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Urban Sketching
It’s a quick and informal style to see what’s in an urban environment. Here are a few samples.
Winona 
UW La Crosse 
Decorah, IA 
Winona 
Winona “throw down” It’s not always an urban scene. This next was a concert.
Organ piano concert This is a coffee shop in Madison.
EVP Coffee I typically draw with a micron pen and watercolor wash.
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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.
Set up Stages
No water yet Painting in the outdoors usually brings on comments.
The park entrance I am deciding if I’ll add some white splashes with gauche after everything is fully dry.
Finished or no What do you think?
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Mayfly
I saw them on the windows at my gym. Their design is quite sporty, especially the twin tails. If my identification is correct they were Hexagenia limbata, or giant mayfly.
I took a picture at a local store, where a living and a deceased mayfly had come to rest.
It looked like a good acrylic painting project.
In progress Painting insect sized details in acrylic is a challenge, a stiff small brush would be ideal. So far I like the brickwork.
It had a short life, a day or two, and yet it managed to show itself well on the brick wall.
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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.
Courtyard There was a small group due to the 90 degree heat. I found a shady spot though
Mike Morlino’s That is a view that captured me at work. Mike is an artist and sculptor.
This is my view. I won a prize, a collection of small canvases.
My view Yes, I’ve painted those bridges 4 times now.
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Decorah Sketchbook
At the edge of town is a waterfall and an ice cave.
Ice Cave 
Waterfall 
Quick sketch with a small watercolor kit.
Beside the falls are steps, next trip I’ll bring my plein air kit.
View from steps -
Watershed submitted
So here are my submissions to the River Arts Alliance exhibition: “Watershed.”
Lansing View 
Mississippi Sentinels 
Trempeleau Reflections Stay tuned.
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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
Lansing, IA I’m working on a watercolor with a goal of finishing by Monday.
So far so good This view based on my daughter’s photo features cirrus clouds and a horseshoe shaped cluster of islands. I’ve noticed that shape before. I’m guessing it has to do with sediment and the current.
The foreground remains and the challenge is at the same time to distinguish clusters of green while not overworking it.
I’ll just have to give it a go.
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Leithold’s
Started 
Mostly done 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.
Unframed. I’m thinking of a second piece of just a window or part of the building. Maybe hot press paper would take better detail.
Or horizontal view of entrance with name, and a pedestrian. There was a dog in the window of my reference picture. I didn’t notice it at the time.
Do you see the dog? I’ll enter this and the second picture in the Downtown Art Around event at River City Gallery.
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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.
St. Joseph the Workman This year I plan to work on this…
Leithold music I hope to capture morning light in the window reflections.
Stay tuned.
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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.
Mine and grand daughter’s I’ve been adding highlights with gauche.
Finished? 
Line up
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Two Book Reflections 