Falling for Color

 The greens of summer have given way to the drama of fall. It can be difficult to render all the greens we have in Midwest. Summer rain makes for such a lush valley but after awhile it becomes kinda mundane and the artist in me loves the change of season and the change of color to paint.

Here are some of my latest oil paintings celebrating color. 

From a woodland hike at Pike Lake State Park in the heart of Kettle Moraine.

Woodland Yellows 8x10

To the highway 35 overlook of Lake Onalaska.

Onalaska Overlook 8x10

Just down the street from me a neighbors glorious riot of color that greets me as I return home.

Neighboring Maples 8x10

I fortunately don't have to look far from home to see some beautiful sights.

Decisions before November

Amedaus watching the Music 8x10

A couple of my latest to share. Amedaus, gift for the givers and Prine, birthday celebration, cria of Millie for Magic Willows Alpacas.

Prine 5x7

Hopefully looking though your photos and picking just the perfect one will be the hardest decision you make in the near future. 

From Drawing to Painting

Shepherds Path 8x10

 Another artist gathering last month to draw, lead me to create paintings from the bucolic setting of Lynne's homestead. Inspired by her lovely locale and her herd of Clun Forest sheep.

Girls United 8x10

Home Away 5x7

My colored drawing using marker of barn at Lynne's.

Getting Out There-Kinstone

 

Morning Cup of Sol 8x10

Kinstone located on the top of the bluff near Fountain City, WI celebrated their Fall Open House with music, food, informative talks and a chance for artists to paint onsite this past weekend. They set up a gallery and gift shop for visitors.

 

This modern megalithic site has lots of inspiration to create. Kristine Beck shared some of her photos with me to help me capture some of the uniqueness and creatures that occupy the landscape in these paintings. Others are from past visits I've made and of course my plein air paintings from the weekend.

 

Here's a place to "must visit" when touring the Driftless area. Check it out kinstonecircle.com 

 

 

Cultured Stone framed 8x10

 

Spring Arrives-Kinstone 8x10

Bee Haven 5x7

Two Witnesses 8x10

Amazing Goats framed 8x10

Standing Together framed 8x10

Megalithic Memories framed 8x10

It was a great weekend to meet fellow artists from Minnesota and share experiences. Painting outside was a bit on the cool side on Saturday but I layered and didn't get too cold except the hands and nose. Sunday was wonderful with lots of sunshine and great shadows. I created two plein air works and sold one along with three of my studio works. After painting for about three hours I switched to some drawing. 

It's another milestone in my painting journey as there are now people I don't know and may never have the pleasure of meeting that now own one of my paintings. Hopefully I'll be able to participate again at their May Open House in spring. I took lots of photos to be inspired for the winter.

Chapel 8x10 SOLD

Ridgeview Neighbors 8x10 SOLD

 

Getting My Ducks in A Row

Here's two more for Magic Willows Alpacas in Hartford, WI . Some of her Peking Ducks and Penny the Border Collie who helps out around the place will be joining her herd of paintings soon.

Ducks in a Row 8x10

 

Penny 8x10 

 

 

Now it's time to get my ducks in a row. I've completed another 100 paintings bringing my total body of work to 200. I know there's still room for development and hope to push myself in the coming year. 

 

I can say that I've tried a few new things this past year with incorporating people into my subject matter and even a few self portraits. By far my biggest success has been pet portraits which was launched after participating in the Heart to Heart Pet Life Line Fundraiser for pet portraits.

 

I also finally "did it" with a Plein Air Quick Paint Challenge and have manage to get out there and paint in nature. I tried some smaller 5x7 inch paintings and went big with a Perrot State Park sign. Will see what's to come this next year. Hopefully I'll get to participate in a workshop and increase my skills. 

Now it's time to show off and organize those paintings I still have to sell. Thinking about a outdoor viewing of my paintings in the coming weeks. Something where we can all feel comfortable and safe. Please let me know if you are interested in stopping over by appointment, especially before the weather changes. Leave a message on the post or email me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for checking into my blogspot.

Colleen

Oh yeah, I found a purdy little kitty portrait to paint. This is Baby who is Bunny (my feral cat) neighbor.

Baby Face 8x10

Quick Paint Competition

 

Down by the River 8x10

I finally took the leap and participated in my first event with local Plein Air Between the Bluffs Quick Paint Competition. It was invigorating. The heavy rain stopped in time and a light drizzle added to the challenge of depicting atmosphere. Also thanks to my husband who was watching the clock for me and for moral support. 

How it works, is each artist has 2 hours to paint, frame and turn in their work. Panels are stamped prior to entering the competition which began at 10am on Saturday the 12. You could paint anywhere in the area but remember the farther away you go the longer it takes to get to the turn in station. Afterwards they are judged and prizes are awarded. Thanks to the La Crosse Society of Arts and Crafts and the Between the Bluffs Plein Air organization.

 

 

This years event is just the quick paint competition due to Covid pandemic and usually comprises a week long of painting by many more artists culminating in a gallery celebration at the end of the week. Maybe next year I'll be ready for a full event.

Being my first event I was of course anxious and needed to prepare. I scouted out a site to focus on. I made sure I did this at the same time of day 10am so I would see the shadows. Of course that would be under the assumption it would be a sunny day. I took lots of photos so I could go back to  my studio and sort through the options.

I found what I was looking for, some level ground out of the way of people using the park and not to far from the turn in station.

In order to see if I could make it happen I sketched from the photo I decided on and then did a painting in my studio to see if I could accomplish a painting in the time allowed but with out the stress.

Riverside Park 8x10

 

 

Thinking I had a strong composition I just hoped for good weather. Now I had to do a practice run on site and with all the elements of weather, onlookers and what ever else might distract me.

Fortunately I had a beautiful day and many kind people to cheer me on. One thing I did differently was to try it horizonally. You can really see how different one location can change due to the weather and from being there in person to painting from a photo.

La Crosse's Riverside 8x10

Memorable Moments at Merrick

Moments to Remember- Merrick 8x10

Getting outdoors to paint has been one of my hurdles. 

This time, a scheduled camping trip to Merrick State Park near Fountain City, WI, was ideal. We were able to take in the beautiful backwaters of the Mississippi River. Enjoy some fishing, bicycling and of course painting.

 

I like the moment when I could see the Cardinal flower across the water, I don't think I would have noticed them with a camera shot.

 

 

Merrick Water Access 8x10

 

There is lots of water access in the park. Being on the Wisconsin side the early morning light shines on the island trees while I remain in the shadows. 

 

 

 

 

 

Woodland Pass 8x10

 

Before we left we took one of the hikes through the woods. There are pine trees with the softest needles that glow in the filtered light of the canopy. I tried capturing our lovely walk in my studio, since it was time to leave.

 

 

 

 

Happy to say these are all going home to someone who really enjoys Merrick, even more than we did.