Dear Art Friends

Doe See Doe 8x10 oil

 This one year old was trying to find her spot in my backyard. Her mom is probably rearing her new fawn. She looked at me those big brown eyes with wonder.

I'm going to change the subject a bit to finding out more about artists who have had experiences with NFT (Non-Fungible Token) I've been approached and just trying to figure out how this would fit into my life as an artist. Please email me any reactions cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Thanks. I love being able to sell my art in person and I know it's a new world out there with digital options. I've been approached by online buyers in a variety of ways and I need to learn the ropes.

Colleen

Prepping for Plein Air at the Refuge

Pine Creek Trail 8x10 oil

 Saturday, June 3 I'll be joining other artists in the Trempealeau Refuge to paint along the Pine Creek Trail. This painting done in the studio was my first attempt to capture this view. Tomorrow I'll be painting plein air. You may wonder why artists challenge themselves to paint onsite outdoors.

Stop by and see for yourself. Every day, every hour the view can change with the light. Different shadows develop, changing colors as the sun goes behind the clouds and the wind may make ripples in the water changing the reflections. 

The artist is trying to capture something fleeting. Even a camera can't pick up what the eye can see. I'll be bringing this painting along so you can see the difference and maybe some more that express how wonderful I think the refuge is.

Thanks to the Friends of Trempealeau Refuge for organizing this event.

Afterwards I'll be heading over to Elmaro Winery to finish off a perfect morning having the chance to create and share my new display in the Crush Pad called Refuge Reflections.

The Details-

In the Meantime

When the Blues Make You Smile 8x10 oil

Just because I'm already to hang my show Refuge Reflections at Elmaro on Wednesday for the whole month of June, I can't seem to stop being inspired to paint it. 

After a meeting to assist in planning Artists in the Refuge plein air event for this coming Saturday, June 3, I was caught by surprise by a field of Lupine in it's glory.

A must to paint since my camera just didn't do it justice. There was so many more blues than even the eye could take in.

Another visit to River City Gallery in La Crosse to drop off a couple of paintings for their June feature wall and I fell in love with a little bird painting and had to have it.

Then I went home and remembered I had purchased on a whim some small block panels, just because. They now found their purpose to portray some sweet favorite flowers. 

I left the raw wood edge on these 4x6 painting panels. Hopefully they will be dry enough to bring with me on Sunday's Street Market at the Winery. 

Lupine Blues 4x6 oil

Maple's Sweet Blooms 4x6 oil

Smokey Plumes 4x6 oil

Questions cshoreartwork@gmail.com

Details on upcoming events

Refuge Reflections-of the Season at Elmaro June 2023

After being invited back to Elmaro Vineyard and Winery to display in June of 2023, I got to thinking what my focus would be. I've grown artistically into being able to feature larger collections of paintings that represent a theme. This is a more cohesive way of taking the viewer along a journey with me. .

I chose the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge as my muse. Every season she takes us into another color palette and new textures. Each time I had a chance to visit I would try a new path to the Trempealeau Bottoms or revisit Pine Creek Dike to see the changes.

I had many photos from past visits to work with as I had been employed at Perrot State Park for six years and it was easy to start or end my day at the Refuge.

So let me take you on the seasonal changes of the Refuge and reflect on the land.

 Spring

Notes from the Artist-My favorite green. The brightness of spring greens of the new foliage appears. There is still the starkness of winter but the colors of blue have changed and colors begin to pop. The sky turns stormy more often and who doesn't love a spring rain to wash away the winter blues.

Spring Has Arrived in the Refuge 11x14 oil

 

On the Way to Spring Set of 3-8x10 oil & cold wax

 

Grasses along the Path 8x10 oil & cold wax

Pond Reflections 8x10 oil & cold wax

Spring on it's Way 8x10 oil & cold wax

Thaw on the Refuge 1 8x10 oil & cold wax

Summer

Notes from the Artist-The lush greens in Wisconsin are a challenge against the variety of sky and water blues. I can almost hear the hum of mosquitos.

Soaking Up the Vista in the Refuge 11x14 oil

Summer's Solace in the Refuge set of 3 8x10 oil & cold wax

Lotus on the Pond 8x10 oil

8x10 oil  & cold wax

Pads on the Pond 8x10 oil

Fall 

 Notes from the Artist- Probably my favorite time of year to get outside. Crisp air and no bugs. The color changes and textures are also the most impressive. Grasses are just fun to do, they really loosen up my paintings. Here's where I was excited to begin using cold wax with my oil paints. You can get so much more texture out of the subject matter.

