Vintage Ornaments

 I'm always thankful to finish that last Christmas card!  Merry and bright is my theme this year, so I've been painting the vintage ornaments I picked up weeks ago, in various compositions.  It takes quite a while by the time I paint each one, attach to cards, then handwrite a personal note or memory.  It's taken me a few years to get back in the groove, losing my dad was so very hard. I realize more than ever how fragile life is, and how thankful I am for every chance to tell my loved ones what then mean to me. Painting number 3254 in 3254 days. 

Poinsettia

So fun to paint the poinsettias at Crown Center for the Urban Sketchers KC sketch walk!  The small one is an ornament for the artist exchange, the blanks with ribbon were ready to pick up and paint when I checked in.  We all check in, paint two hours, then meet up and share our work.  This time we shared more - any artist creating ornaments got to exchange them with another ornament!  Love getting to paint with artist friends with the whole place decked out for the holidays!  Painting number 3245 in 3245 days. 

Union Station Christmas

Union Station is buzzing for the holidays!  Family and friends gather around the tree to celebrate the season, dining, shopping or staying for a show, and today I paint the magic.  Meeting the Monday Watercolorists, we each pick our location and get to work, painting for two hours before meeting for lunch at Harvey's (which is where I stood to paint this).  I fully expected to paint two paintings here, but simply spent too much time on this one capturing the whole scene!  Again, I really need to paint this large for my own home!  What a lovely memory to hang in the wall for the holidays!  Painting number 3244 in 3244 days. 

Union Station Holiday

Union Station is a magical place for the holidays - and there is nothing like capturing the magic with paint!  Tonight, Kansas City Parks and Rec sponsored a Holiday Quick Paint inside Union Station, and the halls were decked!  I love painting in this historic train station, it really is a gem in Kansas City.  I used oils for this interior, after sketching another in ink and watercolor.  I rarely do interiors, but I sure do enjoy them!  It was so fun gathering with artist friends and Mom joined in the fun, too. Painting number 3241 in 3241 days. 

 

KC Giant Nutcracker

A Kansas City icon, this giant nutcracker is one of a collection that stands guard at the Mayor's Christmas Tree.  Posted at the edges of the children's playland, each one is different in color and accessories. With our unseasonably warm temps in the 60s, this venue is perfect for capturing a slice of KC Christmas time in ink and watercolor!  Painting number 2894 in 2894 days. 

Tree Trio

Another gorgeous December day - and I'm out sketching a slice of Christmas at Crown Center.  I wish I had a better on site image - but I didn't check this before moving to another location.  I didn't have my normal sketch bag, so my fountain pen ink is a blend of mostly Levenger's Raven Black with a little of their Cocoa brown.  I initially only had the brown in that pen, but it was far too red when washed with a little water, so I added the black.  Which, is not advised, by the way.  All inks are different and have different properties, and many simply don't blend well, causing issues on the paper.  Or, so I've read.  I like to blaze my own trail, throwing caution to the wind when it comes to such things - lol!  There's no rules in art!  Painting number 2892 in 2892 days. 

Cardinal Trees

This enchanting place is a perfect getaway, if only for a couple hours!  With ink and watercolor I sketched out the scene before me, going back in with a little more ink.  The trimmed trees line the pathways, and are in many themes.  One can pick the ornaments right off the trees for purchase.  I found the cheerful cardinals donning this tree irresistible!  After I painted this, I bought a couple for my own tree!  Painting number 2871 in 2871 days. 

Elf Nutcracker with Snowmen

purchase here

I know the holidays are coming when I am suddenly drawn to nutcrackers!  Even with all the packing chaos at mom's house, I take a little time to capture this guy in ink and watercolor. As I sketch him, I wonder if I have painted many of these in watercolor.  The process seems new, and my automatic color choices are in oil or acrylic, not my travel watercolor set.  Perhaps that very thing adds a freshness to this painting.  Always good to mix things up!  Painting number 2516 in 2516 days. 

Hall of Trees II

sold

Christmas is fast approaching as family starts arriving.  Mom got in this afternoon, and the college kids arrive tomorrow.  The hustle and bustle are keeping my mind occupied, as I check off all of those "to dos".  Finding a little time for painting, and right back to work for this girl!  Painting number 2148 in 2148 days.

Santa Tree ATC

With a blizzard howling outside, I'm inside painting my "Santa tree" tonight.  I've collected many Santa ornaments over the years,  many gifts from my parents.  I have a tree just for these ornaments, which is set up in our family room (or Front Room, as it's been called for generations).  It was so nice to have the children home from college this week, and thanks to them the house is ready for Christmas.  I miss them already and am counting the days until they return for their winter break.  Tomorrow, I'm painting snow!  Painting number 2129 in 2129 days.