MONTICELLO - Whatever it is that moves them, it's not as lonely being Driftless Area Artists together.
The Driftless Area Artists brought the theme "Paths Less Traveled" to their art show Friday at The Balcony Gallery in Monticello.
Some of the artists ventured into new mediums.
Chuck Bauer switched from oil paint to watercolors, and Bob Beck used a different wood than he unusually uses for a table.
Amanda Jordan took the hot pink out of her peony close-up photos, and set them in sepia.
Instead of the color of the flower, you look at the picture and see the texture of the petals and the composition of the picture, she said.
Sarah Aslackson painted "Cool Birds;" penguins she has seen and photographed while in Antarctica.
Some ventured into the most rural heart of Wisconsin wilderness.
About 50 people are registered as members of the Driftless Area Artists, but only 25 to 30 are active members, Aslackson said.
"There are no offices, no fees. We just get together," she said.
The group meets once a month to do painting critiques. When someone sparks the enthusiasm for something more - like an art show - they work together to get it done.
Some members have formed their own subgroups for support, fun and learning from each other.
Tina Duemler, Monroe, travels around Green and Lafayette counties with Peg Cullen and Marc O'Brien.
Duemler normally paints "plein air," in the open air at the site of her paintings.
"I catch the inspiration of the day," she said. "I try to capture the sunlight. I'm fascinated with how light falls."
A small painting can take as many as two to three hours to finish.
But Duemler admitted, about five years ago she was whining about being alone so much.
Since then, she has traveled with portrait artist Cullen and landscape artist O'Brien once a week in the summer. They take turns choosing a spot and paint for four or five hours.
"And we can't whine; that's the agreement," Duemler said.
The artists say they have been learning from each other, and despite being pushed out of their mediums' comfort zones, their talents have improved.
O'Brien, who didn't start painting until she retired from teaching, once was Cullen's student. O'Brien became serious about her painting, taking workshops and traveling.
"I have watched her progress, and she is phenomenal," Cullen said.
One of O'Brien's works on display at the show was a barn on Highway C.
"That barn's gone now," Aslackson said.
Cullen, who normally does large oil portraits, brought a small watercolor called "Lonely Tree."
The Driftless Area Artists brought the theme "Paths Less Traveled" to their art show Friday at The Balcony Gallery in Monticello.
Some of the artists ventured into new mediums.
Chuck Bauer switched from oil paint to watercolors, and Bob Beck used a different wood than he unusually uses for a table.
Amanda Jordan took the hot pink out of her peony close-up photos, and set them in sepia.
Instead of the color of the flower, you look at the picture and see the texture of the petals and the composition of the picture, she said.
Sarah Aslackson painted "Cool Birds;" penguins she has seen and photographed while in Antarctica.
Some ventured into the most rural heart of Wisconsin wilderness.
About 50 people are registered as members of the Driftless Area Artists, but only 25 to 30 are active members, Aslackson said.
"There are no offices, no fees. We just get together," she said.
The group meets once a month to do painting critiques. When someone sparks the enthusiasm for something more - like an art show - they work together to get it done.
Some members have formed their own subgroups for support, fun and learning from each other.
Tina Duemler, Monroe, travels around Green and Lafayette counties with Peg Cullen and Marc O'Brien.
Duemler normally paints "plein air," in the open air at the site of her paintings.
"I catch the inspiration of the day," she said. "I try to capture the sunlight. I'm fascinated with how light falls."
A small painting can take as many as two to three hours to finish.
But Duemler admitted, about five years ago she was whining about being alone so much.
Since then, she has traveled with portrait artist Cullen and landscape artist O'Brien once a week in the summer. They take turns choosing a spot and paint for four or five hours.
"And we can't whine; that's the agreement," Duemler said.
The artists say they have been learning from each other, and despite being pushed out of their mediums' comfort zones, their talents have improved.
O'Brien, who didn't start painting until she retired from teaching, once was Cullen's student. O'Brien became serious about her painting, taking workshops and traveling.
"I have watched her progress, and she is phenomenal," Cullen said.
One of O'Brien's works on display at the show was a barn on Highway C.
"That barn's gone now," Aslackson said.
Cullen, who normally does large oil portraits, brought a small watercolor called "Lonely Tree."