Art Fair at the Arboretum

I'm so at home in the garden, it is a delight to set up my easel and paint!  While visiting with patrons, I like to capture the experience of the day.  With pen and ink and paints, I went from one project to another, the path, the lake, the gardens and the tents, finishing with a drawing of my easel!  Capturing these moments while surrounded in the landscape is a sure way for the mood of the day to seep into my artwork!  It has been so fun to have Michaela join me in this plein air event, and she even had her first sale!  SO EXCITING!  Who knew 9 years ago when she and Michael tagged along with me, their own easels in tow, that she would one day paint in the event herself?  This painting makes 1608 in 1608 days.

Wonder in the Sky

Today was the Art Fair at the arboretum, and it is my last day for painting in the Stems event.  I've had so much fun painting in the gardens.  Today was hot and humid, with rain threatening.  For this painting,  I was set up under the edge of my tent,  so when the rain began, it was okay.  I could keep on painting until finished.  The clouds were simply amazing as they raced across the sky.  I started with the shadow sides of the clouds first, moving to the lights next.  As I moved to the midtones, I pushed the colors a little to capture their beauty.  It was fun to visit with all the patrons as they walked through the gardens, I think I may just go into withdrawal when I'm not painting here every day!  Painting number 1607 in 1607 days.

Poppies at the Lake

With so much painting, I often switch from one medium to another at the drop of a hat, although it has been years since I've used Golden Open acrylics. I found them too tacky before, sticking even months later!  So,  I abandoned them after one plein air event, without seriously working with them. This time,  I added one Liquitex heavy bodied acrylic and a regular gel medium to the mix, ensuring good curing. It worked like a dream,  and I was able to control the drying.  Opens used by themselves take forever to dry,  and I like to work faster than that!  I purchased mine when they first came out, and they may well have adjusted their formula since then.  I really had fun pushing that paint around with a knife - and I want to do more of that in the future,  but I'll never give up my oils!  Painting number 1606 in 1606 days :)

Impatiens in Ink

After dropping our artwork off at the Rice Gallery,  Michaela and I headed back to the arboretum for some relaxing paint time.  These last days have been so hectic, that unwinding was in order.  Ever on the horizon,  the dark clouds loomed.  Was rain expected?  I didn't think so,  but the telltale signs were rolling in.  We settled near Margaret's pond,  and started drawing.  By the third, rain was falling and we found cover.  Under an umbrella outside the cafe,  I drew these lovely impatiens bordering the patio.  This painting makes 1605 in 1605 days.

Clouds Over Margaret's Pond

I rarely miss workouts, but this morning found Michaela and I painting early at the arboretum.  The morning light was amazing, and the clouds were an ever-changing show in the sky!  After watching them all the way there, I knew they would be my first subject of the day!  I must be quick when painting skies, all is in motion, and apt to move right out of sight. I get the masses in first, and then start laying in the shadows. It is push and pull with the color,  warmer near the sun and cooler away from the light.  Once I get the sky and reflections in,  I can then work on the landscape.  I had so much fun on this one that I turned around and painted another!  Painting number 1604 in 1604 days.

Oil on panel, 12x9
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Memorial Day Poppies

In honor of all those who have served their country,  today I draw the beautiful poppies of the Overland Park Arboretum. They are truly spectacular this year!  The bright red orange ones were bursting at the very beginning of the plein air event.  Two days later the entire north side of Monet's garden was blooming with the tall,  purple poppies.  Just a few more days brought a riot of large, red carnation shaped poppies up and down the walkways!  The beauty is ever changing in the garden,  constantly creating new scenes for me to paint!  This drawing makes 1602 in 1602 days,  and what a wonderful day with family it has been!  

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Steps to the Garden

After scouting the gardens of the Overland Park Arboretum, Michaela and I settled into this particular spot.  As she focused on the bees buzzing around the lamb's ear, I was drawn to the stone steps dropping into this bed, and the flowers flanking the sides.  As I drew,  the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up.  To the west, I could see the telltale darkening of the sky.  The radar on my phone was taking a long time to come up, as I continued to sketch, one eye on the sky.  It was moving in quickly. When one paints outside as much as I do, I have developed a sixth sense where the weather is concerned, and how much time I have to get my gear packed and to the car.  I gave Michaela the heads up as I checked the radar. Still not loaded.  Well, it was time to leave.  As we passed another artist,  I mentioned the approaching storm and wished her luck.  She wasn't ready to leave. As we walked to the entrance,  the dark front was already SO MUCH CLOSER!  We packed the trunk and left,  but as we did the skies were taking on a turquoise hue.  So, of course, we went around to the prairie gate, and from it's high ground,  the scene was breathtaking!  All those dark clouds with turquoise and pink - it was all I could do to get back in the car and leave!  All the way home, we were just ahead of the storm.  A few large raindrops, a little lightening, a couple of turnoffs for extra photo ops, and the heavens opened up as we drove up the lane.  I couldn't even grab my palette, we just raced for the door.  And through that heavy rain I heard a mower engine.  Looking out to the west,  I could barely see Mike, trying to finish that mowing in the driving rain!  He was completely soaked when he made it to the house!  Painting number 1601 in 1601 days.