River Bottom Pathway 11x14 oil

Prairie's Edge in the Refuge Set of 3- 8x10 framed oil & cold wax

Bottomland Grasses of the Refuge 8x10 oil & cold wax

Refuge Reflections 8x10 oil & cold wax

 

Bottom Land Vista 11x14 oil & cold wax

Winter

Notes from Artists- I never expected winter to be so much fun to paint. The snow has such a sculptural quality and the shadows in winter take on a whole new color.

Winter Waters through the Refuge 11x14 oil

Winter's Barren Beauty in the Refuge Set of 3- 8x10 oil and cold wax

Grasses Emerge 8x10 oil & cold wax

Trempealeau Tree 8x10 oil

Chillin' at Elmaro 8x10 oil

Notes from the Artist- I couldn't help but include this last painting again. It reminds me of all the visits to the Trempealeau Refuge and then being able to relax and reflect at Elmaro.

Thank you for viewing. They are even better in person so I hope you get to visit during the month of June in the Crush Pad.

 

 

 

 

Questions cshoreartwork@gmail.com

June Calendar for Art Displays and Events by CShore

June is a busy month, here's the latest in exhibits and onsite painting events for my artwork.

 

Refuge Reflections-of the Seasons

at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery in Trempealeau, WI

Over 25 original oil paintings on display by CShore, plus onsite painting and drawing at every Sunday's Market in June

June 1 through June 30, 2023 in the Crush Pad

Artists in the Refuge

at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, sponsored by Friends of Trempealeau Refuge

Onsite painting on Pine Creek Trail, along with other artists

Sat., June 3 from 7:30am  -1pm

Pastoral Landscapes, Country and Farm Life

 group display with two on my pieces, shown "Working Moms" oil by CShore

at River City Gallery downtown in La Crosse, WI

June Feature Wall, First Fridays Downtown Art Walk Fri., June 2, 2023 from 4-7

Food for Thought-Summer Show

at L.E. Phillips Memorial Library in Eau Claire, WI

Group Invitational Exhibit,  "Slide to Unsheltered" oil by CShore

June 12-August 22, 2023

River Arts Alliance Member Exhibit & Showcase

at Blue Heron Coffee House, Downtown Winona, MN

"A River Runs Over" oil by CShore

June 7-July 16, 2023 Reception Friday, June 9 from 5-7

Paintings Inspired by Kinstone

at Kinstone in Fountain City, WI 

Ten unframed paintings on display in gallery by CShore

May 7 through into October 2023

Founders Day Celebration

19308 Silver Creek Rd., Galesville, WI

Onsite painting at Arnold House at East Side Farm as part of event

Sat. June 17 from 10am-2pm

Pop Up Onalaska

My painting for scavenger hunt and fund raiser, who knows where it will be hung in Onalaska, you'll have to find out. June through September, Auction in October at Pumpkin and a Pint at Dash Park

sponsored by Onalaska Art Keepers (OAK)

More Refuge Inspiration

 Everytime I visit the Refuge I come away with another painting. Some are so unexpected but need to be painted.

Father to the Rescue 8x10 oil

Here's a painting inspired after a visit to the Refuge. The road wasn't open but that didn't stop people from walking in to enjoy the day. I'm always drawn to people fishing..

 

Mark Your Calendar 

So You Don't Miss This

 Join me and half a dozen other artists to celebration the Refuge by plein air painting. I'll be on Pine Creek Dike painting. Catch other artists also at Kieps Landing. Can't wait to see what the day brings.

You can also swing by Elmaro just down the road afterwards for some more art of mine in the Crush Pad "Refuge Reflections". Questions at cshoreartwork@gmail.com

 

 

Refuge Inspiration

The Magic of Birds 8x10 oil

Here's a painting inspired after attending the World Migratory Bird Day event at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Lots to see and learn about birds. Thanks to the Friends of the Trempealeau Refuge.

 

Mark Your Calendar 

So You Don't Miss This

 Join me and half a dozen other artists to celebrate the Refuge with plein air painting. I'll be on Pine Creek Dike painting. Catch other artists also at Kieps Canoe Landing. Can't wait to see what the day brings.

You can also swing by Elmaro just down the road afterwards for some more art of mine in the Crush Pad "Refuge Reflections". Questions at cshoreartwork@gmail.com