Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival

I was recently a participant in the Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival, held in Canandaigua, NY. In spite of the challenge of terrible weather, it was an amazing event and I would happily do it again.

I had to work on Wednesday and didn't expect to make it to the artist's reception at the Pat Rini-Rohrer gallery that evening because it was my daughter's birthday. But despite that and other crazy stuff going on at home, I made the mad dash to Canandaigua in time to have my paper stamped and to pick up the info packet and goody bag. I also got my key to the college dorms at Finger Lakes Community College, took a look at the suite (very nice), met my roommates (also very nice), and headed back home to pack.

Thursday it rained all day. It was unbelievable. The one thing that I can't deal with as a pastel artist is rain. It will totally ruin a pastel. So I packed up the car and waited for the rain to stop. But it didn't stop. More craziness at home thanks to one of my kids, make me unsure if I should even think of leaving home, but for the sake of my sanity, I finally left for Canandaigua late in the afternoon.

Once I got to the college, I unloaded my gear in the rain, then went to see a demonstration presented by our judge, David Lussier, at the Inn on the Lake. Very nice demo, complete with hors d'oeuvre and wine. Met up with some old friends and had a very nice time. Back to the dorm and to bed.

We were allowed to submit up to three paintings for judging, so I woke up early, as I always do and headed out into a damp, dank morning to paint. I needed to do 3 paintings today to make up for Thursday's wash-out. I noticed a very nice scene as I was putting my stuff in the car, and since it was threatening to rain, I set up my easel in the parking lot of FLCC and painted this.  One down two to go.

Thendara

I headed down the east side of the lake, aware that it could pour again at any minute. I found this little park off East Lake Road called Deep Run. Two other artists were set up there, but I set up, too. I got about half way done when it began to sprinkle. I ran to the car, grabbed a plastic drop-cloth and some clamps and clipped it to my umbrella. I sat under my make-shift tent working as the rain continued until the umbrella took a dive.  I figured I'd done as much as I could in the conditions. Two paintings done.  

Not good weather for pastels!

I put a lot of miles on the car looking for a spot that was sheltered and still had a good scene.  I should have just done a car painting like a lot of my fellow artists did.

High Tor - West River Access

I drove on to the southern end of Canandaigua Lake to an area called High Tor, a beautiful flat marshy area.  I parked in the access for the West River which runs through High Tor. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes where everywhere, so I took refuge in the car. I was glad I did because it began to rain - again! The scene shows a distant hill shrouded in mist and clouds with the foreground being the duckweed-covered inlet surrounded by trees. I like the hill, but it's hard to visually understand that you're seeing algae not grass, so I may change it so that it looks more like there is some water showing through. Three paintings done.

Ready for the show

Later, I met some friends for dinner and had a really nice time, headed off to the dorm to frame the work from the day then crashed for the night.  Up early again on Saturday to drop off paintings at the carriage barn at Sonnenberg Gardens, then into the city to stake out a rain-sheltered place to paint from for the “quick-draw” competition. The quick-draw had to be done within a specific 2 hour time period and within a certain distance from Main St. The painting was just so-so and I hope to do some adjusting to it later.

Skies clearing -finally!

The painting I did of the scene

I went back to the dorm afterward and caught a nap. Afterward, I headed out to paint again. The rain had finally stopped and I found shelter (just in case it rained again) in Kershaw Park at the northern end of the lake. I listened to some awesome music being played at a party in another section of the park while I painted. It was great.

I got cleaned up and headed to Sonnenberg Gardens for the Preview Party and Sale. Holy cow! I have never experienced anything like it in my life. The art was fabulous, as was the food, flowers, wine, music and everything else about the party. It was completely catered by a local restaurant called Nolan's and was free to the artists and a guest. I have never been treated like royalty, but I think this is what it must feel like. Awards were handed out and we all had a wonderful time.

Sold

Sunday, the last day of the weekend dawned with clear sunny skies, so I headed out to Rt. 12 to paint the incredible overlook there.  

Afterward, I got back to the dorm, packed up and went to Sonnenberg again for the exhibit and sale which was open to the public. Once again, everything about it was top-notch. It was one last chance to talk to fellow artists and share this incredible experience. I went home tired, but very glad I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival.