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King Salmon, my favorite fish to catch and eat.  This is the result of our second day of fishing with the best guide on the Kasilof River, Alaska, Jeremy Anderson of Driftaway Fishing.  This is our second year fishing the Kasilof with Jeremy and we didn’t waste any time booking next year.  Our guests are my cousin, Arlene Shuster and her husband Bob from Escondido, California.  Having two Bob’s on board made it tricky for Jeremy to give instructions, the nicknames of BIB, for Bob in back, and BIF, for Bob in front have stuck now and we use them all the time.

I had to release a much larger King earlier in the day because it was turning too pink.  Here’s the story; we were fishing a hole next to another boat, a second boat was anchored below us a good distance down river.  Suddenly my pole bent and I set the hook, the fish stripped line tearing down river tangling the lines of the fishermen below.  Courtesy on the river has fishermen reeling in lines the instant “fish on” is shouted.  The guide immediately cut the tangled lines, and my mighty King changed direction charging upriver and snagged the line of another fisherman in the boat next to us.  The idiot guide refused to cut the line.  I was reeling with all my might and very worried I’d loose this huge fish.  With a few choice commands from Jeremy the ornery guide finally cut line and we were able to net the monster.  My line looked like a string of Christmas tree ornaments with three other sets of colorful tackle entwined.  After this epic battle it pained me to release that big guy, but it was the right thing to do.  Jeremy estimated it weighed over 40lbs.  I’m still a little perturbed at the lack of courtesy show by the other guide.

A good fish story.  Do you have one to share?

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wilderness fishing artist

Summer has caught up with me here in Alaska, in a big way.  Not only do we have a full contingency of house guests from the lower 48, but we have a huge amount of travel scheduled.  During this time I continue to make progress on the % for Art commission for the Palmer Courthouse entry, a job that will take quite awhile to complete.  Right now my life is very busy, full and fun.

All of this is leading to a decision to not post my blog as regularly and faithfully as I have in the past.  My posts in the future will be sporadic, done as time permits.  To date I have made 1,201 entries since my blog began May 16, 2006, and contain a generous amount of useful information for art lovers and artists alike.  As I continue to discover information of importance for artists, participate in shows, and complete paintings of interest to collectors I will write on the blog.  I’ll also keep track of the garden and general activities on our lake in Alaska as time permits, but posting 5-6 days a week like I have in the past will not be possible this summer.

So, for now, I wish you all the very best summer ever and God’s blessings.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Every 4th of July for a decade or more my son, photographer Ron Niebrugge, has announced the start and the finish of the Mt. Marathon woman’s race.  He stands on the back of a flat bed trailer with several helpers and with the aid of spotters all along the grueling course he keeps the crowd informed.  This year the finish was a thriller when six time champion Cedar Bourgeois edged past Olympic nordic skier Holly Brooks to claim her seventh title.  We so enjoy spending time with Ron and his wife Janine when they are home from their photography ventures.

Gail Niebrugge

Bob makes a killer vegetable pizza on the outdoor grill.  Tons of sauteed fresh veges with lots of mozzarella cheese heated to melting on the Bar-B-Que, one of my favorite dinners.  Try it sometime.  Good for you and tastes good too!  A plate almost too pretty to consume.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

A gorgeous sunny day marked a hike with the art students at the Palmer Arts Council Summer Arts Program for a day of sketching in the field.  An energetic group of budding artists followed me up the steep trail to the top of the Palmer Butte.  Clutching sketch books, back packs, and cameras we hiked, climbed, and scrambled over the steep trail finding the beautiful treasures of nature to sketch.

One adorable little boy commented that he didn’t want to be rude, but he was amazed that I could climb that trail.  He’s got a lot to learn about the senior citizens of today   We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, the usually wind blown summit was calm and clear.

We spent about four hours learning about light and shadow, composing a scene, exploring depth, discerning the shapes of leaves and flowers, and I know I enjoyed the class as much as the students!  Happy painting everyone!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

The Exxon Valdez grounded in Prince William Sound, Alaska, April 1989,

Continued from…..

After several weeks I was offered an opportunity to hop aboard a helicopter and fly over the disabled tanker, I would not be able to go on board, but I could see what we had all been working on so hard for so long.  After weeks of 14+ hour days with meals served at our desks, it was wonderful to don an orange flight suit, the ones we carefully inventoried each day, and leave the building.  My photos are not good, wrong film, too much motion, dirty window view, but I doesn’t matter.  I was there, I saw, it is a part of history now, a part of our state and what we learned has helped others and made new technology available.

