"Here Comes the Sun" original oil painting by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Here Comes the Sun"

© Nancy Laliberte

8" x 6" oil on panel

Sold

Apparently I am in denial that it is winter as I keep painting flowers and other warm weather favorites. So I say embrace that, and just go with it. Chances are, I am not alone in my thinking.

This painting is a part of the "Holiday Extravaganza" show opening today at the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. It is a wonderful and spacious gallery space. If you are in the Wisconsin Rapids area be sure to stop in and enjoy the art. You may just find the perfect gift for someone (or yourself) on your Christmas list.

____

View more art at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

Connect with the studio on FB

The Fine Art of Shopping

"The Secret Garden"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 8" oil on panel

Sold

Beautifully framed in a gold, plein-air style frame

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. I know I am thankful for so much, and YOU, my friend, are definitely on the list. Thank you for being a part of my artist journey! I appreciate you! 

I am pleased to have my art in several holiday shows this season. I've included several of the paintings currently available at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. If you are in the Wausau area, stop in and take a look. They have wonderful gallery spaces and an amazing gallery gift shop. Or, if you prefer to armchair or cyber shop, give them a call and purchase over the phone. Rose, Krista, and the rest of the staff would love to help make your shopping an enjoyable experience.

                      

"In the Field"

6" x 8" oil on panel

$150

Beautifully framed in a black, plein-air style frame

An assortment of original art to brighten one's day all year long...

available at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI

______

• Give yourself a Creative Time Out and Play with Paint

• See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

• See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

"Office View," original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Office View"

© Nancy Laliberte

5" x 7" oil on linen 

click here to view and purchase

includes display easel and free US shipping*

A few short weeks ago, fellow artist Theda Hewuse and I ventured up on Rib Mountain  with our plein-air gear to enjoy the beautiful fall day. The colors were just beautiful, and a painting was to be found no matter where you looked. This view is near the amphitheater overlooking part of Wausau. 

As I was painting this, I had an epiphany. You see, several years ago (in my previous life, as I like to say) I used to work as an art director/designer at an ad agency in Rib Mountain. I was fortunate enough to have an office on the west side of the building with a window view of Rib Mountain. Every fall there would be this amazing, golden glow of the maple trees outside my window. It was beautiful. I remember staring out the window, dreaming that someday I was going to be a painter, and I was going to paint those golden maple trees on Rib Mountain. Fast forward to October 2013. There I was, up on the mountain, painting those golden maple trees. Just like I had dreamed of doing. 

"If you can dream it, you can do it." Walt Disney

______

Just a reminder, Playing with Paint is this Saturday at the Hobby Lobby store in Rib Mountain, WI. The class runs from 10 am - 12:30 pm. We will be "playing" around with acrylic paints and creating big sky landscapes. Come give it a try. Bring your coffee, a canvas and some of your friends. I'll take care of the rest. Details are here. 

_______

• Be sure to check out the great classes I have coming up in November and December including Yoga + Art, Art & Soul Creative Journaling, and Playing with Paint 

• See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

• See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

*free US shipping and discounted international shipping through Dec. 31, 2013

"Meet You There," original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Meet You There"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 6" oil on gessobord

Sold

Hanging on to the last remnants of the warmer days of fall with one more piece from my September Door County trip. This one is also from Cana Island. I loved the various golden colors surrounded by the muted blues and violets. This was painted later in the afternoon as the light was starting its magical transformation to the "Golden Hour." 

Playing with Paint this Saturday

© Nancy Laliberte

private collection

Don't forget, Playing with Paint is this Saturday at the Hobby Lobby store in Rib Mountain, WI. The class runs from 10 am - 12:30 pm. We will be "playing" around with acrylic paints and creating big sky landscapes. Details are here. Come give it a try. It is waaaay more fun than cleaning the house or running errands. 

_______

• Be sure to check out the great classes I have coming up in November including Yoga + Art, Art & Soul Creative Journaling, and Playing with Paint 

• See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

• See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

*free US shipping and discounted international shipping through Dec. 31, 2013

"Shoreline Muse" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Shoreline Muse"

© Nancy Laliberte

5'" x 7"' oil on linen, plein-air

available

click here to view and purchase

includes display easel and free US shipping*

What is it about the sound of water lapping at the shore? Or the many colors you see when you really take the time to look? Or the patterns of the water coming in and receding back? And then allowing it all to become etched in your soul, calming you, and taking you to another place. sigh. Feels good.

