Painting Fall Foliage "plein air" in the Poconos by Cheryl Kugler

Last week, a small group of painters from the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painter's participated in an overnight "paint out" at Graystone Preserve in the Poconos. The preserve is located near Hickory Run State Park in eastern Pennsylvania.

The incredible views were mesmerizing and so were the gorgeous colors of the changing Fall foliage. It made it difficult to pick a scene to paint plein air. However, rain quickly narrowed down a painting spot - the big porch of our rented cabin. 

Still fresh on the easel, here's the painting that came out of my hands onto canvas:

Autumn Topaz and Pine

8" x 16"

Oil on Canvas

by Cheryl Kugler

More photos of Graystone Preserve and behind the scenes painting photos can be seen over on my artist blog.

THE OLD KNORR FARM BY Cecelia Lyden

oil/sretched canvas

11x14

www.cecelialyden.com

When I think about plein air painting in Pennsylvania, this is what I wish for. A charming old barn, in a bucolic setting on a comfortable fall morning. Ten of our plein air group, SVPAP, were at the Baker Farm in Mechanicsburg, enjoying this painting opportunity. Lots of textures, lots of nooks and perspectives to choose from. Life can be good.

RED MAPLE by Nancy Herman

RED MAPLE

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

Fall is slowly moving in.  The sun is lower every day and the trees are beginning to turn.  It is a time when nature seems to breath a sigh and meld together as if to cuddle close for the coming winter.

VANISHING RAIL By Cecelia Lyden

oil on stretched canvas

11x14

http://www.cecelialyden.com/ 

I discovered this scene one beautiful autumn day while prowling the Delaware countryside near our home in Milford. We sold the house about 3 years ago, but I still have many photos that I took there and have done a number of paintings from them.  I used this photo to start my first session with Cathy Mabius last week.

A CEMETERY, RECLAIMED By Cecelia Lyden

oil/canvas

11x14

http://www.cecelialyden.com/

The story in the Patriot News told of local Vietnam veterans, who in 1998 became the official caretakers of The Lincoln Colored Cemetery, south of Mechanicsburg, mowing the grass, clearing debris and straightening the tombstones. The cemetery holds the remains of about 80 Afro-Americans. About 15 of them are Civil War veterans. Paul Kreiner, commander of the Vietnam Veterans in Mechanicsburg says'" It's a great honor. They are veterans and we are veterans. And we respect our veterans".
My husband and I sought out the cemetery and after a little detective work, we discovered whose property held the cemetery and I got permission from the owner to paint there with other plein air artists. The cemetery setting reminded me of Gettysburg, but much more humble.
It was a sunny, clear, beautful day, but so cold. I hope to return in the spring, when I stop shivering.

"Picnic at Pinchot" By Debra Tritt Kreiger

Acrylic Painting on canvas 10"x8"

This painting was started plein air and finished in my studio. The Susquehanna Valley Plein Air painters hosted painting and a picnic at Pinchot Park this year. It was a bit breezy and cool and I was really happy when the sun came out. Sue made some wonderful coffee and we all shared some great food! Artist are also great cooks!

This painting along with others can be seen at the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters Exhibit at the Mechanicburg Art Center December 10th - January 13. Reception Saturday Dec 10 from 1 to 3pm.

To see more of my work go to www.debkreiger.com or follow my blog at debkreiger.blogspot.com or you can shop in my new store, Deb's Gifts

MECHANICSBURG WATER WORKS By Cecelia Lyden

oil/linen

16x20

www.cecelialyden.com

A rare three, rainless, warmish days enabled me to paint outdoors for three afternoons; two days alone for an hour or so and the other with fellow artists for three hours. I used a larger canvas than usual and I needed the extra days to complete the painting. This was a spot that I discovered while riding around, looking for paint sites. It's about 18 minutes away from my home, where we have resided since 1969. I had never seen this idyllic area before and I honestly felt like I was far away from home--in a different state. It was a very unexpected and enjoyable discovery.

A SPLASH OF FALL COLOR By Cecelia Lyden

oil/canvas

11x14

www.cecelialyden.com

Squeezed between a cold, rainy day on Thursday and a cold, snowy day on Saturday was a cold, partially sunny day on Friday. Our plein air group decided to seize that day and we headed for Willow Park. I shivered for most of the time we were there, but we managed to find a spot of color by the creek and, once again it was so nice to be out painting with friends.

"An Opened Gate" By Debra Tritt Kreiger

"An Opened Gate" 10"x8" Acrylic painting on canvas.

This past Saturday I spent a sunny windy day on the Blue Hound Farm in Lewisberry with fellow artist plein aire painting. I decided to take my acrylics along since it was so windy. This is a view from the lawn looking towards the entrance. The colors in the trees were perfect and the sun was nice and bright. Had a great time and am looking forward to the next time!

To contact me about the purchase of this painting or see more of my work go to www.debkreiger.com or follow my blog at debkreiger.blogspot.com or you can shop in my new store, Deb's Gifts

GOLDEN FIELDS By Cecelia Lyden

oil/stretched canvas

11x14

http://www.cecelialyden.com/

While driving on 81 to Carlisle, I passed these beautiful golden fields of soybeans. Luckily, I noted a nearby exit and left 81 on my way back. I drove around till I found this barn and field, situated between 81 and the Turnpike-this lovely oasis surrounded by constant traffic. I asked a fellow plein air artist to return to the spot the next morning to capture this scene. It was the only time, between 9 and 12, that the sun would be partly out. The clouds were forcasted to cover the sky around 12 and they did. In fact, no sun was scheduled to appear for the whole week. It has been raining for 2 days and I am guessing that those golden fields are no longer golden. Pein air painting is all about "Carpe Diem".

