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