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I will be signing prints and books at the Town Square Gallery in Wasilla from 1-4PM today. The gallery is located in the Carrs mall next to Radio Shack just off the Parks Highway, Wasilla, Alaska. I look forward to visiting with customers in this beautiful gallery. Janet, the owner, has stocked the shop with lovely gifts and collectibles and will have “Wing Dancing” and “High Country” canvas giclees and a “Paper Birch” available, as well as many other of my popular prints. I look forward to seeing everyone this afternoon!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Tearing down our booth Sunday night at the Denai’na Center, Anchorage, Alaska, was a joy and a breeze. We are treated like spoiled kids by Bill Webb and the staff of the Anchorage Markets and Festivals, the show promoter. Since we are one of the slowest to pack-up, the huge building is nearly empty when we are ready to load. We were allowed to drive our car and cargo trailer inside, where it is warm and comfortable, and pack up our stuff. This is a wonderful show and a joy to participate in the beautiful new convention hall, the crown jewel in the city of Anchorage.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Our booth was ready to go by mid-afternoon Friday, the set-up is really easy at the Denai’na Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. About 50% of the booths were built by the time we left and when we return in the morning the place will be packed and busy, ready to open at 10:00AM. This Arts and Crafts show is the biggest event of the year and an excellent place to do Holiday shopping. All vendors are required to make their own products, you will find none of the made in China stuff that can be found in a lot of other shows. The highlight in our booth is the huge (40″ x 50″) canvas giclee of “Wing Dancing” printed from my original painting showing the Sandhill Cranes in the mating dance. See you this weekend!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a lovely invitational art show “Art for the Young at Heart” at the Primrose Retirement Community, Wasilla, Alaska. In the above photo my friend, Don Benson, enjoyed the show and the goodies on the reception table loaded with fabulous food. Jessica McGill Berberich, the marketing manager, knows how to stage a first-class event. The show will hang for the rest of the month, stop by and enjoy. Thanks Jessica!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

While friends Warren and Vicki visited our booth at the Holiday Food and Gift Show, Warren started shooting photos of the people and activity. Good friends Lori and Bob Sunder stopped to say hello and the next thing we knew Warren took our picture. It was a day of good times, best friends, memories, stories, and shared experiences. Part of the fun of doing these events is sharing time with wonderful people. Moments to treasure.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artisst

It was quiet on Friday and gave people lots of time to browse in the booth, but don’t be fooled, Saturday and Sunday will be a mad house. Savvy shoppers know to come on Friday.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

We spent all day Thursday setting up our booth for the Holiday Food and Gift Show at the Anchorage Denai’na Center. The weather warmed up and made the experience towing our cargo trailer very easy. The show opens today at noon and closes Sunday, November 8, at 5:00PM. We are showing the first new print of “Wing Dancing”, it looks great. I look forward to seeing friends and collectors this weekend.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Recently I enjoyed the pleasure of serving as a juror for an art show titled “Wild Wolves” that opened at the Madd Matters Gallery in Palmer last Saturday night, October 10, continuing through the end of the month. The show contains a varied mix of mediums from bronze sculpture, woodcut, to paintings in watercolor, acrylic and oil. Owner Pam Strahan and partner Gregory Gusse are on to something new for Palmer, monthly showings of original art following a theme. Most of the work is efforts by newly emerging artists and there are some very nice pieces. Pam discussed working in concert with other art venues across the valley to time openings so that patrons can progress from one show to another without missing an event due to a conflict with scheduling. I wish the staff and artists of Madd Matters every success in this new venture, many thanks for inviting me to participate.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Bob is looking a little annoyed at me running around shooting photos of everything with my new little Lumix digital camera. Packing and un-packing for art shows is a lot of work, even with all the convenient storage we’ve built into our residence/studio it is a challenge to complete the task with minimum damage. We have two large closets in the gallery room to store the shrink wrap inventory on the first floor adjacent to the garage making this job much easier than our last home where storage was in the basement.

The frame shop and framed inventory is stored on the main floor in a separate room attached to the garage, making loading and un-loading the cargo trailer very easy and quite enjoyable during the dark, cold winter months. Recently, in a desperate attempt to become organized, I designed storage bags from bubble wrap for the framed prints and color coded the bags by size using colored duct tape. The large bags are red and go into the big bin stored in the trailer, the yellow bags take medium/large prints and go into the large tub with yellow handles and big wheels. This tub is easy to roll in and out of any venue in all weather conditions. The purple bags go into the tub with purple latches and take medium sized framed work, and the green bags are for small works and fit the green tub. Of course, none of this matters to Bob who uses whatever bag is handy and stuffs them helter skelter wherever they fit. I always smile when I unpack to see my attempt at organization so completely skewed, each tub a rainbow of colored bags. Nevertheless, the frames are protected from damage, some of my ideas are working.

