Susan Neese McKinney Ramblings

May 30, 2024 Time flies when you are having fun!  Last October Steven and I made a whirlwind driving trip up to Idaho Falls, then to Salt Lake City, Utah.   We headed for the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.   It was wonderful to see Yellowstone park and Old Faithful.   We saw many beautiful sights along the way and made it to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse for a few days.   We headed South from there to Omaha, Nebraska to visit family before we got on the last leg to home in Missouri.   It was a wonderful trip but we were exhausted...in a good way. Ha.    After getting home we started plans on my new Art Studio.   The footings and floor were poured in December and after a long wait the Amish crew started construction in February finally finishing the last of March.    I now have about everything moved from my old studio to my new location.   And I'm ready to start painting again, altho...

  Wedding at Dogwood Chapel, Branson "Flag Day", 14"x 11", Oil on canvas  Where has the time gone?!  Covid is better but  still some new cases going around!   Since the  last post my world has changed.  In 2021, 8 years after  losing my late husband Robert, God blessed  me with a wonderful man, Steven McKinney.  He had also lost his wife.  Who would have guessed that we would meet on Facebook Dating! Ha.   We hit it off from the start with many family and interests in common.   After a short engagement we eloped on New Years Day, January 1st, 2022.   Enjoyed a dream honeymoon in Honolulu and Maui and trips to Arizona.  Many more shared times and trips to come. Thankfully Steven supports my painting passion so I've managed to do some new pieces along the way.   I plan a new art studio to be built behind our new home in Bolivar, MO.   Prayers and thoughts for all who were kil...

Sorry it's been so long.....  Most of my recent news is updated almost daily on my Instagram page under  SusanNeeseArt    and my Facebook page:  Susan Little Neese. All the world has been at a standstill as a result of the Covid-19 virus.   Things are a little better with a loosening of the Stay at home order.    I still try to self distance and wear my mask in the stores, but many are not.   My painting buddy, Cheryl Coen and I have still been getting out about once a week, on good weather days to paint.   It's been hard for me to get in the mood to paint in my studio.   Many are happy for lots of studio time,   but it's hard for me to not think about all the troubles going on..... Here is one painting that I felt came out fairly well that I painted on site at the Ha Ha Tonka State Park, near Camdenton, Missouri.   Lots of people were passing by me on the trail, but thankfully I didn't catch anything from them......

This morning was pretty stormy so I just managed to get a few photos before the dark clouds moved in.   This is the Ozark Mill and Bridge, MO.   My friend Cheryl and I drove around and ended up at the Botanical Garden in Springfield, where we got some nice photos.   I also checked out the Butterfly Place at the Garden for the first time.   I love those little critters..... Butterfly House/ Botanical Garden, Springfield, MO Ozark Mill & Bridge, Missouri 

I've been out painting about once a week with the Springfield Plein Air group.   These hot days have had us getting up with the chickens to get started before it heats up.   Here are a couple of paintings from those two weeks.  "Blue Door", 11"x 14, Oil painted on location.   Morning Glow, 11"x 14",Oil, painted on location

" Young's Porch", 11"x 14", Oil, plein air Here's another plein air painting I did at the Saunder's workshop, with Patrick's help....(brighter!  Brighter!)....  Thanks Desiree Young, tickled to have it hang in your home. 

"Artists in Residencey", 11"x14", Oil I had a good time at Patrick Saunder's plein air workshop at friend, Desiree Young's farm for 2 days.   The wind was a little cool, but I managed to find a place protected by a shed.   Here is my painting of Patrick and Kimberly's home on wheels.   So cute!.  I worked a little more on this, adding some highlights.   I'll upload it when it's signed.  Thanks Patrick for sharing your painting secrets. 

"Morris", 6"x6", Oil on canvas This kitty was a little tough to paint, but he's about ready for the ArtsFest in Springfield, MO May 7th & 8th.   My paintings will be in the Ozark Gallery tent, so come on out and enjoy the day on Historic Walnut Street.   Lots to see and music to enjoy.   I'll be there 4pm to 6pm Sunday. 

"Solitaire", 11"x 14", Oil. I was tickled pink to have this accepted into the Annual National Online Show with the American Women Artists. And it will be shown on their website for an entire year.     This was inspired by my painting on stage with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in January, 2016.    Contact me for purchase. 

"Pretty Kitty", 6"x6", Oil.  "Puppy Love", 6"x6", Oil.  These are the first of my series of Puppies and Kitty Cats, for the local ArtsFest, on Historic Walnut Street in Springfield.   May 7th & 8th, 2016.  Come by the Ozark Gallery tent.......

