The Heart of Marceline

 
I knew as soon as I saw this scene, I would paint it.  This would be the very first painting of the day, as it would not let me leave without painting it.  It was cloudy and cool, and absolutely the perfect weather for standing completely in the open to get this vantage.  After my very detailed drawing, I began adding the watercolor, pushing the ink a little more too, until I was finished.  I'm so happy to have received the Reginal Bank Purchase Award for this painting!  Painting number 4617 in 4617 days. 

Lakeside Welcome

SOLD

 

What a wonderful entrance this is to the beach on Lake Erie!  I have often wondered what the building to the right of the pavilion is, and I was told that it used to be a bowling alley!  This rendition of the Pavilion also includes part of the Putt Putt golf stand, which I don't think I've included in a painting before.  This painting has a happy new home here, too.  Painting number 4589 in 4589 days. 

Lakeside Plein Air and Wooden Boat Show

 It seems there is a special painting or two each year that gets a lot of attention. I intended to paint this in a small format, but when I set up my gear, I found myself pulling out a larger paper.  This composition absolutely epitomizes historic Lakeside. I will be painting two others, slightly different, so each one is unique.  This was the first painting to sold at the Wet Paint Sale, and is painting number 4587 in 4587 days. 

Welcome to Lakeside

 

It is so much fun to paint this charming path to the beach - complete with hotel and pavilion! Our room overlooks this road, and each day, I watch so many families walk through here on their way to summer fun! I just had to capture it in paint!   I'm so happy this painting has a new home!  Painting number 4584 in 4584 days. 

Lakeside on Lake Erie

 

I LOVE painting this iconic Pavillion on Lake Erie in Lakeside, and stepping back in time!  Hotel Lakeside is celebrating it's 150th year, and the whole place looks like it has been spruced up for the occasion.  It's nice to step out of the historic hotel and start painting on the lawn, right along the water's edge!  Painting number 4581 in 4581 days. 

Cook Station Dreaming

SOLD

 

It was raining pretty good when I pulled up to Cook Station. Upon check in at the Mercantile, this view of town grabbed me.  I scouted a bit under covered porches but returned to this first place to paint.  I visited on the porch as I painted, listening to music piped in to speakers.  It was lovely, though it rained the entire time, sometimes hard.  This is a special place, and I'm so happy I got to paint here! Painting number 4539 in 4539 days. 

Come see my plein air work on Main Street in Steelville tomorrow,  June 8 from 10:00 to 2:00. Art, llibations, live music, and food trucks - it's going to be a fun day near Gallery Zeke! 

Perched on the Hill

SOLD

This rambling farm on the hill was such a sweet spot to paint!  I could hear the sweet sounds of chickens along with a gorgeous turkey that was on watch.  It looked like rain, but three drops held off until a bit later in the day - allowing me to paint this beautiful scene in ink and watercolor.  Our gracious hosts prepared a feast for us when we turned in our work.  I had the absolute best beet hummus I have ever eaten! I'm so happy this painting will have a new home here, too!  This plein air life sure spoils me!  Painting number in days. 

Art Party on Genessee

I love returning to the Historic West Bottoms for the 3rd annual Heritage Days Plein Air event - even in extreme wind! I started this day by teaching a three hour workshop on Sketching in the Urban Landscape. I love getting to share my skills with others en plein air.  Afterward, I participated in the first quick paint of the event. It was a fun evening of visiting even as the wind delivered a beating!  I'm looking forward to calmer days ahead!  Painting number in days. 

Stroll through the Garden

I had a perfect spot in the shade of an old crabapple, in the rock path herb garden from which to paint.  A cool breeze came across the lake, refreshing as the day warmed up.  Walkers along the path visited before moving on, and it was a joy to paint while surrounded with the sights and fragrance of the garden.  I do love painting here at the Overland Park Arboretum, and I wish I could paint here more.  This is a peaceful, thoughtful place to spend immersed in flowers and paint.  I plan to submit this one to the Rice Gallery, along with a couple more yet unpainted!  Painting number in days. 

Art Party at the Barn

SOLD

I love painting the coolest places, and I'm honored to have won the Broadview Valley Sponsor Award for this painting. Some paintings just fall off the brush, but not this one.  Three times the rain sent me ducking for cover under the eve of that barn.  I lost the cap of a favorite pen, only to find it on my third time back at my spot. I would have switched to oils when the rain started early in the paintout, but our car was a long way away. I walked that distance to get my rain gear (which I didn't think I'd need). I didn't feel like my painting was finished, but I was out of time.  I walked up to the car to frame and back down to turn in, barely making the deadline.  This one was a battle, in a beautiful, peaceful, very rainy place, and I still loved the process of it all. Our hosts were gracious and delightful, and I'm so happy they chose my painting for their award. Painting number in days.... my blogger app has changed, and I can no longer toggle between posts.  So, one day, I'll have to get in my computer and catch up on my numbers, lol. Silly technology, changing my apps to a lesser version of their former selves.....

