Paintings_Cycling Portraits

"Cycling through Landscapes" is a series I created for the Mill Valley Depot Show, September 2009. It has visited 3 galleries in Marin, and now is currently on display at the San Anselmo Coffee Roasters, a frequent cyclist rest stop. I have had wonderful feedback on this exhibit from our community, comments such as, "It is a real tribute to the cyclists of our town". Prints of all this series may be purchased through Fine Art America.  View original cycling paintings by C.Proppé that are still available to purchase.
"Sunset Ride", Ridgecrest Blvd. looking West, Marin County, CA 2009
24" x 48", o/c._____SOLD Purchase this print online

"Ridgecrest Ride", Mt. Tamalpais, with view of Bolinas, CA 2009
24" x 36", o/c._____SOLD Purchase this print online

"Dwarfed by Elephant Mountain", Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road, CA 2009
30" x 30", o/c._____SOLD Purchase this print online

"Gospel Flat Farm, Farmstand and Produce Bike" 18" x 24", 2009. _____Available contact the artist or Purchase this print online

"Bikes at the Depot", Lytton Square, Mill Valley, CA 2008
14" x 18", plein air, o/c._____Available contact the artist or Purchase this print online

"Burley Parade on Shaver Grade", near Phoenix Lake. 24" x 30", 2009. _____Available. Please contact the artist for direct purchase. Purchase this print online at Fine Art America

"La Coppa Coffee Bikes", Downtown Mill Valley, California. 16" x 20". 2009._____Available contact the artist
or, purchase this print online at Fine Art America

"Cyclist at Old St. Hilary's" 16" x 20" o/c_____SOLD (Framed and unframed prints available. $200./$300. Click here to inquire)

"Big Red waits patiently for next Sausalito Cruise"
12" x 24" with wide, black plein air frame_____Available contact the artist or Purchase this print online

"Bolinas Lagoon, Bolinas Ridge, Bike Study", 6" x 6" framed, oil pastel and scratch removal on canvas. Sealed._____SOLD.
Read more about this study here.

Ride to the Roasters_2006
16" x 20"_____SOLD Purchase print at Fine Art America
On display at San Anselmo Coffee Roasters, San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, CA

San Anselmo Cyclists at the Roasters 2005
24 x 36_____SOLD Purchase this print online at Fine Art America
Purchased by San Anselmo town residents and businesses
for Bryan Stubblefield, Manager of San Anselmo Coffee Roasters
Painting on permanent display at the Coffee Roasters

Tamarancho Trek, Serpentine Trail, Fairfax, CA
24" x 36"_____SOLD


Camp Tamarancho, Fairfax, CA
36" x 48"_____SOLD/Commission. Purchase this print online at Fine Art America


Hick's Valley Road #1, Marin County, CA
16" x 20"_____NFS/Gift of the Artist Purchase this print online at Fine Art America

Hick's Valley Road #2, Marin County, CA
18" x 24"_____NFS/Gift of the Artist Purchase this print online at Fine Art America

1st Tricycle, 1 of 3 in a Child's Portrait Triptych
8" x 10"_____NFS/Gift to the artist's son

Aidan with Trike, 2 of 3 in a Child's Portrait Triptych
8" x 10"_____NFS/Gift to the artist's son
No comments:

Exhibits

Previous:

2013 Marin Organic's 1st Holiday Art Auction with "Art on the Farm"
Please click here to view this online sale of art
50% to support the work of Marin Organic



Cycling Through Landscapes
Marin Cycling Scenes
22 Ross Commons
Ross, CA







Marin Open Studios 2013
20th Anniversary of Marin Open Studios
Gala Opening: April 27, 2013 • 5-8pm
Corte Madera Town Center
Corte Madera, CA
Art on the Farm: collaborative exhibit + fundraiser
through January 17, 2013
San Rafael, CA



January 2012 - 2013
3 Ring Cycles
San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, California
4-6 paintings of cycling scenes in Marin
3 Ring Cycles website
3 Ring Cycles on Facebook



San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA
2 new paintings(June 2012) + 2 paintings of Marin Coffee Roasters(sold)

July 11 - August 5, 2012
City Streets, urban views of the Bay Area
1815 Polk Street (between Washington & Jackson)
San Francisco, CA 94109  •  415.931.3130


Nov 19 - December 31, 2011
22nd Annual Bolinas Mini Show
Bolinas, California


Nov 18 - Jan 6, 2011
"Small Works Show"
1337 Fourth Street + Marin Jeweler's Guild
San Rafael, CA


I took a break to work as the Membership Director for the Marin Arts Council, from September 2010 through Summer 2011.  My work helped hundreds of Artists in Marin County, installing exhibits, assisting with events, and I created the weekly E newsletter from September through May 2011.  I put together the first Summer Series of Creative Artist Workshops at Marin Arts. 


