Here Comes the Sun?

I love celebrating the sunsets.  I was trying my hand at plein air painting at the Downtown Paint Around and the challenge is always capturing the atmosphere in a painting. The skies during the event were a bit gray and yellow. I was missing the blue skies and sharp shadow contrasts to paint. But on the way home from the evenings open house event at River City Gallery I made sure I stopped at the Onalaska Overlook to get some unusual atmospheric photos. Since smoke from fires across the continent are obscuring our skies, it also has the benefit for some fabulous sunsets.

 Here's a painting of the wonderful golden contrast with grays due to air qualities beyond our control.

The Star of the Evening 8x10

But as the sun set even farther into the haze a Monet style ball of bright red appeared. Unfortunately my camera wasn't sufficient to capture the moment.

Bystanders using their phone cameras had been more lucky. They shared their good fortune by sending me photos that inspired this next painting. Thank you again Debera Uy for your kindness to this creator.

In A Haze 8x10      photo credit Debera Uy

In a different place at another time a rare view of the sun setting at the head of the Mississippi. It's unusual for this position of the sun to the river, only because here the Mississippi meanders west to east. This moment was captured thanks to Melissa Janda, one of her spots for some quiet solitude. After seeing her photo I knew I wanted to paint this and more importantly go there sometime myself.

Mississippi Moment 8x10  photo credit Melissa Janda

Questions or perhaps to purchase one of my original unframed oil paintings on panels, please contact me at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. Thanks for taking a look. Personal viewings easily arranged by appointment.

Downtown Paint Around

 A nice opportunity, provided by River City Gallery, Downtown La Crosse and La Crosse Arts Initiative to work on my Plein Air painting skills. A casual event for artists to get out on the streets and into the parks to capture downtown area of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Items are now on display for the next two weeks at River City Gallery on 321 Main St. Then on August 20-21 another Downtown Paint Around. Be sure to enjoy and watch artists create on the spot.

Painting at the Park

Here are the two paintings I accomplished during the first event. The new band shelter has always amazed me, the mix of old and new. I love how the whole trees used in construction compliment the surrounding trees.

Ready for the Music 8x10

Hazy River Daze 8x10

A river scene with more atmosphere than needed. The air quality from distant fires is changing our scenery.

evening reception at River City Gallery, La Crosse

Robin and friends organized a Saturday night reception, all were invited. A great way to meet other artists and those who love art.

Put this on you calendar! Must See

The big Plein Air event in our area is called Between the Bluffs, drawing artists from near and far. After I saw my first demo I was hooked.

Adding to my collection

I don't have a big collection of art but I do collect magnets and couldn't resist this one by Elise Boam of Fatty Catty Polymer Clay Creations. Part of her Jersey Girls series, it comes on a note card for gift giving. The front reads "Take My Advice" inside "I Don't Use It Anyway". I really enjoy her sense of humor.

Be sure to make your way downtown to River City Gallery, right next door to Merinque Bakery and across the street from Grounded Patio Cafe.

Sky Views

Another attempt at loosening up my brush strokes with sky views The ever fleeting cloud is a challenge. These oil paintings are studio work from some of my photos. Clouds can change and move on so fast before I can capture their shapes and colors en plein air. Always good to keep practicing.

Cloud Towers 8x10

Lots of sky views when cruising on the water.

 

Overlooking Clouds 8x10

Lake Onalaska always has great views west towards Minnesota.

Rolling Clouds 8x10

Bluffs and Valleys support the passing clouds along area farmlands.

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

Unexpected Birds

 We just finished camping at 250 Campground outside of Lanesboro, Minnesota. Very convenient for food and fun. 

We love catching sight of wildlife while camping, here it was free range chickens on the grounds. So what else but draw some chickens. They were very friendly and helped clean up camping sites and did bug patrol.

In no particular pecking order.

Tree at Site

Well behaved rescue dog next door. Bruno

Glad to get some drawing time in between riding the Root River Trail. Hope to take the paints along for some plein air when we have a longer stay.

Two of a Kind

This week I worked on loosening up my brush strokes with some figures. Even picking up twigs to paint with in order to break up the lines for more interest. Enjoy.

Team Work 8x10

 A couple of workers on the land.

Rollin' on the River 8x10

Onalaska Log Rolling Tournament.

Eye of the Drawer aka Two Lynn's 


 8x10

Two artists focused on their drawings. 

The first person to respond to this blog with the correct identities of both artists will win "Eye of the Drawer " painting! Answer at cshoreartwork@gmail.com. I got a winner Lynne correctly identified the artists, Lynne V and Lynn H.

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

Loosening Up

On my travels back home from the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, I stopped at the Trempealeau Refuge. It's always changing and you never know what you're going to see. The water lilies are ready to burst. That bright spot of yellow was close enough to capture. After my gallery inspiration I tried to become a whole lot looser in my brush strokes

Refuge Lily 5x7

The common butterfly weed was abundant. My mentor commented the first attempt lacked a strong focal point. Here you can see the before and after. I think she was right. Another case of I wanted to paint what I only saw and not be brave enough to make corrections to the composition.

Butterfly Refuge 8x10

before redo

 Another  picturesque view of the country side.

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

FarmScape 5x7

Marine Art

 

A visit to MN Marine Art Museum

Where better to see how artists handle painting water than the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. A short trip up to Winona, Minnesota and now I'm a member. The current exhibit of The American Society of Marine Artists 18th National Exhibition caught my eye. Here's my four favorite and some information about the exhibit.

Next week some paintings inspired along the way home from the museum. 

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July.