North Building

SOLD

 

I'm happy this painting of the North Building of the Shawnee Indian Mission has found a new home in Texas! As I make the many preparations for our family Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow, I remember all that I am thankful for.  I think of those no longer with us, the large family we are blessed with, and the little ones to one day come. What a miracle this life is, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it!  Come see all the paintings on display at the Three Springs Market in this historic building!  Painting number 4712 in 4712 days. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  

On Red Barn Farm

 

I couldn't resist painting this path through the historic barns at the Red Barn Farm, so nostalgicis the feel of this place. There are many animals here, but only the house and a pig were in my view.  Chickens and turkeys were near the top of this path, on the right, and the goats were right beside me!  I stood in the shade of their building to paint most of this.  It's fun to paint as families come to pick pumpkins and enjoy the animals on this farm. What a lovely way to spend the day! Come see this in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery! Painting number 4682 in 4682 days. 

Red Barn Farm

 

How could I not have known about this place all these years?  There are paintings in every direction at the Red Barn Farm in Weston!  The Monday Morning Watercolorists chose this location, and though it was an hour and 10 minutes away, Mom and I made the trip.  I could hardly peel myself away from this place to gather for lunch with the girls at the Green Dirt Farm Creamery!  This may have been my first trip here, but it crushing won't be my last!  You can see this one in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery!  Painting number 4678 in 4678 days. 

Overlook View of Rush Creek

 

I couldn't resist this tree top view of Rush Creek at the Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary Plein Air - and I'm happy to win an award for my efforts.  This painting is now showing in their gallery. Painting number 4662 in 4662 days. 

Quilts and Blooms

I just couldn't resist painting this charming scene at the Albion Fairgrounds! Twice, this scene called out to me as I was dropping off other paintings.  The third time, I answered the call! This was such a joyful thing to paint - the very process of it all made me happy!  I love that this painting found a new home, too!  Painting number 4648 in 4648 days. 

 

Wet Streets in West Salem

 

I'm so honored this painting was chosen for the Best of West Salem Award!  As I was scouting trug town, I could see two compositions of buildings with the water tower that I liked.  Then, I drove to find a place that I could park with exactly those buildings lined up, since it was already raining!  I needed to be close to my car in case it started pouring, which it did.  I had multiple mishaps with this painting, including dropping my phone in my palette while trying to get this photo, hitting a pothole full of water, and finding that suddenly my windshield wiper is coming loose in the heaviest rain - but all is well that ends well. My artistic journey does cross bumpy roads from time to time, and I only appreciate the perfect days more. This painting is number 4647 in 4647 days and I'm happy this painting has a new home tonight, too!  

Sunflower Butterfly Impressions

We have some amazing Red spotted purple butterflies in the garden today, and I captured one in paint as it flew by!  I used my Artistic License to bump the color, to push the butterfly forward a bit.  I look forward to painting sunflowers all year long, and it's a joy to lay on that heavy paint!  This painting is now showing at Powell Gardens and is painting number 4641 in 4641 days. 

Just us Girls

I'm learning how to paint with chickens! First rule - keep paint covered between strokes!  The Black Star chickens, Peeps and Beans are VERY interested in everything I have in my hands, so there is a real learning curve on how to distract them as I paint!  This is going to be a very fun adventure!  Painting number 4623 in 4723 days. 

Bounty on the Farm

I've painted this beautiful farm multiple times in the spring, but I've never seen the corn tall in the field. I knew it had to be painted as soon as I saw it.  I'm using a paper from a new batch, and I'm learning it's specific little idiosyncrasies.  It somehow soaks up color, and I add another layer.  I'm finding that working a little drier facilitates this, though I often want to wash on that color.  I do like the finish and the feel, once I play enough with that pigment.  It's a thing that is both challenge and joy, and I love the process of it all!  Painting number 4597 in 4597 days. 

Rose of Sharon

 

How could I resist painting such a glorious Rose of Sharon?!!  This is just one of many generational plants from Grandma's garden! Im so happy to paint it at its prime! Painting number 4578 in 4578 days. 

