Wednesday, December 17, 2014

"50 Shades of Red" original acrylic painting by artist Nancy Laliberte

© Nancy Laliberte
12" x 12" acrylic on canvas
Donation for the Center for the Visual Arts annual Art by the Food fundraiser
sold

Has this year flown by in a blink or what?! It has been a busy one filled with painting, journaling, teaching, traveling, and spending time with my family. All-in-all fantastic! 

Last Saturday was the December Playing with Paint class that I teach each month in the Wausau area. Poinsettias was the theme, and mixing up all those reds definitely put us in the holiday spirit! 
Thank you, Pam, Wilva, Jan, Carla, Audrey, and Sharon!

Audrey's painting in progress – beautiful reds supported by toned-down greens

Jan's painting in progress - vibrant reds against a peachy-pink wash of color 

Playful piles of paint calling your name...

Thank you, wonderful artists, for making this another fun year of Playing with Paint! Classes for 2015 will be starting on Saturday, January 10th. Details and registration can be found here.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

"Bring it On!" Winter Coping Skills - Artist Journal Pages by Nancy Laliberte

"Let it Snow"
© Nancy Laliberte
Artist Journal page
acrylic paint, gel pens on paper

It is only mid-November and we already have A LOT of snow. Instead of hibernating, (which isn't necessarily a bad idea, except you would miss out on some amazing winter beauty) I turn my creative journaling mojo up an extra notch or two to warm me up inside and out. It helps me TREMENDOUSLY to have fun playing with art supplies while letting anything and everything spill out while I am also filling my creative cup. 

I've included a few of my "winter coping skills" art journal pages to encourage you to try creative journaling. Even if you live in a warm and tropical climate (journal savoring the sunshine), or will be sporting wool and fleece for the next six months (journal rejoicing you have some awesome wool socks and kick@$$ fleece), fill your creative cup with some art journaling.
"Winter to Spring"
© Nancy Laliberte
Artist Journal page
watercolor, gel pens, stamps, ink on paper 
"Winter Solstice"
© Nancy Laliberte
Artist Journal page
acrylic paint, ink, stamps, gel pens on paper 


"The Journey"
© Nancy Laliberte
Artist Journal page
acrylic paint, collage, markers, gel pens on paper 

You're still with me! Sweet! I love creative journaling and will be sharing my favorite journaling techniques in two upcoming workshops in Wausau, WI, and Stevens Point, WI. Now you do not need to have any artistic skills or prior experience in journaling for these workshops - just an open mind and a desire to have fun while playing with art supplies. The Wausau workshop is this Saturday from 10 am - 2:30 pm at the Center for the Visual Arts, downtown. There is still time to register - let Rose know by Friday - 715-842-4545. The second workshop is next Saturday, November 22, from 12 noon - 4 pm in Stevens Point, WI. Give Nancy a call at the Riverfront Arts Center to register - 715-343-6251. Additional details are on my website.
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See additional artwork at www.nancylaliberte.com
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Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a class or workshop  

Thursday, November 6, 2014

"Golden Glow" original acrylic painting by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Golden Glow"
© Nancy Laliberte
14" x 11" acrylic on canvas
Sold

Oh, how I mourn the first frost and the loss of the beautiful bouquets of flowers available at the local farmer's market. I know I can get some beautiful blossoms at the florists or grocery store, but farm market flowers remind me of warm summer days and playing in the dirt. This painting was a demo started in one of my fall Playing with Paint classes where we worked from life using flowers from the local farm market, and is currently a part of the Center for the Visual Arts' Student/Volunteer show exhibiting in their Loft gallery. Stop by to view it and the other amazing work in the show, along with the exhibit, Head to Head, located in the main gallery now until November 15.
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View additional artwork at www.nancylaliberte.com
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Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a class or workshop  

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Good times when Playing with Paint

October Playing with Paint
A happy group of Artists!
Thank you, Kaye, JeriAnn, Pam, Wilva, Mary, Marlys, Jeanne, Heidi, Zoey, Carla and Elizabeth
Anyone else feel October was over in a blink?! This fall my teaching schedule has been full, in a good way. It means wonderful opportunities for sharing my love of art, and meeting amazing artists. Some may not think they are an artist, but I believe it as soon as they sign up for a class. There is something in their heart calling to them, a creative desire needing to be filled. I am always honored to be a part of their creative journey.

This Saturday is the November class of Playing with Paint. We will be painting a Cezanne-inspired still life with apples, pears and draped fabric and learning about Paul Cezanne. I love infusing painting and art history, and Cezanne is a favorite for many, myself included. Details are here.

More images from the October class...

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See additional artwork at www.nancylaliberte.com
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Monday, September 15, 2014

Because Playing with Paint is a Beautiful Thing

Those smiles say it all!
Thank you Kaye, Wilva, Linda, Liz, Jeanne, Carla, and Kathy

This past Saturday kicked off the Playing with Paint class series I teach in the Wausau, WI area. Our theme for this class was painting farm market flower bouquets from life. All I can say is what an amazing group of artists I had the honor and privilege of working with for this class. Special stories were shared, painting fears were faced, risks were taken, and in a mere three hours, beautiful paintings emerged. I am so very proud of these artists for their willingness to try something new--painting for the first time, using a BIG brush--as in a 2" wide brush ;) and for giving themselves the gift of art time to feed their creative soul. Beautiful! 

