Happy New Year from Niagara Falls

Make a Smilebox postcard

Remembering Mom
My new friends from workshops
My annual trip to Monhegan
My good friends during Charlie's illness.
My family support.
My art.
Have a wonderful, healthy New Year !

www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air - and painting from life

For the past 4 years, I have painted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day en plein air.
This year, though this painting was done from life, I was warm inside a second floor room overlooking this pond scene, that was visible in the early morning and quickly became covered with snow. The scene is Higby Hill which runs from Genesse St in Utica to Frankfort, New York
It's called "Home for Christmas"
24x24x1.5 Acrylic on Canvas

Sorry, painting not available
See website for other available paintings

Plein Air workshops- LAST DAY FOR 2009 DISCOUNTS

Niagara Falls NY,Sarasota/Longboat Key Florida,Niagara Falls Canada,Monhegan Maine workshops.

Last chance to receive 2009 Workshop discount.SPECIAL OFFER expires Dec 20, 2008 at Midnight EST

Click HERE for details.

ARTWORKSHOPS WEBSITE

CLICK HERE FOR PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER WITH DETAILS

or call toll free 1 800 393-7270

PLEIN AIR PAINTING - 1 WEEK DISCOUNT OFFER

PLEIN AIR PAINTING ONE WEEK ONLY OFFERExpires Dec 20, 2008 at midnight

Thinking of taking a plein air painting workshop for 2009 ?
Well grab a painting friend because this offer is too good to pass up.

Pick any scheduled workshop for 2009 in Niagara Falls, Maine or our new location in Florida and split the SAVINGS

Full description of each workshop is available HERE

Everything from 1 day to 5 day available
PAYPAL or call 1 800 393-7270 weekdays 9-5

New plein air painting workshops- limited time Holiday offer

SPECIAL OFFER
Exciting New location
LONGBOAT KEY ISLAND, Florida/Sarasota

February 21-22, 2009
New plein air painting workshops in Niagara Falls, Florida,and Monhegan Island.
SPECIAL limited time Holiday Offer HERE

and NEW dates for
MONHEGAN ISLAND, Maine
August 10-14, 2009

More info HERE
Watch a VIDEO of MONHEGAN HERE

jrbaldini.com

Niagara Falls - Old Stone Inn

click image to enlarge
The Niagara Falls Old Stone Inn held its premier Niagara Artist Exhibit & Sale today.
The Inn was decked out for the holidays with a beautifully lit tree in the main diningroom.
J.R. Baldini display
There were about 7 artists this year.


Jill in front of Lillians exhibit of beautiful Silk paintings and watercolors
Lillian Asquith painting.

Pat Paquin


Jill Crown Pottery and jewelry



The Inn located on Robinson Street in Niagara Falls plans to make this an annual event.

Niagara Falls Art - Free painting Demo at the Old Stone Inn

Niagara Falls paintings

See our ad in the Niagara on the Lake "Town Crier" and "Niagara this Week"

This coming Sunday November 23, I will be doing an oil painting demo from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Old Stone Inn at
5425 Robinson St,
Niagara Falls, L2G 7L6.
Phone: (905)357-1234
Toll Free: (800)263-6208


The Art Exhibit and Sale - a great place to find one of a kind Holiday Gifts will run from Noon to 4:00pm. A special 3 course luncheon is available - call the Inn for tickets.

There will also be a chance to pick up a Gift Certificate or two and sign up for a Special Discount on the February
"2nd Annual Day in an Artist Studio"
scheduled for Sunday Feb 15, 2009

Includes 10-4 painting instruction
1 artist canvas
use of oil paints and brushes
morning coffee
light lunch
$65.00 pp +tax
GO HOME WITH YOUR FINISHED OIL PAINTING
We use only environmentally friendly oil paints made with walnut oil - used by artists since the 1500's.

( Register 1 person and receive a 2nd registration for this workshop for only $35.00) Give one to someone for Christmas
Lots of great Gift Giving ideas - get the jump on your Holiday shopping and give someone a gift that's thoughtful.