My view out the door of the helicopter while on the deck of the Exxon Valdez, April 1989.

I was only able to work six weeks, when I left efforts were still not producing satisfaction and I knew the crews were in for a very long haul, perhaps years.  History tells the story.  Today the sound is nearly restored, birds, fish and wildlife are abundant again.  Much money has been paid by Exxon to the state of Alaska and to folks who suffered loss.  Not everyone is satisfied, but compared to what is happening right now in the Gulf of Alaska, we should be thankful that things turned out as well as man could manage at the time.  Fault can be found on all sides.  I choose none.  I was an observer, a hard worker, and did my best.  For this I will be forever grateful.  Alaska is still beautiful, the land that I love, the land that I continue to paint.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

The Exxon Valdez grounded in Prince William Sound, Alaska, March 1989.

Continued from……

With a copier we were in business, soon surplus desks and a few beat up chairs found their way to our offices at the Valdez Airport.  I no longer worked sitting on the floor.  On my desk perched the telephone, I had a map, copier and paper, pens, and ancient typewriter.  My boss had a desk and a phone, and the Exxon chief pilot had a desk and phone.  We were the envy of the airport.  Documents were done in longhand, scribbled notes, crude charts and graphs, but information was flowing, and that was good.  My boss came to me with a request; find a computer.  We need professional documents, charts, and graphs for our briefings and for distribution.  He asked if I knew how to use a computer.

I froze, my stomach churned.  I was an artist, I’d never worked in an office with a computer and in 1989 computers were not common in the bush of Alaska.  The big organizations were using PC’s with programs like Excell, but I only knew how to use my little MacIntosh and a program called Pagemaker.  I told my boss if I could find a Mac I could try to do the job.  Fine, he said, do whatever it takes.  All day I called, following one lead after another.  Finally someone at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, told me that a brand new Mac had been ordered and if it had been delivered we could borrow it until one of our own could be purchased.  He would check.  Good news, they found the computer still in the box and it would be placed on the next flight to Valdez.  In those days many software programs came with the computer.  Thank God.

For days I churned out charts and graphs on that beautiful little Mac.  I sweated out the learning curve on the new version of Pagemaker and Mac Draw and produced some very fine visuals.  My work was slow, I felt way out of my element and over my head, but I was the best they had at the moment and the staff was kind to me.  I missed my home, my art, my family.  We had been working seven days a week, 14+ hours a day for several weeks.  The pressure was enormous on everyone.  We bonded in our mission and worked as a team to resolve problems.  It was an amazing time, a time to grow, learn, push, and produce.  Our office was up and running as well as it could, and we were proud of our effort.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Exxon crew ready to fly to the Exxon Valdez 1998.

continued……

After the Exxon big wigs arrived from Texas a new sense of order prevailed in our organization.  Many meetings were held and people emerged with specific tasks.  Within a week security was tightened to something I’ve never witnessed before in rural Alaska, by today’s standards it would still seem lax.  Ad hoc “save the birds” facilities were up and going, beach clean-up crews working, Exxon placed laborers in and around the grounded tanker to repair damage and contain the oil, and communication was established in the sound, which was no mean feat in itself.  Communication towers were built and placed strategically so that pilots could radio each other and talk to the control tower at the airport, something that did not exist before.  Our department housed the Exxon Chief Pilot who took command of air operations.

One day I was aware of top, top secret meetings.  Media were crawling everywhere trying to get a better story, all the major US networks and those of many foreign countries were present but did not have access to our area.  The buzz among employees was that the President of Exxon was coming for a visit and it was to be kept secret, he wanted to arrive, do a survey, have a briefing with his top people and leave before anyone knew he was there.  This was planned with good reason, by now the Exxon haters, and crazy fanatics were everywhere.  It was a dicey time.  Not only was the task of finding a way to contain and clean-up the massive oil spill eluding everyone’s best efforts, but now the concern and worry of being accosted or harassed by haters took valuable time away from working on a solution.

