It's been a year since I moved to Overland Park Kansas and after spending all winter cooped-up at home waiting for my broken ankle to heal I jumped at the chance to enter STEMS Plein Air at The Rice Gallery.   It's the premier plein air event in the Kansas City area. The task was to create plein air paintings with no studio touch ups. At the beginning of May, 2026 on nine sunny days I painted memorable views on location in Kansas and Missouri.  Three paintings could be submitted and I was excited that two of my oil paintings were juried into the show. The opening reception is June 19 and the show will be on display until mid July at 8130 Metcalf in downtown Overland Park Kansas.

 

Painting rippling waters at Corporate Woods Founders Park was my first session. I carried my backpack that holds the canvas, palette box, tripod, umbrella, paint tubes and brushes. Also I carried a handy mesh bag that holds palette knives, Q tips, solvent bucket, suntan lotion, bug spray, band aids, rubber gloves, paper towels and palette knives. Fortunately the view was nearby.

 

 

I visited the site twice to complete "Indian Creek at Corporate Woods." This painting was juried into the show and I am happy to announce that it received an Honorable Mention Award. The painting sessions were about ninety minutes and I didn't take my chair! Painting quick is a real test of observation, focus, and skill  assess perspective and mix colors. It's very different than using reference photos in the studio. Luckily there were no bugs on my canvas, or ants crawling up my leg.

 

 

On a pleasant Sunday morning I painted  "CPKD Stadium" for three hours. This is the first stadium in the world built for women's sports. It's home to the KC Current Women's Soccer Team.  Sometimes I stand to paint but when it's necessary to sit I like to be perched up high to paint! This painting was also accepted for the show on June 19, 2026.

 

On two sunny and often windy mornings I traveled to Country Club Plaza in Missouri to paint the popular "Fountain in Mill Creek Park." My push-pull wagon was useful to carry my equipment.

 

I also painted with other artists at the Loose Park on Arbor Day where a tree was planted as a tribute to a distinguished Kansas City artist Wilbur Niewald who painted daily in the park. "Loose Park Rose Garden" was completed on my second visit when the roses were in full bloom.

 

On another very windy day I painted at the Overland Park Arboretum. I will need to return to complete this painting.

 

The Rice Gallery sponsored a Quick Paint Competition in Downtown Overland Park so I perched myself near the Dragon Inn Restaurant to paint this iconic sign. Congratulations to the artists who complete a painting in two hours!!! I will need to return to complete my little sign...the time flew by!

 

This May Plein Air Marathon provided a foundation for my Heartland Art Collection that you can view on the website www.DianaCrow.com

Now I am busy reproducing this regional art into prints, note cards, bookmarks and magnets. I hope you enjoyed seeing these painting excursions. Many blessings and thank you to all my supporters.