Elmore Train Station

There is something magical about capturing memories in ink and watercolor in the pages of a sketchbook.  The blank white handmade cotton paper begins to transform into a story with each line and letter.  The color brings the shapes to life, and my experience spills out onto the page.  The painting brings up other memories of children playing, biking this trail, and dinners held on festival days.  And then, the many solo runs that started not far from here, always running past as I really gained momentum for the miles ahead.  My parents lived here for 35 years, and Mom and I visit yearly to reconnect with her friends.  It's a special place indeed.  Painting number 4614 in 4614 days. 

Old Railway Bridge

 

I love capturing memories in my sketchbook as I travel - this one of a favorite bridge over the Portage River on the North Coast Inland Trail.  I've run many miles on that trail. It used to be a plank bridge, bumpy when ridden with bikes, as we so often did when our family was young.  Later, I ran this trail when Dad was having health issues, and i found comfort in every footfall.  Now, the surface is concrete and the sides are high, almost too high to see over, and it goes all the way to Geneo through farmland.  I have so many memories here, and one day my kids can relive them through these pages. Painting number 4603 in 4603 days. 

Village of Elmore Clock

This place is full of memories, and this gorgeous clock has hung from the bank building for decades. As Mom and I sat at Christie's Café waiting for quiche, I sketched this town icon.  This clock is a real showpiece here, and I've never seen another one like it.  It's funny how sketching these places full of memories take me back in time.  Painting number 4594 in 4594 days. 

Elmore, Ohio

 

I love getting to paint the village my parents lived in for 31 years.  Each building has it's own story, and I have many memories here with my parents, friends and kids, as we visited them in their Portage River side home.  I miss that place, and I miss walking down to the river to paint it's many moods. I feel one with this place, and it is a pleasure to return now to paint annually, as we visit mom's friends. Painting number 5108 in 5108 days. 

Elmore Water Tower

 

I am inexplicably drawn to small town water towers wherever I go - and what fun it is to paint them!  When we traveled and the kids were little, they loved finding the towers in each town.  I especially love the old ones with rust and chipping paint.  This one is special along the North Coast Inland trail where we biked as a family when visiting my parents.  I spent many days on that trail running when my Dad was sick, and this place feels like home though I've never lived here.  I love capturing these places in paint now.  Painting number 5107 in 5107 days. 

336 Rice

It is so fun to return to the charming village of Elmore, where my parents lived for 31 years. We used to walk up to these shops with the kids, stopping at the park to swing on the way back.  This cute place is now the Perfectly Pink Quilt Shop, and the upstairs 1880s loft has been beautifully renovated.  I hope to get at least one more painting completed while in town, before I head out.  Mom and I have had fun revisiting her friends and favorite places! Painting number 5106 in 5106 days. 

Bridge Over the Portage

 

I used to run the North Coast Inland trail over that distant bridge almost every day when I stayed in Elmore, Ohio.  There were many fun family trips here, all through the years.  When my father had health issues, I found myself running that trail on my short windows away from the hospital.  Many times that trail helped me gather strength, run from pain, and center my soul when I needed it most. It's hard to return here, and yet I want to run again, almost like returning to an old friend who helped me through the bad times.  Painting it again brings back so many memories.  Painting number 3867 in 3867 days. 

Elmore Clock

I have admired this vintage town clock since I first arrived in this small town so many years ago.  Hanging on the corner of the old Bank of Elmore building, this clock is embellished with the same stained glass as the building.  Stopping in Christie's Cafe across the street for lunch with mom, I sketched this miniature painting while waiting for our quiche.  I'm so happy to finally get to paint it - wish all towns had such wonderful clocks!  Painting number 2866 in 2866 days. 

Elmore Depot

After spending the day in Genoa and Elmore, Mom and I settled in the Walter Ory Park, along the North Coast Inland Trail for a quick sketch.  The day was so warm, it was very pleasant to spend this record November heat outdoors.  Just last fall we attended a festival here, where we dined in this building with Mom's friends.  It has been fun for her to see so many of her friends, and bittersweet to head back to Missouri.  Love getting to spend time in this space, if only for a little while.  Painting number 2863 in 2863 days. 

