Summer Drawing to a Close

Launch at Breezy Point 8x10 

Drawing for the summer has been a highlight to getting out. I visited another artists home and found out she also offers an Air B&B called Breezy Point in La Crosse with a beautiful view of Lake Onalaska. After a morning of drawing I also resumed to painting another image.

Next stop the International Friendship Garden in La Crosse.

 

I set out with my new set of colored markers. Only a 60% off coupon could tease me to go shopping and procure a new art purchase of colored pens. It can be a challenge trying out a new medium, these aren't my favorite, but after sketching for some time I started to get used to them.

 

 

Besides all the flowers and foliage, another artist shared her garden bounty. It was the most perfect tomato.

Riverside Gardens 8x10

More-Dog Days of Summer

Beau 8x10

Had a couple more dogs to do in August. It's fun to do the different breeds and poses.

Mandy 8x10

 

 

Tried picking up some of the collar and eye color to make this pooches profile more pronounced. 

I memory of Mandy. This cutie is portrayed in one of her owners favorite  colors, lime green. She really stands out.

I enjoy pets and hope some of you cat lovers contact me for a painted portrait.

cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Peaks and Backwaters

 

 

A much needed camping trip to check out Pike's Peak State Park in Iowa led to some creative time for drawing and eventually painting.

Pike's Peak 8x10

The beautiful overlook across the Mississippi River to Wisconsin was the inspiration for this painting.

Yellow River Backwaters 8x10

 

While there we also visited the Effigy Mounds National Monument taking the easier trail along the Yellow River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Besides hiking I spent some time drawing the views from the park and campsite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sometimes you even just find those things right in front of you to draw.                                         

Dogs Days of Summer

Just finished up several pet portrait commissions of dogs that will be joining their families soon.

This grouping I call

"Stan's Best Friends"

These two really are the best buddies according to Kjersten. Bella and Lola 11x14

When they're ready for a walk these three amigos can be a handful for Debra.

Sadie, Copper & Maya 11x14

Lovely Luna happy to please and pose for Marissa. Luna 8x10

These three portraits will join the walls of fame among Stan's family. Here's Rescue Squad 11x14 all framed up.

To Draw or Paint-that is the Question

Prairie Abode 8x10

Creating art just got a little better since the group I draw with resumed gathering for the time being. With all pandemic precautions in place, a couple of hours drawing outdoors was the best medicine.

As I pursue oil painting I took inspiration from our drawing sites to compose at least one finished painting.

I think I'm still stronger at drawing and know I'm faster and enjoy getting something on paper quickly so I can move on to the next subject matter. Hopefully this will translate to my painting sooner than later.

We had the opportunity to visit two different properties in July. Homes of other artist's friends, that didn't mind a bunch of artists traipsing around examining and photographing their yards.

The one in the town of Onalaska had some great added color to the garden, with garden art of her own, creating lots of bright vinyets.

Lilies 5x7

Another garden in La Crosse had an amazing collection of day lilies in bloom and it was perfect timing to see them in all their glory.

It was hard to even focus on just one since they are all so lovely.

A guided tour and lily lessons were much appreciated as well.

Capturing a Moment to Remember

Somewhere Over There 8x10

Sometimes I'm inspired by a place I've visited. Sometimes it's a place someone else has shared that captures my attention to paint.

In this painting I felt connected to someone else's inspiration to take a photo. She shared it with her facebook friends, of which I'm happy to be one. I know there was no way I could recreate the moment that she felt when taking in this landscape, but I was going to try.

It was also inevitable that I would gift this painting to her, after all she was the one who captured the moment. I would now try to interpret it through paint.

Commission pricing begins at $50 for an 8x10 (unframed)- $70 for an 11x14 (unframed). Shipping is extra (if needed) and generally runs, $8-$15 dollars in the U.S. depending on the location. These are common sizes allowing you to purchase ready made frames. Keep in mind no glass or matting needed for an oil painting.

Please allow 4-6 weeks to complete.

                      

The process includes the time to confer back and forth plus the time to dry. I work only from your photograph, ( this is a must because of copyrights) keep in mind clear photos that show detail make for a better painting.  Contact me through this post or cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Somewhere Over There

All in the Family

Framed Drawings of Basset Hounds

The best part of creating pet portraits is getting to know how much people care for their pets. Dale and Jody now have a collection of framed drawings to remember their beloved Basset Hounds.

This story begins with a drawing of Zeke, after Dale and Jody saw the newspaper article about the Heart2Heart Pet Lifeline fundraiser for a pet portrait.

I had the privilege to draw Zeke, after which they contacted me to make their family portrait display complete with past Basset Hounds.

Some have been rescued from pet shelters and some shared as  therapy dogs with local institutions. I think these Hounds found the best forever home.

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Bentley

Howard

Daisy

Zeke