Chick's First Snow Day

 

Hooray!  It's Day 1 of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, and Celestial Skies is the first ink!  I'm capturing the first snow for my chicks - and they don't like it!  With little wind, still the snow blew half way into their run.  After covering the east side, I swept out what I could and spread fresh wood mulch on top.  Once this was done, they ventured out from their huddle on the dry side to return to pecking, scratching and drinking.  I had heard chickens don't like the snow, and now I've seen it for myself!  The fancy dip pen pictured happens to also glow in the dark!  I'd forgotten that until I walked down the dark hall with it!  Painting number 4717 in 4717 days. 

Cardinal Perch

 

These sweet little cardinals nest here every year, and I get to watch those babies grow to raise their own families, too.  I pulled out a selection of cardinal paintings for a patron to choose her favorite.  She selected this one, which I had never posted.  I used very heavy watercolor board at a time when I was newly exploring the medium.  It didn't feel finished, and is a little different than my usual work.  I'm so happy it found a home where it will be cherished as a remembrance of her mother.  Painting number 4716 in 4716 days. 

Nesting Cardinals

Pen and ink has such a timeless feel on whatever I use it on.  The cardinals are frequent visitors and I often find their nests while tending my garden.  I love to watch and draw their antics any time of year.  My new Inkvent Calendar has arrived, so I will soon be opening a new bottle of ink each day to try in December. I'm so excited to see what unveils!  Painting number 4715 in 4715 days. 

Ornament Impressions

 

Tis the season for holiday decorating - and painting the magic!  It's so much fun to pull out the bold acrylic paints for these shiny ornaments.  Loose and free strokes keep the vibe upbeat and lively. There's so much beauty to paint this time of year, and I hope to make the most of every moment!  Painting number 4714 in 4714 days. 

Wild Turkeys

 

Wild Turkeys seemed too be the perfect subject on this holiday!  We had most of the family out for our Thanksgiving celebration, and Bill and Evelyn joined us, too.  They are normally in Arizona by now, but they aren't leaving until next week.  It's always like running a race to get everything ready, but so nice once the work is done.  It's great to visit and play with the grandkids! I'm so thankful for every day, and each person in my life!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Painting number 4713 in 4713 days. 

North Building

SOLD

 

I'm happy this painting of the North Building of the Shawnee Indian Mission has found a new home in Texas! As I make the many preparations for our family Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow, I remember all that I am thankful for.  I think of those no longer with us, the large family we are blessed with, and the little ones to one day come. What a miracle this life is, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it!  Come see all the paintings on display at the Three Springs Market in this historic building!  Painting number 4712 in 4712 days. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  

On Vacation

 

When I travel, it's great to paint the scenes I don't find at home.  I have not painted here before, but found this place while returning from another painting location.  With just enough time to paint before a meeting, I set up on the shade of an airplane hangar, and got to work.  The owner of the building stopped by to say hi, too.  Everyone is so friendly here!  Fairfield is FULL of painting opportunities, and I'm happy this painting has a home there, too!  Painting number 4711 in 4711 days. 

Chicadee Pine

 

I love sketching my feathered friends - and using three different inks to do it!  Chicadees are the sweetest little birds, and I enjoy watching them in the garden. I have all three pens loaded with favorite inks in matching colors, and I use a water brush pen to move the ink around a bit.  As I play with these inks, I am anxiously awaiting the newest Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2025! I can't wait to discover the little bottles of ink for each day until Christmas! Painting number 4710 in 4710 days. 

Shiny Ornaments

 

What fun it is to paint festive ornaments with acrylics again! I love how quickly acrylics dry, and the rich color is perfect for paintball these shiny balls. In fact, I've never reached for my oils for these, and now I wonder why?  I'm normally looking for quick paintings to send out this time of year, and acrylics fit that bill.  This is also the time I reach for gallery wrapped canvases, as I paint right onto the edges.  No need for frames, which is a convenience, too.  Painting number 4709 in 4709 days. 

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. 

Tinsel Santa

 

For several years now, I have explored Diamine's Inkvent Calendar as Christmas approaches.  It is a treat to use glass dip pens and sparkling new ink to create the magic of Christmas!  I've got the 2025 one on order, and I can't wait to open each little door containing the gift of a new ink!  Come see this miniature Santa Claus painting in person, now showing at Powell Gardens!  Painting number 4707 in 4707 days. 

Festive Ornaments

 

Christmas is coming and it's time to start painting the magic!  We deck the halls right after Thanksgiving, but I light our outdoor Alberta spruce earlier, and pull out these shiny ornaments for that!  It's the perfect opportunity to start painting these shiny jewels, and it really gets me in the mood for the holidays!  Painting number 4705 in 4705 days. 

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. 

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 

Chapel in the Snow

 

The chapel at Powell Gardens is such a peaceful place to visit and paint. The walking trail that meanders to this place is lovely, with many painting spots along the way.  Winter is just a breath away, and the snow only makes this place more beautiful. This is painting number 4701 in 4701 days. Now Showing at the gallery in the visitor center. 

Ponderosa Pines Mini

 

This miniature painting of ponderosa pines is now showing in the gallery at Powell Gardens.  The fountain pen is one of my newest, a TWSBI Diamond, filled with my favorite black ink.  Sadly, my white TWSBI Diamond dropped from my hand into my cushioned mat, bending the nib slightly.  I haven't had time to order a new nib, so I filled this beautiful pen with the ink I use the most.  This pines are a request, so I hope they'll find a new home soon!  Painting number 4700 in 4700 days. 

Morning at the Pumpkin Patch

SOLD

 

It was so much fun to paint my first pumpkin patch of the season at Shreve's!  It's an annual autumn tradition, and it's never quite fall until I arrive here to paint!  The pumpkins and mums are glorious, the weather is perfect, and the time flies by as I work.  A pristine painting day is a gift to cherish!   I'm so happy this painting now resides with the family! Painting number 4699 in 4699 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!