Sunday, September 9, 2012
Jetties at Long Beach, Long Island
Another glorious week spent at Long Beach, New York allowed me to continue studying the jetty at Ohio Street. It changes with the tides and the light, the time of day and the pounding surf. Waves come in faster as high tide approaches and recede faster when the tide goes out. As the powerful salt water reaches the edge of the jetty the sand swirls around and over the rocks, it covers and exposes them in a new way each day. The beach and sand is higher on the east side of all the jetties, lower on the west. To this day, the value of jetties to reduce beach and land erosion has not been determined or proven.
Last month I was intrigued by the waves crashing on the furthest rocks, making giant rooster tails that twisted and reversed as they crashed onto other rocks or back into the sea. This visit found me exploring in paint the inside end that you see here. These sites are both painted at the same location from a little different angle and different times of day. Morning sun lights up the algae and grasses and water, but an overcast sky softens those colors in the second picture. Various rocks are covered and uncovered by sand each day as seagulls and sandpipers scavenge and flit about the shore.
Incoming Tide, oil 8x10 2012
LowTide Jetty, oil 8x10 2012
Last month I was intrigued by the waves crashing on the furthest rocks, making giant rooster tails that twisted and reversed as they crashed onto other rocks or back into the sea. This visit found me exploring in paint the inside end that you see here. These sites are both painted at the same location from a little different angle and different times of day. Morning sun lights up the algae and grasses and water, but an overcast sky softens those colors in the second picture. Various rocks are covered and uncovered by sand each day as seagulls and sandpipers scavenge and flit about the shore.
Incoming Tide, oil 8x10 2012
LowTide Jetty, oil 8x10 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Tuscarora State Park on Lake Ontario
After two weeks of painting travels, schedule conflicts and distractions I am pleased to be home and back on schedule with the Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters and hope to rejoin my Thursday group as well. Unfortunately I missed several of my favorite locations this summer, but I did get to Tuscarora State Park with our group.
I found a clean and smooth log to sit on which turned out to be quite lumpy after the first hour as well as the high speed runway for carpenter ants and other beach creatures. After my time in the mountains with assorted unnamed critters, the ants were no problem as long as they only crossed my lap.
Sitting low in the shade, my view of Lake Ontario early in the morning was clear and colorful, the horizon was like a deep green streak against the blue sky, as the water came toward shore it changed several times in long bands, getting darker and lighter until weak bits of waves nibbled at the shore, barely creating a wake and not much more than a ripple at times. An assortment of grey and tan rocks at the water's edge balance the uneven clouds drifting over the water. Just another beautiful day!
Rainbow Lake oil 10x20, 2012
I found a clean and smooth log to sit on which turned out to be quite lumpy after the first hour as well as the high speed runway for carpenter ants and other beach creatures. After my time in the mountains with assorted unnamed critters, the ants were no problem as long as they only crossed my lap.
Sitting low in the shade, my view of Lake Ontario early in the morning was clear and colorful, the horizon was like a deep green streak against the blue sky, as the water came toward shore it changed several times in long bands, getting darker and lighter until weak bits of waves nibbled at the shore, barely creating a wake and not much more than a ripple at times. An assortment of grey and tan rocks at the water's edge balance the uneven clouds drifting over the water. Just another beautiful day!
Rainbow Lake oil 10x20, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
My newest email newsletter!
Kath Schifano, August 2012 news |
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Ocean Painting, Long Island, NY
c. kathy schifano |
This ocean spot brought me back to growing up nearby, when Jones Beach was my playground, piles of friends jammed into cars or onto the bus, sometimes hitching a boat ride across the bay to get to the ocean. White sand for miles, huge waves and the smell of coconut oil mixed with blasting radios defined my summers.
A hot and sunny week in Long Beach was an opportunity to study the waves and tides and record a series of paintings around this jetty. Morning and evening visits with both oils and pastels created a challenge, to catch the perfect wave, observe the splash of a breaking wave and the colors of sky and sea.