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Rose Arbor and Poppies

Wowza!  This painting is the 1600th in 1600 days!  Truth be told, there are many others that have not been posted, too!  On this painting journey,  I've gotten faster, and bolder,  jumping into unknown mediums just for the thrill of it! I often do more than a painting a day now, and I'm drawing so much!  Who knew there were so many untried papers out there?  That very first step of "trying" to finish one painting each day was the beginning of a whole new world for me,  one where I could lose myself with reckless abandon in all things art.  My thirst for knowledge is unquenchable, and I am only limited by my imagination.  Want to improve your art skills?  Try a painting a day.  It might just change your life.

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Tower Clematis in ink

As I look for compositions to paint, I wander around the garden with pen and paper in hand.  If I feel a subject may be worthy of paint, I first draw it in pen and ink.  With this one,  the light changed too quickly, and I was unable to paint it.  So the scene stands in ink. I really love this fabulous handmade paper,  although my artist friends do not like working with it!  It has ruined me for all other papers - I love it that much!  This drawing makes 1599 in 1599 days!  You know what tomorrow means.........1600!

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Butterfly and Poppies

After 5 pen and ink drawings and a complex garden painting,  these remarkable poppies called me back.  They were one of my first drawings of the day, but the rose arbor called louder!  These poppies look very much like giant red carnations - on poppy stems!  They have really opened in the last two days, and even the butterflies noticed!  It was so fun to revel in the gardens today,  especially after the prairie and old town Overland Park yesterday.  There is such a peace here - and oh the aroma of blooms in the air!  This also happened to be Art Mob day,  so I was painting in both capacities.  A very full day,  indeed!  Painting number 1598 in 1598 days!

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Standing on the Prairie

The gorgeous clouds called me to the prairie,  but the lush grasses and few trees won my attention. I first worked my sketch to be sure of my composition, and got right to work. It sure felt like rain,  so I had my rain slicker and wellies on.  I was alone on the prairie,  with not an artist in sight, and it was so peaceful.  I had such a relaxing time painting,  then packed it up and headed back to the gate.  Pushing my gear through,  I next shimmied through the gates and started to pack my trunk.  I took off my layers, answered a few messages,  and took off.  On 179th, it dawned on me that I may not have grabbed my easel with the painting attached! I pulled off the road and checked my trunk.  Sure enough,  I left it leaning against the gate!  So glad it was still there!  I need to get more sleep!  Painting number 1597 in 1597 days.

Standing on the Prairie
oil on panel, 14x11
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Prairie Romance

After a morning of pen and ink in old town Overland Park, I took Michaela back home and got dinner started in the crockpot.  The clouds were absolutely breathtaking the whole way home.  I dashed right out to set up on the prairie, on the southeast side of the arboretum.  The gate was not open and there were no other painters!  Grabbing my gear,  I shimmied through the gates and started setting up.  With this grand landscape, I wanted to paint large!  I pulled out a 24x18, but I didn't have my large easel.  Always the girl scout,  I grabbed my extra tripod which has mounts for a large panel - and out worked great! I didn't even need to anchor it with weight.  Next dilemma, my large brushes were in my large box - so I had to make due with what I had, mediums at best.  I sketched first, then started slinging paint!  I painted faster as I felt raindrops and heard distant thunder!  Something happens to me when I paint large....I get loose and free with that brushwork,  and the process is exhilarating!  There is nothing like an approaching storm to quicken one's pace in the field!  This large painting is the 1596th in 1596 days :)

Prairie Romance
Oil on panel, 24x18
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The Rose Arbor

The morning was calling, and I knew I would have to catch this light!  Pushing a million chores out of my mind, I grabbed my palette and headed to the arboretum.  I walked past this place twice,  before setting up. It was a little awkward as I had squeeze close to the hedge, with the arms of a spruce tree reaching over me, and my panel in the light.  The bright light bouncing up from the path was nearly blinding, and yet, this scene called. I had to walk halfway across the bridge just to step back from my painting.  Despite all this, the paint fell right off my brush and the image emerged.  I like it,  though I've not really had a chance to see it in good light.  Hopefully I feel the same way later!  Painting number 1593 in 1593 days.

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Dusk at Monet's Garden

The pouring rain had let up as I loaded my car for the quick paint.  It was only raining lightly as Diane and I headed for the arboretum.  With a little red wine, salad and a sandwich, it was out to the garden to find a spot.  Not in a hurry, I walked around a little and decided on a row of allium with a fence behind them.  But as I set up, the scene behind me kept calling my name.  Twice I looked away, and then I succumbed.  Turning my easel, I began to paint.  I had left my sketch pad in my panel bag,  so there was no pre-sketch tonight.  I really love painting with such moody light,  the feeling of the place can't help but seep into the painting.  I'm going to really enjoy painting here for the next two weeks.  Painting number 1591 in 1591 days.

Dusk at Monet's Garden
oil on panel, 9x12
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