If you can't make it to the show, take advantage of this special discount by emailing me at inquiry@jrbaldini.com by Dec 1, 2008 and write 'discount' in the message line.

www.jrbaldini.com
(905) 354-8692 or 1 800 393-7270

SEE OTHER WORKSHOPS

Monhegan Island - Rockwell Kent

On exhibit
"Rockwell Kent: This is My Own"
When: Opens Saturday at the State Museum; runs through May 17

Where: State Museum, Madison Avenue, Empire State Plaza, Albany

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Cost: Free

An autobiography by Kent
"It's Me O Lord"is quite an interesting, colorful read.
You may be able to find it at your library.

Kent worked as a carpenter to subsidize his painting and large family.
He built 2 homes on Monhegan Island and worked on many others.
One is owned by Jamie Wyeth and the other with studio, until about 4 years ago, was owned by my dear friend Anne Hubert.
It has since been donated by her estate to the Monhegan Museum.

He was born in Tarrytown, NY and spent his later years in the Adirondacks.
Kent's paintings are amazing.
He died shortly before his 89th birthday in 1971.

My next trip home, to upstate NY will definitely include this trip.

www.jrbaldini.com

Niagara Arts & Culture at Niagara Square - plein air painter exhibit

Plein Air paintings - J.R. Baldini

Niagara Falls Arts & Culture at Niagara Square.
There were many Arts organizations represented from the Niagara Falls area including IPAP, where pamphlets were on hand to let visitors know more about plein air painting and plein air painters.

There was an Open Easel contest and the Niagara Falls Art Gallery staff offered programs for Children during the day at no charge.
The Niagara Falls Arts & Culture Day is an annual event at Niagara Square where the Niagara Falls Arts Wall of Fame is showcased.

www.jrbaldini.com

Niagara Falls Downtown Gallery

Niagara Falls hasn't always been thought of as an Art mecca for artists and paintings.
For a few years International Plein Air Painters brought plein air painters into the area for a part of the WORLDWIDE Paint OutAnd from time to time, you will see an occasional plein air painter out painting the Niagara Falls landscape. But, for the most part, because of the climate and short season, artists in the Niagara Falls area are studio painters.
Many talented artists live in Niagara Falls and with the downtown area being revitalized, you can see many of them in the galleries on Queen St.

We attended an opening for artist Fritz Niemann last night.
photo l to r. Fritz Nieman, Elaine Bald
Downtown Niagara Falls is coming alive with the arts.

J.R. Baldini
jrbaldini.com

Plein Air painting demo - Niagara Falls, Canada

Plein air painting demo at the last plein air painter workshop for 2008 in Niagara Falls, Canada.
The weather was so gorgeous for the plein air painting workshop - hard to believe it was only 10 days ago.
We had a full day at Niagara Falls with fab October clouds moving in and out, making for dramatic lighting patterns moving quickly throughout the day.
On Sunday, we spent the day painting in downtown Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls downtown is the site of the newly formed art community with a fair amount of traffic on weekends.
Nice to see the locals supporting the arts.
The video is from my point and shoot, so not a great resolution but...you get the idea.


For more info on all workshops go to
PLEIN AIR PAINTER WORKSHOPS

Thanks for looking.
J.R. Baldini

Plein Air Painter WORLDWIDE

Plein Air Painting Worldwide organization International Plein Air Painters is celebrating its 7th Birthday.Help us celebrate 7 great years of bringing plein air painters together via the www.

Thanks everyone for your support,the Advisory Panel, Ambassadors, Signature Members, General Membership and especially our Charter Members who have been here from the beginning.

We value all of you as friends and creative individuals and invite you to share feedback with us always, so we can continue on the worldwide scope.

Already there are new plans for 2009 at IPAP and we'll be ready to share them at the end of the year with our year end newsletter, so make sure you have islandartist@yahoo.com in your address book to not miss out on any of the news.

Happy Birthday IPAP...
J.R. Baldini, Executive Director and Founder
aka Jacq
www.i-p-a-p.com

Niagara Falls art workshop

October skies at the American Falls.
click image to enlarge
We were painting in acrylics this time. I finally got the chance to try the Chroma Interactive paints and found the secret to working with them best - at least for me.

Taking advantage of their unique blending and playing with their removing capabilities, there definitely was more depth in the finishing of the spray and water at the Falls.
No medium was needed for transparency of the whites.

