Dock at Powell Gardens

 

I loved painting this special dock across the lake at Powell Gardens - a May wedding memory for a lovely couple today.  It has been so many years since I've been in this garden - I hardly recognized the place.  I don't remember this dock at all, but i hear it is spectacular when the daylilies are blooming.  I'm happy the flag iris were beginning to bloom along the bank for this one! Beautiful plein air day for Summit Art!  Painting number 3778 in 3778 days.

Morning with Hogarth

What a treat to accept an invitation to paint dockside at Duckworth Steel Boats this morning!  Cold and breezy, I layered up and set my easel at water's edge.  The whole place was full of steel and tools, where many complicated paintings could be had.  I loved the way the W.T. Hogarth set in the scene, with colors playing on the water and the weathered dock at it's side.  Mostly cloudy, the sun popped out occasionally, illuminating the scene.  I worked quickly to get those colors, within the masses, looking again and again at my subject.  A complicated subject, I probably should have sketched it out first in ink.  I opted for drawing it on with paint, adjusting the lines where needed as I progressed.  Observation is the largest part of the work here, and I really enjoyed studying this beauty as the boat builders worked all around me.  How cool it has been to slip into this scene for the morning!  Painting number 2616 in 2616 days.

Weatherby Lake Inked

I had already painted three paintings and two ink drawings, and still, I gazed longingly at this boat.  the last artist on site, I left my easel up and ready, but truly I was so tired.  The ink was calling, "Choose me!  Choose me!"  I walked back to the car and grabbed my ink pen, brush and paper.  I put pen to paper and let the ink do it's magic.  Like any old friend, the drawing soothed and energized me - I love the process!  Once finished, I framed it, changed and joined to party beginning around me!  What a great painting day!  Painting number 1713 in 1713 days.

Sunset over Kangaroo Lake

During our Door County workshop, we were all sitting out on the deck when Sue spotted the amazing sunset.   We all hustled across the street to the beach of Sunset Shore,  to share in the glory of this sunset!  Too late to grab my paints, I settled for photos instead - and I am painting from one right now.   The true color was stronger than I have painted, and I still find this painting so bold!  Oh, the challenge of a sunset!  Perhaps one day, I'll master them!   Painting number 1309 in 1309 days :)

Orange Sail Cover

In the afternoon, this sailboat shined in the harbor.  It was one of three that I had tentatively chosen for the morning's quick paint.  By morning, the light was too different, and the bloom was off the rose, so it was not my choice for the quick paint at Sister Bay.  And yet, I had to paint it.  I couldn't get it out of my mind.  So, here it is, the 1305th painting in 1305 days.

Docked at Sister Bay

Docked at Sister Bay
Oil on panel, 11x14

Sister Bay, and this harbor, was the scene for today's workshop.  Teddy and I each worked on separate boats, with separate focus, in front of the students.  They could look from one to the other, and watch our progress as we talked through our steps.  It was a quick paint, as the rain was threatening - and started before the last strokes were down.  It is a little like tag-teaming between us, as we paint.  So fun!  This painting makes the 1301st in 1301 days :)

Sisters at the Lake

Sisters at the Lake
Oil on masonite, 12x9
sold

Labor Day weekend seems to ring in the last days of summer!  Where did all the summer days go?  It was only yesterday that the kids were out of school, and plans were being made - and now cooler days are on the way.  I have been working on this painting, and now I think it is finished.  It will be hanging with another painting, so the two need to display well together.  I will let them rest together on easels for a few days - just to make sure no other detail calls out to me.   This is number 9 in September’s 30 day challenge and this painting makes 982 for me in 982 days :)

Fishing at Sunset

Fishing at Sunset
Oil on wood panel, 18x24
sold

Some days are truly a gift.  Cherished time spent with friends, loved ones and family are special jewels in each day.....and when you can spend them together in a place like this - it is magic.  Asked by one of my sweetest childhood friends to paint this, I first painted a study in small scale.  From that study, I have enlarged it to 18x24, adding to the depth as the size allows.  More space allows me to revel in the details and impressionistic strokes of the waves.  This painting has been a joy to create, and I hope it will be treasured for a lifetime!  This painting makes 962 in 962 days - although I spent many days on this one :)

Sunset Fishing

Sunset Fishing
Oil on wood panel, 18x24

There is something magical about being on the water.  The gentle lulling of the waves is hypnotic - with or without a fishing pole in hand.  The fabulous sunset reference for this painting is from a dear friend of her very special place at Lake Minnie Bell.  When I first approached this composition, my first instinct was to crop off the dock area.  But, upon further study, I truly felt it should be left in.  The dock helps weigh down the painting - giving it more balance.  Additionally, it marks this sunset painting specifically as Julie's place - no other would have this exact composition.  This painting will remain on my easel for a few more days.   Laying my brushes down way after dark, I don't have natural light to get a good image here.  The colors always appear warmer and more yellow in such light.  In the full light of day, I will check this over again, just to make sure I am happy with every stroke.  It is such a beautiful place, I want to make sure I do it justice.  Painting number 710 in 710 days :)

Sunrise Dinghy

Sunrise Dinghy
Watercolor on paper, 7x9

Rainy days are my absolute favorite for painting in my studio, although not a fav for plein air work!  On this rainy day, I am painting from Kangaroo Lake reference photos I took while in Wisconsin.  I first used my plastic palette knife to lay down the drawing medium as a resist in all light spots.  After that dried, I came in with all of the main color blocks. also allowing that to dry.  Next, I rub the resist off with my rubber cement lifter.  I made this process a little more difficult, because I forgot to remove it for four days - when you should do it within the first day for easy removal.  Ah - such is life!  I am constantly distracted by my real life - and left this one sitting for a few days before pulling it back out today!  Luckily, it was my fabulous 300lb Arches paper, and I was still able to remove the resist.  I may not have been so fortunate with the 140lb.  Totally playing with color - I have stroked on compliments next to one another - to add that extra "pop".  This painting makes 619 in 619 days, and is Day 9 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunset at Kangaroo Lake

on location

What a fun finish to a very busy painting day!  While enjoying a blazing campfire, with s'mores ready for the making, I set up my easel and quickly painted the sun as it was setting on Kangaroo Lake.  This resort belongs to a friend of mine - and they are so welcoming to us artists across the road!  This boat was catching the orange glow as were the waves upon the water.  When the light is quickly fading, I first painted all of these highlights.  Next came the clouds, which were quickly blowing across the sky in the strong winds. It is very important to get these colors in fast - because once the sun is gone - I can no longer see.  By the time I was finished, all of my darks looked like straight black and only the light and dark values showed - so it was time to stop putting that paint down!  This painting makes 569 in 569 days.

Sunset at Kangaroo Lake
Oil on panel, 12x9
Sunset Shores Resort, Wisconsin

Fishing from the Dock

Fishing from the Dock
Oil on panel, 8x10
Lake Minnie Bell, MI

I have a "fishermen" theme going on this week - this is my second one in three days!  There is something so relaxing about fishing.  One with nature, there is nothing but time to soak up all the stillness and beauty around you.  I love the noises of the water - the crickets, the fish, especially the gentle sloshing of the water against the dock - SO peaceful!  This painting is from the lake home of an old friend - with a glorious, bold sunset bouncing off the water.  This was one of those days where I started painting, only to be interrupted by errands and appointments.  Starting again, planning to be home shortly, I didn't even put my paints away. I simply left everything out, thinking I would be back to it in 30 minutes.  Three hours later, I arrive back home to finally finish my painting.  And, I truly thought that I would be able to finish a second one today!  Without daylight, I'm afraid the colors are not true in this photo.  I'll have to take another in the morning.  This is painting number 292 in as many days.

Fishing at Sunset

Fishing at Sunset
Oil on panel, 8x10

An amazing lake scene with a little sunset fishing is my subject for today.  The much loved home of a friend, this beautiful place begs to be painted.  A composition of memories shared and time well spent, this painting is a study for a larger one.  The sunset sky lends drama to this landscape, casting wonderful colors on the lake.  I hope to get the companion piece to this one finished tomorrow.  It will be fun to see how they work together on the wall!  This is painting number 290 in 290 days :)

Docked

Docked
Kangaroo Lake, Wisconsin
Oil on panel, 8x10

Visiting near the dock across from our lodging, this picturesque scene instantly caught my attention.  The water was calm on Kangaroo Lake, as I started taking photos.  Light rippled off the water as the reflections of the boat and dock danced on it's surface.  The water is so peaceful, so tranquil.  It beckons for me to sit at it's edge, relaxing as it laps at the bank.  I love the sounds of the water,  always a peaceful painting companion.  I used a panel that had a more porous surface than usual.  It really soaked up the paint as I worked, and the blending was made more difficult.  I am playing with the light on boat, dock and water here, showing movement by bouncing it around the painting.  This was a fun one to paint after a very hectic day.  Just painting this scene, helped me to unwind.  This is painting number 210 in as many days.  Tomorrow my parents are coming for a good, long visit!

The Red Kayak

The Red Kayak
Oil on panel, 12x16

Today, for our monthly Tri-County Art League meeting, we had a "Paint In".  This is when all the members bring their own supplies, mediums of choice and paint whatever they want.  I have had this panel sketched out for over a week, but simply did not have time to start blocking it in.  Since I ran short of prep time this morning, I grabbed this off of my easel and took it for my project of the day.  I didn't take my normal set up with me either.  Instead, I brought a table easel, my palette, brushes and safflower oil.  Just the bare minimum.  With no extra paint - and barely enough paper towels - I jumped right in with my block in.  I had painted this spot on location just over a week ago, so the place was still fresh in my mind.  The painting developed quickly, and I was able to finish before I left.  I do see a couple of things I need to adjust, but I will do that in the morning.  We just got home from Michael's last baseball game of the season - where he scored 4 runs (!) and I have got to get in the shower!  This is painting number 194 in 194 days.

At Water's Edge

At Water's Edge
Oil on panel, 16x12
Peculiar, Missouri

Thanks to a phone call from a dear friend, I had the chance to do a little plein air painting from her back yard today.  Her lake is absolutely gorgeous, with marsh grasses and cat tails on the back side.  The weather was perfect, and this was such a peaceful location from which to paint!  Yes, I played hooky for a while from my long to-do list, but it was totally worth it!  I'm looking forward to many more painting days like this one!  This is my 180th painting in 180 days.