Tide on the Jetty, pastel 9x12 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Asgaard Farm in the Adirondacks
c. K Schifano |
Since this is such a large working farm, there were tractors and silos, a variety of buildings, fenced and open areas, animals and gardens all around the 1500 acre spread including deep forests, rolling hills and fields for cattle and crops. It was impossible to choose one thing to paint and there were 48 artists set up to paint as well, we had decided to have the group photo taken there. After walking around, I chose an old milk can minding a quiet spot in the center of several farm buildings, it turned out that behind the white doors were a flock of goats occasionally making goat noises, and they quieted as I sat and drew.
Much later, I learned that the goats escaped, trampling and eating the entire herb garden, surrounding the artists working on the opposite side of the barn. A single riderless horse galloped around them, much like a sheepdog and herded them into an area with buckets of feed that they also got into before they went through a gate and were safely rounded up. My friends took many photos of this melee, I am amazed that I was so close and missed all the action as the photographs are hilarious. Imagine quietly sitting with paint and suddenly having a flock of goats circling your easel!
I bought goat cheeses, of course, two dozen beautiful colorful eggs and some fresh caramels which hardly lasted to the end of the ride home.
While Goats Ran Wild pastel 9x12, 2012
Publisher's Invitational 2.0 2012
c. K Schifano |
Reviewing my camera memory cards, I found daily records of the ever changing morning light on St. Regis mountain as I walked to breakfast as well as dozens of rocks and huge boulders sitting in streams, on roadsides and buried in mountain walls. At one spot, I set my camera to movie and turned 360' to record the lake, stream, woods and animal sounds at my spot. Listening and looking at the film at home I am amazed at the variety and volume of the birds recorded.
I walked a little into the woods off a back road and painted this birch tree rooted on the shore, it was surrounded by pine needles from massive evergreens that had been there for generations. It was quiet and meditative, only a single car could be heard during the entire painting process.
c. K Schifano |
Sun Salutation, pastel 9x12, c. 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
What I do on my vacation.
Staying just half a block from the ocean, I spent a week of mornings and evenings painting the tides and this jetty, thank goodness for the umbrella! I have decided that the only thing I really NEED to paint is water, the more action the better.
I also realized that as an Aquarius, I was raised on Long Island, live on Grand Island and never lived further than 3 blocks from the Niagara for 22 years living in Niagara Falls. This painting included several surfers and was sold with wet paint from the easel. I love when that happens, a person loves the work I do and makes a decision on the spot. Since I was traveling home the same day it was especially nice to have one less (actually two) paintings to transport. Will post photos of the artworks next.
I also realized that as an Aquarius, I was raised on Long Island, live on Grand Island and never lived further than 3 blocks from the Niagara for 22 years living in Niagara Falls. This painting included several surfers and was sold with wet paint from the easel. I love when that happens, a person loves the work I do and makes a decision on the spot. Since I was traveling home the same day it was especially nice to have one less (actually two) paintings to transport. Will post photos of the artworks next.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Niawanda Park's 9th Annual Art on the Riverwalk
Spectacular weather along the Niagara river combined with a Sunday art show in Tonawanda was an opportunity to paint plein air at my tent and chat with viewers about the process. Nearly full sun along the river while my pictures were set up under shade trees with a picnic table and water and parking right there made it perfect.
I started this picture when a couple placed their chairs in the shade and left for a while. Just as I was ready to work on the chairs, they returned and remained for quite a while while I was painting. It tookk a long time to finish, I had to stop frequently to talk to visitors and friends who visited the tent, so I appreciate that they stayed until the figures were completed.
The Polka Dot Chair, pastel 12x9, 2012
I started this picture when a couple placed their chairs in the shade and left for a while. Just as I was ready to work on the chairs, they returned and remained for quite a while while I was painting. It tookk a long time to finish, I had to stop frequently to talk to visitors and friends who visited the tent, so I appreciate that they stayed until the figures were completed.
