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. 

______________________________

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 

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
____________________________

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, March 21, 2014

I heART Journaling – Travel Journaling

My family loves to travel, and I love combining traveling with journaling. Sure, I take a lot of photos, too, but there is nothing like taking a little more time and sketching and writing about what you see and feel along the way. You will find you'll remember so much more than what a photo shows. Looking at the sketch of my Caprese salad from a recent trip, I distinctly remember the taste of the creamy mozzarella cheese, the basil, the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar, not to mention how the salad was artfully plated. Vacation memories!

A fun sketch from a trip to Galena, Illinois, last summer. Downtown Galena has several blocks of fun shops. While my husband was golfing, my kids (Erika and Nicholas) and I went "exploring and adventuring" visiting various shops, and enjoying some treats along the way.  

This entry was from several years ago, and I am including it to show another way of recording a trip by using a timeline/calendar approach. It's a quick and simple way to journal and capture some great memories. It lends itself to daily journaling, too.

Journaling on the go - my travel journaling kit. Depending on the activity, I pare it down even more to just a pen, travel watercolor kit, and waterbrush. Here is an entry from a trip last year where I go into more detail about it.

Tomorrow I will be teaching a journaling class from 12 noon - 4 pm at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. While we won't be traveling, I will be sharing the techniques I use when travel journaling. I believe in hands-on learning, so there will also be a number of writing and mixed media exercises including stencil-making, and making your own mini-journal--perfect for traveling! There is room for a few more peeps--we are so lucky they have such a nice, big studio space!--just register with the CVA by stopping in or calling 715-842-4545. 



_____________________

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, March 19, 2014

I heART Journaling - Mixed Media Creativity

© Nancy Laliberte
Mixed media journal page 

I love creative journaling. It is my artist playground/science laboratory/question and curiosity workplace. Some days I work in mixed media, some days watercolor, and some days it's all about drawing, doodling or writing. Today's post features a few of my mixed media journal pages. The mixed media pages are a "grab bag" of mediums and materials, thoughts and images, often with many layers, and worked on for only 10-15 minutes at a time. The page featured above includes free writing, layers of left over paint, some stencil testing and printing, doodling, more writing and collage. 

Free writing followed by layers of paint and some stenciling
 a plethora of text ephemera
my son's homework turned into collage paper for mixed media work

if your sketchbook doesn't come with a pocket, make one! A fast and easy technique  
is to tear a page in half and tape it along the bottom and side to the next page. 
pockets are a great place for stashing bits and pieces of ephemera and other goodies

I hope these pages inspire you to give creative journaling a try. Just grab a notebook or sketchbook, a pen or crayon, and put down a line or shape, or write a word, and let yourself have fun. Remember, everything you do is right! 

If you want to learn more, I will be teaching a mini-workshop, MORE Creative Journaling for Busy People, this Saturday, March 22, 12 noon - 4 pm, at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. There will be lots of hands-on painting, drawing and writing exercises. Plus, learn how to make your own stencils, mini journal, and tips on working on your journal pages in stages for just a few minutes each day. Register with the CVA by stopping in or calling 715-842-4545.
_____________________

See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect with the studio on 
Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

"Full of Sunshine" original acrylic painting by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Full of Sunshine"
© Nancy Laliberte
11" x 14" acrylic on canvas
click here to view and purchase

...and love, happiness and good cheer. A bright spot to your day.  

This piece is a part of the Wisconsin Visual Artists' Guild's, "Cattails and Flowers" Show currently exhibiting at the Reaching New Heights Gallery located inside the Marshfield Clinic-Weston Center, in Weston, WI. The WVAG donates 25% of show sales to the clinic's Patient Cancer Care Fund. It is money that stays local and assists cancer patients with financial, emotional, and educational support services.    

Elegantly framed in a 3" ebony-colored, plein-air frame with gold liner.

__________________________

See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect with the studio on 
Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a 
class or workshop