Gail Niebrugge, Artist

Here is the last photo from my dying camera, I Photoshopped it until it could take no more. A shot in our booth at the Make it Alaska show in the Sullivan Arena last Saturday. The new Panasonic Lumix ZS3 TZ7 with 25mm wide angle and 12X zoom will be ordered as soon as the show is over, meanwhile I picked up an inexpensive Lumix FS-15 at Costco to use as a back-up and one that my husband Bob can carry in his pocket. I am already in love again. This is an unexpected jewel, a sweet little camera.

Here is a shot from our booth looking down on the arena Sunday. I took photos all day, it zooms 5X and goes to 28mm wide angle. You can see what a camera junkie I am, I can’t be without one for even one day. Astonishing really, I had no idea I was so hooked.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

My little digital Cannon PowerShot A85 failed me at the Make it Alaska show yesterday, I have been using it almost every day since my children gave it to me as a Christmas gift many years ago. I’m lost with out it. During the show on Friday I tried to take a couple of photos during the busy time in our booth to post on this blog when the LED screen went white, like it was all fogged up. I shot photos anyway, because this ancient chubby has a viewfinder, and I’ve used it many times in bright light conditions when it was hard to see the LED. But, the flash didn’t power so all the shots I took were underexposed, way too dark. I’ll try changing batteries, but new ones were installed two days ago and the camera usually just quits when the batteries go bad. I think this is the death knell for the little Cannon, my friend. We will be too busy in the booth today and Sunday to run out and purchase a new one, the camera I’m favoring is the Panasonic Lumix, so I guess I’m without photos for the blog unless I bring in the big SLR, but I don’t really have space to store a big camera in the booth. So go the woes of everyday business in my world, the camera has been my friend ever since the black and white film in a black box that we used when I was a kid.

Gail Niebrugge, Artist

We arrived early at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, the drive from the valley was spectacular with trees still displaying fall color and a fresh coat of snow on the peaks. The chill of the early morning frost soon thawed under the shining sun and our move-in was seamless. We’ve been doing the Make it Alaskan show for 16-17 years now and have our booth set-up pretty well memorized. Nevertheless, I brought too much framed art….and had to bring some back home. I miscalculated how much space the big original “Wing Dancing” would rob and had to do some quick re-hanging. We have many more prints to offer now than a few years ago and need four bins for display, that eats up space as well.

But, even with all the adjusting and fussing we were finished well ahead of most vendors. It always amazes me to see so much empty space the afternoon before the show, but I know from experience when we arrive at the next day at opening the place will be packed, alive with vendors, music, food and fun! This show is a joy to do, excellent free entertainment throughout the event, and our perch along the north rim gives us a birds eye view to all the activities taking place in the entire arena. The weather is still pretty mild with abundant daylight, so the one hour drive each way back and forth from the valley usually isn’t a stress. This afternoon was an exception we avoided two accidents within minutes of each other, cars swerving in every direction, some hitting the shoulders, and the final scare found cars scattering all over the place avoiding a small bull moose. Other than that, it was smooth sailing.

See you at the show, October 2-4, Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

New, ready for our next show “Make it Alaskan” at the Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, October 2-4, a mini giclee print “Northern Lights” image 6″x8″ perfect for gift giving at $30.00. Call Niebrugge Studio (907)746-3256, or check out the website www.niebruggestudio.com

Packing up after the fair vendor snafus, traffic snarls, and chaos reigned behind our booth. Waiting a full day before we tried to move our truck and camper was of little value, trucks and trailers blocked the exit like giant immovable boulders. Requests for help were ignored. It took four men and two hours to weave our rig through the maze without mishap. A totally unnecessary and avoidable scenario.

At one point a jack was employed to move a vendor trailer sideways one foot giving our truck inches to spare. This situation needs careful evaluation by the management before next year. I’m glad this event is over, it is exhausting and draining, but overall rewarding. Many, many thanks to our friends who offered help and solutions to our set-up and tear-down operations. We could not have done it without them.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape painter

The last four days at the Alaska State Fair were bathed in sunshine, instead of sitting inside next to the heater I relocated to the front doors soaking the warmth of the September sun. Clear skies drew crowds and our booth was no exception.