536 Clinton

The charming small town of Elmore has so many wonderful, historic homes!  This beautiful place is the Victorian home of old friends, and I'm painting it for them while Mom and I are still in town.  The weather has been gorgeous - 80 degrees today - which is a gift for Northern Ohio in November!  There is still autumn color holding on here, and it makes the perfect landscape for this beauty to shine!  A funny little thing about this painting?  I've sketched on the "original porch" from an old photo, which is what will be added back on to this place.  It was just a little challenging from such an old, dark photo - but you know I love a challenge!  So happy to get to visit with friends, too!  Painting number 2861 in 2861 days. 

Railroad Bridge

While in Elmore taking care of errands, Mom and I stopped by this riverside park to have lunch.  Such a gorgeous warm day in the 70s, it was a delight to sketch this beautiful place.  That railroad bridge is part of the North Coast Inland Trail, that I have run so many times.  Our family also used to ride bikes for miles there.  So peaceful here, this river runs right through my parent's old back yard. I have painted it many times, and it is bittersweet to return after so many things have changed. Painting number 2860 in 2860 days. 

Early Snow Inked

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So many memories within these walls, and now this chapter is closing.  The river calls me to it's edge, but alas I cannot answer.  Furniture and boxes parade out the door, as we linger and wait.  The trail is calling my running shoes, will I ever run there again?  The movers have left to return again in the morning, so now I take up my pen.  One more drawing as I look down that hill, who knows if I'll paint here again?  Painting number 2518 in 2518 days. 

Autumn at Dad's Shed

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Today finds me painting the shed Dad built, with those beautiful autumn colors shining.  Using my oils, I am squeezing this I painting window in between packing and hauling boxes to the basement.  It is bittersweet to think I won't have many more days to paint here.  But, it will be so nice to have mom back in Missouri where we have so much family.  Painting number 2504 in 2504 days. 

Farm on 105

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I have a tiny sketch kit that fits in my armband for those impromptu painting opportunities while running.  The North Coast Inland Trail is beautifully pastoral, and those farms call to me as I pass them.  I try to run the first half without stopping, saving my paint stop for the way back.  Each nice day is a gift, winter is coming after all.  Painting number 2499 in 2499 days. 

White Barn in Autumn

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I have been at my parent's house many times as the leaves begin to change.  Each time, I am drawn to this barn and the golden maple leaves that turn in profusion.  So much beauty in this season, with winter waiting in the wings. There are four views from the house that are amazing, and hopefully I can capture them before the leaves drop!  Painting number 2496 in 2496 days. 

Elmore Train Depot

I have a tiny sketch kit that fits into my armband phone holder, for those times I'm running a trail and simply MUST stop to sketch!  I found this drawing still in that kit, so I am sharing it tonight.  Every time we're in Ohio, we either ride bikes on this trail, or I run, if by myself.  It is a smooth, flat trail that crosses beautiful farms and passes through little towns - always a welcome stop for a cold drink or even ice cream!  Painting number 2370 in 2370 days.

Snowy River Grays

After a day of digitizing some of dad's home movies, and scanning in old photos, I squeeze in a little sanity time with my brushes.  I love the dark days of winter up here in northwest Ohio.  So different from Missouri, the subtle color shifts inspire me.  And it seems only fitting, as we all adjust to life without dad.  Painting number 2240 in 2240 days.

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Barn at the Creek

As many times as we've been to visit my parents, I've never been down this road!   It is so inspiring to be surrounded by this rich history!  There are many paintings on this side of town - historic farms at every turn!  I'm sketching in ink today what I'm considering in oil for tomorrow!  Painting number 2236 in 2236 days.

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Covered Bridge at Sugar Creek

For the second day in a row, it has been warm enough to run North Coast Inland Trail!  Oh, how I miss running when the weather is too severe!  One of my favorite trails runs right past Sugar Creek and this wonderful old covered bridge.  The best part of this time of year?  The foliage is down and I can really see the turn of that creek as it winds into the background!  Painting number 2224 in 2224 days.

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19025 W Portage River Road S

This house is beautiful from many angles, but today I choose this side.  I'm using my Pilot Varsity fountain pen because I am nearly out of ink in my TWSBI Eco T.  I've also switched to my favorite half pan set of Watercolor Confections after days of using the 42 color set.  I love the richness of pigment I get with these that is lacking in the 42 color set.  I also like the slight shimmer I get from a gold and silver in this set, which I mix into my colors at will.  You really only see it when holding it up to the light, or out on the sun!  A little bit of eye candy for those who REALLY look!  Painting number 2221 in 2221 days.

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