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One of the reasons we decided to move and build another studio/residence was the need for an outbuilding tall enough to store the Niebrugge Studio camper and cargo trailer. Our new home site has a perfect location for this unit, a space connected to the paved driveway and partially hidden by trees. We located Ralph Laneharts, a wonderful handyman/builder who operates under the name of “Honey Do Construction” who was willing to begin construction in late August. (more…)

Sunday the sun finally appeared and sun starved Alaskans turned out by the thousands to play at the Alaska State Fair. Our booth in the Raven Hall was jammed almost all day. As late as 8:00 in the evening cars were still lined up to get into the parking lots, the day was so nice that people didn’t seem to care that they only had two hours until the Fair closed.

On my drive home I saw a spectacular sunset typical of this time of the year. I don’t recommend watching the sky and driving at the same time, but the intensity of color and the hazy golden glow of sun shining through distant rain showers is something I want to remember and use in a future painting. The sunsets in Alaska are like none other and people who have not had the good fortune to see one are missing something very special. I have to get ready for my booth at the Fair today, hope to see you there!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Just a quick entry today, this morning I’m working on a painting in my studio and have to be at the Fair by 4:00 PM to sign prints and meet people. Busy, busy Alaska State Fair time. (more…)

Our pile of stuff for the booth at the Alaska State Fair

Mother nature was kind to us yesterday as we set up our booth in Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fair. The rain stopped and sun shined on soggy ground, lifting our spirits and making the job fun. Each year the same vendors set up shop in the same places and we find ourselves falling into a familiar routine. Most of us have become friends and are happy to lend each other a hand, tools or equipment during booth construction. Of course their is always the ongoing exchange of humorous banter, storytelling and, more importantly, the sharing of news about our lives.

Gail hangs framed artwork in the booth (more…)

Bob loading the cargo trailer.

Well, well, well, yesterday we had one day of sun after 13 consecutive days of hard rain and today it is raining again. Rivers in the valley are flooded, the ground is saturated and we are experiencing frequent power outages. My enthusiasm is dampened a bit for setting up our booth tomorrow at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. Nevertheless, we will spend all day erecting booth walls in the Raven Hall and hanging framed original paintings and framed art prints. I feel sorry for those who have to construct a complete booth outdoors in these muddy, wet conditions. (more…)

Vintage Valley ©2006

This original painting was part of a five panel commission for the Teeland Middle School Library, Wasilla, Alaska. We love the image and decided to share it with you, it is offed it in a limited edition Giclee print of 200, image size 9”x12.5” printed on heavy rag paper with hand torn deckled edges. Priced at $140.00 each print will be available in September. Watch my website for the new fine art print announcement and information about how to order.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Cow with Calf ©2006

This original painting was part of a five panel commission for the Teeland Middle School Library, Wasilla, Alaska. The response to the image has been so positive that we decided to offer it in a limited edition Giclee print of 200, image size 9”x12.5” printed on heavy rag paper with hand torn deckled edges. Priced at $140.00 each print will be available in September. Watch my website for the new fine art print announcement and information about how to order.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Front yard from the front porch, summer 2006. Back lawn from the patio looking at the lake, summer 2006.

Well, I think we did it, the grass seeds finally took hold and the hand seeded lawn in the back looks almost as good as the hydroseeded lawn in the front. Read my earlier excerpts on lawn woes in the Landscaping category of this blog.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

As you can see in the photo, we dressed warm for our boat trip to the Knick Glacier. From left to right are; Bob Shuster, Arlene Shuster, me, and my husband Bob.

Gathering research for future paintings is one of the best parts of the job as an artist who specializes in the Alaska landscape. Unfortunately the weather in this region has been cold and wet this summer, and opportunities to do research with good light have been limited. Light is the key to my paintings, without a good source of light the landscape looks flat and uninspiring. Check out an example of a painting with a good light source; Pioneer Peak. (more…)

Wildflower Garden by Gail Niebrugge ©2006

At last the Seward Mural design is finished! I’ve selected colors at the local paint store and assigned each color a number. The numbered drawing is ready for the Seward Mural Society to enlarge to the 8’ x 34’ format. I hope to see many of my collectors and readers at the Seward Art and Music Festival September 23-24, 2006, at the Seward Railroad Depot where I will be working with the muralists to produce “A Mural in a Day” from this design.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

The days are getting shorter, noticeably shorter. At 5:30 AM it is almost too dark to see the waterfowl as they gather each morning in the cove on our lake. Every day more and more ducks congregate. Three weeks ago their were four ducks, each day a few more appear until this morning I counted a total of fifty. Later every morning they disappear, only to return again at dusk. I wonder if this a preparation ritual for the fall migration. (more…)

Mixed emotions this week. One of the families in our church received word that their son, Shane Woods, was killed in action. His Humvee was hit by a road side bomb. Shane was an example for all young people today, he was God fearing, hard working and extremely dedicated to his country. (more…)

I’m just about finished with the color mock up for the Seward Mural, it has been a very time consuming job but looks great! I’m not sure how the enlargement process will work, the Seward Mural Society is in charge of this. My color mock up has a template with assigned color numbers, so any errors made during the enlargement process can be corrected easily. The next step will be for me to match the colors with paint swatches and forward this information to the muralists so that they can purchase the paint. (more…)

Our lake cove seems to have an unprecedented growth of weeds this year. It seems like they grew overnight. We didn’t use the boat for a couple of weeks and the first time we were ready to go out again we were amazed to see thick mossy weeds in the water around dock. This is problematic for the boat motor because the jet will suck them into intake manifold and the engine will shut down. To avoid this problem recent boat trips begin and end by rowing through the vegetation barrier. (more…)

Sadly, I’m coming to the conclusion that the three nesting Rednecked Grebes in our cove will not hatch eggs this summer. Every day I’ve faithfully watched the nests with binoculars, one was established in late May the others came later, and baby chicks have not appeared. It would be quite obvious if their were chicks, for after they hatch they ride on top of the mothers back. (more…)

Ideas for my original paintings originate from life experiences. For example, the original painting Glacier Trail came from reference material obtained years ago. And, not unusual for me, behind each painting is a story to tell. (more…)