ArtistRow at the Public Market

What a wonderful day to be at the Market! The weather was fantastic, the art was great and the people there were friendly and full of questions - my kind of crowd! It was a lot of fun and I truly enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by my booth. I love to talk about my pastels and this was a terrific opportunity for me to ramble endlessly. Hope I didn't bore anyone too much. I will definitely be doing this again next year, and maybe later this year as the holiday season approaches. My thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable experience!

Forgotten Tugboat - The Seneca Maid in Drydock

I'd been to this marina on the Genesee earlier in the summer and immediately spotted this incredible old tugboat sitting up on jacks. It was extremely hot that day though, and since I knew I'd have to be standing in full sun to really capture it, decided to try it another time. Thankfully, we came back to this spot again yesterday and I was able to paint the scene just the way I'd envisioned it.

6"x9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.
SOLD

https://www.etsy.com/listing/108141417/original-plein-air-pastel-painting

Zinnias and Sunflowers near Hurd's Orchard, Orleans County

Sunflowers and Zinnias  -  pastel  6x9   SOLD

Across the street from the store at Hurd Orchards in Orleans County, I spotted this old house with rows and rows of brightly colored zinnias planted in front of it.   SOLD

6"x9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

The Genesee Valley Vista

While at the Genesee Country Village the other day, I had the opportunity to paint a scene that I hadn't been able to paint well a year ago. I had some bad paper which wouldn't hold the pastel. I'd hoped I'd have another chance to come back and paint it someday and now I finally did it. The view looks toward the east over the Genesee Valley and is quite beautiful.
SOLD

6"x9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging
SOLD.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/109579641/original-pastel-landscape-painting

Sunlit Path in Fishers NY

I went to a little park in Fishers this morning. This backlit path was the first place I spotted, but whenever I'm out, I always think there must be something better to paint a little further down the road, so I keep looking. I could sure save myself a lot of time if I just went with the first reaction to a place I get, instead of always looking for something better.

6"x9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging. SOLD

Fairport Music and Food Festival

The village of Fairport is very picturesque with lovely scenery all over the place. I set up on the south side of the canal where I could hear the music from the festival and enjoy the boats that lined the canal.

size 6"x9", framed size 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Thunderhead

I finished the painting below and decided to see if another painting could be done before the light was gone. As I looked around I was struck by the beauty of this cloud formation and quickly put pastel to paper.

size 6" x 9" unframed

Dusk is Coming, Churchville Farm

This complex of farm buildings had caught Chris's eye many times and the light was great as the sun was going down the evening we were there. On display at H & R Block in the Country Village Plaza in Greece.

6"x9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Quietly Docked at Pultneyville, NY

Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters had our annual meeting this August at the Mariner's Club in Pultneyville. This was done in a quiet part of the inlet, away from Lake Ontario.



6"x9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Old Mission Lighthouse, Michigan

This little lighthouse sits on the northern tip of Old Mission Point near Traverse City and was done during the Marc Hanson workshop in June.

size 9" x 12"
Not for sale

Michigan Meadow

This painting was done during the workshop I did in Michigan. I was trying to incorporate the new info from the workshop with my old knowledge and putting it together to make it work.

9" x 12"
Not for sale

Tall and Proud - Sailboats in Olcott

I really liked the look of this sailboat as it sat slightly askew on the wooden support holding it upright. The other boats in the yard looked as if their attention was fixed on this one boat, giving it an air of importance. Winner of First Place for pastels in Suburban Rochester Art Group's Fall 2008 Show.


painting size 6" x 9", framed 13"x16"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

A Place to Rest near Gilbert Mill

Done on a damp morning on the grounds of Gilbert Mill in Honeoye Falls. The lushness of this spot and the coolness of the morning made for a relaxing and enjoyable painting experience.

size 6" x 9", framed 13"x16"   Sold

Oriental Garden in Webster NY

This lovely garden in Webster is an amazing tribute to the gardens of the far east. Most gardens I go to are full of brightly colored flowers, but this was different. The landscape was full of texture and subtle colors, and the over-all effect was very calming. The homeowners were a wealth of information about the plants and trees in the garden and were rightfully proud of this beautiful place.
SOLD

Distant Farm, Rain is Coming - Greece NY

There was a rain storm coming and the atmosphere was very humid. I wanted to paint a distant view so that the haze would be evident. I found this spot and painted quickly to capture the mood.

size 6" x 9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.
SOLD
https://www.etsy.com/listing/108556812/original-pastel-sunset-landscape

Queen Anne's Lace

This is of a place in my backyard where the shadows are cool and deep. A couple of years ago, my son and his friend had dug a huge hole there which was to become a "shack" - until they hit water! They abandoned their plan and soon the weeds took over.




Size 6" x 9"
Not for sale

Tug Boat "C. L. Churchill"

I found this great tug boat moored on the Genesee River at Cornhill Landing and had to paint it. The colors in the shadow side of the boat were full of subtle colors.






