Life with Peter

A Tangle of Vines

2012-02-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

Sky Reflection

2012-02-05T21:51:00.000-05:00

Farmhouse

2012-02-01T22:49:00.012-05:00

A new old motif to explore

I have loved this old farmhouse from afar for years. It's a casualty of the Tocks Island Dam project that never happened and left many farms in our area vacant and decaying but also gave us the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) that Peter and I have enjoyed so much. Tonight is the first time we walked in to explore. It's so quiet. I wonder what it must have been like in it's heyday.

Studio Supplied

2012-01-30T22:35:00.005-05:00

Tubes of paint ready to go

A peek inside a drawer under Peter's palette

I was waiting for Peter the other day and took a peek at his paint supply -- thought I'd share what I found. Oh la la!

Winter Moss

2012-01-30T10:28:00.003-05:00

So lush in the "dead" of winter

Five inches of snow fell the morning we left for Ohio and it was mostly gone by the time we returned home. Sigh. We are hopefull more will fall soon.

Butler Institute of American Art

2012-01-24T08:43:00.007-05:00

Peter with "Sunset in the old Orchard, Montclair"

A nice surprise at the ACOPAL exhibition was discovering the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. They have a nice collection of paintings including Winslow Homer's Snap the Whip, a grand John Singer Sargent and this beautiful George Inness painting, Sunset in the Old Orchard, painted the last year he was alive. I love visiting all of the smaller art museums across the U.S. There are always more than a few treasures to delight and surprise!

ACOPAL Exhibition

2012-01-23T07:58:00.003-05:00

Peter makes a point to artist's Nanette Fluhr and Manu Saluja at the Butler Institute

You may have already read on Peter's blog that his painting Winter Storm Clearing was one of the Grand Prize winners in the ACOPAL (America China Oil Painters Artists League) competition. This last saturday was the exhibition opening at the Butler Institute of American Art in Ohio. The work was amazing, we met a lot of nice people and fun was had by all. The exhibition runs through the end of February and then heads to the World Art Museum in Beijing this fall. If you find yourself in Ohio or the vicinity or China, it's worth checking out!

A Living Master

2012-01-18T19:26:00.006-05:00

Stay back!!! Who knows what he's going to do with those things

Peter has been named a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center -- a truly great honor. Visit their website www.artrenewal.org to learn more.

Ice on the Delaware, Finally!

2012-01-16T21:56:00.003-05:00

What a difference a few degrees makes

Sunset

2012-01-14T19:27:00.002-05:00

Along the Delaware with High Point New Jersey in the distance

Look up! It's often beautiful!

On my way home from the supermarket tonight I couldn't help but stop and take some photos. It was just one of those nights that makes you happy to be alive. I photographed this same spot a few weeks ago at sunrise.

Planning for the Future

2012-01-13T21:12:00.008-05:00

Cue the snow, the sunlight and...

Peter is missing the snow this winter. We went out photographing today to scout new locations. We'll be back to this spot when the weather and light are cooperating.

Back at Home...

2012-01-08T23:42:00.002-05:00

Quintessential Matamoras

Later, Later That Night

2012-01-06T23:18:00.000-05:00

Later That Night

2012-01-06T23:05:00.001-05:00

Peter and Paul at The Highliner, formerly The Empire Diner

The Four Temperaments

2012-01-06T22:18:00.003-05:00

Peter and Paul discuss the finer points of tiger saliva - it's always about light

The star of the night, Mr. Woodruff

Thursday night we went to see Thomas Woodruff's show, The Four Temperament Variations at PPOW. Tom is Peter's friend and colleague and an incredibly talented man. His work is a visual feast that keeps on giving.

A View toward the Catskills

2012-01-02T19:18:00.003-05:00

Snow falling in the distance

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:27:00.004-05:00

First light of the new year, over the Delaware River

Winter Grasses, No Snow

2011-12-27T19:32:00.001-05:00

Beef Wellington

2011-12-26T20:39:00.005-05:00

A fiore family Christmas tradition, decorated by Lisa

After an annual Christmas Eve dinner of fishes, not always seven, we had Beef Wellington for Christmas dinner. It's very delicious and festive and fun to decorate. Some day I'll make something different but for now, Paul has contracted me to keep making it until he graduates from college -- 2 more Christmases.

Wishing you a belated Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year from me and Peter to you!

Kuerner Farm

2011-12-18T22:03:00.002-05:00

If you know Andrew Wyeth's work, you know this hill

Peter, Karl, Martin and Paul walk from Karl's studio to his grandfather's farm

Walking in a Wyeth painting

Paul in front of the Kuerner farmhouse

As I mentioned in my previous post, we visited the Kuerner Farm, made famous by Andrew Wyeth's countless paintings inspired by this place. It was a thrilling and surreal experience for all of us, but most especially Paul. Every step and every view was like walking in a Wyeth painting.

