Morning on the Veranda

I rarely do interiors, but this sweeping veranda called to me.  The morning light was golden, and I could not resist the call.  It was rather complicated to mark all that light and shadow at the start, but I knew the clouds would move in, and I would lost my chance. Wildwood Spring Lodge is a special place,  and I'd love to return with my family and spend some time relaxing here.  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville and is my 4544 painting in 4544 days.  

Morning at the Barn

How could I possibly resist painting such an amazing old barn with a vista view behind it?  Complete with a sweet horse, this place was a "must paint" as soon as i saw it!  Down a long, winding, narrow road, this place was definitely worth the almost a mile back-up drive I had to make when i came head on to a large rv in that single lane drive!  Thank goodness for my vast back up experience - because those ditches were too steep to pull in to.  One never knows what may be at the end of such roads, and this scene was my reward!  Love these Missouri backroads! Painting number 3832 in 3832 days. 

Rapp Farmhouse

 

I just can't resist painting a rambling old farmhouse - and this one is amazing!  Plenty of historic charm here on Solar Acres Farm, and pen and ink was the perfect medium to capture the lines and angles of this place.  A family farm, passed down through generations, this place is a treasure in St. James, Missouri.  It is so fun to step into a place for a day, and paint three different slices of it's character, in three different mediums. I love this artist life so much!  Happy Independence Day!  Painting number 3831 in 3831 days. ❤️🇺🇲

Old Blue at the Shed

I LOVE finding these vintage tractors to paint!  Each one has a story to tell, and this one already hangs on a wall to tell it.  This tractor called to me from the first time I saw it, tucked beside an old shed.  Resting in the yard at my host home in Steelville, I saw this beauty early morning and night, until I finally had an opportunity to paint it.  It was lightly raining, so the shelter of a covered porch protected my ink and watercolor from running.  I really like the square format for this.  I've only used this format a few times, and I really like when it suits the scene so well.  Painting number 3828 in 3828 days. 

Farmhouse Lane

 

I love getting to paint wonderful family farms across Missouri - and Kick'N K farm is a beauty!  As I arrived, this rambling lane led me to my first painting of the day, but I could not get the view out of my mind.  So, as I was heading out to check out the Meramec River view, i just HAD to stop and paint this first!  I'm happy this painting has a new home with the family, too!  Painting number 3821 in 3821 days. 

Bridge over Maramec Spring

Oh how I love painting the water of Maramec Spring!  Arriving a little early, I immediately set my easel up right here.  The morning light was beginning to spread across the water and bridge, so I quickly marked those passages with paint. It's so important to do so in fleeting light, before the moment is lost. The sound of that water is mesmerizing, and loud enough to drown out most voices.  It was like painting alone, though I was surrounded be several other artists.  What ac perfect way to start this day!  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville through the end of the month. Painting number 3807 in 3807 days. 

Tranquil Maramec Spring

What a joy to paint one of my favorite springs!  With less than an hour left before turn in, I just could not resist capturing the tranquil turquoise in the water as the light poured in.  I was nearly the last artist still here painting, as I worked until the last minute. In forty minutes I was popping out in a frame and rushing back to Steelville. I arrived with only 8 extra minutes, and I would do it again.  It's totally worth the time crunch to paint one more painting at this special place!  Come see this one in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri! Painting number 3805 in 3805 days. 

Afternoon at the Power House

I was SO HAPPY when I learned we were painting at the Maremec Spring Park today for Steelville Plein Air!  After painting the springs, I set up right along the spring and started painting!  I love this dramatic view of the Power House, and especially the warm light in the landscape.  My spray of half vanilla and half water is actually working to keep the mosquitoes and gnats away - and they were rising up from a large hole in the ground beside me.  After a whiff, they moved on!  Yay!  The best part, I smell like vanilla and it doesn't hurt my skin! Painting number 3802 in 3802 days. 

Gazebo Garden

 

What a wonderful day spent painting on the Solar Acres Farm!  After two other paintings of the old farmhouse, I just HAD to paint this gazebo garden before leaving!  A Century Farm that has been in one family since 1910, this place is rich in history and so very paintable!  With the list of many paintable subjects, the garden color won me over.  With only an hour left to paint, I went in hard and fast with my paint, capturing the spirit of this place.  I'm so happy this painting will reside right here, hanging on the walls of this farmhouse.  Painting number  3800 in 3800 days. 

Red canoe at the Pond

It was another beautiful day for plein air in Steelville! The red canoe on the pond was irresistible, so I grabbed my oils and started painting. The red winged blackbirds flew in and out of those cat tails, singing as they perched.  Standing in the shade of a large oak tree, the breeze kept me comfortable as the temps climbed.  I love getting to spend time surrounded by nature, especially when I'm painting!  Painting number 3799 in 3799 days. 

