VIsiting with the original Guerrilla Painter

A few months ago, I ordered a new paint box from Judson's Art Outfitters in Colorado. Poking around their website I discovered that Carl Judson would pass nearby; I took a chance and invited him to stay with us and paint with the NIagara Frontier Plein Air Painters. A few emails back and forth and we set up an evening salon with my group, he gently presented some history and his philosophy and listened carefully to comments and art stories. All evening a series of about 100 images rotated on the tv screen, providing a visual panorama of plein air.

Painting the Falls, on the days when the ice is roaring down the river from Lake Erie has a special quality. Spending that day with Carl Judson added to the 'special' as we set up with our backs to the American Falls and could see the 'shoe between the trees before leaves filled in the view. Ice at the base of the Horseshoe was halfway up, about 90 feet deep, and another 5-6 feet deep on the fenced off lookout areas near the spray.

 Carl attracted a steady group of observers of the water falls and our paintings.

 This pile of equipment represents enough for two artists to sit, paint and eat lunch. The economy of space of the Guerilla Painter supplies has lightened my load considerably. When I started to paint out years ago, I could barely manage my own bulky set up even with a set of wheels, these two boxes were easy to carry with two chairs up the hill and through the fields without thinking about weight or bulk.

 Carl Judson and I in front of his mobile art shop [and traveling apartment], before leaving the area in Wilson. We had painted the Trillium walk in the morning, he was headed for Rochester Art Supply, one of our favorite artist road trips, followed by Canandaigua and Ithaca.

New Buffalo Botanical Gardens Waterfall

'The Palm Room' is the central domed rotunda at the gardens; through the years we have watched various palms reach the 60-70? foot high ceiling. Some have been replaced, others trimmed, but every time I enter that beautiful space, even when it is for consecutive weeks of painting, the room is different. Flowers are moved around for seasons, lemons grow from white buds, displays are rearranged. This winter, a new feature is a lovely waterfall near the center, a peaceful moment right where people converge from four directions.

The first is a photograph of the site, followed by an underpainting and then a picture of the nearly completed painting.

A week later, daffodils, hyacinth and majestic tulips surrounded and covered the rocks, making this little painting a true moment of that particular time.

Tinkling Waters, oil 7x5 c. 2014

Great Baehre Swamp in Amherst

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Call it Great Baehre Swamp or Margaret Louise Park, this was a great place to officially start the plein air club season. We came early last year also, but the geese had paired, green was everywhere and frogs were sunning. It was eerily quiet this time, except for a single pair of geese practicing their water landings and the regular walkers getting exercise, the day was gray.

I chose a spot at the beginning of the raised wood walkway, intrigued by the amount of ice that remained in the pond.  I am sure it was merely an inch or so, melting furiously to make way for sun and reflections.

Once I got going this painting went quickly, as it is quite small. I am sure that the buds on the trees in the distance expanded during the time I was painting. A day or two later and there will be green here, the ice will be gone.

Interesting -I searched the former name 'Margaret Louise Park' to create a link and one of my paintings from a previous year here came up first in Google images.

Spring Melt, oil on canvas panel, 6x6

April Snow

I planned to paint outdoors, but the weather report was gloomy. Waking to white stuff falling isn't high on my list in April. There was not much snow and it melted quickly as the ground had warmed already. Snow only remained on the tops of the evergreens and on horizontal branches. I took a photo out the back, ate, and realized I should paint from indoors. Carpe diem.

 The woods glowed silver with iced mist. My new birch panels were ready to go, three coats of gesso and sanded. As I prepared to paint, it warmed outside and the scene changed, snow melted and large drips from tree branches kept the surface of standing water flickering. Now that I have tried it this birch painting surface is my new favorite.

I painted our garden rock wall far to the left of the big pine in this photograph, but I included this photo to show the magical effect of icing in the wetlands and snow on our half grown evergreens.

April Snow, oil on birch panel, 8x10

Sharing an International Plein Air Painters post

 This works for me. Returning from painting outdoors, as I tired as I may be from lugging equipment, climbing, getting buggy and bit, I still have joy filling my soul. Painting where wildlife accepts my presence and acts naturally, and I can hear ferns uncurl, plants pushing up dried leaves, birds hopping, well, nothing is better for my self.

New plein air frames

I usually order my frames custom sized from a wholesale frame company, but I couldn't resist these plein air frames and birch panels from Blick, all on sale and delivered to my door. Now I am ready for the Camp Hill Plein Air week. I am expected to paint on location, and return several finished paintings, framed and wired for the awards judge and display for the public exhibition.

