Bible Point

 

I love hiking this trail - and then painting Bible Point after the upward climb! I'll take this one to show in the Library at the YMCA of the Rockies!!   I really enjoy the vigorous ascent, and the sweeping views are amazing!  I chose the rocks today, but I may choose the mountains tomorrow!  Painting number 4562 in 4562 days, and i will drop this one by the Library in the morning. 

Mountain Glory

The mountain view from the Admin Building at the YMCA of the Rockies is stunning!  I arrived early to sketch out this scene in ink and watercolor, for the painting to come afterward in oil.  The light turns golden in the evening andc morning, and it's irresistible!  I talked to a few visitors as they checked in, and was happy to share my process as I worked. This is an amazing place with amazing views, and i can't wait to do it all again tomorrow! Painting number 4561 in 4561 days. This one is now showing at the Library at the YMCA of the Rockies until Wednesday!  
 

Dorsey Lake

This peaceful lake greets you at the entrance to the YMCA of the Rockies.  It was a pleasant hike from my cabin, and I leaned on the ledge of the bridge as I sketched. It was nice visiting with those coming or going with fishing poles in hand.  It wasn't long before I noticed gathering clouds and the smell of rain, so I finished up and hiked the mile back up.  Bonus - it didn't rain on me, either. Painting number 4560 in 4560 days. 

Toward Aspen Brook

The rich colors of this mountainscape drew me in immediately. Setting up my easel right along the entrance into the park turned out to be a fun spot.  Campers rolled down their windows to talk to me and one even parked and came over to visit!  I hope she commits to using the art supplies she has waiting for her daily, and that she finds that creative childhood voice that has been waiting to be let out!  This is a lovely place with lovely people, and I'm so happy to be a small part of the inspiration that abounds here!  Painting number 4559 in 4559 days, and this one is now showing at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies. 

Tuxedo Park View

It is my pleasure to be the Artist in Residence to capture the beauty of Glacier Creek in paint! This morning Michaela and I hiked down to the creek, as we so often do, with the grandsons.  Casper and Kirby LOVE throwing rocks into the rushing water. I have seen families gathering up river a bit, so Casper and I explored the trail to find a park at water's edge. Tuxedo Park was lovely, with still water for the kids and picnic tables, too.  After much play, I was sketching this scene as the others hiked back for lunch.  A lovely family joined me, and the children gathered around to see what I was doing.  I shared my methods as they asked questions, and it was SO sweet.  I hope I've inspired them to take their sketch supplies outside.  They may be our next plein air artists! This painting is now available at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies. Painting number 4558 in 4558 days. 

Waterfall Miniature

 

When I find a lovely waterfall along Trail Ridge Rd, I simply MUST paint it!  This miniature painting is now showing at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies!  This tiny painting is number 4558 in 4558 days. 

Bridge to the Rocky Mountain National Park

This is my favorite bridge entry into the Rocky Mountain National Park from the YMCA property.  The wooden log bridge is iconic, as is the rushing water of Glacier Creek.  We've hiked the trail multiple times, normally between the two water crossings.  But now I'm wondering if I can reach the waterfall that I can see from Bible Point, by following this trail to the west. Maybe I'll check out that trail in the morning!  Painting number 4556 in 4556 days.  This one is now showing at the Library in the YMCA of the Rockies! 

Hyde Chapel

Today was my Live Painting demo in front of the Admin Building at the YMCA of the Rockies.  I arrived early to scout my location, and found I couldn't resist painting Hyde Chapel with the lovely stand of lupine in the foreground!  I started first with an ink sketch, then started adding on color.  Many people came by to visit and watch the progress as I worked. I finished early and worked on this scene in my current sketchbook, as well.  I'll try to get this one framed and turned in to the Library here tomorrow, where I'm helping with story time and making bookmarks afterward.  Painting number 4555 in 4555 days. 

Bridge at Glacier Creek

We started this day with a hike to the top of Emerald Mountain trail.  The guys headed out to play disc golf and I headed to the creek. I painted near here three years ago, but the landscape has changed a little.  The water is twice as high, and a second boulder is somehow missing?  Maybe it is underwater now, but Mike had rested on it when we were surrounded by an entire herd of elk.  The rushing water is mesmerizing as I paint, and i find myself looking toward the bank to be sure no wild animals are near.  How very fortunate I am to paint the beauty of a place like this.  Painting number 4553 in 4553 days, and will be showing at the Library at the YMCA of the Rockies fire the next 2 weeks. 

Ponderosa Pines Sketch

 

I LOVE using pen and ink to capture these ponderosa pines - especially in such a cool, vintage sketchbook!  I found this in an artisan flee market in Arizona several years ago.  I have dedicated the whole thing to pen and ink work exclusively.  These pines are iconic to this part of the Rocky Mountains, so I am immortalizing the ones outside my cabin to this page.  I love the sweet fragrance they emit as I sit on the front porch sketching!  Painting number 4553 in 4553 days. 

View from the YMCA of the Rockies

What a spectacular view there is from the YMCA of the Rockies ! I did this quick sketch painting to prepare for the oil painting i did in front of the admin building during my live paint demo. I'm looking forward to sharing another live paint demo session tomorrow at the same place from 1 to 4. Painting number 4552 in 4552 days. 

Jackson Stables

It brings back fond memories to paint the horses of Jackson Stables!  I'm so fortunate to be the Artist in Residence here at the YMCA of the Rockies, and I an making every moment count!  The family is here and we're planning to take a horseback trail ride through the mountains in the next couple of days. It's great to make the memories and capture them in paint!  Painting number 4551 in 4551 days. 

