Tour in Winona

 Just a half hour away from my home is the worlds largest stained glass studio and one of the oldest. For over a century their craftsman's hands have created, restored and conserved thousands of pieces of glass art from all over the world.

Conservation at Work

And I got a tour!

As luck would have it, the sale one of my paintings connected me to an artist named Melissa who works at this amazing place in Winona, Minnesota call Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser Architectural Glass. She told me about her work and said they offer tours.

Melissa-opened our eyes, explaining the process

It was like stepping into history, is the best way I can describe it. I can share with you some of the things they were working on through the photos I took. If you are ever in this area it's a must for any one who appreciates the arts. You can see more at https://stain-glass-window.us

Reassembling Old Windows with New Lead Came

Creating More History

Attention to Detail

Projects at Work

Saving a La Farge Stained Glass

Introducing New Styles

A Blast from the Past-1970's

My personal take away -making art connects us all, to peoples beliefs through the ages and individuals today who share a love for art. It was inspiring talking with Melissa, who went to Milwaukee  Institute of Art and Design. She has for the past 30 years been working with glass, expressing herself through her own designs  as well as learning and preserving a part of the past through her current employment. It's nice to know it’s possible, artists find those careers outside of teaching.

 

More Birds To See

I had the opportunity to join the Coulee Region Audubon Societies Bird Walk in Myrick Marsh. With heads up and ears open a group of about 12 walked the trails. Our leader Dan listened and pointed out numerous birds in the water and the trees. Me, with my little hand held camera, was able to capture a couple of them to paint.

I Dare You 5x7

Red Winded Blackbird

Pretty common and very bold. This one had that I dare you look. They are very territorial and I unfondly remember one that always swooped down on me every time I would walk to my friend Anne's house when I was in high school. They kinda traumatized me but gained my respect.

Nesting 8x10

Canada Geese

Very common and sometimes their gathering become a nuisance, they can generate a lot of poop. There were many in the Marsh tending to their offspring in the waters. Easy to get lots of photos and fun to watch.

 If you've never been on a bird walk remember to wear sturdy walking shoes, it's easy to trip over stuff since you're always looking up and binoculars to get a close up look, if you're in luck. I take my camera since it has a good zoom feature and if I lucky enough I'll also get a photo. It's a beautifully quiet walk in the woods since everyone is trying to listen and not talking.

I also went on the hike at Hixon Forest and manage to get an interesting photo of a nuthatch mid air returning to it's tree hole. 

 

photo of Nuthatch

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

Bird Day

This week many are celebrating WORLD  Migratory Bird Day. We are lucky enough to be in the Mississippi flyway which brings lots of birds through the area. I've been able to expand my repertoire of oil painting birds due to the generosity of birders who shared their awesome photos. I can't come close to the detail they capture nor do I have the patience and experience they possess.

I follow two local blogs, Coulee Region Audubon Society and the Winona Bird Club. I was so awestruck I finally got the courage to request permission to use some of the images and lucky enough have some say yes. I know there are professional photographers that post and respect their rights to publish as they see fit. I don't always know who I may be asking so if something catches my eye I will at least ask. Thanks again for those who can share and for all that post their photos to inspire. 

Colleen

These first two paintings of the Cedar Wax Wing and the Blue Jay are thanks to Jed Fritsch, a fellow on facebook and sister to a former coworker.

Just One More 8x10

Who You Lookin' At? 8x10

A new bird that I haven't personally seen, but lots of birders from the Winona Bird Club have followed, a juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron. Thanks to Cathy Richardson and that mighty big camera.

Night Stalker 8x10

This sweet female cardinal is thanks again to Victoria Goetting of the Coulee Region Audubon Society. I did a robin of hers this spring. She really knows how to capture a great pose.

Proud Momma 8x10

I fell in love with this little guy a Palm Warbler. I've never been good at identifying the vast number of them that come through each spring. Thanks again to Bruce Bartel of the Coulee Region Audubon Society for his expertise and dedication to photography.

Palm Springs 8x10

A big tweet of thanks for helping me continue to further my development as an artist.

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

 

Kinstone Open House Sun., May 2 FREE

Kinstone located on the top of the bluff near Fountain City, WI will be celebrating their Kin-Day Family Day Annual Spring Open House with music, food, and art this coming weekend, Sunday, May 2 from noon-5. I participated last fall and enjoy the opportunity to paint outside, and sold a number of paintings, which is always nice.