We will be Playing with Paint again on Saturday October 11. It is going to be a splashy, drippy fun time! We would love for you to join us! Details and registration are here.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Playing with Paint coming up this Saturday

© Nancy Laliberte
8" x 6" oil on panel
$150 framed
Available at the Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau WI
715.842.4545

It is Playing with Paint time! After taking the summer off from teaching, I am excited to be starting up my monthly acrylic painting class, Playing with Paint, this Saturday from 10 am - 1 pm. Our theme for this session is farm market flower bouquets. 

Class is held at the Rib Mountain Hobby Lobby classroom on the second Saturday of each month, September through May. It is open to all levels from never painted before to experienced in painting, but want to try a new medium or just wanting to paint with others. All you need to bring is an 11 x 14 canvas. I supply everything else (paints, brushes, palette, clean up), including chocolate, and almonds (to justify eating the chocolate). Works for me! :)

Details and registration are here, but feel free to email me if you have any additional questions. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you are "playing with paint" and the pressure is off, and the focus is on having fun! Try something new, come join us...

Thursday, August 21, 2014

"Golden Days" original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

 Golden Days
© Nancy Laliberte
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
sold

The midwest landscape of August is filled with such yummy color. I have been thoroughly enjoying the field patterns of golds and greens paired up with the beautiful skies we have been having (when it has not been raining), and punctuated with a few extra spots of color. 

It reminds me of my childhood growing up on a Wisconsin farm and soaking up those last days of summer while running around barefoot with the cool grass under my feet, the golden sun warming my skin, and seeing all of the field patterns created by the hard-working farmers, my father included. These images are etched in my mind and in my heart. I love bringing them out with paint just as one might pull out a favorite photo album filled with pictures of the past. 

Keep enjoying your summer, and be sure to spend some time running around barefoot in the grass before the snow flies ;)

Thank you for being a part of my art journey, 
you are appreciated!
Nancy
side view

Thursday, August 14, 2014

"Winter on the Farm" original painting by artist Nancy Laliberte

Winter on the Farm
© Nancy Laliberte
Sold
4" x 4" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

Continuing the exploration of barns and farms in the landscape. I am definitely not wishing for an early winter, but we have had some beautiful blue skies here lately which greatly influenced my color palette. 

side view

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

"Summer on the Farm" original painting by Nancy Laliberte

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

A petite peinture of one of my favorite themes - barns and farms in the landscape. I never tire of exploring shape, color, and light in painting. I love asking myself questions throughout the process, "What if I put down transparent colors first..., what is that shape of color I see..., does that color lean towards red or blue..." It is wonderful to be inquisitive and ask questions along the way whether it is in painting, gardening, traveling, fixing things, you name it. You just never know what you may discover or where your next question will lead you. Being curious is a wonderful part of the journey.

side view

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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Summer Fun with a "Practice Run"

"Practice Run"
© Nancy Laliberte
6" x 8" oil on panel (plein-air)
Sold

Summer is in full swing and it is fabulous! After the long winter we had, every warm and sunny day sure feels like a gift. In between soaking up some extra Vitamin D and having fun outdoors, if you are in the Wausau area this weekend, be sure to stop in at the Center for the Visual Arts (427 N Fourth St, downtown Wausau) and check out the Transitions Gallery space where I have this painting and other plein air and studio pieces exhibiting through Sunday, July 13. There are a lot of great events happening in Wausau this weekend, so make it a day of summer fun.
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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect and follow along with the studio on 
Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Join me tonight from 5 - 7 pm at the Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI

"The Family Farm"
© Nancy Laliberte
18" x 24" acrylic on canvas
Sold

Remembering life on "The Family Farm"...please join me tonight from 5 - 7 pm at the opening reception of my exhibit of plein air and studio paintings in the Transitions Gallery space at the Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Wausau. Also taking place tonight at the CVA is the opening reception to Craig Blietz's, "Farm to Table" show in the main gallery, and the 7th Congressional Art Competition in the Loft Gallery. All in all, It will be a great opportunity to view and talk art. See you there!
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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect and follow along with the studio on 
Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Savoring a "Coffee and Donuts" kind of day

"Coffee and Donuts"
© Nancy Laliberte
8" x 8" acrylic on panel
available

A coffee flavored cupcake with a donut on top – perfect for savoring the sweet things in life, and all of the colorful sprinkles that go with it.

For me, the sweet part is:  painting the cupcake and sharing it with all of you ;)
click here to view and purchase

Monday, June 2, 2014

"I Hope You Dance" original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

"I Hope You Dance"
© Nancy Laliberte
11" x 14" acrylic on canvas
sold

Visiting a favorite theme of trees and treelines albeit a bit more abstractly. I love the movement and color of this piece. It reminds me of the dawn of a new day, and of good things to come. 
Here's to a "I Hope You Dance" kind of day!
click here to view and purchase

Thursday, May 22, 2014

"Poppy Love," original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Poppy Love"
© Nancy Laliberte
11" x 14" acrylic on canvas
sold


Spring has definitely arrived in Wisconsin! Between painting, gardening, and family activities, life has been full of my favorite things. The poppies in my garden are not blooming just yet, but in this painting they are, and you and I are just about to sit down to enjoy a lovely picnic while soaking up some sunshine and eye-candy color! 

