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.
