Going Nowhere 2018

Featuring paintings by Jeanne Ross

from the Battle Creek Area of Saint Paul, Minnesota

The goal for the 2018 outdoor painting season was to paint scenes not far from home. The same scenes were painted over the course of the season to show the changes.

— proving that going nowhere is really going somewhere.

Cordova and King Street in St. Augustine, Florida

March 10, 2025

New Painting

Cordova and King Street in St. Augustine, Florida

Going Nowhere 2018 Collection Note Cards - Set One

Going Nowhere 2018 Collection Note Cards - Set Two

Indian God of Peace

The 38 foot statue, designed By Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, was unveiled on May 28, 1936 to commemorate those who died in World War I. Milles vision drew on his memories of a Native American ceremony he witnessed in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Giovanni John Garatti and 19 other stone carvers from Saint Paul carved the 60 ton statue from creamy white Mexican onyx, in sections that were cemented together on a steel backbone with bronze ribs.

The statue revolves on a base which turns 132 degrees every 2.5 hours.

Battle Creek Indian Park Ponds in Late Summer

I returned to this location along Highway 61 a second time this season. It is a 7-10 minute walk from the Battle Creek Park parking lot near Lower Afton Road and 61. The view is view of Saint Paul over Indian Ponds Park. The pressure of the passing season is closing in as I work to fulfill my "Going Nowhere" painting goals. I got smart for this big canvas and dropped my gear off on the side of the road, parked, and hiked to the site. This painting was started outdoors on September 16, 2018, but ended in the studio. The fall turned rainy and cold. The wind bested my tenacity on one chilly day when I set out diligently to paint. After struggling to get set up, I immediately took down because the wind blew my easel down again and again. Uncle! Coffee break. I stopped waiting for good weather and finished in the studio. It took 65 hours for this painting.

Battle Creek Nordic Park from Bench near Upper Afton in Fall

Again this is a view from Dennis Lansing's memorial bench, one of several memorial benches in Battle Creek Nordic Park. The premature fall had me wrestling with the wind and elements as I looked down on the fall view of the rolling hills. There would be no umbrella due to the wind so into the glare I squinted. The paved path is more visible now. The yellow flowers gone. The colors seemingly duller this year because of the way the season arrived. It took about 4 hours for this painting.

Battle Creek Indian Park Ponds In Spring Watercolor Framed

Another rain out so indoor painting it is. Time to paint one of my ready frame watercolors. Outdoor I am back to the Indian Park Pond view of Saint Paul for the second time this season to fulfill my goal. This is the same view that I painted in oil, outdoors in spring. This one is in waterecolor .

Battle Creek Indian Park Ponds In Summer Watercolor Framed

It is a rainy day so I need to break from outdoor and work inside. I have frames all ready with prepared Arches watercolors paper. For my outdoor painting I have returned to the location along Highway 61. The view is of Saint Paul, Minnesota over Indian Park Pond. This is how it looks now in late summer. I wish I did not have to say late summer, but sadly I do.

Barges and Saint Paul in Summer

It is a busy time of year for barges on the Mississippi River near Saint Paul, Minnesota. The sun is going down behind the Lafayette Bridge and the city. On several painting days there was no point putting up the umbrella because of the wind. The glare of the sun on the water is challenging. I had to put on the hat I have carried all summer but never used. This painting took 7 days and 36 hours.

St Paul westside from Lower Landing along Shepard Road

A fun quick painting of a barge and the River Park Plaza building from the Lower Landing dock near Jackson along Shepard Road. It was a bright sunny day. The painting got scratched when I put it in the carrier. It is still fun to see. About three hours are in this one, I had to rush off to get to a meeting.

Tug Boat Moving Barges on an Overcast Day Summer

The colors of the barges are rusty and weathered. This view is from an observation deck, a 50 minute hike northward on Warner Road from parking on Fish Hatchery Road. On day two the tug boat was there to start moving the barges, making it necessary to postpone my ritual coffee break to get them painted before they moved. It took about 8 hours for this painting.

St. Paul from Bridge Near Fish Hatchery Road

Painted while sitting on a wall on the walkway heading from Highway 61 down to Warner. This is the vista seen when coming into Saint Paul from the south. It was a bright and windy day. My umbrella kept blowing away, thankfully it was tethered. I was suprized by how yellow it is. It took about 4 hours for this painting.

Green House on a Hill Built in 1885

I was struck by this house when I was out walking in the neighborhood. The sun over Pig's Eye Lake lights it up in the afternoon and evening. The ancient, twisted tree vies for your attention. The symmetry of the landscaping, and the unexpected green of the front door add charm. The flower planters echo the color of the house trim. Oh yes the wreath was painted before it was taken down. This painting took 14 days and 62 hours.

Battle Creek Walking Bridge Near Upper Afton Road in Summer

One of the walking bridges at Battle Creek Park West. This one is in the section of the park between the entrance on Highway 61 and Upper Afton Road. It was suppose to be a rainy day, but it turned out sunny. Again the patches of tall plant with yellow flowers are all around and add color to the scene. It took about 4 hours for this painting.