Canoes!

 

What a fun sculpture to paint with the High School Plein Air Artists in this Canoe Capitol of the World! Today was our paint out on Main Street in Steelville, and this is where my group of students wanted to paint! It's been so fun mentoring for this event, and to skate my skills with such talented young artists!  Painting number 4654 in 4654 days. 

Llama Trio

 

Each time a sketch super cute animals - I want to take them home!  These beautiful animals are very social, communicating with each other and with me!  Their long lashes and bright eyes are so sweet, and I certainly could use more time sketching their shapes.  The more familiar I am with a subject, the better I can draw it.  I wish my neighbors would get a few for me to paint!  See this llama painting in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville!  Painting number 4606 in 4606 days. 

Chicken Walk

 

Who knew painting with chickens would be so fun?!!  We've raised many animals through the years, and I spent time on two family farms as a child, but I had never been exposed at length to chickens before Easter.  We've raised many birds - parakeets, parrots, doves, pheasants, ducks and geese, but never chickens.  These sweet darlings are so very personable, coming to greet us whenever we head their way.  I'm teaching them to jump up on my lap for treats - and four learned the trick the first day!  I know it's silly, but they really are wonderful - and I see many chicken paintings in my future!  Go see this one in person at Gallery Zeke in Steelville.  Painting number 4604 in 4604 days. 

Baby Goat Pair

 

Baby goats are so much fun to paint - and they pose constantly at the Deanna Rose Farmstead.  I've been painting a few farm animals for a special show, and this will be in the collection along with 8 others.  I sure love baby animals, and if I spend too much time with them - they might have to come home with me!  This one is also heading to Gallery Zeke in Steelville!  Painting number 4593 in 4593 days. 

Buff Brahmas

 

Oh yes, I am painting with my chickens tonight!!  My girls are so very curious - I think it would be a fun video to see their reactions to my every move!  They are growing so fast - our Easter chicks will soon be all grown up!  I'm painting a few of the ladies to add to my collection of farm animal paintings heading to Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Be sure and stop by for this very special collection!  Painting number 4592 in 4592 days. 

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.  

Along the Trail of Tears

 

Painted on Long Springs road, this is part of the Trail of Tears that runs through Steelville.  We were asked to capture the story in paint as we stood in the very place they walked.  It was emotional. I had read some of the history the night before, and could not imagine their plight, especially the mothers who were losing their babies. This painting will join others that will be auctioned off in support of a sculpture to commemorate this trail.  Those souls should not be forgotten. I am honored to have this painting awarded an Honorable Mention for the Trail of Tears Paint Out. Painting number 4542 in 4542 days. 

Making Camp

SOLD

 

This painting on the Whittenburg Creek was my second painting along the Trail of Tears in Steelville, Missouri.  We were asked to envision a scene and recreate as we captured the very landscape thisc tragic event occurred so many years ago. I did as much research as I could the night before, so that I could faithfully recreate the scene.  It was emotional to paint this, letting it all unfold on my panel  I don't understand how something like this could happen, it all is so unfair. This painting, along with my other one,  will be among others to go to auction in support of a sculpture to commemorate this site. Painting number 4541 in 4541 days.

Staying at the Wildwood Lodge

SOLD

 

I couldn't resist painting that cool old car parked in front of that cool old lodge!  As I sat on the bench swing hanging from an old oak, I contemplated this very scene, already composing and painting it in my mind.  I chose ink and watercolor for this place, and I painted from that swing on the lawn.  What a great place to hang out for the day! Painting number 4536 in 4536 days. 

Morning at Cobblestone Lodge

SOLD

 

I have never been to this historic lodge before, so this day was a real treat!  I absolutely love historic lodges, and i have only seen glimpses of it from the opposite side of the Meramec River. So, when i realized where I was painting today - I was thrilled! I am so honored this painting was selected for today's Purchase Award for Steelville Plein Air!  Thank you Cobblestone Lodge for hosting, FCNB bank for sponsoring, and Steelville Arts Council for organizing this event! Painting number 4535 in 4535 days. 