______________

• Be sure to check out the great classes I have coming up in November including Yoga + Art, Art & Soul Creative Journaling, and Playing with Paint 

• See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

• See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

*free US shipping and discounted international shipping through Dec. 31, 2013

"Good Morning" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Good Morning"

© Nancy Laliberte

5" x  7" oil on linen, plein-air 

Sold

Back in Door County! On this day my painting friend Jane Barnard and I were up before sunrise and painted the changing sky as the sun rose and touched the tips of the trees across the shore, and the clouds lifted and moved onward. It was beautiful, enchanting and mesmerizing.

For this piece I kept the canvas white and focused on color notes (shapes of color) and worked quickly to capture what was happening and what I was feeling. It was a blast!

______________

• Be sure to check out the great classes I have coming up in November including Yoga + Art, Art & Soul Creative Journaling, and Playing with Paint 

• See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

• See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

*free US shipping and discounted international shipping through Dec. 31, 2013

"Color it Autumn" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Color it Autumn"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 8" oil on archival canvas panel

Sold

Autumn color as it prepares for its full glory. This was from a plein air excursion with artist friend, Theda Hewuse. We set up our easels in her neighborhood and painted until a storm came up. Nothing like rain to help you make those last few brushstrokes and call a painting done.

Purchase this painting and receive a decorative display easel and FREE US shipping (or discounted international shipping).  

–––––––––––

See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

Give yourself a Creative Time Out with a workshop or class
See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

"Lighting the Way" by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Lighting the Way"

© Nancy Laliberte

8" x 6" oil on panel, plein-air

click here to view and collect

We have had some amazing fall weather in Wisconsin so I have been taking advantage of it and plein-air painting as much as possible. In late September I spent a few days in Door County, WI, plein-air painting with artist friend, Jane Barnard. While there is some great shopping and gallery hopping to be had in Door County, our primary focus was on PAINTING. One day was spent painting at the Cana Island Lighthouse on the Lake Michigan side of the county. We had a great time and as always, met some wonderful people from all over the world.  

Collect this piece and enjoy FREE US shipping (or discounted international shipping) and a decorative display easel. 

"Summer Serenade" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Summer Serenade"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 6" oil on panel
SOLD

click here to view

After a couple of painting sessions mixing soft and subtle "whites," I had to let loose and get some COLOR out of my system.  : )  With this piece, my intention was to capture the personalities of the flowers as they turned toward the sun with their curling and wispy petals. It was as though they were saying farewell to the season, not really wanting it to leave. 

Ironically, the day after I painted these in my garden, the sunflowers were gone. Just the stems remained of their good-bye song. A four-legged critter had come along and had it for breakfast. 

_________

See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art

Give yourself a Creative Time Out with a workshop or class
See what happens behind the scenes, LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook 

"Endless Summer" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte 3/30

"Endless Summer"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 6" oil on panel

click here to view and purchase

This is painted from life from a still life set up in my studio using hydrangeas from my dear neighbor Sarah's garden. I did not realize that hydrangeas have a sweet, spicy scent. I love it! My challenge with this painting was all about mixing whites and grays. Loved that, too.

And the 30 paintings challenge continues! I started two more today, but did not finish them. (Insert ringing school bell here.) With the start of school this week, I am quickly realizing how important and precious it is to make the most of daytime studio time. (Actually, I already knew that, but let's just say that the awareness has been acutely heightened.) The day goes by pretty fast and then it's Mom-mode time. ; )

The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's 2013 Birds in Art show kicks off this evening. It runs until November 10th. If you can get to Wausau to see it, I highly recommend you do. It is top-notch every year.

_______


See more artwork at Nancy Laliberte Fine Art
Give yourself a Creative Time Out with a workshop or class
LIKE and follow the studio on Facebook

"Simply Red" original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Simply Red"

© Nancy Laliberte

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

Sold

It has been very cold here in Wisconsin these last several days. I have had no desire to paint winter scenes when I would much rather be somewhere warm, so painting a bright, red tulip is a good start to thinking warm! This is a part of the 30 10 paintings in 30 days challenge. I started out January with the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, and on day four I realized that with all of the other work and family commitments on my calendar, 30 paintings in 30 days was not realistic for me unless I wanted to forego sleep for most of the month. Not a good option when you need to be creative; I've learned the hard way on that one. So for now, I am going for 10 paintings in 30 days, and looking forward to continuing on from there.

Other great stuff that has been a part of this month:

• My painting, "Sun-Kissed Tulips" was juried into the Riverfront Arts Center's annual Winter's Garden show. That show runs until February 17, 2013.

