Autumn Open House at Kinstone

 With Fall upon us it's was time to get out and paint at Kinstone's open house. For the past 6 years or so I've made the pilgrimage to Kinstone to paint plein air. Each fall and spring, Kristine Beck's arranges for music, food and entertainment for all to enjoy. Each year I'm surprised to meet people who are there for the first time. They are all in awe at what Kinstone has to offer.

Thanks again for having me, Kristine. 

Fall Fruit 8x10 oil

Here's a few of my paintings featuring Kinstone in their gift shop. Original oil paintings framed up, perfect for gift giving. Selection of Kinstone inspired oil paintings only $95.

 

Steps to the Dolmen 8x10 oil framed $95

 

Prayer Flags 8x10 oil framed $95

 

Kinstone Kitchen 8x10 oil framed $95

Chapel Musician 8x10 oil framed $95

Kinstone Cabin 8x10 oil framed $95

Got Goats 8x10 oil framed $95

Next Round 8x10 oil framed $95

Learning the Way 8x10 oil framed $95

Spring on the Way 8x10 oil framed $95

Let There Be Light 8x10 oil framed $95

questions cshoreartwork@gmail.com

 

Sightings in the Marsh

Marsh Man 8x10 oil unframed $75

 The La Crosse River Marsh, an urban wetland in La Crosse Wisconsin hosts a number of different species. Year round you'll find the activities of the two legged humans. From fledgling students stretching their legs to the stealthy avian peepers. Some are home to the Marsh some are just friends. Shown above is one of those friends, I was unable to identify which friend. Maybe one of the experts in the field can identify this one I found in the brush along a trail.

If you have a chance to visit the Marsh, it's that time of year again for a mass migration of plein air painters. You can identify them by their garb full of paint stains. They don hats, and gear with three legs. Occasionally they are tucked under a tree or an umbrella. Approach them quietly as they are busy gathering flecks of light and searching for hidden shadows along the trails. Often they appear at dawn and dusk as the light seems to mesmerize them into standing still for hours.

It's documented you'll begin to see them starting this weekend and for the next two weeks. The major influx is determined to be on Friday, Oct. 16 from 10-1 for the largest concentration in the area of Myrick Park.

 

Check out more information at Plein Air Between the Bluffs 

 

Three Rivers Three Artists

Path of Water 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Black River 

Now on Display at Elmaro Sharing the spot light with Ellen and Kari Here are my paintings of Black River, Trempealeau River and the Mississippi Rivers. Mark you calendars for a Meet the Artists Reception on Sunday October 18 from 1-4 at Elmaro.

 

A Walk on Water 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Black River 

Onalaska Landing 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Black River  

Kayak Landing 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Black River 

Bay View 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Trempealeau River 

Around the Bend 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Trempealeau River 

Refuge River Waters 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Trempealeau River 

Perrot 's Resting Spot 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Trempealeau River 

Interstate Connections 11x14 oil on panel framed $350

Mississippi River

Up River Ride 8x10 oil on panel framed $150 

Mississippi River 

Bridge to Winona 8x10 oil on panel framed $150

Mississippi River 

Up River Ride 8x10 oil on panel framed $150

Mississippi River 

 

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

Exploring the Marsh

Fall Marsh Walk 8x10 oil unframed $75

In September I ventured out to the La Crosse River Marsh to check out locations for the upcoming Plein Air Between the Bluffs. After a lovely walk along the paths I couldn't help making a few paintings in back in my studio.

Below are my inspirations.

This first weekend in October the plein air festival has begun, so I got up early to catch the morning light. It didn't pan out like I hoped. The best laid plans for plein air are somewhat futile when weather is relied on.

I'd did a small 8x10 (to be revealed  later) and got the foundation started for another painting. I thought I'd return and finished it as a sunset but when I came back all the colors were washed out by the strong sun Now I will just have to get up early again another morning to complete my vision. One can only hope.

Today I'm going out to Kinstone to paint during their fall open house. It was one of the first places that I publicly painted and I feel like returning to my roots and enjoy the music and views.   

Marsh Wakeup Call 8x10 oil unframed $75

Marsh Intrusion 8x10 oil unframed $75

Marsh Still Life 8x10 oil unframed $75

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

September's Harvest Moon

 September's Harvest Moon didn't disappoint. I decided to try and paint plein air the moon rising over Cedar Creek Golf Course in Onalaska. I made arrangements and got the ok. There were some clouds bu the moon rose above them. When I began to paint the sunset was highlighting some trees as they were turning into their fall colors. I had to do some more work in the studio adjusting colors to what I remembered. You may notice July's Buck Moon was from about the same angle done from a photo.

