Getting ready for Spring painting.

Sharon Fundalinski, Diane Goupil, Donna Hale, Paulette Jurek, Carol Mathewson, Jean MacDonald, Kath Schifano, Joan Shaw, Joan Turrell, Carol Vacanti, Peggy Walker, Anne Zohur all convened at Paulette's dining room table to plan for a new year of painting. So far there are 30 new dates and sites scheduled, with more to come as the weather improves.

Thank you to Paulette for hosting the group and providing wonderful cookies and finger foods which everyone enjoyed as well as her ideas of new places to go so she could finish some of the paintings she had previously started in plein air!

Stay tuned for information regarding a workshop this summer as well as an end of season exhibit.

Members, watch your email for the season's schedule and monthly reminders. New dates and locations are always welcome.

Fwd: NFPAP Winter Salon

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.