This painting is one of several pieces I have available in a two-person show with artist David Kapszukiewicz at the Center for the Visual Arts Transitions Gallery in Wausau, WI. Be sure to stop in and check it out between now and July 13, 2014. Fresh, new pieces will be added each week, and some may be there for just a limited time. 

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Creative Journaling: Sharing the Love...

"Sweet!" 
© Nancy Laliberte
 ink and watercolor journal page

On Saturday, March 22nd, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach a creative journaling mini-workshop at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. The class was comprised of a very fun and creative group of artists who loved learning and giving their own spin to some of my favorite journaling techniques. Loved it! 

We got our creativity flowing with a couple of writing exercises, moved on to sketching and watercolor techniques, followed by designing our own stencils and learning handy tips and techniques for working our pages in stages, and then put it all together in creating beautiful and unique journal entries during some studio time.  

Here are a few pictures from the class...

 After creating handmade stencils, the fun begins by building up 
layers of shapes, texture and color

Found and hand-made stencils layered with drawing and doodling

Bring on the layers--a journal page with watercolor, acrylics, printing, 
handmade stencils, and purchased stencils 

Tissue paper transforming into painted paper for future collage or journal work

By the end of the day, one of my demo pages had evolved into a journal page. I will add more to it, but so far I am liking the layers and lighter color palette.

I will be teaching this again at a later date in the fall at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau. The dates will be announced on my blog and website, and it will be in the CVA newsletter.  
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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect and follow along with the studio on 
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Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop 

Monday, April 7, 2014

"For Kristin and Nick," original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

For Kristin and Nick
© Nancy Laliberte
9" x 12" acrylic
sold

This is the third commissioned wedding gift painting I did for a client last summer. You can read about the other two here and here. My client's family is very outdoorsy and this couple was no exception. Supplied with reference material of the bride and groom from some of their trips together, and of their personal interests, I worked up several different compositions and color options. A design was then selected that best reflected the couple's personalities. It was so much fun painting the warm and cool colors of the mountains, and infusing some extra bits of color into the trees. I have pine trees outside my studio window, and I love seeing all of the beautiful colors in them as the light changes throughout the day.


the bride and groom's names worked into the distant trees of the mountain

their wedding date "carved" into the mountainside

This was another delightful project of which to be a part. I really appreciated the enthusiasm of my client; I loved the subject matter and working with the chosen color palette, and getting to know the couple in a round about way. I wish them a lifetime of happiness together! 

I am working on some new paintings – for a wedding, and a graduation - that I will later reveal, but if you would like to commission a special gift for someone, just let me know. I would love to help make it happen.  
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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
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class or workshop 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

"For Ashley and Dan" original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

 For Ashley and Dan
© Nancy Laliberte
9" x 12" acrylic
sold
As mentioned in my post from Monday, last summer I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful client who commissioned several paintings for wedding gifts. This piece was created for an outdoorsy and adventurous couple with ties to Door County, WI. My client provided me with several photos to use as inspiration. Those images, combined with some of my own from Door County, were used to create the final piece. Their names and wedding date were subtly worked into the painting that only became noticeable upon a closer view--kind of like a happy surprise for the couple. Totally my client's idea which I think was awesome!

the names of the groom and bride written in the sand (so romantic!)

 their wedding date in the ripples of the water (even more romantic!) 

There is always a wonderful story behind commissions and the people involved. I loved being a part of this gift, and by the end, I felt a connection with the newlyweds even though we had never met. That is one of the special things I enjoy about painting and the opportunity to share my art with others. 

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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
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Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop 

Monday, March 24, 2014

"A New Day" original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

 "A New Day"
[ for Megan and Drew ]
© Nancy Laiberte
14" x 11"
acrylic
sold
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to paint and share my art with others. Even better is when I get to share my love of art through painting commissions for wedding gifts. Definitely feeling the LOVE with those! Last summer I had the opportunity to work with an awesome client who had several family weddings on her calendar. As an art fan and collector, she wanted to give these special people in her life a unique and personal gift - a piece of original art. She shared with me her ideas of what she had in mind and allowed me to take them and paint away. 

Using the landscape motif, this painting conveys the newlywed's love of the outdoors and sense of adventure. A personal touch was added by working in the couple's first names, last name, and wedding date with brushstrokes of paint in a subtle way that becomes visible upon closer viewing of the painting. Credit for that goes to my client. I told you she is awesome!

 the first names of the groom and bride located in the foreground pine trees

  their last name in the tree line at the top of the rocks

and their wedding date is in the foreground shadow area of the rocks

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this commission, and always welcome projects like this. If you are looking for a special piece of artwork for a gift or for yourself, just shoot me an email lalibertefineart@gmail.com - to get started.

take care,
Nancy
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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect and follow along with the studio on 
Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop