"Blues 'n Jazz" at the 26th Annual Midwest Seasons Show

"Blues 'n Jazz"

© Nancy Laliberte

10" x 8" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

available

Tomorrow evening from 5 - 7 pm is the opening reception for the 26th Annual Midwest Seasons show at the Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Wausau, WI. How exciting that there will be "Blues 'n Jazz" there! The visual version ;-) as in my oil painting, "Blues 'n Jazz." This piece was painted from life using blue hydrangeas from my garden. It was featured in a post here. Midwest Seasons is a nationally juried, themed exhibit showcasing top-notch 2-d and 3-d work. I am thrilled to be included this year, and in the company of many of my talented art friends. The awards ceremony is at 6 pm. Come by to see some amazing art, enjoy food and refreshments, and visit with the artists.

Also happening tomorrow evening in the Loft Gallery of the CVA is the opening reception of the annual Memorial Show of the Wisconsin Valley Art Association. 

Thank you for being a part of my artist's journey, and supporting me doing the work I love. :-)

- Nancy

"Sweet Celebration," original acrylic painting by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Sweet Celebration"

© Nancy Laliberte

8" x 8" acrylic on panel

available

click here for more information

Sweet Celebration is another painting that is a part of The Artist's Muse:  Wisconsin Artists and Poets exhibit showing at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau through October 31st, 2015. I love painting cupcakes! When artist and show curator, Christine Alfery, came across Tori Wellhouse's poem, Theory of Cake, Christine thought of my cupcake paintings and asked if I would like to team up with Tori. Well, Yes! Thank you, Christine and Tori! 

Tonight is the opening reception from 5 - 7 pm. Several of the poets featured in the show will be reading, including Tori. 

Did you know that Sweet Celebration pairs up beautifully with Coffee and Donuts, and Almond Joy? And they have zero calories! All three are available for a special purchase price of $500, a savings of $85 and about 2,585 calories or so. ;-) 

"Coffee and Donuts"

© Nancy Laliberte

8" x 8" acrylic on panel

$195, framed

click here for more information

"Almond Joy"

© Nancy Laliberte

8" x 8" acrylic on panel

$195, framed

click here for more information

And here is the delicious poem by Tori Wellhouse...

Theory of cake 

You are an occasion.

Cake, in fact.

All your ingredients –

flour, sugar,

the look in your eyes –

measured parts

of a sucrose destiny.

You have memorized

yourself: finding fate

in the small spaces,

blending eggs, milk,

the air around your edges,

pouring the light-haired

batter: a mix of heat, poise,

s o d i u m   b i c a r b o n a t e.

You froth an alchemy

that swells, gilding

aroma, deep-seated

as hipbones. Your

surface splits joy.

There’s a sheen to you,

made for buttercream;

the knack of hiding crust

with long-leg frosting.

You cube womanhood,

serving yourself up

with a party napkin --

thumbing the crumbs.

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"The Afterlife of Roses" original acrylic painting by artist Nancy Laliberte, Day 30

The Afterlife of Roses

© Nancy Laliberte

24" x 20" acrylic on canvas

click here for more information

This painting is part of an invitational show, The Artist's Muse:  Wisconsin Artists and Poets, exhibiting at the Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Wausau, WI. Artists and poets teamed up for what is an amazing show. The Afterlife of Roses was inspired by Louisa Overidge Gallas' poem by the same title (listed below). Stop by the CVA Friday evening from 5 - 7 pm for the opening gala, including readings by some of the authors. 

The afterlife of roses

Have you ever fallen

naked together

in one easy glide

onto the faded yellow petals

of roses gathered to scatter

beneath you one late silky summer day

these petals of roses loosened from the bough

whose cool flesh still remembers

the ride high on long stems

in twilight rain

these roses you bless

with an afterlife

against your skin against skin

your embrace     your heat merged

with their last flourish of faint yellow

journies of pollen,

froth of bees in your kisses

memories beyond memories, the rhythm

of wind through your open windows

these petals bruise sweetly beneath

your weight, beneath your bellies

in your murmuring sheets they spend

their last visions of fleet white moths

and final secrets, secrets they shared

with pastel sweet peas, scarlet peonies

secrets now tangling in your hair;

         

             if only you could sing 

to all those flowers, who were neighbors

of the yellow rose, who miss those old blossoms

if only you could sing to them

the song of your ecstasy

until the whole garden realizes fully

the future of blooms about to release

from the branch. . .that you will come come

to gather them up by the handfuls

just before they fall, just then

just when they feel certain

they’re completely

finished  you will 

you will     come

Louisa Loveridge Gallas

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Whoa! Day 30? Happily, I have been painting and/or sketching daily this month. That was my biggest goal - though my blogging portion doesn't show that. Rest assured, the sharing of creative joy will continue long past today! Keep following, and even more than that, if there is a longing in your heart for some creative joy, follow your heart, and start. 
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Work in Progress - Day 3 - 30 paintings/30 days with artist Nancy Laliberte

Sharing my creative joy with painting demo during downtown Wausau's 1st Thursday was a part of my day 3 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I know getting out and painting in front of people can be a bit daunting for some artists, but give it a try. Painting from life and in public may not only bring you joy, but also inspire someone else. 

The finished painting will be a part of the Center for the Visual Arts' "Art by the Foot" fundraiser taking place in October. 

When the street lights came on I knew it was time to wrap things up for the day (night!). Thank you to my artist friend, Theda Hewuse, for the photo.

This amazingly talented young woman was sharing her musical gifts just a few feet away from me. 

Thank you for allowing me to share my creative joy with you,
- Nancy

"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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"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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Playing with Paint coming up this Saturday

"Here Comes the Sun"

© 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...

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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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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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

"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

"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. 

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
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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. 

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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
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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.

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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