Plein Air Challenge: Day 23

I didn't have a chance to get out as early as I hoped, but did get out this morning before it got really hot. Thank goodness for SPF 100!

Morning on Hays Road, oil 9x12 ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 22

It's going to be a very busy week in the studio, so I did this little piece simply to loosen up a bit before working at the easel.  This bare tree provides a nice contrast to all the foilage.  Something loose and fun...

Bare Branches, oil, 7x10  ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 21

I'm now caught up, posting today's (Sunday) piece.  I went out early this morning, taking some back roads toward Maple Hill to see if I could find interesting architecture.  I found this amazing, large barn on Willard Road east of Maple Hill.  It has an interesting roof line.  There is also a brick silo in really good condition.

Barn on Willard Road, oil, 5x7  ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 20

It's day 20 already!  This is Saturday's painting which I am just now getting around to posting.  I thought I would concentrate on architecture here and there in the next week just to mix it up.  We all have certain things we are drawn to.  I have always been more attracted to natural forms - trees, creeks, clouds, etc.  But I would like to use this Plein Air Challenge as an opportunity to play with subjects I don't always go to first.

Farmhouse, oil, 6x6  ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 19

Here is Friday's painting.  What a busy day!  I spent most of the day in Kansas City judging the Stems Plein Air event.  Judging any art show is a tough job, but it is also inspiring.  There were some great plein air pieces in this show!  I had to squeeze this piece in late afternoon before having to head home.  There is a little glare in this photo because it was shot with my iphone outside instead of bringing in.  Beautiful sunny afternoon!  Happy Friday everyone!

Sunshine and Clouds, oil, 12x9 ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 18

I'm trying to catch up with these postings after several very busy days.  Here is Day 18 which was Thursday.  After Wednesday's cloudy, rainy day, it was really nice to see a beautiful sunrise. I got up early enough to catch it popping up over the clouds.

At Sun Up, oil, 8x10 ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 17

Just playing with atmosphere and texture today. (Atmosphere is code for rain!).  Yes it's raining again.  I set up under a big oak tree which at first provided a pretty nice shelter.  Then the rain got really heavy and the shelter didn't do the job.  It's a good thing water and oil don't mix.  Although I've had a few comments on this blog about a resist happening when painting on acrylic primed canvas, and I must say I experienced that a little bit.  Painting thicker seemed to solve the problem.  I would be very curious if anyone else has had this experience and what they did to help it.  I haven't tried painting on oil primed linen in the rain, so that's next.

A Rainy Wednesday, oil, 6x6 ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 16

Well this has been one of those days when it's just plain fun to be an artist!  First, I got a message last night from another artist who lives in my area.  She was wondering where I was painting yesterday (Day 15).  It so happens she lives up the road from Six Mile Creek and ended up purchasing both yesterday's piece of Six Mile Creek Road, as well as the 6x6 sunset I painted on Day  14.  What are the odds I would paint the property of another artist?

This morning I was in the same area, painting a lovely pond.  The owner of the pond was out mowing, noticed me and drove over to see if I was having car trouble and needed help.  I think he was pleasantly surprised to see I was painting his pond.  He asked if I would drive into town where his wife was working at the post office and show the painting to her when I was done.  I did and she asked me to send her an image of it.  How fun is that?  I am always amazed at the nice people you can meet and have a chance to connect with while out painting.

Sit or Fish?  oil  6x8  ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 15

I'm finding that stopping to paint in a spot that interests me often leads to finding another view from that same spot or very nearby.  Very handy when you have to find something to paint every morning and have limited time.  I've started to keep notes about possible future painting locations I find so I can get right out to paint without spending a lot of time finding a spot.  Today, I was on Six Mile Creek Road, which is the location for my earlier Six Mile Creek painting.  As I was painting there about a week ago, I found myself wishing I was painting the road instead!  Well then it's a good thing I have to get out everyday, right?

Six Mile Road, oil, 5x7  ©Kim Casebeer

Plein Air Challenge: Day 14

I'm often too busy with baseball and other family things to get in an evening painting during the week.  For that reason, I'm making a point to get out either early in the morning for sunrise painting, or in the evening to catch the sunset on the weekends.  After several days of rain, there was a great sunset painting opportunity Sunday night in my favorite place!

Sunday Sunset, oil, 6x6 ©Kim Casebeer