Pumpkins Five

I'm trying a new mini watercolor palette by Sennelier for these watercolor batik pumpkins.  I LOVE tiny kits that fit right into a pocket!  So, I love the portability, but the feel of the brush against the paint drags a little, almost as if there is honey in the mix.  It is also a little resistant to the brush, not picking up as much paint in a stroke as I'm used to.  I think I'll need to play with it a bit more, and keep it in an extra sketch bag, but it will not supplant my current favs.  Painting number 4708 in 4708 days. 

Autumn Hay Bale

 

Autumn leaves and hay bales, I just had to paint the beauty!  This lush landscape is ever inspiring, just outside my door. The red color seems to be the last to hang on, and the yellows were the first to drop. The bales dot the pastures, and only my busy schedule keeps me from painting them every day.  Perhaps, I should paint them at sunrise or sunset, while I enjoy the glory with a hot cup of tea? Maybe I'll start that tomorrow.......! Painting number 4703 in 4703 days. 

Pumpkin Batik

 

The pumpkins have been gorgeous this season, and I'm painting this one with ink, watercolor and hot wax on super thin rice paper!  With tissue thin paper, I must work this paper very lightly.  The slightest bit of pressure when wet can cause it to tear, and brushing the paint in can brush right through the paper!  So carefully I work until the image emerges, and I lift the hot wax away.  Painting number 

Autumn on the Lake

 

It is my pleasure to capture the fleeting colors of autumn, one brushstroke at a time.  Something magical happens when the leaves begin to turn.  The greens of summer shimmer gold and red, intensifying daily until the fade begins.  The leaves crunch beneath me, a sound like music to my ears.  Only once a year do I get to revel in autumn splendor, and too quickly it is gone.  Many of my hours have been spent working in the garden and painting the new chicken coop, trying to catch up after my very busy plein air season.  So, these quiet moments alone in nature are a treasure.  I hope to paint a few more autumn landscapes before they fade away.  Painting number 4695 in 4695 days. 

Pumpkin and Squash Batik

 

It's fun to unwind with a little ink, watercolor, hot wax and pumpkins!  I start by sketching my composition with India ink.  Next, I add watercolor, layering until the hot wax is applied.  Several layers later, crinkling, more watercolor and ironing between paper, the image is revealed.  Only then do I find out what has emerged with the process. I love the serendipity of it all!  Painting number 4692 in 4692 days.

Path to the Pumpkin Patch

There is something magical about visiting farms and orchards in the fall, especially when I'm painting them!  I watched children and families walking up and down that path, with pumpkins in tow.  The Weston Red Barn Farm is the kind of place families return to year after year.  Come see this place in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery.  Painting number 4683 in 4683 days. 

Swallowtail and Pumpkin

 

I love these beautiful days in the garden - with my paints!  The butterflies have been so abundant in recent weeks, so welcome after their sparse presence earlier in the season.  This has been the first year I've noticed a decline in their numbers around our farm.  With so many wildflowers and pasture land, pollinators have been plentiful through the years. This one will be heading to Powell Gardens next week. Painting number 4636 in 4636 days. 

Autumn Leaves

The autumn leaves are falling, and I've picked up a few to study before heading of for a family shopping day at Legends.  The colors are rich and its fun to play with the colors a bit in the wet masses of each leaf.  I could get a little darker here and there, but there's no time for extra layers. It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and there's still more fun to have!  Painting number 5205 in 5205 days. 

Wet Streets in Autumn

 

Wet streets with autumn color is simply irresistible.  The dark, rainy day only accentuates the bright, warm hues in the landscape.  These days of color ends too soon, especially with wind and rain driving those leaves down the road. All I can do is paint as fast as I can, and hope for a few more golden autumn days. Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving full of family fun! Painting number 5201 in 5201 days. 

Autumn in Peaceful Valley

 

I love the crunch of fallen leaves as I paint a rich autumn glow on the hill! We've had such an amazing season for painting, I wish it would last for months!  Soon the leaves will all lay on the ground and winter will creep in.  I'm already adding my layers when I paint early, and I'm never really ready for the cold to begin.  I'm so thankful for lovely painting days like this! Painting number 5200 in 5200 days. 