c. K Schifano |
The Polka Dot Chair, pastel 12x9, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
ADK Mountain School Painters and Me
Recently returned from an invitational paint week with the publisher of 'Plein Air' and 'Fine Art Connoisseur' magazines, we made headlines in the Adirondack newspaper. I am the fourth in the front row, with hat and sunglasses. We were all painting at lovely Asgaard Farm when this photo was taken.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
On the road, Adirondack painting
Publisher's Paintout 2.0 2012 is now over and I am back home with 8 new paintings, so it's up to the studio to mat and frame and finish whatever needs touch ups after traveling. I found this photo of me in Facebook, with the Adirondack Mountain School of Painters at Heavenly Hills Farm, an amazing spread with mountain views in every direction, a lovely white mansion available for non profits and meetings and miles of rolling fields of freshly cut hay bales. Can you tell I like it there? I oil painted a 5x7 plan, followed by 16x12 of the same scene with a little adjustments for composition. The two paintings have completely different colors because the light changed from clear, as you see it here, to misty distance, so the second painting is lighter and more pastel. Same day, same picture, but I don't chase the light and I just paint how I see it.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Beaver Island State Park Casino
Kath Schifano c. 2012 |
Beaver Island State Park, at the south end of Grand Island is an artist's playground with boardwalk and beach, golf course, woodland trails, mature evergreens and hardwoods, busy marina and sports facilities.
Years ago, the 'Casino' was a big old historic log built clubhouse with fireplaces big enough to set a table for 6 on its hearth. About 10 years after it burned the state built this smaller building with large lovely side porches. There are frequent weddings here and the music spills outside from the lovely dining room.
I have also painted from the porch, but on this occasion I liked the Spring colors in the flowering trees against the deep color of the building. I gave my previous Casino painting to Jamie and Mike Fortunate as their wedding there last year was beautiful and the reception was fantastic and lively.
Beaver Island Casino 9x12 pastel
Wilson Tuscarora State Park Secret Spot
c. Kath Schifano 2012 |
There were a number of trees downed by beavers as well as a few that had been started over the years. This was my first paint out in a beaver area so I was attracted to the pointed tree stumps like litter in the area. This painting shows three of my fellow Niagara Frontier plein air painters at work, Sandy Heath, Sherrill Primo and Carol Carreno in the distance. Sandy was safe from that dead tree trunk falling as it was firmly caught in the live tree. Several other painters were around, some in the woods and others along the stream.
It was a mix and match weather kind of day, sun and shade and a horrendous rainstorm that appeared just as we packed up. A bit of water is quite cooling after painting!
After the Beavers, 12x16 pastel 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Back to the Adirondacks
High Falls, plein air pastel, K.Schifano c.2012 |
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Most of the painters chose a similar view of the scene and it was a rare treat to have so many paintings by various artists in the 'viewing room' that evening. Now I am looking forward to my return; familiar with some of the locations, I will bring some experience with me this year.
High Falls, plein air pastel 12.5x9.5, 2012
High Falls ADK, oil 48"x24", 2012
Youngstown Yacht Club
New Old Sailboat, Kath Schifano c.2012 |
This 1960's wood beauty had recently come into the yard, its sturdy mast was not yet mounted and lay on the ground nearby. The proud new boat owner had attached two American flags to catch the breeze. I was attracted to the various reds on the paint as the morning sun came over the hill and through the trees. This spot was in full sun and the reds appeared more orange with the yellow cast from the afternoon sun light. This beautiful red sailboat will catch a lot of attention in the water, I hope to see it in action soon.
New Old Sailboat, pastel 12.5x9.5 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Hazards of plein air
I painted yesterday at the yacht club in the shade of a docked sailboat. A worker inside attached the boat battery and the auto-bilge kicked on and dumped a winters worth of antifreeze, diesel and fungi on me, my painting and easel. Fortunately I moved before it started pumping the rest of it. Stinky, and the guys there will have a funny story for years to come. (they were very apologetic to me, but I can hear them laughing in the future anyway). My painting has interesting waterproof speckles, not sure if I will keep it.
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Art news & pictures at www.kschifano.blogspot.com
www.kschifano.com
Art news & pictures at www.kschifano.blogspot.com
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Niagara River Paintings
I just posted 13 new paintings on Facebook, linked HERE, it has been a wonderful Spring for painting as my painting friends seemed to have scheduled all the nice days.
These two were painted by inspiration. I usually carry my plein air supplies in the car, even when I transport passengers and luggage there is a tiny watercolor set ready to capture the moment.
I had run my Niagara Falls errands when the 'big magnet at the Falls' lured my car there...for just a Spring peek. It turned into a long afternoon on a bench and I am so glad I went. It seems like I paint this scene every year but it looks different every time. The bushes and trees on the islands had not filled in yet and I could see between them.
