Union Station KC MO

 

I posted yesterday's Union Station painting in the evening, and this morning it sold before i could leave the house!  So, in a mad dash to come up with another that would match my inventory for Powell Gardens,  I put this one in it's place.  Union Station is a favorite place to paint this time of year, and I hope to get there a few more times while the halls are decked!  This painting and 7 other are now showing at Powell Gardens. Be there first to get your choice!  Painting number 4697 in 4697 days. 

Union Station KC

SOLD

 

This is one of 8 paintings going into the Powell Gardens gallery for the holidays!  I have a special collection of winter and holiday paintings to install tomorrow,  and this is the only Union Station one.  I love painting here during the holidays, when the Station is decked out with it's iconic tree, companion trees and garland. This place holds a special place in my heart!  Painting number 4696 in 4696 days.  Come early to get first pick! 

Morning on the Veranda

I rarely do interiors, but this sweeping veranda called to me.  The morning light was golden, and I could not resist the call.  It was rather complicated to mark all that light and shadow at the start, but I knew the clouds would move in, and I would lost my chance. Wildwood Spring Lodge is a special place,  and I'd love to return with my family and spend some time relaxing here.  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville and is my 4544 painting in 4544 days.  

Flower Benches

 

Thanks to Suburban Lawn and Garden on Overland Park, for welcoming a few artists into their greenhouse to sketch on a cold January day!  The blooms are always inspiring, and they greeted us with a tray of cookies and bottled water. They had THE CUTEST valentine cacti that were literally the shape of a great in a tiny red pot. They are painted on that bottom shelf - and I bought one for each child and two for me (and three other plants)!  Who wouldn't love a living heart shaped cacti greeting them every day as a little reminder of how much they are loved? Painting number 5083 in 5083 days. 

Flower Benches

It was super fun to gather with artist friends to paint and shop at Suburban Lawn and Garden this morning!  The three tiers of blooming plants instantly grabbed my attention, so I set up on the spot to paint in this newish leather bound art journal.  The cotton paper is very soft and thin, but I am finding a way to make it work.  I sketched this one first with a Pitt pen, then started washing in the watercolor layers, working a little drier than I normally would for increased pigment strength.  I popped in with more ink and then more paint until I reached the effect I was looking for.  It's fun to explore my mediums in this way - I learn something from every painting!  Painting number 5081 in 5081 days. 

Gingerbread House

I loved meeting artist friends with Tiffany at the Urban Sketchers KC event at Family Tree Nursery this morning!  Though the winter storm was fast on our heels, we had time to sketch in the greenhouse and enjoy the light and foliage!  This gingerbread house is new in the Cafe seating at the Shawnee nursery. So of course, I had to sketch it!  I'm using ink and watercolor in a new leather sketch bag I picked up in Branson.  The ATC miniature sketch I left as a thank you for allowing us in to sketch today. I think this is the first time I've been here in January!  It was the perfect way to spend our last morning out before becoming ice abs snow bound!  And now, I'm looking forward to painting snow!! Painting number 5058 in 5058 days. 
 

Christmas at IUnion Station

This has been another wonderful Christmas spent with family - with the special treat of Bill and Evelyn in attendance! They are normally in Arizona by this time, but we are lucky to have them home for the holidays!  For the first time ever we broke with tradition, and has a Mexican burrito bowl feast for dinner!  This might be the first Christmas without a large turkey, and I don't think it was missed!  Mom enjoyed visiting with Mike's parents, and the kids had a blast inside and out!  The Chiefs win was icing on the cake although I didn't see much of it with all the cooking!  Union Station is an all time favorite painting place, especially in the evening!  The place absolutely glows! Wishing you all the merriest of Christmases, and a new year full of family and friends!  Painting number 5049 in 5049 days.

Night at the Museum

SOLD

 

What fun it was to paint this special event, "Night at the Museum", for the Salina Arts Center!  After participating in the first Liberty Plein Air event with BOTH daughters, I left early to drive the three hours to Salina.  I had enough time to check in to my suite, freshen up, and get to the Arts Center to paint!  This whole area is full of art, and this renovated space is really beautiful.  Paintings fill the walls and a special exhibit is just across the room, through adjoining doors. The people were lovely, and excited to find themselves in the painting when it was finished.  It was a lovely evening, and I'll need to head out before dawn to get to the Walktober at Jerry Smith  Park in time!  Painting number 5152 in 5152 days. 

Christmas Tree in Copper

 I had visions of completing several metal work Christmas pieces this season, but here we are, just days left, and this is my first.  The time gets away from me when so many paintings are going out the door - and commissions, too. So, I'll try to get a few finished for those special few, and perhaps I'll work on these in the winter months.  Painting number 3996 in 3996 days. 

