Two Book Reflections

Between the Bluffs is an annual Plein Air event located in a 15 mile radius of downtown La Crosse.  I first participated in 2023 and did a series of bluff paintings.

Straight West of our house is Cliffwood Bluff, a little brother to the more famous Granddad Bluff to its north. The bluffs on both side of the Mississippi River are the most prominent feature of the local geography.

This view is from a park near the base, on a day with threatening clouds. In fact I had to find shelter as I painted.   Watercolor and rain do not coexist.

What we have learned by living on the flat land of the city is that we live on a flood plane, so the soil is very sandy and does not retain water well. Compost is our friend for gardening.

The limestone faces of the bluff change according to the light, this was painted at mid day. I used yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the limestone and a few greens that I mixed from the blues and yellows in my pallet. I have been working on using the three primary colors, adjusted for the season, plus a neutral gray and violet for shading

I’d like to return during the evening golden hour to paint here again.