The Garden of Life

"The Garden of Life"

© Nancy Laliberte 

20" x 24" acrylic on canvas

click here to purchase

Currently, I am working on a few painting commissions that will be gifts (can't post them just yet), and because we are having such chilly weather, it's the perfect reason to post a bright, and cheerful painting. This piece was inspired by the amazing garden at my parent's home. It's a colorful piece that really brightens a room and puts a smile on your face. I really enjoy getting lost in the space around the flowers and leaves. You can read more about the story behind it, here.

Have a bright and happy day!
Nancy


Gift yourself the gift of a "Creative Time Out," check out my upcoming creative journaling and painting classes.

Value Studies are...Valuable

Value study examples
© Nancy Laliberte
oil on canvas

Last Saturday kicked off the first of three mini workshop series I have scheduled at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. I had an awesome group of students who were more than willing to leave their comfort zones, dive in, and paint a lot of value studies and whatever else I made them do, "...you have three brush strokes left to finish that..." First we talked about values and grouped them into darks, mids and lights. Then I demonstrated and discussed setting up a still life, determining values and deciding what values would be dominant, secondary and just a bit in the painting. Starting with simple still life set ups and building up to more complex ones, students worked from life observing, comparing, and painting values. 

A lot of concentration, "seeing" and painting going on in the CVA studio

A sampling of class value studies

The Secrets to Great Color and How to Mix It

The next workshop series takes place on Saturday, April 6th from 12 noon - 4 pm, and will focus on the secrets to color mixing (no more mud)! Space is limited and spots are filling quickly, so I encourage you to register today by calling the CVA at 715-842-4545. The supply list is available on their website. Scroll down a bit for workshop information. I look forward to seeing you there!

More workshop and class listings are on my website

More workshop photos are available on my studio FB fan page  

Like and Share while you are there :)

Fun Friday: Sketchbook Journaling on the Go...

"Ferocactus Pringlei"at The Living Desert, Palm Desert, CA
© Nancy Laliberte
pen and watercolor

Last week I was on vacation in the Palm Desert, CA area. It was sunny EVERY DAY. Bliss compared to the gray days and snow we have been having the last few weeks (feels like months). Whenever I travel I always bring a sketchbook. Sometimes I use it a little and sometimes a lot depending on the type of trip. This time I used it every day and then some. I really encourage you to keep some kind of journal when you travel. It can be sketches and notes, or ephemera (tickets, receipts, brochure bits of places you visit) or anything that appeals to you. When you take the time to sketch or write while you are in the midst of traveling, you gain so much more sensory-wise. When I look at these images, I remember the sunshine, the air, smells, and the activity around me. 

"Key's View"at Joshua Tree National Park, CA
© Nancy Laliberte
pen and watercolor

Sketching at Key's View at Joshua Tree National Park. An amazing place, I am definitely going back at some point to do more painting and sketching here. While to some, it may seem like miles of browns, but looking more closely, the colors are so much more than that.

"Hummingbird and Aloe"at The Living Desert, Palm Desert, CA
© Nancy Laliberte
pen and watercolor

Painting in-flight to help pass the time. All of my supplies went into the black and white
paisley bag and then I put that in my small carry-on bag. My water brushes, spray bottle and glue stick went into my quart-size TSA baggie.  

The goodies: sketch bag (Thirty-one Bag, 9" x 12"), a few water-soluble colored pencils, eraser, pencil, Uhu glue stick, Tombow brush markers, viewfinder, spray bottle, compact watercolor set, paper towel piece,  Handbook Art Journal, water brushes, black Identi-pen, date stamper, 1/2" flat watercolor brush, Tombow brush marker in black, Pitt pen in sepia, Pentel brush pen, an extra black pen, Signo white, gold and silver pens. I have a small cross-body bag I use when out and about, and would just bring the essentials with me: journal, water brushes, watercolor set, paper towel, viewfinder, pen, phone, and a snack. 

Art & Soul Creative Journaling Class March 5th
Next Tuesday is the March session of the Art & Soul Creative Journaling class I teach from 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm at the Wausau Hobby Lobby store. We will be working on travel journaling techniques--watercolors, collage, writing, drawing and more - perfect timing for your next trip. All supplies are included except your journal. I will be bringing some vacation items, but feel free to bring some of your own objects (sea shells, souvenirs) and ephemera (tickets, brochures, pictures). Sign up is on my website. And, yes, there will be chocolate. While you are there be sure to check out the other workshops and classes I have going this year.

A Big Shout-Out
A big shout-out to my fellow artist blogger friend, Mary Maxam. Mary had a painting give-away for her blog followers and guess who won? Yes, moi! I am so thrilled!!! Thank you, Mary! Mary's work is amazing so be sure to check out her blog and website.

Studio Fan Page
I have a studio fan page on Face book where I post behind the scenes art happenings in and out of my studio. If you haven't already Liked it, then you should and feel free to share with your friends. Thanks! I appreciate your awesome support!

