Winter Wonders

Snow offers a lot of subtle color choices when painting. One of the challenges I read other artists were doing was to limit their palettes to just three colors plus white. Forcing you to explore new combinations. So I thought what the hell as things are frozen over. 

I did this series of three from the photos taken the same day at Perrot State Park of Trempealeau Bay.     The resulting effects are quite different and interesting.

Warm Thoughts on a Winter Day 8x10

Here I used Raw Umber, Cadmium Red Light, Yellow Ochre with Unbleached Titanium White. 

Frozen Tropical Reflections 8x10

Choices here included some colors I don't regularly use. Turquoise, Transparent Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue Deep with Titanium White.

Trempealeau Bay at Rest 8x10

Returning to my regular palette. So I wonder which palette do you find most appealing.

 

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original unframed oil paintings on canvas panels, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com.

Frozen In Place

The place we live can get pretty cold. The past two weeks of subzero temperatures has become the norm as well as wrapping up in extra blankets and reading in bed. But if you were adventurous and felt like layering up there were some beautiful sites to see in this frozen tundra.

Horseshoe Ice Falls 8x10

One of my favorite sights are the ice waterfalls that form along the bluffs. At Perrot State Park they are easy to see at Horseshoe Falls.

Frost in Apple Valley 8x10

Another phenomenon is the hoar frost. The frozen crystals coat everything creating a magical fairyland feeling. This view is looking up Winesap Road in Onalaska, WI.

Nice Ice 5x7

What would we do with out ice. Sometimes it's especially nice in a Gin and Tonic. Pretending its summertime.

Looks like the polar vortex is over for a while. Time for a meltdown.

Next Week-more Winter Wonders

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original unframed oil paintings on canvas panels, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com.

Ready and Waiting

My grand nieces are all ready and now just waiting for the arrival of their baby brother. They're excited to welcome him home sometime in April. They've teamed up to share a room so he can get his rest, which I'm sure he'll need lots of since he's going to have to try and keep up with his amazing sisters.

I added a Wizard of OZ twist to a photo I had of them when we went out for a walk one day. This paintings for the baby's room to remind him he's got these two  looking out for him.

Ready and Waiting 11x14

They sent me their rendition of  Harley the cat and Milo the dog. Thanks for sharing girls, now I have some pets portraits to keep me company.

Happy Valentine's Day

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Next week-Frozen, thawed you'd like to know.

Seeing Red

Red barns are iconic along the Wisconsin landscape. They really stand out, maybe because they are red. Did you know originally rust was a cheap way for farmers to add color to sealant for protecting the barn wood.

Old New Amsterdam 8x10

Hartford Haven 8x10

Schilling Stables 8x10

Red is the oldest known color used by man, dating back 40,000 years ago, derived from red clay. It will stop you in your tracks or add a flash as you walk away. From stop signs to Louboutin shoes red just stands out, it's even the first color babies see. Reds are derived from minerals, bugs to synthetics, some professional paints use cadmium red, a good reason why you'll see many artists using gloves as they paint. Note: Always be sure to buy children appropriate art materials for those budding artists. Aren't you glad you red this.

Other paintings from the past with red as a focal point.

Retreat on the River 8x10

Shepherds Path 8x10

Launch at Breezy Point 8x10

Tree House 5x7

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original unframed oil paintings on panels, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. Thanks for viewing.  

A new sign for Perrot State Park

This year I had the opportunity to do another painting for a kiosk at Perrot State Park. This one features those wonderful creatures that come out after sunset. Owls, Bats, Racoons and Opossum featured with Trempealeau Mountain and Bay in the background. 

Creatures of the Night 40x60

Soon to be delivered and hopefully it will be installed sometime this next summer.

Who paints for You, hope you enjoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've included some photos of the process. You can see the Barred Owl was much bigger originally, reduced and changes as the days go by. Along with numerous other corrections and enhancements.

Last years signage

Being A Kind Human

This week has brought new hope for many. From small gestures to epic events all actions count.  A special acknowledgement goes to Karen Sherman for her creative contributions. Tried to capture another moment, with my paintings, feeding the birds with her at Goose Island.

Being A Kind Human 8x10

I wanted to share her political art collages that have been accepted by the La Crosse Historical Society for their collections.

From Karen Sherman:

“This is What Democracry Looks Like”

This photo collage is a collection of the Wisconsin 2011 grassroots resistance during Governor Walker's attack on workers's rights and the Republican agenda. The signs and people depicted are representative of the thousands who know politics matter. The attached mirrors reflect the viewer because we are all part of “What Democracy Looks Like.”

Artist's bio : Karen Sherman

Raised in Little Rock, Arkansas in the shadow of Jim Crow and integration as a southern Jew by a New Yorker and a holocaust survivor, I was taught as a child that politics matter and one can't be a bystander.

Photography has always been a hobby since my first Brownie camera and Polaroids with black and white film to colored film and my numerous Canon cameras. I was always finding those 'Kodak' moments to document, share and preserve

 

I hope the momentum continues forward-Colleen

Moments We'll Always Remember

Awakening 11x14 framed

I answered the call to artists from the La Crosse Arts Board to create a piece of artwork influenced by the change in our lives since March of 2020. My painting has been accepted and will be displayed and online in March.

This was a challenge that took a lot of thought and contemplation as to what it has meant to me and how it changed my world. I'm betting many others will concur, as I tried to capture the feeling you may  experience every time you decide to leave your home. You can't just grab your keys anymore and fly out the door. 

Staged hallway table

Before photo of actual hallway table.

I felt the hallway table where you throw things as you come and go, was the most relatable scenario for creating a still life that would catch that moment on how our lives have changed. I took some candid photos and then narrowed it down to the essentials to tell the story. I kept a few items to add of my own that reminded me of the only adventures we were able to participate in during the warmer months. A little bit of fishing and some golfing for exercise.

There's a mask to bring, some hand sanitizer. Times have changes that handling cash has been replaced by credit/debit cards to reduce contact. No more purse now just a metal carrier for a few cards and ID. I also make sure to bring my own pen so I'm not sharing. A bottle of water so I don't need to stop unnecessarily. My trips have been limited to grocery stores, gas station and as an artist Michael's craft store for another paint brush. I don't want to run out of art supplies, what would I do all day.

I think it was harder doing the write up than painting. Thanks to my sister Mary and friend Karen for their input.
 

 

 Artist Statement for “Awakening” by Colleen Shore

This still life is a “Momento Mori” to the new considerations we include in our daily lives for survival. We must consider our mortality when we choose to leave the safety of our homes during the pandemic of 2020. The impact of choices is revealed on the entryway table before going out into the world. We say to ourselves “Don’t forget the mask, sanitizer, etc.”

The vision of our mortality has opened our eyes to see how fleeting life is. We have been reawakened to the precious gifts we receive and can share. As life feels as if it is standing still we have this moment to rediscover what is valuable.

My gift is my art. I hope you have been able to embrace yours during this needed isolation.