Karl Kuerner's Studio

2011-12-18T20:50:00.006-05:00

Peter, Paul and Karl talk painting

Paul's new patron and friend, Martin O'Rourke, arranged for Paul to meet Karl Kuerner III and visit the Kuerner Farm, made famous by Andrew Wyeth's many, many paintings of the farm and hill. Peter and I happily tagged along.

Another Take

2011-12-14T20:24:00.008-05:00

... on unexpected beauty

Lisa and I went for a walk on Saturday. The last few photos I've posted are from that afternoon. We were both struck by the sunlight coming through the curtained windows of this abandoned restaurant. Lisa posted her photo a few days ago with all it's soft and beautiful moodiness and here is mine -- a different variation on the same motif.

Birds Over the Bridge

2011-12-13T21:19:00.005-05:00

Shooting at birds, digitally

I've been enjoying walking over the Matmaoras / Port Jervis bridge lately. There's always a flock of birds that circles the bridge constantly. That's all they do. I wonder if they get tired of it.

Port Jervis, NY

2011-12-13T09:13:00.002-05:00

...looks so quaint from afar

Olsommer's Tree Farm

2011-12-12T07:33:00.002-05:00

Picking a christmas tree

Snow Alien

2011-12-11T23:16:00.004-05:00

...hurrying through the night

Finger Puppets!

2011-12-11T17:57:00.006-05:00

Part of the whole gang

I just finished making more finger puppets. They are for sale on Etsy. Click here to check them out!

ACOPAL

2011-12-07T20:36:00.004-05:00

Reframed, packed and on it's way to the Butler Museum of Art and beyond

Peter is one of 4 Grand Prize Winners in the America China Oil Painting Artists League competition. His painting, Winter Storm Clearing will be exhibited in Youngstown, Ohio at the Butler Museum of American Art this December 18th through February 26th, 2012.

Photographing Big and Small

2011-12-05T19:51:00.007-05:00

Peter cleared out the studio to photograph some large paintings...

..and then got in close to photograph my finger puppets

Peter has a loft in his studio that is designated for photographing paintings but on Sunday we had to improvise. His 48x96 inch paintings were too big to carry up the stairs so we pushed everything to the side to make room for his strobes and to give him a long clean shot. After we got the studio back together, he helped me photograph my new finger puppet sculptures on top of his flat files. They look like little gems against the black velvet. They're available on Etsy.

View from the Bridge

2011-11-30T22:49:00.002-05:00

Sunset over Matamoras, PA

Delaware River Sunset

2011-11-30T22:43:00.001-05:00

Time of Day is Everything

2011-11-29T22:16:00.001-05:00

Sunset from the Price Chopper Parking Lot

Birthday Cake

2011-11-26T21:43:00.001-05:00

Peter's famous homemade birthday cake is almost gone, yummmmm...

Stuffed Artichokes

2011-11-24T21:39:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Really Long Brushes

2011-11-19T20:53:00.002-05:00

What a reach!

Tree Shadow

2011-11-17T22:36:00.000-05:00

Treasure in the Woods

2011-11-14T20:45:00.003-05:00

A most massive white pine stopped Peter in his tracks

Peter and I were out exploring this last weekend and we came across the biggest white pine tree we'd ever seen. It is so stately and beautiful. Peter is very excited to explore it as a new motif. We'll be back.

The Mighty Delaware

2011-11-12T20:07:00.000-05:00

Tow Path, Sunrise

2011-11-10T22:48:00.002-05:00

View from the Lumberville Foot Bridge

Travis Show Opening

2011-11-07T18:23:00.003-05:00

During a quiet moment, Graig, Paul and Lisa take a closer look

Peter's show, Visionary Landscape, opened this weekend at the Travis Gallery in New Hope, PA. It was a fun and fruitful evening. The show runs through the end of November. For more information and to preview the work, visit peterfiore.com.

Sycamore Bark

2011-11-02T21:53:00.001-04:00

Nature's doodles on a broken branch

Not Cherry Blossoms

2011-10-30T20:26:00.001-04:00

Snow in the trees at sunrise, beautiful!

Over the shoulder

2011-10-29T21:45:00.000-04:00

Fiesta walks home with her stick

October Snow

2011-10-29T21:37:00.000-04:00

First Snow, Already!

2011-10-29T14:31:00.003-04:00

Peter welcomes the snow

Like much of the east coast, we're expecting 10-12 inches of snow today. Yay! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Wooded Window

2011-10-28T07:20:00.003-04:00

Like the leading in a stained glass window

Fall Colors

2011-10-26T21:22:00.002-04:00

Peter photographing a favorite farmhouse in Vermont

Seeds Pods Release

2011-10-25T20:53:00.001-04:00

Autumn Flowers

2011-10-18T21:17:00.001-04:00

Framing

2011-10-14T21:47:00.007-04:00

Nice!

