Pumpkin Chick Mini

 

As I painted trim on the coop today, I took a sketch break to paint a miniature chick and pumpkin!  It was the perfect day to be working outside, so I took full advantage!  I got a coat of pink paint on the windows and some of the door trim, as well as some other coop chores.  The girls cooed and came close to me through the windows from their upper roost bar, and Phinny even sat on her nest and laid an egg - singing her egg song as I painted the henhouse doorway, watching the magic.  I hope to get all the painting done during these beautiful, warm days - and more painting, too! Painting number 4689 in 4689 days. 

Pumpkin Chick Mini

 

There's always time for a quick sketch with the chickens!  I've introduced a few pumpkins to the girl's run, and they don't quite know what to think!  Little Beans kept popping her head in, as if trying to figure out what I'm doing.  She's very nosy - and sassy - so she draws my eye quite frequently.  It's so fun to spend time with them, whether sketching them or holding them, rubbing their backs!  This painting is Now Showing at Powell Gardens and is my 4646th painting in 4646 days. 

Calico Princess Inked

 

My chickens went in before I finished this sketch, and they wouldn't even come out for treats!  This pretty chicken laid her first pink egg yesterday, and her "sister" laid one today!  I only had time for a drawing today, but I hope to paint her in oil one day soon!  Painting number 4626 in 4626 days. 

On the Run

 

Today, I am painting sweet Meringue, who is our lighter Calico Princess.  She is very well mannered, sweet and docile.  She only takes treats when no one else is near, and gentle in the taking. It's only a matter of time before one of the other girls jumps up on my easel!  Beans is especially spicy as she checks out my ungloved fingers - looking for a treat!  More than once I had to deflect her advances as I painted. I may need to paint outside the run next time!  Painting number 4615 in 4615 days. 

Just Us Chickens

As I painted these sweet chickens at the yellow chicken coop, several nestled beside my pink boots, chatting me up with their cooing sounds. I'd peep to them, and they'd peep back.  If I peeped twice, they'd peep twice - just like we were having a conversation!  I am drawn to these chickens now, and the Hoffman Farm is a wonderful place to paint them!

SOLD

Freya

 

I was working on this while introducing all my daughters to pastels!  It's been MANY moons since I've picked up a stick, and it sure was fun to explore the medium again.  I sketched my composition first with a pastel pencil, then a base layer with my pan pastels.  I followed with hard then soft pastels, and will hit just a couple more spots before framing.  I like the paper tortillions for blending, so far.  Who knows where this adventure leads? Painting number 5069 in 5069 days.

Jingle Titmouse

 

It was such a beautiful December day for sketching in the garden!  The birds are not too sure about the new red bells. They jingle slightly with movement, and I hope they get used to them, and even play with them.  They are not far from their feeders, so we'll see.  We spent the whole day outside with Casper and Kirby, taking care of many chores as we played.  It is nice to get in a quick painting, too.  Painting number 5032 in 5032 days. 

Chicadee and Pine

 

The little chicadees kept me company as I worked in the garden, and then I painted one! I'm using three inks, Diamine Nutcracker, Robert Oster's Detox, and Levenger Raven black on a watercolor paper I thought was handmade..... but now I'm not so sure sure... It should be cotton, but I don't think it's 100% based on the ink and water reaction.  It's not bad, but it's different, and every new paper is an exploration of how it handles my specific technique.  I love spending time in nature, and the birds are begging to be painted!  Painting number 5184 in 5184 days. 

Carolina Wren

 We have a pair of wrens that nest here several times a year.  The male makes multiple nests in any conceivable container, and his mate chooses her favorite.  It's a bit like hide and seek, just to discover their newest abode. Once, they even sneaked into the house - and I had to herd them back outside from their lofty perches!  I'm using a new TWSBI fountain pen filled with Diamine's Nutcracker to match the pen.  I've used a lot of it in the ink work, along with a couple of others.  This was so much fun, I think I'll paint more of my feathered friends!  Painting number 5183 in 5183 days. 

Chiefs Mouse

 

This little guy is cheering the Chiefs on towards that Threepeat!  GO CHIEFS!  I do love playing in the ink, and these little mice images just seem to march along in my mind!  So, when this one popped in today, I picked up a favorite fountain pen to get sketchy!  This handmade, dyed cotton paper is thin, soft and absorbent, which means I need to use a light touch on the nib, holding back in the water. To easily this paper can tear and pill, so careful is the key with this one. I love the vintage feel of black ink on this paper, even if my subject is quite contemporary!  Hoping for a win tonight as we cheer on our hometown boys! Painting number 5179 in 5179 days. 