Mountain Wildflowers

I found this spot while hiking thee trail past Bible Point the day before.  It was nearly time for my Live Painting, so I had to run.  I returned today to paint this glorious scene on the side of this mountain top, and I was joined by Jessica for an interview and photos.  She's the Social Media person for the YMCA of the Rockies, and what she put together from our chat was so amazing!  This Artist Residency has flown by too fast, and I'm not ready to leave.  Painting number 4564 in 4564 days 

Toward Aspen Brook

The rich colors of this mountainscape drew me in immediately. Setting up my easel right along the entrance into the park turned out to be a fun spot.  Campers rolled down their windows to talk to me and one even parked and came over to visit!  I hope she commits to using the art supplies she has waiting for her daily, and that she finds that creative childhood voice that has been waiting to be let out!  This is a lovely place with lovely people, and I'm so happy to be a small part of the inspiration that abounds here!  Painting number 4559 in 4559 days, and this one is now showing at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies. 

Bridge at Glacier Creek

We started this day with a hike to the top of Emerald Mountain trail.  The guys headed out to play disc golf and I headed to the creek. I painted near here three years ago, but the landscape has changed a little.  The water is twice as high, and a second boulder is somehow missing?  Maybe it is underwater now, but Mike had rested on it when we were surrounded by an entire herd of elk.  The rushing water is mesmerizing as I paint, and i find myself looking toward the bank to be sure no wild animals are near.  How very fortunate I am to paint the beauty of a place like this.  Painting number 4553 in 4553 days, and will be showing at the Library at the YMCA of the Rockies fire the next 2 weeks. 

Glorious Sky

 The golden hour in the Rockies is magical!  Ifind myself pulled to paint he first and last 2 hours of light each day - and I mean compelling need to capture the light!  So, tonight I approach the skyscape with oils, where i can layer up color as it appears. That is something I can't do with ink and watercolor.  I can hardly wait for sunrise to do it all again! Day 2 of my Artist Residency  Day 4547 in 4547 days.  This one is now showing at the library in the YMCA of the Rockies. 

Making Camp

SOLD

 

This painting on the Whittenburg Creek was my second painting along the Trail of Tears in Steelville, Missouri.  We were asked to envision a scene and recreate as we captured the very landscape thisc tragic event occurred so many years ago. I did as much research as I could the night before, so that I could faithfully recreate the scene.  It was emotional to paint this, letting it all unfold on my panel  I don't understand how something like this could happen, it all is so unfair. This painting, along with my other one,  will be among others to go to auction in support of a sculpture to commemorate this site. Painting number 4541 in 4541 days.

Waiting for a Ride

 

I'm so happy this painting was awarded third place in the Sunnit Art Plein Air event.  Legacy Park is full of beautiful places to paint!  It has been years since I've been to this park, and I hardly recognized the place.  I could see these boats of in the distance, so I hunted up the closest parking, then walked the trail to get here.  The light was perfect and it was a fun quick paint before meeting the other artists at the Kick Off Party.  Just as I was finishing up, a large party was arriving to take the boats out on the water.  Perfect timing!  Painting number in days. 

Clydesdales

SOLD

It was so fun to sketch these clydesdales before the paintout, adding watercolor before heading back to town.  I have never gotten the chance to paint clydesdales before, and I know my young 12 year old self would be thrilled at such a thing! I loved finding their forms with ink, and then filling them in with watercolor.  This was rather loose and fresh with my limited time. This painting was snapped up before it ever got a chance to hang - and i love when that happens!  Painting number in days. 

After the Rain

I have painted this view many times through the years, perched on the hill at Sugar Creek Winery.  After painting another view, framing, and turning it in, I turned my easel towards the Missouri River Bottoms once more.  A downpour had washed the landscape clean, and the whole landscape glistened. It has been an amazing day for painting and i can't wait to do it again tomorrow!  Painting number 5166 in 5166 days. 

Augusta Homestead

 

What a lovely way to start the morning in Augusta!  With an hour and a half of spare time before heading to Sunflower Hill Farm, I couldn't resist painting this grand building with the vineyard rows leading toward it.  It feels so European here, just painting the scene transported me to another place and time.  It feels wonderful to be painting in Augusta again!  Painting number 5162 in 5162 days. 

Causeway Clouds

 

I found my way to the beach after a day spent at Starkey Park and Ranch with family.  I would have loved to paint there, but it didn't work out.  My family's schedule is often not my own.  When I grabbed my easel out of the car, I realized I was missing the part that holds my panel.  I retraced my steps along the beach, but high tide has totally changed it.  I charged ahead to my painting with only a little light left before sunset. With every brushstroke, the day's stress melted away.  Perhaps I'll find that part or maybe I'll buy some clamps. I have a spare at home, but that doesn't help me here.  Painting number 5104 in 5104 days.