Grand Marais Areas part of From Great to Grand art exhibit in August 2026

Welcome to a preview of my upcoming show From Great to Grand which opens in August at Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona.

The Grand part of my exhibit features original oil paintings shown below. Inspired by a couple of trips trips I took to the Grand Marais area. As a member of Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, I joined fellow artists for a week long adventure painting at the Sugarloaf cabins in Schroeder, MN. It allowed me to paint from Grand Portage to Grand Marais and the many beautiful spots along the way. 

 

A little bit about my paintings- 

The first two are my most recent paintings, that I wanted to capture for the exhibit. Hollow Rock is a popular subject matter for many artists, located just north of Grand Marais. I found it a bit difficult to find, but persistence paid off. You gotta love to paint rocks because pretty much everywhere you look they define the landscape. 

I challenged myself with a larger 16x120 painting in oil and cold wax of rocks along the shore. I had done many 8x10's to explore the colors of the rocks (all have found homes) and felt it was time to expand the subject matter in my studio.

Hollow Rock 8x10 oil framed $150

Superior Waves 16x20 oil and cold wax framed $595

Sugarloaf Cabins in Schroeder, were I stayed is located on the banks of Lake Superior. In August each year, OPM Event Organizer, Allison hosts a paint out at her family cabins. It affords sunrise views, night sky shows of the northern lights and a perfect place to gather with other artists after venturing out to paint. 

I had to get up early to catch the summer sunrise over the lake, but it was always worth it. Another easy morning outting was just up the road at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. A short hike down a slope lead to a quiet secluded cove with of course lots of rocks. From cobblestone beaches to large rock formations leading into the water.

 

Sunrise at Sugarloaf II llx14 oil on cradled panel $350

 

Rocky Cove 11x14 oil framed $350

 

Sugarloaf Cove 11x14 oil framed $350

On my first trip North I meet another artist Susan, who asked me to join her to paint. Not being familiar with the area it was a blessing as I could have spent hours trying to decide locations not to mention getting lost. We set up to paint at Taconite Harbor a location of the mining industries. We had to paint fast as the biting flies wouldn't leave us alone. Another spot was Temperance River Falls which I never would have found. Which ever way we looked it was beautiful.

On my second trip I was told about another section of Temperance River, a favorite spot of the locals. Many people were there jumping off the rocks into deep water holes. I started out a painting and switched techniques after awhile really loosening up with my pallet knife. It made me nervous watching people disappear over rocks and I couldn't concentrate on details.

 

Taconite Harbor 11x14 oil on cradles panel $350

 

Temperance River Falls 8x10 oil framed $150 

 

Untempered 11x14 oil framed $350

Venturing into Grand Marais, for the first time during my stay at the cabins, I captured the scenes with my camera. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the views along artist point and the harbor. So I spend time exploring along the paths and taking in the views for future reference photos to paint from in the studio.This is where so much happens during the Plein Air Grand Marais festivities and I needed to just absorb the influences. Even spent some time and money at the fantastic Joy & Company artist supply store. Susan was more than happy to shop along and share her favorite items.

The fourth of these painting below, A Day in the Harbor, I was able to settle in at the park to plein air paint. I spend the day painting this scene and the local flowers while enjoying sunshine and people that stopped to chat. 

 

Rocky Lighthouse Path 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

 

Artists View Grand Marais 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

Grand Marais Harbor 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

A Day in the Harbor 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

Walking around Grand Marais, exploring the town and all of it's connections to the lake I came across these weathered buildings I found interesting to paint back in the studio.

Fish Market Parking Only 8x10 oil framed $150

 

Another Day Ashore 8x10 oil framed $150

Waiting to Launch 8x10 oil framed $150

I hope you'll be able to stop in and see my show. I'll be posting more about the paintings you'll see from along the Great River Road in the next couple of weeks.

 

Also Register to Win an 8x10 commissioned oil painting at my reception.

Some of my unframed artwork featuring Grand Marais areas that will be available at my reception Friday, August 14 from 5-7 pm 

Disruptive Influence 9x12 unframed $100

Along the Cabins 9x12 oil unframed $100

 Also Don't Miss

 On display at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum until Sept 13 part of Minnesota Plein Air Collective show Myths & Legends of Minnesota.

inspired and created during my 2025 visit to Sugarloaf Cabins for Plein Air Grand Marais 

Washed Ashore 11x14 oil framed $595

 

 

 Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collection of Original Oil Paintings featuring Regional and Far Away Places, Still Lives, Abstracts, Florals and Moonscapes by CShore as of July 7, 2026

 Updating my Collections, featuring my original oil paintings.

Since spring of 2019, I began painting with oils with the goal of working en plein air. Creating these paintings took lots of practice and experimentation in the studio from photos, still lives and sometimes venturing outside. I now have a body of work to display as a collection of my efforts. The journey has led me to painting pets, animals and even a few self portraits, plus nature and local and regional landscapes. I hope you enjoy and I'm always happy to answer any questions about purchases or commissions.