A huge improvement over conventional acrylics. Hard to play with new mediums for the first time plein air painting but, though it took me over a year - the timing was right.
Lynne and her Mom in front of Lynne's painting in progress

Next Plein Air Painting workshop Oct 12-13 Niagara Falls
Info at
Artworkshops

Plein Air Painting - Niagara Falls workshop

Niagara Falls plein air painting workshop October 4-5
Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Tomorrow we'll be painting in the newly revamped Arts District downtown.

We'll be in the vicinity of Dean's Niagara Gallery - look for us set up.

So many cool things going on downtown.

Check back for more info.

www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Paintings in Orlando at Terrace Gallery

Some of the plein air paintings currently on exhibit by plein air painter J.R. Baldini at the Terrace Gallery show in Orlando, Florida through January 9, 2009.

The exhibit is part of the WORLD TOUR OF CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPE ARTISTS continuing exhibit of artists from all over the globe.

www.jrbaldini.com
photo courtesy : Christophe Cardot

Niagara Falls painting - Beaverdams Rd Early Autumn

WET ON THE EASEL
American Plein Air painter

"NIAGARA FALLS - BEAVERDAMS AUTUMN"

12 x 12 Oil on linen

J.R. BALDINI

Painted in Niagara Falls on Beaverdams Road near the studio.
A small pond whose lone inhabitant early evening was a crane standing so still during the painting session, it was first thought to be a tree stump. See painting demo video here.

You will find that J.R.'s landscape paintings have many qualities that will enhance your living space and connect to a moment in time, that you can enjoy and live with in your environment.

See J.R. BALDINI'S paintings on the next stop of the

WORLD TOUR OF CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPE PAINTERS


Gallery Inquiries welcome

Terrace Gallery
Orlando, Florida
until Jan.2, 2009




www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air painting around the world

Reports and images, press release, etc. are coming in daily from the 6th annual Great WORLDWIDE Paint Out held this month.

Our largest gathering of artists this year were in Brazil.
Congrats to Sandra Nunes for making this happen !

As the info is organized,a slide show will be produced and available on the internet and the link will be posted here and on the International Plein Air Painters website and blog.

Check back in a few weeks for progress - so much to do - so little...time

www.jrbaldini.com

Monhegan island and Cushing Maine en plein air painting

View August newsletter on maine online here
You will also find the video of Monhegan Island there.

Upcoming plein air workshops in Niagara on the Lake.

Still time to sign up online FREE for the 6th annual Great WORLDWIDE Paint Out.

Remember the 'inner child' ?

Many of you just starting to paint outdoors, mention that you can't find the time to do plein air painting as much as you would like to.

Like anything else, painting outdoors has a learning curve and eventually you learn to paint more quickly and so finding time to paint might become easier.

In the meantime, remember that inner child and the feeling when you got a brand new box of crayons ? Give yourself a new set and a sketchbook and keep it handy to doodle and play - no serious stuff here.

The next time you get a chance to paint outdoors, it'll be more like play than serious work.

Monhegan plein air Painting Workshop

Monhegan Island, Maine plein air painting workshop.

Follow a painting class through a week on Monhegan Island painting the village,the lighthouse and the coves on this tiny island 10 miles off the coast of Maine.

For more info on other workshop locations, visit the WORKSHOP website.

Plein Air Painting Invitational, Door County Wisconsin

The Door County plein air painting invitational starts July 20 in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.

40 plein air painters are invited from all over the country to participate.
I was all set to go up until a few days ago, when a serious family medical emergency directed my full attention here at home.

Perhaps next year, I'll get to participate in the event.
Sorry to miss it. Good luck to all the plein air painters participating this year.

www.jrbaldini.com
American Contemporary Plein Air Painter

Plein Air Painting Monhegan Island

"Christmas Cove" Monhegan, Maine
12 x 12, Oil on Linen
www.jrbaldini.com

Participants painting near Lobstercove.

Limited color pallette.


Molly's first oil painting, done of course with M.Graham oil paints.
Almost everyone was using them and finding them extremely user friendly.
Great job, Molly !

See website for next Monhegan workshop

Monhegan plein air painting

The value of a value study.

Monhegan plein air painting workshop participants did value studies to help them 'see' the composition of their chosen subject.
Color was introduced the second day, enphasizing that each painting should be started with a grisaille.