 

This modern megalithic site offers a lot of inspiration. Kristine Beck, Kinstones owner shared some of her photos with me to help me capture some of the uniqueness and creatures that occupy the landscape in these paintings.

Winter Window, framed 8x10

Hope on Fire, framed 8x10

Amazing Goats, framed 8x10

 

Cultured Stone, framed 8x10

Below paintings inspired by some of my fall photos and past visits.

Don't Fence Me Out, framed 8x10

Aster Zen, framed 8x10

Bee Longing, framed 8x10 

Winding Way, framed 8x10

Megalithic Memories, framed 8x10

Standing Together, framed 8x10

Framed paintings will continue to on sale at Kinstone through the summer until their fall open house. They will only be available for purchase during this time at their location. Availability may be subject to change without notice.

Kinstone Puzzle, unframed 5x7 SOLD

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

Not Bluffing

Bluff Face 8x10

Good natured outspokeness? I'm betting you are wondering where I'm going with this one.

Over 45 years ago I was introduced to the bluffs of the Coulee Region. These geological expressions were new to me and they captured my heart. Many artists are passionate about the area we live in and you can get a closer look at their efforts and studios through this upcoming country tour from Winona to Lanesboro and beyond in eastern Minnesota. Plus it's free.

It's exciting to see what other artists are doing and I hope to go to at least a few. Check it out at https://bluffcountrystudioarttour.org. They even have an app to download.

 

One of the closest to me is Mississippi Mornings Art Studio at 40341 Lamoille Drive, Minn. 8 miles south of Winona. I had the pleasure of meeting artist/gallery owner Linda Klabo last fall at Kinstone. She'll be hosting several artists for Bluff Country Studio Art Tour (the image on the poster is from one of the artists at her location, Kathy Kovala). Plus mark your calender's for an Artist Rummage Sale May 6-9 (more details in my May 2 blog plus I'll be participating).

 

 

Note to my followers:

I also need to speak out about my own pricing of art. As I first started oil painting just a little over 2 years ago the goal was to be able to paint everything and anything to begin to understand the new medium I was working with. My goal was to paint, not necessarily to sell, but after a year I had a collection of paintings and the need to spend money for more and better art supplies and take workshops to improve my art. I thought  keep the prices low enough just to cover my costs. I wanted to sustain my pursuit to paint. It worked, no one thought less of the art because of the low price and I found many new homes that would be enjoying them. I was even able to donate to some very good causes. Making art became rewarding to me in so many ways. I want to express my gratitude to so many.

Many artists can not sell at cost, they need to make a living from their art, so I hope to not offend others when my pricing seems to contradict what the market pricing should be for art. Expenses needed to cover the years of dedication, education, materials and of course the time it takes create, not to mention the cost of food, shelter and healthcare. Which now leads me to the pricing of some of my art will begin to reflect to cost of selling through venues such as galleries and events. 

I plan on still doing some direct sales through my blog and commissions but have decided I need a wider audience for my art and have will to partner up with others who operate and support artists with selling their art. They can offer things like credit card transactions, coordinated events, lots of traffic to new collectors through advertising and activities. The pricing of my artwork at these new venues will need to reflect the percentage and fees these locations need to collect to continue their hard work plus I'm going to be framing many of the items for display and adding some packaging. I also have to consider the the mileage and time it takes to set up. You can bet these costs start adding up. I'm not bluffing when I tell you I'm not making anymore on my artwork than before. 

I still value those that follow my blog. As I post new works please understand the price you see for new releases may change when marketed. So if you see it and want it, buy it right away. Thanks for understanding. 

Colleen

Just too Cute!

I had the privilege to do a third pet portrait for this family. This little guy is just too cute, wouldn't you agree. He's so handsome in his bow tie.

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Otis 8x10

Passion for Pets

Meet Gracie. You wouldn't know it by looking at her, she is blind. Caused by the lack of care she received as a puppy, she is now fortunate to have been rescued by her loving owner Hannah. She is one lucky dog to have her own seeing eye human who tends to her special needs. As she arrives in a new surrounding her owner orientates her by walking her through the space. I'm sure she relies on her sense of smell too.

Here Gracie is shown sitting on her very own special pillow. A big thanks to those that don't see limitations as a barrier.

Gracie 8x10