Burchfield 'Artists Seen' Photo project

David Moog, a Rochester based and well known B&W photographer is in residence at Burchfield Art Museum, he was given a studio on the first floor for the next three years. His project involves photographing WNY artists for 'undecided' uses right now, but especially for a 100 year retrospective in the museum to be shown in the 22nd century. Talk about planning ahead!

I was invited to sit for my portrait and also enjoyed an afternoon discussion of art, artists, introspection and philosophy with both Mr. Moog and Don Keller in their photo studio, meeting a few Museum staff and reviewing the Alexander Levy exhibit that filled most of the first floor.

I had been advised to choose whatever I wanted to wear, and there would be no props. I spent at least a week thinking about what  to choose to wear and do. I had a vision of leaning against a wall, standing. The 100 year later photo of Me that I imagined needed to be comfortable and natural, so I chose jeans and a vest, the Andy Warhol pin already on the pocket flap. Walking into the room, Mr. Moog told me he had decided to do closeups this week. Although many of the photos involved looking directly into the lens, the one he chose of me was relaxed and looking down, two hands to the side of my face.  Clothes were not the subject, once again I was unnecessarily concerned about a detail.

'Photo of the Photographer'

WIne On Third WInter displays

Winter Night's Dawn c. K. Schifano

Impact Artists Gallery held a satellite exhibit at Wine On Third, Niagara Falls. These two oil paintings were on display in January through the middle of February, the colors and mood of these paintings were perfect for the patrons braving the weather. Other artists contributed landscapes, still lifes, portraits and abstracts, for a very interesting variety compared to their usual one person exhibits. 

That Impact show was followed by an exhibit of work for the NACC auction fundraiser on March 15. I donated a painting to the show, a small salmon colored Amaryllis in a lovely gold carved frame. Go there!

Coomer Road Concords, c. K.Schifano

Winter Night's Dawn, 30x20, oil 
Coomer Road Concords, 20x16, oil 

An indoor study

Nearly finished, 'Fresh Orchids'

Ah, February, it hasn't had a thaw yet and it is too frigid to paint outdoors. 

Contemporary realist painter,  Thomas Kegler held a one day workshop in still life painting at Partners in Art, North Tonawanda, and I joined for a day out and some inspiration. I had attended his workshop two years ago and was intrigued by his use of glazes, especially on a finished painting.

At that time, I had a spray of orchids which I carefully protected on the frigid drive to East Aurora. For this workshop, I hunted around for a similar subject and found this cymbidium plant. My plan was to create the same size and subject to create a pair of pictures. Now that I have them home together I see the difference two years of painting-and thinking-can be. Yes, it is a pair and I hope they stay together.

5/5 days of the Facebook artists challenge.

The last day of 5 in this FB painters challenge.
As much as I love water and am tempted to post waterfall paintings from the Adirondacks, I spent this beautiful day enjoying fresh snow and sunshine in my yard. The art lesson is to paint what you know, so I chose my outdoors for the final day. Thank you, Frances Gaffney for the nomination, we need to paint together soon, this was fun and a bit of a challenge to post daily. Breaking the rules I post 4, and nominate some more. Marcus L Wise, you generously support so many artists, Dave Borkenhagen you share my love of water, and Kathy McDonnell painter of landscapes: I hope you three rise to the challenge, post 3 artworks a day for 5 days and nominate another artist each day.

1. Behind the Pool, plein air oil 11x14
2. Fall Back, 25x19 pastel
3. Rainbow Spring, 24x20 oil
4. Didn't Miss Fall plein air pastel 16x20

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Day 4 of 5 FB painting challenge

Day 4 of 5 in this FB painters challenge. I have selected three views at Niagara Falls demonstrating the power of nature, the fury and energy of tumbling water racing from Lake Erie, up the Niagara, down the Falls to Lake Ontario. I love to paint close to the water, the experience of the spray and the roar of the cataracts give meaning to the words power and majesty. 1&2 are plein air, the third is a studio painting.

1. Roiling AM, 12x16 pastel-rocks at the base of American Falls
2. Winter Divot, 8x12 oil-a rock on the precipice of the Horseshoe in winter
3. Another Surprise on the Path, 21x30 pastel-off the path from 3 Sister's Islands.

It seems easy to choose paintings for this challenge, but nominating another artist is difficult because of the mathematics of the challenge, each nominee invites 5 more, they each invite 5 more, that's 5 artists, then 25, 125, 500, 2500, 12,500, 50,000 artists (thats 750,000 pictures on our news feed) posting in just a month. And they all have to be on FB. Every time I thought of a name, I see they have been challenged. So, Kim James Yarwood, let's see what you are up to.Fine artist and storyteller,neighbor and longtime friend, it's your turn to post 3 art works a day for 5 days and nominate another each day.

Day 3 of 5 paintings Facebook Challenge

Day 3 of the 5 day art challenge to post 3 artworks a day for 5 days. In the spirit of celebrating friends from the past, and showcasing their art, today I nominate Sarah Louisa Burns to join this challenge and post her amazing knitted sculptures-or other work- hopefully with her hilarious comments 3 each day for 5 days.
Today's subject is the ocean-all plein air, all from the same spot by the Ohio Street jetty, Long Beach, Long Island, NY. I am visualizing warm sunshine and bare feet on sand as snow gently falls in my yard.
1. Incoming Tide, 8x10 oil
2. Waiting For the Big One, 12x24 oil
3. Slack, 12x16 oil

 — with Sarah Louisa Burns.

Day 2 of 5 FB paintings

Day 2 of 5 Facebook Painting Challenge.

I selected unpublished paintings that had a bit of humor when they were made. The first 'My Peonies Have No Ants' is a Springtime plein air; painting the flower buds outdoors I watched so many fat ants crawl around that I decided to be 'different', therefore, no ants.

The second was painted at a vendor workshop, 'Studio Zygocactus'. We were to paint from photos to evaluate a new paint product. I forgot eyeglasses and painted this sideways, displayed it sideways and didn't know it. Nowadays, I often paint outdoors without my glasses.

The last is a Botanical Gardens close up. Behind me was a vicious spiked cactus, hence the title, 'No Leaning.'
I nominate Patricia Gaeta to post 3 paintings a day for 5 days, we want to see what you are up to!

 — with Patricia Gaeta.