Exploring the Marsh

Fall Marsh Walk 8x10 oil unframed $75

In September I ventured out to the La Crosse River Marsh to check out locations for the upcoming Plein Air Between the Bluffs. After a lovely walk along the paths I couldn't help making a few paintings in back in my studio.

Below are my inspirations.

This first weekend in October the plein air festival has begun, so I got up early to catch the morning light. It didn't pan out like I hoped. The best laid plans for plein air are somewhat futile when weather is relied on.

I'd did a small 8x10 (to be revealed  later) and got the foundation started for another painting. I thought I'd return and finished it as a sunset but when I came back all the colors were washed out by the strong sun Now I will just have to get up early again another morning to complete my vision. One can only hope.

Today I'm going out to Kinstone to paint during their fall open house. It was one of the first places that I publicly painted and I feel like returning to my roots and enjoy the music and views.   

Marsh Wakeup Call 8x10 oil unframed $75

Marsh Intrusion 8x10 oil unframed $75

Marsh Still Life 8x10 oil unframed $75

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

September's Harvest Moon

 September's Harvest Moon didn't disappoint. I decided to try and paint plein air the moon rising over Cedar Creek Golf Course in Onalaska. I made arrangements and got the ok. There were some clouds bu the moon rose above them. When I began to paint the sunset was highlighting some trees as they were turning into their fall colors. I had to do some more work in the studio adjusting colors to what I remembered. You may notice July's Buck Moon was from about the same angle done from a photo.

The next morning I thought I catch the moon setting. This lead me on a trip to La Crosse as I had got up around 4 and it was still high in the sky. My goal had been to also find some interesting nocturne spots. The early morning was a buzz with people. I then realized it was parade day for Oktoberfest. This made for some interesting conversations and capture a few folks sitting along the route that had already started to party. I ended up finding this seen along an alley with highlights from a street light and the moon also was in view.

Only three more months til I'm done with my year of painting the full moon. 

Harvest Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

Moon Over Cedar Creek 8x10 oil unframed $75

  August 2026 Sturgeon Moon 

  

Sturgeon Moon 8x10 oil SOLD

From family in Tuscon the cottage cheese like clouds parted long enough for a peak at the glowing moon. Thanks Howard.

Clouds over Tuscon 5x7 oil unframed $75

July 2026  Buck Moon 

 

Buck Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 

Moon Rings 6x8 oil unframed $50

 June 2026 Strawberry Moon

Strawberry Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 May 2026 Flower Moon

Flower Moon 8x10 oil unframed SOLD

Aprils 2026 Pink Moon

Pink Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

 March 2026 Blood Moon 

Blood Moon 8x10 oil SOLD

 February 2026 Snow Moon

Snow Moon 8x10 oil unframed $75

Drawn to the Light 8x10 oil unframed SOLD

Neighborhood Night Light 8x10 oil unframed $75

 January 2026 Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon Rise 8x10 oil unframed $75

Moon Magnet 8x10 oil unframed $75

Moon Over the Catalinas 8x10 SOLD

Last Super Moon of  2025 -December's Cold Moon

Cold Moon of  December 8x10 oil SOLD

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

Places to Plein Air-La Crosse River Marsh

 

Miller's Bluff 8x10 oil unframed $75

Early this summer artists where invited to plein air at an event for the Nature Place in Myrick Park for their Heart of Art event.

I've always found lots of inspiration along the trails. Many of my earlier paintings featured the marsh. I'm thinking of returning my focus back there along the trails for Between the Bluffs Plein Air Festival. 

Stop by Myrick Park on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 10-1 for the Quick Paint Challenge you will definitely see artists painting.

betweenthebluffs.com

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

 

 

Where to See My Art 

 

 It's been a busy year and the last months of 2026 are full of plein air festivals, displays going up and coming down. I'll start with what's coming up then at the end of this blog are the shows that will be coming down and the last days to see them.

 Up and Coming Openings

   

 The Confluence of Art at Pablo Center -September-November

Three of my paintings were accepted into the upcoming show The Confluence of Art at Eau Claire's Pablo Center. On display from September 28-November 22. Reception Friday, October 9 from 5-7

 

  

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 Sunday, October 18 from 1-4, Meet the Artists.

