Always nice to win!

Nice coverage of the NACC prize in the Niagara Gazette!

A NACC Art Award for Plein Air

The Light in the Tunnel, 20x16, oil on canvas
Award for Excellence in Plein Air Painting

Pete's Tavern 18x12 pastel on Wallis 

The annual Niagara Arts and Culture Center's summer exhibit "Beyond the Barrel" is always a fun event and a chance to catch up with artists in the center, two gallery shows and friends who hibernate the cold months. These pictures were my two entries, and both were accepted. I try to apply for this show every year, in 2018 the show was appended "Inspire".

At the reception 'The Light in the Tunnel' was awarded the Vjolla Cela Award for Excellence in Plein Air Painting. The certificate hangs by the painting throughout the exhibit and I also received a cash prize. This lovely show of mostly WNY artists will remain in the Townsend Gallery until July 29th.

The Sunday Niagara Gazette published an article and a photo that you couldn't miss in the Night and Day section. These kind of recognitions are flattering, but also reinforce my dedication to creating art that says something, that contains the spirit of the place it is produced. 

The saying 'paint 1000 pictures before you are a painter' is true. Check.

Carl Judson visits Niagara Falls

Guerrilla Painter and Judsons Art Outfitters are well known suppliers of plein air materials. Judsons is a family businesses, you deal directly with them when you place an order. Carl Judson often travels to conventions, art events and paintouts in his very cool personalized truck. Several years ago I invited him to stay with me and speak to NFPAP while he was in the area, visiting Hyatts and Partners in the Arts. He joined us again on this trip east. We were lucky to meet Sarah this time, she had joined him for part of his trip.     

The evening they arrived, we took a walking tour of Niagara Falls to see the nightly fireworks. It was a warm and misty summer night and the occasional breeze from the east brought a soaking mist which left us fairly drenched at the Horseshoe Falls. The air was filled with static and our hair stood up straight, except for Carl Judson who was smart enough to wear a hat.

Carl and Sarah Judson, Me, Carl Schifano

The next morning, Kelly Buckley hosted us at the radio station for her WJJL talk show and WNY heard about his roundabout experiences leading to the design of his first plein air box, or pochade. It is always a treat to talk to Kelly, on the radio and off and I am glad this opportunity occurred.

Carl Judson at WJJL interview

That afternoon he gave an art talk at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. He presented many slides of new and familiar painters and the styles they used, talking about expressing personal vision and showing plein air as a natural progression in art history.

It was a day of torrential rain and my phone was texted, "our car turned around with a broken wiper" and "I can't get through the deep water on my street". I think our enthusiastic but wet crowd of 25 might have been much larger without the unusual weather. Driving with Carl in his truck, there were moments of no visibility even at very slow speed. After the presentation there was an interesting question and answer discussion.

          

Charlie Hunter's painting made an appearance

Before the Judsons left, we talked a bit about my own work, this oil painting was displayed in my hallway and it went with them to Colorado. One of my favorites (I have many favorites), it is "From the Porch at 39 Ohio".  After a week of painting ocean and jetty paintings I was charmed by this morning view of sunflowers across the street. It inspired me to make one last painting on the day we left the beach. Returning there this year, there are only two sunflowers left, a lawn was planted and all that remains is this picture.

Third Street mashup

  Annually, the NACC has a fund raising auction of paintings created on selected Sunday evenings at Wine on Third. This year I had planned to capture some of the building architecture up close but when I arrived the tents were up and the sidewalk was full of painters and friends as well as patrons. I decided to work across the street.

Originally interested in the perspective view of Third Street, I became attracted to the signs. As long as I have lived here, there have been complaints about signage, especially for tourists. This was my view and the painting in early progress. It is a sanded canvas, originally a picture of Chautaqua Lake swimmers and boats which I turned upside down-you can see a boat and docks where the 2 hour sign will be, and a bit of the tree line on the bottom of my painting. Fortunately I was across the street from the crowd. People who saw this work in progress were quite confused about me and where I was headed with 2 pictures happening on one board. Not every painting is worth keeping and my power sander helps me reuse those boards.

 I am considering a few details yet, such as larger bolts on the signs and maybe some of the reflected light on the signs. Or maybe not.

