Susan Neese McKinney Ramblings

Here it is officially "Fall".   It's been a fantastic Summer, but can't believe it is over.    Fall is wonderful here.........but I'm already dreading "Winter", as I know it's not far behind.........So my art friend Cheryl Coen and myself have been out to paint on location every chance we get.   This is the one I did last Monday, Sept. 21st.    This school is in the Pioneer village, at the Harry S. Truman Dam, Visitor Center, Warsaw, Missouri.   I painted it with a palette knife.    I never knew this place existed until Cheryl took me by there on our way home from Marceline, Missouri Paint out.     The Heritage Assoc. are having their 35th Anniversary celebration, for Pioneer Heritage Days, Oct. 17th & 18th.     It's going to be a living history event, with lots of reenactments and period dressed folks.  (I could get into this.!)........  Cheryl and I hope to at least get some good reference photos.....might be a little busy and crowded for p

"What was art but a mold is which to imprison for a moment the shining, elusive element which is life itself---life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose."    Willa Cather (1876-1947) "Motherhood", 12"x 12", Oil, Julie & Abby  

"Gala Time", 6"x 8", Oil painted from life .  I had a fun time painting this at the Waverly House Gallery,  "Meet the Artist" night.    I haven't done a small still life in quite a while.    It was nice to visit with the folks that came for the evening and to visit with the other artists.   Some very interesting people.    I'll just add a couple more touches and then sign this.    It will be available in a few weeks after it drys a little.

Walt Disney's childhood hometown........Marceline, Missouri.    Cheryl Coen and I had a good weekend there, learning about Walt's family and meeting some very good plein air artists.    The Oil Painter's Society,  Missouri Valley Impressionist Society,  North Missouri Arts Council and Darrell Gardner sponsored the Paint Out, Show & Reception, along with The City of Marceline and their Wine & Art Stroll.    It turned out to be a nice day to paint and hundreds of people turned out for the Stroll.    We had some great art winners and quite a few of the paintings were sold.     Cheryl and I were impressed on that point.   Especially Cheryl since she sold one of her paintings.   Way to to Cheryl!    Here were my two paintings I completed for the show that evening: "Alex Painting", 11"x14", Oil,  on location, City Park & Lake "Disney Autopia", 11"x 14", Oil, Painted in the Disney Museum