Blinking to adjust eyesight from the bright glare outdoors, collectors arrived en masse with nice comments, questions, making purchases. Every now and then I’d duck out the doors to be swept by the parade down the aisle, feeling like a salmon swimming upstream I’d return with a giant cookie, vege wrap, or deep fried halibut to be consumed on the run. It was quintessential fair fare. All in all, it was a wonderful event and well attended. Well worth the time and trouble.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Weekdays at the Palmer fair are the best time to attend, the grounds are void of crowds, parking is easy, there is little traffic, and virtually no waiting in lines. The beauty of mid-week participation is that everything offered is the same as during jam-packed weekends. Collectors browse the art in our booth without the distraction of others and enjoy viewing large works from a distance and close-up, a must for pointillism. We can replace framed art on the walls and re-hang with a minimum of disruption, everything is seamless, eating is enjoyable and we indulge too much. Yes, the lovely relaxing pace of mid-week at the fair is a treasure, a secret to be shared. That is; as long as it isn’t raining.

Gail Niebrugge, pointillism artist

I knew the rain would come, it always does, the pace at the fair slows down for awhile. We needed a rest from the frenzy, and the ground absorbed water like a sponge. Comfortable, toasty from the heater at the back of the booth rain gave the gift of time, an opportunity to visit with customers and friends to share, discuss, embellish stories in between bites of giant cookies and caramel coated popcorn.

My fireweed paintings prompted discussions about weather, when the bloom tops the plant is it really six weeks until winter, comparing progress of the white seed fluff stage from the coast to the interior. Birch leaves are yellow around the Matanuska Glacier but haven’t changed yet in Glennallen, an anomaly, fall usually arrives in the Alaska interior first. Interesting facts to ponder, muse over and speculate. A rainy day at the fair in the art booth, connecting, talking with people. It was good.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape painter

Hours of watching people through the open double doors of our art booth at the Alaska State Fair provides a tiny window, a quick snapshot of crowd behavior, a fashion show of unusual wardrobes, a range of body shapes and sizes, and a parade of painted hair and faces. Our handicapped accessible ramp at the front doors was often occupied by youngsters seeking a sunny spot to sit, eat, and visit, oblivious to the fact that they were blocking the entrance. Apologetic and polite they always complied with our request to find another spot to camp.

I enjoyed seeing the unusual shaped shadows cast on our booth floor from spiky hairstyles, and the brightly colored clothes worn by these youths. This could make a great painting I thought as I gently urged them to move on. Silly, the stuff that catches my eye. Again, it always about the light, the light and shadows are what I seek to make a good painting. It really doesn’t matter what the subject matter, it is all about the light. An artists observation.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist at the State Fair

Mobs arrived in the sunshine on Sunday at the fair, moving up and down the trails en masse, slowly jockeying for an opening, stopped dead by a stroller, cut off by a group that stopped to visit, the throng drifted back and forth and entered our booth. It was amazing! Both of us worked hard to inform, answer inquiries, package purchases and re-hang the walls. A wonderful day.

Many want prints made of the big original painting “Wing Dancing”, with images of Sandhill Cranes in the mating dance. We will make a print, no doubt a giclee on canvas with a mirror wrap on the sides, no frame required. The largest size will be 40″x50″ priced at $1,950.00, medium size 28″x35″ priced at $780.00, and the small canvas giclee will be 16″x20″ priced at $375.00. Call Niebrugge Studio (907)746-3256 or send email to reserve your print. People want this picture and my work is rewarded by the enthusiastic response. I am satisfied.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Good weather brought crowds the first weekend of the Palmer Fair and congested our booth. “Wing Dancing,” the huge canvas of Sandhill Cranes drew people who absorbed colorful pointillism and admired the variety of subject matter. The original painting “Blue Poppy” also starred. Twelve hour days turn into sixteen with bookwork and inventory, meeting, greeting, explaining, restocking, gulping food on the run, limited downtime wore down both of our aging bodies. Bob, nursing broken ribs, did a herculean job popping Ibuprophyn and taking rest breaks in the camper. I found energy and adrenalin from my collectors and friends. Each morning we groggily drink coffee waiting for the caffeine jolt to get going.

I paint all year alone in my studio and look forward to display my work and interact with the public. It is not upscale or snobbish, the fair is down and dirty, tacky and wonderful, a mix of plastic made in china souvenirs and hand-made excellence. Beautifully grown vegetables, animals lovingly raised by children, food from prized recipes, quilts, art, photos, pottery, all mixed with glitzy carny rides and cheesecake in a cone. The grounds exploding with colorful blooming annuals, benches placed randomly for rest, climbing lumberjacks thrilling crowds, community choirs song drifting mixing with the beating bass speakers magnifying sounds of concert headliners performing outdoors, the fair offers something for everyone.

I guess my career as an artist will never see gallery shows in the New York art district, I’m content to meet Alaskans and visitors in the places that they go. Few attend openings in galleries anymore unlike the great crowds during the 80’s, times have changed. My favorite galleries are closing and none are opening to replace them. I’m not sure what the future holds for artists, but for now I have an art booth at the Alaska State Fair and am happy and humbled by the experience.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist