Light on the Tanks

I've lately been hunting up special requests from patrons, and have come across a few paintings never posted. In an effort to update my records, I'm adding them when I find them. It gives me a place to tag those paintings and make them visible to those in search of them. This is an acrylic painting of an oil field site somewhere near Fairfield, Illinois.  It was down a gravel path unknown to me, and I didn't record the exact location.  I've not been to that site since, so can only guess that is was north/northwest of town, based on what I remember. Painting number 3963 in 3963 days. 

Fairground Zinnias

You KNOW I couldn't resist those glorious zinnias in front of a turquoise building - even in strong wind!! After turning in an earlier painting in the nearby building, I just could not leave this location until this painting was done!  Those gorgeous colors were calling me and i had to answer! So, quickly with my oils, I sketched this one out with my brush and paints, squinting to see the big shapes.  I've had fun today painting with my oils, and I'm looking forward to the week ahead!  Day 26 #stradaeasel challenge ♥️🎨

Work in Progress...

Here is the next day's work.  I'm getting used to the tinted graphite - but I still miss the super soft blending of my normal pencils.  These little curls are becoming such a fun exercise!  It is just like putting a puzzle together.  At first, there is just a mess of squiggles, but as each curl is defined - it all comes together.  I still need to put more color on the face, then the shirt.  Last, I will blend in the background.  Nothing distinct, just color and shading..........I hope it turns out!  I want to enter this in a drawing competition, if all goes well :)

Work in Progress

I thought I would show my current work in progress, which is a little scary - as I am trying out  a new chestnut graphitint pencil.  I can feel the extra pigment as I work.  I can not blend as I normally do, it takes far more effort.  I love the warm color, but I miss my black and white already!  I'm also going to fill in the background, which I almost never do.  I like the effect of only the subject reaching out from the page, but I feel like experimenting (I hope I'm not sorry!)  I love these curls  - and they are sure going to be a challenge :)

A Dream of Hydrangeas

Early one morning before a workshop, I set out to find just the right spot to paint at the Overland Park Arboretum (during the STEMS Plein Air Event).  As I approached the beautiful iris garden, these hydrangeas bloomed in profusion!  It has been such an early year for all the flowers, that these were out a month early.  It was misty and damp as I started blocking in the masses.  This time, I worked in acrylic, fully intending to top it off with oils.  The early morning sun cast a golden glow as it rose over the tree line.  I used a little soft gel medium to add texture to the petals, laying in the colors in a loose manner.  As I neared the finish, I stepped back, took a long look, and decided the oils just weren't needed.  The effect was misty and moody - and it was time to put the brushes down.  That is one of the hardest things to know - just when to stop.

A Dream of Hydrangeas
14x18 acrylic on panel
sold

Magic in the Morning

I painted this one at the Two Hour Quick Paint competition at the Deanna Rose Farm on the last day of the STEMS Plein Air Event.  Arriving by 6:30 am, the artists were treated to donuts and bagels, before we all headed out to paint at 7:00.  This spot is located a good distance from the entrance, but is a favorite place of mine for garden painting.  Hustling down with my gear, I came to this spot, and the light grabbed me.  The early sun lit up the flowers, while the shadows remained long across the path and into the more heavily treed area through the gate.  I set up my easel and started on my masses.  About half way through, the sprinkler system came on, drenching the whole left side of my scene!  I already had most of the preliminary work done, so I concentrated on the rest, knowing the sprinkler would go off soon.  As I worked, I noticed there were also sprinklers right in front of my easel leg.  Boy, I hoped they wouldn't go off next!  I worked faster, feeling the pressure that I might have to suddenly move if the "rains" started.  In 20 minutes, the sprinklers went off.  Five minutes passed, and YIKES!!! - they came on right behind me!  I quickly moved up six paces to clear the downpour - and set back to work!  I raced to a finish, and started packing up my easel, just before the last sprinklers went off in front of me!  Plein air painting is always an adventure.  One day, it is the bugs in my pant (or up my leg), the next - hidden sprinklers pop up out of nowhere and rain down on my painting.  I have almost lost my easel twice as it started sinking down into the edge of a lake.   I have painted in the cold, driving rain (and hail), as well as the hottest summer sun at 105 degrees.  But, I have also painted numerous occasions in weather so beautiful, surrounded by God's beauty and abundance - that I am forever inspired to go back out and capture the glory.

