Plein Air
-
Three Rivers
This is where the La Crosse, the Black and the Mississippi rivers meet. Water is so changeable it challenges a painter. Which moment to capture? How do you indicate flow? It was a cold morning, though sunny. I decided to paint from this stone patio in the International Friendship Garden on the La Crosse waterfront. Continue reading
-
Isle la Plum
My second effort for Between the Bluffs is this scene of Isle la Plum on the La Crosse waterfront. I wanted to get evening color. So I left at 3 pm to find my spot and draw in the scene. I was hoping for sunset colors to arrive and then I’d add them quickly. Waiting Continue reading
-
Back Yard Bluff
This is the first effort for the Between the Bluffs Plein Air event. It is my daughter’s back yard view of Miller Bluff in La Crosse. The two of us painted while Jerry started to sashiko stitch the view. I’m deciding that it is finished. I might like it more after it rests. It’s like Continue reading
-
Dunnings Spring
We are in Decorah on a beautiful day. Dunning’s Spring Park is on the edge of town. There is a popular location with a waterfall. Water over rocks in a shady area is a good challenge in watercolor. Stages Painting in the outdoors usually brings on comments. I am deciding if I’ll add some white Continue reading
-
Pump House
The East Bank Artists held a quick Plein Air event at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. We had 90 minutes to paint a view including some portions of the Pump House. There was a small group due to the 90 degree heat. I found a shady spot though That is a view that captured Continue reading
-
Leithold’s
It was a cool start to a hot summer day. I was left to myself except for two people wanting to be included. Good idea but it came too late in the process. I’m thinking of a second piece of just a window or part of the building. Maybe hot press paper would take better Continue reading
-
Downtown Art Around
The River City Gallery sponsors an event called Downtown Art Around during July. I entered two years ago when our Madison house hit the market. Then last year I submitted these. This year I plan to work on this… I hope to capture morning light in the window reflections. Stay tuned. Continue reading
-
Vines
The Trempeleau and Elmaro events concluded Sunday, June 30. I worked on a single vine watercolor. Interesting lesson: bring sun glasses. My eyes were overwhelmed by sunshine on white paper- surprise! It was fun to be invaded by the grandkids. I’ve been adding highlights with gauche. Continue reading
-
Plein Air in the Sun
We went after a busy Sunday morning to the open invitation to paint on the grounds at ElMaro Vineyard. There is a market every Sunday in June. It is spring so the vines have leafed out but there was no fruit yet. I liked the lines of the vines in rows, supported by posts and Continue reading
-
Painting in the rain
It was raining for the Plein Air event on Saturday, so I brought a canopy. That helped but the added moisture gave the watercolors a life of their own. The result was a soft effect. Since the water did not dry as normal it was hard to know what would happen. This is at Red Continue reading
Two Book Reflections 