Plein Air Paintings
Plein air is French for "fresh air," so plein-air artists are those who paint outdoors rather than in studios. With plein air, we experience nature during the time it takes to complete our painting and nothing stays still that entire time. We paint quickly and some will be lesser developed for the eye to enjoy and complete.
Red House Playground Bridge
11X14
oil 2009
After an Allegeny State Park rainstorm, we painted in a picnic site, as the skies cleared the colors glowed & the grills started up for lunches.
January AM, Houston
11X14
oil 2009
Speckled light on the shed in the January sun contrasted with the snow we knew was at home. Serendipity!
Pearl Of A Garden
18X12
pastel 2009
Plein air painted under the shade trees in an elegant old Buffalo neighborhood,
this
garden gate opens to summer color.
Depot Sunset
11X14
oil 2009
Racing against the setting sun,
this painting captures the
warmth of light on Florida marsh wetlands.
Sparkling Pond
8X10
oil on panel 2009
A lovely afternoon in Fox Point park, this was the scene of a huge wildfire a week later.
Dam Leaves in Elma
12X18
oil on panel 2009
Pure plein air, this painting captures cold & crisp Fall light in the Elma town park.
Revisiting the Old Canoe Launch
10X20
oil on canvasboard 2008
My first Fall plein air, three years ago, was a pastel in this same spot.
The
fallen tree here was a centerpiece of that picture which sold shortly after.
It
was also the October pinup on my 2007 calendar. Perhaps I will put this on 2010!
The calendar goes to the printer next summer, so I am planning already.
First Color at Burchfield
14X10
oil on canvasboard
I joined my painting friends at Burchfield Nature Center in the hopes of finding
a bit of Fall color.
This flaming beauty was on the gorge wall directly across
from the former home of Charles Burchfield, a nationally known artist of the
20th C.
Letchworth - Mist Below the Cabins
16X20
oil
Early rains created a light mist that burned off with the sunlight. May 2009 calendar.
Three Sisters Bridge In Sunlight
12X24
oil
The tree on the right overhung the bridge & cast a
dappled shadow.
As I was sketching for this plein air painting, I considered
leaving it out of the picture, when CRACK,
the sound of a belt slapping pavement
startled everyone within earshot. The bottom half of the tree ripped off &
landed in the water.
There went my shadow...and the foreground water was now
covered with tree. True story!
Niagara Sentinels
11x14 pastel
The upper River from Beaver Island State Park. This was a cold, early Spring morning.
Crown Imperial
8x6 oil on board
This captures a lovely 3 foot tall flower stalk that smells like onions.
Big Dominican Village Pine
12x9 pastel
This massive tree resisted the intense wind that blew my pastels away.
I have always admired the mature flat top on old Long Island Pines.
Forest Lawn Bridge
6x8 oil
This serene painting captures the sparkle of reflections in the middle of Buffalo.
Contraposto Elm
14x10 oil
An elegant twist is in this tree near the Beaver Island maintenance offices.
The Pink Post Flowers
10x8 pastel
These Sedum flowers grew in my garden for years before I learned their name-Autumn Joy.
White Birch in Winter
8x6 oil
White tree and white snow are painted with long shadows.
This is the December 2007 calendar picture.
Buffalo Lighthouse
14x11 oil
This shows the curve of Lake Erie and the approaching clouds.
Joan's Studio
16x20 oil
Light rain turned into a lovely day; I painted this from inside her garage.