Peter has finished all the paintings and is now photographing and framing them for his upcoming show at Travis Gallery in November. You can see a daily preview of the work on his blog, peterfiore.blogspot.com. Over his shoulder is a sneak preview of what's to come.

Storm Coming

2011-10-12T21:40:00.004-04:00

Electric!

Clean Dogs

2011-10-08T21:35:00.003-04:00

Camy, fresh from her bath

And Fiesta too!

Brushing Up Article

2011-10-06T09:03:00.005-04:00

Peter editing his thoughts on winter painting

Peter has a "Brushing Up" article in The Artist's Magazine's November 2011 issue which is available on his website and on newsstands.

Color on a Cloudy Day

2011-10-03T22:07:00.003-04:00

A sunny day is all about light and shadow. In contrast, overcast days are about even light and saturated colors, making exposures much easier. The clouds act like a giant deflector and send light into all of the dark shadows of the earth.

And Cider Doughnuts Too

2011-10-01T23:01:00.002-04:00

What would apple picking be without...

...cider doughnuts, double yum!

Apple Picking

2011-10-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

Empires -- yum!

Destiny

2011-09-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

Two leaves come together

Painting, Painting, Painting

2011-09-25T22:05:00.006-04:00

Peter at work

Peter's show, Visionary Landscape opens at the Travis Gallery in New Hope, PA this November. The opening reception is Saturday, November 5th from 5 to 8. Hope you can join us!

Why?

2011-09-24T21:43:00.010-04:00

Once it was red and now it is not

The world is ever changing and there's nothing you can do about it but look and remember. Trees fall, houses are built and red barns are painted beige. How much does anyone really notice unless you're always looking. This is the barn complex that inspired Peter's painting New Day January, among other paintings. Maybe it will inspire something new?

Camy Sleeping Again

2011-09-22T07:48:00.004-04:00

She is so very sleepy

I know I haven't posted in a while. So here's one more cute Camy photo and I promise something new soon -- perhaps later today.

More Camy!

2011-09-15T22:10:00.001-04:00

Peter's Palette

2011-09-14T20:39:00.002-04:00

A feast of color

I was in Peter's studio the other day helping him with some frames and I couldn't help take a photo of his palette -- always a gooey, tactile, visual feast.

Fresh Egg Tic Tac Toe

2011-09-13T22:54:00.001-04:00

Yum... Thanks Carol and Mark!

Horseshoe

2011-09-10T22:40:00.000-04:00

Delaware River Receding

2011-09-09T21:45:00.003-04:00

What a difference a little sun makes

Delaware River Rising

2011-09-08T20:20:00.002-04:00

The Delaware River spills over it's banks and closes our road

Always an amazing spectacle of beauty and destruction

Money Shot

2011-09-07T19:50:00.003-04:00

By popular request... Camy!

Back to School

2011-09-04T22:01:00.007-04:00

Paul at the Lyric

We moved Paul back to the city to start his second year at SVA. Yay! Go Paul!

Sunset

2011-09-02T22:26:00.005-04:00

Goodbye Irene

Just wanted to share this -- one of Peter's photos a couple of nights after Irene. Such a beautiful sunset!

Not Good

2011-09-01T22:05:00.008-04:00

Our gift from Irene

The hurricane last weekend took out some trees and the telephone pole next to Peter's studio and out in front of our house. We've been without power all week and finally got it back tonight. Living without electricity makes you appreciate power and what is most important in our modern life like hot coffee in the morning, showers and the internet. Actually we've been adjusting well all week and have become quite good at cooking on our grill and enjoying quiet evenings by candle light. Now if only we had our coffee maker, running water and the internet...

Foggy Morning Flora

2011-08-25T21:15:00.005-04:00

Foggy Morning

2011-08-24T19:36:00.008-04:00

Happy Birthday Paul!

After some debate, we went out early this morning to photograph. The fog was so thick the sun never broke through but it was still a beautiful morning to be out.

Silver Dollar Mushrooms

2011-08-23T22:37:00.004-04:00

Don't eat'em

Mushrooms are popping up all over the place!

Mystery Pod

2011-08-21T17:27:00.004-04:00

Not a shamrock

I took this photo earlier this summer and finally decided to post it. This old pan had been left outside and filled with rain water. One morning I noticed this green, symmetrical, segmented mass floating in the water. In fact there was a bunch of them stacked like Life Savers in a pack, without the wrapper. I'm guessing they are some kind of egg mass? If anyone knows what this is, please let me know! I thought it was quite beautiful and mysterious against the pan.

