2012 Worldwide Paintout in Niagara Falls

Starting this paintout weekend at Niagara Falls State Park right, the weather was mostly sunny and mid 70's until well after lunch when we returned to our cars loaded with equipment and new paintings and felt the first raindrops of the day. We had settled in the public space between the two great cataracts and the long staircases to the Horseshoe Falls, as our first favorite spots at Luna Island and Three Sisters were both blocked for the Fall construction season-new walkways, overlooks, safer stairs and rails will be installed for next year.

We found that most of the tourists in our area were walking longer distances to enjoy the sights from all vantage points, few had come to simply take pictures and hurry out to the shopping malls. We know our way around Goat Island, although there were plenty of tourists and tour buses nearby, their drop off point was nearer to the stairs and we had this area to ourselves in the morning.

Sherrill Primo, sketching her plan

Joan Shaw with her pochade

Linda Piper and Joan Turrell with pastels and conversation

Joan Shaw and Kathy Schifano's french easel by the bench

Kathy, Joan, Linda, Joan and Sherrill meet for lunch

Each time the tour bus drove behind us it would slow or stop so the riders could see our paintings. 

Joan L Shaw's oil of our view of the Horseshoe Falls

Joan Turrell's pastel of the cascades on hand-marbled paper

Linda Piper's pastel looking across to Canada

Kathy Schifano's oil of a boulder on the falls' edge