The next morning I thought I catch the moon setting. This lead me on a trip to La Crosse as I had got up around 4 and it was still high in the sky. My goal had been to also find some interesting nocturne spots. The early morning was a buzz with people. I then realized it was parade day for Oktoberfest. This made for some interesting conversations and capture a few folks sitting along the route that had already started to party. I ended up finding this seen along an alley with highlights from a street light and the moon also was in view.

Only three more months til I'm done with my year of painting the full moon. 

Harvest Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

Moon Over Cedar Creek 8x10 oil unframed $75

  August 2026 Sturgeon Moon 

  

Sturgeon Moon 8x10 oil SOLD

From family in Tuscon the cottage cheese like clouds parted long enough for a peak at the glowing moon. Thanks Howard.

Clouds over Tuscon 5x7 oil unframed $75

July 2026  Buck Moon 

 

Buck Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 

Moon Rings 6x8 oil unframed $50

 June 2026 Strawberry Moon

Strawberry Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 May 2026 Flower Moon

Flower Moon 8x10 oil unframed SOLD

Aprils 2026 Pink Moon

Pink Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 March 2026 Blood Moon 

Blood Moon 8x10 oil SOLD

 February 2026 Snow Moon

Snow Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

Drawn to the Light 8x10 oil unframed SOLD

Neighborhood Night Light 8x10 oil unframed $75

 January 2026 Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon Rise 8x10 oil unframed $75

Moon Magnet 8x10 oil unframed $75

Moon Over the Catalinas 8x10 SOLD

Last Super Moon of  2025 -December's Cold Moon

Cold Moon of  December 8x10 oil SOLD

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

Places to Plein Air-La Crosse River Marsh

 

Miller's Bluff 8x10 oil unframed $75

Early this summer artists where invited to plein air at an event for the Nature Place in Myrick Park for their Heart of Art event.

I've always found lots of inspiration along the trails. Many of my earlier paintings featured the marsh. I'm thinking of returning my focus back there along the trails for Between the Bluffs Plein Air Festival. 

Stop by Myrick Park on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 10-1 for the Quick Paint Challenge you will definitely see artists painting.

betweenthebluffs.com

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

 

 

Where to See My Art 

 

 It's been a busy year and the last months of 2026 are full of plein air festivals, displays going up and coming down. I'll start with what's coming up then at the end of this blog are the shows that will be coming down and the last days to see them.

 Up and Coming Openings

   

 The Confluence of Art at Pablo Center -September-November

Three of my paintings were accepted into the upcoming show The Confluence of Art at Eau Claire's Pablo Center. On display from September 28-November 22. Reception Friday, October 9 from 5-7

 

  

Three Rivers-Three Artists - October

Painting friends Ellen Mc Donah, Kari Hogden and myself, joining together to paint and display our own interpretations of the Mississippi, Trempealeau and Black Rivers. In the Crush Pad at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery in Trempealeau for the month of October. Reception Sunday, October 18 from 1-4, Meet the Artists.

 

 

 Between the Bluffs Plein Air Painting Festival  -October   

I’ll be participating in the annual event October 2-17.  Show opening Friday, Oct. 18 and weekend sale in La Crosse at Gallery 1802. Quick Paint Competition Friday morning at Myrick Park. More at betweenthebluffs.com. Experience dozens of artists creating their impression of the La Crosse area.

 

 

 

 Identity Group Show-December-January

My self portrait painting was accepted into the group show Identity at the Pumphouse Regional Arts Center in La Crosse.Opening Friday, December 4, 5-7. Show ends January 10, 2027.

 

 

 

 Coming Down-Last Days

 Show Ends Sunday, Sept. 27

 From Great to Grand  -Join me on my last day a viewing of fresh off the easel paintings of Grand Marais from 10-2

My artistic endeavor to capture the views, along the Great River Road and Grand Marais, through my paintings. 

 Out and About 

Steps to the Dolmen 8x10 oil framed

Sunday, Oct. 4 from Noon -5

at Kinstone’s Fall Open House

S3439 Cole Bluff Road, Fountain City

The season is winding down with fall open house at Kinstone’s Enjoy a free event with live music, kids activities. Kristine Beck welcomes artists to paint or sketch during the event. You’ll find many amazing things to capture. Hoping to do come plein air painting during the open house. Check out the gift shop for more of my paintings. 

 

 

Also stop in at Red Pines Café on Brice Prairie. Featuring my oil paintings, of life on the Prairie, in their gift shop.

 

Inquires cshoreartwork@gmail.com