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Gail and son Ron skating on her new ice rink

My family gave me an ice skating rink for Christmas! After a big holiday meal, my son, grand kids, and son-in-law took the snow blower, shovels, and brooms down to the lake and created an ice skating rink. Beneath the layer of fluffy new snow was the smooth wind polished frozen surface of the lake perfect for ice skating! Not only did they build a nice sized rink, but they added an extended loop trail off to one side. Now when I take stretching breaks from the easel I have choices; shovel snow, go skating, or ski.  Winter fun.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

We love snow and it was beautiful outside at Christmas with almost a foot of the new fluffy stuff, but along with all of its splendor comes additional work. Bob had to run the snow blower on the driveway almost every day for a week. Each day all the walkways, driveway and patio would be nicely shoveled and cleared and by the next morning it would have to be done all over again. Regardless, a good layer of snow creates opportunities for all sorts of fun. Now when I take stretching breaks from the easel I have choices; shoveling snow and cross country skiing!
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

I took this photo while we were skiing during a snow storm on the lake.

A solid base of snow has accumulated outside the studio, heavy enough that the pesky winds cannot blow it all away. The fluffy top layer blows into drifts on the sidewalk and around the outdoor spa. Now my painting breaks include regular shoveling, banking the snow into piles that keep growing taller and taller. (more…)

Several times a day I take a break to stretch my back and shoulders while painting and I use this time to survey the lake from the windows of my studio. These respites have made me a keen observer of the ongoing activities, impacts of the weather, and peoples use of this water playground. Today it is still semi dark at 10:00AM and the wind has blown away all of the snow. I smile as I see the evidence of my last walk left in a trail of white snow-packed footprints circling across the surface of the dark gray colored ice. During these brief rests, my memories of experiences are mixed with daydreams, and I when I return to work I’m refreshed. (more…)

It is so nice to have the show season over and have the time to get back to the easel again. I have several commissions to complete and am looking forward to a quiet period in the studio. Alaska’s darkness is almost at its winter solstice, the pitch-black warmed by the glow of outdoor Christmas lights reflecting on the snow. It is a joy to look out my studio windows and see the sparkle of lights all around. (more…)

One of the best parts of the Yuletide Holidays is the tradition of sending and receiving greeting cards. I’m always impressed with the creativity and variety of images, messages and formats that people choose. Some of the best are hand made with original drawings or paintings carefully placed on the front. Newsletters created on home computers complete with photos interspersed between paragraphs are fun and informative. (more…)

Bob and Gail at the ceremony

We were honored to join family, relatives and campaign volunteers as passengers in a motorcade of five Holland America motor coaches for the six plus hour drive to Fairbanks. The mood onboard was filled with excitement and anticipation as everyone looked forward to the Inauguration festivities the next day. Notables in our motor coach were the mom and dad of Governor-elect Sarah Palin, and our good friends Jim and Faye Palin, family of Sarah’s husband Todd. Todd is already being called the “First Dude” instead of the “First Gentleman”, and the title of First Dude fits him perfectly. (more…)

Spring Cubs 8.5”x11” open edition $20.00

While in Denali National Park one June doing research for paintings, I was fortunate to be able to observe a sow Grizzly bear with twin spring cubs. This pen and ink drawing enhanced with watercolor is now available in an open edition fine art print just in time for the Christmas holidays. Call to order (907)746-3256.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist