Painting in Amsterdam

Our return trip to The Netherlands was primarily to paint in Amsterdam with a group of 12,  sponsored by Workshops in Yorkshire. (Rosemary Brushes)

Of course April was tulip season and they were blooming everywhere indoors and out, and Spring was sparkling. The city is a grid of canals and packed with bicycles, cafes and art. We spent time in the Rijksmuseum, VanGogh Museum and Rembrandt's House. City Parks, Tulip gardens and an outing to the Rembrandt Paint factory with a behind the scenes tour filled the days between paint times. 4 finished paintings, two sketchbooks of watercolor and ink and a camera packed with images completed our 12 day trip. I cannot imagine a better planned and organized trip.  My memories and images are precious.

Hortus Botanicus

6' Below Sea Level 

Keukenhof Tulip Garden

No Parking

 

What is Urban Sketching?

I don't always have time or materials to complete paintings when I am inspired by a location. Fortunately, I always carry a mini sketchbook and pen. 

Urban sketchers are a formal group that may meet or work independently to capture a location, usually with drawing materials. Sometimes these are long works, others are quick sketches and often contain notes on their location, or other comments the artist makes. 

I'm not sure if I am an actual Urban Sketcher Artist, but these are a few recent urban sketches from my mini notebook. It is a great way to experience a place and create memories. And it is amazing how many mini notebooks I have filled with drawings.

Waiting for dinner in Amsterdam, April 2024

From the harbor in Antwerp October 2023

Another Antwerp view

Hoorn Harbor, Netherlands October 2023

Shanty Choir in Kvasir

Lockport NY Train station ruins 2023

Botanical Gardens, February 2023

Lytle Preserve

 It is a treat to find a new park or location to bring my paints. We were invited by the Art Trail to paint at an event in Lockport. Families (and visiting goats) walked the trails at beautiful Lytle Park. The variety of greens was staggering.

Having had a recent Total Knee Replacement, I settled for a scene near the car, while other painters went down the trail to find a bridge, wooden walks and lovely views. This is a park I will return to!

Lytle Preserve, Lockport, oil 9x12 oil 2024

Buffalo Artist Studios Fundraiser 5x5

The annual 5x5 art auction in TriMain is a major fundraiser for the huge BAS spaces on the 5th floor. I was invited to participate and donated these two oil paintings, both of which gained significant bids. I sincerely believe in supporting groups that support artists in turn.

 

A New Peace Bridge view

Painted today, noticed by many, gone tomorrow. It was an early cool Spring day when a few of us decided to paint near the Aquarium. I had a different location in mind, but I had never considered the Rainbow Bridge from this location. Already parked, I realized I wouldn't have to go far. There are a lot of memories in the painting, crossing into Canada, the Falls, stairs to the gorge and many Niagara Falls natives commented on it. Needless to say, this one was shipped out as soon as it was dry enough to travel. Expats love Niagara!