Take me to the Lake

 

It's so fun to find places like this to paint right off the Meramec River!  Mound Ridge had several very appealing groupings of kayaks and boats, and I had trouble deciding which to focus on!  Going with the most colorful, these drew me in for my demo.  It's been great fun to teach high school students acrylic in the field, especially at such an inspiring place. Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville  😍🎨

Lange General Store

 

I love finding slices of Americana to paint throughout the Midwest!  Steelville has been going through a transformation in recent years, and I LOVE the vintage charm being resurrected in these historic buildings on Main Street.  It was so fun to paint this building while waiting for judging to roll around.  Painting number 5075 in 5075 days. 

Hoppe Springs

 

I lose all track of time when painting by a spring, especially when the water is rushing by at my feet  I stood on the small footbridge crossing this spring, wanting to keep an eye out for the copperhead I just saw dissappear into a crack between rocks. As the minutes rolled by, I forgot about him altogether, so mesmerized I was by the water.  There is something so healing about a spring, so soothing to the soul.  This spring is an amazing painting companion with it's magical sounds, and I think I'll be returning each time I'm in town. Painting number 5071 in 5071 days. It looks like I've got a bit of catching up to do on my blog, a few entries didn't post again.  If only every place had a good cell connection in the Midwest. 

Nestled in the Woods

This rainy day painting started as one of my acrylic demonstrations with the High School Plein Air sponsored by the Steelville Arts Council last weekend.  I mentored 20 students over three days in 5 different paint-outs.  It was such a super fun weekend filled with very talented young artists, and I hope that I have impacted their art journey in some small way.  I would have loved an opportunity like this at their age.  This painting is now showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, Missouri through mid-July.  Come take a peak in person.  Painting number 5068 in 5068 days. 

Steelville Presbyterian Church

How dramatically the light can shift in just a couple hours!  What was illuminated at the start fell to shadow by the time I finished.  This painting will be a lasting memory for my Steelville host family as she retires from pastoring here, to move closer to family.  Steelville is such a wonderful place to visit, and I do love painting here. Painting number 5067 in 5067 days. 

Drag Race Road

 

This is the first time I've been down this road, and I find a fun slice of Americana to paint in Steelville! What drew me to this street was 3 brightly painted old houses right beside this.  Planning to paint all three on the street, I decided instead to paint the bright colors of this cool place.  Painted on my Dad's birthday, he would have loved this place.  Now Showing at Gallery Zeke until Saturday! Painting number 5064 in 5064 days. 

Big Bend Rural School

 

It was so peaceful by Hoppe spring, sketching the one room schoolhouse in pen and ink.  Cool, refreshing air wafted in from the spring as I started this. I didn't decide until half way through to leave it in ink alone.  I like the timeless mood of pen and ink on handmade paper. It feels a bit like stepping back in time for a little while. Painting number 5063 in 5063 days. 

Morning at the Barn

How could I possibly resist painting such an amazing old barn with a vista view behind it?  Complete with a sweet horse, this place was a "must paint" as soon as i saw it!  Down a long, winding, narrow road, this place was definitely worth the almost a mile back-up drive I had to make when i came head on to a large rv in that single lane drive!  Thank goodness for my vast back up experience - because those ditches were too steep to pull in to.  One never knows what may be at the end of such roads, and this scene was my reward!  Love these Missouri backroads! Painting number 3832 in 3832 days. 

Fishing in the Meramec

 

I love painting along a river, to the music of birdsong!  It is such a peaceful place for reflection. The water babbles gently, and as I sketch, a fisherman enters the river from the bank.  As he walks and casts, I sketch him in to my painting.  Just a moment in time, captured by chance, and a lovely memory of the day.  Painting number 3830 in 3830 days. 

Wendy and John's Place

I love getting to paint the special places I stay at, when hosted during plein air events.  Wendy and John were so welcoming, this truly was a home away from home.  Steelville is full of wonderful people and places, and I'm so lucky I found this place!  Painting number 3829 in 3829 days.