 

 

 Between the Bluffs Plein Air Painting Festival  -October   

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

 

 

 

 Identity Group Show-December-January

My self portrait painting was accepted into the group show Identity at the Pumphouse Regional Arts Center in La Crosse.Opening Friday, December 4, 5-7. Show ends January 10, 2027.

 

 

 

 Coming Down-Last Days

 Show Ends Sunday, Sept. 27

 From Great to Grand  -Join me on my last day a viewing of fresh off the easel paintings of Grand Marais from 10-2

My artistic endeavor to capture the views, along the Great River Road and Grand Marais, through my paintings. 

 Out and About 

Steps to the Dolmen 8x10 oil framed

Sunday, Oct. 4 from Noon -5

at Kinstone’s Fall Open House

S3439 Cole Bluff Road, Fountain City

The season is winding down with fall open house at Kinstone’s Enjoy a free event with live music, kids activities. Kristine Beck welcomes artists to paint or sketch during the event. You’ll find many amazing things to capture. Hoping to do come plein air painting during the open house. Check out the gift shop for more of my paintings. 

 

 

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 

Last Day for Breakfast with my Art-Sunday, Sept. 27

 I'll be hanging out at Blue Heron Coffeehouse on Sunday, September 27 from 10-2. 

I've just come back from Grand Marais painting during the plein air festival and gaining lots of inspiration from my workshops. I'll be bring some of those paintings with me on Sunday for a one day viewing and they will also be available for purchase. 

It's my last day for the show "From Great to Grand", thank you for viewing my art.

 Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com

 

Where Else to See My Art  

 

 The Confluence of Art at Pablo Center -September-November

Three of my paintings were accepted into the upcoming show The Confluence of Art at Eau Claire's Pablo Center. On display from September 28-November 22. Reception Friday, October 9 from 5-7

 

  

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 Sunday, October 18 from 1-4, Meet the Artists.

  

 Between the Bluffs Plein Air Painting Festival  -October   

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

 

 

 

 Identity Group Show-December-January

My self portrait painting was accepted into the group show Identity at the Pumphouse Regional Arts Center in La Crosse.Opening Friday, December 4, 5-7. Show ends January 10, 2027.

 

 Out and About 

Steps to the Dolmen 8x10 oil framed

Sunday, Oct. 4 from Noon -5

at Kinstone’s Fall Open House

S3439 Cole Bluff Road, Fountain City

The season is winding down with fall open house at Kinstone’s Enjoy a free event with live music, kids activities. Kristine Beck welcomes artists to paint or sketch during the event. You’ll find many amazing things to capture. Hoping to do come plein air painting during the open house. Check out the gift shop for more of my paintings. 

 

 

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 

Do you know the way to Grand Marais?

If you haven't been there, Grand Marais is located on the the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. This quaint village along the shore offers picturesque combinations of rocks, waves and historic buildings.

 I just returned from a visit to the Y Camp Menogyn next to the boundries waters and a stay in Grand Marais to participate in Plein Air Festival. 

After 12 days of paintings here are the results of 15 plein air paintings. I found new homes for a few and will bring the rest to celebrate the last day of my art exhibit " From Great to Grand" this Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10-2 at Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona, Minnesota.

 

Inquiries cshoreartwork@gmail.com 

My entry for Open Class Competition 

Morning Guard 8x10 oil Sold

Good time at Camp Menogyn, Finally had the chance to paint the Milky Way

Menogyn Milky Way 8x10 oil SOLD

Morning at Menogyn 8x10 oil

Campfire Spot 8x10 oil

Dock by the Bay 8x10 oil

Along the Gunflint Trail

Caribou Overlook 8x10 oil 

                                          Before arriving at Grand Marais along the way

Grandview Rocks 8x10 oil

 

Mesmerized by the Rocks

Rock Study 8x10 oil

The Worlds Best Donuts before opening

Ready for Donuts 8x10 oil

 

Caught some waves on a windy day 

Wave Action 8x10 oil Sold

 

Sunrise from the Campground in Grand Marais 

 

Rise and Shine 8x10 oil

 

Last Painting of the Week across from Johnson Heritage Center

 

Standing Tall 8x10 oil

 

On the Way to Grand Marais, a stop at Wisconsin State Park Amnicon Falls

Amnicon Falls 8x10 oil

Nocturne-opps for got to take a final photo 

Night Fishing 8x10 oil Sold

 

Quick Paint Challenge 

Camoflage 8x10 oil