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We had a lovely visit with guests from Entree Alaska Custom Tours the other day, they arrived via Rusts Flying Service float plane at our dock. The limo was on stand-by as our guests toured the studio and joined us for lunch. We said good bye as they departed in the limo to catch a cruise in Seward. What a way to travel!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

A field trip to Niebrugge Studio and workshop with artist Gail Niebrugge is part of the schedule for the Palmer Arts Council Summer Fine Arts Camp. Gail demonstrated how to make a quick color composition, the students learned how to create thumbnail sketches and spent time in the studio gardens sketching.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Some people become friends for life. Bob took this photo of me with Russ and Nancy Kanady the owners of Dolphin Realty in Maui, Hawaii. We got to know them when we both lived in San Diego County and have remained good friends for over 45 years. How true the old saying; “new friends are silver, but old friends are gold.” We are pictured in front of one of my large original paintings Prime Colors.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

A few weeks ago students who are taking drawing classes at Matanuska Susitna College, Palmer, Alaska, took a field trip and visited my studio. The day before their visit I had the pleasure of serving as the Juror for the Matanuska Susitna College Juried Student Art Show. I felt that I knew many of these budding artists personally from seeing their work. It was a joy to share my art and my life as an artist with them. God Bless each and every one of you, keep painting and drawing, and remember to follow your dream. Never be discouraged, do what you love, and keep trying because somewhere out there is a special place for you and your art. Thank you for the honor of your visit and for the privilege of serving as Juror for your student work.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaskan Artist

I have been blessed with one of the nicest neighbors in the world, Dennis Eby. The other day he volunteered to help us change the large painting on the very tall wall in my studio. Always practical and creative, Dennis used two Little Giant ladder systems and a plank between them with a three legged step ladder serving as a safe, easy access to the scaffold. Dennis is shown here adjusting my original painting titled “Parting Clouds.” This original painting in pointillism depicts part of the peak of Mt. Mc Kinley, Denali National Park, as it is bathed in alpenglow with lenticular clouds breaking-up and scattering in the sky.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Scott Jensen, KTUU Channel 2, Anchorage, Alaska, making a video of Gail painting in her studio using the technique of pointillism for the 6:00 news Friday, January 5, 2007. The painting on the easel is a partially completed version of the Kennicott Copper Mine located in the Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Use this link to access Scott Jensen’s blog and see the video http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=5903445

The landscape at Niebrugge Studio covered in fresh snow.

I promised to write a series on the Business of Art and the Artist and I will, but sometimes I just have to stop and “smell the roses” so to speak. The landscape outside is absolutely staggering in its beauty, and yesterday while the sun was shining, I drove all around the valley snapping photos for future painting reference material. And, today a reporter from Channel 2 News, Anchorage, will be here interviewing Bob and I for a segment in the news tonight. So, I guess, this is part of the business of art. Be flexible and don’t pass up good opportunities.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

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…)

Fall is here, the waterfowl are almost gone, leaves are falling and the Niebrugge Studio art garage is nearly finished.  Weather permitting the exterior may get painted before winter, otherwise it will happen next summer with everything else that didn’t get finished this year.

That’s the way it is here in Alaska, each season dominates and when it is over there is no looking back.  Any day now we will have freezing temperatures and anything subject to frost damage should be drained, moved and put inside.  It is especially important that we tidy up the yard now because we will be hosting our annual Open House here in three weeks!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

I love this time of the year in Alaska. With less daylight and nighttime temperatures cool and frosty we are experiencing a lovely phenomenon called an “Indian Summer” where the days are warm, clear and sunny. Fall colors are slowly appearing, a bright yellow tree here and there randomly sprinkled among trees turning yellow green and the ground is carpeted in a maze of gold, orange and rust colored foliage. Fireweed dominates with blaze red leaves topped by fluffy white clouds of seed. The best part of the day are the spectacular, dazzling sunsets with migrating birds often silhouetted against the brilliant sky. Oh yes, how I love this time of the year in Alaska!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

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…)

Wow! I can see fresh new paint on the exterior of the building now that the protective window covers have been removed. It looks great. Today the trim will be painted. I can’t wait to see the finished product. We have been living in the studio/residence since January, and have grown accustomed to the look and color of primer and crack sealer. The new siding paint color is a rich tan and is very nice. I will post photos on my website News page once the job is complete.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

House painters arrived early this morning and have sealed the windows of our house and my studio with opaque plastic wrap. Tape is everywhere. The guys said that it would take three hours to spray the house, and two more days to complete the trim. I guess I will be working inside this sealed box for three days. If the weather turns hot I think I might suffocate! (more…)

People often ask if they can visit my studio. The answer is yes! If you are interested in seeing original paintings, or artist proofs of sold out limited editions, or if you are interested in seeing how I work to create a painting, call me and arrange a visit. Many galleries and gift shops in Alaska sell my work, and can order anything for you any time. If you want to see something that the gallery doesn’t have, just call and arrange a visit to my studio.

See you soon!

Alaska Artist, Gail Niebrugge