Miles of Pink Lilies

Although I had been painting previously at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, I had never walked the pond paths. They were bursting with pink lilies and the only thing I needed was some shade to set up my easel. If working from pictures was useful to me, I could use my photos for months. Instead they are here for you to enjoy.

 The light changed and shadows moved aftervthe start of my picture, it had been brilliant on the trees in the distance when I started this. The glowing tree attracted me to the outlet from this pond to the next lily pond.

Lily Pond at Reinstein, 12x16 pastel Schifano

Gratwick Park

Along the Niagara the view is often the water, some weedy things and the flat land across the river. It isn’t inspiring without an effort to find an interesting view. This hot June day required shade-no trees were there but a clamp on umbrella from the car works well when there is no breeze. I found large rocks along the shore and cattails shining in sunlight to paint and this is my setup.

I really enjoyed the shade and cool air off the river while painting on this beautiful day. People can come here and just relax during the quarantine, there is a great deal of space at Gratwick Park for walking, kites and bicycles.

Ducks and Geese made their appearances and I managed to add a few slow ones by working quickly. Those rocks I saw? Mostly bird pedestals on this day.

Goose Snooze,  9x12, pastel

Feels like summer

Diane caught me painting on my lap

The evolution of a shack into Casey's Cabana in Ferry Village, Grand Island is an interesting story. Several local High School entrepreneurs transformed this little historic shack into a cool little take out restaurant. It is at the end of the street perched on the Niagara river. They added a wonderful new dock with picnic tables and umbrellas which dwarf the tiny cook space and everyone loves it. We like to stop by for a tasty lunch or a quick dinner with that million dollar view over the Niagara River, with miles of shoreline and the bridge in the distance. The food is Delicious.

With schools closed this Spring for social distancing they were able to open early this season. I happened to meet two artist friends there and we all painted the building from different angles. A graduating senior purchased my painting, something she will always have as an heirloom memory of a great and successful undertaking. The name came from Mr. Casey, the business teacher at the high school who was an inspiration and supporter to these kids for several years now. What a guy! This painting is going to college outside Boston with its new owner this Fall. 

Casey's Cabana, oil, 11x14

Bringing Spring indoors

An unusually early Spring brought out glorious flowers that lasted weeks longer than usual because it didn't get hot. The Forsythia bloomed for at least a month and the huge yellow bush out back reflected yellow into every window. We had planted 3 of them in one spot and it is about 10 feet tall and 15 feet wide, a haven for birds waiting their turn at the feeders. I have planted lots of yellow daffodil bulbs over the years but the majority have turned themselves into these orange centered daffodils.

This is a traditional still life with soft pastel sticks and it was a very happy project as long as the flowers lasted in my studio.

In progress

Bringing Spring Indoors

Bringing Spring Indoors, pastel, 20x16