Blackbird atop tombstone

"Hadley Graveyard" Canisteo River Valley *

6"x9" oil on canvas by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo

blackbird atop tombstone
perches a few minutes
then flies far away
tombstone still remains
___________________________________________
young artist stands under umbrella
dabs paint onto canvas
along side of road
scene she is painting:
old barn, dead standing tree
weathered tombstones
mid-summer, sun bright, air warm
winter, not all that far away
_________________________________________

old river flows through
narrow valley
lawn mower whirrs in distance
flies buzz around my head
a sudden breeze
sways branches of trees
occasional car speeds by
robin chirps, blue jay shrieks
soft gentle sounds, all
fitting this remote setting
suddenly, growing roar
like wind building in storm
but no, freight train rumbles by
after passing, loud whistle
as it approaches nearby crossing
this loud intrusion, no intrusion at all
fits perfectly in this bucolic setting
of narrow steep-hill-lined valley
___________________________________________ 
Poems by Michael Czarnecki


Session Three - the beautiful, remote Canisteo River Valley. First time there for me. Michael has forty-year-old memories of it, living above in the hills, 3 miles from the river.
Various scenes were possibilities for painting as we slowly drove along the River Road from Addison to Cameron. We had talked earlier on the ride about cemeteries. I've never been drawn to paint cemeteries, until that afternoon.


"Plein Air Painting and Poetry" on exhibit at 171 Cedar Arts Center
Houghton Gallery, 171 Cedar Street, Corning, NY
On view now through November 16, 2018
 

* All paintings are framed and available for sale. 

Please email me at bbvanotterloo@gmail.com to inquire about purchasing a painting. *

---

See all plein air paintings and poetry in this series on my website: www.bridgetbossartvanotterloo.com
Paintings by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo and poetry by Michael Czarnecki, inspired by landscapes in Steuben County, New York.
Grateful acknowledgments and appreciation to The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes for assistance in making this project possible by awarding us an Individual Artists Grant for 2018.

Houghton Land Preserve, a gift to our community.

"Trail Marker" 8x12 watercolor by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo*

"View from Here" 8x12 watercolor by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo*

what is it that draws us
to field, to forest
to other than human
as I sit on old log
slowly rotting back to earth
sudden brisk wind shakes tops of trees
at same time, tree shadows
dance on leaf-strewn woodland floor
all the while, wood thrush’s sweet song
floats through shaded forest air

Poem by Michael Czarnecki

Houghton Land Preserve, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Corning, NY
"Located just a stone’s throw from downtown Corning, the Houghton Land Preserve features mature hardwood forests, 2 miles of hiking trails, and scenic meadows with sweeping views of the surrounding hills.
The preserve is a gift from Jamie and Maisie Houghton, who gave their 194-acre property to the Finger Lakes Land Trust in 2016 to create a new nature preserve.  Jamie is the retired Chairman of the Board of Corning Incorporated, a company founded by his great-great grandfather in 1851.  By donating their family land to the Land Trust, the Houghtons are continuing their deep commitment to the Corning community."
Learn more at: www.fllt.org/preserves/houghton-land-preserve/

Reception with the Artist and Poet tonight! 5-8 pm

171 Cedar Arts Center
Houghton Gallery, 171 Cedar Street, Corning, NY
Please join us for a reception and Artist/Poet Talk, TONIGHT! Friday, October 26 5–8pm
Talk begins at 6pm, bring your questions!
This exhibit is will be on view through November 16, 2018
 

* All paintings are framed and available for sale. 

Please email me at bbvanotterloo@gmail.com to inquire about purchasing a painting. *

---

See all plein air paintings and poetry in this series on my website: www.bridgetbossartvanotterloo.com
Paintings by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo and poetry by Michael Czarnecki, inspired by landscapes in Steuben County, New York.
Grateful acknowledgments and appreciation to The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes for assistance in making this project possible by awarding us an Individual Artists Grant for 2018.

Forgotten Beauty - Denison Park, Corning NY

"Cherry Trees" 8x12 watercolor by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo*

Plein Air Painting & Poetry

Beginning in the spring of 2018, painter Bridget Bossart van Otterloo and poet, Michael Czarnecki traveled together to 10 different locations around Steuben County to create works of art inspired by each location: Bridget painted plein air paintings, Michael wrote plein air poems. “En plein air” is a French phrase meaning “in the open air.” We hope our work inspires you to enjoy our beautiful area.
Visit the exhibit at 171 Cedar Arts Center
Houghton Gallery, 171 Cedar Street, Corning, NY
October 22–November 16, 2018
Please join us for a reception and Artist/Poet Talk on Friday, October 26 5–8pm
Talk begins at 6pm

Location #1: Denison Park, Corning NY
On May 14, 2018 we met for our first session in Denison Park. The trees were in full bloom. I set up to paint under the ornamental cherry trees. Petals floated down and stuck in my wet paint.

"Under the Cherry Tress" 18x24 oil on linen by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo*

Poems written on location by Michael Czarnecki

sentient stillness
could almost be a sculpture
turtle on old log

***

such transitoriness
these colorful ornamental trees
pink blossoms, white blossoms
in full bloom
fragrancing nearby air
already
here and there
a petal drifts to ground

"Study of Trees" 8x5 watercolor and ink by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo

*

 This little study started as a demo during our workshop in Denison Park.

* All paintings are framed and available for sale. 

Please email me at bbvanotterloo@gmail.com to inquire about purchasing a painting. *

---

See all plein air paintings and poetry in this series on my website:
www.bridgetbossartvanotterloo.com
Paintings by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo and poetry by Michael Czarnecki, inspired by landscapes in Steuben County, New York.
Grateful acknowledgments and appreciation to The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes for assistance in making this project possible by awarding us an Individual Artists Grant for 2018.

Plein Air Painting & Poetry

"Under the Cherry Trees" 20x24 oil on linen by Bridget Bossart van Otterloo, Poem by Michael Czarnecki

I've been getting ready to present the work created during our 6 month long project, Plein Air Painting & Poetry.
During this grant funded project Michael Czarnecki and I traveled together to 10 locations in Steuben County. We live in a beautiful part of the world, and there was plenty to inspire us. Along the way we talked about the similarites and differences between painting and poetry.
We can't wait to share it all with you!
Plein Air Painting & Poetry, Steuben County will be on exhibit from October 22 - November 16, 2018 at 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning NY.
You are invited to a Reception and Artist/Poet Talk on Friday October 26, 5-8pm, during Corning's Urban Arts Crawl. We will begin our talk at 6pm. Michael will read his poetry and I will talk about my paintings. Please bring your questions!

You can see some pictures from our journey on our facebook project page:
Plein Air and Poetry: Steuben County

Plein air painting under the cherry trees in Denison Park, Corning NY

Grateful acknowledgments and appreciation to The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes for assistance in making this project possible by awarding us an Individual Artists Grant for 2018.