Buckhorn marsh is a lonely place to paint, in fact Spring is probably the best time to go, I can see so much further without trees full of leaves. I knew it would have more people exploring on this fine warm Spring day so I felt safe and headed out for the afternoon. The combination of warm air and cool water created a soft mist on the river, I could barely see the Skylon tower or tall buildings. Although some bushes have sprouted, the cattails and marsh grasses are still asleep.
Interrupted by Spring-the Curve, 12x16, pastel c. 2012
Buckhorn's Island Bridge 4x6, oil c. 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
My most recent art show!
Burchfield Penney Art Center invited area member artists to display their creative art work, naming the show 'Artists Among Us'. 669 responded to the call for work and a great opening night on May 18th featured crowds of artists and guests from one end of the huge building to another. Both Carl and I are included in this show, due to stay at the museum for a few months.
I took the pictures before we found our pictures, my tall vertical composition 'Shadow on the Pulpit' is nearly visible in the second photo bottom right, next to the portrait. Carl's digital collage, 'The Path' is right around the corner attracting a large crowd of admirers!
K. Schifano 'Shadow on the Pulpit' |
Monday, May 14, 2012
Titan Arum Flower at Niagara Parks, Canada
Kath Schifano painting the Titan Arum background |
One of the nice things about the Floral Showhouse is the resident birds, they have hidden birdhouses indoors and there are many songbirds of various colors for entertainment, at first I thought it was a recording. My two photos are only 30 minutes apart, look carefully and see how the base is expanded in the second photo. I probably missed the opening by only 2-3 hours, but I plan to return for the second one. These are very rare, the 150 pound bulb was planted in January and grew a few inches each day. If you choose to go, it is just upriver from the Horseshoe Falls, near Dufferin Islands, not at the floral clock or butterfly conservatory.
Kath Schifano, photo |
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Serendipity Success
c. Kath Schifano 2012 |
However, there is a persistent loud fan that drives me crazy, so I often choose to work in other rooms. Not this time. A dramatic orchid was placed in front of deep dark large leaves to emphasize its subtle shapes and dramatic beauty, I could not resist. Unfortunately, the heat and cold and weather changes in the humid environment create artistic hazards. In this case, big fat plops of condensation on the window grid above started to drip, spread the colors and splash. Well, the fan noise was already driving me batty, so I packed up and went home, where I continued to work on the ruined sections with a wet brush and a careful hand. I liked the effect, so I continued to paint with water as well as dry pastels and decided to go no further with the background. I like the 3-D effects of the plant and the mystery of the purples. I would love to have a stem of these cymbidium orchids in water in my home, it lasts for months.
Orchids on the Endcap, 18x12 pastel, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Light & Shadow on a Niagara Falls Closeup
c. Kath Schifano 2012 |
Studying the rocks and water from above Luna Island, I painted two pastels, one early before the sun shined on the water and rocks, and the second in afternoon sunlight. All the tourists kept asking about painting the rainbow when it arrived....it moved with the sun's motion from the lower left corner, up and to the right, until it went out of my sightline. I gave it a try and this is the first rainbow that I have tried that is believable, it does not look like an artificial afterthought. Agree?
c. Kath Schifano 2012 |
Roiling PM, pastel 9.5x12.5, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
A favorite spot at The Falls, 132 years apart
I went to paint at Three Sisters because I had seen this painting by William Morris Hunt in the Ball State University Museum, in Indiana. I wanted to paint the same view but the first bridge was built right where Hunt stood and the view was blocked. No way would I stand in the water to make my painting match his. Although the water is but a trickle now it is illegal to enter any of the waterways in the state park, it is a sure way to guarantee drowning or jail. I did take photographs. You can see the painting that resulted in my March 2 post, a scene off the second bridge.
This is the Hermit falls, the center distant treeline in WIlliam Morris Hunt's powerful painting is now a parking lot on the end of Goat Island, a walking path and a tram follow the water. The major rocks can still be seen on the east side of the bridge. The third picture, my photo, shows the scene in February as I reached my camera around the edge of the bridge. The water diverted for electric power would have scrubbed away the small plants and bushes with a much higher water level and pressure. Soon there will be trees in the water's crevices.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Changing light, changing water
Painted just one day apart, these paintings show the wetlands out back in the afternoon. The top is an ATC, the larger is only 4x6 and is going to the Brooklyn Art Library.
