Value Studies are...Valuable

Value study examples
© Nancy Laliberte
oil on canvas

Last Saturday kicked off the first of three mini workshop series I have scheduled at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. I had an awesome group of students who were more than willing to leave their comfort zones, dive in, and paint a lot of value studies and whatever else I made them do, "...you have three brush strokes left to finish that..." First we talked about values and grouped them into darks, mids and lights. Then I demonstrated and discussed setting up a still life, determining values and deciding what values would be dominant, secondary and just a bit in the painting. Starting with simple still life set ups and building up to more complex ones, students worked from life observing, comparing, and painting values. 

A lot of concentration, "seeing" and painting going on in the CVA studio

A sampling of class value studies

The Secrets to Great Color and How to Mix It

The next workshop series takes place on Saturday, April 6th from 12 noon - 4 pm, and will focus on the secrets to color mixing (no more mud)! Space is limited and spots are filling quickly, so I encourage you to register today by calling the CVA at 715-842-4545. The supply list is available on their website. Scroll down a bit for workshop information. I look forward to seeing you there!

More workshop and class listings are on my website

More workshop photos are available on my studio FB fan page  

Like and Share while you are there :)

Upcoming Painting Workshop Series

I am excited to be teaching a painting workshop series beginning this Saturday at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. Each session will focus on a specific area of painting (values, color mixing, and composition) and will include demos, painting time, handouts, and more. Sign up for all three! Become a member of the CVA and receive a discount, too. We still have a few openings for this Saturday, but space is limited. Call the CVA at 715-842-4545 to register. 

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.

Winter's Garden Exhibit and More

Square Foot Garden series

© Nancy Laliberte

• sold

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

The Steven's Point Riverfront Art Center's Winter's Garden exhibit opens today with a reception from 5- 7pm. Last week I was at the Riverfront Art Center to jury the show. What a rewarding and challenging experience with so many outstanding pieces of artwork. Nancy Thorson is the new director and I thoroughly enjoyed working with her. "Winter's Garden" also received some nice press coverage from the Steven's Point Journal. Reporter Jamie Jung wrote a great article promoting the show which runs through February 19th. 


Below is the juror statement I wrote for the exhibit. 

Juror's Statement

Winter's Garden 2012

It was a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to jury the Riverfront Art Center’s Winter’s Garden 2012 exhibition. The process was a rewarding and challenging experience. There are no hard fast rules; one comes armed only with an understanding of composition and design, an appreciation of a wide range of styles and media, and a good eye for images that manage to communicate something more than the sum of their basic elements. My approach is to look carefully and respectfully at every piece before making a decision. By looking at four key areas: concept, composition, commitment and craftsmanship/presentation, selections were made. Artwork was selected that fit this criteria standing on its own and as a part of the exhibit as a whole. Just as a living garden has design, shape, color and form, so, too, does this exhibit. It was my intent to not only showcase incredible works of art, but to make the experience of viewing and walking through Winter’s Garden as rewarding as possible. 

I would like to congratulate and encourage every artist who submitted work for this show. Being an artist is a tough gig, but the opportunity to create makes it so worthwhile. Above all, follow your heart and keep sharing.

_________________________

Also opening tonight is Wausau's Center for the Visual Arts Midwest Season's show. The reception for that exhibit is from 5-7 pm. It too, is a wonderfully inspiring exhibit, and a favorite in the community. The show is up until March 3rd, so if you can't make it tonight, be sure to stop in before then.

Work and Play

 "Thinking of You"

© Nancy Laliberte

4" x 4" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas

$35 plus sh

side view

I have been busy with some freelance design work among other projects, but did manage to fit in some painting time. It is all about balance, right? That definitely applies to me. This is a painted version of a collage project. I loved the subject matter and wanted to paint it again. 


In my last post I mentioned the warm weather we had been having. After that spell it snowed a bunch and as you can see in the pictures below we are enjoying our backyard playtime. These were from Sunday afternoon and it was beautiful outside.

 

My son Nicholas taking a spin while Dad (Mike) watches. 

We had to build a berm to keep from hitting the trees.

