The big vista

Everyone driving down Lewiston Hill looks at the scene out over the lake and the rolling landscape from the escarpment to the shore, mostly farms and fields. On clear days the city of Toronto stands like a beacon in the distance, more than 35 miles as the crow flies. This Spring day, I painted in Ann's backyard, on top of the escarpment, as I looked, the spires and buildings of the city appeared as the morning mist lifted.

Toronto Haze, 9x12 oil

Artists Group Gallery

The edge of Goat Island at Niagara Falls separates the water that goes over the two falls from the Niagara River. The rapids become quite tumultuous at this spot, the speed of the water increases and splashes on the rocks and ledges. An earlier post this year showed this being painted from the front seat of my car at the end of a long cold winter. 

I donated the painting to Artists Group Gallery for the summer fundraiser, an evening with delightful food and drinks, some surprises and the opportunity to purchase small artworks at $100. 

It's July 24th in the evening, tickets available from the gallery, 885-2251

Rapids Start 6x6 oil, c. K. Schifano

Hurricane Arthur painting

A long planned vacation and family get together in Delaware was an opportunity to paint at the beach...right off the balcony of our apartment as this painting happens to be. The beach is actually deeper than this and the water does not come so high, but this was from a storm that had hit the Outer Banks and was visible as it careened out to sea.

"Arthur" was painted the morning of the first US hurricane of 2014. The waves were picking up and eventually crashed onto the beach, halfway to our apartment. It was thrilling, but hard to paint a moment as the light changed so quickly in the storm. 

'Arthur', 9x21 oil

 

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.

2014 Summer Solstice

 As each season changes, we remark on the day but I try to be a painter on the solstice and equinox as a way to acknowledge the change. As a teacher I tried to remember to bring 'eggs' to balance; whether it was a hoax or not, it worked until the table shook.

This was painted on Carl's birthday, we both packed up paint kits and headed to Beaver Island State Park. I felt this one was finished, but Carl was still painting, so I used a 5x7 and painted his portrait under the umbrella. It is now a special painting and I am glad I tried that second one. I titled it 'Birthday Suit'.

This is an oil which is lighter and brighter than this picture, it is under a shade umbrella for the photo. Amazing skies today. 

Beaver Island Solstice, 9x12 oil