Autumn at Stone Hill

 

Autumn in Missouri is really beautiful.  Green grass accentuates the golden red hues spreading over the foliage, and balmy temps make it a pleasure to paint in.  Only oils will do when I'm pushing for those vibrant colors, and the tactile feel of broach on panel is invigorating. I'm counting my blessings as I paint, and look forward to all the paintings to come. What a wonderful place to capture autumn color - and have refreshment, too.  Painting number 4704 in 4704 days. 

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! 

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. 

Swallowtail and Pumpkin

 

Butterflies and pumpkins are showing for a few more days at Powell Gardens. The butterflies have been plentiful in my garden, so I sketched as I waited for another to fly by.  Then, I would capture their form and color as fast as I could before they moved on to a new bloom.  The mums and cosmos keep them coming, but it's only a matter of time before a frost comes our way.  I am working on new paintings to go into their gallery space next week, so come see them for the holidays! Painting number 4684 in 4684 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. 

On Red Barn Farm

 

I couldn't resist painting this path through the historic barns at the Red Barn Farm, so nostalgicis the feel of this place. There are many animals here, but only the house and a pig were in my view.  Chickens and turkeys were near the top of this path, on the right, and the goats were right beside me!  I stood in the shade of their building to paint most of this.  It's fun to paint as families come to pick pumpkins and enjoy the animals on this farm. What a lovely way to spend the day! Come see this in person at the Weston Coffee Roastery! Painting number 4682 in 4682 days. 

Holladay Distillery

This historic distillery has been operating since the 1850s, and is so lovely on the hill where it stands proudly.  This is my first time at Holladay Distillery, and the large trees lining the drive offer me the perfect place from which to paint.  This place offers tours, and the interior of this building is grand.  It was a nice afternoon, painting this place as Mom sat in the shade near the house.  Painting number 4679 in 4679 days. 

Green Dirt Farm Creamery

 I sketched as Mom, Teddy and I waited for our lunch to arrive.  I finished as we visited, and nearly forgot to get a photo before heading back to turn it in to the Weston Coffee Roastery!  It's been a fun girl's weekend during the 7th annual Weston Plein Air.  Painting number 4676 in 4676 days. 

Along Main Street

 

I LOVE capturing the small town charm of Weston in ink and watercolor!  This is the 7th annual Weston Plein Air event, and I've seen a resurgence in this small town over the years.  The local businesses are thriving and every block in full of life - day and night!  It's fun to come here with Mom and Teddy for a girl's weekend, and enjoy all Weston has to offer!  This painting now showing at Weston Coffee Roastery! 

Shoal Creek

This is my very first time to visit the Shoal Creek Living History Museum - and it was super fun!  I'd not for the Walktober Quick Paint, I would not have gotten to experience it!  Full of historic buildings, the old mill and water wheel welcome you into town.  I was a little late getting started, and I worked right up to the last minute! Even though I could have used more time, I did get this turned in my the skin of my teeth!  I walked through the whole village before leaving, and hope to bring the family here in the future.  There is so much to enjoy at the north Kansas City park!  Painting number 4674 in 4674 days. 

Don't George Hotel

It was so fun to stay at this hotel with Mom and Teddy for a girl's weekend while painting in the 7th annual Weston Plein Air event!  This historic place was built in 1847 - just a few years after our home was built!  Reported to be haunted, their were ghost hunters in the hallways trying to capture images on their phones!  We dined, shopped and enjoyed as many local sites as we could paint! This painting will hang with 6 others of mine in the gallery space at the Weston Coffee Roastery! Painting number 4673 in 4673 days. 

Morning at Longview Beach

 

It was super fun to paint Longview Beach during Walktober!  It's such a beautiful place and the trail is wonderful, too!  It has been years since I've been to this beach, and now I wonder why.  The trails are gorgeous and the lake is peaceful.  Mike watches the boys play as both Michaela and Tiffany paint, walking the trail and exploring the beach.  The weather couldn't be more perfect!  I'm happy this painting got a shout out from the judge - it was a joyful paint!  Painting number 4670 in 4670 days. 

Bridge at English Landing Park

This painting was a race with the clock, as turn in was in only 30 minutes!  I just love a challenge, even when I know there's not enough time, and I'll have to quit painting before I want to!  What better way to keep things fresh?  Painting number 4669 in 4669 days, and this one is now showing at the Parkville Art House. 

Night at Kactus Creek

SOLD

 It's always fun to explore a new place - especially with paint!  This Croquet Club is super cool! The bright greens illuminated at night, with a vintage home as a backdrop was all I needed to set up on the spot and start painting!  When painting a nocturne, I like to wait for the darkness before really laying paint.  So, I sketched out my scene with my brush, marking lights and darks as they developed. I wanted some of that last blue light in the sky before full darkness, and the water tower in shadow in the background, too.  A real sense of place can be established with just a few small details.  I'm so happy this painting was selected for the Purchase Award, too.  What an honor!  Painting number 4666 in 4666 days. 

On Broadway

SOLD

Excelsior Springs is full of historic buildings lining the streets.  It's just to choose just one thing to paint, so I painted the widest scene possible!  I talked to many people as they walked by, each so nice and friendly!  It was a lovely day for painting in the ExcelsiorSpringsPleinAir, and I'm so happy this painting was the first one selected for a Purchase Award at the Hall of Waters!  Painting number 4665 in 4665 days. 

Infield at Creekside

SOLD 

 

This is the largest, giant fiber optic tree sculpture I have ever seen - so OF COURSE, I HAD to paint it!!  When I walked up on site, all I could think was, "Wow!" It was so unexpected, and gigantic!  The leaves look like pale green glass, and were not illuminated in the morning.  I stood and really studied this scene before I marked a line.  After my line work, I ate my salad as I stared at my paper, envisioning the next step.  I rarely do this on any painting, so intuitive the whole process is to me.  But this painting called for it, so I let this painting unfold thoughtfully.  I try to always listen to that small voice inside, and go where I am lead.  I am honored this painting was selected for the Creekside Purchase Award tonight!  Painting number 4664 in 4664 days. 

Morning at Gateway Park

 

What a lovely day for painting Gateway Park at Paint Parkville!  This new park is a great stop along the bike trail for relaxation and repairs, and a special place to paint.  The morning light was fantastic and it was especially nice to have both daughters here and little Kirby, too!  What a fun day!  Painting number 4663 in 4663 days. 

Overlook View of Rush Creek

 

I couldn't resist this tree top view of Rush Creek at the Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary Plein Air - and I'm happy to win an award for my efforts.  This painting is now showing in their gallery. Painting number 4662 in 4662 days. 

Kansas and Main

This is the small painting I was finishing when News 5 pulled up and started filming.  I was on the 6:30 and 10:00 broadcast, as I put the last strokes on my painting. What fun! This painting will hang at the City Hall gallery space through the end of the month.  It's been so fun to spend the day painting the historic square in Liberty! Painting number 4659 in 4659 days.