Size 6" x 9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Chris' Garden

Painted in the lovely summer garden of Christopher and Suzanne O'Handley.










Size 6"x9", framed size 11"x14"    Sold
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Green Shed

Done from the marina at the end of Petten St. in Charlotte. I noticed this little lime green shed flanked by boats on the east side of the Genesee River. It made for a perfect composition.

size 6"X9", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Blue Haze

All of my friends from high school turned 50 this year and to celebrate, we threw ourselves a birthday party at Durand Eastman Park. While my friends walked to the beach, I stayed behind and painted this view of the distant haze off through the trees.

Size 6"x9", size 12"x18", framed size is 11"x14"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Salmon Creek Evening

Painted on Salmon Creek in a Hilton town park. The trees were back-lit, making them glow yellow and chartreuse. Done around dusk, the light changed rapidly making it tough to not "chase the light".

size 9"x12", framed size is 15"x18"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112006889/original-pastel-landscape-painting

Erie Canal in Fairport

This was the first time I'd ever painted in Fairport. It's beautiful village full of very quaint scenes, but the haziness of the sky and canal really caught my eye. There are so many great places to paint there that I plan on going back very soon. SOLD

Peggy's Garden - Cottage District, Buffalo NY

This was done in the Cottage District in Buffalo where GVPAP was having a joint paint-out with the Niagara Frontier Plein Air Painters. As I was walking down the street, looking for a spot to paint that caught my eye, a lady walked up to me and asked me if I was an artist and would I like to see her garden. I did, and followed her past several other tidy cottages and gardens until we came to hers. It was a lovely spot tucked behind 3 other houses and I never would have found it on my own. I am grateful that I was the artist she encountered. These are the kinds of wonderful experiences that I have when painting that keep me coming back for more.

size 6" x 9"
SOLD

Calm Before the Storm near Braddocks Bay

We were supposed to go to a paint-out which was some distance away, but the weather was dubious and we decided to stay closer to home. It was over-cast all morning and we finished up just in time to hear thunder off in the distance. Shortly after we left, it poured.
SOLD

size 9"x12", framed size is 15"x18"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging. https://www.etsy.com/listing/110104309/original-pastel-landscape-painting-calm

Fishing at Dusk on Buck Pond

There is a little fishing access on Buck Pond and I went there around 7:30 at night to catch the sunset. It turned out to be an extremely busy spot. The people who were there to fish stopped to look at what I was doing and to ask about it. Even a motorcyclist passing by stopped to talk. I always enjoy talking about painting though, so I didn't mind the company.

Size 9"x12", framed size is 15"x18"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Tow Boat

Up at Braddocks Bay again, my attention was caught by this bright red little boat. This is something I never would have even thought to attempt before the workshop - it's complicated and has a lot of detail. But it really appealed to me and I set to work. I am very happy with the way it came out.


size 9"x12", framed size is 15"x18"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, ready for hanging.

Summerville Beach

I have been trying to draw or paint daily since the workshop, and this is one of the first I did since I came back. This beach on Lake Ontario was largely deserted the morning I was there, but the light and view was very appealing.

Size 9"x12"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/111366139/original-pastel-landscape-painting

Marc R. Hanson Workshop

I have admired the work of Minnesota artist, Marc Hanson, since my friend Chris suggested I take a look at his work a couple of years ago. When Chris told me that Marc would be doing a workshop in Michigan and that he was planning on attending, I balked at having to go such a distance from home. But Chris pointed out that this is about half-way between Rochester and Marc's home in Minnesota, and we probably wouldn't be able to see Marc any closer to Rochester for a long time. So, I signed up for the workshop and off to Michigan Chris and I went.

The whole experience was very eye-opening. Every day was a chance to completely immerse myself in art, to create art, talk to other artists who understood what was talking about and to see the world in a completely different way. I don't think I've experienced so much artistic growth in such a short time, in my life.

Marc gave me a better sense of design, composition, value... Things I never learned in the years that I've spent painting or in school.

Back in Rochester now, the transition to home-life has been very tough. I want to go out to paint all day like I did in Michigan, but responsibilities keep me home. I don't think I'd realized how much I am constantly pulled in different directions by my family's needs. I have vowed to paint everyday and am making a point to be more disciplined about getting up and out early every day. This has been easy since the kids are on summer vacation and don't really get moving until around noon. So far, so good. Now I need to work on my attitude so that I don't feel like a caged animal all of the time.

I see the world differently, now. I see potential paintings everywhere I go. I am taking my camera with me to capture the things I see since I can't paint them all. I have never been able to use photos as reference material, so I kind of think of them as notes to help me capture a mood or a sense of place that intrigues me, not necessarily something I would paint from.

I will be posting the paintings that I have done since the workshop in the very near future, so we'll see if anyone else can tell the difference before and after. I hope I will get some good input.