The photograph was taken a few days later in the morning. Living on the edge of nature, we don't need to wait for seasons to change, just a few hours alters the light and shadows and even the water level. My distant view is diminishing as buds expand and trees thicken, slowly closing in until it will be a wall of varied greens and leaves.
My collection of backyard paintings of these woods through the years are a living record of nature's changes and my skills, whether from the patio, lawn chairs or upstairs from my large studio windows.
The photograph was taken a few days later in the morning. Living on the edge of nature, we don't need to wait for seasons to change, just a few hours alters the light and shadows and even the water level. My distant view is diminishing as buds expand and trees thicken, slowly closing in until it will be a wall of varied greens and leaves.
My collection of backyard paintings of these woods through the years are a living record of nature's changes and my skills, whether from the patio, lawn chairs or upstairs from my large studio windows.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A day like today
A free hour in my day became an opportunity to walk the paths at the State park. Splendid light flickered on the mist and ripples, rainbows angled in every direction around Niagara Falls and I mentally planned at least three dozen new paintings.
Last Fall I painted a little bit of gorge wall at Letchworth during our artist camp days. This week, I varnished it after 'watching paint dry' for nearly six months. It had been near my easel in a ridiculously gaudy frame which I happened to fancy. Now that the dry areas are restored and the colors are back to brilliant I see this little jewel for what it is, spectacular. A memory of a lovely day as the sun settled behind trees and headed for the hills, and I observed and colored as fast as I could to capture it, keeping the sun out of my eyes with a side sitting hat brim.
It was a bit like today, warm and nourishing in the sun, refreshing in the shade, a good day to be an artist.
Friday, March 2, 2012
A winter workout
With rare snowflakes and instant melting, this has been a poor season for winter paintings. They look just like early Spring and late fall without snow or ice instead of winter in western New York.
One fine day in February, it did snow and the sun came out as well. I hurried to the Falls with my supplies and set up on the second of the Three Sisters bridges. By the time I arrived most of the snow cover had already melted but I braved the cold and was rewarded with some remaining snow mounds on the shore. They melted as I painted, a problem that plein air painters often experience. Nature does not stand still, shadows slip from one side to another, mist disappears, rain happens and occasionally a car or truck parks right in front of your subject. On this day, snow melted, the sun went behind clouds and wind picked up as I was finishing. I had to chase a few pastels as they rolled on the bridge as I packed my supplies.
It was a good day to return to a giant mug of hot tea and cozy afghan blanket.
Not So Rapids, pastel 9.5x12.5 2012
One fine day in February, it did snow and the sun came out as well. I hurried to the Falls with my supplies and set up on the second of the Three Sisters bridges. By the time I arrived most of the snow cover had already melted but I braved the cold and was rewarded with some remaining snow mounds on the shore. They melted as I painted, a problem that plein air painters often experience. Nature does not stand still, shadows slip from one side to another, mist disappears, rain happens and occasionally a car or truck parks right in front of your subject. On this day, snow melted, the sun went behind clouds and wind picked up as I was finishing. I had to chase a few pastels as they rolled on the bridge as I packed my supplies.
It was a good day to return to a giant mug of hot tea and cozy afghan blanket.
Not So Rapids, pastel 9.5x12.5 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Spring in Buffalo
Now that I have returned to weekly paintouts at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens, I see signs of Spring in every greenhouse. All the plants are stretching, greening, budding and turning to the light. The volunteer gardeners are furiously trimming before the big growth spurts crowd out the visitors.
Each week, I walk around, nodding to familiar plants, noticing reorganized displays, new splashes of color and seasonal installations. The desert cactus room is grumbling and plumping, buds are just barely showing on new shoots and flowers. A massive Prickly Pear cactus in the center garden display looked fatter and happier than ever stretching to sunlight and longer days.
The narrow viewing halls make it difficult to set up for drawing or painting, but I was able to snuggle into a doorway and capture some new and old paddles on this mature cactus. Despite the needles and thorns, it is a beautiful thing.
No Leaning, pastel 9.5x12.5 2012
Each week, I walk around, nodding to familiar plants, noticing reorganized displays, new splashes of color and seasonal installations. The desert cactus room is grumbling and plumping, buds are just barely showing on new shoots and flowers. A massive Prickly Pear cactus in the center garden display looked fatter and happier than ever stretching to sunlight and longer days.
