The 13th century In Plein Air pastel

Invited to paint for a month at this lovely estate, farm and restful location, my studio there provided a space to work and think. I was constantly aware that the history of Italy is evident millenniums after buildings and cities were established. Ancient aqueducts remain all through Europe, and the towns and cities I visited were walled against takeover by neighboring cities, the church and warring states. One of the buildings was nearly intact on the Borgo estate and was transformed from a 13th century bakery to a residence for guests. The giant cook oven was transformed into a large fireplace. 

Intrigued by the chimney, this pastel painting shows the building as it exists today. Another part of the ancient monastery and way place for pilgrims was a one story building, broken up into various living spaces. It was salvaged and rebuilt to be utilized as the main entrance, as well as the wine cellar, restaurant and guest rooms.

The Old Bakery, 16x20 pastel, c. 2019

Work in Progress on location

Plein Air in Tuscany.

Step by step, I completed this oil painting sitting in the shade of olive trees while guests arrived and departed through this main entrance to Borgo Santo Pietro. Sitting in the shade at a tea table in the atrium garden and painting is high on my list of favorite places in Italy.

Welcome to Borgo

The final painting captures the warm welcome you will receive upon arrival, the comfort you can expect and the light of the Mediterranean sun. 

Welcome to Borgo, oil on linen 24x16 c. 2019

An Abundance of Vegetables

Residing and painting for a month in the midst of a self sufficient organic farm there were many different flowers, plants and especially vegetables growing. Acres of farmland provided all the food for guests as well as animals, such as llamas, chickens for their eggs, cows for milk and cheeses, and bees for the farm and their honey.

A lovely stone bowl was on my outdoor patio table. It held two yellow apples and would make a lovely still life to paint indoors if it rained. I asked a gardener if I could have a few fresh vegetables for my little bowl. I returned from lunch to find this huge selection of perfect specimens, artfully arranged with accents of yellow dill and straw. It was huge and weighed 15-20 pounds. I made use of the contents for the rest of the month, painting some, eating others and experimenting with drying peppers. Definitely the most delicious painting. Later in the month I painted the stone bowl with some assorted peppers.

Watercolor plan for a large painting 6x8

Organic Vegetables, of Course. 18x24 pastel c.2019

Morning on Lake Ontario

August along the Great Lakes is close to heaven. An NFPAP paintout, hosted by Laurene, brought the painters right to the edge of Lake Ontario. I chose a comfortable seat on the deck with a lake view obstructed by glorious pots of flowers. A sailboat emerged from Youngstown and the Niagara River to complete my painting. This was one of those great summer memory making days.

On Claudia’s Lake Patio, 12x9, oil on canvas panel

A Still Life That Needed a Little More

Fresh flowers are abundant on the Tuscany estate and peach and pink multiflora roses surround the Art House. Rose of Sharon in the back appear to be a wall of violet and herbs are grown as shrubs and landscape plants along the paths. My bouquet needed a little support, I added short dense branches to make it stand. They were a soft blue green and scented like sage. Not looking, I titled the flowers with the color name of sage in the title.  It took a day or two before I realized that the plant I had clipped was rosemary, and so the title was changed.

"Put Some Rosemary in it" 24x18 pastel on paper

Exploring Meo Modo

An exclusive estate has to have amazing foods, and this did. Everything was organic and delicious. The morning views were spectacular as Mist rose from the mountains and farmland. I explored the shapes and moods of Borgo Santo Pietro with pencil and pen, deciding what to paint and how to place it on the surface. I frequently draw scenes to become more familiar and that helps my final painting.

The second photo became my plan for a large painting.

Have breakfast here. 5x7

Looking through the cattails

 From the left side and close up.

Starting out.

Final painting.

Italy. Tuscany.
I was offered a month residency at an exclusive Michelin starred estate as their resident artist. From a stocked and charming studio, called the Artist House, I painted gardens and farms, animals and flowers, ancient stone buildings and classical architecture.  

Liking a hard surface for my brush, I attached linen to boards and used a portable box for oils and brushes. The picture here shows my view at the studio, where a covered marble chip patio had three outdoor couches and a large stone table. My first painting in the shade there was this wisteria vines bridge, thick with impasto and water lilies. It is named the Monet bridge.

My joy was unbounded in the summer sunlight, surrounded by waterfalls, white ducks, peacocks and a frequent visitor, a giant blue heron. What beautiful surroundings to inspire and enjoy. A speaker attached to the music on my phone made it even more special. Music accompanies painting like a comfortable old friend. 

A few days later, I realized that the vines were flowering and I added a few hanging purple blossoms, as well as more light and shadow.  "Song of the Water Lilies" was purchased on my last day, to a collector in California.

Song of the Waterlilies, 16x12 oil on linen. C. 2019

2020 calendars

2020 has been printed collated and packaged. You may order them on the website or find it at my usual vendors in Niagara Falls and Buffalo in October. Right now it is available on the counter of Niagara Falls Teachers Credit Union. 

12 new paintings are assigned to the seasons of next year for gifts and personal use. Happy New Year!

Dreams do come true

How is this for an artist studio? I have every intention of making it my own space and filling the walls with my art. What do you think? Can you imagine a nicer place for a painting studio than this one?

