Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

"The Light of the World"
© Nancy Laliberte
20" x 24" acrylic on canvas
Private Collection

Wishing everyone a blessed Merry Christmas
and Peace on Earth.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Blooming for the Weekend

"Echinacea Bloom"
© Nancy Laliberte
5" x 5" acrylic on paper
$50, matted to fit an 11" x 14" frame


A must-have for your garden. I love how these flowers attract butterflies in the summer and provide a seed snack for birds in the winter. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

More from the Charrette

"Floral Study"
© Nancy Laliberte
10" x 8" oil on canvas panel

Continuing to work with the water-soluable oil paints, my good friend and fellow artist, Val Berkely and I, decided to follow an exercise from the book, Painting with Water-Soluable Oils by Sean Dye. Kevin Macpherson is a featured artist in the book so we followed his painting exercise to help us get a feel for working loosely and with lots of paint. In the end, our pieces didn't look like Kevin's but we had fun trying! My painting ended up looking better upside down, and somewhere hidden under the layers is a vase that is, well, upside down.

"Block Study"
© Nancy Laliberte
8" x 10" oil on panel

A block study exercise adapted from Susan Sarback's book, Capturing Radiant Color in Oils. Susan studied with Henry Hensche at the Cape Cod School of Art. One of the artists featured in the book is John Ebersberger, whom I had the opportunity to study with in 2004. That was my first introduction to seeing color and palette knife painting. To this day I still remember, "light plane, shadow plane." Block studies are a great exercise in seeing color and breaking down the masses with more color--something I think I could have pushed more in the painting. This piece was done primarily with a palette knife with a bit of brushwork at the end.

A good charrette always includes some art videos and our favorite was Larry Seiler's Painting a Waterfalls in Oils. Larry is a high school art instructor and all I can say is he has some lucky kids. His video was very complete and he does a great job explaining palette colors, design, brushwork and more. Check out his blog and website for more painting tips and other good stuff.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thankful

"Pumpkin Worthy"
© Nancy Laliberte
6" x 8" oil on panel
Sold
I have one can of pumpkin and several pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin cookies? Pumpkin bread? Pumpkin cheesecake? Pumpkin pie (can't get enough!)? Pumpkin right out of the can? (My friend Suzanne's favorite!) They are ALL "Pumpkin Worthy!"
Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. The best part was listening to my children say what they were thankful for: family and being together.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Charrette

"Apple Pair"
© Nancy Laliberte
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel
$95
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to partake in a painting charrette with my good friend and fellow artist Val Berkely. A charrette is often referred to an intense period of work by one person or a group of people prior to a deadline. Val has a cabin on the south shore of Lake Superior near Ironwood, MI. In her cabin is a 12 foot long table which makes a great space for a temporary studio. While we didn't have any specific deadlines, we did have a focus and an intense period of work. Our focus was to experiment with water-soluable oil paints, specifically the Cobra brand and its mediums. It took a little getting use to, but we liked the paints; I loved being able to blend and work alla prima. We did not care for the mediums made by Cobra---too smelly and gave me a headache and Val itchy eyes. The apple painting was a piece I did with the Cobra paints, minimal water and no mediums.

While we waited for the in-floor heating to get up to temp, I successfully started a fire in the stove--on the first try. Might have to audition for Survivor or something.

A whole new spin to "painting warm-ups."

Monday, November 22, 2010

For Good Health

"An Apple a Day"
© Nancy Laliberte
6" x 6" acrylic on archival paper

An apple a day, a painting a day...

Friday, November 12, 2010

Busy Fun

"Gather ’Round"
© Nancy Laliberte
5" x 4" watercolor on paper

Been having all kinds of busy fun this past week! Isn't that what life is all about? :-) Busy fun included a watercolor workshop, an Excel class, the conclusion of Where We Live, disassembling the show, delivering paintings to Riverfront Art Center in Stevens Point, WI for their holiday show, delivering paintings to the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau for their holiday gift gallery and selling some more art--thank you collector friend! This painting is from the watercolor workshop I took at the Woodson Art Museum. I am vamping up my sketchbook journaling and travel journaling so a morning spent on watercolor techniques was very inspiring.

Speaking of Where We Live, I just want to thank my family at home--Nicholas, for your energy, enthusiasm and love of art; Erika, for all of your help with Nicholas and other "stuff;" and Mike, for your support, stability, and love; my family afar (you know who you are); my friends; the CVA staff; collectors who were touched enough by my work to give it a home--their home; and to my fellow artists and partners-in-crime, Val Berkely and Chris Mosse--you're both awesomely creative and I was honored to be in your company. Thanks everyone!
I love you all!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Last 4 Days...

Take a break from your busy day and enjoy some colorful art therapy...