May 2011
Marin Open Studios
Marin Arts Council Gallery, 906 4th Street, San Rafael, CA


January 20 through April 5, 2011







Dec 3 - January 10, 2011
Holiday Art Walk 2010
16 participating Merchants and over 25 artists
Pick up a map at participating shops in San Anselmo on December 3, 2010
I have a couple of small paintings at Delectables Home & Garden

Nov. 18, 2010
"Small Wonders"
Holiday Bazaar of Small Artworks(under 12" in any direction)
A juried art show & sale
906 4th Street
Downtown San Rafael
I have 3 small paintings in this show, all priced at $125. each!
Perfect for your holiday shopping, the Gallery is open
W-Saturday 11am - 6pm
 
November, 2010
San Anselmo Arts Commission Box, in the Town Hall
I have one painting on display in the box managed by the San Anselmo Arts Commission in downtown San Anselmo.  It is in the hallway to the San Anselmo Historical Society.  It is a large painting of Inverness, featuring the old Pt. Reyes boat behind the Inverness Grocery.
San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA

Sept. 18, 2010 - tba 2010/11
San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA
Paintings created on or inspired by Marin Organic Farms
"Art on the Farm", Group Show


 





  • Art On The Farm Group Exhibit
Art Exhibit and Wine Tasting; a benefit for Marin Organic.
Point Reyes Vineyard (Rt. 1, just outside of Pt. Reyes Station)
October 24, 2010  11 - 5 pm



March - May 2010
Ugallery
5 of my Cycling Series were represented online by Ugallery. They are on display at the San Anselmo Coffee Roasters, on San Anselmo Ave. This May, I began a Spring Sale of all cycling paintings. Please contact me directly for the price list.

November, 2009
The Bolinas Gallery (right next to the Bolinas Museum)
52 Wharf Road, Bolinas, CA
November 7th - 30th Open; Friday, Sat. and Sunday Noon to 5pm
View and purchase Holiday gifts--- new paintings, prints, cards, photography by 26 artists from our group! A show not to be missed!


October 25, 2009

September 2009
Solo Show of Cycling Paintings
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Opening Reception; September 1, 6pm to 7pm

July 2009
ART ON THE FARM Group Show
Opening July 1; Reception July 11th

Art on the Farm at Marin Veterans' Auditorium
January 26 - June 7, 2009
Hosted by: Friends of Marin Center and Marin Arts Council

Alumni Art; 40 Years from Greenwich Public Schools
Havemeyer Building, Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT
June 2007 through June 2009

March 8 - March 29, 2009
Art on the Farm, Group Show
March 8th opening reception at Claudia Chapline Gallery in Stinson Beach. From left to right are: Alan Mart(founder of Art on the Farm), Claudia Chapline, Chris Adessa, Christin Coy, and Richard Lindenberg.

C. Proppé Reception at Local Flora
November 2, 2008 - January 27, 2009
Local Flora Flowers, Plants & Art Gallery
Adjacent to United Market
100 Red Hill Ave., San Anselmo, CA

Sunday, October 19, 2008
Food from Marin Organic family farms, wine and art available for purchase with 50% going back to the Marin Organic Loan Fund.

August 4 - October 10, 2008
Visual Impact: Work by Recent Marin Arts Council Grantees
5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200, Novato, CA
Reception: Thursday, September 25 from 4:30-6:30 pm

September, 2008
Mill Valley Paint Off, Plein Air Exhibit with 35 artists
The Paint Off Reception: Tuesday, September 2nd, 5:30-7pm
Wine and appetizers served.
In conjunction with the 1st Tuesday Artwalk, September 2, 2008.

