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During my recent quest for good winter subject matter for future paintings I happened to be on the bridge in Girdwood at just the right time to capture a full moon over the mountain peaks that were beautifully lit by the setting sun.  I think I can utilize elements from this photograph in a painting someday.  I always carry my camera in my pocket for I never know when a magic moment, like this one, will happen.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

During the Christmas break we took a research trip at the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood, Alaska.   We enjoyed a huge bonus watching our grandchildren participate in their ski programs.  Our granddaughter is a member of the Alyeska Ski Club for youngsters called the Mighty Mites, and our grandson is in his first year with the Juniors.  He is one of the youngest members having qualified by only two days.   While the Juniors skied in the four day Coca Cola Holiday Classic, the Mighty Mites found more than enough fun sliding down snow banks in their spare time.  Unfortunately the weather grew uncomfortably cold, well below zero, and put a damper on skiing for all but the very hardy.   We were fortunate to have our good old Glennallen winter gear packed in our survival bags that we have always kept in the car, and even though we looked a bit geeky at the ski resort in bunny boots and Carhartt hats we continued to enjoy the outdoor activities well into the New Year without the discomfort from the extreme cold.  The landscape was beautiful, tall trees heavily loaded with snow with a backdrop of magnificent snow covered mountains.  The resort decorated trees around the lodge with tiny white lights, it was wonderful!  Great stuff for future paintings!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

During a recent sojourn searching for new images to use as subjects in future paintings we watched the New Years Eve Torchlight Parade at Alyeska Ski Resort, Girdwood, Alaska, where hundreds of skiers and snowboarders slowly descended the mountain in a blaze of glory.  What a beautiful procession!  Afterward the sky was filled with brilliant colorful explosions from a grand fireworks presentation.  I’ve got to think about how I can portray this event on canvas with paint and brushes.  Hmmmm………

Gail Niebrugge, Alaskas artist

In between art shows we have been hard pressed to keep up with winter this year. The above photo pictures Bob doing double duty with a snow blower in one hand and a shovel in the other. During November it seems we’ve had blizzards every week and just as soon as the driveway and roads are cleared the wind drifts them closed again.  New snow creates extra work in more than one way.  During this time I fly into a frenzy to find and photograph as much of the beautiful landscape that I can to use in future paintings.  It is a time sensitive task.  The stunning, heavily laden, snow clad scenery doesn’t last long in the Matanuska Valley where predictable glacier fed gales quickly polish the view back to bare earth. So, after each fresh snowstorm I spend as much time as possible poking around the back roads seeking wonderful stuff to paint hoping to stumble on to a treasure before the next blast arrives.

Gail Niebrugge, Palmer/Wasilla artist

Last week I spent almost two whole days at my desk doing various tasks on the computer, catching up after the long days away at the fair. My back ached, my neck was stiff and I longed to get back to the easel to paint. On the last day late in the afternoon I took a stretch break and went into my garden, an hour later with a bucket full of freshly picked peas, carrots and parsley I felt wonderful, invigorated, and relaxed. (more…)

I’m thrilled that my delicate Morden Blush rose bushes are producing blooms, they are slow to grow this year barely surviving last winter and are a third their normal size. Their color and shape are a delight to see and I’m yearning to paint them. Even with the record breaking cold, rain, and clouds this summer, my garden is still producing. A bit late, but yielding none the less. I hope we don’t have an early frost.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, flower painter

Famous Anchorage reindeer Star grazing in her pen while tourists watch through the viewing window.  My friend, Albert Whitehead, cares for Star in her cozy home across from the park strip, downtown Anchorage, Alaska.  Albert invited me inside the pen and encouraged me to feed her a treat, shredded wheat cereal.

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Gail Niebrugge, wildlife artist

A yard in Achorage, Alaska, where the very rare wildflower, white fireweed, is nurtured.  As a matter of fact, whenever a pink fireweed begins to bloom, the blossom is quickly extinguished to thwart cross pollination.  These fireweed have a very short bloom period of about two weeks.  I’m fortunate that the owner called to tip me off, or I would have missed seeing them.  I’m thinking that a painting of white fireweed is in order soon.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wildflower painter

Gail tasting one of the many flavors of Alaskan Brewing Company beer at the Alaskan Brewing Company tasting room in Juneau, Alaska. One of the side benefits of traveling to new venues in search of research for subject matter for future paintings is the chance to visit some of our favorite businesses. After trying many (a few) new and different beers my choice is still Alaskan Amber, which coincidentally has been and still remains the best seller.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Bob and I waiting for our dinner at a table overlooking the Jewell Gardens in Poppies Restaurant, Skagway, Alaska. I am totally captivated by the gorgeous perennials and incredibly designed gardens at this historic location. The food is the best, fresh picked and cooked to perfection! My time spent finding research for future paintings was productive and rewarding.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska flower artist

