Looking up Walnut

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What a gorgeous day for painting the charming streets of Lakeside, Ohio!  This path leads to town from the beach of Lake Erie, and is another iconic part of Lakeside.  As I sketched in ink and painted in watercolor, many stopped to visit and young artists asked about my tools.  It was a lovely day of sharing art, followed by dinner and a show with Mom at Hoover Auditorium.  Painting number 3840 in 3840 days. 

Old Blue at the Shed

I LOVE finding these vintage tractors to paint!  Each one has a story to tell, and this one already hangs on a wall to tell it.  This tractor called to me from the first time I saw it, tucked beside an old shed.  Resting in the yard at my host home in Steelville, I saw this beauty early morning and night, until I finally had an opportunity to paint it.  It was lightly raining, so the shelter of a covered porch protected my ink and watercolor from running.  I really like the square format for this.  I've only used this format a few times, and I really like when it suits the scene so well.  Painting number 3828 in 3828 days. 

Horner Cabin Retreat

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I loved getting to paint this cabin deep in the woods!  The path on the right leads down the bluff, all the way to a dock on the Meramec River.  Several cabins dot this area, all part of the family of cabins.  What history this place holds, 100 years of family fun, generations growing old together.  I'm so happy I could experience this place and I'm happy this painting has a new home with the owner, too!  Painting number 3809 in 3809 days. 

Crossbuck Barn

 I love finding a great barn to paint up a winding road!  Returning from the Meramec River, this beautiful place emerged from the woods as I drove the winding path!  What a treat to get to paint it before I headed back to town!  The whole Steelville area is a full of painting subjects for this artist!  Will I ever be able to paint all the paintings already in my head?  Come see this and others at today's wet paint sale at the Steelville Community Center from 10 to 3. Painting number 3804 in 3804 days! 

Monarch

I totally forgot about tonight's acrylic pour workshop until my phone reminded me 30 minutes prior!  In the zone with my oils, I was in the garden painting hollyhocks at the time.  I packed up without washing my brushes, and rushed to our Tri County Art League's event.  Oh my gosh!  What fun it was to choose colors, layer them, pour them, then use gravity to move the masses to and fro.  A whole new world has just opened up, and I'm standing on the brink of discovery!!  Painting number 2723 in 2723 days.

Portage in February

Oh how I LOVE these dark, moody days of winter!  With freezing rain coming down all night, this scene awaited in the morning.  The river now melted, was dark in the early light.  I could sense the light changing, so I rushed to get those first colors in before the warming.  My preliminary sketch was formatted longer, with the front bank included.  But after studying the sketch, I decided to go in close and square it off.   Nothing like a pre sketch to work out all the issues.  Painting number 2232 in 2232 days.

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Tractor For Sale

donated to Fairfield Plein Air

I drove past this tractor every time I returned to my parents house, for nearly two months.  On our way to a doctor appointment, I was finally able to take a few good photos to work from, knowing I would not have enough time to work on site.  Using my acrylics for the second time this week, I sketch with paint, and start layering in the color.  I let it rest two days, making a few adjustments each day.  I think it is ready now, but I'll take a look tomorrow before shipping it to Fairfield.  Painting number 2146 in 2146 days.

Boulevard Brewing Company

Today finds me painting another Kansas City icon - the Boulevard Brewing Company.  I love the architecture and mix of colors in this urban landscape.  I worked from two different plein air drawings, going back to the older one to capture that fabulous vintage tank!  It adds so much character that the shiny new silver tank lacks.  I strongly lean to the vintage in many things right down to the house I live in - predating 1845. What's a girl to do?  Resisting is futile, so why bother?  This one is for the upcoming ArtsKC show running for the holidays.  Painting number 1750 in 1750 days.

10x10, oil on panel
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Creek in December

Some days I stay too long at a location. The light grows very dim before I can get back to the car.  That late light is magical, dark and dreamy.  The resulting brushstrokes are also a little dreamy, especially as the light fades!  This painting makes 1441 in 1441 days and already has a new home.