Fountain Impressions

 

It was a lovely afternoon to paint the splash fountain at Powell Gardens for Summit Art Plein Air!  I love painting here, and have never before seen  the splash pad running!  The streams remind me of the Nichols fountain when on full blast.  I only wish I'd had time to stay and paint all day!  Painting number in days. 

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Stonehaus Farms Vineyard

 

It was super fun to explore this local winery with paint!  I hadn't been here before, so that made the day extra special.  A wine tasting after painting led to a lovely glass of wine to share with artist friends. Every paint out should end this way!  This painting is number 5077 in 5077 days and is now showing at the Lee's Summit City Hall.

Cottage Garden

 

I love these beautiful summer days for painting in a garden!  Flanked by gorgeous hydrangeas, the view towards the "Bride House" was irresistible.  With ink and watercolor I painted the garden beauty, coming back in with a bit more ink at the end.  I love when the watercolor mingles in the wet masses of the trees!  So fun to push that paint - even while I'm mindful is the thinner paper on the easel.  Every paper is handmade, so each is a new exploration in paint!  Painting number 3815 in 3815 days. 

Dollhouse Hydrangea

 How could I possibly resist such a cute playhouse, surrounded by amazing hydrangea?  Well, of course, I couldn't!  The lush garden was heavenly to paint by as birds serenaded from the trees.  I'm giving more attention to the colors I see in the landscape, ever working on my skills.  I love this kind of place, and fully enjoy the process of capturing it in paint. Painting number 3814 in 3814 days. 

Morning at Crestview Dairy

 Is there anything better than greeting the morning with a quick paint?  Warm, golden light streaming into the dairy farm, making it irresistible to this artist!  Painting at Crestview Dairy, I found the back side of the barns for my subject matter.  I paint the light first, quickly followed by the shadow colors, because light is fleeting at this time of day.  I'm thankful to have reloaded ultramarine blue on my palette, because I needed it for those shadow blues!  I ran out of it in Iowa, and had forgotten it until the last day of this event!  That color is definitely one of my must have primaries, going back to my years of using a limited palette.  I still heavily rely on my favorite three, even with all those worms of paint!  Painting number 3813 in 3813 days. 

Dualing Pianos

 

Well, this isn't something I do everyday!  Asked to abstractly capture the entertainment tonight, I pulled the smallest panels out of my car. What fun it was to quick paint dual paintings of dualing pianos playing at Crestview Dairy tonight!  I'm always up for a plein air challenge, and this was a wonderful exercise in capturing the moment.  Both were finished in just over an hour, and a fun momento of the evening.  Painting number 3809 in 3809 days. 

Night at Crestview Dairy

What a gorgeous night for a nocturne paint!  After finishing a sunset painting on the street side of this property, the gentle glow from the barn light led me here.  It gets dark so late this time of year, that it seemed the light would never fade!  I tried a new nocturne light tonight, a Braun slim rechargeable, magnetic one, but I found it to be too bright.  It sheds a bluish light, so I'm guessing this painting has warmer tones that will be revealed in daylight.  I tried painting with very little light on my panel, so tomorrow morning will truly be a surprise when I open my trunk!  I was nearly the last artist on site, and I'm so glad I stayed to capture the night magic! This painting will be hanging at the Crestview Dairy in the wet paint sale until Saturday evening - of it doesn't sell before that! Painting number 3808 in 3808 days 

Longview Impressions

After a little scouting upon completion of my first painting, i found this lovely view of one of the homes just south of the south barn.  I remember walking through it to go into that barn, loving the detail on the house.  What fun to paint these historic buildings on the Longview Farm, after so many years.  Ink and watercolor was the perfect medium for this place, allowing the water to flow over the tall grasses and wildflowers.  I hope to see these restored one day, and to paint them again in all their glory!  This painting has found a new home, and it was fun to talk to the new owners.    I'm always happy to get a mention from the judge, and love when multiple patrons want a single, humble painting.  Painting number 4251 in 4251 days. 

Spring Rain at Crestview

When the day started cloudy and gray - I knew I wanted to take my fountain pen inks!  Making dramatic shifts between masses, I dropped in ink with a dropper, then floated in water with a wash brush. I took a small glass dip pen and 3 other fountain pens with different colors of inks loaded. I was sheltered from the gusting wind, so those wet inky puddles could dry without being blown right off the paper!  So unpredictable, it was exciting to watch the ink do it's magic as I worked on the next mass.  I'm known for keeping everything clean, but tonight I'm sporting a little garland ink on my fingers from the dropper spurting erratically!  I may have to wear it off, or maybe try bleach next!  I know it's crazy for an event, but some days you just have to jump in boldly and embrace what drives you!  Painting number 3383 in 3383 days. 

Crestview Dairy Inked

It was a cold, windy kick off for the Summit Art Plein Air at Crestview Dairy, with winds gusting to 40 mph. As I was sketching, sleet began to bounce off my drawing - creating a little pile in my lap!  It even melted a little on my paper, saturating the ink a little!  Despite the adverse conditions, I was toasty warm with my infrared fingerless gloves, socks, and battery heated outer socks.  Plein air is delightful in all weather - when I'm warm!  I didn't have enough light to get a clear photo tonight, so I'll take another in daylight before heading out in the morning!  Painting number 3382 in 3382 days. 

Crestview Pond

Early morning by the pond was so peaceful, my only companions the frogs singing to each other across the water.  It was damp and cold until the sun cut across the pasture, and I stepped into the sunlight for warmth.  Another artist arrived as I was finishing, and it was great to visit a little before I moved to the next spot.  I sure do love painting in the field with artist friends again!  Painting number 3020 in 3020 days.