For two days I gessoed the panels, with white on the 'back' and two coats of clear on the front. They may need a third coat and a light sanding, but this gesso brush hand is on hiatus for a while.

Often people ask how long a painting takes...does the answer include all this prep time, the travel, packing materials and the sketches? Or is the real answer 30 years?

Car Painting

Too chilly to paint outside, this view of Goat Island from the parkway was a comfortable afternoon paint 'in'. You can see Goat Island and where the river splits to tumble down the two falls at Niagara.

 Sitting in my car, the new Guerilla Painter French Resistance Box works perfectly from the front seat. With my french easel, I need to paint out the back deck, protected from the wind, but not quite as comfortable or warm. I may never go back to it again.

'Rapid Split' 6x6 oil from the front seat

Plein Air Camp Hill Art Festival

These photos may look a bit busy or hectic, but I believe they are from the final day last May at the  Camp Hill Plein Air Art Festival near Harrisburg, PA, and most likely the judging for QuickDraw, a timed outdoor event. That involves artists painting within a designated area for a block of time, perhaps two hours, to create a painting from life, frame it and return to the display area. These works are usually a lot of fun, very fresh and never overworked.

I pulled these photos off their website, as I am selected as one of 45 artists for the week long event, and I am thrilled to be included. Selection involves an application fee, a set of recent plein air paintings and bio information and waiting a long time for the judges' decisions. This 5th year celebration includes activities for the whole town, including paintouts and a scavenger hunt for kids as well as the professional artist component. Friday night's gallery opening is a gala collector's preview and awards with a public reception for paintings displayed on Saturday and Sunday.

Time to buy a new hat.

Monica's Mists and her frame

Started last winter, this sat unfinished, clipped to a huge backing board and behind the door, for months while my wrist healed. I took it out to finish and check my grip on the pastels and slowly built up final layers over two or three weeks. It is from a photo in my files that I took in early Spring, the light pink area is a huge mound of ice taking its time to melt; the water temperature was still low and there is a massive amount of ice built up from the mist.

The inspiration for the painting is a frame. And winter studio time. Right from the start I planned to give it to Monica for her birthday, it took about 6 extra months, but she has it now. I thought it was huge, but when I delivered it to her new Fillmore Street studio it seemed to shrink on the massive white walls. She planned on bringing it her home, where it will get big again.

The frame was originally Monica's, gold with a white mat and a reddish inner mat and fancy corner detail, so I had it a looong time before I found the right image of the Falls to suit the frame and the colors. I was also hampered by knowing what colors she lives with. Truly a backwards way to work is to start with a frame and make a painting suit it. This is my only painting that includes this much of the park area and both Falls.

Mounds of Mist 20x32, pastel

A tiny portable paintbox works fine in the car.

 Years ago, I was given an old 'Beginners Paint Box' with some dried up paints. It had been purchased used at a garage sale for a dollar or so. It sat in my studio all this time, more as a memento of the person who gave it to me than as a useful art product.

Recently I was researching the purchase of an artist's pochade, which is a very useful travel box with lots of gadget type aspects. I had a few new sample paints, a couple of short brushes and a teeny jar for some medium and so I tried out this teeny box. The little plastic cap on the medium in the photo is smaller than a quarter. Altogether, the box is 6x9 and less than two inches tall so it fits under the car seat or in most purses. 

I painted this oil parked at Eagle Overlook on Grand Island, looking over towards Navy Island and the industry near Niagara Falls. I pushed my seat all the way back, leaned on the steering wheel, and propped it on the dashboard for a 'longer view'. With the sun shining the car stayed pretty warm, it was about 11 degrees out and two iceboats were consistently sweeping the ice away from the massive New York Power Authority intakes, seen on the right side.

I came home thrilled to have been painting outdoors, ready for this most frigid winter to end and Spring to bloom.

'Icebreakers on the Niagara' 5x7 oil on board

Painted Anthuriums

  Can't wait to go paint outdoors? Join me on Thursday mornings in South Buffalo.

 Buffalo's Botanical Garden has the most amazing displays as the plants react to longer days and warmer sunlight. The cactus are pushing flowers, the koi are more active, orchids scream gorgeous and all the freshly trimmed trees are putting out new branches.

This set up is with my new Guerilla Painter artist box, it is so versatile and lightweight, my first use of it  here was a joy! I will write about it soon.

