Painting
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Currently
Some things I am working on. This is for an open invitation at the Pump House for the theme of Inspired by La Crosse. This is a view from Houska Park. These are smaller works from the Trempeleau National Wildlife Refuge. This is ready to submit to the River City Gallery for the Upper Mississippi… Continue reading
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Trempeleau by 2
At Art Club, a group organized by LaCrosse Parks and Recreation, I’ve been doing some watercolor warm up. Both Mary Lou Ferguson and I worked from the same reference photo from Trempeleau National Wildlife Refuge. Mary Lou has a quick style which has an expressive use of color. Mine is less loose, though I’m working… Continue reading
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Scouting Trempeleau
There is a plein air event in June at the Trempeleau National Wildlife Refuge. We took a drive on a sunny winter day to scout out the location. I’ve decided to do some indoor watercolors to practice: The blues in the sky and water, the yellow in the grasses, distant hills in purple, browns and… Continue reading
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Piggy’s
On the first Friday of February we were walking by the Pumphouse Art Gallery, and we encountered this view. I thought it would be fun to try my hand. What stands out is the bright sunset against the shadowy building, the bridge silhouette and the lines emanating from an off the page vanishing point to… Continue reading
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I’ll Drive
The LaCrosse Children’s Museum is celebrating their 25th anniversary. There was a a call to artists to submit works. The images here are from a visit 6 years ago with our then 1 year old granddaughter. This is a work in progress. Submissions are due January 26. The title of this piece is “I’ll Drive.” Continue reading
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It’s cold out there
It seems that every year at about this time Wisconsin hits the deep freeze. So no plein air. It’s a season to work from photo reference, and to develop skills. Our younger granddaughter wants a unicorn. Notwithstanding the Irish Rovers song about them, it’s not a natural subject. This is acrylic on a board, and… Continue reading
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Quick Plein Air
I joined the Between the Bluffs Plein Air event, which included a quick paint (two hours) from the top of Grandad’s Bluff. From this vista rain could be seen to our West and North, but we were ok up to a point. I selected a site and worked on this view, looking South and three… Continue reading
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Between the Bluffs
Plein Air I am participating in this two week long event. The rules are to use media outdoors within a 15 mile radius of downtown La Crosse, WI. I started with the bluff just down the street by our house, “Cliff Wood.” This view is from Cliff Side Park. There is a cemetery on Losey… Continue reading
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Bleeding Heart
The adventure with abstraction continues. I didn’t like these I painted over #1, moved in close, switched to pallette knives and turned the black into an under layer. This at least lightened things up. It reminds me of our Madison neighborhood which embraced the plant in response to the frequent accusation of being “Bleeding Heart… Continue reading
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Natural Stains
I’ve been experimenting with natural stains for wood. Many woodworking products are toxic. My first level has been with copper, pickled beets brine and coffee. This did give a good flat color, which allowed the varied wood to show through. However, nature is varied. Leaves have streaks and spots. So I’m trying a second richer… Continue reading