Lenaur Covered Bridge

 

We had a wonderful painting day - perfect weather and lovely places. After a morning at the Boettcher Farm, I found this lovely scene at the Lenaur Farm.  How could I possibly resist painting such a lovely covered bridge?!!  In an effort to paint fast and fresh, I only used this simple palette, and mixed my colors from these. I do love the strength of the Qor paints - I think I'll order more when I reload my supplies! Painting number 5163 in 5163 days. 

Irishman Covered Bridge

 

I LOVE painting the covered bridges in Indiana - especially in such gorgeous weather!  Joining me today is my Mom, and artist friend, Teddy Jackson.  She is responsible for twisting my arm into plein air painting, all those years ago!  We're heading to a favorite event, and will be painting a few lovely bridges on the way.  It's so nice to paint for the joy of painting, in places like this.  Painting number 5160 in 5160 days. 

Irishman Covered Bridge

Whenever I'm in Terre Haute, I go in search of a covered bridge to paint!  I think Parke County has the absolute best maintained covered bridges, making them perfect to paint.  The Irishman spans the water between a campground and frontier village in Fowler Park.  While Mom naps at our room, I got this one painted in ink and watercolor, and was back before dinner!  What a lovely paint break in this busy travel day!  Painting number 5113 in 5113 days. 

Irishman Covered Bridge

I just can't drive close to a covered bridge without painting it, so I headed over when I got the chance! The Irishman covered bridge connects the pioneer village to Fowler Park, and is well maintained.  Many were enjoying this place, visiting, fishing, walking and camping - much more activity than during Covid.  Mom and I first visited here while dropping artwork off at galleries two years ago.  With only a little time, I painted small and then took a speed walk on the path through the cottage. I found several places that would make perfect paintings, but alas, I'm out of time. LOVE painting the covered bridges of Indiana!! 

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! 

Camp Ondessonk Covered Bridge

Love how this covered bridge is nestled in the trees, and is the entry point for all young campers to Camp Ondessonk.  This iconic place just had to be painted - especially since I've just come off my Indiana covered bridges tour!  I love the style of this one - arched windows and overhanging entrances, complete with hanging baskets!  So beautiful, I just had to sketch it in ink and watercolor.  As I worked, there was even a group of campers dropped off from a school bus, who crossed through this bridge to gather for orientation on the other side.  It really made me long for childhood and camp adventures anew!  Painting number 3183 in 3183 days.

Cox Ford Covered Bridge

What an amazing morning spent at Cox Ford Covered Bridge, standing on the bank of Sugar Creek with the gentle lapping of water along the shore.  The sand was wet as I hiked along waters edge for the best vantage, but I did not sink in. The wild sunflowers to my left were gorgeous - but too thick and tall to wade into, so I added just a glimpse of them from the side.  We met tourists from Minnesota and Illinois on that bank  - and saw others in kayaks that we met at another bridge yesterday!  It's a small world here among the covered bridges!  I'm having so much fun exploring these nostalgic icons in paint!  Painting number 3164 in 3164 days.

Bridgeton Mill

I don't know what it is that calls to me about covered bridges, but they have always called to me.  For many years, I passed by on I-70, noticing a covered bridge sign, but was never able to add extra time to an already 12 hour drive.  So now, once a year, I make a trip to Indiana just to paint a few of the beauties along this driving tour.  I have two artist friends joining me, and I am really enjoying the time spent studying this nostalgic landscape together.  No time limits, no deadlines, just the scene, my panel, and paints  - I am certainly living the dream.  Painting number 3162 in 3162 days. 

Fairfield Covered Bridge

This nostalgic covered bridge in the city park of Fairfield, Illinois a local icon. Painting it for the Fairfield Art Splash in September, it is the first time I've had the bridge on my easel!  This seems to be my year for painting covered bridges - and oh how I love them!  All paintings for this event were to be kept secret until after the show and sale, which finds me playing "catch up" with my posts!  Love this small town and all of it's unique treasures to paint!  Painting number 2870 in 2870 days. 

Irishman Covered Bridge

 What a crazy plein air day this has been!  What started as a lovely paint of the Irishman Covered Bridge at Fowler Park, quickly turned to yells for help from across the lake! I left my Mom with my stuff as I rushed over, wondering what was going on.  He was hunched over this fish, on hands and knees with plenty of blood around. I thought he might have cut off his finger!  He was keeping the fish from moving, as the three pronged hook caught his index finger and the large fish with two prongs, leaving one hook for me to try to pull out of first him, then the fish - but I couldn't release either!  We were able to manipulate the fish off the hook - so he asked if I'd take a photo before releasing him! "Really?" I say, as his finger bleeds with the still embedded hook.  "It's the only proof I have - it's the biggest fish I've caught all season." So, I took the shot with the fish, hook, bloody ground and guy smiling, and he asks me if I got ALL the fish, so I backed up a little and took another. Then, I try again to get the hook out, failed, and I help him get his stuff gathered to leave.  He said his finger was numb now, so he's good to drive. I hold the fishing pole as he gets it free of the hook, and he proceeds to the hospital, where I hope they have better luck! I return to finish this painting - but never got my head back in the game!  Oh what a plein air adventure!  Painting number 2862 in 2862 days. 

