Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas to all...

"The Light of the World"
© Nancy Laliberte
acrylic on canvas
private collection

Merry Christmas everyone! 
Enjoy time with the special people in your life during this magical season. Here are a couple of mine... 

Blessings and peace to all.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Petite Peinture: Love–Nest for Two

"Love-Nest for Two"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD

A piece commissioned by some long time collectors. I won't mention names because at this time of year, most commission pieces are gifts for someone. And, I am not about to rain on Santa's parade. 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Sketchbook Saturday: What's for Dinner?

"What's for Dinner? 
Oriental Chicken Salad"
© Nancy Laliberte
sketchbook journal page
canson sketchbook, Pilot V Ball pen and Yarka pan watercolors

Sometimes you just have to eat something other than Chex mix, Christmas cookies and chocolate. Just saying.  

I'm enjoying a wonderful, early Christmas weekend with my family including my oldest son who is home from college, and my parents. I hope you are having a great weekend, too.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Petite Peinture: As Evening Falls

"As Evening Falls"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD

profile view

A midwest sky making a big impact on a small canvas. A special request from special collectors--thank you M & S ;-)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Joyful Journey

"The Power of Pink II"
© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" x 1-1/2" collage on wood panel

detail of "The Power of Pink II"

Trying new things, experimenting, and asking "what if" are all a part of my creative journey. A journey that I never take for granted. Art and the making of art is so much a part of me, I would be a lost soul without it. It is a part of my story. "The Power of Pink" is a piece that will be hanging in the Aspirus Women's Health department at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Several weeks back I facilitated an art project with a group of amazing women at a breast health event at the hospital. As a breast cancer survivor, this was a special experience in my joyful journey of art. By painting, stamping, doodling and writing our stories, we created collage paper as unique as each one of us. Back at my studio, I took the collage paper and piece by piece, layer by layer, "The Power of Pink" came to life. 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Petite Peinture: In the Nest

 "In the Nest"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD 


This egg is looking mighty cozy all wrapped up in a colorful nest.  Petite Peintures make the perfect gift for any one and every one on your holiday gift list.  

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Petite Peinture: Nest for Two

"Nest for Two"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD
Weaving bits of color around and throughout, I feel like a mama bird making a nest while painting these. Ironically, I think about my kids, too, and how each one is special in their own wonderful way. Life is a beautiful thing.
   
Currently I have my work in four different shows and venues, and I am thrilled to announce that over the weekend, I received Best of Show for my painting "Beckoning" in the Up North Seasons exhibit currently on view at the Howard Young Art Gallery in Woodruff, WI.


This is a new gallery (and a new venue for me) located inside the Howard Young Medical Center. Howard Young was an avid art collector and staff and volunteers wanted to continue his legacy of his love for art. The gallery opened this past summer under the curatorship of artist Christine Alfery. At the opening reception, I had the opportunity to visit with old and new artist friends. I love that part. :-)


Here I am with the very energetic, tireless art cheerleader, and amazing artist Christine Alfery. If you have a copy of the December issue of the Artist's magazine, Christine is listed as a finalist in their annual art competition. Check out her work, it is pure joy! 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Settling in

 "Nest for Three"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
SOLD

With the leaves off of the trees, it is amazing all of the birds nests now visible that had been previously hidden from view. While the eggs are long gone, it reminds me of how we tend to "nest" in the warmth of our cozy homes in winter. And maybe because we received our first major snowfall of the season, I'm feeling a lot like nesting. Or at least until the trails are ready for cross-country skiing!

This painting and several others from my Petite Peinture series are available at the Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Wausau, WI. Just stop in or give them a call at 715-842-4545 and they will take care of you. Petite Peintures are perfect for holiday gift-giving, ie: hostess gifts, teacher gifts, Secret Santa, and even for your own stocking! 