Perch on the Hill

SOLD

 

Today's event was a Mystery Paint, which means we sign up for a secret location Paint Out, and we're caravanned out to the location at paint time.  This farm was such a treat to paint, and the hosts were so gracious and welcoming.  I'm so lucky to get to see and paint such wonderful locations.   I'm  happy this painting was awarded an Honorable Mention  - and that it has a new home with the lovely owners!  What an amazing place to paint! Painting number 5165 in 5165 days  

Flag Flying at Noboleis

SOLD

Would you believe a tour bus arrived uninvited to block my view, and I had to walk up 50 feet to get this photo....... while that bus ran idling for hours... It was otherwise a lovely event with live music, a delicious breakfast and beauty to paint in every direction.  If only that bus hadn't been so silly!  Painting number 5164 in 5164 days. 

Tiefenbrun Farm

SOLD

 

Tiefenbrun Farm was so much lovelier than expected!  I felt like i had walked into a French landscape, complete with outbuildings, lakes, and a creek winding through it!  The children of the family were so interested in what we artists were doing - and Alice even painted the pink flowers into the garden on my painting.  She's already has an eye for art, i hope she's inspired to explore all the possibilities!  I LOVED painting this incredible 1889 French inspired home and farm today- and I'm so honored this painting was awarded an Honorable Mention, too!  Painting number 5162 in 5162 days. 

Bridge Over the Water

 

I love painting in this park, nestled in the heart of Marceline - even in the rain!  After a grueling drive through torrential rain to get here this morning, I found myself ducking for cover soon after setting up.  So from under the beautiful new shelter in Ripley Park,  I was able to paint and stay reasonably dry.  I don't think I've ever worked on wetter cotton paper! Painting number 5142 in 5142 days, and I'm happy to receive an Honorable Mention on this too!

On Lakeside Beach

SOLD

What better way to end this day than with a final paint on the beach at Lakeside?  Music wafted on the air from the sunset service as a cool breeze blew in off Lake Erie.  One my one, people walked down the pier and took seats along water's edge, in a daily ritual to watch the sunset.  This place is special, full of simple pleasures, family values and true community spirit.  I love painting here as much as I love being here.  It was so much fun to find patrons waiting at my booth spot to buy my paintings before I unpacked them!  I'm happy so many paintings find new homes today - as well as this one, tonight!  Painting number 5102 in 5102 days.

Hope at the Farm

 

It was another beautiful day for painting at the Kick'n K farm!  I found the shade of an old oak tree to stand in, and sketched this painting out first in ink. Once all was in place, I started applying the watercolor.  The horses walked in and out of my composition, abs I painted them in when I could.  This painting now Showing at Gallery Zeke, come see all the wet paintings tomorrow from 10 to 2. Painting number 5065 in 5065 days. 

Looking Down Genessee

SOLD

I love painting the hustle and hustle of this vibrant historic Genessee street by the Livestock Exchange.  It's fun to see the area alive with activity, and the morning light was perfect for painting this scene. The Historic West Bottoms Plein air event is a great way to explore the area in paint.  Painting number 5052 in 5052 days. 

Wildflower Ridge

 I hiked to the end of the lake to find this special vantage.  My favorite TWSBI fountain pen is running out of black ink, so I used Thunderstorm by Robert Oster in another favorite pen. It's dark and chromatic, and separates when wet.  There are baby wildflowers planted all over this place, and this will be gorgeous in the coming years!  Painting number 5029 in 5029 days. 

Welcome to Washington

SOLD

I love the excitement of capturing the entire Washington Riverfront in paint - in under two hours!!  I am honored my painting was selected from so many incredible artists for the Washington Sponsor Award tonight. I've wanted to paint this scene for years!  Painting number 5026 in 5026 days. 

Historic Marceline

It was raining when I arrived in Marceline for the Wine and Art Stroll, so I pulled into the park to have a look around.  Loving this composition, I walked to the new stage for shelter.  As the rain picked up, I pulled in a little farther to keep the rain off my ink and watercolor.  The rain let up by the time I was finished, so I could frame out of my trunk.  What a honor that this painting was chosen for the first Purchase Award sponsored by Nature's Grace and Wellness!  Painting number 3882 in 3882 days.