Now through Sunday, November 7th, you can view my most recent paintings along with the work of Wausau artists, Val Berkely and Chris Mosse at the Center for the Visual Arts, 427 4th Street, Wausau. Gallery hours are 10 am - 5 pm Thursday and Friday, and noon - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

One More

Sous La Tonelle II
(Under the Arbor II)
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD

And in the gallery...with Val Berkely's grape portraits and Chris Mosse's hand-painted cabinet. Chris' cabinet has a very cool tree painting on the inside. The cabinet can fit bar/glassware or DVDs and CDs. It has been pure delight working with Val and Chris and the CVA staff on this show, Where We Live.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Putting it all Together

Sous La Tonelle I
(Under the Arbor)
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD

It's funny how some paintings brew in your mind or subconscious for a while, perhaps years, and then something occurs, a trigger of some sort, where it all comes together and ends up on canvas. This painting was inspired by photos I took a few years ago of my brother Joe's grape arbor, by my parents' love of wine-making, and my desire to bring that all together visually.

From Where We Live, currently showing at the Center for the Visual Arts gallery in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Inspiration and Joy

"Lily Reaching"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD

From the where we live exhibit at the Center for the Visual Arts gallery in Wausau, now through November 7, 2010. Something I have always wanted to paint: water lilies. Paint what inspires you. It will bring you joy.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Family Trees and More

"Family Tree V"
© Nancy Laliberte
7" x 5" Acrylic on archival paper, matted
Available

"Family Tree VI"
© Nancy Laliberte
7" x 5" Acrylic on archival paper, matted
Available

"Family Tree VII"
© Nancy Laliberte
7" x 5" Acrylic on archival paper, matted
nfs
Some daily paintings from the last couple of days painted during my "Artist in Residence" stint at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. I am usually there from Tue-Fri 10:30 am until 2:30 pm happily painting away, greeting gallery guests and talking art. Very fun!
and More...
A big THANK YOU to Wausau Daily Herald photographer Corey Schjoth for stopping by this afternoon and taking photos of our show. You can click here to view.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Variation of a Theme

"Beckoning"
© Nancy Laliberte
24" x 36" acrylic on canvas
$1,200 framed
Available

And the tree fix continues...
I started this painting by toning the canvas with a cadmium orange. Then, every time I cleaned my palette I added more brush strokes and blobs of paint. I just kept layering and layering, changing this and that, adding more paint, layering some more, and then finally I started seeing what I had been envisioning... color and lots of it. On view now at Where We Live at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

For the Love of Trees

"In the Morning"
© Nancy Laliberte
10" x 10" Acrylic on archival paper
Sold


"Afternoon Glow"
© Nancy Laliberte
10" x 10" Acrylic on archival paper
Sold

We have been having absolutely gorgeous weather lately. Peak fall color is past us and now the leaves are falling like golden snowflakes from the trees. I love painting trees. Perhaps it is a metaphor of connecting to the earth, or for family, I'm not really sure. Regardless, I enjoy their shapes, gestures, personalities and color.
From my three person show, where we live, now on view at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI, our "hall" filled with color. Also featured is Chris Mosse's handpainted furniture and Val Berkely's paintings. If you are in the Wausau area, please stop by. The show is delightfully colorful and happy and that is a great place to be.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Barns and Farms

"The Family Farm"
© Nancy Laliberte
18" x 24" Acrylic on canvas
$800, framed
Available at the Center for Visual Arts, Wausau WI

This painting was inspired by my Irish grandparents farm near Wilton, WI. I love the hills and valleys and farm fields of that area. It is a beautiful part of the state!

And from my current show, where we live, at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau WI, a grouping of farm and field paintings. I guess I am a farm girl at heart. ;-)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October Painting Challenge

"Reflecting"
© Nancy Laliberte
10" x 8" Acrylic on canvas panel
sold

I really enjoy listening to the Artists Helping Artists weekly blog radio show hosted by Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry. Each month they issue a painting challenge to anyone who is interested. This month is October and since I love landscapes and fall colors, which we have plenty of right now in Wisconsin, this is my contribution to the challenge. Will a turkey dinner still life be next up for November? Hmmm, could be kind of fun actually...

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Complete Garden

"Square Foot Garden ~ Zucchini"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold


Zucchini falls under the "Summer Squash" category and personally, I love summer and winter squash. Summer squash for salads, stir fry, dipping in ranch dressing, lasagna, you name it; and winter squash for mixing it with cinnamon, butter and maple syrup. It makes my mouth water just typing!
And as promised, the whole square foot garden on view at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI.
Square Foot Garden Series
© Nancy Laliberte

Saturday, October 2, 2010

A Foot of Flowers

"Square Foot Garden ~ Nasturtiums"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
sold

A classic edible flower for the garden – nasturtiums. I have not tried them myself, but I have heard that they have a "slightly sweet, strangely peppery flavor." So now I am curious, and am definitely planting them in my garden next year. I love the flowers and I love the curly tendrils – very organic and flowing. And I think the blossom would look lovely on a cupcake. ;-)

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sweet Stawberries

"Square Foot Garden ~ Strawberries"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold

The "model" for this piece was my brother Joe's strawberry bed. My family and I usually time a visit when it's picking time. We all love strawberries so we pick plenty for jam and freezing for a winter treat. I am not sure how successful strawberries would be in a square foot garden since they like to "wander." This is where artistic license trumps practicality. Now where is my smoothie?
Don't forget~tomorrow from 5 - 7 pm is the gallery gala house warming party for where we live at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau. You'll be able to see the entire square foot garden series along with the rest of the show, and the collaborative painting Val, Chris and I have been working on all week!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Colorful Greens

"Square Foot Garden ~ Mesclun Mix"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold

Hmmm, I could just cut these greens, add a few walnuts and strawberries, or maybe some dried cranberries, a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil, a twist of fresh ground pepper...