At Dingmans Falls

2011-08-20T22:13:00.006-04:00

My postcard photo of the lovely Silver Thread Falls

Tree roots searching for ground and water

Peter, Paul and I went for a walk at Dingmans Falls. There was a slight rain that made for a moist but beautiful, lush green walk.

Lucky Shot

2011-08-18T17:52:00.000-04:00

Floating in the finger bowl

This photo was from the same aforementioned walk at Grey Towers. I was having trouble photographing the flowers that were floating in the finger bowl and then presto, I got this one! Very exciting.

Mushrooms

2011-08-17T20:46:00.005-04:00

During Peter's workshop, I took a break and went for a walk up at Grey Towers. I found this plush, mossy area that had Alice in Wonderland like mushrooms all around. I took a lot of photos and here are two of my favorites.

Workshop, Day 5

2011-08-12T21:39:00.001-04:00

All done!

Thank you to all of the students who took part in this painting workshop and made it such a special and fun week. We will be having more workshops in the Milford, PA area -- they will be posted on Peter's workshop under "Workshops". We hope you can join us.

Workshop, Day 5

2011-08-12T21:35:00.002-04:00

Some paintings on the last day: Steven

Some paintings on the last day: Tom

Some paintings on the last day: Ileen

Workshop, Day 5

2011-08-12T21:28:00.003-04:00

Finishing up

Talking about redesigning photographs

Last day, last touches

Workshop, Day 4

2011-08-11T22:28:00.005-04:00

Going in search of some of Peter's pine trees

A favorite pine tree found!

At the end of the day, Peter took everyone on a little field trip to one of his spots in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (some of my photos from the DWGNRA). On the way, we saw deer and bear, oh my! Everyone was safe and Peter talked about looking and light and shared the tree that inspired A Winter's Morning Sun, one among many paintings from this area.

Workshop, Day 4

2011-08-11T22:10:00.003-04:00

Some paintings from the day: Amy

Some paintings from the day: Judy

Some paintings from the day: Sandy

Workshop, Day 4

2011-08-11T21:43:00.002-04:00

Taking a break and sharing a laugh

Workshop, Day 4

2011-08-11T21:38:00.000-04:00

A demonstration in glazing

Workshop, Day 4

2011-08-11T21:35:00.003-04:00

Getting the day going, bright and early

Workshop, Day 3

2011-08-10T21:16:00.001-04:00

Talking painting

Workshop, Day 3

2011-08-10T20:53:00.005-04:00

Painting in progress: Ileen

Painting in progress: Lisa

Painting in progress: Desmond

Workshop, Day 3

2011-08-10T20:46:00.003-04:00

Starting larger paintings from studies

Workshop, Day 2

2011-08-09T19:26:00.000-04:00

Studio visit

Because this workshop is on our home turf, we could invite everyone over to visit the studio -- a nice bonus!

Workshop, Day 2

2011-08-09T19:20:00.002-04:00

Some studies from the day: Ileene

Some studies from the day: Desmond

Some studies from the day: Adrienne

Workshop, Day 2

2011-08-09T19:18:00.000-04:00

Hard at work until the end of the day

Workshop, Day 2

2011-08-09T16:55:00.000-04:00

Walnut oil brush cleaning station

For this workshop we were short on sinks, so we set up a brush cleaning area. A simple trick to keep your brushes clean and supple, rinse them clean with turpenoid and then swirl in walnut oil, wipe and then dip in a clean container of walnut oil, wipe and you're good to go -- no soap and water needed.

Workshop, Day 2

2011-08-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

Painting demo this morning

Great students watch as Peter works his magic

Workshop, Day 1

2011-08-08T23:01:00.003-04:00

Studies from the day: Steven

Studies from the day: Michelle

Studies from the day: Kathy

Workshop, Day 1

2011-08-08T22:34:00.002-04:00

Talking about color and how to mix it

Here, Peter is telling his students "Don't drink this".

Workshop, Day 1

2011-08-08T22:20:00.000-04:00

Getting down to business

Studies, studies, studies

Workshop, Day 1

2011-08-08T22:11:00.002-04:00

Laying out a palette, the Peter Fiore way

Peter's workshop palette ready to go

Workshop, Day 1

2011-08-08T22:09:00.002-04:00

Setting up

Workshop, Day 1

2011-08-08T22:03:00.000-04:00

Waiting for students

Peter talks about his work and the workshop

Sunrise 6:08

2011-08-08T21:53:00.007-04:00

On the Delaware, looking towards Port Jervis, NY

I went out early this morning to turn on the air conditioners for the workshop and was blown away by the sunrise. I stopped on the road and took this photo from the car. I haven't seen a sunrise in a while and I miss the feeling of being awake to witness something so extrodinary. Peter and I need to get up early and get back out there photographing -- maybe this fall when it is cooler we'll be more motivated.