Kira Mountjoy-Pepka Fine Art

11/18/2025

Painted this one until my fingers froze! Oil sketch of the Chicago skyline from the Milton Lee Olive Park, adjacent to the Ohio Street Beach and Navy Pier.

I was really enamored with the steely cool blues of the skyline blockading the winter sun when I saw this park last, but when I got there the sun was shining between the buildings and making the last of the orange leaves and grass glow so that was my focus here. Next time! ❄️

11/06/2025

I really like how this plein air oil painting turned out. I was at just as the staff were installing the big Christmas bulbs in Polk Brothers Park, and with the Chicago skyline in the background it was just enchanting. I think “Christmas in November” will be the title of this one!

11/04/2025

The SPRINT to capture dawn or sunset is honestly as exhilarating as actual running used to be. I cannot run anymore, but oh my goodness this is just as thrilling.

Working on turning this sketch of the Chicago skyline into a larger studio piece.

11/02/2025

1-second sketches! I love people-watching on a lazy day in a cute cafe, and ’s practice of glancing at a person in motion, closing your eyes to hold and freeze the gesture in your mind, and then capturing it as quickly as possible on paper is always a useful exercise. I’ve read his whole blog but I think I picked that trick up in “The Artist’s Guide to Sketching.”

10/30/2025

“Autumn Morning in Washington Square Park” plein air oil on canvas painting. Beautiful morning in a pretty park in the Near North Side neighborhood in Chicago.

10/15/2025

“Overcast on Lake Shore Drive” 14x11” oil on canvas. I might have one more plein air painting of the Chicago skyline in me before the end of the season, but it’s been a great run!

10/09/2025

“Popsicle Stand” 11x14” oil on canvas. This plein air sketch again looking down the Chicago skyline is all about the warm kaleidoscope of colors of these beautiful buildings in the morning sun. Amazing how the view is always changing, or that something new is always speaking to me. And thanks to the folks who send me photos!

10/07/2025

“Seasons Change” 12x24” plein air oil on canvas. I love painting the Chicago skyline. It’s a trick to capture, because the morning sun moves around the back of the buildings so quickly but in this one I particularly like the gradient of cool to warm across the canvas, ending with the trees that are starting to turn orange.

10/05/2025

09/23/2025

“Late Afternoon on the Pond” 22x28” oil on canvas. Three afternoons at Toledo Botanical Garden. A small trail loops around the edge of the pond, and I heard frogs plopping and fish darting the entire time - lovely!