The narrow viewing halls make it difficult to set up for drawing or painting, but I was able to snuggle into a doorway and capture some new and old paddles on this mature cactus. Despite the needles and thorns, it is a beautiful thing.
No Leaning, pastel 9.5x12.5 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Partners in Art Gallery show
NFPAP, the Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters, group show at Partners in Art Gallery in North Tonawanda is under construction.
I visited with Paulette Jurek as we waited for our fellow artists to deliver and sign in their plein air paintings. We enjoyed seeing the works they selected especially when they were sites that I had also visited and painted. Being at the receiving desk gave me a chance to talk to everyone and catch up after a winter of studio work. Artist friends are the best!
The show opens with a reception March 3, 4-6:00 and continues until March 23.
Partners in Art Gallery
74 Webster Street
North Tonawanda NY
11am-5pm Tues-Sat
My 'November Plume' (1/6/12post) and 'Rock of Ages' are on the left side of photo.
I visited with Paulette Jurek as we waited for our fellow artists to deliver and sign in their plein air paintings. We enjoyed seeing the works they selected especially when they were sites that I had also visited and painted. Being at the receiving desk gave me a chance to talk to everyone and catch up after a winter of studio work. Artist friends are the best!
The show opens with a reception March 3, 4-6:00 and continues until March 23.
Partners in Art Gallery
74 Webster Street
North Tonawanda NY
11am-5pm Tues-Sat
My 'November Plume' (1/6/12post) and 'Rock of Ages' are on the left side of photo.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
One more curve of the Horseshoe Falls
I seem to never tire of this view. Two years ago, at my November open house, Marian & Bob Granfield purchased a pastel with a similar view and later another customer was also interested. She asked if I would please copy it for her.
It was a plein air, painted in midsummer heat as I scrunched myself and art supplies under my big white umbrella attached to the guardrail. It would not be possible to recapture the same heat and energy of that day without returning to the falls in hot sunshine.
It remained on my 'to-do' list, but the light or time was never right and two summers passed. However, during the Worldwide Paint Out in September 2011 I had set up on the state park lawn with a friend, Joan, to capture the Saturday afternoon light over Canada. Without thinking about it, the curve beckoned me and this is the result. A little closer view than the first painting, I was surprised that it was similar in colors to the first painting and sure Jennie would be pleased when she returned to the studio. Well, this past November she came in and liked this painting but went home with another view. That was fine with me, I was not quite ready to part with the first one and now this is on my gallery wall for a while and we are all happy.
September Energy, pastel 12x18 2011
It was a plein air, painted in midsummer heat as I scrunched myself and art supplies under my big white umbrella attached to the guardrail. It would not be possible to recapture the same heat and energy of that day without returning to the falls in hot sunshine.
It remained on my 'to-do' list, but the light or time was never right and two summers passed. However, during the Worldwide Paint Out in September 2011 I had set up on the state park lawn with a friend, Joan, to capture the Saturday afternoon light over Canada. Without thinking about it, the curve beckoned me and this is the result. A little closer view than the first painting, I was surprised that it was similar in colors to the first painting and sure Jennie would be pleased when she returned to the studio. Well, this past November she came in and liked this painting but went home with another view. That was fine with me, I was not quite ready to part with the first one and now this is on my gallery wall for a while and we are all happy.
September Energy, pastel 12x18 2011
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Original Artworks that were purchased as gifts
Christmas was an opportunity for gift paintings to take up new residences and leave my walls. Each January I start new art files on the computer but I still have a few paintings listed in multiple years. It depends on when the photos are taken and sometimes I forget when a particular piece was completed. If I really love it, it seems more recent than ones that have less of my love.
As a result of this filing system I may discover some photos that still need to be shot - it is not easy to catch up because when I shoot my own the weather and light has to be just right, morning with no wind, not too bright out but not cloudy either. (Yes, I miss the amazing setup I had with strobes and a darkroom) I sometimes find that a picture has entirely evaded the camera and this post is to honor those sold paintings that went out silently to live on new walls. I had planned to post a series of paintings that were sold late Fall for December gift giving, but I missed the final shot of one pastel lovely. Good thing I know where they live!