I add to my blog site as I create new works and then up date collections for easier viewing.

Thanks Colleen Shore  

Check out my other postings about

Collection of Oil Paintings featuring People, Pets,and Animals , updated July 1, 2026

 Around Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa 

 Minnesota North Shore

Superior Waves 16x20

Sun over Lake Superior 9x12

Shoreline at Sugar Loaf 8x10

 

Fish Market Parking Only 8x10 

 

Another Day Ashore 8x10

Waiting to Launch 8x10

Rockin' it at Sugar Loaf 8x10

Sunrise at Sugarloaf I  8x10

Sunrise at Sugarloaf II 11x14

Taconite Harbor 11x14

Temperance River Falls 8x10 

 

Rocky Lightouse Path 11x14

Artists View Grand Marais 11x14

Grand Marais Harbor 11x14

Untempered 11x14 

Grand Marais Harbor Day 11x14 

Rocky Cove 11x14 

 

Sky Scape 8x10

 

Disruptive Influence 9x12 

High Falls Overlook 11x14

Along the Cabins 11x14

Sugarloaf Cove 11x14 

 

Daisies 4x6 oil 

 

Fireweed 4x6 oil

 

Harbor Walk 4x6 oil

Washed Ashore 11x14

Wisconsin

Leopold Nest 11x14

Kukana III 8x10

Sunset on Chetek 8x10

 

Tree Lines 8x10 

Boondoggle Resort 8x10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsh Study Two 8x10

Tree Line Study One 8x10

Marsh Study One 8x10 

Night at the Cabin 8x10 oil

Pewit's Nest 5x7

Ishnala Beach 8x10

Boardwalk at Necedah 8x10

Gathering of the Falls 8x10

On the Way to the Loouve 8x10

Going to the Loouve 8x10

Woodland Yellows 8x10

Somewhere Over There 8x10 photo credit Mary Bakalars

Hartford Haven 8x10

Art Farm 5x7

Walking in Search of Birds 8x10

Washburn Remnants Part 1 8x10

Washburn Remnants Part 2 8x10

Grassiness 8x10

 

Madeline Island Eatery 8x10

 

Devil's Island Part 1 8x10

Kayaking Devil's Island 8x10 photo credit Carol Gibb

Sunset on the Mississippi 8x10

Wisconsin Fields 8x10

 

Rolling Landscapes 8x10

 

Minnesota

 

Time to Feast 11x14 

Brownsville Reunion-11x14

Duluth Shores 8x10

Sailing 8x10

 

Prairie Morning 8x10 

Bluff Face 8x10

Minnesota Overlook 8x10 

Grasses on the Shore 8x10

Morning on Chequamegon Bay 8x10

 

Duluth Outpost 8x10

 

Sunrise Over Farmland 8x10

Moonset on Clear Water Lake 8x10

Campfire Gathering 8x10

Fireworks Across the Lake 8x10

Cabin Gardens 8x10

Cabin Fever 11x14

 

Cabins on the Lake 8x10

 

Sittin' in the Sun 5x7

 

 

 

Waking Geese 8x10 oil

 

Coreopsis in the Park 8x10

Yellow Casts 8x10

Bridge 1 8x10

Bridge 2 8x10 

Iowa

In with the New 8x10 

Approach to Lansing 8x10 

Breaking Ice 8x10 

Iowa Great River View 11x14 

Pike's Peak 8x10

Yellow River Backwaters 8x10

End of the Rainbow Collection

I was honored to be invited to paint the homeland of Karen and Irv, fondly known as End of the Rainbow in Chaseburg, WI.

Farm Games 5x7

Cooped Up 8x10

Tractor Days 8x10

End of the Rainbow 8x10

 

Far Away Places  More landscapes from my travels and others

Asheville, North Carolina

 

Biltmore Gardens 8x10 

Pink Azaleas 8x10

Wolfe's Domain 8x10 

 

Shady Repose 8x10 

Biltmore's View 8x10 

Stairway to Harmony 8x10

  San Diego, California

Spanish Village-Balboa Park 8x10

 

Mission Bay Morning 8x10 

Pacific Beach Pier 8x10 

Mission Beach 8x10 oil 

Kendall Frost Marsh Preserve 8x10 

                                        

Balboa Park 8x10

Mission Bay Harbor 8x10

Beach Walk at Torrey Pines 8x10 

Torrey Pines State Park 8x10

Beach Day on Coronado Island 8x10 

 

 Tuscany, Italy

A Place Called Poggio 11x14 

 

Pamela's La Ribollita 8x10

Trucking in Tuscany 8x10 

Catch of the Day 5x7 

On the Way in Tuscany 11x14

Fruit of Italy 5x7

Sunny Day in the Groves 8x10

Off to the Presses 8x10

Harvest Dance 8x10 

Morning on the Groves 8x10 

The Italian Pantry 11x14 

Olive Harvest Time 8x10 

 

Val d'Orcia View 8x10

  