Outside, looking in

Inside, Looking out

CAM 20/20 Vision

"20/20 Vision" is an upcoming exhibition of women's art at Castellani Art Museum, opening in January. This will be my addition to the gallery walls. It will include artists from the five county area and remain in the main gallery space until summer. This view from below the American Falls could not be painted on location, the mist was dense and I was on the Maid of The Mist boat tour. It is a studio painting.

Beyond the Rock of Ages 15x30 oil on canvas

Garden flowers in progress

A warm day, not too bright, but the weeds were calling. Garden shoes, waterproof gloves and a sun hat were needed. As soon as I stepped on the patio a pot of flowers among the houseplants called my name. 

So I painted it. 

In progress from the table. 

Finished! 

As I cleared the table. Noticed the succulent centerpiece glowed like a diamond. The earlier rain had left a drop in the center. How pretty!

Begonias and Pansies, 9x12 pastel. c. KSchifano

Urban Art, indoors with a view

The lobby of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Buffalo filled with urban artists when the rain poured in sheets and buckets. Warm and dry, with the smell of fresh coffee nearby and the sounds of elevator doors, the large windows offered framed glimpses of Main Street and Genesee Streets as well as the Goldome Building. 

Pictures were made by people of all ages and skills.

My interior view of Hyatt Regency, Buffalo. Pen and ink

Art on Oliver

Here it is, my painting enlarged and on display in the window of Jack's Trains, an Oliver Street favorite shop of young and old. It was a treat to be selected for the Art on PLiver Public initiative, but what a joy to see it displayed! 

This was cosponsored by several North Tonawanda businesses and printed by our master art printer, Lisa at Pencil in The River.

An Award at Clarence Town Park

The Clarence Art Society uses the spacious Clarence Town Park on Route 5 for an annual plein air competition. This year, I decided to enter because the park is a collection of beautiful views, a pond with a fountain, clubhouse, split rail museum home, hills and trees, a playground and a pool. It is huge. 

My plan was to paint the bridge when the early light was muted and misty but the bridge was much too dark. The geraniums on a nearby raised wall glowed in sun light and I chose to paint them first, I painted the bridge in the bright afternoon light.

Several painting buddies were also entered and we enjoyed a day in each other's company. There was a public exhibition and judging for awards so we had plenty of time to discuss tripods, pastel brands and our favorite ice cream flavor. Usually we leave a site when finished painting or lunch, whichever is last. This was a relaxing time to visit.

It was tough to choose one painting for the judging but I have found that the first painting of the day is often the best. The judge agreed and awarded my flowers Second Place.

Geraniums in Clarence Town Park, 9x12 oil on birch c. 2019

Monet Bridge IN Clarence Park, 12x16 oil on birch c. 2019

Two 'Power'ful Paintings in a summer exhibition at NACC

The 17th annual Beyond The Barrel exhibit at the Niagara Arts and Culture Center has the subtitle 'Power'. I chose these two paintings to represent the energy and power of where we live. Boulders that have withstood the pounding of water racing to the Falls and out to Lake Ontario and the clouds that arise over Lake Erie and create snowstorms south of Buffalo represent power of nature to me. All together it is a strong and energetic show, in the Townsend Gallery through August 25.

I am pleased to have work represented in this strong show representing 'Power' and WNY artists.

Rock Steady, K Schifano, oil c. 2018

Buffalo Lookout and the Weather, oil K Schifano, oil c.2012

Rock Steady 16x20 oil on board

Buffalo Lookout and the Weather, 11x14 oil on canvas panel

Smallest Gallery in WNY (716) GAL-LERY

This vintage phone booth turned art gallery was an exhibition from April through July 28. The booth was rescued from NYC and the fan, door and lights all work, just as I remember from the corner store decades ago growing up. All of these tiny paintings were transported to Hydraulic Hearth in a medium size basket. 

The phone played 'Starry, Starry Night' in honor of Van Gogh, the original renegade impressionist. 

This press release ran weekly in the Buffalo News Gusto magazine until the end of the exhibit.

Finally, in the third year.

Peony Bliss, oil c.2019

Two seasons of Peonies were necessary to finish this 30”x20” oil. It started as an ambitious Plein air, but blooms opened and light changed faster than I could paint. The following year I used fresh flowers as models. This year I varnished and ordered a frame. Finally 3 years later it will be off the floor and finished.

Peony Bliss, oil on canvas panel 30x20 

Niagara On the Lake

Summer days are perfect for painting in WNY. A shady spot, a chair and easel out of the way of walkers and a decent view are all that I hope for when we head out. On this day, we crossed the Rainbow bridge to Canada and headed north about 20 miles.

It was quiet in Niagara On the Lake, Ontario when we arrived but by the time we left crowds were filling the shops and walkways. We heard lovely comments from people  peeking over the hedges we had settled by. A patch of grass near a tree along a part of the road with no parking makes for another beautiful memory.

The Centopath. NOTL, 9x12 oil on birch. C.2019

Van Gogh in Houston

Is this a familiar scene? Vincent Van Gogh painted his bedroom at Arles several times during the last two years of his life. At the Museum of Fine Arts, in Houston recently, an interactive display allowed children and adults to experience his paintings life size and 3-d. Copies of his easels and drawing boards, hands on activities and video all engaged us after seeing a huge collection of his works in the museum. Paintings and drawings loaned from other museums that I had seen only in books were simply breathtaking. Travel for me involves seeing art and doing some, too.

A Festival of Plein Air

I’ll be painting here with many other artists, probably near the pond and bridge at the east side of the park. If it rains, find me near the log cabin...or working from my car!