Every idea and suggestion was tried.  One day I answered a call from the President of Norway who offered to loan a cold water clean-up vessel and techniques to help.  The whole world was watching, waiting, speculating, and grieving, just as it is today with the hideous debacle in the Gulf of Mexico.  Every available boat was rented for clean-up or transportation, every van was commandeered, all for outrageous prices.  One day early on everything stopped cold.  Barrels and barrels of fuel had been delivered to fueling locations for use in the clean-up, but no one was in charge of returning the empties for refilling. There were no more barrels available in the state.  No planes could fly, no boats, nothing.  All the empty barrels had to be returned to Valdez to refill.  Precious time was lost, people were angry.  Every day we seemed to spend our time putting out fires.  It was likened to the front lines of a war.  We soon grew tired, stressed, tempers flared, fatigue set in, much like battle fatigue…..

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Saturday we attended the opening reception of the new Anchorage VA Outpatient Clinic and did a tour of all of the beautiful Per Cent for Art installed in the building.  It is an impressive collection!  In the upstairs lobby south wing my painting “Grassy Wetlands” graces the wall.

Another painting “Backwater” hangs in the prosthetic waiting room.  With such a beautiful facility and artwork to serve the veterans, Anchorage should be very proud.

Many dignitaries attended the ribbon cutting, among them were Representative Don Young, Senator Mark Begich, and VA Deputy Under Secretary for Health Operations & Management William Schoenhard.  I am proud to have my work represented in this stunning building.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

The nearly abandoned Valdez Airport grew out-of-control in 1989.

continued from….

Meanwhile the news worsened, it began to look like the oil spill could be huge, something no one had ever dealt with in the cold Alaskan waters.  I showed up at the empty airport where more and more people appeared with clipboards, most were looking for telephones.  This was before cell phones.  It was clear we needed telephones and a few desks and chairs…my job was assigned by necessity–to get this place operational.  The tiny co-op, Copper Valley Telephone, was overwhelmed.  Being a local person, I knew people and was able to get the existing phone lines activated on priority.  It still took time, at first we had only one live jack and one phone on the floor in an empty room, my office.  People were lined up to use it.  I started making lists in my sketchbook, we needed note pads, pencils, pens, scotch tape, the needs were endless.  The local stores soon sold out.  Supplies had to be flown in from Anchorage.  Meanwhile we scrounged any way we could.

Our job was to help manage airspace.  It seemed that every private and commerical pilot in Alaska was in the air to see the wreck.  Curious.  The airspace over the tanker became a dangerous place, planes flying low and slow, near misses everywhere.  Soon the FAA set up an office near ours at the airport and worked with our group to develop regulations for the air space in Valdez and over Bligh Reef.  It was wild, like the last frontier.  I spent all my time trying to locate paper clips, finding a way to make copies…we needed to find a copier.  And, there were only a very few sectional aeronautical maps of the area available, we coveted the few we had.  We located a copier and simultaneously had power, we used it to barter with others for supplies.  Do you have maps, we’ll trade for copies.  You want copies, we will trade for chairs.  We began to put an office together this way.  By hook and by crook.  Most of the time I sat on the floor by the copier and telephone, calling, copying, calling, and calling again.

A new issue arose.  We were assigned a telephone number, but no one knew what it was.  At the same time multiple other offices were being set-up all over town demanding the same services.  More numbers, more phone lines, the operators were overwhelmed.  Someone needed to circulate a list of the new agencies with phone numbers.  The city was buried under the immense demands, more and more public arrived by the hour.  Some curious, some seeking jobs, others looking for ways to benefit from the disaster.  I was shocked.

At the same time VECO told all of us we were no longer employed and that EXXON had taken over management of the clean-up and would be bringing in the big guns from Texas.  We were told that EXXON would no doubt keep us, but we were all a bit uneasy for awhile.  If I remember correctly, this was only the third day…..

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Photo: Richardson Highway near Thompson Pass 1989, collection of the artist.

Hearing the tragic news of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resonates tension in my gut, and produces memories of the hysteria and horror on March 24, 1989 when the Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska.  Flashbacks to the early days of the oil clean-up effort in the sound happen whenever I hear about the hard working folks struggling in the Gulf.  My heart goes out to all who are trying to stop that awful debacle.  The event in Alaska is minuscule in comparison to the spill in the Gulf now, even though it is considered one of the largest environmental disasters of our time.  The Exxon Valdez changed many of our lives including mine, my story begins the week before…

Prince William Sound Community College is located in the tiny town of Valdez, Alaska, reached by a two lane road 306 miles from Anchorage climbing over two spectacular mountain ranges and winding through the interior wilderness.  Valdez is very isolated, during that era it was served once a week by the Alaska State Ferry, and a three times a week round trip flight from Anchorage. The college hired me to teach a five day Painting Workshop beginning March 24, 1989.  I arranged housing with good friends and worked diligently the week before to free my busy schedule as a mom, artist, and partner in a small fast food restaurant, rescheduling art commissions, painting for shows, and travel as Artist-in-Residence in the Wangell-St. Elias National Park.

