Goose Island Getaway

Not far from the south end of La Crosse, WI, is Goose Island County Park. Set among the back sloughs of the Mississippi where you can lose time and place. I'm finding I don't have to go far from home to find these tranquil spots in nature.

Goose Island Bluffs 8x10

It's been depressing to not be able to venture to the warmer states of the south for the upcoming winter months and escape with the snow birds of Wisconsin. My hopes of painting in National Parks capturing their profound beauty has to be put on hold, in order to beat the Pandemic. It has caused me to review what is around me and try to capture the local beauty. 

Slough Trail 8x10

I think I forgot what a special place we live in. Forgive me for my oversight as I dedicate my focus back on the Driftless Region and all it's loveliness.

Southern Exposure 8x10

It was especially beautiful since the fall colors were at their peak.

Goose Island Backwaters 8x10

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original oil paintings, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. Thanks for viewing.

Invite to Paint

My friend Karen reached out to me on one of those beautiful fall days with an invitation. Enticing me with news of golden leaves surrounding the valley she lives in, named End of the Rainbow.

I couldn't resist the chance to reconnect and share a moment with her plus an opportunity to paint plein air. The timing was perfect, the sun was just right, the trees were shimmering. After a few strokes onto my canvas I discovered I had no medium for thinning my oils. I conferred with my host for any walnut oil she might have, since I'd used that before and settled on olive oil. Why not, what did I have to lose, I was here to paint.

End of the Rainbow

 

As it turns out, it wasn't the best choice. The paint did glide on smoothly and I finished my painting later to find out that this moment in time may be fleeting. The paint may never dry. Now we wait. 

As life goes, I don't regret or want to dwell too much on the misfortune of my artistic efforts. It was a beautiful day with a friend and I have a wonderful shared memory.

Farm Games 5x7

Tractor Days 8x10

As always I took lots of photos of the farm for my studio paintings. Karen puts a lot of artistic flair in the landscape. I found her collection of artifacts along a post on her porch reminded me of a totem of  interesting objects she had collected. My favorite is the Picassoeske painting she displays in the chicken coop. I guess it isn't so bad being detained if you have art to look at.

Rural Totem 5x7

Cooped Up 8x10

Red seems to be a common thread is the rural landscape. I'm just drawn to painting them.

Tree House 5x7

Barn Dance 11x14

After a lovely day with a great friend and a lesson learned.

Man plans, Goats laugh 8x10

Falling for Color

 The greens of summer have given way to the drama of fall. It can be difficult to render all the greens we have in Midwest. Summer rain makes for such a lush valley but after awhile it becomes kinda mundane and the artist in me loves the change of season and the change of color to paint.

Here are some of my latest oil paintings celebrating color. 

From a woodland hike at Pike Lake State Park in the heart of Kettle Moraine.

Woodland Yellows 8x10

To the highway 35 overlook of Lake Onalaska.

Onalaska Overlook 8x10

Just down the street from me a neighbors glorious riot of color that greets me as I return home.

Neighboring Maples 8x10

I fortunately don't have to look far from home to see some beautiful sights.

Decisions before November

Amedaus watching the Music 8x10

A couple of my latest to share. Amedaus, gift for the givers and Prine, birthday celebration, cria of Millie for Magic Willows Alpacas.

Prine 5x7

Hopefully looking though your photos and picking just the perfect one will be the hardest decision you make in the near future. 

From Drawing to Painting

Shepherds Path 8x10

 Another artist gathering last month to draw, lead me to create paintings from the bucolic setting of Lynne's homestead. Inspired by her lovely locale and her herd of Clun Forest sheep.

Girls United 8x10

Home Away 5x7

My colored drawing using marker of barn at Lynne's.

Getting Out There-Kinstone

 

Morning Cup of Sol 8x10

Kinstone located on the top of the bluff near Fountain City, WI celebrated their Fall Open House with music, food, informative talks and a chance for artists to paint onsite this past weekend. They set up a gallery and gift shop for visitors.

 

This modern megalithic site has lots of inspiration to create. Kristine Beck shared some of her photos with me to help me capture some of the uniqueness and creatures that occupy the landscape in these paintings. Others are from past visits I've made and of course my plein air paintings from the weekend.

 

Here's a place to "must visit" when touring the Driftless area. Check it out kinstonecircle.com 

 

 

Cultured Stone framed 8x10

 

Spring Arrives-Kinstone 8x10

Bee Haven 5x7

Two Witnesses 8x10

Amazing Goats framed 8x10

Standing Together framed 8x10

Megalithic Memories framed 8x10

It was a great weekend to meet fellow artists from Minnesota and share experiences. Painting outside was a bit on the cool side on Saturday but I layered and didn't get too cold except the hands and nose. Sunday was wonderful with lots of sunshine and great shadows. I created two plein air works and sold one along with three of my studio works. After painting for about three hours I switched to some drawing. 

It's another milestone in my painting journey as there are now people I don't know and may never have the pleasure of meeting that now own one of my paintings. Hopefully I'll be able to participate again at their May Open House in spring. I took lots of photos to be inspired for the winter.

Chapel 8x10 SOLD

Ridgeview Neighbors 8x10 SOLD