niebruggestudio.com

I have mentioned several times in my blog posts that I use Sintra as a surface for major public commissions, or large original paintings. It is a PVC plastic material, very light weight and strong. I like it for public art because it is durable.

Here are a few tips for preparing the surface of Sintra so that the acrylic paint will bond. If you want to paint on this surface in my July 14-18 workshop, bring some along and I’ll help you. You will also need to bring some GAC 200, a liquid acrylic polymer emulsion made by Golden, to mix with your first layer of acrylic paint to increase adhesion to this non-porous surface. Before you apply paint the surface must be sanded with 000 steel wool and thoroughly cleaned using cotton balls and rubbing alcohol. For best adhesion no trace of oil from your hands or anything else should remain on the surface.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, original acrylic paintings

This week I wore the hat of a board member of the Alaska State Council on the Arts and joined our director, Charlotte Fox, for a board meeting of the Palmer Arts Council. This is a dynamic, active group of art supporters who’s mission is; “….to nurture, encourage, sponsor, and support the free expression of ideas in our community through the Arts.” This fledgling organization has done an impressive job of attracting members in the community and have sponsored a Summer Youth Program among other good works. Congratulations to the the Palmer Arts Council, keep up the good work!

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Pointillism Artist

One of the most difficult parts of my job as an artist is managing my photo reference resources. 40 years ago I began with colored snapshots taken with a cheap camera.  Today these photos are faded and useless, the negatives stored in shoe boxes.  Photo quality improved with a through the lens focus 35mm camera,   before long I had boxes and boxes of slides.  They are labeled by date and location, but sorting them on a light table takes forever.

To find what I need faster I set up file folders by subject ie; moose, caribou, Denali winter, ect., and placed slides in plastic sleeves.  After we moved from the wilderness of Alaska I enjoyed the convenience of one-day service for prints so I abandoned slides, this led to piles of envelopes full of colored photos.  When I find time I file prints by subject in plastic sheets and include them in the folders with the slides. Soon I needed expandable files.

Finally, the age of digital arrived. Now my computer is full of digital images all sorted by date, but not by subject.  When I finally decide to organize my digital photos I will spend weeks on the computer and no time on the easel. Managing my reference resources is an ongoing challenge. Before I start a new painting I fritter away at least a day searching all my various files for support material.  Not a bad problem to have really, and what a wonderful life I’ve led traveling to so many great places to gather research.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska fine art

To pack for my summer art workshop in Alaska keep several things in mind; our weather changes by the minute so layer your clothes. Since we will be sketching out-of-doors, bring comfortable shoes for uneven terrain, a windbreaker or light weight jacket, a hat or visor for the sun or rain, sunglasses, bug spray, water bottle to drink, sketch book, pencils, digital camera (optional), your favorite brushes, watercolor palette (optional). You will need a container for water to paint, paper towels or rags, and don’t forget to bring a paint shirt that you don’t care if it gets ruined.

Acrylic paint and rag paper will be available to purchase. If you wish to bring your own acrylic paint here is the suggested palette; Titanium white, Cadmium yellow light, Cadmium yellow medium, Cadmium red light, Acra violet, Naphthol crimson, Burnt sienna, Burnt umber, Ultramarine blue, and Phthalo blue. Disposable palettes are best.
We will have full details and a suggested supplies list available soon. This is just a teaser to get you to plan ahead.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska pointillism art

I usually do not make resolutions, because they seem to get lost in life and never happen, but this year I have a couple of things that I really want to accomplish so I’ll risk failure and ridicule and post them on my blog. Number one, I want to learn how to downhill ski. Nothing fancy, just be able to stand up and go slowly down a small slope without falling. I’m not planning to be a fast, double black diamond skier, I just want to be able to meet my family at the bottom of the slopes once in awhile and not just sit in the lodge all day.

Number two, I want to continue to learn how to cook healthy food. Last year we explored a Vegan diet and did pretty well for months, then we expanded to Vegetarian by adding an occasional egg and cheese. This was an amazing step for life-time carnivores. But, we feel better, and our cholesterol numbers are better, as is our blood pressure. So, there must be something to this you are what you eat stuff. I want to be able to feed company and have them love what they eat.

Third and last, I want to master yoga. I’ve been taking a once a week class now for a month and know that this is a very good thing for my body to learn. So there they are, my good intentions. If you see me during the year, encourage me to stick to my resolutions. And I’ll do the same for you.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, original paintings of Alaska