Time to get ready for the Spring gift season, all made in USA.
American Falls from Secret Garden, pastel 12x18, collection of Jennie Henderson
Listen for the Loon, oil 8x10, collection of Mr & Mrs. Alex
Olympic Ice, oil 12x24, Linda Koester, gift to Nebraska family
Return to Serenity, commission, pastel 15x12.5, Emily, gift to her California family
Above the Clouds, oil 5x7, collection of Alan Hastings
December 10pm, oil 24x24 collection of Mr. & Mrs. Glen Altman
As a result of this filing system I may discover some photos that still need to be shot - it is not easy to catch up because when I shoot my own the weather and light has to be just right, morning with no wind, not too bright out but not cloudy either. (Yes, I miss the amazing setup I had with strobes and a darkroom) I sometimes find that a picture has entirely evaded the camera and this post is to honor those sold paintings that went out silently to live on new walls. I had planned to post a series of paintings that were sold late Fall for December gift giving, but I missed the final shot of one pastel lovely. Good thing I know where they live!
Time to get ready for the Spring gift season, all made in USA.
American Falls from Secret Garden, pastel 12x18, collection of Jennie Henderson
Listen for the Loon, oil 8x10, collection of Mr & Mrs. Alex
Olympic Ice, oil 12x24, Linda Koester, gift to Nebraska family
Return to Serenity, commission, pastel 15x12.5, Emily, gift to her California family
Above the Clouds, oil 5x7, collection of Alan Hastings
December 10pm, oil 24x24 collection of Mr. & Mrs. Glen Altman
A tale of two house portraits.
Several years ago, I painted a newly landscaped DeVeaux home (shown below) for Michele Altman, she wanted to surprise her husband for Christmas.
She called me this Fall to paint it again, same size, same view, this time a night painting and with snow on the now grown trees and bushes. Of course, this was the year that the first snow came in January, so I had to fake it. Having lived through 40 1/2 winters here I did not have difficulty with the snow, its colors or reflections, but I was challenged mightily by the colors of night, what happens to white as the lights go on, the trims and wall colors of a building that is light in daylight.
It took about 6 night trips to establish the values by sneakily sketching from my car and the last time I went I thought the jig was up. Glen had sauntered out of his house, very slowly, then sat in his car in the driveway for a long time as I guiltily waited in my car across the street. Since my car was off, I thought I was safe, but realized the headlights had remained on with a key in the ignition. Finally, he drove away. SLOWLY. Then showed up driving right next to me, I didn't look up, just pretended to be writing instead of drawing, but it really spooked me. His car went back in the driveway and Michele hurried out to the car, head down. They sat in the driveway longer than you can imagine with the engine on, finally backed out and verrrryy slowly drove down the block. Seconds later, their car was stopped next to mine. I didn't look up as she should probably recognize what I was doing. Adrenaline racing, vigilantes gathering, pistols drawn, police called, my imagination was racing and I was more than stressed. I was a stranger in their neighborhood, looking in people's windows, watching for...
They turned left and I went right, to head back home, obviously upset, when I realized the car was following me. I waited for the sirens as I followed every traffic rule and tried to casually race myself home and lose the tail. Hooray for red wine and a sympathetic husband at home, hours later I was finally composed again with that bad memory.
Finally. I spoke to Michele who said "Oh, then? We were admiring our Christmas lights."
WIth a little research I gingerly added the correct constellations for December in the night sky. The wet painting was delivered on December 24 and made a great Christmas more special for all of them. And I am promising myself AGAIN, not to paint any more surprise commission paintings from my customers.
December 10pm, oil 24x24 2011
Altman Home, oil 24x24 2007
She called me this Fall to paint it again, same size, same view, this time a night painting and with snow on the now grown trees and bushes. Of course, this was the year that the first snow came in January, so I had to fake it. Having lived through 40 1/2 winters here I did not have difficulty with the snow, its colors or reflections, but I was challenged mightily by the colors of night, what happens to white as the lights go on, the trims and wall colors of a building that is light in daylight.
