Goat Island, where Spring shines

Three Sisters Islands jut into the Niagara River providing multiple views of the upper rapids of the Niagara River as well as the Horseshoe Falls and mist. Its trees and quiet paths allow wildlife to thrive and we painted while mini goslings tried out their legs for the first time. Here are some photos capturing a beautiful park day, the wildlife and some of our appreciative observers. 

 

Baehr Swamp in Spring

Screeching geese and their splash landings remind us that we are in the Billy Wilson Park of Baehr Swamp, otherwise, it’s just quiet time with our easels and the occasional walker on the raised boardwalk. It’s the perfect place to discover spring with bright water plants, blue skies and leaves emerging. Later in the afternoon the big resident turtle emerged from hibernation, shaking off mud and grasses to eat food thrown down from the overlook. Making memories! 

Celebrating Donna Hale

Good friend and extraordinary pastel artist, Donna Hale passed this week. She was the hardest worker of all of us, rolling her cart into a spot and starting her painting before some of us arrived. Then she’d keep working, usually right through lunch while the rest of us chatted.  Donna’s pastels captured the light and feeling of any place she put her easel. She helped with our shows, registration, labels for exhibits, whatever needed doing was done well. And you were always guaranteed a beautiful smile. 

A regular at the winter salon, here she is asking for a critique at our winter salon.

The weather is no problem, just wear more clothes! 

At the Buckhorn State Park fishing dock, a favorite spot for views in all directions. 

Rain? We have Artist umbrellas for sun which double up for rain. 

 Donna emceed our workshop for Plein air painters. 

We will miss you, dear friend, your advice, smiles and company were a gift. 

Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival.

A lot of people showed up for the History Museum's Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival and some of them were artists! Saturday was mild while it rained Sunday but the Plein Air painters persevered.  Here’s Sharon Fundalinski.

Paulette Rozwood caught the flowers close up, following is a photo of her blossom painting on a wood panel.