Each painting can sit on a shelf or table top and is also wired for hanging.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

One Day in June

"Ridge View"
© Nancy Laiberte
11" x 14" oil on canvas panel
available

One day in June...
on a very windy day, I started this painting out in a field in Wisconsin. It was so windy the paint would dry before I could get my brush to the canvas. Somehow I managed to lay in a few color notes and basic shapes. Fast forward months later when the ground is brown and the trees are leafless, I relive one day in June, in my studio, with no wind, and plenty of time to move paint from palette to canvas. While I love the comfort of my studio, there is something to be said for being out in the field, being in the moment and painting. 

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween

"Pumpkin Worthy"
© Nancy Laliberte
6" x 8" oil on panel
Sold

It wouldn't be Halloween without pumpkins. This time of year, I crave pumpkin pie, apple pie and all things cinnamon and spice. And coffee. And chocolate. Wait, those last two are year-round cravings. Oh well.



And continuing in the spirit of Halloween, over the weekend my family and a friend carved up some Halloween fun. Three jack-o-lanterns now grace our front steps. We had a good time and my youngest is pretty stoked about heading out this evening for some trick-or-treating fun. He and a buddy are going as the Kratt brothers from the PBS show, "Wild Kratts."   

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Poppy Glow and more...

 "Poppy Glow"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas
sold
 side view

In my previous post I talked about being open to new opportunities. Recently I was asked to judge the 2011 Colorama art show for the Wisconsin Visual Artist's Guild. They are a very talented group of artists who show their work at the Reaching New Heights gallery inside Marshfield Clinic in Weston, WI, among other venues. Last Friday evening they had the awards ceremony, and a fundraiser for Marshfield Clinic's cancer research foundation. 


Every time I judge a show, I come away with an even deeper appreciation of what it takes to create, not only quality  and meaningful art, but art in general. Every piece is a part of you. And that is pretty amazing. 

Pictured here is Sharon Dowis receiving the Best of Show award for her piece, "My Kids." Sharon also won an Honorable Mention award for her photography. 

Here, Cindy Markowski receives a second place award for her painting, "Coloration: Nuthatches." Cindy has also had her work in the Woodson Art Museum's international Birds in Art show.


Thank you to the Wisconsin Visual Artist's Guild for the opportunity to be a part of your event! And a big THANK YOU to artist Sharon Feathers who provided these photos of the evening, and also received First Place for her piece, "Lost Hopes and Dreams."  


Click here to check out the Guild's blog and a complete listing of winners from the show.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Being open to opportunity

Earlier this year a physician friend from Aspirus Wausau Hospital approached me about being a guest artist for a women's breast health event she was planning for October. As a woman, wife, mother, artist, and breast cancer survivor, I did not hesitate. Of course, I would help out and direct an art project as one of the sessions. I came up with the idea of a collage as it could incorporate journaling, doodling, painting, stamping, in other words a variety of techniques for all levels of "artists." I also contacted Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson (queen of collage), ordered her DVD and got started.

I painted a slew of collage papers prior to the event to experiment (what a blast!), and to have some on hand for participants who, perhaps, would be "shy" about actually painting. There are always a few in the mix. ;-)

 I worked with five different groups of gals over the course of the evening. They came up with some pretty amazing collage papers that included journaling, doodling, painting and stamping. I am so proud and excited about the results--they are works of art in and of themselves.

 Prior to the event I made an acrylic under painting on a 1-1/2" cradled wood panel from American Easel ordered from Blick. I had never used these before and I really like them!

The work in progress, incorporating collage papers made by "artists" from Aspirus Wausau Hospital's "Goin' Out for the Girls" event. I'll continue to post this as it progresses.

And, here is Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson's blog link, Paper Paintings. Her work and her life story are both pretty amazing!

Check back tomorrow and I'll have another post about being open to opportunity.
Have a great day!
N

Thursday, October 6, 2011

For Maisie

"A Sunny Day for Maisie"
© NancyLaliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
NFS

My step-daughter and her husband had a baby girl on Tuesday. Being the biased grandmother that I am, I have to admit little Maisie is beautiful! And, like my other two grandchildren, Maisie is now also an art collector. You're never too young to appreciate art.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Petite Peinture: Vacation Sky

 "Vacation Sky"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

With a few beach combing finds...

