Absence make the Art Grow Stronger

 

Time for Drawing 8x10 oil

 I just got back from Minneapolis, pet sitting for family. Hanging out in someone else's home can feel like a mini vacation. Plus I love a good excuse be in a different town and be able  to explore museums and galleries and maybe a little art related shopping. Minneapolis checked off all the boxes.

So instead of bring my sketching pad or paint supplies I went a whole week without my creative outlet and hanging with my art buddies. This time away would let me nourish and fill myself with possibilities.

Afterwards I'm always eager to get back to my studio with fresh ideas and inspirations. I pretty much paint every day if possible and always have lots of details to take care of in my art world.

Happy to report I got to go to three Art Museums, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Art Institute and the Weisman Art Museum with its stunning architecture by the late Frank Gehry.

Of course there was lots to look at and my sister and I hit it just right with all the museums being free. It's the parking that will get ya. That's the big city stuff I don't miss. When I go to look at art I'm also interested in how they framed it or present it. Having worked in a gallery many years ago and consulting clients, I enjoy the big gold frames as well as minimalist looks. I know trying to match the furniture isn't the way I suggest to go. Do what's right for the piece of art and you'll find the perfect spot to display it.

Now that I'm back I'm revved up and ready again to get in my studio. With only two months into the New Year the opportunities keep presenting themselves. I have two additional displays for March. The friends of Upper Mississippi Refuge on Brice Prairie have let me display my artwork in their gift shop through May. I started with paintings of prairies and will change it over to birds in April. Another opportunity at Elmaro with my drawing group "Drawn Together" with 17 artists featured for the month of March..

It has also just come to my attention that the County of La Crosse is celebrating 175 years and has a call to artists for a July display.

 Now it's time to update my calendar,  figure out what paintings will be on reserve for which show. If I don't have enough I guess I'll have to paint more.

 The warmer weather energized me or maybe it's the Year of the Horse that has me racing to do it all. 

Wish me luck, this is what I've been dreaming of, endless opportunities. 

 

Colleen 

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

The above painting is the last one I did before my week off. Inspired by Drawn Together which gathers weekly to sketch. This time it was Pearl Street Books . Some artists gravitated to have a cup of coffee at Jules Coffee House right next door.  

 

 

 

 

Trempealeau Happenings

 

Welcome the Night 8x10 oil unframed SOLD

A cold evening brought warm thoughts at sunset in the Village of Trempealeau. 

 

Mark your calendars for more Trempealeau Art on Saturday, May 9 from 1-4 pm, I'll be there participating as an artist with others, thanks to the Village of Trempealeau. More information to come..

Happy to support The Friends of the Trempealeau Library "A Taste of Trempealeau -Enchanted Bird Gardens on February 22. 

My artwork donation

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Happy Valentines Day

 

Love, Packer 11x14 oil

A tribute to those pets who warm our hearts. Thanks Jen I hope you and Brian have wonderful Valentines Day.

 

Colleen

Inquires cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

Weather or Not- Time to Plein Air

 

Winter Grasses 8x10 oil $75

Warm weather saw the emergence of artists to plein air paint at Red Pines Cafe on Brice Prairie this past Monday. Corinna welcomed artists for the afternoon, temperatures have risen to a balmy 40 degrees. Much warmer than 20 below. Looks like another great week to be out of doors, hope you get a chance to enjoy it. Looking forward to the first greens of spring to paint next.

 

Red Pines is also hosting a fundraiser for Lake Onalaska preservation on Tuesday, March 17. Lots of fun planned with raffles and prizes. I donated one of my Brice Prairie Moments Books, A collection of paintings of life on Brice Prairie. Also available at Red Pines Cafe to purchase.

 

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com  

Sunny Days in Brice Prairie

On the Board 8x10 oil unframed $75

Last year I attempted to plein air at the Brice Prairie Conservation Annual Fishing Derby. I froze outside, then spent some time inside the heated tent where all the fun was happening. Got inspired by the hanging fish entries for the days event. Thought it made for an interesting still life.

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

 Happy Fishing 

 

You can see more of my work on Brice Prairie at Red Pines Cafe and Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. 

Across the Prairie 8x210 oil framed $150 view at 

Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Brice Prairie

contact cshoreartwork@gmail.com to purchase 

 

Backwater Dock 8x10 oil unframed  available at Red Pines Cafe

Book of my art, also available at Red Pines Cafe $50

and then there's some more, cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Golden Moments 8x10 oil unframed $75

December Nibbles 8x10 oil unframed $50

February's Snow Moon- March Blood Moon Contest Details

Snow Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 My February challenge, to capture the Snow Moon on Feb. 1, was complicated by snow. I had looked at the weather forecast, snow was again on it's way,  I started my pursuit to photograph on Saturday evening. With great luck I caught clear skies and the moon just as it was appearing from behind the bluffs in Onalaska. 

 I tried again for a moon set on Sunday morning but the winter clouds were already out. Fortunately when you go out to see the moon the sun is also showing off with a sunset or sunrise. A great twofer reward for going out in the cold . 

  

Drawn to the Light 8x10 oil unframed $75

 Thanks to Howard in Tuscon, AZ for the moon shining between the trees. Very Spooky.

 

Neighborhood Night Light 8x10 oil unframed $75

 Thanks to Sydney's in Sacramento, CA, The moon highlighted above the neighbors homes. 

 

 Next-March's Worm Moon, Tuesday, March 3, peak illumination at 5:39am  Central Time

 Set your Alarm for March 3rd Blood Moon, a lunar eclipse will redden the moon during the full moon phase. 

Share your photo of the March 2026 full moon with me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com, no photo editing please. I will choose one of the entries selected to paint an 8x10 oil, that person will be gifted the painting and featured in my blog. Please include your name, any title and location. 

Please submit by email cshoreartwork@gmail.com by March 4, 2026. Looking forward to seeing your images. Colleen

 

 

January 2026 Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon Rise 8x10 oil $75

Moon Magnet 8x10 oil $75

Moon Over the Catalinas 8x10 SOLD

Last Super Moon of  2025 -December's Cold Moon

Cold Moon of  December 8x10 oil 

Here's some nice ice.

 

Ice Flow 24x12 oil and cold wax on cradled panel

The lovely city of Winona, Minnesota is celebrating this weekend with  Winona Ice Fest 2026. One of the features that caught my attention to paint was the Ice Climbing Wall. Here I tried capturing the flow of the man made feature for climbing enthusiasts.

 This painting will be on display at my upcoming show "From Great to Grand" at Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona this August and September. Put it on your calendar show opening reception,  Fri August 14 from 5-7pm.

Inquires cshorearwork@gmail.com