A New Studio Space Evolves Quickly!

It took all of September to put this giant room in order and another month to get set up with three artists I love to paint with. We are Plein Air buddies but decided to keep our brushes flowing by sharing a studio space in the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. Surrounded by theater groups, artists of all mediums, musicians, museum spaces, and a frenzy of activity, as well as a restaurant, we are thrilled to be working together in such a creative place.

 

I chose a wall for my easel, it turned into a comfortable place. There is plenty of room here to expand.

But then, DECEMBER! The NACC invites crafters to fill the halls and has open house weekends, we took this opportunity to exhibit and sell paintings. My space expanded. Most of these extra paintings will remain stored here, but it will return to a painting spot after the New Year.

And of course, Santa came to visit. 

Edit. We have five artists sharing the space now! More action, more feedback. 

Hoyt Lake, Delaware Park - Taking indoors out

It is warm enough to wear the pink shade hat instead of winter duds!  Instead of a studio still life, on Thursday the Niagara Painters headed to Hoyt Lake at Delaware Park. Hard to believe this was late November. A beautiful day. It won't last so we will be in Studio 120 at NACC for most of winter.

Work In Progress 'Hoyt Lake'

Artpark, cold and windy.

Keeping cozy in dappled sunlight

Artpark on a Fall Saturday is usually pretty quiet but the Castellani Museum, Artwork and the NACC combined for a fun plein air event. The wind from the gorge was too much for me, so I settled on the building serving food and beverages. Hot apple cider with a shot of Fireball Whiskey was a  perfect warm up and kept me going. Someday I'll go back to paint the Lewiston Queenston bridge from the gorge rim.

Same place, one year apart, different media

Sun and Clouds Picnic II, oil 9x12 2022

Autumn Sun Streaks, pastel, 9x12 2021

WWPO and a Wet Paint Wedding Purchase

What a traditional view of the cataracts! The annual WorldWide Paint Out, sponsored by International Plein Air Painters was a huge success. NFPAP had at least a dozen artists on both Friday and Saturday. I had not painted here in a while and it was so satisfying to be right at the rail. Working in the heat was difficult, the swirls of wind from the gorge made an umbrella unsteady and I should have had more drinking water with me. But, by persevering I could complete this beauty. After a summer of good experiences and practice, my brushes just danced on this canvas. 

The second WWPO day, we worked by Three Sisters Islands and I went into the shade near the first bridge. A bridal party appeared and had their vows to my left, across the water. Members of the wedding party came to see me at work and purchased the wet painting for the newlyweds. I took it home, attached it securely in a perfect pizza box and delivered to their hotel. They paid me, but included a nice tip for packing and delivering! What a wonderful gift and memory for this couple. And asking your local pizza place for a clean box 'for emergencies' is a tip for artists reading this.

September Morning Wedding

Work in Progress!