Goals and now new Goals

Here's my 100th painting which I attempted at a plein air workshop event and is not done.  I hit a wall after painting outside for several hours. My painting still needs more work and that I can do in the studio.

Richard Abraham draws in the image of bluffs along the river.

It's amazing the highs and lows you go through trying to create artwork. Some of my earliest works I look back on and I'm kinda proud of. Then halfway through my goal I falter and wonder why am I doing this. I realized it's kinda like golf. You have to play because you enjoy it. Every now and then you get that rush when you hit that ball and it does exactly as you want. That's what painting is like. Not all are successes, but you learn each time you put brush to canvas.


You can never get enough inspiration. Artist Richard Abraham, the judge for this year Between the Bluffs Plein Air event here in La Crosse, stayed an extra day to conduct a workshop. A wonderful opportunity to watch, learn and have him help us as we painted.

He steps us through his process and shares techniques

Check out richardabraham.com for his wonderful work, he's located in St. Paul, Minnesota and also offers classes and workshop in the cities. At Pettibone he does a quick demo.

Even on a cloudy day he captures a lot of atmosphere and light.

Each time I see how others paint, I absorb more. I think because I'm ready for that ahha moment and it clicks. But when you actually start the process for yourself, it can all disapate.





One point Richard made is to keep seeing the shapes of the color and stepping back to get the bigger picture.

I know I have to slow down in my painting and get past all the noise of detail that's not so important. I know it will be easier the more I do it.

Hopefully you got a chance to stop at the Studio Gallery at 1311 Market St. for the plein air finale on Friday. A wonderful venue, thanks to Dave. I took a couple of shots to share. You really can't enjoy these paintings unless you've seen them in person. The show was very short, but very sweet. Artists who came from out of town, would need to be leaving and taking their paintings home after a week or two of painting in the area.

A big thank you to the event volunteers of Between the Bluffs. Job well done bringing the best out of the artists in our area and attracting others to the beauty we live in.

Check out betweenthebluffs.com for postings and following for future event information.

Paul Bergquist demonstration

I had the chance to see part of Paul's demonstration in Coon Valley of Plein Air painting. He display the finished demo at the sho. It was stunning. He was the judge for the quick paint competition.

If you have a chance you can still see some  Plein Air paintings done by visiting artists from China at the Pump House til November.






Next Goal is to list paintings I have for sale, will blog that next I think by Friday if you are interested.

I will be needing to resupply my art materials such as canvas and paint and maybe another workshop is in my future.

For Better or Worse

Washburn Remnants Part 1 SOLD

After a trip up to the north shore of Wisconsin, I felt refreshed to paint with new material. I began with my regular approach to the scene, then revisited with a quicker version of the same subject matter.

Washburn Remnants Part 2- 8x10

From the shore of our campground at Washburn is the Chequamegon Bay and the remnants of the old lumber shipping docks.

Devil's Island Cave-Part 1 SOLD

Lots of water up there so we toured the Apostle Islands National Seashore by boat and had a chance to photograph the sea caves at Devils Island.

Devil's Island Part 2- SOLD

 Again the same approach with a much looser version after concentrating on the first one.

Sailing-SOLD

A frequent scene in the area are all the sail boats and big skies. I felt this one was already loose enough and maybe the two approaches are now merging for me.

Madeline Island Eatery-SOLD

On Madeline Island are the quaint shops and outdoor eateries. Someone once told be umbrellas really catch a persons eye, so I gave it a try. Trying to do architecture is one of my biggest challenges, you better get it right or things look like they are falling down.

Morning on Chequamegon Bay - SOLD

This one I hoped to feature the early morning light. Unfortunately the photo is still way better at capturing the light. The color at that time of the morning is so brief I can't imagine how to capture it plein air.

Grasses on the Shore -SOLD

Now I just wanted to play with the brush for the movement of grasses along the shoreline. Somethings about this painting I like and then there's still room for improvement.





Only 11 more to go until I reach my goal of 100 small paintings.

Summers Over

And so is the summer drawing group. The last one I was able to attend was in Sparta at the park with the covered bridges. 

I started the season with pencil and switched to pen. A brave move since you can't erase your mistakes. So I can say I progressed in my confidence.

After Labor Day we took some time to go north to Washburn/Bayfield, WI. It was on my bucket list to go to Madeline and the Apostle Islands.


Got lots of photos that will inspire my next group of paintings. 

To warm up, I did a couple of drawings of the landscape in the area. From Washburn's city campground to the sea caves of Devil's Island.






I still contemplate taking my paints along and making use of the moment. As I look back it would not have benefited my development, as an artist, at this time.

We were on a boat for the view of the caves and had so much ground to cover for site seeing. I would not have had a moment to pull out my plein air box. So the camera had to capture the moment.

Anyway, that's my excuse this time.

Laboring Away

Trempealeau Mountain-Part 1-SOLD

This week I tried to loosen things up a bit.

I began with my regular method of painting from a photo. After I finished I did another painting right away as fast and loose as possible for me.

Since I had already been intently focused on the subject matter and still had the paint on my palette, it wasn't too hard to let loose.

