I find my joy painting wherever I am, not trying to make something to sell. The challenge of the perspective, sun light and shadow, as well as the beautiful baskets, drew me to this spot. And of course the shade of the tree above my head on this bright day. Finding beauty at the back door, it is titled 'Hanging Around the Garage" Painted at the Ontario Botanical Garden with Niagara Plein Air Painters. The Horticulture School was right behind me. 11x14 oil
Incredible blue skies and a newly opened observation deck at the American Falls. Rainbows galore!
Lots of competition for gallery wall space in a regional exhibition so I am thrilled this painting is included at the WNYAG Artists Group Gallery. Juried and judged by Kyle Butler, the show remains up until October 2.
North from Buckhorn Fishing Dock. 16x12 oil on linen ©️Kath Schifano 2026
These two are in Springville Center for the Arts until October 19. Time enough for a nice fall color drive. Reception for the current show is September 24. It's 5 E. Main Street. Arts Café.
Second Barn at the Winery and Secrets of Chestnut Ridge.
I've been here before to capture this incredible building with pastels or pen or paint. Every time there's a surprise, crew practice or bugs diving into the paint and in this case the wind was ripping strong. I backed up to a windrow of thick bushes but still had to hold the canvas tightly on the easel. The wind shifted a bit and I quit. But happy with this one.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the plan but it wasn't built until a century later. He normally edited plans as his buildings were in progress so it may not have looked quite the same as his plans. The Fontana family sponsored this as a new build on the Buffalo waterfront. Love it!
FLW Fontana boathouse. 9x12 oil on panel. ©️K. Schifano 2026
Upriver to the Water Controls 12x18
Often people compliment us or ask questions. These gentlemen were interested in the whole process of plein air paintings, and had insightful comments.
When is a painting finished? The LaBatt 6 pack of silos is in the back of this Riverworks painting. Should part of the logo be included? I like the shapes and think it's not about the details. But Blue is kind of indicated in the title.
Behind LaBatts Six Pack, 9x12 oil on linen panel. ©️Kath Schifano 2026
I went to the Central Terminal determined to draw history. Turns out the 'history' was fenced and a huge car show filled the lots. The music was unbearably loud so I headed for the far end of the event. Despite the attraction of classic cars, many of which I was familiar with I chose the fire engine and flags. I have a new respect for the firefighters who maintain this complex vehicle. 'Celebrating the Fourth'. A gift for a five year old's birthday.
Kath Schifano www.kschifano.com www.kschifano.blogspot.com
I'm giddy with joy. I've been given a lifetime membership to the Castellani and asked to paint live during the annual membership meeting. The rain held off and the audience had great questions at the artists discussion.
Josh taking a snapshot for the local newspaper.
The finished painting. 16x12 oil.
Reinstein Park never disappoints. The water changes color with the sun and clouds. How would you describe color of the water in the first photo?
My chosen view.
In progress.
Tipped Lilies at Reinstein
Three mature peonies grow into a riot of flowers every June out the back door. I usually trim the first blossoms for painting, hoping it encourages tiny buds to keep growing. Heavy Spring rains often crush the stems as the giant flowers hold so much water but that's an excuse to gather armfuls of big peonies to arrange indoors. Then the tiny buds left behind give me a second show of color
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| Peonies in 2026, c. K. Schifano |
These two favorite paintings will be in the Burchfield Nature Center 'Local Voices in Art' exhibit. July 12-August 23, reception July 19.
Plein Air and Wine 16x12 oil The boxes are portable artist studios for Plein air.
To the Left of the Lagoon 9x12 oil. This is in Beaver Island State Park, across from the sledding hill, a favorite spot.
Delicate leaves and flowers attract our deer so I haven't had a nice Bleeding Hearts bush for decades. I started this painting when I had these flowers to view. It was unfinished for years but I completed the dark areas and edges recently. Winter and bad weather are the best times to pull out older work and add the finishing touches.
Heartstrings, oil on board 11x14
These 3 florals were selected for display at a new event, a free open house in the evening for the community. A great way for people to visit the Botanical Gardens without paying admission. There was a great exhibition in Arcangel Gallery to complement the garden based artwork displayed in some of the greenhouses. It was a perfect evening with the glasshouse windows open and everything in bloom.
Rained out on Saturday, Sunday was a brilliant fresh air day for painting among cherry blossoms and the crowds who gathered to celebrate the trees. So beautiful in every direction that several of us returned on Monday. Buffalo History Museum.
Across the Lake at the History Museum 9x12 oil.
Cherry Blossoms and Spent Buds 11x14oil
Rock Island at the Blossom Festival 5x7 oil
Studio 120 in the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is busiest through the winter.
Liz brought in this spectacular bouquet and the blanket and we both tackled it as a studio still life. The flowers were fading but I had a good sketch reference. I worked on this project for several days as it's a big canvas. I've forgotten how much I enjoy flowers as a subject.
Birds Came to Paradise. 28x22 oil
My home studio has a wonderful Weeping Beech out the window with evergreens and trees in the near distance . Birds wait their turn for seeds at our feeder in the Beech tree. Our Cardinals are regularly perched at my eye level. Love their company and the brilliance of red against snow.