Nicholas leading the way down the hill.

A double decker tube sandwich! Yum!

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.

Petite Peinture: Love–Nest for Two

"Love-Nest for Two"

© Nancy Laliberte

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

SOLD

A piece commissioned by some long time collectors. I won't mention names because at this time of year, most commission pieces are gifts for someone. And, I am not about to rain on Santa's parade. 

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.

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

Colorful Wall

Available paintings in the Gift Gallery at the 

Center for the Visual Arts, Downtown Wausau, WI

The newly renovated 400 Block in downtown Wausau is finally completed and it looks fabulous! So when you venture down to see it, make a point to stop in at the Center for the Visual Arts right across the street. There are two new shows up and they have a wonderful gift gallery featuring everything from ceramics, garden art, jewelry, paintings and more. 

The Week is Not Over Yet

"Rhapsody in Blue III"

Petite Peinture

© Nancy Laliberte

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

sold

It's funny when something is on your radar--mine being iris' this week--every where you look, there they are! Looks like I am not the only one who enjoys this flower. ;-)

The Week of the Iris

"Rhapsody in Blue II"

Petite Peinture

© Nancy Laliberte

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

sold

I am having a blast painting irises this week. This is the second in a series from my June 2nd post. If you remember back in my June 4th post, I mentioned that it was looking like my iris plants were finally going to flower. And, guess what? They are blooming! And I am painting them. 

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. 

Burning Love

"Burning Love"

© Nancy Laliberte

11" x 11" acrylic on watercolor paper

A demo piece from my drip tree workshop last Saturday at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau. With Valentine's Day approaching I chose a warm pink/red color palette for this piece. We focused on color theory, value (squint!), focal point and negative space. By the looks of their paintings, I think they got it.

My "kids"

Awesome job everyone! Thank you for such a rewarding afternoon and your willingness to step out of your comfort zone! Keep painting and always remember... "what if?"

Busy Fun

"Gather ’Round"

© Nancy Laliberte

5" x 4" watercolor on paper

Been having all kinds of busy fun this past week! Isn't that what life is all about? :-) Busy fun included a watercolor workshop, an Excel class, the conclusion of Where We Live, disassembling the show, delivering paintings to Riverfront Art Center in Stevens Point, WI for their holiday show, delivering paintings to the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau for their holiday gift gallery and selling some more art--thank you collector friend! This painting is from the watercolor workshop I took at the Woodson Art Museum. I am vamping up my sketchbook journaling and travel journaling so a morning spent on watercolor techniques was very inspiring.

Speaking of Where We Live, I just want to thank my family at home--Nicholas, for your energy, enthusiasm and love of art; Erika, for all of your help with Nicholas and other "stuff;" and Mike, for your support, stability, and love; my family afar (you know who you are); my friends; the CVA staff; collectors who were touched enough by my work to give it a home--their home; and to my fellow artists and partners-in-crime, Val Berkely and Chris Mosse--you're both awesomely creative and I was honored to be in your company. Thanks everyone!

I love you all!

Last 4 Days...

Take a break from your busy day and enjoy some colorful art therapy...

Now through Sunday, November 7th, you can view my most recent paintings along with the work of Wausau artists, Val Berkely and Chris Mosse at the Center for the Visual Arts, 427 4th Street, Wausau. Gallery hours are 10 am - 5 pm Thursday and Friday, and noon - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

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.

Family Trees and More

"Family Tree V"

© Nancy Laliberte

7" x 5" Acrylic on archival paper, matted

Available

"Family Tree VI"

© Nancy Laliberte

7" x 5" Acrylic on archival paper, matted

Available

"Family Tree VII"

© Nancy Laliberte

7" x 5" Acrylic on archival paper, matted

nfs

Some daily paintings from the last couple of days painted during my "Artist in Residence" stint at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. I am usually there from Tue-Fri 10:30 am until 2:30 pm happily painting away, greeting gallery guests and talking art. Very fun!

and More...

A big THANK YOU to Wausau Daily Herald photographer Corey Schjoth for stopping by this afternoon and taking photos of our show. You can click here to view.