May 3 - August 28, 2008
The San Anselmo Inn
Oil Paintings by C.Proppé and Watercolors by Kate Peper
339 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA

May 3rd, 2008
MARIN OPEN STUDIOS (more info at www.marinarts.org)
Opening Reception of work by all participating artists;
Saturday evening, April 26th, 2008
Town Center, Corte Madera, CA
Saturday, May 3rd: C. Proppé Open Studio
339 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA

March 10 - April 11, 2008
Marin Landscapes: Show with fellow artist Kate Peper
Postcard Annoucement:


January 11-March 10, 2008
Solo show at The San Anselmo Inn
339 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, CA

December 2007-January 2008
Marin; Mountains and Seascapes
Paintings on loan to SF Bay Pediatrics
Shelter Bay Business Center, Building 1
159 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA

October 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 5:30-8:30pm
SAUSALITO ART WALK on Caledonia Street

August 26, 2007
Taste of Marin Event & Auction to benefit
Marin Organic, MALT & Marin Farmer's Market

May 7 - July 7, 2007
Opening Reception Saturday, May 19th, 2007
Solo Show & Silent Auction
Paintings of West Marin; From the Valley to the Sea
The Two Bird Cafe at the Valley Inn
San Geronimo Valley, CA
Wine and cheese reception provided by The Two Bird Cafe
Live Jazz Music by Dianne Zellers
(ABOVE: Postcard Announcement sent out in April. Click to enlarge.)
(ABOVE: Postcard Back; Invitation to Reception. Click to enlarge.)
A 2 month silent auction of paintings, with 20% of the proceeds going to local, San Geronimo business, and 10% to the Marin Agricultural Land Trust(MALT).

November 2006- April 2007
San Anselmo Artisan Walk
Paintings of West Marin & San Anselmo, CA
Marin Coffee Roasters
San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, CA

February 24, 2007
San Anselmo Arts Commission's 3rd Annual
Fundraiser & Silent Auction
Marin Art and Garden Center

2005-2006
Cycling Portraits
San Anselmo Coffee Roasters
San Anselmo, CA

1980's and 90's
Various exhibits in Central Maine, including Colby College
Various exhibits in Greenwich, CT
No comments:

Contact

C.Proppé online


Colleen M. Proppé
San Anselmo, CA 94960

Email me!

Website:
C.Proppé Website















.
No comments:

Artist Bio

UPDATES:

2025:
The best thing I have done since the pandemic was a 30 day, solo cycling trip and fundraising ride for The Ocean Cleanup. I biked solo, from Hobe Sound Florida to NYC and back to my childhood home in Connecticut, all while spreading the mission of The Ocean Cleanup. I had a sign and a scan code on my bike, as well as a Martin Backpacker guitar. I wrote a couple songs on the way and met so many people who were interested in the fundraising I was doing for the Oceans. I took the most coastal route possible, to be alongside the ocean and I used several ferries. I saw parts of the US I had never seen before by car, and it changed me. There were so many unforgettable places and businesses I met along the way. I have been both car-free, and mostly fossil fuel free, only using my bike and the train since Earth Day of 2024. I am continuing with cycling and fundraising work and you may donate to my fundraiser, here. All proceeds go directly to TheOceanCleanup.com for removing and recycling ocean plastics.

I directed a beach plastic fundraising art project in the Marin County schools with my sons and 3rd graders as a volunteer in 2011. The Ocean Cleanup was founded by Boyan Slat, two years later, in 2013. We now have real, working solutions to remove plastics from our rivers and oceans. The Ocean Cleanup brings HOPE to our children for a cleaner and better world by 2040. 

May - June of 2025: I designed 4 new collections of Τ-shirts featuring 3 of my own illustrations and the 4th collection features the work from the 3rd graders ocean plastic project. The simplicity of the kids designs looks beautiful with The Ocean Cleanup logo above. See all the collections here, or read more about them on my latest blog post.

Green Sea Turtle Beach Plastic Art by 3rd Graders, 2011 cproppe.com



2020:
"I am painting, song-writing and editing a 400,000 word book. I have updated my art blog and have some items for sale to support The Nature Conservancy's tree planting program. I have always been an artist that cares deeply about the landscape, organic farming and climate action. This is the year we must do all we can for the bees, monarchs, oceans and climate. If you get a chance, please stop by ArtWorksDowntown to before Feb. 27 to see the Retrospective show of Phyllis Thelen, 93, Founder of AWD. I was lucky enough to work with Phyllis at AWD over a period of 3 years. Her art ranges from printmaking to sculpture and spans four galleries. Ms. Thelen has always sought to defend, protect and celebrate nature with her art. A 2nd Reception is on Feb 14."

2019:
Colleen worked as a temporary Production Designer on fashion and retail mechanicals in San Francisco. She began a managment class at City College and worked as a Summer Camp art teacher. "Hoping to find a full-time role using my Salesforce knowledge, I attended the free days of the Salesforce events TrailheadDX, and Dreamforce 2019. What I loved most about Salesforce was the seeing how great brand design created a world for business employees to have fun learning, both at events and online via Trailhead. I continued to volunteer with the San Francisco Bike Coalition, biked with my sons in Pride 2019, and raised funds for SFBike Coalition in a Climate Ride from SF to San Luis Obispo. I never stopped writing, riding my bike or playing guitar. Unfortunately, I soon learned I needed a hip replacement and with out housing in San Francisco, I was forced to leave California and stay with extended family in order to have surgery."

