Savoring Vacation Memories

"Vacation Sunset"

© Nancy Laliberte

acrylic on canvas

private collection

My family and I just returned from a lovely spring break vacation in south Florida. I think my 11-y-o son said it best, "It's so warm!" There were many favorite moments on the trip. As I get my travel journal entries completed, I will post them here. In the meantime, if you are in the Wausau area this weekend, I invite you to my next Playing with Paint class this Saturday, April 11, from 10 am - 1 pm. We will be painting vacation memories - "Vacation Sunset" pictured above, or feel free to bring in your own vacation photo and I will mentor you along. And bring some of your favorite vacation stories, too! More details are on the website:  www.nancylaliberte.com/workshops

"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

"In Full Bloom" by artist Nancy Laliberte

"In Full Bloom"

© Nancy Laliberte

11" x 14" acrylic on canvas

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A colorful and impressionistic painting of one of my favorite subjects:  the water lily.  Full of soothing greens and vibrant pinks and yellows, the possibilities to painting water lilies are endless. 

Art galleries are my favorite place to find unique gifts. This piece is part of the Fine Art Gift Gallery show at the Riverfront Arts Center in Stevens Point, WI. They are open all weekend long for your shopping convenience. Give them a call or stop in if you're in the area. They have a variety of beautiful artwork made by local and regional artists.

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Give yourself the gift of a "Creative Time Out" in 2014 with a class or workshop 

Visit nancylaliberte.com to view more art

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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.

Culture and Agriculture 2012

"The Family Farm"

© Nancy Laliberte

18" x 24" acrylic on canvas

sold

I am pleased to announce that I have had two pieces juried into the Culture and Agriculture 2012 show at New Visions Gallery in Marshfield, Wisconsin. This is their signature show and, having grown up on a farm, one of my personal favorites. Please join me and other exhibiting artists at the opening reception on Sunday, July 8th, 2012, from 3 pm - 5 pm at the gallery. The show runs from July 8 through August 31, 2012. 

My painting, "The Family Farm," was inspired by my maternal, Irish grandparents. Their farm was located in the Black Valley area outside of Wilton, Wisconsin. I have many fond memories of staying with them for a week or so each summer. The smell of creeping charlie, hearing a cow bell every morning and evening as the cows went in and out of the barn and pasture, and my grandfather dousing his sliced tomatoes with pepper are just a few of the many memories of my stays with them.

"Grandpa's Boys"

© Nancy Laliberte

16" x 20" photograph

available

My other piece in the show is a photograph I took at my brother's place that includes my father's restored '54 Chevy and my son and two nephews. It was a warm summer afternoon and my parents, myself, and "Grandpa's Boys" had all piled in my father's truck to check out the blueberries at my brother's house. As we were getting to leave, I turned around and saw this. I love the backlighting in this scene, and the slice of life and time it tells.

Visions XIV Show at the Riverfront Arts Center

"Beckoning"

© Nancy Laliberte

24" x 36" acrylic on canvas

$1,200

available

"Juror's Choice" award

"Reflecting"

© Nancy Laliberte

10" x 8" acrylic on canvas panel

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I am excited to announce that both of my entries were juried into the Riverfront Arts Center "Visions XIV" show. This is an open-themed show featuring 2-D and 3-D work in all mediums and genres. Tonight is the opening from 5 - 7 pm. There is always a great turnout of artists (I will be there) so it is a wonderful opportunity to view and talk art, and just catch up with old and new friends. 

The show runs from June 14 through July 29, 2012. The shows at the RAC are always outstanding and there are several other art galleries nearby, along with some great local restaurants.  

Summer in January

"Lily Trio"

© Nancy Laliberte

12" x 12" x 1-1/2" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

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It is a whopping 42 degrees here today and I'm loving it! Our backyard "tubing" hill is melting, but it is great snow sculpting weather so the kids are now channeling their energies to snow fort construction. Here is the finished painting from Monday's sneak peek. I told you I am already thinking summer, even though my 8-year-old informed us that he wants to move to Antarctica. 

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.

Richeson 75: Landscapes, Seascapes and Architectural 2011 Show

"The Family Farm"

© Nancy Laliberte

18" x 24" Acrylic on canvas

$900

Available at Richeson Gallery

800-233-2404

I am very pleased to announce that my painting, "The Family Farm," has been juried into the Richeson 75: Landscapes, Seascapes and Architectural 2011 International Show. This painting was inspired by my Irish grandparents farm near Wilton, WI. I have a lot of treasured memories of my grandparents and their farm. 

Also included in the exhibition book as Meritorious entries are two more paintings, "Northwoods Crossing" and "Beckoning."

"Northwoods Crossing"

© Nancy Laliberte

16" x 20" Acrylic on canvas

$650

"Beckoning"

© Nancy Laliberte

24" x 36" Acrylic on canvas

$1200

Just for the Art of It

"Unleashing My Inner Artist"

© Nancy Laliberte

12" x 12" x 1-3/8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

SOLD

Every spring the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau has its annual "Just for the Art of It" fundraiser. For the past three years, Val Berkely and I have been co-chairs for the "Art by the Foot" grid. My painting donation for this year was a still life from my studio--some of my favorite art goodies. The winning bidder shared with me that he won an art award in ninth grade and was looking forward to getting back into art once he retired. I was very touched by his story. It is always exciting when your artwork inspires others.
  
Check out the CVA's Facebook page for more paintings that were a part of the auction. If you are bummed you missed out, mark your calendar for next year. It is usually the first Friday in May. 

Playing with Paint this Saturday

"Beyond the Trees I"

© Nancy Laliberte

16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

$325

"Beyond the Trees II"

© Nancy Laliberte

16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

$325

Come join me this Saturday, January 29th, where I will be teaching a "One-Afternoon Wonder Workshop" at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau. Dab, pour, tilt and paint your way into a colorful, contemporary tree-lined landscape. We'll explore some of the fundamentals of painting in a FUN way using acrylic paints on canvas or gessoed paper. This class is for all levels and the perfect cure for cabin fever.

To register, call or stop-in at the Center for the Visual Arts.

Drip Trees in Acrylic Paint

Sat, Jan 29

1 – 4 pm

class fee: $50

materials: list provided at registration

The Center for the Visual Arts

427 N. 4th Street, Wausau, WI 54403

(715) 842-4545

fax (715) 848-8314

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Complete Garden

"Square Foot Garden ~ Zucchini"

© Nancy Laliberte

12" x 12" x 1-3/8"

Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

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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

A Foot of Flowers

"Square Foot Garden ~ Nasturtiums"

© Nancy Laliberte

12" x 12" x 1-3/8"

Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

sold

Center for Visual Arts, Wausau WI

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. ;-)

Fresh From the Garden

"Square Foot Garden ~ Chives"

© Nancy Laliberte

12" x 12" x 1-3/8"

Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

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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.

All Moved In!

"Square Foot Garden ~ Carrots"

© Nancy Laliberte

12" x 12" x 1-3/8"

Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

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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. ;-)