 I didn't make it through the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge......Turns out life gets in the way.   I'm not too upset about it, as I painted more in the month of January than I ever have.   And I now have some new paintings for my Galleries to sell this spring.   And for a couple Juried Shows coming up.   Here's one that I painted as a result of my "Painting on Stage", with the Springfield Symphony Orchestral, MO.   I loved the subdued light that fell on this musician as he was warming up back stage. "Solitaire", 11"x14", Oil 

"Bold Impudence", 11"x14", Oil,  started from life.  This is my first painting done at the "Painting on Stage", at the Springfield, MO Symphony.    Just a few more touches and I'll call this one done.     It was great fun to be on stage during the fantastic show.    Available.  #18,  #30paintingsin30days 

The 30 day painting challenge is going pretty good.......I've just missed a couple days....Sat. night I was honored to represent one of my painting groups "Springfield Plein Air Painters", by painting on stage with the Springfield, MO Symphony.    The event was for the "Music to my Eye's", themed show which will be in March at the Machino's place of business.   Thanks to the owner, Nancy Dornan, for sponsoring this event.  There were 6 of us painting on stage representing 6 area Art Groups.    About 50 other artists were able to come and sketch, paint, and photograph the musicians during two rehearsals.    So hopefully we will see some fascinating  artwork in the near future as a result.   Here I am on stage having a blast!   I'm just getting started on my painting.   Of course wearing one of my "Super Painting Hat's".  .....LOL      Check in later to see the finished painting, and hopefully a few others.....

"Michelangelo's David", 12"x12", Oil, Available I'm pretty happy with Day One of   "30 Paintings in 30 Days", for the month of January 2016.    No contest, no prizes.........just a personal challenge with approx. 1200 other artists who have signed up to paint every day for 30 days.    January is a good month for this since it's usually too cold outside and it's time for those new goals and resolutions.  This is painted from a bust of a copy of the "Statue of David",  by Michelangelo. 

I finally got my Christmas card finished.   I'll probably add a little sparkle of glitter before mailing them out....and will wait a little closer to the big day to post it on Facebook.   In the meantime Merry Christmas to all my bloggers out there.  Hugs. 

Whew!!  Just hauled 5 of my larger paintings to the Midtown Carnegie Library in Springfield, MO, for the "Mantels of Midtown" show which runs thru February 28th, 2016.    Like a dummy I left my emergency blinkers on while I unloaded and helped install my paintings.........probably an hour.    Well, long enough to run my battery completely down.......    Thankfully Eva Pelkey, Manager, was an angel and had some jumper cables to recharge my car.     Then a library client fell into a seizure in the parking lot.    So after much ado the ambulance left and a nice guy helped us "helpless females jump my car"........I was finally back on the road.   So much for a relaxing day............Here's a photo of the front of this beautiful historic building, and the 5 paintings.

I enjoyed a recent 3 day portrait workshop with artist Michelle Dunaway, from New Mexico.   Here is "Jennifer", 11"x 14", Oil on panel that I started at the workshop.   Painted from life.    Just a few more touches and I'll call this one finished.   "Jennifer", 11"x 14", Oil on panel

"Flash of Fall", 11"x14", Oil painted on location. On our weekly painting trip this week located at a wonderful resort, Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Missouri, there are unlimited  painting options: lake, marina, beautiful landscaping, historic buildings, waterfalls, bridges, horses, and on an on.    I decided on this trip to paint something up close and personal.    I found this foilage in a small corner by the Gift Shop of the resort.    The colors were glowing with the morning sun hitting on the leaves.    Thanks for all the nice comments from workers and resort clientele.  

The water was crystal clear at Bennett Springs State Park, Missouri, so I could see many trout in the gorgeous blue waters.    It made it a little tough for the fisherman to sneak up on them.    Thanks to the visitors that took time to come by and for the nice comments.    Here are two paintings I painted there last Thursday.    I only used the palette knife, so the paint is nice and thick.......This makes the painting best viewed from a little distance, not up close, so it makes them harder to photograph.   Both are available as soon as they dry a little.    8"x 10", Oil, painted on location 8"x 10", Oil, painted on location

I was happy to have two paintings accepted into the Annual "2015--Pure Enjoyment" show sponsored by Brewer Science of Rolla, Missouri, and the Springfield Regional Arts Council, Springfield, Missouri.  This show will be on display at the Arts Council, Creamery Arts Center at 511 N. Sherman Parkway, Springfield thru October 29th, 2015.   Here are the paintings available for sale and on display there: "Surrender", 16"x 20", Oil "Sunrise Glory", 24"x 24", Oil