2006-2021 Still painting.

 An official New Season starts this week. Welcome to our new people, keep reading.

The following is a slightly edited (updated)letter from Joan, our merited leader that was sent in April, 2006. I guess I have been a member for 15 years!

In order to avoid mass chaos, we need to have a little structure to our paint outs; -----less is more as far as I am concerned, but we need to have some.  The idea here, above all else, is to have fun, and in the process support each other in our efforts to plein air paint.

To start, paint outs will be scheduled for the morning hours when the light is best.  If we are lucky enough to have a coffee shop near the paint out site, we can get coffee to get going.  This will not always be the case, though, and sometimes a thermos from home or mug of McDonald's will have to do. 

Paint outs will be either for a half day or full day, depending on the location and the event, and whatever the group decides.  The first few will be for half days till we get warmed up, both literally and figuratively. 

General Procedure
2 weeks prior to a schedule paint out notification will be sent to members. (Often a monthly schedule) It will consist of a general description, date and time, of the paint out. The exact meeting place or address will NOT be given out at this time.  Each person who plans to attend, must e-mail the "host" and register for that paint out. Prior to the paint out, details will be sent only to those who have registered.

The reason for doing it this way is:
1  We want to know who is coming.  If there is not sufficient interest in a paint out, it will be cancelled.
2  If we have to cancel or change plans quickly, only those that have registered will be notified.

Possibilities
I have been doing a little research into various locations.  Finding a suitable site for a group is a little different than going off into the woods by yourself.  In general, basic requirements for a group are: 1) bathrooms, 2) parking, 3) composition. 

Painters! Take Notice of this opportunity!

2021 Member Form

GoodBye to a dear friend

Bonds Lake is another favorite and we were all introduced to it as a prime painting spot by Sherrill Primo. After nearly 15 years of paintouts and friendships she is moving away. Despite the need for social distancing, we organized an outdoor party for her. Yes, it was drafty cold, yes it got misty and rainy and yes, we all had very warm wishes for our dear friend.

A big box of coffee homemade treats and cookies kept us moving around.

A little art, some fancy signatures with colored pens and Sherrill has a keepsake from this 'party in the park'

Sherrill had a lot to share about her future adventures as well as thoughts about the times we have painted together. Thank you, friend for all your love and laughs through the years. We will still schedule Bonds Lake as well as the Trillium Walk and ArtPark paths, all paintouts you scheduled and  introduced to us. And next year, the winter salons will return. 

 

River Lea at Beaver Island

 Getting our group together in Fall is different from earlier in the year, our bags are already packed and if the dog doesn't need a shot or the dentist can wait, these hardy souls will be there to paint. 

Kath Schifano's mini watercolor of the Historical Museum house at River Lea

Socially distanced lunches are the theme this year.

Various impressions of this historic area

Enjoying the mighty Niagara river in fall

Sing along time

An Ode to Plein Air Painting
(to the tune of "My Favorite Things")

By Casey Cheuvront

Sunshine on water and shadows on rushes,
New RayMar panels and Rosemary brushes,
All of the insights a good workshop brings -

These are a few of my favorite things.

Finding the right trail when GPS fails you;
Hiking in though there's a storm that assails you.
Finding that one view that makes your heart spring -

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadmium Orange and fresh tubes of yellow,
Chatting with hikers who stop to say "Hello",
How good it feels when your painting just sings -

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the cap sticks,
When the rig falls,
When the weather's bad -
I simply remember my favorite things,

And then I don't feel
so bad!

Worldwide Paintout 2020

The weekend after Labor Day was the 20th annual Worldwide paintout. The Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters gathered again at Niagara Falls State Park to celebrate. 

Donna, Diane, Jeannette, Roy, Kath, Ylli, Joan, photo by Carol.

Jeannette captured the first bridge at Three Sisters Islands

Ylli painted the small 'Hermit Falls' from the bridge.

With lots of space for social distancing the painters spread along the path around Goat Island.

 

Painting with sound effects-a farm full of fowl.

Talk About Social Distancing! Each car represents a painter, and this is just at the driveway to a great and varied farm in Youngstown. It belongs to Carol's friends and there were chickens of all colors, turkeys of all sizes, geese, ducks and more. Plus vegetables and flowers growing, sunflowers maturing their seeds, pets, projects, and paths around assorted buildings. Lots to see, lots to paint.

 

Cars and Sunflowers of Sanborn

Sunflowers of Sanborn is a local farm attraction that brings many people each day to enjoy all the attractions here. With special permission to enter early, our painters simply backed their cars up to the fence and pulled out pochades and tripods. Acres of sunflowers faced us, raising their heads to the East and the brilliant summer sun. Artists often talk about convenient travel studios in their cars and a high lift back is important for access to supplies as well as offering shade and a handy umbrella. Here's Roy working with watercolor in his car's shade.

Rachelle was looking for joy on this day, and she found it here with us and the fields of smiling flowers, too. Soon she was comfortably tucked against the rear seats, inside, carefully noting composition values in her sketchbook. 

Diane puts a new spin on the term 'car seat' as she paints with watercolor. Her hybrid has a nice flat shelf in the back.

Paint what you see!

Martha was wheeling her gear further into the field. Masked, of course.

The fields have a variety of attractions and Jeannette liked the carousel horse surrounded by blooms and used her big box of luscious pastels.

Donna crossed the fence to get close to her subjects. Sunflowers are perfect in pastel.

Ylli captured the whole field in an oil painting.

The RR Bridge at UNITY Island

This is a railroad bridge from NY into Ontario. At our end a border patrol car waits, watching for what? People Leaving? Or sneaking into USA? We met here at Unity Island on another classically gorgeous Buffalo morning and we all chose to paint this bridge, from one angle or another. 

Kath's ink and watercolor bridge.

We are always intrigued by Roy's setups, he is rather clever in what he uses and his set ups. His tripod doesn't just hold a panel. It's a multi tasker. He has been sharing his garden vegetables at many paintouts. Particularly tasty tomatoes.

Diane, with an assortment of fresh vegetables from Roy. Are they for painting or dinner?

Diane, Doreen DeBooth, Roy Fink and their bridges.
 

Thomas Kegler Plein Air Workshop

 Each year, we have something special and beyond paintouts and often there are more. One of our favorites is inviting an artist to speak and demonstrate to our group. This year, Thomas Kegler graciously agreed to demo Plein Air at a creek near East Aurora, socially distanced, of course. 

Tom's palette and mixed values

Using a vertical palette and paint shelf.

Despite being spread out, the attendees were able to share questions and see his demo. Being outside and spread out, everyone felt safe and comfortable wearing masks in close proximity.

the creek

His painting at the end of the demo time, and time for the artists to start their own with guidance from Tom, using his underpainting technique and whatever other gleanings individuals learned.

Cory Moscato's afternoon painting, using the lovely light reflecting into the water.

Buckhorn Park dates bring out the painters every year

We did our best to maintain Social Distancing at the fishing dock at Buckhorn State Park. We always get a good turnout here. Great views in all directions, right near the parking lot!

Donna Hale and Roy Fink. Roy often shares his homegrown vegetables with us!

Joan Shaw with Rachelle Bisoni to her right, Martha on the left.

Martha Rogala on the edge of Burnt Ship Creek. Her painting was amazing, wish there was a photo of it.

You don't have to be a painter to enjoy this park.