BLUE HYDRANGEAS By Cecelia Lyden

acrylic on canvas

32x36

www.cecelialyden.com

lyden1819@comcast.net

Christine mentioned in her post that hydrangeas were one of her favorites and that sadly, the blooms were finished for the season. . They are one of my favorites too. So when I learned about ever-blooming hydrangeas a couple of years ago , I bought and planted one bush. It did not disappoint. It blooms all summer and into the fall and provides me with many bouquets and opportunities to paint them.

This painting and 8 other of my works can be found in the Gallery@Second , http://www.galleryatsecond.com/ in Harrisburg, PA.

SUMMER SHADE AT FORT HUNTER By Cecelia Lyden

oil on panel

11x14

http://www.cecelialyden.com/

lyden1819@comcast.net

This painting was plein air started and inspired. But when I got back in my studio, I decided to reduce the size of the outbuilding. I needed to lengthen the path from the shaded gate area , where I sat, to the door. There was lots of sunshine and shade from huge trees at Fort Hunter that morning--garden gates and charming flower beds galore and plenty of quaint things and areas to paint.

HOUSE ON MARKET AND 24TH By Cecelia Lyden

SOLD

at the Camp Hill Plein Air Event

oil on linen
8x10

http://www.cecelialyden.com/

lyden1819@comcast.net

After the horrendous storms on Thursday, the weather cleared up enough for some of us to venture outdoors to paint. It was still partly sunny/partly cloudy, but we forged on and met in Camp Hill's Willow Park. It's not much of a park, but there are beautiful homes and gardens that surround it. I set up across the street from this old "pinkish" colored house on the corner of Market and 24th Street. Of course the stone wall with the yellow flowers are what caught my eye.

Early October Stream and path, painting by David Bottini

Enjoying a bit of relief ... having completed what is needed for an exhibit that opens in Providence Rhode Island next Friday and paintings for another one-person exhibit that installs in N. Va. on Saturday ...

Final painting for "Quiet Wanderings" my McLean, Va exhibit.

Early October (Stream & Path), 20 X 20", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Autumn Suite - four related compositions by David Bottini, paintings 'for Gabriel'

Working toward completing my part of a juried 3 artist exhibit coming soon in Providence, RI. The exhibit is titled "Intimate Spaces" - this group (and 7 other paintings) will be included.

Set out to create a group of paintings that interact as compositions as well as being a thematic series. Each painting can stand alone as an independent piece - but I like the synergy of the suite.

AUTUMN PALETTE By Cecelia Lyden

oil on canvasboard

6x8

http://www.cecelialyden.com/

lyden1819@comcast.net

Julie Riker arranged for our plein aire group to paint at the Governor's mansion yesterday. We are planning to do a painting each season. The strong winds on Wednesday left many of the trees void of leaves and autumn color, but much of the shrubbery was still brilliant and contrasted beautifully with the bare branches of other shrubs.

The weather turned windy and cold and after 3 hours I began to shiver. Happily, the Governor's hostess, Tammy, had coffee and cookies right out of the oven to warm us up. We enjoyed them seated at a lovely banquet table, drinking out of china cups. Not a bad way to end a plein aire session.

'Autumn Aspens'- 4" x 2" Miniature

Transparent Watercolor on a scrap of 400 lb. Arches Watercolor Paper

Image Size: 4" x 2". Framed in a 6" x 4" Frame.

Had to break from a couple of fish commissions 

and paint the fall before it is over.

Thom Glace Watercolors

www.thomglacewatercolors.com

www.zazzle.com/thomglace

"Autumn by the Lake" By Debra Tritt Kreiger

"Autumn by the Lake" 5.25"x8.25" watercolor on 140lb paper

This is a plein air painting I did while at Fuller lake painting with my friends. This is looking across the lake. The colors and light was awesome! It was a really beautiful fall day and just perfect for our painting and picnic!

To contact me about the purchase of this painting or see more of my work go to http://www.debkreiger.com/or follow my blog at debkreiger.blogspot.com or you can shop in my new store, Deb's Gifts

WORMLEYSBURG ROOFTOPS By Cecelia Lyden

acrylic on stretched canvas
8x10

http://www.cecelialyden.com/
lyden1819@comcast.net

Our plein air group enjoyed another beautiful fall day painting at Negley Park in Lemoyne, PA. Below my spot on this hill were houses in Wormleysburg, situated on the Susquehanna River, splendidly blue on this sunny day. Gorgeous fall views and fellowship--hard to beat.

'Fall at Fuller Lake'

Seeing 'Fall Leaves at Fuller Lake ' by Claire Beadon Carnell

on the site today, reminded me of a commissioned piece I did

a couple of years ago. It is of a site at Fuller Lake where 

the buyer proposed to his wife 35 years ago.

Transparent Watercolor on Crescent Watercolor Board

Image: 10" x 8"

Thom Glace Watercolors

www.thomglacewatercolors.com

www.zazzle.com/thomglace