Ontario Beach Park Sunset

I usually try to get out and paint in the morning, but this GVPAP paintout was in the early evening. This created a challenge due to the setting sun causing the light and color patterns to change rapidly. The haze along the shoreline was beautiful though, and the colors around dusk are spectacular. I hope to do more evening paintings in the future. This painting won a Merit Award in Rochester Art Club's Fall 2007 Show at Barnes and Noble.  SOLD

Size 12" x 18"

Summer House and Privy

Done at a Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters paint-out at my farm in Point Breeze. It was a amazing to see the variety of paintings which all of these different artists created of a place that is so familiar to me. On display at Genesee Country Village in Mumford, now through Oct. 28.

Size 9" x 12"

Irondequoit Creek in Spring

This is the same view of Irondequoit Creek as a few paintings below. This is a great location and I could go there in any season since it's such a beautiful spot.

size 12" x 18"

March Path

Black Creek Park in Chili tends to be very manicured, which I find unappealing. However, that forces me to look harder to find the right view to paint. I think it makes me a better artist since it forces me to use more creativity. On display at the Genesee Country Village in Mumford, now through Oct. 28.

size 9" x 12"

Ice Fishing on Braddocks Bay

It was a warm day in March. I tend to be very cautious when I go out to paint, but the temptation to go out on the ice to capture this scene was too hard to resist. The whole time I was out there, I could hear the ice melting under my feet. Very weird. Winner of Honorable Mention in Suburban Rochester Art Group Fall 2008 Show.

size 9" x 12"

December Stillness

December Stillness - 12 x 16   available

The view here was beautiful, and the sky with the violet and peach colored clouds, gave the whole scene a softness that was great fun to capture. I even got that dreaded marsh grass right this time!

Available for viewing at the Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery in Canandaigua, NY.

size 12" x 16"

Snow-Covered Country Road

Done in January 2007 at Jensen's Horse farm in Perinton. The snow covered road and the soft colors in the snow really caught my eye.

size 12" x 18"
This painting is framed and matted, overall size 18" x 24"

Orchard Road

Done in Pultneyville, NY on a sunny, cool day in September 2006. The wind off Lake Ontario was strong and cold near the marina and more than I wanted to deal with, so I headed out to find more interesting subject matter. I found this beautiful road going through an apple orchard and was struck by the shadows and the hills rising in the distance. I stood on the side of the road to paint it.

size 12" x 18"
This painting is framed and matted, overall size 18" x 24"
http://www.wghandysidegallery.com/

Summer Sailing - Olcott

This painting was done at the family cottage of a friend of mine. She described it as a "piece of heaven" and it was obvious that it is a very special place to her. The color of the water near Olcott was such a beautiful green compared to the colors of Lake Ontario near Rochester which have a lot of violet and brown in it. It has an almost tropical feel. On display at Fairport Village Coffee June 3 - mid July.

size 12" x 18"

Reflections of October

Durand Eastman Park is spectacular in the fall. The ponds are dark and mysterious, but the foliage is amazing. I would gladly go there over and over again in the fall and always find something interesting to paint. SOLD

size 9" x 12"
This painting is framed and matted, overall size 15" x 18"

Patti's House

A summer painting done at Braddocks Heights. While packing up to go home, a woman stopped by to look at our paintings. As it turned out, she owned the house in the painting and introduced herself to us as Patti. She had just bought the house.

size 12" x 18"
This painting is framed and matted, overall size 18" x 24" SOLD

Brockport Yacht Club

Three of us stood on a small dock along with 2 fishermen and their friends who came and went throughout the morning as I completed this painting. I have driven past the Brockport Yacht Club many times and have always been struck by how picturesque it is. It was a real treat to finally be able to capture it on paper. First Place in Pastels in the Suburban Rochester Art Group Fall Show 2007.

size 12" x 18"
This painting is framed and matted, overall size 18" x 24" SOLD

Goldenrod Farm

To be honest, I don't know where I was when I painted this - on top of a hill somewhere in Wyoming County. It was a great panoramic view. I'd never done a barn before; I'm not particularly fond of them, but this one needed to be painted. It came out really well. SOLD

September Stream

This was painted near the fishing access at Linnear Park in Penfield, in September 2006. The trees were just beginning to show some color. I really had fun capturing the water as it traveled over the rocks.
SOLD

Keuka Lake Morning

I was doing a show in Hammondsport NY at the southern end of Keuka Lake, located in a beautiful part of the Finger Lakes, but had no paintings of the Finger Lakes area. After being asked repeatedly if I did, I decided I needed to create one. I got there early before the show opened the next morning, went to Champlin Park on the southern end of the lake and painted this.

size 9" x 12"

Ice Forming on the Pond

My friend and I walked quite a distance to find this spot overlooking Buck Pond. I really liked the ominous sky and the colors in the November landscape.
SOLD

size 9" x 12"
https://www.etsy.com/listing/108989546/original-pastel-landscape-painting-ice

November Stand of Oaks

Marsh grass is the most difficult thing I can think of to paint. This time it came out well, however. After working on it in the field, I brought it home and punched up the colors. Over all, I like the way it turned out.

size 9" x 12"