Pine Cones!

 

What better place than this to study pine cones?  The ponderosa pines around the cabin are gorgeous, and offer up plenty of prime cones for painting.  So, I gathered a few choice ones with the boys and set to painting them.  It's all about the line work and values here, and I chose a blue shadow to vibrate against the green.  I love having the time to really study my subject matter.  We had a fun Fireside Chat at the library tonight, where I shared my Journaling process and progress through the years. It was so fun to visit by the fire, and share my passion for painting.  Painting number 4550 in 4550 days. I will drop this one by the gallery space in the library tomorrow, so come check this out! 

Glacier Creek

 

After joining Story Time at the library and making bookmarks with the children, I packed up to head to the park. Glacier Creek is gorgeous along Ross Richter's Trail, leading to the Rocky Mountain National Park!  I lose track of time painting next to it's rushing water.  The roar is so loud that I find myself looking up periodically to check for wild animals, because I would never hear them coming. During this residency, I am exploring different papers and methods in creating my illustrated travel journals.  This book is relatively new, 8x6, with soft cotton paper. It absorbs the water and paint quickly, and takes a bit more care to get the results I want. The leather cover is beautiful, and the paper is smoother than I normally choose. As I worked, three park rangers walked down the opposite embankment, obviously looking for something.  It is the very first time I've seen rangers in such a place while painting, and it makes me wonder what was up.  This would be a lovely place to hike in with oils, as well!  Painting number 4549 in 4549 days. 

Glorious Sky

 The golden hour in the Rockies is magical!  Ifind myself pulled to paint he first and last 2 hours of light each day - and I mean compelling need to capture the light!  So, tonight I approach the skyscape with oils, where i can layer up color as it appears. That is something I can't do with ink and watercolor.  I can hardly wait for sunrise to do it all again! Day 2 of my Artist Residency  Day 4547 in 4547 days.  This one is now showing at the library in the YMCA of the Rockies. 

Dandelion!

Day 2 - Artist Residency! This is my first Nature Art Journal workshop demo at the YMCA of the Rockies, and this dandelion next to the tables made the perfect subject for line, color and value instruction.  Bonus - Mr. Bee joined for the sketch, and now he's been immortalized on paper!  It was fun to share drawing instruction with an absolute newbie in the group, too.  She's got skills she didn't know she had, and has now started down the path of Art journaling!  Everyone was so nice, and I got some GREAT bear tips from the locals! Painting number 4547 in 4547 days. 

Turkey Trot

Right on cue, the wild turkeys started their single file march up Emerald Mountain as we arrived at our cabin near sunset. These turkeys march down in the mornings to the stable, and up at night to roost. I thought the late comer at the end might just jump up on the porch as he eyed me curiously!  First sketch in my travel journal in Estes Park! I'm the Artist in Residence for the next three weeks!  Come see me if you're in the area!  Painting number 4545 in 4545 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.

Cook Station Stream

 

There is nothing like painting to the music of a stream! Cook Station was such a treat!  Teddy and I drove out to this location in the rain. The rain continued through my first painting, letting up just enough for me to get it framed.  As I waited for Teddy to finish, I found this spot, and couldn't resist it!  The rain had nearly stopped, so I painted as fast as I could, and wrapped it up in time to get back for judging.  I could have painted here for days!  Several people mentioned the outhouse with 4 seats in that painting!  It seems to be a local icon!  This one now hanging at Gallery Zeke in Steelville! Painting number 4540 in 4540 days. 

Cook Station Dreaming

SOLD

 

It was raining pretty good when I pulled up to Cook Station. Upon check in at the Mercantile, this view of town grabbed me.  I scouted a bit under covered porches but returned to this first place to paint.  I visited on the porch as I painted, listening to music piped in to speakers.  It was lovely, though it rained the entire time, sometimes hard.  This is a special place, and I'm so happy I got to paint here! Painting number 4539 in 4539 days. 

Come see my plein air work on Main Street in Steelville tomorrow,  June 8 from 10:00 to 2:00. Art, llibations, live music, and food trucks - it's going to be a fun day near Gallery Zeke! 

Washinton Street

SOLD

 

It was fun to paint charming Washinton street while waiting for my lunch order! We checked in at that beautiful house for the plein air event in Cuba, and Kelly have us the grand tour.  Perhaps my favorite thing about this house is the copper penny floor in the downstairs bathroom!  I was too recreate that at my own place!  Painting number 4538 in 4538 days.  

Historic Cuba along Route 66

 

I have wanted to paint historic Cuba asking Route 66 for years!  WHAT A COOL TOWN - SO happy I finally got the chance! This town has so many sweet old buildings!  Each street I walked down, I find another painting just waiting to be painted.  I did get two done today, but so many others will have to wait until I return to this area.  Painting number 4537 in 4537 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. 

Waiting for a Ride

 

I'm so happy this painting was awarded third place in the Sunnit Art Plein Air event.  Legacy Park is full of beautiful places to paint!  It has been years since I've been to this park, and I hardly recognized the place.  I could see these boats of in the distance, so I hunted up the closest parking, then walked the trail to get here.  The light was perfect and it was a fun quick paint before meeting the other artists at the Kick Off Party.  Just as I was finishing up, a large party was arriving to take the boats out on the water.  Perfect timing!  Painting number in days.