Lake Ontario Dream

This was done as a demo piece using a photo- graph taken several years ago on Lake Ontario. I really hate using photos as reference. A camera doesn't see the world the way I do, but sometimes there's no choice but to use a picture. Anyway, I pretty much used the photo only for general information and values, then really went to town using my imagination to build up colors, texture and to get the feel for the subject. I was very happy with how it came out.

Purple Loosestrife

There was this great patch of purple loosestrife growing along this gravel road which was very eye-catching. I see this stuff growing all around the area. I know it's an invasive weed, but it really is very beautiful.

Clouds Over Canandaigua Lake

Clouds Over Canandaigua Lake - available 

This has been a tough summer for painting for me. Rainy, over-cast weather is not conducive to working in pastels. Even this particular day, which started out sunny, changed into one with tons of clouds and a very brisk wind blowing across the lake at me. I really loved the pattern of the cloud shadows across the hills in the distance, however.  And yes, the color of the water really was pale green!

Can be viewed at the Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery in Canandaigua, NY.

Size: 12"x18"