"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

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.

One Day in June

"Ridge View"

© Nancy Laiberte

11" x 14" oil on canvas panel

available

One day in June...

on a very windy day, I started this painting out in a field in Wisconsin. It was so windy the paint would dry before I could get my brush to the canvas. Somehow I managed to lay in a few color notes and basic shapes. Fast forward months later when the ground is brown and the trees are leafless, I relive one day in June, in my studio, with no wind, and plenty of time to move paint from palette to canvas. While I love the comfort of my studio, there is something to be said for being out in the field, being in the moment and painting. 

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. 

Shop 'Til You Drop

Last weekend my husband and youngest son accompanied me to the Richeson 75 Small Works opening reception in Kimberly, WI. This week I have been enthusiastically perusing through the Jack Richeson & Co. art supply catalog after being awarded 2nd Place in the Non-Oil Division for my painting, Farm and Field: September Afternoon. It is always exciting when a piece gets into a show especially when it is an international one. And it is really exciting to win an award--$500 in Richeson products. Now back to that catalog...I've got some shopping to do!

Barns and Farms

"The Family Farm"

© Nancy Laliberte

18" x 24" Acrylic on canvas

$800, framed

Available at the Center for Visual Arts, Wausau WI

This painting was inspired by my Irish grandparents farm near Wilton, WI. I love the hills and valleys and farm fields of that area. It is a beautiful part of the state!

And from my current show, where we live, at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau WI, a grouping of farm and field paintings. I guess I am a farm girl at heart. ;-)

Summer in Wisconsin

"Midwest Quilt: A View From Above"

© Nancy Laliberte

20" x 24" Oil on canvas

Private Collection

Still working on show pieces, but I wanted to post a personal favorite that, for me, symbolizes the summer Wisconsin landscape. This is where I grew up. It is one of those paintings that was in my head and heart for many years. I just had to wait for the rest of me to catch up to paint it.

Enjoy your summer, and every day for that matter.