Do sunrises and sunsets seem to be the most beautiful ever when we are on vacation? Is it because we are intentionally slowing down and savoring every moment away from the daily routine? I say, pause and take the time to make every sunrise or sunset a vacation sky.

Perfect for yourself or gift-giving, all of the petite peinture paintings are wired for hanging or can be displayed on a shelf or table top.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Petite Peinture: Heavenly

"Heavenly"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

From the Petite Peinture Sky series, sharing what I see. 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Petite Peinture: After the Storm

"After the Storm"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on canvas
sold

...a nice vignette with your favorite farm toy...

A landscape today to change things up a bit after painting several fruit still lifes. I have to say, I love painting landscapes. Actually, I just love PAINTING. It doesn't matter what it is. Including the red flag thing-a-ma-bob on the mail box. Which is one of the things I painted today even though it was on hubby's to-do list and not mine. But since life is all about trade-offs, he kindly unloaded the dishwasher for me.  : )

And before I forget, a big "Thank You" to my prop man, Nicholas, for providing me with the blue tractor for today's second photo. 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Petite Peinture: Cherry Love

"Cherry Love"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Sold 


When I set up this still life, I intentionally selected these two cherries because of the way their stems curled, and put my light in an overhead position so I could put them in the "spotlight." 

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Petite Peinture: Apple Cherry

 "Apple Cherry"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on canvas
Sold

Another in my Petite Peinture series. These paintings can be hung on the wall or they also look great on a shelf. It's the perfect gift for for any occasion.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Hi-Ho Cherry-O

"Hi-Ho Cherry-O"
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas / $33 plus s/h
SOLD

After a while, these little guys seem to take on a life of their own. Thank you to my daughter Erika for providing the title to this piece. :-)

Monday, September 5, 2011

Something to Talk About

"Something to Talk About"
© Nancy Laliberte
SOLD

Cherries have been my go-to favorite lately not only for eating, but also as a painting subject. It seems my family enjoys them immensely, as well. There have been a few times the cherries are gone before I get them to my studio. Which is why you haven't seen a whole lot of cherry paintings thus far. Don't worry, more are coming this week.

One more thing, please keep my dear, artist friend Carol Marine and her family in your prayers. They lost their home and studio to a fire over the weekend. Thankfully, they escaped, but have suffered a great deal of loss, nonetheless.



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




Friday, August 26, 2011

It's a Wonderful Life continued

 


Apple studies

Some more goodies from the Carol Marine workshop I attended earlier this month. I did a few of these to keep practicing the concepts we were learning. 


Three Cherries value study
5" x 4"

I did a few of these, too, to work on seeing values. One can never practice these enough, IMO.


Door County night life includes miniature golfing in case you didn't know. We had so much fun and Carol hit the most incredible, wackiest hole-in-one I ever did see.  


For my wall of fame :-) Thanks Carol for a fabulous week!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It's a Wonderful Life

Apple Pair
© Nancy Laliberte
oil on panel

In my last post, I mentioned I was headed to Door County, WI, for a painting workshop with Carol Marine. WOW what a workshop! would be the best way to summarize it. Carol is an amazing teacher. Somehow in the way she explains concepts, she knows the right analogies that work for my brain. I had A LOT of aha! moments. Now, I need a few months for my hand and eye to catch up with my brain and I am actually very excited about that-- The Process! WooHoo! Thanks, Carol!

Apple Pair is the first painting I did at the workshop. It was all about incorporating shapes, saturated color, highlights, shadows, edges, transitions, and about 500 other things you need to remember in painting. I think Carol was going easy on us as she wanted to make sure we would come back the next day. ;-) 

Time(d) for Apples
© Nancy Laliberte
oil on panel

A timed painting exercise in getting the essence of our subject in one or two strokes per color. Not as easy as you may think, but really fun and challenging. 

Genius at Work

Carol's Completed Demo Painting

Note the handy panel holder the painting sits on--check out Carol's blog on how to get one of those. It really makes working on a 6 x 6 surface so much easier. 

I will include more about the workshop in my next post--which will be this month yet. I think my summer travels are over. It's been a sweet time filled with family and art!