Connecting Within the Community

I participated in one of La Crosse's Second Saturdays Art Market in September. Meeting new art collectors at the market can be very rewarding. Sometimes you even re-meet someone that crossed your path once upon a time. A brief conversation can reveal past connections.

I had a nice chat with the musician that played the piano at my wedding some 34 years ago. Another gentleman walked the same halls at the Fine Arts Building on the UW-La Crosse campus during my enrollment.

These connections are rich in bonding us to our place in the community. A nice plus my benefiting my search for unique landscapes in the area.The former student of the arts invited me to paint at his old farmstead, outside of Mindoro, featuring a wonderful set of farm buildings including an updated log cabin from the 1850's. Everything was rich in textures and time.

Elder Acres Farmstead 8x10

Land of Milk &... 5x7

Ye Old Tree 8x10

Nodding Approval 8x10

There's nothing like having the opportunity to set up my paints and take in the ambience of a new place. While painting plein air the old tree I was able to capture with my camera a woodpecker enjoying a ripe sunflower. If you have a special place that is sure to inspire let me know.

I hope to take part of the Art Market again next year. I also have plans to display at River City Gallery in La Crosse this coming November, thanks to the La Crosse Society of Arts and Crafts. More on that in my next blog.