Whirlpool State Park

July 6, Niagara falls into the lower river and plein air painters soak it up!

Perfect temperature, slight breezes, laughing families and curious tourists combined with theWhirlpool bridge over the raging Lower Niagara rapids, seagulls coasting in the gorge, the Spanish Aerocar balancing over the Whirlpool, and huge rocks creating splashing water all made for another painting day with unlimited options.

This lovely park has a steep hill down to the overlook into the famous whirlpool formed by the sharp turn of the river. Painters spread out in the park to capture a variety of views, some on the hill above, others on the paths along the gorge.
Donna Hale, Paulette Jurek, Carol Mathewson, Paulette Rozwood, Kath Schifano, Joan Shaw, Joan Turrell all painted their day away, relishing the amazing weather and views.

Blacksmith Shop - Cobblestone District

With springs uncertain arrival, members of the NFPAP once again packed up their easels and headed out - this time to Buffalo's Cobblestone area. This group of strung-together buildings in the photo is known locally as the Blacksmith Shop.

Peggy Walker painting the West elevation of the Blacksmith Shop.

On two chilly mornings in March nine members of the NFPAP gathered on the corner of Illinois & South Park streets to paint the faded crumbling facade of the only remaining example of original early nineteenth century architecture in Buffalo's historic Cobblestone area. The painters were: Sara Zak, Peggy Walker, Sharon Fundalinski, Jennifer Parsons, Jackie Wells, Donna Hale, Bernie Smith, Diane Goupil, Joan Shaw, and Sharon Brown from EA. Also on hand were folks from interested preservation groups and Buffalo Rising.

Locally known as the Blacksmith Shop, its fate currently lies firmly in the hands of an immanent court ruling. NFPAP member Sara Zak, who, through her contacts in the news media, arranged this "painting for preservation" paint out to call attention to the threatened plight of the Blacksmith Shop and to publicize it in the news media.

Bundled up and ready to paint: Peggy Walker, Kath Schifano, Sara Zak, Bernie Smith

Wine and Culinary Festival at Artpark

Saturday July 31 & Sunday August 1 were the most beautiful weekend days of the summer for a long planned 2 day paintout.

Saturday's Music is Art and Artpark's Rock Camp music followed by Sunday's historic Lewiston Jazz festival provided non stop entertainment for the painters and wine festival attendees. Restaurants and winery representatives filled the large treed lot on Artpark's lower level, while NFPAP painters scattered along the gorge ridge to paint views of Canada, Niagara River, and the festivities. A superb view of the River, Lewiston Queenston Bridge and the two countries' power projects attracted many painters to a small overlook at the edge of the park property.

Painting among wine tasters and gourmet food eaters was a new experience for most of us. Everyone was in a good mood and the lovely location, light and shade trees made the day perfect.

Some of the painters are shown here, Sherrill Primo, Sharon Fundalinski, Kath Schifano, Linda Ludwig, Dorothy Rosche, Donna Hale, Beverly McIntyre. Many more members were painting during this special weekend event.

We will most likely schedule another paint out at Artpark to take advantage of the views on the upper levels of the park. Sending a special shout out and thanks to Sherill's husband Richard for taking these photos!

June at Beaver Island State Park

Tuesday started as a stormy rainy morning & we lost several painters to the weather. The hardy painters were rewarded with clearing weather and strong color contrasts on a bright day. We had a roomy covered patio area at the Casino, while Joan Shaw chose a spot under trees. Jean Jain & I tackled the arch & garden while Susie painted the trees leading to the beach. It was a little chilly & we probably left a bit earlier than usual, but we had our usual lovely lunch together first!

Glen park Paint Out

June 2010
Summer showers didn't dampen the spirits of these intrepid plein air painters.
Rain cascaded over the outdoor shelter while they enjoyed a picnic lunch and
shared the latest news.
Left: Cindi, Peggy, Kathy
Right: Joan, Sharon, Kath. Metta

Sanborn Mill

Painting the historic Sanborn Mill.
Jean, Donna, Diane, take ten for tea

Lockport Locks

Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters
May 2010


Traveling West from Rochester to Buffalo along the Erie Canal requires passage through the
Lockport Locks, a 60 foot rise in five gigantic steps to reach the level of the Niagara River. Considering that the Canal was dug in the early 1800's the scale of these locks is awesome.


Donna & Sharon
getting the essence.


















Looking East





Guess who?
Send your answer to J. Shaw


















Beverly & Linda
making a day of it.

Buffalo Grain Elevators

Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters
May 2010





Great Northern
Grain Elevator







Paulette painting.









Peggy, Sharon, Paulette


On a crisp May morning Paulette Jurek, Peggy Walker, Sharon Fundaliski, Susie Sheron, Metta Hata, gathered at the mouth of the Buffalo Canal in the RCR Marina to paint a piece of Buffalo's industrial heritage. Two ancient grain elevators, the Great Northern and Frontier, cast watchful eyes toward us as we set up our painting gear. Although the workers from the marina were busy launching huge sail boats, a couple were curious about our work and stopped to chat.

Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters
Electric Tower Paint Out
April 2010

View from 14th floor ----- Peggy's painting

For the Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters the sky is the limit!

A world class view from Buffalo's historic Electric Tower - 14th floor

Painting amongst the clouds posed unusual challenges for painters

Deborah Kane, Linda Piper, Kath Schifano, Beverly McIntyre, Joan Turrell,Paulette Jurek, Mette Hata, Peggy Walker, Sharon Fundalinski

Spring at Niagara Falls!

Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters met at Three Sisters Islands to paint yesterday & it was exhilarating! It's nice to be painting outside again with Sharon Fundalinski, Peggy Walker, Joan Shaw, Manning McCandlish and more! We were settled on each of the islands painting our own views. In the end, some of the same blue/gray/greens were in each artist's picture, but they were all completely different.

I finished this scene on location. As I dragged my tired self & painting equipment to the car, balancing this big wet picture, I was struck by flowers growing wild in dappled sunlight along the path to the parking lot. I pulled out my used brushes & palette and sketched the shadowed path on a small canvas with oils remaining from the first picture.

Three Sisters Islands Paint Out - May 2010

Heading to a paint out in a thunder storm is enough to question one's sanity, but the lure of Three Sisters Islands and the hope that Nature would change her mind was enough for me to push onward. These postage stamp islands, strung together by rustic stone foot bridges, sit amidst the roar of the legendary Niagara River rapids. The force of surging current is palpable, and the views spectacular. Climbing over steadfast ancient boulders to find the perfect painting place was worth every step. Only such rock piles as these could endure the relentless pounding of rushing water for centuries on end.

World Wide Paintout

http//ipap.homestea d.com/paintout. html

I [Kath Schifano] registered our upcoming paintout at the grain elevators in September as part of the international plein air paintout weekend. Now we will be artists together in spirit, painting throughout the world. We can post our photos/artwork on their site.

I will also paint on Saturday at the MUSIC IS ART fest at the Albright Knox that Saturday.