Painting Mississippi.... Days 142 - 147

 Day 142 started this group with our incredible late afternoon, Delta light. There is still a lot of winter grey, but more green is showing up everyday. I loved the back lighting of these cedars, as well as, the way the light came through them and lit the ground. Perfect way to end the day.

On day 143, I packed up my paint for a weekend getaway and painting excursion in and around Natchez, Mississippi. I have always wanted to go to Natchez, but I have just never made the effort.  In fact, one location on the way down, was a place I have wanted to see for years. Windsor Ruins has always fascinated me and painting them has definitely been on my bucket list.

 We made our way though Port Gibson only to come to a barrier stating the road was flooded. After passing through the barrier and then slowly driving though said flooded road (my husband is a trooper!) only to come to yet another road closed sign, I had almost given up on this opportunity. Fortunately, Al was more persistent and determined to drive until we absolutely could not go further and we arrived at the ruins just before the road officially became barricaded off. It was so worth it. The ruins were spectacular and I was able to spend about and hour studying them before getting back on the road for Natchez.

Natchez was just what I had hoped. We stayed in a hotel overlooking the Mississippi River and I was able to paint river boats from our hotel window with my watercolors. On Day144, we walked the streets. The morning light was lovely and I was able to take a lot of reference photos. Chose to only take one full plantation home tour and it was of Longwood. We chose wisely. This home, even though never finished, was incredible. After touring the home, I pulled out my paints, sat on the back of my car and did a small study of the back of the home with its grand live oak trees.  I was in heaven, but I learned quickly that I need a lot more practice with Spanish moss!

We ended the day in Natchez with tamales and "Knock-You-Naked" margaritas (yep, that's what they're called!) at Fat Mama's. I'm just not into that whole "starving artist" thing!

We made it home from our short but fantastic trip, just in time for me to do an afternoon study. I chose to ride up the road to a small creek just south of our farm. The grey weather was back, but this little area was still enjoyable - Day 145.

Faced once again with yet another grey day, I was feeling less than inspired. I had no idea what would be inspiring  and I was actually dreading painting. Then I saw this HUGE forest of wisteria on my way back from taking my daughter to school. It was growing all around a church that some friends attend, so I made a few phone calls, got permission and flew out there to paint before the rain moved in. The most beautiful purple blossoms covered everything and so Day 146 was an unexpected
joy to paint.

 Day 147 finally gave us a little sunshine.......along with 30 - 40 mile per hour winds. Painting during a wind advisory is not always recommended but I had a couple of great friends battle it with me and so it really wasn't so bad.

I am learning, yes, I can paint anywhere, anytime; there are no excuses!

Bits Of Green Amidst the Grey.... Day 130 and Days 136 -141

 So I added Day 130 in this group since I grouped the Florida trip all together. I was able to do this Delta scene before we hit the road. We have had a lot of rain lately and with that comes flooding. The waters are starting to recede somewhat and a little green is peeking through in the fields that will soon be plowed under. Love the contrast of these elements in this Quitman county scene.

 Returned from Florida to a grey and dreary Mississippi. Nature is not quite as green here yet as it is farther south, but on Day 136, our little cypress tree was putting on a show. Its yellow green foliage against the grey background made it much more impressive.


Day 137 continued a little grey but looking up into the bluff from the Delta fields, the baby green foliage is becoming more and more evident.

Grey days were still hanging around on Day 138. I have to admit, I am missing the Florida sunshine! Painted a study of my front garden. The wild privet was a nice contrast to my lavender chairs.

 Day 139 moved from grey to drizzly. I have decided the best way to encourage rain to fall is to take my easel out under a cloud. Battling rain drops on my canvas and palette (and no, oil and water do not mix!) This developed into a shape and mass study quickly to avoid being totally soaked.

Day 140 showed a hope of some parting clouds - finally! The day ended with a soft slightly muted yet beautiful sunset. The clouds were breaking up just enough that there were some rays of sunlight breaking through. Not the most dynamic sunset, but lovely in its own way.

Finally Day 141 brought the sun. Still waiting for the trees to really put on their leaves, but once again the wild privet and wild grape vines are glowing in their green.

Painting This Week Was Magical......Day 131 - 135

 I know I have not posted Day 130, but I will include it in the next group. This week, well, was quite unique and so I felt these paintings needed a post of their own.

As I planned our trip to Orlando, I knew keeping up my daily routine would be a challenge. First of all, taking my oils would be impossible, so watercolors would be my media of choice. Second, I would be spending a lot of time in the car and in then in the parks. Painting each day would be an adventure to say the least. So what did I learn?

First thing I learned, is it is possible to paint while riding in the car. I was able to get a couple in on Day 131. As we drove through the Alabama hills, the drizzling rain created fog rising from the layers of trees. I learned that a little white gouache would eat at the water color and create a very similar affect. The long stretch of road gave me enough time to catch the scene. As the drive continued from Alabama to Florida,  an hour traffic jam caused a beautiful detour through Ocala, Florida and gave a brief moment to study a moss covered live oak.

 Day 132 was a day spent with the girls at
 Universal Studios. A very busy day to say the
 least.
As we finished the day we had about a 30 minute wait at the shuttle terminal, so out came the paint. The sun was back lighting this palm tree and though I was wishing for my oils, the watercolors weren't too bad to deal with.