Jack-o-lantern Mouse

 

It's fun to sketch this little trick-or-treater with a favorite TWSBI Diamond Mini fountain pen and ink!  In this small pen I keep De Atrementis archive ink, which does not move with water.  I use it for the initial sketch lines before I start to fill in with more ink and watercolor.  This pen has an extra fine nib, one of the few that do, and it in perfect for early sketch lines.  I do need to be careful not to tear this thin handmade paper with that extra fine nib. Every sketch is an exploration of both ink and paper!  Painting number 5174 in 5174 days. 

Frost Deer

This buck emerged from the frosty fog this morning, visiting until I headed to the gym.  It's hard to leave when the wildlife is near!  Pen and ink with Lavender Frost, from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, using one of my glass dip pens for the dual work. We have deer visit almost daily, and it is helping me practice on their forms.  This beauty was alone today, and he stood proudly in that frosty landscape.  I do love capturing these little moments of life here on the farm.  There is a wonderful shimmer to this ink, though it doesn't seem to get very dark.  Perhaps I need to apply a thicker coat next time to see what it can do.  Painting number 4013 in 4013 days. 

Jake

I love getting to paint a beloved pet portrait, to be cherished when they are no longer at one's side.  This sweetheart is striking a signature pose on this canvas, and was given as a Christmas gift.  I have lately painted a few of these in acrylic, after a pretty long separation from this media.  I do like it's layering and crisp lines, and the almost instant dry time is a big bonus.  I use a dry brush technique, never wetting those brushes until I am washing them out. Heavy body paint gives me strong pigment, even in the lightest areas.  I hope this painting will be cherished for many years to come. 

Keegan

Once in a while, I'm asked to paint something very special. I have a lifelong love of painting horses, and we had our own special foxtrotter when the kids were young.  Asked by a dear childhood friend to paint this special horse for it's owner, I loved the opportunity.  No longer on this earth, I wanted to breathe life into this painting, paying tribute to all this horse was to all those who were near. Painting number 3976 in 3976 days. 

A Watchful Eye

Each time we return to the Main Street Inn, these darling penguins are positioned throughout the inn.  This one was appeared to be on lookout, greeting guests upon entry, so I painted him at his post!  This Inn in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, sets the bar for lovely rooms, spacious common areas, and a gracious proprietor who shares the local history in dashing style.  We've had another lovely stay as I set up a gallery show next door at Music Art Love.  Come see all of my local paintings showing through Jour De Fete in August.  Painting number 4270 in 4270 days. 

Brandy

I really love painting animals, especially beloved pets.  This darling is a commission painting, with beautiful markings, and has been a joy to paint!  In the business of the season, it sure is nice to spend a little time with the paint and create something truly meaningful for a family.  This is the very best part of this artist life. Painting number 3256 in 3256 days.  So happy I can share this painting as we drive back from Michael's graduation from college, Cum Laude, at Missouri S & T.  What a busy wonderful day of celebration and moving him home! 

Birdwatching

This beautiful boy was one a little kitten running around here, trying to avoid our new puppy at the time.  My oldest daughter scooped him up to live like a king at her house, where he reigns supreme!  Today I am getting in a small oil painting as he looks out the kitchen window, to all the feathered friends he'd like to meet!  I included my colorful palette and three workhorse brushes - Grey Matters and Princeton Catalysts.  I literally use these every day for months, and they still look great. I love a sturdy brush for my oils!  Not pictured - the knife I used for those heavy marks. Painting number 2993 in 2993 days. 

Heidi

This year for Christmas, I have been busy painting special portraits for the special people in my life.  For those in the family who do not have little babies in the family - they are instead getting their favorite fur baby portrait!  It has been fun having the time to work on portraiture, even during the busy season.  So many times, painting is my solace, and I'm so fortunate to get to share this passion with those I love. Painting number 2913 in 2913 days. 

Sweet Kitty

Oh, I love drawing a sweet kitty face after such a busy day!  I've been making and writing cards for hours, so unwinding with a little drawing is so relaxing!  Graphite is my first art love, the first thing my little hands picked up from a child's desk my Grandma Frank had loaded with supplies at a north window in her kitchen.  I remember the color of the light, the smell of the old pencils when I sharpened them, and the way their marks spread across a paper.  I remember the tactile feel of the lead on that thick, yellowed paper.  That desk was tiny and I wasn't in school yet, and those memories are embedded in my soul. I even remember a black and red diamond checkered box that all the writing supplies and antique child's scissors were kept in, inside the desk.  I haven't thought of these things for years, but drawing takes me right back to that joyful time.  Painting number 2901 in 2901 days. 

Beau

This sweet boy has gotten into more trouble than all of our other dogs combined.  Very accident prone, he's had life threatening injuries more than once, and he has bounced back each time.  All that pampering while injured really turned him into a 110 pound lap dog, with so much personality!  So, tonight, Beau is on my easel, as he lays around waiting for snacks!  The light is a bit blown out on this portrait, so I'll try to take another pic tomorrow in the daylight.  Love this gentle giant!  Painting number 2878 in 2878 days.