Painting above MICHELE COLLINS

"For years I have saved articles on Monhegan Island. It seemed to fill all my dreams of a perfect renewal vacation, while advancing my art. I needed a boot to get me out of the studio.
I have a much better understanding of composing a painting. But, more important, I have gained a freedom. Jacqueline, you are a wonderful teacher. I think you showed us it is not just a painting, but a view of the day and our feelings."

Michele

Monhegan Island, Maine plein air painting

Painting done at Lobstercove on Sunday
Monhegan island, Maine
Collection of Dotty McNaughton

Plein air painting Monhegan Island

Monhegan Island artists painting on Swim Beach, July 2008. 1st day of workshop video clip.

Plein air painting workshop - Monhegan Island

Monhegan Island Workshop
click on image to enlarge
The workshop starts this morning - what a nice group we have.

This is the first DIVA workshop on Monhegan.
Will post more info after today - paintings, video, etc.

Yesterday, Lobstercove was in fog in the afternoon. Did a small acrylic, as my paints have not yet arrived and Molly lent me some of her acrylics.
The effect of objects in the landscape appearing and disappearing in that atmosphere is such a delight to paint.
I also did some photographs of some of the 'tourist cairns' or 'stones of Monhegan', as they're called. From certain angles, I found them fascinating, in that size perspective could be dramatically altered.

more on Monhegan Island workshop later...

Jacq

Plein Air Painting Monhegan Island, Maine

The Monhegan plein air painting annual workshop will be held July 7-11, 2008.

More information about the island workshop can be had at
MONHEGAN ISLAND INFO
or you can call the studio at 1 800 393-7270.

REGISTRATION can be done online
REGISTER

Plein air painting workshop update

Plein air painting workshop last weekend update.

" Jacqueline - Thank you so much for the photo of Jeanne and me.
We both enjoyed the workshop so much. As my first experience with
plein aire painting, I really appreciated the opportunity to watch as you demonstrated establishing a value study and building up the painting with application of color from dark to light. I loved "in the moment"quality of painting outdoors, even when the wind was blowing my easel over!

Your input was always helpful and so encouraging.
I plan to continue my efforts at painting outdoors and
you can count on me being at one of your future workshops.

Thanks again." Karen Ketchum

Plein Air painting - Art workshops

Latest newsletter about artworkshops and paintouts.
See my current newsletter Click here ->JULY BUZZ

Feel free to pass on the info to an artist friend who may be interested.

Plein Air paintings - a different twist

A good friend recently lost their cat of 20 years.
I did a portrait from their favorite photo.

They haven't seen it yet, I'm taking to NY this week.

Smokey

Plein Air Painting workshop - Niagara Falls Art

We'll be doing a 2 day plein air painting workshop June 8-9 in Niagara Falls.

The weather is getting much warmer here in Niagara Falls and Spring has been short. Plein Air painting has taken a back seat for awhile to getting paintings shipped out for new exhibits.

Now turning attention back to painting - only got out to the Lilac Gardens once and now they're pretty much gone.

Sunday's workshop will be right at the falls. Looks to be a great day weather wise.

More info on the artworkshops website

or call 1 800 393-7270 for more info

Next workshop June 21 and 22

www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Paintings in Estes Park, Colorado Exhibit

You are cordially invited to view J.R. Baldini plein air paintings at the opening reception of the next exhibit of the
World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Painters

June 1 - July 6, 2008

Reception June 1

1-4 pm

The Cultural Arts Council of

Estes Park Art Fine Art Gallery
Estes Park, Colorado, USA

Plein Air Painting Workshop - Monhegan Island, Maine

Info on upcoming plein air painting on Monhegan Island
July 7-11, 2008

CLICK HERE

For more info and photos.
This workshop is limited to 15 participants

Call now at 1 800 393-7270 or email
inquiry@jrbaldini.com

Mama

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is the way long?" she asked. And her guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning." But the young mother was happy and she would not believe that anything could be better than those years. So she played with her children and gathered flowers for them along the way and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them and life was good, and the young mother cried, "Nothing will never be lovelier than this."

Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle and the children said, "Oh Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come," and the mother said, "This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed and when they reached the top, they said, "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage, today I have given then strength."