Bluebird Hollow Bridge

This bridge has been calling my name since I arrived in Owensville - and this afternoon I answered the call!  I love the shape and windows of this bridge, very artistic over this winding creek. I started in with my favorite fountain pen, the TWSBI Diamond mini in gold, loaded with Levenger's Raven Black ink.  This ink is my absolute favorite for plein air in the field.  Rich and velvety, it flows smoothly from the nib.  A little movement with a wet brush pulls out the grays, and a final touch of ink finishes the piece.  So happy this drawing will grace the home of my lovely host family!!  Painting number 2846 in 2846 days. 

Jackson Bridge

When I walked down to the bank of this river, the wide sweeping view unfolded before me!  The drought in these parts has changed the landscape of the river beds, creating so much interest - and gravel bars to perch on that normally are underwater!  Intending to add watercolor, I started my sketch.  As I worked, I found the ink more expressive and no longer wanted to use the watercolor.  I think it is important to let the scene "talk" to me, and let the painting lead me where it wants to go.  In this way, I find the truest capture of this moment in this place.  Painting number 2821 in 2821 days. 

Beeson Covered Bridge

 I love the covered bridges of Indiana!  This year, my mom has been with my for this covered bridge painting trip - and it has been so fun!  We have found different bridges this year, north and west of Rockville.  Since ink and watercolor is faster, I have used that for most of these bridges.  This bridge is visible from 36 Hwy, and easily accessible.  The morning light was perfect, so of course I had to paint it!  This one is now available at All Things Carmel on Main Street in Carmel, Indiana.  Painting number 2820 in 2820 days. 

Cox Ford Covered Bridge

 It is so fun to find an amazing view of the bridge after a hike through the brush and trees!  When this scene opened up I was in painting heaven!  If only I'd had time for my oils!  I will certainly revisit this place - I have marked all my favorite bridges on a map for future reference!  I just love sketching these little slices of Americana from days gone by.  It really is like stepping back in time!  Painting number 2817 in 2817 days.

Rush Creek Covered Bridge

Oh what a treat I found - once I climbed down the embankment and dodged stinging nettle and poison ivy!  So worth it!  With the winding water and reflections, I could not resist this scene!  I inked out my composition first then started dropping in the color with my water brush pen. I went back in with a little more ink at the end just to tighten things up.  Love the rich late summer colors just pushing towards fall.  Such a peaceful place, I wish I could stay all day. Painting number 2816 in 2816 days. 

Neet Covered Bridge

I had to return for one more covered bridge painting in Parke County before heading back to KC, and this was my muse for the morning!  Neet Bridge was built in 1904, and is still a gorgeous covered bridge. I met the owner of this bridge at the Carmel Art Fair, and decided to paint his Neet Bridge this morning.  It took a little longer to find it than on Friday, but once ready I jumped in with both feet!  The weather was perfect, a little breeze, and my spot in the shade was very comfortable.  Such a great painting day!  Painting number 2451 in 2451 days.

Billie Creek

After losing our GPS signal and driving blind, we stumbled into Rockville and found a covered bridge map!! This beauty was the second one out of town, and you know I had to paint it!  I found a beautiful place in the shade along the water, and began my process. I sketched with paint, marked the darks, and put down those main color marks.  With birdsong and rippling water, this morning paint has been a joy!  Painting number 2448 in 2448 days.

Bridgeton Covered Bridge and Mill

I could not believe my eyes when we rounded the turn to see this amazing site!  By far the most beautiful covered bridge and mill I've ever had to joy to see, let alone paint!  Very hungry after ther long drive, my mom Teddy and I stopped at that mill for a late lunch.  Would you believe they had a gourmet cheeseburger with an artisan bun made from their own ground flour?  It was amazing and gave us the nourishment to paint!  It was hot, windy, humid day, and there were plenty of little bugs - and I enjoyed every minute of it! Painting number 2447 in 2447 days.

Sugar Creek Bridge

Whether biking or running, I thoroughly enjoy spending time on the North Coast Inland Trail.  Nothing melts away the stress like a hard run for me, and oh how I've needed it.  I have found that I can take a couple of tiny papers, fountain pen, and tiny palette in my running arm band that holds my phone.  So, when I see a view I can't resist, I can pause for a quick painting, and then sprint for a distance to make up for the stop.  The autumn color just made this covered bridge irresistible.  Painting number 2115 in 2115 days.

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