• I launched two new art classes, "Art & Soul Creative Journaling," and "Playing with Paint." Both of which are ongoing, monthly classes. They are very fun and I am loving the opportunity to share my passions with others. Check out my website for more details. 

• My yoga instructor and I have teamed up and are teaching a one day Yoga + Art workshop tomorrow (1/26) here in Wausau. Very excited to be a part of this workshop! I will post photos to my studio facebook fan page this weekend. And while you're at it, follow along by clicking "Like" while you are there.

"Apparently" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Apparently"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 8" oil on canvas panel

available

Back at it. Painting three for the 30 in 30 challenge on artist Leslie Saeta's blog. After a very busy weeeknd, it was great to squeeze in some painting time today. I'm thinking by the end of the month I will definitely be faster at this. I will let you know.  : )
View and Purchase

For my Wausau area peeps, tomorrow evening kicks off my monthly creative journaling class. Details are on my website. The cool thing about creative journaling is that you don't have to be an artist to have fun with it, just a willingness to discover the joys of creative self-expression--with no stress--while playing with some fun art supplies! 

Sun-kissed Tulips, original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Sun-kissed Tulips"

© Nancy Laliberte

6" x 6" oil on museum quality panel

sold

My second painting for artist Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Is it ok for me to say that I LOVE this painting? I started it on the last day of my workshop with the amazing Dreama Tolle Perry this past November and then added a few more touches to finish it. I love the glow of the transparent oils and the contrast of opaque paints. Sweet! I am still getting used to the nuances of oil paints versus acrylic paints, but appreciate the uniqueness each medium has to offer. 

You Are My Sunshine – Always and Forever - original acrylic painting by Nancy Laliberte

"You Are My Sunshine – Always and Forever"

© Nancy Laliberte

10" x 8" acrylic on canvas panel

I looove being a part of surprises and gifts, and painting commissions give me the opportunity to do just that! A collector called me after seeing my sunflower post last week, and requested a larger version for an anniversary gift. How sweet is that?! This morning I received an email saying, "She has the gift and she loves it..." Totally made my day! Happy Anniversary B and C!

All framed and ready to go. 

Original art is a wonderful, lasting gift for any occasion. Commissions are always welcomed whether it is a painting you fell in love with on my blog or website and it has already sold, or your own image of a special place, person, or thing. Contact me at lalibertefineart@gmail.com and we will work out the details. 

Pear Day Red and The Big Reveal

 "Pear Day Red"

© Nancy Laliberte

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

Sold

Another addition to the Petite Peinture series, Pear Day Red. I have found these to be the perfect solution to fit in some daily painting on a time-challenged day. While to some it may be a green pear with a red-orange background, for me it is a chance to work from life, experiment with brushwork, edges, paint, surface application, lighting, shadows, color, and more. There is always more than what meets the eye—yes?!

The Big Reveal

Pictured: Sherri Holmes and Jennifer Smith, both from Aspirus Wausau Hospital; Ann Saris of the Wausau YWCA, myself, and Dr. Julie Luks also from Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Recently, I presented the two collages I made to the YWCA Wausau and to Aspirus Women's Health of Aspirus Wausau Hospital. It was very exciting to see their responses. Don't you love the power of art? I know I do!  

Up close and personal--which is what these collages were all about. You can read more about them here and here.

Starts and Finishes, and The Graduate

"An Apple a Day"

© Nancy Laliberte

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

Sold

Yep, I'm still here. It has been an incredibly busy spring! My painting time has been just small chunks here and there and so 4" x 4"s (I like to call them Petite Peintures) are the perfect size for working on those starts and finishes of the painting process. It's learning to work through the exciting, adrenaline-filled starts, the middle "what the heck am I thinking? this isn't going to work" talk, to the finishing touches that make a painting come together. It's the process--experimenting with brushwork, subject matter, color, lighting and all of that good stuff that makes me keep coming back for more. 

This painting looks great sitting on a shelf or desk and would also make a great teacher thank you gift.

The (happy!) Graduate

And a congratulatory shout out to my daughter Erika who recently graduated from Wausau East High School as co-Valedictorian. She will be heading to Ripon College this fall. I think the smile says it all. 

Summer in January

"Lily Trio"

© Nancy Laliberte

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

Sold

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. 

Sneak Peek

work in progress

Happy New Year everyone! My family and I had a great holiday and I hope you did, too. Today, the kids went back to school and I was able to get back in the studio. It was a warm-up, get back in the groove kind of day as I worked on a couple of paintings that had been started a while back. Here's a sneak peek at a portion of one of the pieces...it's only January and I am already thinking summer. : )

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.

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.