Shake Rag Alley, Mineral Point

Shake Rag Alley, Mineral Point is an 11x14 oil painting completed in August 2022 during the Paint the Point plein air event. Painted on location, this scene captures one of Mineral Point’s most beloved and historic enclaves—Shake Rag Alley, a small cluster of hand-built stone cottages, artist studios, and heritage gardens nestled in a wooded ravine.

There’s something enchanted about this place. Originally settled by Cornish miners in the 1820s, Shake Rag Alley became a living time capsule, with many of the original limestone buildings lovingly preserved and now serving as a hub for artists, writers, and community events. It’s the kind of place where history and creativity aren’t separate—they’re tangled together in every leaf and stone.

I was drawn to the natural curves of the alley, the interplay between sun-dappled foliage and the warm stone walls, and the way it all feels like a little storybook village tucked into the Midwest. My brushwork here is deliberately loose and expressive—leaning into my post-impressionist instincts. Bold outlines, layered textures, and a palette full of earth tones and soft greens help evoke the tranquility of the space without fussing over detail.

As I painted, I could hear birds overhead and the occasional laughter of visitors walking the paths—reminders that this place isn’t just preserved, it’s alive.

Whether you know Mineral Point or you’re simply drawn to rustic landscapes that carry emotional weight, Shake Rag Alley is a small window into a world where history and handmade beauty live side by side.