Italian Alleys 8x10 

Travertine Pathway 8x10 

 

Time on the Patio at Poggio Etrusco 8x10

Olive Groves 8x10

View from Farm 8x10

Grapes 8x10

Grape Vines 8x10

Poggio Etrusco Agritourism 8x10

Grayton Beach, Florida

Path to the Beach 11x14

Gulf Waves 8x10

Grayton Beach Hills 8x10

Coastal Dune Lake 8x10

Catching Waves 8x10

 

Panama Canal Cruise and Ports

Cloud Towers 8x10

Hualtico Bay 8x10

Street Sidewalk 8x10

Street Ruins 8x10 

Star Search on the Sea Deck 8x10

Street Vendor 8x10

Swabbed Sporting Deck 8x10

Interrupted Sunrise- 8x10 

South West, California and Mexico

On the Edge with Lines 8x10

New Mexico Landscape 8x10

Big Bend Settlers Homestead 8x10

Saguaro Park Shelter 8x10

Pichacho Peak  AZ 8x10

Monahan's Sandhill Dunes 8x10

 

Big Bend Ranch TX 8x10

 

Buoys @ Point Reyes 8x10

 

Rio Grande in Las Cruces 8x10

 

Memories at East Saquaro 8x10

Sunset @ San Carlos MEX 8x10

 

Sunset @Gilbert Ray AZ 8x10

 Other countries plus commissions

 

Lily's Place 8x10 

Muffin's Place 8x10 

Diamond Beach, Iceland 8x10

Belize Savannah 8x10

 

Belize Bungalow 8x10

Night Lights, Tybee Island GA 8x10

Brilliance at Dusk 11x14

Morning Splendor on Annapurna  8x24

 

Bosphorus, Turkey 16x20

 

Monterey, California 16x20 

Still Lives 

A collection of studio work from photos and display. Plus a little more. 

 

Sunflowers 8x10

Winning Burger-Trempealeau Hotel 11x14

Ready to Open-Blue Heron Coffeehouse 8x10

Morning Muffins-Blue Heron Coffeehouse 8x10

Breakfast Times at Red Pines 8x10

Pinot and Pinks-Red Pine 8x10

 

Blue Heron Breakfast 11x14

Three's Company-Two Fathoms Brewing Company

Time for Drawing-Jules Coffee House 8x10

On the Board-Brice Prairie Derby 8x10

 

Breakfast at Poggios-Tuscany 8x10

Wakeup Winona-Blue Heron Coffeehouse 8x10

Mary's Bloody 5x7

It's A Trap 8x10 

Happy Hour 4x6 

Smokin' 4x6 

Rummage Repose 8x10

 

Breakfast of Champions 5x7

Whose Turn to Buy 5x7

Awakening 11x14 framed

Nice Ice 5x7

Rural Totem 5x7

Number 4 Orange 8x10

Number 2 Orange 8x10

Number 5 Orange 8x10

Time for a Break 11x14

Abstracts

Cold Wax & Oil 1 8x10

Cold Wax & Oil 2 8x10

Cold Wax & Oil 3 8x10

Cold Wax & Oil 4 8x10

Cold Wax & Oil 5 8x10

Cold Wax & Oil 6 6x8

Cold Wax & Oil 7 8x10

Cold Wax & Oil 8 8x10

 

Flowers & More

 

Prairie Smoke 18x18 

Wild Lupine 18x18

Blue 1 5x7

Blue 2 5x7

Begonias  1, 6x8 

Begonias 2, 6x8

Blue Spires 4x6 block

Smokey Plumes 4x6 oil on block

Maples Sweet Blooms 4x6 oil on block

 

Lupines Blue 4x6 oil on block

No Mow May 8x10

Heavenly Blue 5x7

Garlic's Ready 5x7

If the Shoe Doesn't Fit 5x7

The Weight of Limbs 5x7

Tree House 5x7

Lily of the Valley 5x7

Pansies 5x7

Forget-Me-Nots 5x7

Peonies Saved from the Storm 8x10

Mandevilla Hot Madness 8x10

Fairy Bells 8x10

 

White Narcissus 8x10 

Milkweed Pods 8x10

Bleeding Hearts 5x7

Garden Bells 5x7

Hickory Blooms 5x7 

Lilies 5x7

Milk Weed Maze 8x10 

 Moonscapes

 June 2026 Strawberry Moon 

Strawberry Moon 8x10 

May 2026 Blue Moon 

Blue Moon 8x10

 May 2026 Flower Moon

Flower Moon 8x10 oil

April 2026 Pink Moon

Pink Moon 8x10

 March 2026 Blood Moon 

Blood Moon 8x10

 February 2026 Snow Moon

Snow Moon 8x10 oil

Drawn to the Light 8x10

Neighborhood Night Light 8x10

 January 2026 Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon Rise 8x10

Moon Magnet 8x10

Moon Over the Catalinas 8x10

Last Super Moon of  2025 -December's Cold Moon

Cold Moon of  December 8x10

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com