2018:
After working as a Production Illustrator for Salesforce.org in October and November of 2018, Colleen started learning Salesforce with the free online training program, "Trailhead".

2017:
In between UX classes, freelance production design jobs and work with Precita Eyes Muralists, Colleen fell in love with the voice of a San Francisco-based band and followed them on tour, something she had never before done in her life. She took an online musicianship class at Berklee. After moving to San Francisco to get away from her past, she found that riding her bike daily, learning guitar and starting to write songs were the main things keeping her going. "I started to create playlists for fun and to learn about songwriting. As I did this, I learned about music history, diversity and gender in music. I remembered so much of my past life through music, and I wrote attempts at songs and funny rhymes, "aka letters" to the band, hoping to turn my tragedy into a fun novel based on my creative journey to freedom."

2016:
Colleen started writing poetry to help her get through the process of leaving an abusive man who she had raised twins with, but never married. With no custody, alimony, or savings, she left to live with a local family and try to move forward but stay close enough to her sons to still be a part of their lives. She wanted to find a way to legally help women in her situation, but first, she had to save herself.

2015:
Colleen updated her skills with Advanced Packaging Design at Academy of Art, San Francisco and has spent the last 2 years working for a variety of natural and organic food companies as a Production Artist. "Learning new tools and keeping up with graphic design is also a passion that helps inspire ideas for my painting. I am about half way done with a children's book I am illustrating about coyotes on Mt. Tam. I look forward to self-publishing soon. I have a few small paintings in the works for the Bolinas "Hardly Strictly Mini" show in November."

2014:
Colleen continued to volunteer with the "Art on the Farm" group of artists and assisted Marin Organic with their first online art auction in the winter of 2013.  She continues to accept commissions and is working on a piece for the Poncia Family of Tomales, including a commissioned painting of the Burbank Family Ranch she completed at the end of 2013.

June 2013:
Colleen became a Google Glass Explorer in June 2013.  The goal of her use of Glass was to create paintings with new angles from the hands-free technology. View one of the paintings here...

Aug 2011 - April 2013:
Colleen worked for 20 months as Communications Coordinator/Graphic Designer for "Art Works Downtown" a 40,000 sq. ft. art center in downtown San Rafael that boasts 3 award winning galleries, 35 artist studio spaces, 17 artist apartments, and 4 retail spaces, including "Café Odalisque" that caters to artists and art lovers.  Please visit their galleries, artists, take a workshop, or consider becoming an "Associate Artist Member" of AWD.  Voted "Best of Marin" from 2011-2013.

Sept 2011 - July 2011:
Colleen worked as Director of Membership for Marin Arts Council, where she enjoyed assisting in the promotion of the Arts and hundreds of artists, poets, authors and theater groups in the Bay Area.

PRESS:
2010 Interview with Marin Mommies:
***Click here*** to read my press/interview online 11/2009 by Marin Mommies.


ORIGINAL BIO:
Originally from Connecticut, Colleen began her art education in the Greenwich Public Schools with Steve Wallerstein, the founder of "Arts Alive", a program that brought 70+ artists into Eastern Junior High School for a day to take over the school and teach a variety of classes to all students. Colleen studied drawing and painting with Shirley Jankowich at GHS, and took classes in photography, ceramics, wood and stone carving, stone lithography, and printmaking. Colleen was awarded a student artist grant from the Greenwich Arts Council to pursue her higher education as an artist in 1985. She attended a Parson's School of Design summer program in France, where she learned to paint plein air the landscapes of the Dordogne Region and the architecture of Paris, primarily in gauche and charcoal. One of her fondest memories of painting was in a small village in the South of France. A French man approached her, and spoke to her in French about her painting, reminding her not to forget to paint the window, "la fenêtre".

Colleen went on to major in Art History and Painting at Colby College, in Maine. She studied oil painting under Gina Werfel who is now also in California, teaching at UC Davis. Colleen spent a year at Rhode Island School of Design, in the Illustration Dept., where she recalls learning the technique of the masters of eggshell tempura. "For one of my assignments, I was required to mix my own paint and paint in the style of Velasquez. I copied his painting, "Old Woman Cooking Eggs".








  • Link to more info about this painting at the National Gallery in London.

