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A close-up detail showing pencil lines, underpainting, and first layer of dots on the upper left section of the sunflower original painting. (more…)

This is a fairly large canvas, 36″x48,” with the easel positioned as low as it can go. Tall canvases require a lot of adjusting of the easel up and down in order for me to paint comfortably. I work hard to avoid bending over or raising my arm for long periods of time. The problem is that I have a tendency to be lazy and hate to take the time to move my tabouret, pull the easel out from the wall, unlock the stops and ratchet the easel to a new height then lock the stops, push the easel back and reposition the tabouret. So, I end up limiting my painting to one section of the composition at a time instead of moving freely around the whole canvas. For extremely large canvases I use more than one easel, sometimes I’ve used three easels and the logistics become even more complicated.

What I need is an easel with a pneumatic pump, like the one on my adjustable chair. My drafting table works that way too, but I’ve never seen an easel with one. Anyone know of such a product?
More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

At this stage I concentrated on placing mid-value dots of acrylic paint on the top leaves and begin to develop the petals along the upper portion of the flower in pointillism.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

First I lightly sketch the subject onto a canvas using a pencil, after that I flung paint all over the original sketch from several large brushes and created a random splattering of various colors. When the splatters and drips dried I applied acrylic paint as a transparent wash to fill in large areas with pale color. Next, I begin the time consuming task of layering opaque acrylic dots in mid-values on top of the transparent wash to begin developing the background leaves, petals, and the seed-filled center of the flower. The research for this painting took place several years ago in my back yard where this giant sunflower sprouted from a stray seed from the bird feeder. Fortunatley it landed in a flower bed and was easy to nurture.
More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

“Open Water” an original painting by Gail Niebrugge translated into cross stitch by Evelyn Harvison of North Pole, Alaska. (more…)

Another complex cross stitch designed by Evelyn Harvison of North Pole, Alaska, based on the original painting “Green Aurora” by Gail Niebrugge.

Evelyn sent this photo to me in 1999 after completing the design. I have not had to pleasure to see the finished product in person. She shared the pattern with other “cross stitch fanatics”, a name she coined for anyone willing enough to try a complex project. If anyone knows how to obtain a copy of her charts, contact me. I will forward the information to interested parties.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Art

A beautiful cross stitch design completed by Susan Schroeder adapted from my painting “Paper Birch” by Evelyn Harvison of North Pole, Alaska, won first place at the Alaska State Fair 2007! Congratulations Susan! (more…)

Tonight we tear down our booth and pack it into the cargo trailer and will park it in the big Niebrugge Studio storage garage, and tomorrow I will re-hang the remaining framed art at the studio. The booth equipment stays in the trailer ready for the next show, the Valley Friday Invitational at Mat-Su College, Palmer, a one day event September 28. After Bob completes new framing orders and replaces the framed art that was sold, we will load the artwork back into the trailer just before the next show. With both of us working together our system is quite efficient. I am very fortunate to have a mate who helps me in the art business. It is a comfortable, satisfying partnership and a nice way to make a living doing things that we enjoy.

Gail Niebrugge, Art of Alaska

“Transition” original acrylic painting by Gail Niebrugge, center panel of a three panel Fireweed Triptych.

The Fireweed Triptych is our best-selling print. It has sold very well at our booth at the Alaska State Fair this year. The center panel, “Transition” shows the progress of the wildflower from the gorgeous bloom stage, that lasts six weeks or longer, changing as it goes to seed, to the final stage with flaming red leaves and dried tan-colored corkscrew tendrils twisting through the fluffy cotton. Driving home from the booth last night I saw fields of Fireweed with cottony white seed glowing in the sun. Fireweed is beautiful through all of its life, and I encourage it to grow in my yard.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Original painting by artist Gail Niebrugge for the 2002 Alaska State Fair Poster.

Yesterday I had several requests to sign copies of the poster I created for the 2002 fair, titled “Its Bloomin’ Fun”. One booth, the Cornucopia, has a collection of 20-25 posters from past years all framed and hung on the walls and ceiling inside their tiny building. The staff was so sweet to me, after signing my poster they offered me a choice of any of their excellent ice cream treats. I just had to have almond praline ice cream in a waffle bowl dipped in chocolate with two spoons and lots of napkins. Even though ice cream is not on our diet, Bob and I ate every last delicious bite. Fair food is absolutely decadent and necessary!
Gail Niebrugge, Art of Alaska