And with the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil--and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said, "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said, "This is the best day of all for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old, and she was little and bent. And her children were tall and strong and walked with courage. And when the way was rough they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone and their children after them." And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said, "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a Living Presence."

Happy Mother's Day
Forever in our Hearts

Plein air painting - Pawley's Island, South Carolina

Pawley's Island plein air painting Workshop

I spent a week discovering some of Pawley's Island and surrounding areas.
Being the south, of course, I talked fast and had an 'accent'...so I learned to slow it down and enjoy the weather, the people, the low country culture and the food.
We had a nice lunch at LaRocco's outdoor patio, right on the water.
And before leaving for home, sampled the seafood buffet at Captain George's in Myrtle Beach.

Visited Myrtle Beach last winter and planned a workshop on my followup visit.
Many people to thank - David and Sharon for the great accomodations and breakfasts with 'bacon'...Mary Frances from Pen Dragon Art Store in Pawleys, for her sponsorship help, M. Graham for the sponsorship,Marilyn for allowing me to paint on her property - Ruth, Deane, Amy, Angela, Kathy, Lucy for your enthusiasm and openness to new concepts - it was fun getting to know you all...

The video highlights just a small time frame of the week long visit. Stepped off the plane to a 30 degree drop in temp and drizzle, with snow to follow...
Click arrow to play

The legend of Alice Belin Flagg as one of the ghosts of the area has many variations, as most legends tend to do. I've included it, as a 'ceremony' took place right next to us, as we painted on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy
Plein Air Painting Workshops

Plein Air Painter - Aruba Paintings

Watercolors painted on the island of Aruba.
The island is clean, friendly and the climate is wonderful for plein air
painting. There is always a strong breeze, so securing an easel is difficult and because I was painting on a watercolor block, I could paint without one, and position myself comfortably in the shade without a plein air umbrella.


Funny, how people from the same country can stike up a friendship on holidays - we meet Herb Reed (from the Platters) in our hotel bar one afternoon and a few afternoons after that...he really liked a pair of sunglasses my husband was wearing and we gave them to him. Then,we had a running gag, we'd send a different pair of sunglasses backstage, whenever he was in the area, and he'd dedicate a song to us.

Lots of security around, especially in Oranjestad.

All watercolor paintings are 18x24 on D'Arches #140 Hot Press.

See other Caribbean paintings on my website
www.jrbaldini.com

Pawley's Island Workshop - Plein Air Painters

Fabulous Pawley's Island in South Carolina is the location for a 2 day workshop in plein air painting. Acrylic and Oil painters welcome.
We have a few openings left.

Sponsored in part by Pen Dragon Art Supplies

Come paint with us, as we enjoy the marshes,small towns and Carolina pines.

Call toll free 1 800 393-7270

April 26-27, 2008
WEBSITE

Niagara Falls plein air painter - Spring thaw

WET PAINT
Niagara Falls Dufferin Islands -
Oil Painting on linen
8" x 8"
AVAILABLE
This was the first fairly warm day with no rain or strong winds.
The islands area was quiet and it was good to get out to paint again.

Jacqueline uses M.Graham oil paints
(click on image to enlarge)

www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Painting Workshop - South Carolina

April 26 & 27, 2008

Oil Painting and acrylic plein air workshop - locations vicinity of Myrtle Beach, McClellanville,Pawleys Island South Carolina
Ever wondered why your finished painting doesn't quite match your'minds eye vision' that you had when you started your painting ?
Insure a dynamic composition before your brush hits the color.
Learn to recognize the drama in your painting !

See 'Paint with a Buddy' (limited time offer on our site.)

ARTWORKSHOPS INFO DIRECTORY

or call 1 800 393-7270

American Artist magazine - Niagara Falls plein air painter

Studio News...
American Artist magazine has called International Plein Air Painters (an organization founded by Jacqueline in 2001) one of the world's foremost international landscape painting groups... the magazine has also featured her plein air oil painting titled "American Falls' in their April 2008 issue.

I am very honored to be featured by this icon magazine and to be a part of the groundbreaking World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists

Jacqueline Baldini


The April issue of American Artist magazine features the Far & Near Horizons World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists prominently on page 11 in the "Quick Sketches" department. Tour participants and organizers J.R. Baldini (Founder, IPAP) and Karl Eric Leitzel (Founder, LAI) have paintings accompanying the article. Linda Richichi, the former North America Tour Director, is also quoted.For your enjoyment, here is a preview of the page. (Click on the image for a larger version.)

