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. 

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. 

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. 

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! 

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. 

Pumpkins Four Batik

 

I love exploring these pumpkins in the layers of watercolor batik!  From the first ink lines to the ironing off of the wax, the painting unfolds organically. This rice paper is thicker than my usual, and even has a masa feel to it.  It's not as fragile, and therefore easier to work with.  What fun it is to try different papers with the same process!  Painting number 4694 in 4694 days. 

Carnaby Square

SOLD

 It's so fun to paint AND shop the coolest places on Main Street!  Carnaby Square is a favorite boutique to visit when I'm in Fairfield, and I simply HAD to paint the street view!  Kristi,  the proprietor, is such a sweetheart, and a big part of the community here. I'm happy she liked this painting, and has added it to her vast collection.  Painting number 4693 in 4693 days. 

Sunset Over Fairfield

 

Sunset turns to nightfall in a moment!  Intending to paint a nocturne, I arrived early to set up my easel.  When this glorious sky was before me, I just could not wait to begin!  So, I painted as fast as I could to capture all that color, before I really got the street scene in.  As soon as color faded from the sky, I made quick work of those lines.  They, too, faded as the dark settled in.  It was fun to talk to a few visitors on the street as I painted. I love that this painting of historic Fairfield will hang in the bank on this street.  Painting number 4690 in 4690 days. 

Pumpkin Chick Mini

 

As I painted trim on the coop today, I took a sketch break to paint a miniature chick and pumpkin!  It was the perfect day to be working outside, so I took full advantage!  I got a coat of pink paint on the windows and some of the door trim, as well as some other coop chores.  The girls cooed and came close to me through the windows from their upper roost bar, and Phinny even sat on her nest and laid an egg - singing her egg song as I painted the henhouse doorway, watching the magic.  I hope to get all the painting done during these beautiful, warm days - and more painting, too! Painting number 4689 in 4689 days. 

Antiques and Pumpkins

I wait all year to paint the gorgeous pumpkins of autumn - and today I'm using oils!  This is a treat after a full day of yard work, a perfect creative outlet.  The antique pot belonged to my great grandmother, and the old watering can is a lucky find at an antique shop long ago.  I love the way the colors reflect the pumpkins, too.  It turned out to be a beautiful day, even though we had a hard freeze last night.  Too bad the covers didn't protect my flowers, it's going to be another warm week ahead.  Painting number 4688 in 4688 days. 

Goats in the Pumpkins

What's more fun than painting goats and pumpkins in October?!!  I love having animals on the farm - especially when they are as sweet as these young ones!  This painting is showing at Powell Gardens until November 11th, when I'll be installing new paintings for the holidays!  Painting number 4685 in 4685 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. 

Fairy House in the Pumpkin Patch

 I just can't resist painting beautiful pumpkin patches - and Shreve's is a yearly favorite!  The autumn mums and pumpkins adorn the lawn as the light dances over it all.  Children raced in and out of this little house, and I heard them call it the Fairy House.  This farm is the first place I paint when arriving in Fairfield, and the weather has been especially nice this year.  I couldn't get enough of this place - so I returned for two more paintings!  Painting number 4681 in 4681 days.