Overlook View of Rush Creek

 

I couldn't resist this tree top view of Rush Creek at the Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary Plein Air - and I'm happy to win an award for my efforts.  This painting is now showing in their gallery. Painting number 4662 in 4662 days. 

Tuxedo Park View

It is my pleasure to be the Artist in Residence to capture the beauty of Glacier Creek in paint! This morning Michaela and I hiked down to the creek, as we so often do, with the grandsons.  Casper and Kirby LOVE throwing rocks into the rushing water. I have seen families gathering up river a bit, so Casper and I explored the trail to find a park at water's edge. Tuxedo Park was lovely, with still water for the kids and picnic tables, too.  After much play, I was sketching this scene as the others hiked back for lunch.  A lovely family joined me, and the children gathered around to see what I was doing.  I shared my methods as they asked questions, and it was SO sweet.  I hope I've inspired them to take their sketch supplies outside.  They may be our next plein air artists! This painting is now available at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies. Painting number 4558 in 4558 days. 

Spring at Defiance Ridge

SOLD

I love dining AND painting at Defiance Ridge!  I do not remember this bridge and waterway, and I'm here each year to paint!  So, of course, I have to paint it!  The sound of the water babbling as visitors chatted and shared wine was so relaxing as I worked.  Before I knew it, it was time to turn in, and on I went to the next adventure.  I'm happy this painting found a new home, too. Painting number in days.

Sunset Winter Deer

 

Hooray for snow that doesn't melt on the very first day!!  It's fun painting in the deer that visit every day, and their tracks are all over this space.  I think they walk up past the house from the pond in the back, right along a path we mow for the Sidekick. I think the deer are harmonious in their scene, and i feel like they are the eye candy for those who look closely.  Not enough to steel the scene, but to be the supporting actors to this glorious landscape.  I am again painting over an old panel, bringing this one to a place I'm happy with. Painting number 5072 in 5072 days. 

Creek in the Snowy Woods

Another snowfall is nearing as I capture this winter wonderland in oils.  I've recently been playing with multiple mediums, but oh, how good it feels to pick up my oils again.  A few colors on my palette have hardened, so there is palette cleaning in my future. Since I keep my palettes in the freezer, I never know until I'm in the field what needs attention. I could always check first, but I'm always in a hurry to get outside and paint!  The days are so short this time of year, I really do feel limited.  Ever painting what I feel, I've pushed this one a little bluer and darker, as I see the dark clouds moving in from the north.  I haven't used this pochade for a while either, and it needs a little cleaning, too.  This day was absolutely balmy compared to the last few days!  I'm looking forward to fresh snow on the trees tomorrow!  Painting number 5063 in 5063 days. 

Wooded Winter Creek

If you look closely, my altoid tin palette has chomp marks in it - left by my pictured painting assistant above!  I pulled my pallette from the freezer and set it on the stairs as I gathered my thumb box and bundled up.  I rounded the stairs to find he had my palette in the front room, trying to get into it! Thankfully, he did not get any paint, but it will no longer close right.  So when this paint is gone, I will load another.  Silly dog!  He has not gotten into my paint for 10 years - and then, he licked all the cad lemon yellow off of a fresh forsythia painting!  Another day, another adventure, and this is painting number 5062 in 5062 days. 

Icy Liac Winter

Icy lilac is such a luscious ink for a winter landscape.  The Diamine Inkvent Calendar is something I look forward to each year, and this one does not disappoint!  I use my glass dip pen to sketch the scene first.  Next, I wet the masses i want to be loose, and drop the ink in.  It spreads as turquoise and pink emerge.  I go back in with a little more ink to those areas i want to boost the contrast.  I love working in miniature, too, especially during such a family packed time!  Painting number 5051 in 5051 days. 

Lost Creek Trail

I LOVE painting these winding Arkansas creeks with water spilling over the rocks!  It was super fun to hike along here with the kids after a quick sketch.  The little ones were mesmerized with the rocks along the bank and in the clear puddles, tossing one after the other into deeper water.  As we walked, another family hiked down the middle of this creek dressed in bohemian garb, enjoying this place as we were.  They arrived in a school bus with living quarters and a stovepipe in the back half.  I think they were real life gypsies.  How very cool.  Painting number 5006 in 5006 days. 

Missouri Creek

 I love this rustic creek even in the dead of winter where color is scarce.  Ink and watercolor are perfect for this creekside sketch.  The birds are singing as the water gently trickles along, and I am restored in this place as I paint.  Nature is so very soothing. Painting number 4054 in 4054 days. 