'Anthurium Spring' 9x12 oil c. K. Schifano

Waiting for a Better Answer

Early June heralds the third annual Plein Air Competition in the Finger Lakes, hosted in Canandaigua. These three lovelies went into my application. Results are in, I am selected as an alternate, one of two, I believe. Certainly not hoping for another artist to have a calamity, but rather a conflict. This event is something I REALLY want to do, it is three days of art and artists, a quick draw and a show of all the work completed. Of all the applicants, 40 were chosen. I would hate to be the 'first loser'.

Roiling 12x16 pastel

Rocks at Bog Falls, 9.5x12.5 pastel

Solstice Sun on the Flume, 12.5x9.5 pastel

Snow Day from the Studio Window

 We have planted a variety of evergreens since building this house, some blue, green, droopy, in sets of three, short, fluffy, flat and one that is really spiky. Although many were planted around the same time, they are all different sizes. Three trees from the same grower and put in three different places are just that, different. One in the woods lingered a long and slow death as trees stole the sunlight and deep shade combined with clay soil finished it off. The second is on the edge of the wooded area, as long as big branches nearby are pruned, it grows slowly. This is the third, on the property border, open to light and admiration, anchoring a favorite garden with flowers and color from Spring to Fall. It is as tall as the second story roof next door and is part of my studio view, prominent in the winter. Something about nature and nurture belongs here.

After 6 months without pastel painting I was thrilled to try out my healed hand on this. Unfortunately, using pastels will be a part time experience for me as this, combined with some colored pencil work brought back the pain. THe right side shows some large handmade and favored pastels I used on the tree and snow. Still my first love, I will carefully plan and spread out the time I put into the next few paintings with pastels. Oils are another story, I hold the brushes with different muscles. Anyway, this was fun to do, I hung it on the studio door.

Blue Spruce, pastel 22x6 

Gone, but not forgotten. An Artist's Rant

January brings with it the promise of a new year, but also an opportunity to review the previous year, to make new promises based on what I learned and continue to grow.

I am fortunate that my paintings are admired and purchased, that I am encouraged to keep painting and those that leave the studio make room for new ones. Working on paperwork in the studio this week (sometimes it seems endless!) I realize that several of my paintings are still in 'unknown' locations.  Often, we receive requests for art donations from a variety of places, non profits, fundraisers, museum and cultural facilities that are running auctions. I pick and choose the few to will support each year, sometimes alternating between private and public events. The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is important to me so I rarely turn them down. Organizations that have hundreds of items available for just hundreds of customers go way down on the 'giving list' because my donation isn't going to make a difference, fewer available items at an event bring higher profits to the group.

Artists and musicians are frequently expected to provide free services, in fact, this happens too often. More plumbers, electricians and landscapers need to step up with their valuable services as well. Neither artists nor musicians work for free, their materials, education and practice all have expenses. I have seen paintings in a $50 frame, paid for by the artist who donated it, get paltry winning bids of $30 or $40 because of the huge amount of work available to bidders. Perhaps we should put cash in an envelope and donate directly?

I do appreciate the extra exposure and thanks from committees, sometimes a percentage of a sale or membership or free admission to the event is offered to donors. These are all welcome and appreciated, more groups need to acknowledge their donors with services like these.

In the meantime, below are 3 MIA paintings, they were donated with paperwork attached for their new owners, including a page to be returned to me. Hopefully the lucky recipients will find and return the page when they hang their new painting. Then as in the previous post, I will know where they live. That makes it easy to part with my work, just knowing where they have gone.

Olmsted's Japanese garden c. K. Schifano

Niagara Upper Rapids c. K. Schifano

Wine on Third, c. K. Schifano

Coming Home in Cypress, Texas

'Coming Home' c. K. Schifano 2014 18x24

The third house portrait painting in a series for a Houston area client, this is off the easel and on my mantle until the final bits of flowers and details are dry enough to send.

Yesterday I was asked if it is hard to give up a painting. The answer is yes, but if I live with it for a while it becomes easier. I want to have each picture for a while, to study and evaluate, appreciate and accept. Occasionally, I want to change a shape or a shadow, this observation period allows me to find the spot that needs something. I had this up for a few days, took it down to brighten some of the flowers and place their kittys in the driveway. Working with oils, I cannot send it until dry so there is an advantage. I can live with the painting until it is safe to package and I am ready to let it go. It is always nice to know where they live and the wall or room a painting graces. I don't have to see it, I just need to know that I can if I want to.

