Griffon Park, Niagara Falls

Griffon Park is on the Little River in Niagara Falls and faces Cayuga Island. For years, boaters have backed their boats into the water and parked cars and trailers. Updates to the park now include a large playground, walking paths and benches. 

This rock commemorates The Griffon, built near here to sail the Great Lakes and never seen again.

This photo shows my view from a park bench, I used the distant buildings for my painting, below.

Little River From Griffon Park, 8x10 oil  c.K Schifano

2022 Cherry Blossom Festival

Pansies! Spring is really here.

Yellow Pansies, oil 16 x12  c. K. Schifano

In Texas, pansies are planted outdoors as soon as the New Year's blooms fade. Visiting family in March I love the masses of color at street corners and gardens. A cold hardy flower, in New York we wait until April to see little plants shining at grocery stores, garden centers and the neighbor's baskets. My front yard gets a lot of sun so they don't last when it turns warm and I've planted them just a few times. 

This pretty little thing was in a 4" pot. I couldn't resist the purchase but before it went intomy patio display I had to paint them. I brought the plant to Thursday Niagara Painters at the NACC and spent an unusually long time on this painting.  Perhaps it was the arrival of Spring or the joy of this glorious color but this Pansy has a lasting presence in oil paint.

Of course I also bought the magenta pansies and painted them on another day.

 

Friday Night Challenges

A group of artists, originally based in California, meet online to Zoom and paint from a selected photo. Called the Plein Air Club, their 3pm meeting is at 6pm EST for me so I can't always join. Here are three recent paintings. It is a BIG challenge for me to paint from a screen as I always prefer working from life or from several views of the same place when necessary. This is my winter sport as a plein air artist.

It's fun to meet new artists and chat away while we all paint. At the end of the time, about an hour and a half, we share our paintings. Afterwards, when the paintings are completed and signed they are posted on the group site. It is quite amazing to see the variety of techniques and materials and interpretations. 

Foxen Canyon Winery, oil 9x12 c. K. Schifano

'Stop. For a California Sunset' oil 9x12 c. K. Schifano

'Sunflowers for Ukraine' oil 9x12 c. K. Schifano

 

Annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival

Saturday at the Buffalo History Museum was a perfect Spring day and thousands turned out to see the blossoms. Five painters worked on a scene similar to this, set back from the crowds and walkways. Every painting captured sunlight, flowers and the joy of emerging spring. These trees appear to dance, with the classic architecture of the museum in the background.

'Saturday's Cherry Blossoms' oil, 12x16 c. K. Schifano

 Sunday was not as bright, in fact I was caught in the rain as I packed up. My easel was right under the tree with this particular flower right in front of me. I did the same thing last year but the breeze kept blowing the thin branch and it was a bit disconcerting to catch the details. This time, there was no breeze but a little girl jumped up and grabbed my flower. I reacted so quickly-and pretty loud-that I doubt she will ever pick another flower. Instead of seeing some of the centers the bunch now tipped down but I am still satisfied with the shape. Still wondering why, with hundreds of flowering trees and flowers she chose mine. 

'Sunday's Cherry Blossoms' oil, 12x16 c. K. Schifano

Artist Koala paints us!

While at the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival at the Buffalo History Museum another artist sketched us working. Who Knew? Koala came over to show me her drawing so I took this quick photo of her mini sketchbook. Perhaps she will join us or the Urban Sketchers, what beautiful pen work! That's Roy, Liz, Bernie, me with the big hat and Ylli.