It took about 6 night trips to establish the values by sneakily sketching from my car and the last time I went I thought the jig was up. Glen had sauntered out of his house, very slowly, then sat in his car in the driveway for a long time as I guiltily waited in my car across the street. Since my car was off, I thought I was safe, but realized the headlights had remained on with a key in the ignition. Finally, he drove away. SLOWLY. Then showed up driving right next to me, I didn't look up, just pretended to be writing instead of drawing, but it really spooked me. His car went back in the driveway and Michele hurried out to the car, head down. They sat in the driveway longer than you can imagine with the engine on, finally backed out and verrrryy slowly drove down the block. Seconds later, their car was stopped next to mine. I didn't look up as she should probably recognize what I was doing. Adrenaline racing, vigilantes gathering, pistols drawn, police called, my imagination was racing and I was more than stressed. I was a stranger in their neighborhood, looking in people's windows, watching for...
They turned left and I went right, to head back home, obviously upset, when I realized the car was following me. I waited for the sirens as I followed every traffic rule and tried to casually race myself home and lose the tail. Hooray for red wine and a sympathetic husband at home, hours later I was finally composed again with that bad memory.
Finally. I spoke to Michele who said "Oh, then? We were admiring our Christmas lights."
WIth a little research I gingerly added the correct constellations for December in the night sky. The wet painting was delivered on December 24 and made a great Christmas more special for all of them. And I am promising myself AGAIN, not to paint any more surprise commission paintings from my customers.
December 10pm, oil 24x24 2011
Altman Home, oil 24x24 2007
Friday, January 6, 2012
The eye sees more than the camera
Why I do not like to paint from photographs.......
Painting outdoors sometimes brings the weirdest comments, the worst of which is 'What are you doing?', followed by 'What are you Painting?' and 'Do you know my aunt in Ohio, she likes to paint, too.'
More often, people are respectful, interested and pleasant to talk to. Observers will sometimes ask about the composition or notice details that they missed in nature, but some commentators ask about a concept known as local color. It has to do with the actual colors that things are, what one sees. The best example is to look at tree trunks, I have yet to see a really brown bark, it is often greenish or yellowed or gray, yet ask someone what color a trunk is and hear the answer 'brown'. Since I tend to use fairly bright colors and contrasts there are questions. I can show them my view and the colors of my inspiration and they easily see why I choose my colors.
On a quiet November day, after all the Maid of the Mist boats were in storage I painted with Jacq Baldini near the Canadian docks. I took this photo of my painting on the easel in progress. The near images are fairly accurate, but the camera was unable to record the colors in the weeds, Fall foliage beyond the waterfalls or the depth of the gorge walls. The light shining in the plume of the Horseshoe mist did not create shadows in the photograph, but in real life they are rich and colorful. If I painted from the photograph the canvas would be nearly gray and white while in nature my eyes could see so much more variation and color.
Being an artist allows me to study rich contrasts and details and record them better than any camera. It is a bonus to spend hours in nature, appreciating and recording the feel and sounds of the land.
Painting outdoors sometimes brings the weirdest comments, the worst of which is 'What are you doing?', followed by 'What are you Painting?' and 'Do you know my aunt in Ohio, she likes to paint, too.'
More often, people are respectful, interested and pleasant to talk to. Observers will sometimes ask about the composition or notice details that they missed in nature, but some commentators ask about a concept known as local color. It has to do with the actual colors that things are, what one sees. The best example is to look at tree trunks, I have yet to see a really brown bark, it is often greenish or yellowed or gray, yet ask someone what color a trunk is and hear the answer 'brown'. Since I tend to use fairly bright colors and contrasts there are questions. I can show them my view and the colors of my inspiration and they easily see why I choose my colors.
On a quiet November day, after all the Maid of the Mist boats were in storage I painted with Jacq Baldini near the Canadian docks. I took this photo of my painting on the easel in progress. The near images are fairly accurate, but the camera was unable to record the colors in the weeds, Fall foliage beyond the waterfalls or the depth of the gorge walls. The light shining in the plume of the Horseshoe mist did not create shadows in the photograph, but in real life they are rich and colorful. If I painted from the photograph the canvas would be nearly gray and white while in nature my eyes could see so much more variation and color.
Being an artist allows me to study rich contrasts and details and record them better than any camera. It is a bonus to spend hours in nature, appreciating and recording the feel and sounds of the land.
Niagara Plume in progress, 18x24 oil |
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