Art Market on the Patio

 

I participated in the June 7th event. A bit hot but still enjoyed hanging with other creatives. Had moments in between customers to do a little drawing. Sold a couple of paintings and met some new art enthusiasts. Thanks Mikaela for the opportunity.

Grounded Patio Cafe, downtown La Crosse 308 Main Street

Celebrating Sunfish

A perfect place to throw in a line. The Onalaska spillway. The water levels were low so I ventured out to see for my self the fishing opportunities before meeting up with the drawing group.

 

I met Randy and his dad fishing for sunnies, pulling them out left and right. They needed a counter just so they knew when they met their limit. I'm working on more figures as they seem to tell a story all on their own.

Sunny Days 8x10

Other sights in the area are the railroad track, a new subject matter to paint.

Down by the Rail Yard 8x10

Crossing Guard 8x10

  Other Onalaska Paintings

Bountiful 5x7

Downtown Landing 8x10

Onalaska Overlook 8x10

Pining for a Picnic 8x10

Spillway 8x10

Sunny the Sunfish 8x10

 

Dash-Park Gathering 11x14

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

Going to the Loouve

We're traveling again! The first camping trip to Day Lake, in the Chequamegon National Forest, and some time to draw and paint. The fresh foliage was the brightest green against the dark recently burned forest floor. While it really isn't going to be displayed in Paris, it really was the path to the outhouse or Loo as some may say.

Going to the Loouve 8x10

Painting plein air

It was nice that the bathrooms were so well kept by the hosts. We really appreciated the efforts and decided contribute some wall decoration. I'm sure it won't last through Memorial Weekend.

Art in the Loouve

Lichen It

Jack not John

After returning home I was thrilled to post my painting on "En Plein Air" Painting and Painters site I follow. Many kind words which I appreciate but I really was seeking the constructive criticism needed to learn from my attempts at Plein Air painting. I discovered they have a mentorship  section where by other artists will assist with those in need. Thanks to Julia Lesnichy for her assistance.

 Here's a link http://instagram.com/julia_leshnichy

On the Way to the Loouve 8x10

Comments sited were to cool the greens in the distance, more contrast between lights and darks and the birch tree was too far left for the composition. It's nice to have fresh eyes. Instead of fixing the existing painting I tried painting another in the studio. It lost some freshness but it was also less cluttered since I felt I over worked the first one. Here they are side by side. Notice the differences?

Plein Air or Studio

We also had a chance to visit Copper Falls State Park. the water was running high and so were my hopes to photograph and paint a water fall in the studio. I took Julia's advice to tone down the white to help indicate that the day was overcast.

Gathering of the Falls 8x10

before toning down

It's great there are so many resources to help advance my efforts.

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

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