|
Kaatterskill Falls, Catskills Mountains NY |
|
Hudson River from the past site of the Catskill Mountain House |
From June 2nd to June 5 a group of plein air artists from NYPAP and one of the local Chapters, Lower Hudson Valley Plein Air Painters (LHVPAP), gathered in the Palenville NY area and made daily trips to painting sites frequented in the 1800's by the Hudson River School of Artists. Two of my paintings of these sites are shown here- there are 18 identified sites on the Trail. Katterskill Falls is a 1/2 mile hike up a rugged trail not suitable for a cart so you carry all your gear. It is New York States tallest falls with the first section 175 feet and the second is 85. Niagara Falls is 190 feet but of course more impressive because of the water flow. My rendering is 11 x 14 inches, oil on linen.
The top of the escarpment overlooking the Hudson River where the Catskill Mountain House formerly stood is accessible from the North Lake beach parking lot at North/South Lake State Park. The rocky trail is an uphill climb but you can manage a cart. The view for miles is most likely hazy with dust and moisture, not being that far north from New York City. I was standing about thirty feet back from the edge of the cliff at the top of the escarpment. The sun would reflect off the white structures that were farm buildings or estates of the economically better off. The painting is 10 x 20 inches, oil on canvas. The paintings by the Hudson River School of artists made the region popular and increased tourism.
There are lots more great painting locations that I would like to visit in the future. The website which shows the trail sites map, paintings by the Hudson River School of Artists, and a current photo of the sites is
http:www.hudsonriverschool.org/trails/1