We were amazed to find one of the most lush, beautiful perennial and vegetable gardens we’ve seen anywhere, in Skagway, Jewell Gardens is a must see for any visitor. I was especially fascinated by the fabulous vegetables, since I’m attempting to grow many of the same in my garden in Palmer. It was humbling to see the size of the plants at Jewell Gardens. The fresh vegetables supply the very popular Poppies restaurant located on the same site, and is visited by buses full of cruise ship passengers each day. We were fortunate to be given an hour all to ourselves to explore, photograph and relax in the gardens.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, painter of flowers

Next, we flew to the small historic town of Skagway, Alaska, where hoards of cruise ship passengers filled the tiny streets wandering to and fro, enjoying the well kept town. Here we are posing in front of an old building with carved wooden totems, the one on the left is a classic American folk art cigar store indian, and on the right is a colorful carved wooden totem pole representing the culture of the indians who dwell in Southwest Alaska. We behaved just like all the other tourists and helped strangers take photos of themselves, then asked them to use our camera to photo us. I was able to get help in locating useful material for future paintings by working with the Klondike Gold Rush Historic National Park Historian, Karl Gurcke. Thanks Karl!
More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Painter of Alaska historic structures

We just returned from a research gathering trip to Juneau and Skagway, Alaska. Unfortunately the weather was cloudy, cool and gray, but I was still able to do a great deal of research for future paintings by changing my focus from the broad landscape to subjects up close and personal. Alaska is celebrating 50 years of statehood and the city of Juneau was adorned with banners and flags commemorating this event. The above photo pictures Bob on the porch of the Juneau City Museum standing below two 50 year celebration flags.

More tomorrow,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

“Cache” original acrylic painting using pointillism by Gail Niebrugge, Sold. Limited edition prints available.

This high rise cabin serves as a rustic food storage in the Wrangell-St. Elias region of the interior of Alaska. The tall stilt legs make it impossible for predators to eat the contents. Most remote dwellings use portable generators to power freezers and refrigerators today, so caches are used as yard ornaments and symbols of days gone by. When I painted this subject I chose to add blooming fireweed to the foreground, and a snow capped mountain to the background. The original cache stood in a bare dirt parking lot. As an artist I create a scene on the canvas, using photos only for reference.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wilderness artist

“Copper Center Lodge” original acrylic painting by Gail Niebrugge, Sold.

I love the colors of the aging logs of this historic building against the backdrop of a cold, crisp fall afternoon. During my life in the Wrangell-St. Elias region of wilderness Alaska, the Copper Center Lodge was a frequent subject to paint because it was close, just down the road a little ways from my studio. Today the building is still host to tourists from all over the world during the busy summer season.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wilderness artist

“Copper Center Lodge” pen and ink drawing by Gail Niebrugge, Sold. Limited edition prints Sold Out.

This historic road house is still in operation today in Copper Center, Wrangell-St. Elias region of Alaska. Many years ago I did a series of pen and ink drawings of historic road houses and artifacts. They were made into limited edition prints and sold one-by-one to collectors who passed through Glennallen. Today all are long gone. Every now and then I get a call from someone searching for one of these historic prints, unfortunately I have no idea how to to find any.

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Gail Niebrugge, painter of Alaska historic sites

“Coppess Stove Co.” original drawing with pen and ink, and ink wash by Gail Niebrugge, Sold.

This hand-made wood burning stove in a remote cabin in the Wrangell Mountains was a good subject to sketch while staying indoors one blustery cold morning. It even boasted a hand-made plaque engraved with the name of the builder. This cabin showed incredible pride of ownership. All the building materials were transported miles over rough terrain on sleds pulled by snow machine.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wilderness artist

“Al’s Kitchen” original pen and ink drawing with watercolor by Gail Niebrugge, Sold.

Sketching still life subjects inside on location during inclement weather is a good way to pass the time and sharpen your drawing skills. I painted this piece while staying in a remote cabin in the Chugach Mountains in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The rustic kitchen was well stocked with cooking equipment, but the cabin got too hot when using the wood burning stove, so we cooked most of our meals out of doors over a campfire, rain or not.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wilderness artist

Original pen and ink drawing “Alaskan Gingerbread” by Gail Niebrugge, Sold.

I rarely sketch or paint plein air today, but in my early years in the Wrangell-St. Elias region of Alaska, I enjoyed drawing and painting on location. I made this ink drawing in the fall when temperatures hovered near freezing and the water on my pen nib often froze. What attracted me to this scene was the cast shadow from the moose antlers. Antlers are often used as architectural adornment in rural Alaska.

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Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Wilderness Artist

Scattered about my perennial garden next to the front porch are lots of iris, among them are a few white ones.  I enjoy the spots of white among the riot of bright colors of the other plants.  Iris are one of my favorite flowers, and the blue/purple ones grow wild in Alaska.  They have been the subject of many of my paintings.

Gail Niebrugge, wildflower artist