Magic in the Morning
11x14 oil on panel

Mother & Babe

I drew this in graphite on bristol of my oldest daughter and my first grandchild, Alan.  She was comforting him in the front hall when I captured the reference image.  Drawing is very natural to me, it is as if I don't even have to think while I lay down the strokes.  It is the first medium I remember picking up long before preschool.  By the time I was in kindergarten, I had been drawing for years.  I love the feel of pencil on paper, the way it blends into the best skin shades.  It is the root of where all art begins for me.  Each piece begins with a sketch, and blossoms from there.

See this one on display at the Kansas City Club at the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society Juried Show, Public Openings Sept. 21 & Oct. 9, 6:00-9:00.

Mother & Babe
16x20 graphite on bristol
Print Now Available

Summer Oasis

 My easel was set up close to water's edge, in the shade of the trees.  This one was started in the afternoon on one of those 105 degree days.  Despite the heat, the breeze blowing over the water was cool and refreshing.  There were several us Missouri Valley Impressionist Society members on the banks, painting en plein air at the Perry Yacht Club.   It was one of those days where time stopped as I worked, and I could have painted all day.  The yachts and the waves were such a compelling subject, I painted three panels in oil from this place.  This day was my first experience painting sailboats - and I loved it!  I can't wait to paint at this event again next year.

Summer Oasis
9x12 oil on panel

Frisella Falls

I set up for this painting early one misty morning before sunrise.  Frisella Nursery is a wonderful place in Defiance, MO, full of garden scenes, statues, water features and foliage.  If you love gardening, this is the place for you.  It was hard to pick my spot with so many beautiful choices to paint!  The air was so crisp  - my fingers stiffened up around those brushes!  I had to take a break midway through just to go in and grab some hot tea and a wonderful yogurt parfait loaded with fresh fruit! Hands warm, back to work, and the paint just slid off the brush.  The early sun bathed the scene in a pink glow just long enough for me to get the color in.  Too soon the light was gone, and it was time to move on to another event.  I hope to return here someday and paint again.

Oil over acrylic on panel
sold

Autumn in Augusta

I tried something new on this painting.  I first sketched out my composition, then applied molding paste with a palette knife to add texture to the trees and grasses on my panel.  I had to hold this in front of my car heater to speed the drying, so I could quickly get to the next step.  Working in plein air allows me about a 2 hour window before the light changes, making this step necessary.  I next painted in my masses in acrylic, which dries quickly.  Then, I painted over the underpainting with my oils.  I love the effect - and trying a new technique is always exciting!  This piece will be at the Harvest Festival in Augusta this weekend.

Augusta Pride

This amazing view was painted in Augusta on the morning of the Augusta Shores Paint-Out.  Walking into this scene was just like slipping into a piece of heaven.  It was a cool April morning as the light cut in between the rocks over the pool of water.  Magical.  To get this view, I had one leg of the easel too close to the water.  I had to keep readjusting it to prevent the whole thing from toppling in!  Thank you to the Lindsey family for allowing me into their back yard for such a wonderful painting experience :)

Augusta Pride
14x18  Oil on panel

sold

Grapevines and Roses

The early morning sun was streaming in through the grape arbor.  I knew immediately I must paint this light.  Nestled in the back yard of the Red Brick Inn in Augusta, MO, I set up easel and paints.  I loved the process as the lights and shadows seemed to effortlessly lay themselves down.  Not every painting flows off the brush so easily, and sheer joy washed over me as I worked.  This may have been my favorite painting of my favorite painting event of the year - The Augusta Plein Air Event.  This piece now resides at The Red Brick Inn.

The Path Home

I just finished this one up a couple of weeks ago.  I have been experimenting with underpainting in acrylics, and then finishing in oils - and this is a spring landscape using this technique.  I love the early spring we have had this year - and I find I am drawn to all things floral!

Fountain at Unity Village

Unavailable

This beautiful scene comes from the rose garden at Unity Village in Lee's Summit, MO.  The fountain is truly magnificent and towers over the garden below it.  This was really a joy to paint in oils.

A Mother's Love

This portrait was just awarded 1st Place in the HFAA Spring Show.

Mountain Glow

On this painting, I underpainted the whole scene in acrylic, and then came over the top with oils.  I found the oils flowed smoothly over the acrylic, and really popped the warmth and lights up a notch.  The oils seem to add to the depth as well.

Tiger Suit Anna

Butterfly Kiss