With lovely architectural details, a variety of textures, rooflines and surfaces, this home offered many angles to choose from for the final composition. Although a peak and part of the stone facade is nearly invisible on the far left, this is the view most familiar angle of view, the daily entrance, the "Coming Home' of the title. 

Here is a quick step-by-step progression of the canvas in the studio.

World Church, Houston painting

Kathy Schifano, Houston church

Over the past few years Route 6 in Houston has taken me to some of my favorite places, a playground/animal park, the Half Price Bookstore, Jerry's retail store, and Hobby Lobby for the solvents I do not dare take on a plane with my paint tubes.

I've admired the light and shadows on this unusually small (for Houston) church, so, as my new year painting #1, I'll have to go back and read the sign before I decide on a title. It's on Arches Huile paper. And next time, I will bring plenty of water to drink, though it was not particularly hot I nearly passed out when the shade tree I relied on became a full sun location.

edited....World Church, 15x11, oil on Arches Huile 2014

More than just cookies

Merry Christmas in paint

December is a time of wonder, the first snow, decorations, great music and joy. I spent a quiet day, early in the month, surrounded by an acre of poinsettias. This is probably only possible because they have no scent! I snuggled next to a particularly pointy leaf variety and used my palette knife to capture the angular shape of the leaves. If you find some time to visit a Botanical Garden it will pleasantly reward you with new views every time.

I think we made 9 varieties of cookies this year, it was an ongoing project for the month and just as satisfying as painting is at this time of year. Come January, there will be lots of time to work in the studio.

Merry Christmas, may you share your days with your friends and family and find the joy in each moment.

Poinsettia with points, 5x7, oil

464 Gallery Show

Bond's Reflections, oil 5x7, c. 2013

Three Trees, 10x8 oil, c. 2012

464 Amherst Street is the home of 464 Gallery. Most exhibits there are a week long and feature individual artists. This month, a large number of artists and artworks are displayed, salon style, with three or four in a column, covering all the walls in the front and more are in the back room.

These three paintings are displayed there, perfect for the fall loving local art lover. The top was painted at Bond's Lake, right at the beginning of Fall and I used a palette knife as my hand was in a brace. I have used the knives more often lately as it is easier on my grip and a bit of a challenge, as well.

The next two were painted last Fall. 'Three trees' is also plein air, in the lovely Fireman's Park right across the Whirlpool Bridge in NF, Canada.

I am showing the barns here with and without a frame. Sometimes it is amazing to see the difference a frame makes, this little painting becomes a jewel with a carved and decorative gilt edge.

Eye Candy on LMR, 5x7, framed

Eye Candy on LMR, 5x7 oil, c. 2012

2014 Art Calendar

Although I usually have a fistful of my new calendars in the car, I don't see everyone who wants one.  They are sold in several convenient locations for $12, but you have to see me or use Paypal on my website to get the refills.

Castellani Art Museum Gift Shop at Niagara University
The Book Corner, Main Street Niagara Falls
Studio 1, Niagara Street, Niagara Falls
Serene Gardens, Grand Island Blvd, Grand Island
Quaker Bonnet on Allen in Buffalo
464 Gallery, Amherst Street, Buffalo

Oops, this is a 2012 image, but it shows how the case stands on a desk or counter.

Open Studio Event

For the fifth year, I am opening my studio for a festive weekend in November. Arranging artwork in new ways each year is a fun challenge that takes me several weeks. Sometimes the color or style of frames help determine arrangements, other times layouts are determined by color or subject. Moving pictures around gives me insights on a year's efforts.

This year I have expanded into the next room, where most of my Niagara Falls State Park paintings are now displayed together. Although there is a lot of green, and browns and golds, the blueish painted walls intensify the feeling of mist, water and WET in there.

Come on over, November 16 & 17 from 11-4, I have a gift for all visitors.

On the French River

French River, 15x30 oil, Kath Schifano

Two Paintings? The top picture shows the painting nearly finished, before some areas were adjusted, notably the large yellow tree and the ground of the wooded areas. The second has varnish on it, several months later. I include both so you can see the difference a final coat makes to the colors.

I always like a single commission on my easel, but just one at a time, for when the weather is dreadful or I want to paint late into the night. Having several to do creates unnecessary pressure!

Some paintings take longer than others due to detail or size, how much time I have, or perhaps just my mood.

