The Stream at Babcock Mill

Today being Wednesday we were painting outside at Babcock Mill in Odessa. The weather was not cooperating however; it was totally overcast all morning, with high humidity. There were warnings of thunderstorms in the morning weather forecast as well. In spite of this, we met as usual at 9:00 and chose our own spot to paint. As you can tell from the finished painting, I did not paint the Mill. Instead I looked up the stream from the mill to where the concrete abuttments crossed the water. There was an old pathway across the top of them, but it was closed off. I liked the crossover pathway and the large willow tree, over the stream, so that's what I painted. Luckily, we had only one light, short shower and no thunderstorms. I was especially pleased because I chose to paint under a very large tree.

                             

Riley's Garden Centre

Our group of Plein air artists was at  a garden centre today. It was a perfect morning to paint with just a slight breeze and full sun. The nursery is right on the shoreline of Collins Bay and has been there a long time. The structure was originally a cottage, with a large angel stone fireplace on the lake side. it was this angle that I decided to paint. You can see the old chimney covered with vines and also where the first greenhouse was originally attached to the lake side of the cottage. I wonder how much longer the city will allow the nursery to stay or if it will just fall down on its own.

                            

Carol Ann's House in Barriefield

About fourteen of us spent the morning Wednesday, painting in Barriefield. I found this wonderful, old house on a side street and fell in love. I knew the perspective would be challenging since the house went down a hill and pieces had been added on over the last 160 years. The old tree in front just added to its character and the charming hanging baskets and railing boxes made it perfect. here is my finished painting on a 11x14 board.

                                   

Sears Catalogue Pansies

I decided, for a change, to try a collage. using only the Sears Catalogue and Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish. it was fun and a nice change from oils. Since it is my first attempt with collage, it is pretty tame. As I continue with this challenge I am going to try to become more abstract and use something more than just the Sears catalogue. there has to be a lot of other things to make it interesting! I guess I will go to U tube. Here is the attempt on a wooden frame.

                               

Rudbeckias and Pansies

Finally our perennials in the garden are starting to bloom. Everyday it seems the plants come to life a little more. The robins, chickadees and grackles have babies and mums and dads are busy feeding the hungry young. Even the chipmunks have three off spring this year. The mummy chipmunk protects her private stash of peanuts that my husband gives her and she fights off any young that get too close to the treasure. The pansies are so colorful and the black eyed Susie's are beautiful. 

                                  

  

Here is the 16x20 painting of summer, in bloom, barely, in our garden.

The Old Pine

This painting was done from a photo since the weather here has changed to rain. No fun painting outside in the rain. I liked the composition with the huge rocks on either side and the quiet bay behind. The big pine seems to be watching over the whole scene. Once again it is on an 11x14 board in oils.

                             

On Wartman Ave., Kingston

                             

                          

We finally have summer weather in Kingston and as a result I spent Sat. afternoon across the road from this beautiful house on Wartman Ave. in Kingston West. Renovations have been finished on the Carriage House and the main house so I spent an enjoyable couple of hours painting. This house is on Lake Ontario and the big fir trees and large oaks give a perfect backdrop to the home. Even the flowering crab trees were in bloom for me.