Where you can find my Art-2026 updated

Join me in 2026 for the following displays and events:

Ice Flow 12 x24 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

The Color of Music-March

The Dubuque Art Museum in conjunction with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, will feature my painting Ice Flow in an art exhibition of 30 works inspired by Finlandia, March 6-8.

Drawn Together -March

I'm joining my artist friends from Drawn Together, a weekly drawing group, for a joint show at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery in the Crush Pad for the month of March. Closing Reception Sunday, March 29 from 1-4.

Refuge Reflections- March to May 

Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Brice Prairie has a selection of  my artwork, framed and unframed. Beginning with prairie inspired paintings and changing to a celebration of birds in April/May. Located in the Prairie Wind Nature Store, thanks to the Friends of Refuge Pools 7 and 8.  

 

 

 Kinstone, Spring Open House –May

Celebrate Kinstone’s season opener Sunday, May 3 for an afternoon of music, food and programs near Fountain City. I’ll be painting onsite to add to my collection of paintings in the gift shop, into the fall. Check out my paintings featuring Kinstone. More at Kinstonecircle.com

 

Myths & Legends of Minnesota- May to Sept. 

An exhibition from the Minnesota Plein Air Collective will be on display at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona. Beginning May 16 through Sept 13. My painting Washed Ashore was accepted for this honor.

 

Artists Along the Trail, Plein Air Event –June 

Sat. June 6, from 7am-11am, Plein Air Painting in Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, followed by lunch 11:30-1pm at the OWL Center, sponsored by the Friends of Trempealeau Refuge. Enjoy walking around the refuge and seeing what artists are creating, then join the artists and Friends group for a complimentary lunch.

 

Artists from the Refuge-June 

Refuge Artists display at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery, in Trempealeau, in the Crush Pad for the month of June, closing reception Sunday, June 28 from 1-4. Plus I’ll be joining other artists to plein air paint during Sunday’s Street Market at Elmaro every Sunday in June 1-4.

 

From Great to Grand - Aug. to Sept.

My artistic endeavor to capture the views along the Great River Road and Grand Marais, through my paintings.  Opening August 12 through September 27. Reception Friday 15, 5:30 to 8 at Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona

 

 

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 (TBA).            

                                                                                                                                                                                 

Between the Bluffs Plein Air Painting Festival  -October   

I’ll be participating in the annual event for 2026 October 2-17.  Show opening Friday, Oct. 18 and weekend sale in La Crosse at Gallery 1802. Quick Paint Competition Saturday morning. More at betweenthebluffs.com. Experience dozens of artists creating their impression of the La Crosse area.

 

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

 

Painting is my passion as a visual artist. Working with oils in my Onalaska home studio and outside, plein air. I'm creating art inspired by my surroundings in order to connect and engage others to embrace the extraordinary. Always searching to discover new techniques to try on canvas.

Inquires cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

Model at the RAD

Pose 1 8x10  oil $75

Drawn Together group gathered at The RAD (Rivoli Arts District) to sketch or paint on Wednesday. I've done it once before and found it challenging. Poses were held at the beginning for 10 minutes changing to 20 toward the end. I had toned some panels before the session so I would have time for a quick sketch. The following day in my studio I painted some more. Here are the results.
 

Pose 2 8x10 oil $75

Pose 3 8x10 oil $75

Pose 4 8x10 oil $75 

Thanks to Juliet Maya and our model Julia. There are regular drawing and painting session at the RAD.

 

Colleen, Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

 

Our group Drawn Together has a group show of some of its members coming upp in March at Elmaro. Hope you join us. 

Absence makes 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  

 

Working on my Still Life's

Breakfast at Poggios 8x10 oil 

Winter is a busy time for me to paint. From getting outside plein air painting the snow to getting ready for shows. My upcoming show at The Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona, MN will have my display of still life's in the entry gallery. 

Loved the ambience of breakfast at my farm-stay in Tuscany, Italy. We could make our own soft-boiled eggs and they had the cutest cups for eating them. Every morning it brought a smile to my face.

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

No More Plein Air til it Warms Up

 On a nice sunny day (January 8) three of us artists, myself, Ellen and Betsy,  plein air painted at the Great River Landing Overlook in Onalaska.

I got my color notes and the gist of it, then completed in the studio putting in the train from a photo I took while on site.

Great River Route 11x14 oil unframed $150

Maybe February the cold snap will break. Watch for another Pop Up Plein Air  by following the group page Between the Bluffs Painters. Come join us to sketch, paint or visit. 

 

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Live Model Painting Sessions at the RAD

 Rivoli Arts District, a great addition to the arts community, has live models to paint or draw from. I haven't had the opportunity to try out my oil paints on a live model so I thought I'd better give it a try. For $15 you get to set up for 3 hours, the model takes a stretch break around every 20 minutes. then resumes the position. After plein air painting this is right up there with being challenging. I did do some adjustments at home in my studio this am.

I have to apologize to our lovely model, Julia, my skills aren't up to par, but what I lack I make up with bold brush strokes and lots of color. Very fun and I knew so many of the other artists it was a very comfortable atmosphere.

