Spiritual Destination

On a sunny winter day I had the pleasure to join a friend for a walk on the grounds of The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, WI. Thankful for a warmer day and a contemplative walk.

I was inspired by the art and architecture  to make these paintings.

With the bluff landscape in the background the easy walking trail takes you past the Votive Candle Chapel.

Chapel 8x10

Here a statue of Saint Kateri Tekawitha is a nice resting spot, she was the first Native American named to sainthood.

St. Kateri  8x10

Another place to reflect is the Memorial to the Unborn.

Memorial 8x10

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original unframed oil paintings on canvas panels, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com.

 

Backyard Bob

Bob, a welcome sight in Joyce’s backyard. He hides out under the white pine and greets her in the mornings for a breakfast of corn and suet. A happy addition to the neighborhood this Northern Bobwhite Quail has endeared himself to the locals and has his own tale. One morning he showed up suffering an injured foot.  After caring individuals helped Bob get back on his feet, he now’s back to enjoying dust baths and his human covey.

Braving the Winter 8x10

My friend, Mashkodessi 8x10

Titling a painting can be a very personal matter. It was appreciated that Joyce who commissioned Bob' portrait came up with these titles. I learned the Maskkodessi is from the Ojibje language meaning quail and meadow bird.

 

I enjoy creating paintings to capture memories and moments in someones life. If you're interested I'd be happy to discuss a commission with you. Contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. No obligations.

Commissions accepted from your own photos for oil painting on panels. Pricing begins at $50 for an 8x10 (unframed)-$70 for an 11x14 (unframed). For each additional animal in the portrait add another $20. Shipping is extra (if needed) and generally runs, $8-$15 dollars in the U.S. depending on the location. These are common sizes allowing you to purchase ready made frames. Keep in mind no glass or matting needed for an oil painting.

Please allow 4-8 weeks to complete. 

                     

The process includes the time to confer back and forth plus the time to dry.

Wings on the Water

Besides painting, I've been anxiously awaiting the many birds who will be returning this spring. Painting animals does pose it's challenges, you want them to be identifiable. Fortunately, unlike pet portraits, they don't have the owners perspective and emotional connection to meet. I think I'm getting the hang of brushing on those feathers. Hope you enjoy these oil paintings on panels from past photos of some of my favorite birds found in our waterways.

Green's My Color 8x10 

This Green Heron I saw on a camping trip to Highland Ridge ACOE campground. She really likes to blend in with her favorite color.

Wading to Return 8x10

The Blue Heron was wintering in Big Bend National Park. One one my favorite fellow campers.

Me and My Gal 8x10

This lovely pair of Sandhill Cranes were waiting for the water to go down at Perrot State Park. Spring thaw had filled up Trempealeau Bay.

On My Way 5x7

 Pelicans a joy to see in the air or on the water. They cause quite a stir with those big feet.

Who Me? 8x10

We know you may hardly recognize this ugly duckling. They have returned to Trempealeau Bay on their way north. The beautiful Trumpeter Swans.

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original unframed oil paintings on canvas panels, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. Be sure to follow my blog for an April pop up show on my deck when the weather permits.

Braving the Winter

Like most of you we didn't go anywhere this winter due to Covid. Hunkering down, trying to stay warm and getting my creative on was about the only thing on my agenda. 

Robins, our harbingers of spring, sometimes hang out in Wisconsin for the winter. Local birding enthusiast Victoria Goetting, captured this Robin with her camera in February. Inspired by her photo and with her blessing I translated it into this painting. 

I appreciate how hard it is to capture images of our feathered friends and thoroughly enjoy the Coulee Region Audubon  Sighting page on facebook.

Chilling 8x10

Since it's been a long winter at home in my studio I find I'll be reaching my 300th painting this spring. This translates to planning a pop up gathering of my artwork. As soon as we have a break in the weather and the snow is gone, I'll be setting up outside on my deck for a safe way to view available paintings. You can get up to date information by following my blog or I also manage a facebook page called CShore (not Colleen Shore) that you can follow where I re-post all my blog information. 

For questions or purchasing my oil paintings please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. Thanks for viewing.

Looking back it's been a very productive path starting with painting in oils after retiring in Nov. of 2019 and I began blogging my progress two years ago this March. Looking forward to meeting more people through my art and attending some workshops.

 

Note The exhibition of "The Moment 2020" hosted by the city of La Crosse includes my painting "Awakening". This grouping of artists works will be on display beginning March 8 at the La Crosse Public Library on Main Street

 Next week-More Birds