Covered Bridge in Wesco

I had driven by this place a couple of years ago, and had even done a small ink sketch of it, but this was finally my chance to paint the whole scene!  I began in ink, unsure of whether to add watercolor or not. As I worked, the bright spring light pouring in convinced me to add the color!  I love these timeless little slices of Americana that dot the midwest - and I'm so happy to have painted this!  Painting number 4244 in 4244 days, and this painting now has a new home! 

Wood Valley Junction

Each daily paintout in Steelville is a secret, announced just prior to the event.  I heard this place is a thousand acres, and I only made it to two different spots in here to paint.  This spot was brimming with train tracks, railroad crossing lights, wooden water tank and cool buildings, with a vintage feel to the whole place!  Raining when I started this, I tucked under the edge of a shed to get my panel covered before rain hit it.  When the rain let up, I'd shift back out, then in again as the rain returned.  I often hit my oil paintings with a light coat of varnish on finishing, but not today.  I think there was probably too much precipitation on top of the oils for that - so I'll wait until I'm sure it's dry.  So happy to win an award on this one, too!  Painting number 4238 in 4238 days. 

Cottage Roses

What a treat to find these roses in full bloom at the cottage in Steelville!  With so many venues to paint, I had to squeeze in a little time to paint this, too!  At their peak, these lush knock out roses were a joy to paint with their bold color and upright forms.  I think I'd like to paint another to include the window and a wider view of the blooms.  I'll soon be painting the roses at Loose Park, so I think practice may be in order!  I long for the luxury of time to REALLY study their forms as I paint.  Maybe one day...!  Painting number 3096 in 3096 days. 

Mary's Slice of Heaven

I love when I first land on a spot and it calls to me to paint it!  A special private estate paint during the Steelville Plein Air, it was a treat to experience this place with pen and ink.  I loved the rather dramatic view from the side of the front lawn, so I set up drawing tucked in close to a tree for shade.  Summer is here and so is the heat!  I used one of my favorite TWSBI fountain pens to draw this coming in with a little water to get my midtones.  I love the nostalgic feel of pen and ink - especially on handmade paper.  What a pleasure it has been, drawing while music played in the backyard, with our amazing host offering sustenance and smiles.  I have the best job ever!  Painting number 3095 in 3095 days. 

Into the Woods

What fun to embrace a new painting challenge - Nature on Nature - for the Steelville Plein Air event!  Choosing a sheet of birch bark from many other items, I took mine into the woods surrounding Wildwood Springs Lodge to paint.  The bark had several rough openings and a grain that ran throughout, so I tried to line up those trees to use those scars to best advantage.  It was so fun!  I gessoed the top with clear gesso before beginning, then painted with rather thick paint - because that bark was absorbent!  It did curl up on me in my hot car the next two days so I had to weigh it down with rocks in the sun back at my cottage!  Who knew this would be such an adventure?  I would do it again in a heartbeat!  I brought this one home from the gallery.  It's such a unique piece, I think I'll keep this one!  Painting number 3090 in 3090 days. 

At Home on the Farm

I drove all over this place before coming back to this spot to paint.  My second painting of the day, i started with my oils in the morning.  The morning light was so strong, I had to work in oils first!  The light had softened as I started the ink drawing, and I also shifted my position to gain a better composition.  I found a pocket of shade on this very hot day, and sketched my scene from there.  The family came by a couple times as I worked close to the road, and I'd lift it up for them to see as they passed!  It's so fun to be out among others creating art again!  I really missed that last year!  Painting number 3081 in 3081 days. 

303 Main - Inked

I love sketching the charming houses on Main Street in Steelville.  Staying right down the drive, I had to slip out early for a quick sketch before the art show!  This place is now home to Heartland Arts - and showcases the work of local artists.  There is even space for artist housing inside!  What a wonderful way for this vintage place to thrive in the community!  Painting number 3078 in 3078 days.  This ink drawing is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Westover Farms

Westover Farms is such an amazing place to paint!  A gorgeous trout farm and resort, fishermen dot the landscape casting and moving along the water.  Here, I am looking over the lake as the spring runs along my right side.  It is so peaceful and quiet, it is a joy to sketch this place, even in the heat.  I intended to also go down to paint the spring as it ran under the stone bridge, but I ran out of time.  There never seems to be enough time for painting.  Painting number 3074 in 3074 days. This painting now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri. 

Bird's Nest Bridge

I just had to sketch this iconic Bird's Nest Bridge before heading out of Steelville!  

Morning at Wurdack Farm

What joy it was to arrive at our private paint out on this amazing Wurdack Farm!  Driving down two roads on this property, I decided on painting young cows in their corral at a different white barn.  I turned around, grabbed my gear, and they had disappeared into the woods behind the barn!   Loving this scene as I scouted the place, I returned to paint it.  I love the dramatic way the farm sits just behind that ridge!  It was so fun to visit with the family that lives here, as they drove all over the countryside to find us artists scattered to the wind! I enjoyed this so much, I moved down to the fence to draw this scene from a slightly different vantage in ink.  If only I worked faster, I could have made it to the spring to paint, too!  Painting number 3072 in 3072 days.