 Will have to go again. Thank you Sandra

 They have drawing sessions too! 

 

 

  

From Artesa website---

Life Painting Sessions/Open Studio at Artesã

(ONLY 8 ARTISTS PER SESSION - SAVE YOUR SPOT!)

Life Model Painting Sessions at RAD Gallery 3hrs-same pose.

Fee: $15 Artists/ $10 Students

Upcoming Dates & Times (Thursdays):
Jan 15, 2026 - 12:30-3:30 PM (Model: Julia)
Jan 22, 2026 - 12:30-3:30 PM (Model: Julia)
Jan 29, 2026 - 12:30-3:30 PM (Model: Julia)
Feb 5, 2026 - 12:30-3:30 PM (Model: Chelsea)

Location:
Artesã Studio, Rivoli Arts Building (RAB)
123 4th St N Suite #411 (RAD Gallery) , La Crosse, WI 54601

If you are joining us please email/Txt/RSVP us

📧 contact@artesagallery.org | 📞 (412) 862-6114 (Sandra)
RSVP: www.artesagallery.org/rsvp

A few more Under the Tree

 

Lily's Place 8x10 oil

Muffin's Place 8x10 oil

Creating  Christmas Gifts for a couple of members of a family. Special places where memories are made with a couple of favorite pets.

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail com 

Under the Tree

 

Maui Lisa

 I wanted to share some of my commissions from 2025 that have now been gifted.

Love the title the client came up with as they shared the memory of a sunset on Maui. 

Inquires cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

January's Wolf Moon

I spent the weekend chasing the Wolf Moon. Only managed to catch it once from Apple Blossom Park overlook in Minnesota on Friday. Tried Moon-sets as well and it was always overcast. With the help of AI I managed to narrow down time for our location in the Midwest. With a little more help from family in California and Arizona I had more photo images to paint from.  

Wolf Moon Rise 8x10 oil $75

Fridays moon rise over Wisconsin Bluffs. As I searched around the area I now found some great places to see the moon come up for future Full Moons

Moon Magnet 8x10 oil $75

Thanks to Sydney's friend in Sacramento, CA, he caught this great juxtaposition of the moon and water globe in their courtyard.

Moon Over the Catalinas 8x10 SOLD

Thanks to Howard in Tuscon, AZ for the moon coming up over the mountains catching the suns last rays. 

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Next up Snow Moon, Sunday, February 1

 

My goal to paint every full moon in 2026 as my personal nocturne challenge. Now the search is on as to where I'll capture if in it's full glory and figuring out when in the nighttime it appears. If it's cloudy out I'll just have to paint what the moon illuminates.

Previous Full Moon Paintings 

Last Super Moon of  2025 -Cold Moon December 3, 2025
 

Cold Moon of  December 8x10 oil 

New Year Happenings for 2026

 

Thank you for a wonderful 2025 

and supporting my artistic en-devours.

Painting is my passion as a visual artist. Working with oils in my Onalaska home studio and outside, plein air. I'm creating art inspired by my surroundings in order to connect and engage others to embrace the extraordinary. Always searching to discover new techniques to try on canvas.

                              Join me in 2026 for the following displays and events:

Driftless Exhibit at Winona Historical Center-Dec. 2025- Feb. 2026

My painting Goose Island Retreat is part of a curated exhibit showcasing what makes this area so special. Show ends Feb. 27.  Slaggie Family Lobby Gallery is free to visit.

I'm joining my artist friends from Drawn Together, a weekly drawing group, for a joint show at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery in the Crush Pad for the month of March.

 

Kinstone-Spring Open House –May

Celebrate Kinstone’s season opener Sunday, May 3 for an afternoon of music, food and programs near Fountain City. I’ll be painting onsite to add to my display in the gift shop. Check out my paintings featuring Kinstone. More at Kinstonecircle.com

 

Artists Along the Trail-Plein Air Event –June 

Sat. June 6, from 7am-11am, Plein Air Painting in Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, followed by lunch 11:30-1pm at the OWL Center, sponsored by the Friends of Trempealeau Refuge. Enjoy walking around the refuge and seeing what artists are creating, then join the artists and Friends group for a complimentary lunch.

 

 Artists from the Refuge-June 

Refuge Artists display at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery in Trempealeau in the Crush Pad for the month of June, closing reception Sunday, June 28 from 1-4. Plus I’ll be joining other artists to plein air paint during Sunday’s Street Market at Elmaro every Sunday in June 1-4.

 

From Great to Grand  -Aug.-Sept.

My artistic endeavor to capture the views, along the Great River Road and Grand Marais, through my paintings.  Opening August 12 through September 27. Reception (TBA) at Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona

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 (TBA).                                                                                                                                                                                              

 Between the Bluffs Plein Air Painting Festival  -October   

I’ll be participating in the annual event for 2026 October 2-17.  Show opening Friday, Oct. 18 and weekend sale in La Crosse at Gallery 1802. Quick Paint Competition Saturday morning. More at betweenthebluffs.com. Experience dozens of artists creating their impression of the La Crosse area.

 

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