River Art Gallery Plein Air show

We paint, chat, have lunch, mix colors, bundle up or hide in the shade from March to October. A plein air painter is a traveler, observer and recorder of what they see. The pleasure of painting is compounded by sharing our work with the communities we paint. This year's art exhibition filled two light filled rooms in  the lovely River Art Gallery in North Tonawanda.

Bond's Lake in the Fall

Diane and Anne take a short break

Early Fall at Bonds Lake Park, what could be better? Brilliant light, no wind and a few fluffy clouds floating by make a wonderful day to be a painter.

Roy Fink with his watercolor

Joan Shaw perched on the rocks by the glassy lake

Riverworks and LaBatt's Blue

Diane Goupil, the LaBatt Six Pack. 

The history of Buffalo evolved along the Buffalo River. At the turn of the 20th century, industry and the Erie Canal made the 'gateway to the west' a bustling metropolis. Today, along the river, Entrepreneurs are recapturing those days with adaptive reuse of the grain mills and factory space. Riverworks is an enormous entertainment and restaurant space and a great spot for painting. It was chilly with a small turnout on this day but the choices for painting were numerous.

More camp kids painting

Crowding under the shade of a park tree.

The park fountain attracts lots of our young painters.

Private Painting

On the south tip of Grand Island is a large state park. At the edge of the original Beaver Island park is a canoe launch and a lovely curving walk into the Niagara River. A hot day required some shade, but the sounds of nature, lapping water, birds and an occasional boater made for an amazing paintout.

Carol Vacanti

Diane Goupil

Jean MacDonald

Martha Rogala and Dexter

Roy Fink

Kath Schifano's quick sketch across the river

Amazing resilience of plein air painters

The postal service may deliver in all weather, but our intrepid painters do too. These hardy artists gather for lunch after painting the morning away. Umbrellas work for more than rain, we bring them out for shade on sunny days, too.

Our artist campers’ showcase

Old Lake Road on Lake Ontario

Laurene Buckley has been coming to Lake Ontario in summer and invites the group to paint there. Caudia's Lake Road home is right at the lake, sitting out back is as good as being in the water. The high water level took away the beach but the sound of waves on the boulders is magnificent and powerful.

 Roy Fink chose to paint one of the smaller cottages, the gate and trees. Nice One!

 Isn't this stunning. The house on the left was our base, but the neighbors welcomed all the painters. 

 The day was hot inland but we were all cool. This is after lunch, after a short share of our work. The patio is so comfortable, right on the lake.

Kath Schifano stayed on the patio and worked on painting the flowers growing in the pots. Note the composition matches up with the deck. 

Behind Wardell's Boatyard in North Tonawanda

Next to Wardell's Boatyard is a community of  cottages on the water. Most are glorified boat garages and we love the character and colors here.

 House? Outhouse? Pump station? Whatever it is, it is a good subject.

 In progress, Kath's interpretation of the little building across the road from her easel.

 Joan Turrell is always comfortable and confident when she paints.

 Roy Fink sat down today, perhaps his first time painting from a chair, usually he stands.

 Donna Hale is working on the scene...right behind the car that just parked in front of it.

Martha Rogalla settled near the entrance to the park area.

Back to Buckhorn State Park

Our most peaceful site has to be this carry in, carry out park on Grand Island. With a bridge, paths, sleepy water and wildlife, all four seasons are fantastic. Plus easy parking!

 Carol Case Siracuse stayed cool with her watercolors and a big hat.

 Donna Hale worked by the Fishermans Bridge...and sold this painting soon after.

 These painters huddled together in the shade as it was a really hot day, each painting was of a different aspect of Burnt Ship Creek.

 Martha Rogalla with watercolors.

Painting with Kids at camp

Kath Schifano

www.kschifano.com
www.kschifano.blogspot.com

Donating Time, Supplies and Expertise to Kids

The NFPAP artists have annually supported the NACC day camp by donating money for supplies. We choose a date and the kids come out with their canvas, set up around our painters and try their hand at plein air. It turns into a quiet morning as they concentrate on the gardens and fountain in Schoellkopf Park, downtown Niagara Falls.

The returning campers have steadily improved their observation skills working outside. For their frequent breaks, they come up to the painters, asking for help and commenting on our own park paintings.

 Sitting in the sun, the paint dries very quickly. Fortunately, the day was mild.

Amelia's first painting of the year!

Diane, hard at work in the park was still able to answer kid's questions.

Sharing ideas, Sherryl Primo and a camper talk about their pictures.

Everyone loves the benches in the shade.

Across our border to Niagara On The Lake

Kath Schifano's Centopath in the middle of NOTL

 Niagara On The Lake is a lovely theater and shopping destination for thousands daily. Kath and Rachelle chose to paint on the Main Street until the crowds arrived. (By then, paintings were finished)

Rachelle took a few minutes to admire the view where Diane and Donna chose to relax and paint, right at the mouth of the river and the start of Lake Ontario.

Days Park in Allentown

 Rachelle Bisone sported a vest and hat in the deep shade of the mature trees in this Olmsted Park

Caught thinking about it, her painting is spectacular and ambitious.

Allen Street architecture by Peggy Walker

Martha Rogala had a lovely day and a lovelier watercolor.

Diane Goupil captured light, plants and architecture in water color.