Artist Jacqueline Baldini shows Anne Pederson of Chippawa how to effectively paint still life with acrylic paints as Pederson becomes An Artist for the Day Sunday.
Art workshop 'mini holiday' for painters
document.title= "NiagaraThisWeek.com: Article: Art workshop 'mini holiday' for painters";


By Eddie Chau
Arts & Entertainment
Feb 15, 2008

Tell a friend
According to artist Jacqueline Baldini, paintings shouldn't be ordinary. Rather, they should contain drama.
That's what she told student Anne Pederson as she showed the Chippawa resident how light and shadow affects the outcome of a painting's subject, a flower and vase set by a window sill.
Using a palette of only black acrylic paint, Baldini creates an outline of the subject on a canvas. After the paint dries, Baldini mixes the primary colours -- red, blue and yellow -- to create the base colours of a future masterpiece.

Baldini said teaching a workshop reminds her of the experiences of the sights and sounds of her many travels. She said it keeps life simple.

On Sunday at Baldini's Lundy's Lane studio, the Niagara Falls artist hosted a workshop known as Artist for the Day.

Baldini called the day a "mini holiday" in which patrons participate in an all-day workshop, learning how to paint with full materials in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

"If you've never painted I'd show you how to and in the end you have a finished original painting," Baldini said. "It's the first time I'm trying this 'indoor' workshop here at the studio."

It was the first time that Pederson had ever tried to paint. She found out about the workshop from an advertisement in Niagara This Week and was excited to give it a try. "Art can be very intimidating," Pederson said. "But after giving it a try I feel very comfortable."

For more info on all workshops VISIT HERE

www.jrbaldini.com

Niagara Falls Artist

The Truth About Starving Artists Sales - Niagara Falls Artist

The truth about those starving artists sales...

It's always been a sad joke amongst the art community when your local 'highway motel' hosts a 'starving artist' sale.

I set out to write an article but, first went online to see what was available for documentation.

What I found was this wonderful article that said it all...

http://www.drloriv.com/lectures/starvingartists.asp#world



well, almost all...

Being that these "original" art sales 'with nothing held back' occured frequently in my hometown in Utica in New York State, a fellow artist and I were head out for some plein air painting one morning and ran across one. WELLLLLL... we couldn't resist-

We walked in, looking around rather quickly, like we would be making a fast exit, which got the immediate attention of a fast talking salesman.

'Do you see something you like?' he asked. We replied yes but, how much would the painting be without the frame ?

They were selling 8x10 'paintings' framed for $10.00 !

He explained that he would have to charge us $7.00 for the painting, so we might as well just take the frame for the extra $3.00..

We replied "oh, we don't want the painting, we want the frame". And the look on his face had us cracking up all the way to the car !

www.jrbaldini.com

Niagara this week.com - Art embraces special moments

Art embraces special moments, places in outdoors
"NiagaraThisWeek.com: Article: Art embraces special moments, places in outdoors";


