New studio work: Fall scenes

North Fork of the White

Fall on Mountain Top Drive

Hike to Glory Hole

Wildflower Meadow

I had a request from a collector for a painting in a 12x16" size to hang alongside a similar painting he purchased from me in November. So I painted a few fall scenes for him to choose from. I photographed these scenes on beautiful fall days in 2019 as I was plein air painting, hiking, or scouting for plein air painting sites. Read more about the locations by clicking on the painting title taking you to my online storefront/gallery. Thanks for viewing.

New work: Plein air in winter

Forest Path on David's Trail | 8 x 10 | Oil on masonite panel
Winter arrived to the Ozarks in January, but was kindly and provided several fine days for painting outdoors. Enthusiastic about getting outdoors, this forest path dappled with sunlight provided inspiration on a winter's day. David's Trail east of Mountain Home AR is maintained by and for enthusiasts of an active, outdoor lifestyle.

2nd Street Tree | 9 x 12 | Oil on canvas panel
This old tree in my neighborhood begged me to paint its portrait and I obliged. I have a generous neighbor, who thinking I might be homeless when I walked up with my rolling cart of plein air painting supplies, offered me help, a ride, or at least 5 bucks. I may have smiled the entire time I painted this "happy tree."

White River at Bull Shoals Dam | 9 x 12 | Oil on canvas panel
Mid-January provided an indescribably beautiful day for painting outdoors. While wind driven cloud patterns offered to provide subject matter for several spectacular paintings, I painted these and their reflection in the fast moving waters of the White River just below the Bull Shoals dam.

Winter Day on the White | 8 x 10 | Oil on masonite panel
An 80 degree day on Groundhog's Day provided the incentive for a plein air excursion to paint along the White River in Cotter, AR at the Roundhouse Shoals turnoff. Legend has it that since the groundhog did not see its shadow this February 2, we'll have an early spring, fine for painting outdoors.

These paintings are offered for sale at my online gallery www.kathealtazan.com

New Artwork: Historic Mill Series

Painted Bluff Pool

In November, 2019, with the intention of spending the day plein air painting, I revisited four of five historic mills in Ozark County Missouri within an hour of where I live. Over a hundred years ago, in the midst of relative wilderness, grist mills fed by crystal-clear waters were community centers and sites of rural commerce. Through restoration and innovation, some still are. 

Rockbridge Mill

Before I arrived at Rockbridge Mill, I was attracted to first paint water from Rockbridge Spring pooling beneath an overhanging painted bluff along Spring Creek. The aquamarine pool also attracts trout fishermen. 

The mill building was painted later in the studio. Though milling ceased by 1950, Rockbridge Mill is still the heart of a thriving community, the site of a resort, restaurant, and trout hatchery. The dam across Spring Creek survives.

I stopped and took a few reference photos for a studio painting at Zanoni Mill, once reknowned for its overshot mill wheel. The mill is visible from the highway but no longer open to tourists. Formerly renovated as a bed & breakfast, it is now an event venue. 

Zanoni Mill

Next stop was to set up and paint the verdant spring that once powered Hodgson Mill, now a popular spot for tourists, picnics, and photographers. The mill still houses the old milling machinery but Hodgson Mill products are ground in a modern facility nearby.

Hodgson Water Mill

And finally since I was losing light, I photographed Dawt Mill, the last operating mill in Ozark County Missouri. It was once powered by the North Fork of the White River which still runs crystal clear and remains a favorite of fishermen and canoeists. Currently offered onsite is a canoe livery, restaurant, lodging, and outdoor entertainment. I returned a week later to paint Dawt Mill en plein air.

Dawt Mill

With one mill remaining on the five-mill tour, I referred to photos for painting Hammond Mill in the studio. A rear view of the mill is depicted here with a washed out creekbed, a reminder of its vulnerability to flooding, and a historic sidewalk clock as a reminder of Hammond Mill's former vibrant commerce.The mill was recently restored as a private residence.

Hammond Mill

The mills are impressive and their surroundings a never-ending source of inspiration for hours of plein air painting beside beautiful, clear-running creeks and rivers of the Ozarks. 

These paintings are offered for sale at my online gallery www.kathealtazan.com in the folder entitled  Mill Series 

For photos and further appreciation of these historic mills:

The Mills of Ozark County by Phyllis Rossiter for “The Ozarks Mountaineer”

Historic Grist Mills at Ozark County Missouri Chamber of Commerce

“Daytrippin” photoblog by Brenda Nelson

Rockbridge’s Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch visitor and Google maps local guide Heather Werhmann

Hammond Mill Remembered by Ed Fillmer of KY3’s “Ozark Life Online”

Info and additional photo reference:

The Mills of Ozark County by Phyllis Rossiter for “The Ozarks Mountaineer”

Historic Grist Mills at Ozark County Missouri Chamber of Commerce

“Daytrippin” photoblog by Brenda Nelson

Rockbridge’s Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch visitor and Google maps local guide Heather Werhmann

Hammond Mill Remembered by Ed Fillmer of KY3’s “Ozark Life Online”

Visit to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

I'm always up for a visit to Bentonville, AR home to Crystal Bridges. Thanks to Cherry Bailey and Trudy Stinnett who took the 3-hour ride with me. We toured indoors to see the permanent art collection and I was delighted to see some new acquisitions and the reinstallation of over 40 works hung tightly together in the Paris Salon style (which I read of in Robin Oliveira's novel about Mary Cassatt's art exhibitions). We walked several of the eight outdoor trails surrounding the museum seeing the quartz crystal grotto, outdoor sculptures, native plantings, and the Frank Lloyd Wright House. Lastly, after dark, we experienced the North Forest Lights installation (ending February 16) with its light, sound, special effects and music. My favorite was "The Memory of Water" over a dry creek bed simulating moving water and crashing waves.

Post-Dispatch Lake, Forest Park

Click Here to Buy | $190 | 12x16" | Oil on watercolor paper mounted on wood board

Walking to the St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park alongside Post-Dispatch Lake provided me with an exercise break during my drive from Illinois back home to the Ozarks after the holidays. Viewing the work of master artists in the museum provided inspiration for my studio painting of this Forest Park lake with varying shades of softly muted colors in this winter's landscape. 

Impressions of the St. Louis Art Museum

My 2019 holiday travel included a visit to the St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. On exhibit was Dutch Painting in the Age of Rembrandt from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 

My focus was narrowed to the work of the Impressionistic Masters. I was delighted with Claude Monet's Water Lilies, the central panel of a 42 ft. triptych he worked on for over 10 years! 

I viewed a new acquisition from American artist John Singer Sargent, Portrait of Charlotte Cram from 1900, portraying a 7-year-old just trying to sit still.

Favorite paintings included Georges Braque's Blue Mandolin for being painted in oil with sand, Edouard Vuillard's A Seamstress for its up-close vagary, Renoir's The Dreamer, and Edgar Degas' The Milliners. An interesting related video: Degas, Impressionism, and the Paris Millinery Trade

Love of Art Show/Sale

Thanks to those who visited me and my exhibit at the Love of Art Show & Sale at Cooper Park Sat., Nov. 30, '19. Congratulations to Kim Mielke whose name was drawn to win a  4x6" painting. A big shout out goes to Wendy Bodanske of Mud Puddle Pottery for organizing this year's show. And special thanks to Cherry Bailey for volunteering to help me in setting up and taking down my exhibit. My best wishes also go with Tom Short and Liza Regan for their appreciation and support.