Spring at the Winding Creek

Spring was late this year, barely showing color in the trees when I arrived in Augusta.  I love those first gentle signs of spring, a blush of rose in some trees, while others burst forth in a yellow green flurry of leaves.  So much earth is visible when the foliage is still in the bud, it adds interest and depth to the landscape. I found a new spot on the Katy Trail from which to paint, and the many curves of the creek make this painting a joy!  I love how very deep this view is, so peaceful, surrounded by birdsong. I could paint here every day, and not tire of this place.  I will certainly be back next year.  Painting number 3409 in 3409 days, and this painting is now showing at Gallery Augusta. 

Looking Down the Katy Trail

The artist in me LOVES exploring new towns.  My first trip to Rocheport finds me rising before the sun to paint as much as possible before focusing on portraiture for the rest of the day!  I'm invigorated by painting en plein air - no matter how little sleep I get nor how little I've eaten. The simple act of putting paint to panel or paper makes me feel so alive.  Why waste a minute?  I'll catch up on sleep and food when I get back home! Painting number 2875 in 2875 days. 

Rocheport Depot

Here for an artist weekend of portraiture study, I simply can't resist my gorgeous surroundings!  Out at first light, I am squeezing in as many ink and watercolor paintings as I can before returning to my all day portrait study!  Love this historic small town and I can't wait to return with my oils to capture more of it's beauty!  Painting number 2874 in 2874 days. 

Katy Trail B&B

I am staying in Rocheport for the first time for an artist weekend, and this Katy Trail B&B has been a wonderful place to land.  The charm of this sweet place is right down my alley- so of course I had to paint it!  After a day full of portrait work, it was great to get out in the fresh air.  I sketched this with ink on handmade cotton paper, then added watercolor from my travel half pans.  This town is so full of vintage scenes - I wish I had more plein air time!  I will definitely return for more plein air and biking, too!  Painting number 2873 in 2873 days. 

A Place to Linger

After gourmet donuts at the Robin's Nest paint out, it was time for a sketch before painting.  Love the cheerful color palette here, makes for wonderful paintings!  I do the ink lines with my fountain pen and an India ink pen, then follow with my watercolor half pans.  Once the painting is finished, I move on to shopping!  Robin really has some great finds - and two less bags after I left!  Painting number 2322 in 2322 days.

A Day for Lingering

The Robin's Nest on the Katy Trail is one of my favorite places to paint!  The colors and vintage charm pull at my heart strings, begging to be painted.  Today, I set up in the back near the Katy Trail with several other artists.  Our paint out is here, and we start the day with gourmet donuts!  After painting and shopping in this fabulous shop we're treated to tortilla soup, margaritas and gooey butter cake!  It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it!  Painting number 2314 in 2314 days.

Water in the Fields

purchase here

The rain had not started when I arrived on location at the Katy Trail in Defiance.  As I set up my easel and grabbed a panel, the rain began to fall.  Seeking shelter behind Good News Brewing, the wind kicked up and blew the rain in.  I scooted back as far as I could, and kept pretty dry as I painted my 10x20 panel.  I am so thankful I brought my dad's heavy duty tripod along!  With winds gusting every day to 30 mph, this tripod hardly shifts as I work.  If I were using my former tripod, I would be hanging onto it with one hand while painting with the other!  Painting number 2306 in 2306 days.

View from Katy Trail

The rain was pouring as I jumped out of bed,  and continued for hours!  With the whole Katy Trail as a guide from Dutzow to Defiance,  Teddy and I went in search of cover.  This place was very appealing,  but the only cover we had was her raised hatch on the SUV!  Squeezing in,  we painted fast.  I had to get that surface covered before the rain started again!  I did get it covered,  and the rain let up.  Thank goodness!  It was very cold when the wind kicked up!  The Schaeffers at the Lindenhoff served the artists a wonderful hot breakfast by the fire in their gorgeous B&B after the judging.  How generous, as relaxing, after the cold, wet morning paint out! Painting number 1564 in 1564 days :)

From the Katy Trail

 Oh my goodness!  What a day!  Arriving in town to with enough time to set up our panels and artwork at the American Legion Hall, I then needed to head down to the Katy Trail Head in Augusta outside of "Pop a Wheelie", where the two hour quick paint was scheduled to kick off the event.  It was so hot and humid, but distant thunder could be heard in the distance.  The golden water of this run off creek by the Katy Trail caught my attention - and held it.  I started painting very quickly, as the weather was changing right before my eyes!  The wind started blowing, the temperature starting dropping, and leaves were blowing right onto my painting and into my palette!  Before I knew it, I was bracing my painting, and holding down the contents of my paintbox - because the wind was strong enough to blow things out!  I stayed until the lighting was popping and big raindrops began to fall - and then I headed to shelter to take down my gear and frame my painting.  It had only be 56 minutes.  I spent the rest of the evening enjoying good friends, summer shandy, dancing and fun! What a way to kick off this Augusta Harvest Festival!  Painting number 1351 in 1351 days :)

Off the Katy Trail
Oil on panel
Katy Trail Pain Out - Augusta Harvest Festival

Morning Run at Matson

Morning Run at Matson
Oil on panel, 12x9
Uncorked 100K Paint-Out
Augusta Plein Air Festival

This was the first paint of the day in beautiful Matson, Missouri.  I have wanted to paint there for years, but it has never been on the agenda - until now!  The Uncorked 100K sponsored this event, hence the runners, and I was awarded an honorable mention for this painting!  The morning was warm, with gentle breezes - I really enjoyed painting nature's beauty in such comfortable surroundings!  It is not always the case with plein air!  There were four paints for me this day - just ending with a fun nocturne at a winery!  What could be better than that?  Painting number 480 in as many days - and tomorrow I paint Defiance!  Hoping for good weather - not the violent storms which are called for!

Down the Katy Trail

Down the Katy Trail
Oil on panel, 10x8

Today found me on the Katy Trail in Augusta, looking for a painting location.  It is still hot down here - 89 degrees when I finished painting.  I set up in the dense shade of the trees reaching across the trail.  Several bike riders passed me as I painted.  There was a slight breeze, which kicked up as the afternoon stretched on.  What I thought would be a simple, quick paint, took longer than expected.  The dappled light on the path was a bit of a challenge, and it kept changing with the spotty cloud cover.  It felt so good to be back in Augusta, painting on location!  This is painting number 259 in 259 days, and Day 19 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  So nice to come back to a wine, amazing baked tomatoes and dinner!!  Yum!