Pastel! Umbrellas! Plein Air!

 Although there were no customers when I began, a lunchtime crowd eventually filled the tables at Mississippi Mudd's riverside restaurant. The speakers blasted golden oldies and kids and pets walked by with their caretakers to the river's edge. Three tables of card players nearby muttered 'pass' or made comments to their partners after a play. Their $11 split club money would go to the winning pair and there was a lot of laughter. What a great place to be on a summer morning.

These must be new umbrellas, they are so inspiring, bright, and unfaded. Sitting in the shade of a huge maple the view of the outdoor dining area was a perfect place to be the painter. Pastels were perfect to catch these vibrant colors.

Morning Umbrella Dance, 9x12 pastel c. K. Schifano, 2023 

Freedom Run Winery in October

Saturday Pumpkins  9x12 pastel, 2021

Fall Saturdays need pumpkins! I found this pretty collection at Freedom Run Winery in Appleton. Some of the painters headed into the fields to find apple trees draped with a season of healthy red ones, rows of grapevines, the view up the escarpment. I stayed right by the parking lot as I expected rain as well as a stiff breeze, neither of which help pastel paintings. Besides, I had enough of landscapes and haven't painted pumpkins in a decade or so! This was fun, people visiting the winery stayed back and had nice comments.

Saturday Pumpkins in progress

 

An Abundance of Vegetables

Residing and painting for a month in the midst of a self sufficient organic farm there were many different flowers, plants and especially vegetables growing. Acres of farmland provided all the food for guests as well as animals, such as llamas, chickens for their eggs, cows for milk and cheeses, and bees for the farm and their honey.

A lovely stone bowl was on my outdoor patio table. It held two yellow apples and would make a lovely still life to paint indoors if it rained. I asked a gardener if I could have a few fresh vegetables for my little bowl. I returned from lunch to find this huge selection of perfect specimens, artfully arranged with accents of yellow dill and straw. It was huge and weighed 15-20 pounds. I made use of the contents for the rest of the month, painting some, eating others and experimenting with drying peppers. Definitely the most delicious painting. Later in the month I painted the stone bowl with some assorted peppers.

Watercolor plan for a large painting 6x8

Organic Vegetables, of Course. 18x24 pastel c.2019

Buffalo Garden Walk in the Community Gardens

The annual Buffalo Garden Walk is one of the 'must do' things in WNY. Instead of working in a private garden with tinkling waterfalls and spectacular floral and fauna, the Buffalo Society of Artists sponsors a community gardens paint in for kids, mostly kids anyway. Paints, paper and shade are ready in this neighborhood garden where anyone who wants or needs fresh vegetables can pick them. The cherry tomatoes I chose were turning color as I worked. What a nice way to experience nature.

Vermont Street Tomatoes, 16x12 pastel, c. 2019

30 in 30, #16. Garlic

Oh my, Sunday evening and I hadn't started this day's painting. The garlic was on my mental list so I brought it up to the studio, the height and width are the same so I chose a square canvas. It was late so I played a bit and enjoyed my time with Mr. Garlic. Afterwards on Facebook I discovered the previous day was an official 'garlic day'. And yes, this bulb was partially eaten. Click email me if interested, only $40

Saturday Was Garlic Day. 4x4 oil on canvas board

30 Paintings in 30 Days, #11 Sandwich

Yes, there is a story here but all names will be omitted to prevent any blame. I came home mid- afternoon to this sandwich, uneaten, on the counter. "What!" I exclaimed, "She didn't eat any lunch?"
"No" was the answer, "She doesn't want mayonnaise so I made another one with butter. But I thought she asked for it." It looked delicious with lots of lettuce. But very stale.

Fortunately the sandwich was an acceptable and willing model. $65 unframed, $75 with frame

She said "Hold the mayo", 5x7 oil on birch board, 2015

She said "Hold the Mayo"

Unframed $65.00 USD In Plain frame $75.00 USD

30 Paintings in 30 Days, #10

Aaah, is this kitchen art, or is it something else? If you have seen photos of trays of Christmas cookies here then you will recognize the Mexican tile counter, with brown grout framing 3 colors of 6" tiles. I had to paint my 'daily' but I also wanted to watch television so I set up facing the show. The island lights made neat double shadows on the tiles and I was able to multitask for a while. It was finished long after the TV was turned off....

Interested? Email me or click the Paypal button

Nothing To Cry Over, 5x7 oil on canvas panel, 2015

Nothing to Cry Over

Unframed $65.00 USD In Plain frame $75.00 USD