Falls View 12x18 oil on board  c.K Schifano

NACC Artist and Friends Exhibition

These two large paintings are displayed at the NACC for the Buffalo Niagara Art Association Spring juried exhibit. This show is in the large main gallery. In addition, there is a second show in the 'Garden Gallery' on the second floor. The 'Niagara Painters' show is representing our local group of plein air painters, formed in 2014 by Shelley Collins and Kelly Buckley, we meet Thursdays to paint outdoors in various Niagara locations.

Next up at the Niagara Arts & Culture Center there will be the NACC Artist and Friends Exhibition, an annual event that is celebrating the 10th year as a community center. 

Both paintings were long term winter projects for me, the joy of pushing paint in the studio is second only to working outdoors.

Adirondack Architecture 48X24 oil on canvas c. 2015
Glory's Bath Takes TOO Long, 36x24 oil on canvas c.2015

Winter gift show at NACC

The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center winter gallery exhibit is titled 'Fire and Ice'. I have two paintings there but this is my display earlier in the day when the NACC was open to the public for a holiday show and sale on tables. I brought some mini paintings, the 2015 calendars and an assortment of small framed plein air canvases. It was a fun day and interesting to hear comments about the smaller works and to meet other artists with their work.

 

Saturday night, be at the NACC for the opening reception, 6:30-9. My painting, top left was selected for the postcard. This is an annual juried show, the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center has an open house, presentations, openings, and lots more.

Beyond the Barrel 2014

The annual NACC summer show, 'Beyond the Barrel' always seemed to be a show that would not have Falls images (BEYOND the barrel, get it?). Of course, there were always falls images somewhere in the show, it is only a dozen blocks from the great cataracts. I decided last year to put in an abstract consisting of the water crashing into a boulder at the precipice and it was received well, so this year I am showing that boulder from the back side. I know the location well because I usually site the rock for a landmark when I paint the Horseshoe Falls water.

Another Surprise on the Path, 16x20 oil, c. K. Schifano

 Both of my entries are plein air but they are totally different in size, color, subject, location and even application. A painting trip last month to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the juried Camp Hill Plein Air event was different for me as it was a new location, hilly and summery, with unknown streets and buildings to navigate. There are several bridges spanning the Susquehanna River, one of them has an exit to 'City Island', home to a baseball stadium, vintage train ride, beach, ice cream stand, miniature golf and more. From an empty parking lot I saw the brilliant colors of these stored mini buildings, probably used for cotton candy and roasted nut sales in summer. They were gathered on a small hilltop while a massive Sycamore tree raised up from the ground level close to the lot. The humor of little houses, big tree struck me and I spent a pleasant afternoon painting the scene.

Put the Little House Behind the Big Tree, 16x12 oil, c. K. Schifano

It seemed like millions of birds were chattering in the thick bushes behind me, but I just listened. When the painting was nearly finished, I leaned back on my car to contemplate the scene and my painting. At that moment, a pair of orange Orioles flew to my feet, my dark sneakers had bright green laces and pink trim. Orioles like oranges and other fruit, I guess they were tempted by the colors but nearly surprised me off balance. Every painting has its own story and special memories.

The show will be up for the summer, the opening is on Saturday, June 21 6:30-9, with awards given that night. Open to the public.

New paintings in Niagara Falls

Niagara Arts & Cultural Center's Winter Show opens next Friday Night with a big red door & red balloon celebration, a Hell's Kitchen cook preparing food, violinist playing to the crowd, open studios and prizes. Carl and I are each represented by two artworks.
and Kate Koperski.
The forsythia painting had won the pastel award at Market Street Art Gallery in Lockport in the Spring.

Spring Gold 2007  12x18, pastel  2007

Winter-EastWest Road in Buckhorn 22x30 oil, 2008 [formerly titled 'The Road to Work']

Featured at the NACC

Click here--
The NACC - Niagara Arts and Cultural Center

That's my painting, 'Youngstown Secret Garden', featured on their website & in the press release for their annual 'Beyond the Barrell'  show!

Secret Garden 12x24 oil, 2007

NACC press release features KS painting

My painting, 'The Secret Garden' was selected to head a press release for the NACC summer exhibition 'Beyond the Barrel'

Go here to see it.

