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All about Trempeleau Plein Air
I’ll be in it. -
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 on that. I see all the dried grass in the foreground, where Mary Lou sees patterns.
What do you see?
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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.
Looking West 
Ice 
A “snag” 
Inlet 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 reds in the bark.
Art Club meets at the Community Connections Center each week. It is a good place to get friendly feedback.
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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.
Sunset 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 the right.
In process Final result.
“Piggy’s” -
“Judged”
Here is the completed submission for the Stations of the Cross Lent exhibition at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison.
This represents when Jesus is before Pilate, who washes his hands of condemning an innocent man, due to political pressure. The shadow represents what is before Jesus.
Judged 
Hands Carved White Oak and acrylic paints.
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Judged progress
There have been some changes. To fit the series brief, I’ve eliminated the word “crucify”. Also, as the liturgy has to do with the imitation of Christ, I’ve turned the hands as if it is Jesus’ view of Pilate washing his hands. The other judgment of the crowd which is consistent with the times Jesus predicted his death led to another change. The cross will cast its shadow over the hand washing.
Here are a few progress pictures.
White Oak 
Sketch 
Transfered image 
Here we go. -
Judged
Im working on a carving for a Lent Exhibit at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison. There will be a work for each station of the Cross. The brief is to be monochrome and unrefined. Here are some sketches.
I’ve decided to feature the judgment of the crowd to crucify him, and to see Pontius Pilate’s hand washing. This is seen from Pilate’s Point of view.
I will be “drawing” with a woodworking tool on this live edge board. The idea is to make it like a line drawing. To get the contrast needed, I’ll either whitewash the wood or paint in all of the incised lines.
To add to the idea of Pilate’s view of things, I’ve decided to use my own hand for photo referenct. What was Pilate thinking and feeling as he knowingly convicted an innocent man to preserve himself from the Crowd’s accusation: ‘You are no friend of Caesar’s!”
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I’ll Drive
Progress 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.”
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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.
Rainbow Unicorn 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 allows me to combine brushwork and acrylic markers.
Watercolor in progress 
I took the picture late last winter before leaves appeared. This may become a series. My first attempt had some success, but I’m not happy with the color selection. Next time I’ll work with a cooler palette.
Museum piece The La Crosse Children’s museum is asking for submissions for their 25th anniversary. This was taken when our older granddaughter was pretending to drive a boat. There is a strong primary color palette, and the challenge of a face. It’s also a chance to explore undercoats. The fun of acrylics is that you can build up layers.
Three Wisconsin snow scenes and a Mexican sunset.
Stay tuned.
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Fall Leaves Fall Again
It could be a simple statement of fact: “Fall leaves fall.” It is what happens every year. It could be a direct request: “Fall leaves, Fall.” as if we could somehow could encourage this to happen. I see it as a celebration: “Fall leaves fall!” This installation celebrates the symmetry of drawing from the soil, the ground water and sunlight set beside the death and decay as the leaves become mulch and nutrition. We may call it a design or a happy accident. It happens without us, though we through our lack of care could disrupt it. Isn’t it better to celebrate and enjoy the benefits?
These leaves are cut from trees felled from the grounds at the Farley Center. The leave shapes are from this tree. The colors are from the weather and natural stains.
I hope this work directs your attention to the annually repeated process all around us.
This installation came home after several months at the Farley Center. For the second run I refreshed the colors with thinned exterior acrylic paints. It is now at our friends, Jeff and Judy’s yard in La Crosse.
Fall Leaves Fall Again Installation below…
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Two Book Reflections 