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

You Say To-may-to, I Say To-mah-to

"Square Foot Garden ~ Tomatoes"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold
 
Another "square" from my Square Foot Garden series in Where We Live at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. Tomatoes are a must have in my garden. As a child, I once ate so many tomatoes I became very ill. Still love them anyway. We have had some chilly nights here recently and I have been covering up my tomatoes. There a few left on the vine trying to ripen and I am not ready to relinquish them to Jack Frost!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Colors of the Garden

"Square Foot Garden ~ Turnips"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold

Interestingly enough, the colorful veggies that are so good for you to eat also make great painting subjects!
On another note, these last few weeks as I finished up my studio work, I listened to Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland which I borrowed from my local library. While I did not need an incentive to get to my studio to paint (I had a show deadline!), audio books make a great studio companion when you want a change from music. It was a great story and I love art history.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Square Foot Gardening

"Square Foot Garden ~ Eggplant"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold

I first learned about square foot gardening from an article in City Pages, Wausau's weekly entertainment newspaper. Basically, you take a garden plot or raised bed and divide it into 1 foot by 1 foot sections. With proper planning and planting, you can grow a lot of vegetables in a small space. With this series, I am gardening vicariously through painting.

Fresh From the Garden

"Square Foot Garden ~ Chives"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold 

Gotta love those chives! Hardy, tasty, and easy to grow, their shape and color is a nice complement in the garden. This painting is a part of the Square Foot Garden series in Where We Live now on view at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI.

Friday, September 24, 2010

All Moved In!

"Square Foot Garden ~ Carrots"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-3/8"
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold

After two days of "moving in," Where We Live opens today. Valerie Berkely, Chris Mosse and I have turned the Center for Visual Arts gallery into a home. From the kid's room to the kitchen, the dining room to the office, we even have a backyard with a square foot garden! Stop by "Where We Live;" you don't even have to call first or take off your shoes. ;-)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Opening Friday, September 24th...


Where We Live
September 24 thru November 7, 2010
427 4th St • Wausau WI • 715.842.4545

Gallery Gala (aka House Warming Party)
Friday Oct. 1, 5 - 7 pm

Home is where the art is. Three Wausau artists present their passion for the painted surface. Valerie Berkely, Nancy Laliberte, and Chris Mosse each depict how they live in a world of art by turning the gallery into a living space. You may want to move in!

Artists in Residence
During regular gallery hours, stop by where we live to see the artists in action. Find out how they do what they do through live painting demos and gallery talks.
_____________________________________

Hope you can join us for the "house warming party" or any time during the show. It is going to be colorful and fun! After all, it is where we live...

Back in the Garden

"Turnips in the Garden"
© Nancy Laliberte
5.75" x 5.75"
Acrylic on panel
$65

Another study for my Square Foot Garden series. It has been very helpful for me to draw thumbnails and paint small studies before working on larger pieces. It's a great way to get loosened up and try new things.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Pinch Me...Robert Bateman Painting Demo

This weekend the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI, kicked off the opening of their 35th annual Birds in Art show. To celebrate the anniversary of this prestigious exhibit, the Woodson invited several artists to demonstrate their techniques. I was one of the lucky ones to watch Canadian artist, Robert Bateman demonstrate his magic with acrylic paints. Using a pine tree on the grounds as his reference, Mr. Bateman went on to add a banded owl. He loves painting people and animals, with predatory animals being his favorite. "Probably a guy thing," he says.

Backlighting is one of his favorites, as is a limited palette.

Looks like the paparazzi found me again. ;-)
Thank you Robert Bateman for the delightfully inspiring day!

Friday, September 10, 2010

I'd Like a Salad, Please

"Mesclun Mix"
© Nancy Laliberte
5.75" x 5.75"
Acrylic on panel
$65

Not wanting you all to think I only paint (and eat!) cupcakes, I changed things up a bit and tackled lettuce. Not ordinary iceberg, but the good, healthy stuff! The more colorful the better (and better for you) is what I say. Even my 7-year-old will eat spinach or romaine greens on his sandwich. We just call it "lettuce" otherwise he probably wouldn't eat it. But I digress...this piece is a study for a larger painting for my "Square Foot Garden" series, all of which are 12" x 12". Yes, a square foot. I knew you would get it. ;-)