    • It was very large; 4 feet long by 3 1/2 feet tall. It only fit outside the house I was dorming in, so I had to sit outside on the porch with gloves on... It was winter in New England, and I was freezing! Despite the difficulty of the assignment, it was one of the most significant learning experiences in teaching me about oil painting, and lighting. I learned to layer my colors, from darkness to light."

    Upon graduation from Colby College in 1990, Colleen was invited to join a friend to visit Marin County, CA. Colleen recalls falling in love with the beauty and the drama of the coastal landscapes. In 1992, Colleen was accepted at CalArts for Experimental Animation. She studied in the Master's program there for two years. In 1995, Colleen accepted her first animation job in San Francisco, and moved to Fairfax.

    After a 7 year career as an animator, and computer artist in Marin County, Colleen decided to make a serious effort to develop her career as a painter. She planned a show for February 2005 at the San Anselmo Coffee Roasters. Her painting of the previous Roasters Shop on San Anselmo Ave. was purchased by town residents and businesses as a gift for the owner when he moved across the street to a new location.
    San Anselmo Cyclists at the Roasters 2005 24" x 36"

    Colleen exhibited her paintings of West Marin and San Anselmo as part of the first Artisan Walk of 2006. Colleen's 2007 solo show and silent auction of paintings of West Marin was well received, and raised 10% for MALT, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust. Colleen has donated her art to auctions for Taste of Marin, The San Anselmo Arts Commission, and Trips for Kids. She is the first recipient of the Wendy Gruber Award for Career Development, given as a grant in November 2007 through the Marin Arts Council.

    Colleen's goal is to eventually be accepted in the various shows of Marin plein air artists that work together to give back to the community. "I want to feel I am painting to be a part of something bigger than myself. The idea of my art giving back to the land and the community from which it came brings me peace in my purpose beyond my own therapeutic needs." -C.Proppé 2007
    No comments:

    Commissions, Prints & Pricing

    Commissioned painting of a ranch in Tomales, California 2013

    Commissions:
    I gladly accept commissions of all types and sizes, and can negotiate a price per job. I can paint a local place in Marin on site, or from a photo you supply for reference. Yes, I do portraits of people, and pet portraits too.* (Please see below for some examples of my recent portrait and landscape commissions.) I request 50% cash or check upfront after we agree on a total cost. The second 50% is due upon delivery. If you need to charge a purchase, I do have a PayPal account and we can arrange a credit card charge via PayPal. Please contact me for more information.

    *Portrait Pricing is based on heads in the portrait, and runs from $500.-$1,000. per head depending on the canvas size. If the painting has intricate clothing, objects or backgrounds in the scene, the price will be negotiated to include the additional details. My prices include framing. I do request that the customer pay all packaging and shipping expenses. I use Dostal Studio in San Rafael for my packaging and shipping needs.I work exclusively from photos for detailed family portraits, and I can digitally composite your favorite photos, or meet you and your family at a local park to do a photo shoot before hand. View some of my portrait photography work, by clicking here. I have years of painting from models in my background, but with today's technology, I find the photo to be a better way to get painted portraits to be precise. If you prefer a classic "sitting", I can refer you to other artists in my area that include this in their business repertoire.

    Giclée Prints:
    You may order almost any of my paintings reproduced as an unframed, giclée print, or archival quality print on canvas. Please visit fineartamerica.com to order my prints. If you don't see what you are looking for there, please feel free to email me with any questions.

    Standard Canvas Sizes/Pricing (including framing costs):
    8 x 10______425.- 625.
    16 x 20_____600.- 800.
    18 x 24_____800.- 1100.
    30 x 30____1200.- 1500.
    24 x 36____1800.- 2400.
    36 x 48____2400.- 3200.

    Selected Commissions:
    "Ole's Boathouse", Riverside, Connecticut o/c, 24" x 36". Commission.


    "Jelly Hill Farm" 24" x 36".

    The Cory Kids, 16" x 20", oil on canvas. Commissioned portrait painting from client photo.

    The Sussman Family, 18" x 24, o/c. Commissioned portrait from four digitally composited client photos.

    Ride to the Lakeside Cabin, 12" x 16", oil on canvas. Commissioned portrait painting from client photo.


    Selected commissions from 2006-2007.

    Note on Gallery Pricing: Most galleries and places I show my art take a percentage of my sales to support their time for showing artists' work, or to use the money towards a fundraising cause. This fee can range from 20% to 50% of the cost of the painting. Artists then deduct their material costs, such as the cost of the frame, paints, canvas, and advertising costs. Buying directly from the artist allows for a reduced price.
    No comments:
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)