Nature
-
Convergence
Between the Bluffs is a Plein Air event centered in La Crosse WI. It runs for two weeks each Fall, and on a Saturday there is a quick paint event. This year the quick paint was at the Friendship Gardens in Riverside Park. In this location three rivers converge: the La Crosse, the Black and Continue reading
-
Miller Bluff
Miller Bluff is to the north of Grandad’s Bluff and to the east of Myrick Marsh. I’ve painted this bluff a few times, only once or twice with success. How the show the variety of colors while not attempting to pain every tree and branch. Miller has less exposed limestone than its neighbors but has Continue reading
-
Lansing View
This is a view from Mt. Hosmer park outside of Lansing, Iowa. What caught my eye was the repeated horseshoe shape with the clouds, the reflection and the islands. I’m wondering if it’s the current that forms the horseshoe shaped islands, as I’ve seen them before. The Mississippi River was calm and reflective this day Continue reading
-
Pen or Brush
A fellow artist saw the Belgic Confession quote on my business card and said, “can you change letters to paint brushes?” That is how I think of my art. For example this one from my display at River City Gallery. This is a view from Trempeleau National Wildlife Reserve of the Mississippi River and Minnesota Continue reading
-
Breaking Light
The Friends of the Trempeleau National Wildlife Reserve hold a Plein Air event every June. There is time to sign up by March 1. Part of the event involves displaying a dozen local artists at Elmaro Vineyards in the topic of the Reserve. Jerry and I took a few walks in the early spring to Continue reading
-
Cliffwood Bluff
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 Continue reading
-
Community Trail Farm
ORA is an organization that preserves land and creates trails. We met on this farmland for an afternoon. There are some barns and other structures here. But I liked the grass path through fields with receding lines of trees. The sky was gray and foreboding, but the hawks were riding the wind. I like the Continue reading
-
Autumn Glory
We’ve planted a number of plants since moving to La Crosse two years ago. One is a serviceberry tree. I set up on our front yard and tried again with Plein Air acrylics. At least water was easily available. The background is a fade from blue to burned umber with some lavender. I used an Continue reading
-
Decorah Sketchbook
At the edge of town is a waterfall and an ice cave. Quick sketch with a small watercolor kit. Beside the falls are steps, next trip I’ll bring my plein air kit. Continue reading
-
Watershed
The River Arts Alliance has a Monday deadline for an exhibit named Watershed. We were near Lansing, IA and got these views of the river I’m working on a watercolor with a goal of finishing by Monday. This view based on my daughter’s photo features cirrus clouds and a horseshoe shaped cluster of islands. I’ve Continue reading
Two Book Reflections 