Have a great weekend! 
I have a workshop I am teaching tomorrow at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, and am so excited! 
take care, 
Nancy

Upcoming Painting Workshop Series

I am excited to be teaching a painting workshop series beginning this Saturday at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. Each session will focus on a specific area of painting (values, color mixing, and composition) and will include demos, painting time, handouts, and more. Sign up for all three! Become a member of the CVA and receive a discount, too. We still have a few openings for this Saturday, but space is limited. Call the CVA at 715-842-4545 to register. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Love..."

© Nancy Laliberte

combined media on paper

from my gratitude journal

After being being knocked flat by a very nasty virus the past several days (it has felt like an eternity), I am finally feeling on the upswing of getting better. So here is a recent page from my gratitude journal made from my makeshift studio (aka: a couch and a TV tray) between naps. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! 

Fun Friday! "Journal Zen" by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Journal Zen"

© Nancy Laliberte

mixed media

Welcome to "Fun Friday!" My new weekly feature loosely based on my kids talking about "Fun Friday" at school--where they are rewarded with something fun and different on Friday afternoon for a job well done during that week. While my two older kids are in college, I still have one in elementary school and he looks forward to it every week. Today they erupted home-made volcanoes with vinegar and baking soda. Ahhhh, to be a third-grader again.

This week is about creative journaling. I can't sing its praises enough. I have soooo much fun with it. I set the timer for 15 minutes (because otherwise I would do it all day if I wasn't mindful of the time) and work on a page or two. If I have leftover acrylic paint on my palette, I will smear it around on a page; sometimes I collage on a piece of junk mail or other ephemera I find interesting, and sometimes I just write. Time stands still for those 15 minutes. I call it "Journal Zen." This weekend, I encourage you to set the timer for 15 minutes, grab a sketchbook, notebook or scrap paper and just play. Don't think about it. Just let whatever marks you make, whatever colors you choose, whatever you write or scribble be whatever it happens to be. And enjoy the Journal Zen.

Art & Soul Creative Journaling classes

Speaking of creative journaling, this Tuesday evening is another session of my "Art & Soul Creative Journaling" class located at Wausau's Hobby Lobby classroom. This session will focus on watercolor techniques in journaling, and keeping a travel journal. All you need to bring is a journal or notebook, and I provide everything else--including "bling" watercolors and chocolate. Sweet! I always have a door prize drawing, too. It is great fun, and the time flies! Details and registration are on my website. You don't want to miss it!

Carrie Waller Fine Art Friday Feature

A HUGE thank you to artist Carrie Waller for featuring me in her weekly Friday Feature artist interview on her blog, Carrie's Creations. Carrie and I met through blogging and facebook. We share a love of motherhood and art, and the creativity neccessary to balance it all. Carrie's watercolor paintings are EXQUISITE! She paints glass and reflections like nobody's business. I love getting lost in the abstract shapes found in her work. Hop on over to her blog and website and see for yourself what I am talking about.  

Yoga + Art Workshop

Last Saturday I teamed up with my yoga teacher, Heather Van Dalfsen of  River Flow Yoga, for a Yoga + Art Workshop at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI. It was AMAZING. I was on a Yoga+Art high for two days. We are already planning another one for this summer. Let me know if you would like to get on our list. Below are a couple of images from the day, and more are posted on my studio facebook page. (While you are there, I would love it if you would hit that Like button and follow along, too.)

Every one of these paintings has a powerful story to it. 

Have a great weekend! And be sure you play in your journal or sketchbook!
Blessings, 
Nancy

"Simply Red" original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Simply Red"

© Nancy Laliberte

4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

Click here for purchase information

It has been very cold here in Wisconsin these last several days. I have had no desire to paint winter scenes when I would much rather be somewhere warm, so painting a bright, red tulip is a good start to thinking warm! This is a part of the 30 10 paintings in 30 days challenge. I started out January with the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, and on day four I realized that with all of the other work and family commitments on my calendar, 30 paintings in 30 days was not realistic for me unless I wanted to forego sleep for most of the month. Not a good option when you need to be creative; I've learned the hard way on that one. So for now, I am going for 10 paintings in 30 days, and looking forward to continuing on from there.

Other great stuff that has been a part of this month:

• My painting, "Sun-Kissed Tulips" was juried into the Riverfront Arts Center's annual Winter's Garden show. That show runs until February 17, 2013.

• I launched two new art classes, "Art & Soul Creative Journaling," and "Playing with Paint." Both of which are ongoing, monthly classes. They are very fun and I am loving the opportunity to share my passions with others. Check out my website for more details. 

• My yoga instructor and I have teamed up and are teaching a one day Yoga + Art workshop tomorrow (1/26) here in Wausau. Very excited to be a part of this workshop! I will post photos to my studio facebook fan page this weekend. And while you're at it, follow along by clicking "Like" while you are there.