30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Leslie Saeta has a challenge starting today!  30 in 30.  It is fun to challenge myself for the diligence to paint daily, and to attempt to get back in to blogging.  As much as I enjoy reading blogs, I certainly need to contribute to my own.  I figure its a win WIN.

Todays post is a 12 x 16 oil on canvas paper.  The scene is of The Scout, a sculpture located here in Kansas City, MO.  In the background you can find indications of the four Sky Stations sculptures and our new Kansas City Performing Arts Center.

Augusta Plein Air 2015

Augusta Plein Air was just wrapped up Sunday with the final sale.  It was a beautiful event with near perfect weather.  Spring is here, so we did have a few cloudy moments and a sprinkle or two.  But the temperatures were perfect.  Kudos to the team of people headed up by the committee chair Kathy Kessler.  The event runs as smooth as butter on a hot summer day.  We had a new venue this year in New Melle, a neighboring town.  The town welcomed us with flags everywhere!  Another warm reception and wine flowed at the final purchase award of $500.  The town was buzzing with activity.  Lots to paint, and everyone had a great time.
Here are a few photos of the plein air event.  Sign up early for 2016.  You get to select your booth space and try for a private estate paint out event.  There were two this year.  The private event also has a $500 purchase for each day.  Not to even mention you are fed lunch and dinner, and the venue is always a spectacular area.

Max had his debut for plein air.  He was amazing.  That little guy laid at my easel for 2 hours at a time.  Never barked, never complained.  Perfect little companion.

one of my paintings

Louanne Hein

Allen K.

Shawn Cornell, one of the judges.  I took a workshop with him a few years ago.  Great guy.

Teddy Jackson and Allen K. at one of the wineries. 

Zak Barnes

Kathy Kessler and Max.  He was the plein air greeter.

This is how we roll.  Organization is a key.  Especially with dog kennels!

Pastelist Michelle Wells doing a demo for her 1/2 day workshop.  It was great, and we were all sorry it wasn't longer.  Maybe next year?

Verants property.  A beautiful place.

Only one tick!  Amazing for all the tall grass and weeds we trekked through.  

View from a winery.

Winery and house for sale…..1.3 million.  

Artist set up in front of the wine cellar.

I have a lot of pictures of Maxs rear end!

Patrick Sanders, who is an extraordinary painter.  He won Best of Show, First place oil and a number of other events.  He was on a roll this year.  Interesting he is selling his house and buying an Airstream to do the plein air circuits.

Inside the wine cellar.

Paige Clausen painting a beauty.

This was my painting, which sold the day of the sale.  It was my favorite one too.

Max and his buddy Leo.  We had a great time with Kathy and Leo.  

It was fun to see a Joshua Been displayed at one of the events.  He really should return and do a workshop.

Jason Sacran's winner from last year.  Another beauty.

Kathleen Hudson won this year at the winery with this painting.  She had her new baby and mom…..and I thought I was busy with Max!  Yicks.  

Marcia Willam working on a watercolor in New Melle.

Everyone was missing their dogs at home.  Zak has a young St. Bernard, and he really took to Max.  

This was a vineyard I ended up painting, and it sold.  I don't have a good photo of the painting unfortunately.  

The underpainting is the only decent photo of the scene.  

Spencer Meager, working on what was a blue ribbon for best watercolor.

Henryk working on a window view.

Mark with Leo and Max.

This painting cleaned house.  Patrick Saunders took the awards with this one.  It was a beauty capturing light.

Final Sale Day.  Outside and inside artists had work set up.  The weather was perfect.

Teddy Jackson and Tammy Dickerson's work.  They are very prolific painters!

I liked this one.  Those fields really laid down.

Paul painted some wonderful scenes.  He laughs and says he is a once a year painter.  He was selling them!

Jane Flanders selling one.

The night of the sale, the last day, I stayed and did a nocturne of this scene.  Warm summer evening.  No bugs or mosquitos….near perfect.  But I was getting homesick! Two weeks away with Max.  It was a great event.  I had a fabulous hostess!  I treated myself to Yoga, a message (to die for) and got my hair cut and colored.  Much needed.  My home town hair dresser is recuperating from knee replacement surgery.
The return trip was so easy.  Max was great.  Driving to Augusta he threw up twice!  So the ride home was a snap….no throwing up.  :)

Caught in the act.  I was eating a salad, and watercoloring while also watching the news!  I do look innocent..  

Sticks and Stones was accepted in the MVIS annual show this year.  I will post the other one accepted tomorrow.  I am delighted I was accepted.

Frans Mortelmans copy

Occasionally I copy a master.  This is a copy of a painting by Frans Motrelmans. It is a little difficult to find a lot of information on him.  I can't find information on this painting either.

FRANS MORTELMANS
Belgian (1865-1936)

Frans Mortelmans was born in Antwerp, Belgium on May 1, 1865. He was the brother of the famous composer, Lodewijk Mortelmans. He was the son of a printer, Karel and his mother’s name was Francisca Isabella. He married Marie Fontaine in June 1897.

Mortelmans was a painter of still-life, landscapes, flowers and portraits. He was also a watercolorist. However, his most collectible and sought after pictures are his still-life, and flower oil paintings.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp from 1876 through 1886 and at the High Institute of Fine Arts from 1887 through 1891. He was the student of the famed artists and master teachers, L. Schaefels and C. Verlat.

 He ultimately became a professor at the Berchem School of Fine Arts in 1901. Two of his most famous students were Joris Minne and Antoon Mastboom.  He became an Honorary Director of the Berchem School of Art and Painting in Antwerp.

Today, Frans Mortelmans paintings can be found in many private collections worldwide.  Public collections include The Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, The Museum of Fine Arts in Courtrai, Saint-Nichols and Ostend, Belgium. His works can also be found in the Antwerp Town Hall, and the Museum of Flemish Cultural Life.

Luann's Orchid

Fortunately I painted the flower.  LONG gone…...

Sushi

Hands down, the best Sushi in Kansas City.  Just up the street on North Oak. The Sushi bar is where I always sit.  This Master Sushi Chef knows what I order before I say it!  816 please.  YUM!
Plastic gloves were FUN to paint!

mini studies

I paint these little mini studies all the time.  Roses are very complex, and the more I paint the more I appreciate their beauty.  God is amazing to create these beauties.