Casa Grande Sketch

From the top of the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park, I sketched this out in pen and ink while watching the little ones.  I decided to add color as the golden hour approached, and left the upper corner open for tales of the day. Journaling through a trip in a travel journal is great fun, and a good way to work out future paintings to come. This area is full of paintings - if only I could get to them all!  Painting number 5102 in 5102 days. 

The Window Trail

My very first time to visit this part of Texas has me sketching near the visitor center at the Big Bend National Park, as we watch Kirby and Casper on the Window small loop trail.  Michaela and Cooper are in the longer trail as the little ones explore every rock and road runner!  Keeping them close is no small feat, so my sketch is brief in pen and ink.  I'll come back in with the adventures of this day - and they were many!  I would not have imagined it would be in the 90s when it's only in the 20s at home!  I do love going south in February!  Painting number 5095 in 5095 days.

Ferris Wheel at Scheels

 

It was fun to meet inside to sketch the Ferris wheel on this very cold day with artist friends and Mom!  Lunch afterwards at their Cafe was icing on the cake.  Scheels is a great place to shop, with painting subjects ranging from architecture to the grand aquarium and taxidermy.  I brought a sketchbook today, wanting to immerse myself a little deeper in my methods.  Many subjects would have been far easier than this Ferris wheel, but when I think of Scheels, this is what comes to mind.  I've left the upper left corner a little dreamy because I plan to write about my day in that area.  I find it best to sketch on scene and fill in the words later - when I'm not so distracted by family and friends.  I can paint all day while talking to others, but it takes solitude to pull together the right words that really 'paint' my experience.  Painting number 5068 in 5068 days. 

Off Rue du Mitan

This was an absolutely gorgeous day!  After the gym and a run, I headed straight out to do yard with, taking full advantage of the beautiful weather!  I have daffodils and crocus blooming, and I've been cleaning out and mulching countless flower beds.  After an appointment and dinner in town with the family, my intentions were to go down and paint the pond.  An ominous cloud was moving in, and lightening had begun.  Well, darn.  It is too far from the house to set up in a storm, with shelter no closer than the house or barn.  So, instead, I have turned to my pen and ink and some work on architecture.  Such a beautiful place to get lost in for a while.  Drawing number 1511 in 1511 days.

Morning Farm in Rogersville

Morning Farm in Rogersville
Watercolor on 140lb paper block, 10x7
purchase here

This morning's baseball game was back in Rogersville, Missouri - and the early light was warm and wonderful!  This farm is just north of yesterday's painting - both come right up to the ball fields.  So pastoral and peaceful, these farms are a step back in time.  I have gotten this one painted in a tiny window of time before the game. Watercolors truly are a quick go-to medium when time is short.  I had to lay it in the trunk wet - and get back to the festivities!  Painting number 903 in 903 days.  Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there :)

Rogersville Farm

Rogersville Farm
Watercolor on paper, 10x7
purchase here

I have never been to Rogersville before, and that was the location of our first two baseball tournament games today!  Facing one way was the ball field, and right behind me was this little slice of heaven!  In between games, I was able to sketch this out - and could hardly resist pulling out my paints to get started!  None of these parents know that I am an artist, and certainly the locals would think I was crazy - so, I waited until I got back to the hotel before laying down those paints.  Still so fresh in my mind - I was finished in minutes.  One the next hill over, another glorious farm awaits my paints - complete with cows!  Still too wet to sign - this painting makes 902 in 902 days.