CShoreArtwork: Great to Grand Online-Reception Friday, August 14 from 5-7 Blue Heron Coffeehouse Winona

Welcome to my show From Great to Grand

The show title was partially inspired by trips I’ve take to the North Shore of Minnesota. More specifically the areas around Grand Marais. As a member of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota I joined fellow artists for a week long adventure painting at Sugarloaf Cabins in Schroeder, MN. It allowed me to paint from Grand Portage to Grand Marais and many beautiful spots along the way.

The other inspiration The Great River Road is the area around where I live and play. From Lansing, Iowa through La Crosse, Wisconsin up to Winona, Minnesota. I never tire of the subject matter. Each adventure out to paint keeps me busy in the field plein air painting and in my studio.

In addition, I've created a collection of still lives focusing on Good Eats from around the area. After taking oil painting classes and exploring new techniques with Casey Wicka at the Winona Arts Center I couldn’t resist the temptation to explore this subject matter more through my painting.

Painting is my passion as a visual artist. Working in oils in my Town of Onalaska home studio and outside plein air. I continue to experiment by incorporating cold wax and creating different surfaces and techniques. I’m dedicated to creating art inspired by my surroundings in order to connect and engage others to embrace the extraordinary.

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Follow me on Facebook page CShore

Red Dot indicates painting has SOLD

August 5 through September 27

at Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona.

A little bit about my paintings-

The first two are my most recent paintings, that I wanted to capture for the exhibit. Hollow Rock is a popular subject matter for many artists, located just north of Grand Marais. I found it a bit difficult to find, but persistence paid off. You gotta love to paint rocks because pretty much everywhere you look they define the landscape.

I challenged myself with a larger 16x120 painting in oil and cold wax of rocks along the shore. I had done many 8x10's to explore the colors of the rocks (all have found homes) and felt it was time to expand the subject matter in my studio.

Hollow Rock 8x10 oil framed $150

Superior Waves 16x20 oil and cold wax framed $595

Sugarloaf Cabins in Schroeder, were I stayed is located on the banks of Lake Superior. In August each year, OPM Event Organizer, Allison hosts a paint out at her family cabins. It affords sunrise views, night sky shows of the northern lights and a perfect place to gather with other artists after venturing out to paint.

I had to get up early to catch the summer sunrise over the lake, but it was always worth it. Another easy morning outing was just up the road at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. A short hike down a slope lead to a quiet secluded cove with of course lots of rocks. From cobblestone beaches to large rock formations leading into the water.

Sunrise at Sugarloaf II llx14 oil on cradled panel $350

Rocky Cove 11x14 oil framed $350

Sugarloaf Cove 11x14 oil framed $350

On my first trip North I meet another artist Susan, who asked me to join her to paint. Not being familiar with the area it was a blessing as I could have spent hours trying to decide locations not to mention getting lost. We set up to paint at Taconite Harbor a location of the mining industries. We had to paint fast as the biting flies wouldn't leave us alone. Another spot was Temperance River Falls which I never would have found. Which ever way we looked it was beautiful.

On my second trip I was told about another section of Temperance River, a favorite spot of the locals. Many people were there jumping off the rocks into deep water holes. I started out a painting and switched techniques after awhile really loosening up with my pallet knife. It made me nervous watching people disappear over rocks and I couldn't concentrate on details.

Taconite Harbor 11x14 oil on cradles panel $350

Temperance River Falls 8x10 oil framed $150

Untempered 11x14 oil framed $350

Venturing into Grand Marais, for the first time during my stay at the cabins, I captured the scenes with my camera. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the views along artist point and the harbor. So I spend time exploring along the paths and taking in the views for future reference photos to paint from in the studio.This is where so much happens during the Plein Air Grand Marais festivities and I needed to just absorb the influences. Even spent some time and money at the fantastic Joy & Company artist supply store. Susan was more than happy to shop along and share her favorite items.

The fourth of these painting below, A Day in the Harbor, I was able to settle in at the park to plein air paint. I spend the day painting this scene and the local flowers while enjoying sunshine and people that stopped to chat.

Rocky Lighthouse Path 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

Artists View Grand Marais 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

Grand Marais Harbor 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

A Day in the Harbor 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

Walking around Grand Marais, exploring the town and all of it's connections to the lake I came across these weathered buildings I found interesting to paint back in the studio.

Fish Market Parking Only 8x10 oil framed $150

Another Day Ashore 8x10 oil framed $150

Waiting to Launch 8x10 oil framed $150

Winona, Minnesota

Along the Great River Road. The original oil paintings shown below were inspired by my travels across the Mississippi River along Hwy 14 Bridge crossing from Wisconsin to Winona, Minnesota.