Autumn Lane

 

The oaks are really showing their color, now.  I'm never ready for them to lose their leaves, though i know it's coming.  This season is so fleeting, and my time so heavily scheduled that I ever feel as though I'm missing wonderful opportunities. This small 6x6 size is a perfect solution for crazy busy days and a regular go to this time of year.  I'm looking forward to quiet days with plenty of painting time this winter. Hope springs eternal, after all.  Painting number 5198 in 5198 days. 

Old Barn Batik

 

I love painting the gorgeous farms of the Midwest in watercolor batik!  I'm starting to see that autumn color now, and I can't resist capturing it today in watercolor batik. These large barns dot the landscape, and we lose them as they age. I am happy to paint them while they stand.  Painting number 5170 in 5170 days. 

Autumn Drive

I couldn't resist the gorgeous fall foliage along this gravel drive, so I parked a little way back and got a quick painting in! The leaves have been blowing and there is a chill in the air - our beautiful, warm days might be over tonight! We've had such a long, warm fall, but I'm still not ready for it to end.  I am thankful tonight that I've had the extra days to capture this color this year, and I'm looking forward to painting the holiday season now, too. 

Autumn at Union Hill

These autumn days are fleeting, and I'm so lucky to get to paint them before they fade! We're having a gorgeous November, and it is my pleasure to work in perfect weather.  What a treat!  The leaves are dropping quickly now, and I feel my painting window closing.  The next season has it's own beauty, and I will love painting it, too.  Painting number 3959 in 3959 days. 

White Barn Autumn

What glorious color there is in autumn leaves!  Shining and saturated, these colors sing in the landscape against the green grass. I see a subtle shift in the color each day, and the leaves falling to the ground are a sure sign of bare branches to come. I do wish the trees could hold onto their autumn best for a month or two - then maybe I could get my fill of fall painting!  Painting number 3958 in 3958 days. 

Autumn Path

 Oh, how I love the colors of autumn!  The pin oaks are really putting on a show today as they near their peak color!  The golden orange is pushing to red, and I'm so happy to get the chance to paint them!  75 degrees in November is a chance not to be missed when it comes to plein air painting!  Hoping for more opportunities as the days roll by!  Painting number 3952 in 3952 days. 

Autumn at the Historical Society

 

I LOVE painting the colors of fall - while they last!  The autumn leaves are always glorious at Union Cemetery this time of year - and the historical society farmhouse makes the perfect backdrop.  Those cool shadows make the warm sunlit leaves shine, and that color is reflected on the fallen leaves as well.  Such a lovely time of year, and I can already see a shift just past peak in our color.  This season's color is swiftly passing!  Painting number 3948 in 3948 days.  

Autumn Wooded Path

I LOVE how the autumn colors shine in the sunlight, after many days of rain!  I was finally able to go paint the magic on our own property today, and it was magical.  The yellows are popping and the reds have barely begun, so I hope to get several more autumn paintings done before the color fades.  I nearly missed the light on this one, as the sun dipped down in the west.  I guess I should have skipped making dinner tonight - lol!  Painting number 3944 in 3944 days. 

Autumn at Peaceful Valley Lake

 I absolutely love painting the colors of autumn - especially when they are reflecting on water!  The reds are really popping around Peaceful Valley Lake - and I could hardly wait to get back here once I saw the beauty!  I marked all the highlights while the sun was shining, before the clouds moved back in. The calm water reflected those colors so well, in between bursts of wind.  It seems our autumn color fades so quickly in Missouri - I hope to get several more paintings finished before that happens!  Painting number 3941 in 3941 days. 

Autumn Reflections on the Lake

I just couldn't resist painting this gorgeous fall color on Peaceful Valley Lake! I'm a bit in love with these first reds and golds, and I just can't get enough of them!  I saw this scene on my way out first thing this morning, and waited until the afternoon light was on them to paint. It is super fun to lay down strong color, and this rich scene surely called for them.  I hope I get many more days to paint the autumn leaves before they drop!  Painting number 3933 in 3933 days.