to chat while I worked.  One young girl was especially interested in what I was doing, and came back as I was framing this one up for entry.  She loved it so much, her parents bought it for her, and she will always remember this night.  Maybe this experience will inspire her to take up a brush and paint herself, and capture the beauty she sees in the world.  Painting number 3249 in 3249 days. 

Harmony

I love exploring a new ink each day!  I've had trouble finding my glass dip pens, only finding a couple. One was quite small the other had the fine tip broken off.  So, I ordered a few more, nine in fact!  Each day I plan to choose a pen that compliments the newest ink, so Christmas really has come early this year!  The rich velvety plum color moves freely with water, and bleeds into beautiful hues. This is a lovely ink!  Painting number 3248 in 3248 days. 

Christmas Balls

Tonight finds me hard at work on Christmas Card Art!  The days have been so nice that I've spent the daylight hours on outdoor projects - leaving the wee hours for painting! I picked up these vintage ornaments when holiday shopping with my mom, for the purpose of painting them. I like to hand make my cards, so they take a bit of time, and then I like to write individual notes in each one - which takes even more time. My goal for tonight was 10 cards finished and stamped - and I've gotten through 12 - so that's a win!  Nothing makes me work harder than a challenge, even with myself, lol!  Painting number 3247 in 3247 days. 

Winter Spice

I love experimenting with the inks of Diamine's Inkvent calendar!  I was SO JEALOUS in 2019 when I learned there was such a thing - only to find it was sold out before I could order one.  So imagine how wonderful it is to open a little door to a new ink adventure, each day this month!!  I must admit, I am getting a little derailed from my schedule, lured away from my work by the sweet temptations.  Creativity does feed the soul, and I love pushing the limits of each ink.  I really love the pinks that emerge with a little water on this one, and the rich brown color.  Maybe I'll start using a brush to lay that ink on heavy, too.  So many options, so little time.  Painting number 3246 in 3246 days. 

Poinsettia

So fun to paint the poinsettias at Crown Center for the Urban Sketchers KC sketch walk!  The small one is an ornament for the artist exchange, the blanks with ribbon were ready to pick up and paint when I checked in.  We all check in, paint two hours, then meet up and share our work.  This time we shared more - any artist creating ornaments got to exchange them with another ornament!  Love getting to paint with artist friends with the whole place decked out for the holidays!  Painting number 3245 in 3245 days. 

Union Station Christmas

Union Station is buzzing for the holidays!  Family and friends gather around the tree to celebrate the season, dining, shopping or staying for a show, and today I paint the magic.  Meeting the Monday Watercolorists, we each pick our location and get to work, painting for two hours before meeting for lunch at Harvey's (which is where I stood to paint this).  I fully expected to paint two paintings here, but simply spent too much time on this one capturing the whole scene!  Again, I really need to paint this large for my own home!  What a lovely memory to hang in the wall for the holidays!  Painting number 3244 in 3244 days. 

Union Station Christmas Tree

Arriving early for check in, I decided to paint this in ink and watercolor while I waited. I intended to next paint it in oil, but instead went into the other room to paint.  Perhaps I will do this in oils this week - I'm heading up there two more times before Christmas!  I'd love to paint this large for my own home during the holiday season!  Painting number 3243 in 3243 days.   

Crown Center Wreath

It is so fun to paint the Mayor's Christmas Tree as seen through the giant wreath at Crown Center! Kansas City is magical during the holidays, and today is our monthly Urban Sketchers KC sketch venue.  We gather afterward to share our work, and the tiny painting is actually an ornament to exchange with other artists. There were several blanks available that we could paint to share, so I painted three, along with two larger works. There is something to be said for daily practice, my speed on site increases with time!  This place is a yearly favorite for the holidays, but this is the first time I've painted from the third floor!  Wonderful view from the top!  Painting number 3242 in 3242 days. 

Union Station Holiday

Union Station is a magical place for the holidays - and there is nothing like capturing the magic with paint!  Tonight, Kansas City Parks and Rec sponsored a Holiday Quick Paint inside Union Station, and the halls were decked!  I love painting in this historic train station, it really is a gem in Kansas City.  I used oils for this interior, after sketching another in ink and watercolor.  I rarely do interiors, but I sure do enjoy them!  It was so fun gathering with artist friends and Mom joined in the fun, too. Painting number 3241 in 3241 days. 

 

Holiday Balls

I'm so honored to have this painting chosen by the Buttonwood Financial Group for their company Christmas card this year! I collect vintage glass balls just for painting during the holidays.  I keep them in a glass bowl for added holiday flair, and easy access for impromptu paintings.  I really like the festive colors and cheer they represent - so perfect for celebrating the season.  In fact, I've been working on a few in the same vein for my own Christmas cards this year!  Painting number 3240 in 3240 days. 

Seize the Night Ornaments

I'm so excited to open the first ink of Diamine's Inkvent calendar!!  "Seize the Night" is a rich velvety violet that moves a bit with water!  I have not yet marked on wet paper, but I see blue separating from the violet in the more saturated masses. I have wanted this calendar ever since the first year's one sold out - before I found out about it.  I think tomorrow I'll try dropping a drop of this ink on wet paper, allowing it to bleed out, just to see what kind of magic happens.  There is so much more that can be done with ink than writing.  Painting number 3239 in 3239 days.