By Doug Draper
Arts & Entertainment
Feb 08, 2008


This past Tuesday, on a damp, gray, foggy morning when many Niagara residents would probably prefer to spend a little more time in bed, Jacqueline Baldini was eager to head out to the countryside to capture the mood of the day on canvas.
"I am looking out there," said the Niagara artist at her studio on Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls, "and going 'Wow, look at that.' "
Those "wow" moments, when Baldini is full of passion for the light and colour a day can bring -- regardless of the weather or the time of year -- has fueled her art for more than 30 years and has earned her the respect of other artists, nationally and internationally, for her ability to produce works embracing special moments and places in the outdoors.
"I don't want a perfect world," said Baldini in a studio with walls full of paintings of the Niagara Falls area, including the rapids of the famous river and its cataract, and of other regions of Niagara and the rest of the world, including Portugal, Spain, the Bahamas, Honduras and Yucatan.
"If all we had were all blue skies and sunshine, that would be boring."
Baldini is offering everyone from beginners to those will some experience in applying oil paints to canvas anything but a boring time at a workshop she is hosting at the Lundy's Lane studio this Sunday.
That workshop, called Day in an Artist's Studio, runs this Sunday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with coffee and Danish treats in the morning, a lunch and all materials, including canvas and paints provided, for a fee of $65.
"I am asked frequently to do weekly lessons at my studio," Baldini said. "I made the decision a few years ago, that people learn and absorb much faster when completely immersed in a project."
As a host and mentor at the workshops, Baldini said she always finds them as rewarding as those who attend hopefully do. Often from someone who is just starting out in art, she said, she is reminded of the virtues of keeping things simple in some of her own work.
"I've had complete beginners in my classes," she said, "and I have learned from them."
Baldini's approach to art is something she said is described as "Plein Air Artist" or one who chooses to paint from life outdoors. "This often means painting in the fog, mist or frozen landscape of this beautiful peninsula," she explained. "Plein Air Painting is a metaphysical skill capable of creating an image that lets the viewer 'be there in the moment' when viewing the painting."
An upper New York State native before moving to Niagara Falls more than thirteen years ago, Baldini is the founder and signature member of International Plein Air Painters (an organization of artists dedicated to producing painting of moving outdoor settings around the world) and in 2002 established the first Worldwide Paint Out, that brings groups of artists together through the internet each year to share their work.
Her paintings hang in private and public collections across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. To obtain more information on this Sunday's Day in an Artist's Studio Workshop or to register for the workshop no later than this Saturday, contact Jacqueline Baldini at her studio on 7973 Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls at 905-354-8692 or visit her website at http://www.artworkshops.homestead.com/.

Niagara Falls Artists - taking back downtown

I attended the meeting recently downtown and I want to stress how important it is for the Niagara Falls community to get involved.

For the past 5 years, I've been organizing a worldwide paint out , bringing artists from all over into the parks each September to paint Niagara. Interesting to note, I can count on one hand, the artists that have been from this area. Sad to say but, because of no community support, the event will happen worldwide but, Niagara Falls NY, will likely organize their own paint out. One more thing that has left this area.

The arts supported by a community, are so important for our children.
The arts always provide a balance, a calming and security, a sense of belonging in a community. And we have much talent in this area.

Niagara Falls is one of the most dramatic locations in North America - artists are naturally drawn to this natural wonder. Let's make sure the arts survive here, the artists can make a living and the community is pulled together in a central location like downtown.
From there, who knows where we can go !

Please support this grassroots movement by letting others and your councils know. Let's make sure this 'revitalization' is publicized - let's give every small town downtown, something to model after. Niagara Falls is always news, let's let the world watch our success story !

Spread the word 'Where's my Downtown ?"

Where's My Downtown will hold a meeting at Perspective Art School and Gallery on Queen Street, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. A petition to revitalize Queen Street can be found online at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/revitalize-downtown-niagara-falls and Facebook members can find the site by entering My Downtown Niagara Falls in the search section of their profile page.

J. R. Baldini, Executive Director
International Plein Air Painters

1 day Workshop - Give a gift of art for Valentines Day

1 Day in Studio Workshop

Intro to painting from Life

spend a relaxing, fun learning day in an Artist's studio

in beautiful Niagara Falls, CANADA

A great way to spend a cold wintry Sunday

with creative energy !

Why not share the day with a friend or give as a gift to your sweetheart ?

Nothing says you care more than giving someone the gift of 'time for themselves'

Sunday, February 10th.
Includes 9-5 workshop instruction

1 canvas

Use of oil paints and brushes

morning coffee

Light Lunch

only $65.00 per person
Go home with your finished original painting
Sign up with a friend and give yourself

the gift of time.
Studio location

7973 Lundy's Lane

Niagara Falls, Ontario
Adult or preapproved juvenile
Call 905.354.8692 to register

www.jrbaldini.com/

orwww.artworkshops.homestead.com/

to view paintings or see other workshops available.

World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists

CALL for LANDSCAPE ARTISTS WORLDWIDE
Please see all info at
http://www.l-a-i.com/World_Tour/TourProspectus.pdf
Only 12 artists will be juried to fill the tour to 30 artists for the 2008-2009 TOUR
Listen to an audio interview explaining the
World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists
VISIT HERE