Life along the river in Winona captured through boathouses, bridges and and the iconic geography of the bluffs, specifically Sugarloaf. From beach area in the summers to the ice climbing in the winter months.

Down Under Winona 8x10oil framed $150

Winona Boat House 16x16 oil on cradled panel $525

Bridge to Winona 11x14 oil framed $350

Lake Winona 24x12 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Ice Flow 24x12 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

The Other Way 8x10 oil framed $150

Trempealeau, Wisconsin

More along the Great River Road. The original oil paintings shown below were inspired by Trempealeau Refuge and Prairies to the Village of Trempealeau. In addition some of y favorite places to enjoy along the river.

Trempealeau Ridge 12x24 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Marsh Grasses 18x18 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Refuge View 12x24 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Wetland Grasses 18x18 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Prairie Smoke 18x18 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Wild Lupine 18x18 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

A Day Flows by at Cat Daddy's 16x16 oil on cradled panel $525

Music on the Mississippi 16x16 on cradled panel $525

La Crosse and Onalaska, Wisconsin

More along the Great River Road. The original oil paintings shown below were inspired by the many places I hang out in La Crosse and Onalaska along the river.

Copeland Connection 16x16 oil on cradled panel $525

Riverboat Resting Spot 18x18 oil on cradled panel $595

Big Blue Bridge 18x18 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $595

Up River Ride 8x10 oil framed $150

Morning at the River 8x10 oil framed $150

Goose Island Retreat 8x10 oil framed $150

The Overlook on Hwy 35 in Onalaska. Always a great subject matter shared by many.

Times Changing 11x14 oil cold wax on cradled panel $350

On the Edge 11x14 oil on cradled panel $350

Triumvirate of Lake Onalaska 12x16 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $395

Over the Blue Moon 12x16 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $395

Good Morning Sunshine 12x16 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $395

Sunset over the Lake 11x14 oil and cold wax on cradled panel $350

Interstate Connections oil framed $350

La Crescent, Minnesota

More along the Great River Road. The original oil paintings shown below were inspired by my travels across the Cass Street Bridge over Mississippi River into La Crescent and down to Brownsville. Minnesota.

One of my favorite sites is Apple Blossom Overlook Park with its panoramic view of the Upper Mississippi Valley. From spring or fall as depicted in my two paintings below or you can catch a wonderful sun or moonrise there too.

Just down river I always go to the Brownsville Overlook in early November when the Tundra Swans show up in the 1000's.

For Miles and Miles 8x10 oil framed $150

Last Days of Fall 11x14 oil framed $350

Time to Feast 11x14 oil framed $350

Lansing, Iowa

From along the Great River Road. The original oil paintings shown below were inspired by my travels down river with a unique free 12 car ferry ride at Lansing along The Great River Road. Bridges connect us to neighboring states all along the Mississippi River. There are several I need to cross in my ventures up and down, just get to the other side. When a bridge is down or closed many have to drive some distance for the next crossing.

In the case of the 100 year old Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, IA, replacement project due to be completed in 2027, some wise people arranged a car ferry to keep the local economy going on. I'm sure it still had it's inconveniences especially due to weather. The little red boat was moving ice sheets out of the way, that impeded the ferry crossing the river in Spring. I had the chance to take the ferry coming back from Dubuque, approaching Lansing to cross back over to Wisconsin. Lucky me I had some new vantage points to capture for my paintings in the studio.

Check out the videos online of the demolition by KTTC Tv and locals.. Quite the explosion.

In with the New 8x10 oil framed $150

Approach to Lansing 8x10 oil framed $150

Breaking Ice 8x10 oil framed $150

Iowa Great River View 11x14 oil framed $350

Some Good Eats along the Way

Beside paintings featuring Grand Marais areas and stops along the Great River Road I explored the subject matter of still lives. As a tribute to my host Colleen and Larry Wolner owners of Blue Heron Coffeehouse I created these paintings of some of my favorite experiences at their restaurant.

Blue Heron Breakfast 11x14 oil framed $350

Wakeup Winona 8x10 oil framed $150

Ready to Open 8x10 oil framed $150

Morning Muffins 8x10 oil framed $150

Another local venue Two Fathoms Brewery in Winona

Three's Company 8x10 oil framed $150

and what goes better beer?

Mary's Bloody 5x7 oil framed $150

Enjoy more of my still lives from Elmaro Vineyard, Ecker Apple Farm, Red Pines Cafe, Jule Coffee House, Trempealeau Hotel and a place in Italy with my Good Eats display from August 5 through September 27. Can you place the location?