Creek in Sepia

 I love to haunt my favorite local creeks in winter.  The brush has died back and the banks are more accessible.  I can get in closer for the perfect vantage, and sketch with pen and ink.  For this one, I am using a sepia ink on a smoother than normal paper. I love the vintage effect the brown ink lends to such a scene.  Every twist and turn of this creek is picturesque.  Painting number 4047 in 4047 days. 

Snow at Winding Creek

 I love the drama of dark January water in the snowy landscape. Only during this time of year are the creeks black against the ice and snow. The light warmed slightly as I painted, twilight approaching. What a blessing this snow has been, one that keeps giving me drama to paint like this each day. I am going to miss this snow when it is gone, to return the the browns it leaves in it's place. It has been a day of solace and rest, and restoration when surrounded by this  Painting number 4031 in 4031 days. 

Snow at the Creek

I'm so lucky to have a snow that continues to offer such beauty to paint!  In fact, I don't remember ever having a stretch of snow covered landscape this long during my 11 years of daily painting to paint. So, I paint fast and furious each day, trying to get in a many snow paintings as possible.  It may well be years before I get this opportunity again here in Missouri.  Painting number 4029 in 4029 days. 

Winter Creek

Yay! I found snow to paint in a wooded creek bed here in Branson behind our place - and it's 10 degrees warmer than KC!  Seriously - it feels like a heat wave in the sun, sheltered from wind.  LOVE painting the rolling hills of Branson!  Painting number 4028 in 4028 days.   ❤️🎨❄️

Ice Melt at the Creek

The sun is helping to melt a little strip down the middle of the creek this afternoon.  It's 9 degrees and sunny, and it feels like a heat wave compared to the recent days.  As much as I love painting those dark, snowy days, I welcome the bright light and shadow on the snow this sunny day!  We may get a little more snow Thursday, but I bet it won't be as glorious as this one!  Painting number 4025 in 4025 days. 

Snowbank Creek

We are so fortunate to have a gorgeous snow that is lasting for days!  This rarely happens in Missouri, the sun comes out and melts the beauty away before I can paint it more than a couple times. So, I am getting out there as much as possible, savoring each gorgeous snow scene I find!  We still have a couple of cold days ahead - so hopefully I'll get a few more done before I'm faced with the browns of winter once more! Painting number 4024 in 4024 days. 

Warm Light on Winter Creek

Oh. how I love a gorgeous snow along a creek!  Warm light cast on the background trees and water as the clouds lifted. No wind and temps in the mid 30s made for a lovely plein air day.  The birds were singing as I worked, and the time spent in nature soothes my soul.  I'm so lucky to spend this time outdoors with my paint. Painting number 4020 in 4020 days. 

Babbling Brook

When I'm painting along a creek, time stands still. Birdsong and babbling water take me far, and there is no other moment than the one I am immersed in.  So concentrated is my focus, all melts away and the painting unfolds.  Stroke by stroke the scene comes to life on my panel until a little voice inside me sighs, and I feel that I am done.  It's a bit like waking from a dream when it is time to clean my brushes.  I'm so thankful to get to experience this place in such a way.  Painting number 3873 in 3873 days. 

Hidden Creek

 

I love painting these beautiful Missouri creeks - in every season!  I am drawn to the water, again and again. The every changing color and reflections hold a magic in them, relative to the weather conditions and the sun.  Often, the hues and values change right before my eyes, and I can only rest in the colors I have already marked, because one can not chase the light!  In my earlier days I have done just that, and ended up with a painting that did not make sense. With so much experience in the plein air field, I can nearly always tell if a painting was done en plein air or not, it rings of truth in the color and value.  If that is worked on later in the studio, that fresh truth is somehow denigrated, feeling less fresh, overworked.  Every painting is a lesson, and I like to let it speak to me. Painting number 3872 in 3972 days. 

Babbling Brook

 

It was fun to sketch this babbling brook with my daughter and the little ones, all enjoying this sweet garden!  Little Casper was mesmerized by the water running under a little bridge - right out of view.  He went back and forth, laying down on the bridge to get closer to that water!  Baby Kirby was content to watch the leaves blow on the tree, peaceful and happy.  They enjoyed the area so much, as Michaela and I both sketched our own scenes.  She is participating in Stems again this year, after a few years away.  It's so nice to see her pursue her creative interests.  Painting number 3773 in 3773 days. 

Leading to the Bridge

I loved this peaceful afternoon, painting along a creek at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Defiance, Missouri.  This place has so many wonderful places to paint - I settled on three almost immediate!  Without scouting further than the side entry, I went back for my gear to set up.  It was fun to visit with the students that were on site to watch the artists work - and I hope they come back with their supplies to paint!  I'm happy this painting has a new home, too!  Painting number 3761 in 3761 days.