Trempealeau Mountain-Part 2-SOLD

The first paintings I concentrated and maybe spent 2-3 hours, on the second one maybe an average of 30 minutes.



The subject matter you hopefully recognize as Perrot Park in Trempealeau, a view of the mountain.

Horseshoe Falls Part 1-SOLD

Here is one of my favorite spots in the park Horseshoe Falls part of State Natural Area.

Horseshoe Falls-Part 2-SOLD

Trempealeau Ruins- Part 1-SOLD

Just before you enter into the park from Sullivan Road are the old ruins, which I find very interesting.

Trempealeau Ruins Part 2-SOLD

Prairie Path 1

Tried doing the prairie area at Perrot. The sumac was such a lovely color. this is probably one of my least successful of this weeks work. I didn't even keep the looser one. Just wiped it away afterwards.

Prairie Path 2-SOLD

Brady's View-Perrot Part 1 -SOLD

For the last one is the famous view from Brady's Bluff. Always great no matter what time of the year.

Brady's View-Perrot Part 2

I think I like the looser ones for the energy of the brush strokes, somehow I need to try and combine the best of both. I'll just have to keep laboring away.



Let me know which one you find more appealing. Remember you can also sign up on the blog site to follow my progress by selecting to receive new blogs by your email.


Hope you had a nice holiday weekend.

Woodcut Workshop

Bandages not required.

My husband and I took a day class at the Pumphouse on Woodcut Printing with artist Lynne Valiquette.

My husband who claims he does not have the artistic gene was on fire with his creation. A campfire!












I chose my design from a previous drawing of Bunny the feral cat.


These are just the wood blocks cut with our designs, you then make prints from these. I think they are beautiful keepsakes as is and will treasure the day of fun, learning what it takes to create this older hands on technique. Well at least we got a taste of what it takes.

Here's a few of the steps to create.

First the image is transferred using carbon paper. Millennials may have to look that one up on the internet. Then you black out with marker what you may want to leave uncut.

Next, using a different colored marker to indicate areas to be cut. As you use the tools (shown here) the pink color disappears as you cut away letting you keep track of your progress.

We got to keep our set of new tools as part of the class fees. Just love having new toys to play with.

And yes, she did have bandages provided but none were needed.



When you think you might have your woodcut done. You go to inking the surface and then place a sheet of paper over and rub the surface to transfer the  image.












You get to do as many proofs and return to carving as needed. You just have to remember you can't put back the wood you carve away so you go slowly.

It's great to get a better understanding of this artistic process that dates back the the first century in China.








Lynne will be exhibiting in two upcoming shows in the La Crosse area. Hope you get a chance to stop by these gallery shows.


Nine-featuring nine artists, including Lynne with her monotypes from Sedimentary Series.
Oct 16-Nov. 29 at the Heider Center in West Salem
Reception Sat., Oct. 26 1-5.


Pump House Show Jan. 6-Feb. 22, including Lynne with
showcase  Vessels her monotypes with embellishments. Reception January 10 from 5-7.

I will complete this blog with at least one of my paintings efforts of my husband.

I call it "Fishing for a Compliment"

So let me know if you like Eric's Campfire or my Cat Woodcut.

La Crosse Tribute

La Crosse Waterfront 8x10

 SOI'd like pay tribute to the upcoming Plein Air Event happening in La Crosse, WI.


Although I will not be partcipating myself this year, I do hope to in the future.

La Crosse Marsh 8x10

My paintings shown here are of some of my favorite places in La Crosse, but they are painted from photos I have taken.



This studio practice will give me the focus I will need to compete when the time comes. These studies help me decide what subject matters and time of day I may choose for competition.

La Crosse River State Trail-8x10

Here are some of the details or go to betweenthebluffs.com. I hope you enjoy the local talent that exists and those artists that will be visiting La Crosse during the painting fest. Special thanks to those taking the time to organize this event.

La Crosse Downtown 8x10

2019 Plein Air Between the Bluffs Painting Fest
Friday, September 6 thru Thursday 19.

Reception Friday, September 20 from 6-9pm

I know I won't want to miss the free demonstrations to be held:

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 9am by Paul Bergquist
location to be announced,

Thursday, September 12 at 6pm by Jon Erickson
location Myrick Park Eco Center area.

I know I'm going to try and make it. Hope to see you there.

Four More

8x10

A little bit of this and that.

Working from family favorites in East Saguaro National Park.

8x10

To the Rio Grande in Las Cruces, New Mexico

8x10

I gave a bird a try too. Liking the looseness of the background and the brush strokes for feathers was fun.

This certainly would be difficult as Plein Air since birds don't pose well. I caught this on my camera during a visit to the International Gardens in La Crosse.
Went back to try a flower painting. Still not as easy as I'd hoped. I think the photo is better than the real thing. Just finished painting and the photo picks up the glare of the wet paint.

Mandevilla Hot Madness 8x10

So I think my landscapes have improved greatly but need to broaden my subject matter to still lives and florals.


Need to work on the brightness of colors like the hot pink of the mandevilla and the intense red of cardinals.


With 66 paintings only 34 more to go. Maybe by the end of September I'll reach my first goal.