Day 133 was special to say the least. Did I paint an amazing study? Nope. But I did get to paint plein air at the Magic Kingdom and yes, I had the opportunity to paint Cinderella's Castle! It was great! And what did it teach me? To NEVER be without a sketchbook or paints. You never know what you will be able to capture. Daily painting has raised my confidence level so much. Not only in my actual ability, but even more in putting my art before worries about what others think. To paint what ever and when ever I choose.  There was a time I would have been embarrassed or too self conscious
 to paint in a crowded place like this and now I can't wait to study every aspect of the world around me. I painted Cinderella's Castle!!

 Day 134 was Epcot day and Epcot was celebrating its Festival of Flowers. Need I say more. I have to admit it was almost overwhelming and no, I didn't get to paint in half of the areas I wanted too. I did manage to get a couple in. As we walked though the Epcot World Showcase, I was mesmerized by Morocco, but my crew was not ready to stop just yet. We did however, have lunch in Japan and in a Japanese garden. The red bridge and red umbrellas gave a nice contrast to all the greens.
 Everyone was ready for gelato by the time we arrived in Italy. I sat in the make-shift piazza and painted a row of colorful potted plants with decorative gondola poles behind them. Oh how I want to see all of these places in reality!

Day 135 gave me one more opportunity to study the Disney topiaries before the long drive home. I was drawn to the way the morning light played across the topiary of Pluto standing in an abundance of flowers. Lovely does not even begin to describe it.

So once again did I paint the best studies? No not at all but I HAD FUN just being an artist and the joy it brings and I loved every minute of it.

Life Around The Farm.....Days 124 - 129

 There is nothing like our flat Delta land. From the endless skies, to the geometric shapes of the fields seen from the top of our bluff, there is no other place like it. Day 124 was a grey day, but around four in the afternoon, the clouds separated just enough allow some crystal blue sky to peek through.

That combined with the bits of green showing between the dormant fields made for a fantastic color study.

 Day 125 was another grey and drizzly day and I knew my painting window would be small, so I hiked up to the top of our bluff to do a quick distance study. The sky was expressive, so I concentrated on keeping the ground simple with the masses of the trees and fields broken down into simple shapes of color.

Day 126 was bright and Sunday. Loved the way the light was hitting my garden shed and greenhouse. It also makes a great color study. Getting the oranges to stay bright in the light as well as in the shadow was quite a challenge.

Day 127 was a busy day with only a little painting time in the morning. I knew I would have to paint somewhere close to the house. I was getting frustrated with a lack of inspiration, when I noticed my rooster Louie with a couple of his hens and I knew exactly what I wanted to paint. They are clearly as happy about the return of spring as I am.

Day 128 was a late afternoon study of the cedar tree and the brighter green mass of the vines that have sprouted leaves over the past few days. Trying to keep masses simple is a constant struggle.

We have a pasture just up the road full of Charolais cows. I have been wanting to paint them for weeks, but I never seem to have the time at the same time that they decided to graze close to the road. Today it all worked out and I was able to do a few studies of them. I really want to do a larger version including the whole pasture. These will be great in helping get the true light and color of the these lovely ladies.

It's been a crazy busy week and finding time to paint has been a challenge. It would be easy to just say "I don't have time today", but you never get where you want to be by taking the easy way out.

Spring is coming!..... Days 118 - 123

So last week was spent studying nothing but values and shapes and I will say it was a like a breath of fresh air that I really needed. Not only did the week give me a new perspective and awareness of values, it also allowed for some little peaks of spring. 

I started Day 118 beside the small pond at my friend Jean's. We have had a lot of rain lately and so the water was muddy. The combination of the light reflecting on the tree trucks as well as the shadows on the pond made for a great study.

Day 119 was another beautiful sunny day. The morning light was perfect and the trees have that rosy tint that happens just before the new leaves form. I love this old barn at my neighbor's and the way the shadows played across the grass. There is even a tinge of green starting to appear on some of the oaks. I'm excited... to say the least.

Days 120 and 121 for lack of a better explanation, depicted the same scene. That's okay if one is in the sun and one is a complete grey day isn't it? These Bradford pears are really putting on a show this year and I know with the stormy weather we are having, it could be short lived so I had to study them while I could. Day 120 was a grey day, a nice little downpour even made an appearance while I was painting, clarifying the saying "oil and water don't mix"! 

Day 121 brought a sunny day (or at least partly) and I was able to study the cast light on the same pear trees. White blossoms are definitely a challenge, because like I tell my students, white is never white. 

 Day 122 took me to my friend Jill's yard. Jill has been inviting me to her place to paint and I finally got the chance to stop by. Her house sits on a lovely pond with cypress trees and woods all around and there are a multitude of painting opportunities. I walked around and thought about several sites, but I couldn't get the first thing I noticed when I pulled up to Jill's house. I have a thing about trees and this live oak was amazing. The shape of the trunk, the color of the moss, the light here and there, I couldn't wait to paint it. I can promise I will be painting it again too!

Day 123 brought yet another study of trees. These were on the backside of the farm as the sun was coming up behind them. The sun was warm and the birds were as excited see these signs of spring as I was. Even though we didn't have a lot of snow, it has still been a hard winter and I am glad to be on the other side of it!