Joy Tree

Night at Union Station

Union Station takes on a magical presence when visited at night.  As the crowds slacken,the very large tree dominates in this space, and it's reflection on the floor is stunning.  What a treat to get to capture this in oil on panel, and already I long to paint it large for my own wall.  This majestic place is steeped in history, and the history of so many families who come here each Christmas to make memories.  Painting number 3989 in 3989 days. 

Union Station Wreath

What a lovely afternoon to spend painting at Union Station!  I love those grand arched windows in their holiday attire - festive with the large wreath and red bow.  I've met artist friends here to paint, and finished two before heading out.  The restaurants were full and many families came to experience the Christmas magic here as I worked.  I'm so very thankful this place stands proudly as it did so many years ago.  We were so close to losing her when she was in disrepair.  My holiday is not complete until I paint Union Station!  Painting number 3986 in 3986 days. 

Tree at Nelson-Atkins Museum

I have never been to the Nelson-Atkins Museum at Christmas time, and was excited to see the nativity scenes at up in this main hall.  My artist friends had told me how lovely it was, but the expansive hall was empty, except for this lovely unadorned tree.  With a few poinsettias flanking it, this was the only seasonal view.  So, I sketched the tree with pencils and lunched with Mom and friends, still longing for a gorgeous Christmas scene.  I think we're going to Union Station in a couple of weeks so that place will surely meet my needs!  Painting number 3974 in 3974 days. 

Christmas at Union Station

 Wow!  What a magical place Union Station is at Christmas time! With holiday music in the air, and families coming to enjoy the tree, all is merry and bright!  I feel nostalgic in this place, with a feeling of reverence as I remember the six generations of my family that have walked these halls, that I now paint.  Could any of them have imagined I would?  As I do so often - and hardly anyone knows - I have painted my family members into the crowd, and I am all the way to the right - painting the scene at my easel. Just a little something extra for those who really look!  Painting number   3969 in 3969 days. 

Family Tree Christmas

 

This place is brimming with Christmas spirit - and one can't help but be swept away!  Meeting artist friends here for our weekly plein air outing, I could hardly decide which tree to paint!  There are many here, all with different themes, just begging to be painted!  Michaela and the little ones met me here, since this is close to their house.  The boys picked out special ornaments, and we enjoyed steamers back in the greenhouse.  It's always balmy out there - even on those snowy days!  I love sketching here so much, and it always gets me in the mood for holiday painting!  Painting number 3966 in 3966 days. 

Christmas at Family Tree

Painting this time of year at a favorite local nursery always gets me in the Christmas spirit!  Family Tree Nursery welcomed our Monday watercolor group today, and Michaela and the boys joined me there as well!  As I sketched a couple of beautiful trees, they picked out special ornaments and a gift for Daddy. We enjoyed hot steamers in the greenhouse afterward, and I picked up a few new plants on the way out.  It was a lovely morning filled with holiday cheer and we'll wishers add I visited with the shoppers. What a lovely way to kick off the week of Thanksgiving!  Painting number 3965 in 3965 days. 

In the Greenhouse

 

There is nothing like a rainy day for painting in a greenhouse!  Chased inside by the lightning and thunder overhead, the heavy downpour was delightful as it hit the nursery roof.  One by one, my artist friends left, and I was the last one on site as I finished this second painting.  Mom and I chose some gorgeous, very wet, snapdragons to take home afterwards.  I do love the floral beauty at Rosehill Gardens, and will certainly come back again!  Painting number 3747 in 3747 days. 

Family Tree Umbrellas

 

It's a tropical getaway each time I sketch at Family Tree Nursery!  My first time back after renovations - I love what they've done here.  There were so many gorgeous things to paint inside, but I just HAD to spend my time in the greenhouse, soaking up warmth and humidity on this cold January day!  LOVE painting here!  Painting number 3679 in 3679 days and day 31 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Baby Linens

 

It is so fun to find hidden little places to paint inside Glenwood Antique Mall! This wonderful booth is full of sweet tiny clothes, dishes and blankets, and that beautiful cabinet begged to be painted!  In ink and watercolor, I sketch out this interior, and come back in with a few fountain pens loaded with colored ink.  I love the memories such things bring back to me - days of baby kisses and hugs! Painting number 3661 in 3661 days and day 13 of the #stradaeasel challenge.

Salon at KC Museum

Meeting at the Kansas City Museum with Urban Sketchers KC artists, this was my first time back in years.  Care has been taken to keep the historic beauty, while creating a lovely gathering space.  It was fun to step back in time, and sketch the grandeur of this wonderful old mansion.  The architectural details are majestic, and a bit challenging to capture! I can't wait for the cafe and bar to open on site, so I can bring my family here to enjoy the beauty!  Day 12 of the #stradaeasel challenge, and painting number 3660 in 3660 days.