The phone rang early in the morning the day I planned to drive the 2 hour trip from Copper Center to Valdez, it was the very worried voice of the Dean of Instruction.  “There’s been an accident,” he said excitedly, “an oil tanker grounded in the sound and everyone is on alert, no one knows the extent of the damage,” he continued to explain that he felt very few people would show up for class and asked to cancel and reschedule.  He seemed distraught, like he knew more than he could reveal until it was official.  Rumors were rampant in a small town, no need to concern others unnecessarily.

Within a few hours the fear of a big spill was confirmed.  The managing company, VECO, put out word for help, they needed people who could come immediately but, they warned don’t come unless housing was secured.  I hopped a flight with friends from Glennallen to survey the situation and spent a few hours wandering around the almost abandoned, empty Valdez air terminal asking questions.  I soon met a fellow who had been hired by VECO to form a helicopter operations base at the airport.  After a short discussion, with my credentials as a private pilot, I was hired to help as soon as possible.  I flew home and drove down the next day arriving at the home of my friends with enough gear to stay for a week, eager to help.  I stashed my belongings and headed out to the airport as if I were on an urgent mission.  Grim faces and worried looks greeted me, people were milling about without purpose seeking ways to help.  There was absolutely no organization, no plan, nothing.  I stood with my art sketchbook, pencil and pen, ready…..little did I know I would do no artwork, nor leave the building during the 14 hour days, and fall in bed exhausted for more than six weeks!!

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

April 27, 2010, the view of our lake with about 75′ of open water along the shore.  The ice isn’t stable enough to walk on anymore.

Two days later, April 29, 2010, it looks like 150′ of open water from our shore and some very dark thin areas of ice beyond that.  It won’t be long now.

Early morning, May 3, 2010, the lake is open to the island (the land on the left) from there the ice begins and goes all the way to the distant west shore, the winds blew for two days drifting slushy ice to our dock and cove.  Today is going to be warm.

Afternoon of the same day, May 3, 2010, the first boat attempted to circle the island (land to the left) and powered its’ way through the ice pack.  After that, others followed.  It is a tradition to be the first boat around the island.

Evening of the same day, May 3, 2010, the ice vanished like magic!!  I love watching this event.  Woo hoo!  Summer is just around the corner   I am content, time to drag out the kayaks.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Videographer Greg Lytle standing with Bob on our dock scouting out scenes to use for filming a commercial for ACHIA, the Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Assn., a health insurance plan for people who are turned down due to pre-existing conditions that Bob helped create for Alaska years ago.  Northwest Strategies handled the production, it was amazing to see creative people work with film and a script.  We have no idea how the short clip will go together, but it was fun to be involved.

Bob recorded voice overs with Senior Account Executive, Janet Oates, who is reviewing the material using a headset and watching playback on the camera screen.  We were lucky to have a flat calm day, two Trumpeter Swan flew overhead and our resident Muskrat came out from under the dock while we were there.

Mona McAleese, an ACHIA Board Member and friend, joined us for the indoor shoot.  It was staged with my Sunflower painting and a huge, fantastic, gorgeous bouquet of fresh sunflowers.  I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

One day last winter while the wind screamed outside I sat down and started writing, before I knew it four hours had passed.  I decided to try my hand a writing a poem about the wind, and submit it to the Palmer Arts Council’s 2010 poetry anthology Voices Between Mountains. A few weeks later I re-read the poem and sent it off.  The theme is; Walking the Land-The Water, The Wilderness, I am pleased to announce that my poem The Matanuska will be published, read and enjoy!

The Matanuska
by Gail Niebrugge ©

Cold, dry, northerly Matanuska mistral rules winter,
copse thicket bending snapping, timberland writhing
flinging dead limbs like javelins through the air.

The howling gusting din shatters silence, rattles window
panes lifting shingles as pitch increases, doors vibrate,
large glass spans flex bending sometimes breaking.

Airborne snow grains sting like nettles, blowing frigid
sapping moisture, desiccating warmth, penetrating
invisible fissures stealing heat, supple becomes brittle.

