Painting churches. In this case, rather, it is sketching churches. Although I have painted quite a number of churches over the years.
Holy Family. This is a large but somewhat modern church. The most difficult part was deciding how much detail to include of the large stained glass window.
I’m not quite sure why I have had an attraction to churches. I think that it’s because they are often the most spectacular or impressive buildings in the area, whether it’s a big city, a small town, or even a rural area. I appreciate the workmanship and planning which goes into such buildings no matter their size or location.
Trinity UCC. The beautiful cupola has stained glass which really lights up the church inside.
Some fancy cathedrals have been around for centuries while others are newer and usually more sedate in architecture. I’ve captured them in paint, oil or acrylic or watercolor, and pen and ink drawings.
Precious Blood. Another church with some stained glass but I was more interested in the architecture of the building.Redemption Christian Church. This is one of the newest churches in the area. It is very striking with its light, almost white colored stone.
When I’m doing a painting or drawing of a church, I often reflect upon the people who belong to or use the church. What is the congregation like? Are they kind? Do they do community work? Do they celebrate with music and singing? Or are they among those who sit in quiet contemplation?
I recently finished drawing a group of local churches which I haven’t done before. I’ve completed some others before but realized that I’ve left a lot out. (And there are still many more I might do in the future.)
Shiloh Church. This reminds me a little of some New England churches. Although the exterior is larger than I was able to capture in this one image, it has a very modest feeling.
I print the sketches on notecards and sell them locally. It seems everyone is proud of their religious homes. But, actually, I just enjoy drawing them.
What are the churches like in your area? Are they beautiful showpieces or places of quieter thoughts?
Posted onOctober 27, 2024|Comments Off on Dancing Shadows, Revisiting the Southwest
Dancing Shadows, Junipers trees at the Grand Canyon, south rim, near the eastern side. I love the shadows and the southwestern colors. 24 x 30, framed.
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of my favorite places to visit. When I first went out there about a decade ago, as with most visitors, I was astounded by the beauty of the place, not to mention the size. It’s overwhelming.
That first visit gave me plenty of subject matter for painting. I love the colors, just the sheer beauty of the place. I know I’m not alone in this feeling. I’ve been back a few times and never get tired of the scenery.
Dancing Shadows, detail. Notice the impressionistic variations in the paint.
This painting focuses on the shadows of the juniper trees on the south rim of the Canyon, towards the eastern side. I loved the play of light and shadow, the colors of the earth, shadows and plants. I could probably paint there a hundred years and never run out of something interesting to see.
My rendition of the musicians. You don’t have to include every detail, just make hints of many items.Musicians at the music festival.
Being an artist means that you continue to view the world through an artist’s eyes. You’re always looking around you with an intention of expressing your views through whatever means with which you are most comfortable. For me, it’s capturing my views through quick sketches. These are not finished drawings or paintings, but quick translations of what catches my attention.
Many of these sketches end up as finished paintings. Most do not. They are just recordings of my thoughts and viewpoints. There is something about sketching which makes me look more closely. As opposed to photographs., which do not always. The sketches dig into my consciousness, impressing certain details that I would normally overlook with a quick photo.
The full quick sketch kit – plastic bag, sketchbook, collapsible water container, paper towel, plastic eraser, pen, mechanical pen and paint box.
I keep a quick sketch bag at the ready. Since my favorite tool is watercolor, paper, and pen, this is what I keep in my bag.
A one gallon ziplock bag
A small sketch book, probably for watercolor or at least pen and ink, sometimes precut watercolor postcard sizes
A mechanical pencil
A pen, usually a commercial fade-proof and waterproof ink, nothing fancy
A plastic eraser
A folding water container
An old-fashioned metal PRANG watercolor box, filled with my good paints, only eight colors
Two or three good brushes, small enough to fit in the color box
A paper towel or cloth rag
A bottle of water
This is it.
A few samples of small sketchbooks I keep on hand.A homemade postcard from watercolor paper, and another sketchbook with tear-out pages.
This is light weight. Always packed. Ready to grab at an instance and get out of Dodge.
My old metal Prang watercolor box, filled with the good watercolor paint and a few brushes. I let it stay open overnight until the paints have dried out so it travels without making a mess.
This past weekend I participated at a small local arts and music festival. I haven’t done art fairs for thirty years so it was a good opportunity to renew my experience. And to discover why I don’t really want to do it any more.
Capturing the tents of the vendors.Vendor tent at the festival.
But it also afforded me a few hours to sketch the people and entertainers at the festival. Fun to experience that. But also fun to know that I don’t have to do this any more. And I had a good opportunity to people watch. With my quick sketch tools.
Are you ready to get out in the world with some quick art tools? The better prepared you are to go, the more likely you will be to do so. Be prepared.
After so many early summer activities – gardening, hosting company, chores around the house – I’ve finally be able to get back to doing something fun for me. Mostly painting for upcoming exhibits.
Nick’s Pond, 20 x 16, acrylic on canvas, Kit Miracle
I don’t usually lack for ideas. Quite the opposite – too many ideas. But when I hit a dry spell, I sit with my notepad and just start brainstorming. Sometimes I think of a theme, or a location, or something that’s just a challenge. Not all of the ideas I consider reach fruition. Some turn out quite awful, to be frank, but you don’t see those. Maybe it’s a quick glimpse of a cloud or weather formation. Or maybe I want to try some new materials. I really like to do landscapes and to capture human forms. Not much into capturing ugly (to me) – rusty old implements or derelict buildings. But any of this could change in the future, maybe next week.
The Conversation, 12 x 16 acrylic on canvas, Kit Miracle
The past few months I’ve been capturing my travels to California this past spring. Totally different landscape for me. I mostly just did simple sketches, watercolor with pen and ink. But this inspired me to try some bigger, more finished paintings in acrylic on canvas. Many of these were challenging, even to the point where I asked myself why I decided to even try them. But I usually finish what I start as I’ve encountered that messy part of working on a painting about 60% of the way through where it all looks like garbage. Funny how that often works itself out.
Here are a few pieces that I’ve done the second half of the summer. And loads more ideas to come. There just aren’t enough hours in a day.
Palace of Fine Arts – Front View, 16 x 20, acrylic on Canvas, Kit MiraclePalace of Fine Arts, Back View, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, Kit MiracleThe Visitor, 24 x 24, acrylic on canvas, Kit MiracleRed Lanterns, 16 x 12, acrylic on canvas, Kit Miracle
Summer is nearly upon us and people everywhere are getting ready to do a little traveling. Maybe for vacation or maybe just to visit some friends and family in distant places. Most of us capture our visits with dozens if not hundreds of photos in our phones, or as I like to call them, our personal entertainment devices. But how many of you actually go back and look at all the photos you’ve taken? Probably not too many.
I want to encourage you to develop the habit of recording your trips and making small sketches in a travel journal. This doesn’t have to be complicated or involve carting around tons of equipment. And you surely do not need to record details of every minute of your trip. But a travel journal is often helpful to prompt your recall of that marvelous chocolate shop in the Marais District of Paris, or the intriguing rock shop at Zion National Park. A note now will save much time trying to recall those lost memories.
I recently had the very great pleasure to visit relatives in California, both northern and southern. Although I have traveled to California before, this visit was pure pleasure and exposed me to many beautiful sights. Plus, I dined on all kinds of delicious food. Yum.
Since I was traveling very light, I only took the barest of art equipment and a journal in which I’ve recorded many other trips over the years. I make brief notes of daily activities, plus some essential facts about the details of my travels. My greatest pleasure is to capture some scenes through sketches and small watercolors. The best part of my recordings is that they help me to concentrate on the scenes and set them firmly in my memory. Obviously I can’t capture every scene, but am happy with the ones that I do. They mean so much to me when I review my travel journals at a later time.
Small sketch kit. Prang watercolor kit with my added professional paints, book, mechanical pencil, permanent ink pen, collapsible water container.
These are some of the sketches from my recent journal. My metal Prang watercolor set has been refilled with professional watercolors. It is so old that it’s a collector’s item now. I only carry three or four small brushes, a mechanical pencil (no sharpener required), a pen with permanent ink, a folding water container, all in a resealable bag. The notebook is only 5 x 7 inches. I have smaller sketchbooks and larger ones but this size fit in my backpack and was easy to carry.
Municipal Rose Garden, San Jose
The first day we visited the beautiful Municipal Rose Garden in San Jose. I could smell the scent before I even entered the gardens. People of all ages were strolling or lounging in the shade of some magnificent redwoods. We sat in the shade and caught up with life while I made this sketch. You do not have to include every detail when you are sketching but may take liberties to change things to suit your needs. You’re trying to catch the spirit of the scene, not necessarily the exact replica.
Pillar Point Harbor at Half Moon BayDriving down California Highway #1
Another day we drove out to Half Moon Bay and walked out to Pillar Point to see the surf. Later, we drove down the iconic California Highway #1 to Santa Cruz for dinner on the pier. I even spotted a plein air painter on a bluff above the ocean.
The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
One day we took the train up to San Francisco for a day of sight-seeing. Starting at the Palace of Fine Arts, we walked to Crissy Field, down the shore to Copper’s Corner. I sketched the Golden Gate Bridge from this vantage point. Fortunately my son took pity for my knees and respect for the hills of SF to hire cars to take us to various spots. We ended our outing having lunch at the famous Sam Wo’s restaurant. I was exhausted by the time we took the train back to San Jose.
Later, I flew down to LA where I reunited with my sister and nephew and niece whom I haven’t seen in many years. They were the best hosts and tour guides. We visited the outstanding Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Another day we went to the Getty Museum atop the hills. The collection was beautiful as was the museum and the views. One day was spent at the wonderful Hilbert Museum viewing its impressive collection of California art. Special kudos for my nephew’s husband and his navigation of the LA traffic, all without a hint of impatience.
Did I sketch everything that I saw or visited? Of course not! But I captured some significant to me places and events. Plenty of food for thought and future paintings. Meanwhile, I can refresh my memories with my sketchbook and notes.
So while you’re planning your next trip or vacation, don’t forget to pack your sketchbook and some drawing materials. Happy traveling!
Here are a couple of links to previous postings about travel sketching.
Posted onNovember 26, 2023|Comments Off on 125th Annual Juried Show – Richmond Art Museum
McGuire Hall, Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, Indiana.
I mentioned in a post a few years ago (October 2019) that my high school alma mater is in Richmond, Indiana. It is a beautiful and stately old school with many new additions over the years. What most people don’t realize is that it is one of the few public high schools in the country that has it’s own art museum attached.
As a student there, I walked past famous paintings every day on my way to class in the arts wing. I thought that every high school had an art museum. I didn’t learn until much later how unusual this situation was. I’m sure that walking through beautiful McGuire Hall had a definite impact on my eventual career path. It was very inspiring seeing real paintings by William Merritt Chase and T.C. Steele on a daily basis.
Richmond Art Museum still receives enormous community support. They are currently celebrating their 125th annual juried exhibition for artists living in Indiana and Ohio. I am very pleased to report that I had both of my entries accepted into this prestigious show. The two paintings are The Golden Marble and Leo’s Muse which I’ve discussed in earlier posts.
Leo’s Muse, final, acrylic on canvas, 23K gold leaf, sterling silver leaf, 16 x 16, Kit MiracleThe Golden Marble, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 24. 23K gold leaf and sterling silver leaf. Kit Miracle
If you’d like to see the paintings in person and many other beautiful works, the exhibit runs through January 6th, 2024. The museum is located on the north end of Richmond High School on Hub Etchinson Parkway where there is public parking. Admission is free. Feel free to stop in, see the exhibit and some of the artwork on display in the other galleries. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 5; closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays. Call 765-996-0256 for more information.
Posted onOctober 1, 2023|Comments Off on Great Smoky Mountains in Autumn
A watercolor / pen and ink sketch from our cabin.
We were able to get away to visit the Great Smoky Mountains this past week and meet up with some old friends. The cabin we rented had an unbelievable view but the park itself was well worth the trip. I haven’t visited it for years. Of course, the towns outside the park had grown a bit (A LOT!) but the natural beauty of the park is still impressive.
Morning view of the mountains from our cabin.
As the most visited National Park in the country, it’s amazing how well-maintained it is. We took a ride through two parts of the park during the week and were able to get out to enjoy the views and visit some historical buildings. I would have loved to just park and paint the scenery but I’m sure our friends wouldn’t appreciate watching me paint for a couple of hours. Well, maybe next time.
Beautiful stream in the park. Another view from within the park.The Ephraim Bales cabin (and other buildings).
We took the Newfound Gap Road tour first and had a picnic lunch by the river. Since we had plenty of time, we then drove down to Cades Cove. That was an adventure. Although we avoided the weekend crowd of leaf-lookers, we got stuck in a miles-long traffic jam of cars inching forward. The road is one lane and one way. There was no indication of what was causing the delay. People were getting out of their cars and walking past us. We came to find out that there were supposedly some bears in a tree up ahead. Although we didn’t see any of those bears, we did see a mama and cub run across the road in front of us before we got to the traffic jam. There was also a plein air painting event going on, too. Added to the people who were trying to spot the bears in the tree, it was a little chaotic.
Cades Cove, Smoky Mountains. We had plenty of time to view the scenery since we were stuck in a traffic jam.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day for a drive and a picnic.
Horse-drawn wagon, anyone?
Although not the oldest national park, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, admission is free and there are plenty of activities for people of all ages. But I wouldn’t recommend approaching any wild bears. They’re not pets and they can move very quickly. As my granddaughter remarked when we told her about the crowds of bear watchers, are you kidding me?!
All these people thought there were bears up in the tree but we didn’t see any.
Posted onSeptember 18, 2022|Comments Off on Water themes as a painting subject
Waterlilies at the Spillway, acrylic, 12 x 12
Many lists of the most popular painting subjects include landscapes and seascapes. I must admit that I’ve painted quite a few pieces with these subjects. Although I live in the Midwest, many of my landscapes include some water feature – streams, rivers, ponds, lakes. And my travels have taken me to the ocean in various places. There is something very primal and soothing about hearing ocean waves…most of the time.
Fishing at Patoka Lake, acrylic, 12 x 16
Recently I painted a couple of paintings based on the very large lake nearby. Lake Patoka is 8,800 acres and is a major water and recreation source for the area.
Leaving the Cove, Cape Breton, NS, acrylic, 9 x 12
But I also cruised through old photos of places we have visited, particularly Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, and New England. Such beautiful scenery that it was difficult to choose. Many more subjects for future paintings.
White Wharf, Rockport, MA, acrylic, 12 x 16Fishing Shack (or Motif #1), Rockport, MA, acrylic, 8 x 10
And, of course, I did an entire series of beach paintings but those are mostly about people and children with the ocean being a common denominator for each painting.
Beach Readers, Intimate Spaces series, acrylic on linen, 24 x 30, Kit Miracle The whole attraction of this subject with the irony of the two young women who are reading and totally ignoring the beautiful day at the beach. I also love the way the red beach chairs draw the viewer’s eye into the scene.Wet Reflections, acrylic, acrylic, 24 x 30
This is not to say that painting water features is the only subject that I tackle, but it is one of my favorites. So many opportunities if I take my time to look for them.
Posted onJune 5, 2022|Comments Off on Painting local
The Little Cottage, acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14, KitMiracle I was driving down a side street of nearby Birdseye, Indiana, when this scene captured my attention. One of the smallest houses in town with the largest tree in town. The front path and gate are framed by beautiful lavender and blue irises. Painted in heavy impasto, a very impressionist-style painting.
One of my favorite parts about traveling is seeing new vistas. Visiting the mountains, the parks, the ocean, historical sites. It’s all good. I always take my art equipment and capture the areas on canvas. Parking my easel on the edge of the Grand Canyon and painting for a couple of hours is my bliss.
But one of the best parts about traveling is returning home and seeing your own world through new eyes. Noticing that which you may pass every day but in a new way. You can look at your own home town as a tourist.
At the Crossroads, Schnellville, Indiana. Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14. KitMiracle It was a spring morning and the sun was playing in and out of the clouds. This little road has many twists and curves, the beautiful hills catching the sunlight. This little crossroads only has about six houses and reminds me of many villages in Germany or France.Seven Cedars in Spring, acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12, KitMiracle. Along the same Schnellville Road, these cedar trees were silhouetted against the spring sky.
Spring here in Southern Indiana was so beautiful this year. Often we’ll receive a late frost or freeze which pretty much ruins everything, but this year was spectacular. The wild flowers in the forests and fields put on a show to remember. I captured the spring greens of the fields and byways for several weeks, and even had my husband drive while I was shouting, stop here! to take photographs.
The Old Lady’s House, acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14, KitMiracle. I used to drive past this house frequently on my way to work. A very old lady lived there who always mowed her lawn by hand, and she always wore a kerchief. I think her grandson lives there now. Located in central Dubois County, this is a very typical spring view in these parts.
The results have been paintings of spring fields and crossroads, little villages, gentle vistas of all types. Not my usual big, bold colors but a much more gentle palette. Often painted in the style of Pissarro or Monet but not actually deliberately. I just want to bring to the viewer’s attention and appreciation the overlooked landscapes of our everyday world.
Take a look around your own world, your home town, the back allies. I’m sure you can find some wonderful vistas, too, which you may have overlooked a hundred times. They’re out there, I promise.
View more about these paintings online at this link.
Posted onJanuary 2, 2022|Comments Off on Hello 2022, good bye 2021. A year in review.
I don’t know about you but the past year has certainly been a roller coaster ride, one of ups and downs, good and bad. It seems as if we’re all in a bit of a daze and ready to say good riddance to 2021.
Way back in January, we were all just beginning to fall off the cliff into the realization of the seriousness of the pandemic. Confusion reigned. Many countries were still locked down or were thinking about it. We were getting tired of being confined homebodies. But hope reigned with the news that a vaccine was on the horizon. Some of us were scrambling to make sure we could sign up as soon as possible.
On top of this, the nation looked on with alarm at the mess in the capitol before the inauguration. Most of us had never lived through anything like this but there were some memories of the demonstrations back in the 60s and 70s. Life repeats itself.
The new Thyen Clark Cultural Center is completed. It opened in January and is always hosting some activity or function, from classes, to weddings, to Santa’s reindeer.
Many good things also happened this past year. For one thing, the new Thyen-Clark Cultural Center in Jasper opened. I had a small part in working on that project for ten years before I retired. Others picked up the ball and saw it to fruition. So proud of the town and citizens. What a showplace!
Bread and Miriam. My friend is delighted to display her new painting. We had such a fun morning visiting, talking about books and life.
Remember when people were stockpiling toilet paper and bread was hard to get? I reposted my Artesian Bread recipe. My friend Miriam said that making bread was the highlight of her spring. But I was also forced to buy 25 pounds of rye flour when I couldn’t find it in smaller packages. My husband is a great bread maker. Lucky me.
After months of playing hermit, my husband and I sneaked off for a quick trip to Florida. We rented a house so we were still hermits, just with better weather.
About 35 students attended my presentation. Great questions, too!
My big solo exhibit in May / June at the cultural center went off without a hitch. It was so satisfying to see two years’ of work on the new gallery walls. Loads of visitors, including friends from all over the state. Thank you!
Spring threw some surprises at us. We had some beautiful flowers but I held off planting. Good thing as we had a very late snow on May 10th! I covered up the things that I did plant and everything turned out well.
Slightly creepy feeling, this is what the cicadas look like when they first shed their brown shells. It will attach itself to something – twig, trees, side of house – while it pumps up it’s wings, then takes off to find a mate for a day. No mouths or stingers.
Then there was the cicada invasion. Thousands of the little bugs, all singing their mating calls at 90 decibels. Very annoying but it passed eventually. The birds and toads were really happy.
Tomatoes, tops. L-R bottom: Pink Brandywine, Red Beefsteak, San Marzano. Top: Celebrity, Better Boy, Park Whopper, Goliath, Roma.
Our garden produce was heavy and bug-free this year. We couldn’t even put up all that we grew and tried to give much of it away. All this despite the late planting, and planting fewer plants.
We were very grateful to be living in the country where we could get outside, go for a drive, eat lunch by the river.
I really love the variety of mini pumpkins and squashes.
September saw the requisite visit to the pumpkin farm. Paintings in three shows. And winding up for the holidays. Overall art sales tripled. Time to set bigger goals.
I hope that as you take time to look back over the past year, that you have some good memories, too. Let us all hope the coming year is much improved.
I'm a professional artist, retired director of a performing arts center, bona fide book addict, and enjoy the quiet life...most of the time. I'd love to hear from you or get your ideas for future posts. Come back soon!
I'm a professional artist, retired director of a performing arts center, bona fide book addict, and enjoy the quiet life...most of the time. I'd love to hear from you or get your ideas for future posts. Come back soon!
my90acres 