Commissions usually require working from photos, the better the light, the better the painting. My client brought a strong selection of absolutely brilliant Fall photos from a variety of angles and directions. Her plan is to give it as a gift as this family cabin has been the source of many years of pleasure. As I painted, I imagined their summer activities, using a magnifying glass to create the painting, I observed the benches, burn barrel, the outdoor lights, the combinations of rocks that provide supports and markers. I found windows on the roofline of the boat garage, as well as 'before and after' pictures of the new door. I recall she said it was about 4 hours drive north of Toronto, then a 45 minute boat ride to access the cabin. A long trip, but a spectacular place to be.

This was a pleasure to paint, using vibrant colors, finding the reflections of the opposite shore in the windows, majestic super tall hardwoods. I am so proud of how this oil painting looks, cobbled together from 3 photos taped together, with references taken from several more. I love having a challenge on my easel, this challenge includes everything I like to paint, water and reflections, rocks, trees and a slice of life. While I start my next studio painting, another architecture portrait, this one hangs on my wall. It leaves me soon to become a family heirloom.

French River 15x30 oil, 2013

Why two Paintings? The top picture shows the painting nearly finished, before some areas were adjusted, notably the large yellow tree and the ground of the wooded areas. The second has varnish on it, several months later. I include both so you can see the difference a final coat makes to the colors.

Poetry & Art, and Interchangeable Impressions

Stuck in an arm brace for several weeks, I could not hold or maneuver my favored pastels, which probably were the cause of my wrist and thumb issues in the first place.

Not using pastels, limited to oils this summer and fall, I devised a few new ways to wield brushes. Working on treated wood boards gave me more control. Using a palette knife helped cut down on my repetitive motions, and working smaller, with its own particular challenges, limited additional stress on my damaged tendons. I would not give up creating!

While painting with Sherrill Primo, she told me of a poem by Richard about the single red tree of a new fall, a clarion of the season. Hence this lovely bit of Buckhorn State Park, across from the fisherman's dock and its title.

Clarion for Autumn, 7x5, oil 2013

A Published Painting

My painting, 'Coffee Time, Long Beach Morning' is featured this week in 'Why This Works' by Jeanne Mackenzie. Click HERE to see the article published in an international online magazine.

Part of the pleasure of being a plein air painter involves crawling websites for great new artwork, sharing ideas and techniques with other artists and discovering how much wonderful art is being produced worldwide under the banner of 'plein air'.

Weekly letters and magazines, blogs, personal websites, journals and social media keep us connected. I have been fortunate to know painters all over the country, to meet and often paint with my artist friends at parks and vistas wherever I travel. The Publisher's Invitational event in the Adirondacks is one of the best places to meet new people and share experiences as artists. I joined them the inaugural year and returned to attend 3 times, the 4th event coming in 2014 may be the first I miss. However, my friendships are permanent. One site I was introduced to there is at OutdoorPainter.com, an online weekly magazine that features events and people, which chose this painting for a feature.

Coffee Time, Long Beach Morning, oil 10x20 K. Schifano

Sunny afternoon in Texas

 

Outside Austin, Texas at Maxine Price's painting studio, a wonderful native rock wall encloses a lovely yard of Texas treasures, including sculpture, plants and majestic live oaks.

An afternoon of plein air combined with visiting  and artist conversation turned into this little oil of a prickly pear cactus half immersed in front of the wall.

A Little Texas Sunlight, oil 10x8

Painting for Preservation, Delaware Court

Super Saturdays! About once a month, Sara Zak invites artists to join her to bring attention to an 'endangered' or at risk building in Buffalo. Delaware Court, on the corner of Delaware and Chippewa in Buffalo was our most recent event. It may be replaced by a modern steel and glass tower, but no building would have the character and beauty that is on the corner now.

The curved facade gives the appearance of a building that goes on forever, decorative plaques are embedded on the pilasters and in the top molding, bump out 2nd floor balconies increase the visual delight. The group was gathered by Spot Coffee for a kiddy corner view, but I choose to sit across the street in the sun on a crisp fall morning on the patio of an obliging restaurant.

Me

Sara Zak

  Carol Case Syracuse

Delaware Court, oil on oil paper 11x14, K. Schifano 2013

Adirondack painters, the first group photo

This photo is from June 2011, and was left as a draft. Today it got noticed and I 'undrafted' it, and instead of landing in the June 2011 calendar, it published today. I guess if I want something to be in order I need to post it on time! At the time this was the largest gathering of plein air painters painting at one time, this has since been eclipsed by the PA convention groups and the two subsequent Publisher's Invitational Plein Air Paintouts, both of which I have attended. Simply an amazing experience.