The NACC - Niagara Arts and Cultural Center

NACC opening preview

Friday, June 20 is the opening for the 5th annual 'Beyond the Barrel' show in Niagara Falls, NY. I have two pieces accepted in this show, & Carl has two digital collages in the show. Also, it is his birthday. 

One is the wide plein air painting 'Secret Garden in Youngstown', the second is pictured here. This large studio oil painting shows the sunlight rising over the trees & shining into the mist.

Morning Light on American Falls, 24x24, oil, 2008

Final NACC pictures

The end of the exhibition at the NACC was quite exciting. Since the show was held over for a month my family-Bobbie, Chris & Sandi Peters had an opportunity to see this show in the Garden Gallery. In addition, I was asked to speak at the Finally Friday event, which was sold out. This is a catered lunch & talk that is held on the final Friday of several months of the year. I neglected to ask the attendees if they came for the food or the art. The art & discussion was well received & my prints remain a favorite for new Niagara area art collectors. Thanks to Gina, Kelly, Kathie, Ray & Carl for all their help & support to put this show together & bring my work to the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center for the past two months.

New NACC Show Date

The Studio painting show, 'Rushing Summer, A Private Wintergarden', will be extended through the month of March. The NACC, located at 1201 Pine Ave in Niagara Falls has a 'Finally Friday' luncheon series scheduled on March 28. I was asked to be the guest speaker (it is in the Garden Gallery) and will be speaking about my work on the walls. Noon 'til 1, the food is spectacular, reserve your seat for lunch at the NACC at 716.282.7530 if you would like to join me.

More Reception Pictures

As the evening ended, John & Karen, with A.J., Krista & Mia Polechetti, helped us close the gallery for the evening. It was such a treat to have so many friends & family go out of their way to share this special event

Artist Reception NACC review

Friday evening's reception at the Niagara & Cultural Center was spectacular; even the weather cooperated, it was mild & clear, one of those winter evenings that is just pleasant. Thank you all for coming, your comments, kind notes & messages. 

The consensus is that the image I chose for the postcard, 'Pinot Noir, not ripe at Warm Lake' was a favorite, followed by 'What's Pink is Blue' & the B&W conte rose #7. 

The jury stood at a deadlock over their favorite wine, equal numbers of guests chose Chablis or Pinot Noir. The sodas were barely touched. More people talked about cherry almond fudge than carrots or grapes, duh.

I was asked 'What's next?' and have put little thought into the answer. Immediately, I will complete the painting of Robin & Jeremy's entrance arch, next project is up in the air! 

Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters meet next week to develop this year's outdoor calendar, I hope to get out in the snow to paint once or twice before then.

NACC opening preview

The Garden Gallery at the NACC is ready for my "Rushing Summer: A Private Wintergarden" artist reception on Friday February 8, 2008 from 7-9 pm. Thanks to the innovative layout by Carl Schifano, the artwork is hung 'salon style' to give the viewer the opportunity to see some work close up and others from a distance. The tall ceilings and lush atmosphere created by color & nature are a warm contrast to the snow outside. For this show, the gallery plants were moved to the triple doors area where they thrive on the lengthening daylight and fresh air. In answer to several questions and the perception of the Buffalo News reviewer, the 'private wintergarden' part of my show title is a reference to the Niagara Falls Wintergarden' s former life as a greenhouse. I frequently walked the paths and sat while children played 'stage' in the concert area by the pond. It was an especially lovely place in the winter, no matter the weather, one would be transported by the green tropical trees, the flowers, giant ferns and lucky resident birds. Everyone always smiled in the Wintergarden, even if just passing through. This is one of architect Cesar Pelli's most exciting buildings. It was designed by him with the Rainbow center in 1975. Many of his buildings are designed with glass skin & they are especially beautiful at night. Perhaps we can reconstruct the feeling of a lush wintergarden by gathering Friday night!

Niagara Arts & Cultural Center Show

February features my newest show, 'Rushing Summer: A Private Wintergarden' at the Garden Gallery of the NACC.  It is a collection of studio paintings of nature, including oil paintings & pastels. The reception is on Friday, February 8, 2008 from 7-9. Please join me for a snack & some conversation-it is casual!