OLV is hard to see. And rain.

Sketching the Our Lady of Victory Basilica from my car as clouds threaten. It poured soon but I was able to park closer to see through the raindrops, it's an amazing building inside and out  

Rain, Rain, Go Away. 10x10 oil

Down to river level

Winner of my NACC fundraising donation

From the NACC:
Congratulations to Nicole Savage on winning the NACC Raffle for Kath Schifano's "Mounds of Mists!" We are deeply thankful to supporters like Nicole and Creative Residents like Kath who support the NACC in so many ways.

Artwork: Kath Schifano, "Mounds of Mists," matted and framed pastel drawing, 32 x 20 inches.

Winter in the studio.

A big pastel, waiting for the title, is finally finished. Framed , labeled and ready for exhibition. The art is 22x30 but it's matted in trwhite and framed to 29x37. These green apples are other 

UPDATE! An award


The Worldwide International Paintout painting from early September was entered to the Buffalo Niagara Art Association Fall exhibit. I was away for the October reception and am very pleased that the judge chose this painting for a Merit award.

An amazing view each morning.

Larger than my other paintings made in Italy, this was my view every morning at breakfast. The Tuscan hills changed by the light of the moment and many mornings were just invisible as the fog and mist crawled right up to the porch, and rolled back as the sun burned through. 

Wouldn't it be a nice poster for a show of art from Italy? 

Afternoon in the Valley 17x21 oil on linen c. 2024

Perhaps my favorite

The beautiful groomed grounds of the Tuscany estate include classical statuary and pottery, artfully placed. There are are scented gardens, acres of organic vegetables, flower gardens and just beautiful private areas to sit and enjoy nature.

I passed this fellow daily and he needed to be celebrated with paint. The lush and plentiful blue green bushes on the path are lavender, they line every walk, discouraging bugs and keeping the organic grounds gloriously scented. 

Sometimes the paths are also lined with Rosemary which also discourages unwanted flying critters. 

 

What are You Looking At? 12x16 oil on linen c. 2024

Additions to the Relais collections

These two stayed in Italy in the collection of Relais Borgo Santo Pietro. The painting is Casa Linda, one of the residence villas, the grand piano drawing is one place my art was displayed, note the tripod! 

Other art work went to new homes in various locations, from china to Azerbaijan to California. Meeting visitors from Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, England was a bonus during my residency, and English was a universal language. Good thing as my Italian is rudimentary and my French is too. 

My month was financed by Borgo Santa Pietro, including an apartment and meals, studio space and supplies. I brought my own prepared linen and brushes because I'm partial to the smooth surface I can create with an oil ground. But the estate also provides a driver to Siena to purchase any supplies the artist and Artist House requires.
Guests can choose to take a 'class' which was a nice distraction for me. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world and the classes were infrequent.
I left these two paintings in "payment" and thanks to my generous hosts.

Artista in residence

That's me, the Artista, at my studio and a view of the inside with some of the October paintings.

4 more pen drawings from Italy

Just outside Borgo Santo Pietro is a tiny town of Palazzetto, with one little bar/deli/coffeeshop. Apparently the pizza is very good but I just wanted coffee and some time to watch the traffic which was a few cars and a bicycle.
The next three pictures are back inside Borgo. I am so fortunate to have had this experience, a month to paint with no other responsibilities. I never tired of drawing and painting a month in Italy, surrounded by the Tuscan hills and friendly people.

Views from the Borgo Santo Pietro artists studio

Heaven. When you don't have to go anywhere to find something inspiring. There's a covered canopy and couches outside the studio and next to the lily pond lake. Creating these urban sketches are a nice distraction between painting times. Sometimes you have to put the paintbrush down and just draw. They are about 6"x8", drawn with archival ink and colors are watercolor.

Rainy day art

An outdoor cozy fireplace 

The path to the Art House 

Sunny Sunday bike ride exploring the ruins of San Galgano.

Although I am in Italy surrounded by lush gardens and ancient buildings it has rained nearly every day this month, sometimes all day.
This is part of a collection of pen drawings that I've added watercolors to. It's a form of Urban Sketching that I love to do and many are from indoors or covered areas while it rained.

The Artist House

The Artist House is a perfect studio. Windows all around, surrounded by roses and shaded by a graceful willow it is in the middle of groomed gardens in all directions. The pond out front has geese and ducks and frogs as well as the Japanese bridge which seems to be from Monet's garden. 

One of my first paintings is this pastel celebrating the Mediterranean light and my arrival back at The Artists House. It sold to a lovely resident of Azerbaijan who was a guest here and an artist also. 

Two more fountains

This fountain is surrounded by walls with large widows (great view in the rain), a grotto with benches, two canopy covered outdoor living rooms, and several lovely walkways. No wonder I drew it from 3 different angles. Plus I have an amazing painting of the park like location almost finished. It was too close to departure to have the oil paint dry enough to pack.
It will be nice to compare it to the Niagara Falls People's Park fountain as I'm quite sure the design is the same, it's several years since Niagara Painters scheduled there.

Rainy day process

Find a comfortable spot near a fireplace and draw the view! This is a centerpiece fountain that is featured in several of my artworks this month. 

A Borgo painting

Three Big Pots. Oil on linen, 12x16. Last time I was here one was on its side and I loved it that way! Perfect Italian garden sculptures.

Back to Italy!

In 2019 I spent September painting at Borgo Santa Pietro as their resident artist. I've returned for the month of October 2024.
Last time I painted this bowl and am pleased to find that it is still here to paint again. This is a pastel. The lemons are huge, the apples are small but sweet. 

 
The Old Stone Bowl 12x16 pastel.

Rain Rain Rain

I'm eager to paint outdoors at this amazing estate but kept inside by the weather today. I have a sketch book, pen, and watercolor set and a warm seat by the fire. Life is good and Tuscany is so peaceful.

Looking out the windows

Breakfast in an elegant location! At Borgo you can choose to eat in this room, the library or out those doors with a spectacular view of the mountains as the morning fog lifts. My daily 'table for one' has this view, and I see beauty in every direction.  

From the main villa, windows face gardens and other buildings. I found this gate over my shoulder near the piano and drew while I waited for the rain to abate. Although the rain was very heavy at times it drains quickly, and the plants and trees have been noticeably growing.

Symphony Circle and painting Verdi

This is a popular bust of the musician Verdi, he appears in cities all over, usually near a symphony's home  this is Buffalo at Kleinhans Music Hall  

Just 12x9 in oil, it's an unusual subject for me  

The Gorge from the Canadian side

I joined the Ontario Canada plein air painters on a glorious sunny Friday to capture the Niagara River gorge from the other side. That's where the whirlpool turns and I could see the Spanish Aerocar pass over the river. 

Without a shady tree my Plein air umbrella protects me, my palette and the painting. The bicycle rack was a perfect attachment spot.

Finished! Love this! Painting brings me joy. 

The Whirlpool from Ontario 16x12 oil c. K. Schifano 2024

Worldwide Paintout 2024

Instead of our paint out at Niagara Falls I organized our painters to go to Wilson Harbor for the annual Worldwide Paint Out weekend, sponsored by International Plein aire Painters. It was chilly and windy but most of us tucked into a protected spot.

I thought it appropriate to name this painting after the sailboat  

Summer Wind  oil, 16x12 

Really Big Boulders

Ice and storms knocked over these breakwall boulders last winter. Hopefully they'll be back piled up to protect the Lake Ontario coast soon. They are painted on a huge sheet of pastel board to honor the size of the boulders.

Laurene's Big Rocks 24x36 pastel