Almost rhythmic intensity grows, sound dominating,
suddenly quiet a reticent hush lulling innocent, trusting,
into betrayal as the torrid Matanuska returns full force.

Endless days of wind wear on nerves, polish lake ice,
weaken aging woods, scour paint, loose coverings rip
sailing skyward ending tangled, entwined, scattered.

Seemingly mindless roaring gales play a dual role,
wreaking havoc in its path, eroding bluffs shifting soil,
spreading seeds, culling forests killing weak, sparing strong.

Cold, dry northerly Matanuska mistral balances nature,
forests regenerate decayed rich mulch, glacier sediment
metamorphose into fertile soil, transient seeds germinate.

The death of turbulence leaves a wake of shredded fences,
shattered signs, trees adorned with plastic bags, pride rebuilds,
repairs, exterminates litter until the tempest blows again.

Saturday of Easter weekend we spent outdoors in the glorious sunshine watching the Alyeska Ski Club members compete in a Giant Slalom race in Alaska.  It was an unexpectedly beautiful day, we retired that night with sunburned faces.

Easter morning sunrise services were held on the mountain at the top of the Alyeska tram for a record crowd of 370 adults and lots of children.  It was standing room only.  The tram operated from 6:45AM until 10:00AM for free.  Attending church surrounded by the beauty of the mountains was inspirational and awesome, indeed a fitting place to celebrate Easter.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Nineteen members of the newly formed Cultural Trust Leadership Committee met all day Friday, March 12, at the Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, led by facilitator Alice Galvin, Manager of Leadership and Organizational Development with BP Exploration, to brainstorm formulating an action plan.  The morning began by dividing the group into four units who took turns listing ideas on four flip charts with specific subjects; Strengths, Problems, Threats, and Opportunities.   The afternoon we summarized these ideas and condensed them into action items.

Three committees were created and tasked to find answers and present them at the next meeting sometime in the fall.  Eleven states have existing Cultural Trusts, we plan to secure information from these states, compare their success/weakness and see if we can find a model to follow.  In the above photo, artist Kes Woodward and Shell Oil consultant Mickey Becker, discuss organizational issues.  It is a privilege and an honor to serve on this exciting and innovate team.  The task force is sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and funded by a grant from WESTAF (Western States Art Federation).

Gail Niebrugge, Vice Chair Alaska State Council on the Arts

Wonderful local theater, Valley Performing Art Center in Wasilla, Alaska, has been producing quality productions for more than thirty years.  We had the pleasure of attending the final performance Sunday of “Inherit the Wind” an entertaining event directed by Elizabeth Hanson and Marcia Beck.  If you didn’t get a chance to see it, you missed out.  It was excellent, with a talented cast!  Congratulations Marcia and Elizabeth!!

Don’t miss the next production, “The Drunkard” directed by Julie McCartney, beginning March 26 through April 11.  Get your tickets now!  Prices are reasonable, it is good entertainment and an excellent way to support local arts.

Gail Niebrugge, Board Development Committee Valley Performing Arts

We had dock side seats for the recent golf tournament held on our lake.  This golfer used a sand wedge in the snow trap to get to the #2 green (white?), another player scored big by driving the ball into our neighbors ice hockey goal net.

These hearty golfers teed up on the #3 tee a few feet from our dock, all the players used their vehicles as carts some neatly skidding in a circle while coming to a stop.  Just another day of fun in Alaska!

Gail Niebrugge, landscape painter

Two hard working volunteers on the Mat-Su College Fine Arts Advisory Council, Sharon Allen and Janice Strong, confer on auction items during the first annual “Tie the Knot Community and College” fundraiser held at the Palmer Depot last Friday night February 12, 2010.  The proceeds of the auction will be used to support the first Artisan Festival on campus for the community and the college planned for 2011 with the goal of making this annual event for artists throughout the state.  The evening was sparked by the humor and energy of the auctioneer, radio station owner John Klapperich, and capped by the generous contributions of featured artist Shane Lamb.  This is a very worthy cause and important to the cultural growth of the Matanuska Valley.  Next year, I (your humble blog writer artist) have the honor of serving as featured artist at the second annual auction.  Plan now to attend, and start saving your money to bid high on my donation

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape painter

Lots of really good stuff going on with the Palmer Arts Council this month.  Be sure to check out the Poetry Anthology.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter