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Herds of caribou quietly migrate each year through Denali National Park, Alaska, grazing, always moving, sometimes in a long line marching like soldiers on a mission. “Silent Travelers” an original painting is now available as a miniature digital ink jet giclee print on acid free paper printed with fade resistant inks, matted 8″x10″ with acid free silver gray black core and acid free backing, each print is hand-signed by the artist Gail Niebrugge, price $30.00 US. To order please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio (907) 746-3256.

Brown bears are common in Alaska, Gail painted this grizzly as it grazed on vegetation surrounded by the wildflower Cotton Grass. Titled “Cotton Grass Bear” this image is available as a miniature digital ink jet giclee print on acid free paper with fade resistant inks, matted with acid free silver gray black core mat 8″x10″, with acid free backing, each print is hand-signed by the artist. Price $30.00 US, call Niebrugge Studio to purchase please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio at (907) 746-3256.

“Perennial Favorites” depicts Mt. McKinley on a clear day in Denali National Park, Alaska, during July and August when the wildflower Fireweed adorns the tundra. This painting is available as a mini digital ink jet giclee print on acid free paper using fade resistant inks, matted 8″x10″ with acid free silver gray black core and acid free backing, each hand-signed by the artist, price $30.00 US. To purchase please click on this link, or call Niebrugge studio (907)746-3256.

Gail Niebrugge incorporated this design using Wild Iris and Alaska’s state flower Forget-me-not into a large outdoor mural 32′ long by 8′ high, located in Kawabe Park downtown Seward, Alaska. This original painting is now offered in a miniature digital ink jet giclee print on acid free paper using fade resistant inks, matted 8″x10″ with acid free silver gray black core and acid free backboard, each print hand-signed by the artist. Price $30.00 US, to purchase please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio (907) 746-3256.

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska, is surrounded by glorious landscape; glaciers, rivers and mountains. The most recognized mountain, “Pioneer Peak” shown in the early fall is an acrylic painting by Gail Niebrugge, now available as a miniature giclee digital ink jet print on acid free paper printed with fade resistant inks. Matted 8″x10″ with acid free silver gray black core, with acid free backing, each print is individually hand-signed by the artist, price $30.00 US. To order please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio (907) 746-3256.

Sarah Palin, the new Republican Vice Presidential candidate, arrived home in Wasilla today and the security has noticeably increased. As we approached the Best Western at Lake Lucille last night for a “Welcome Home Sarah Rally”, the Alaska State Troopers were in full force.

Members of every kind of media were present, some had tents set up outside as shelter from the rain, others had big satellite trucks. It was amazing. Read the rest of this entry »

“Icy Calm” original painting of Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, surrounded by the colors of October, tamed and docile readying itself to rest under a blanket of snow, waiting to come alive again in the spring. Offered in a miniature digital ink jet giclee print on acid free paper with fade resistant ink, matted 8″x10″ with acid free silver gray black core and acid free backing, hand-signed by the artist, price $30.00 US. To purchase please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio (907) 746-3256.

Beginning sketch by artist Gail Niebrugge, and the start of pointillism painted with acrylic on the background around the raven.

During my summer journeys to southeast Alaska I couldn’t help but notice that ravens were everywhere.  These birds are an important symbol in the native culture of southeast Alaska, and represent several legends, one is the legend of the sun.  The story simply tells about a time when sun was stolen and placed in a box and how a raven rescued the box using trickery and saved the sun.

Finished pointillism painting titled “Sun Raven” 10″x15″ acrylic painting by Gail Niebrugge.

I chose to place the dark, ebony colored raven against a brilliant sunny background of the wildflower Forget-me-not, to further emphasize the connection between the raven and the legend of the sun.  This is a relatively small painting for me, and small paintings are much harder to execute using the technique of pointillism.  I really like to paint big and plan a series of new larger works, but sometimes I need small things.  Hence, the “Sun Raven”.

Gail Niebrugge, Pointillism Paintings

For more than thirty years Gail has been researching, studying and painting the historic Kennicott Copper Mine located in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska. The once decaying structures are undergoing stabilization for the enjoyment of future visitors. The painting “Kennicott;Stabilized” is now available as a miniature digital ink jet giclee print on acid free paper using fade resistant inks, matted 8″x10″ acid free silver gray black core with acid free backing, each hand-signed by the artist, price $30.00 US. To purchase please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio (907) 746-3256.

I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson about art; “The sower may mistake and sow his peas crookedly; the peas make no mistake, but come up and show his line.” This is as true for art as is true for my garden. In art every line, brush stroke, color, or applied technique reflects the eye and ability of the artist. A line drawn with a heavy hand shows little sensitivity and is ungainly when compared to a line drawn while the artist is carefully observing and striving to create the “feel” or “essence” of the subject. And so it is with a garden. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

October 11-12 I will be teaching three, three hour workshops at the 2008 Alaska Art Education Association Fall Conference, Wasilla, Alaska.  Please contact Misty Holler at her email: Hollers@gci.net for more information and details.

The first class will be held from 9:30AM-12:30PM Saturday, October 11, 2008.  We will meet and drive to the historic district downtown Wasilla for some plein air thumbnail sketching.  You will need a sketchbook and pencil.  We will study perspective, composition, and the use of positive and negative space.  The second session is from 1:30PM-4:30PM Saturday, October 11, 2008, at Wasilla High School.  Students will utilize the thumbnail sketches and choose one to paint.  Brushes, grounds, and acrylic paint will be provided.  You will need a water jar, palette, paper towels, water spray bottle, and wear clothes that won’t be damaged with paint.  If you want to bring watercolor paint, that is fine with me.  I will give guidance and instruction on paint mixing, achieving distance, complementary colors, and various techniques.

The final session will be a shortened version of Saturday’s two sessions and will meet at Wasilla High School at 9:30AM-12:30PM Sunday, October 12, 2008.  If you have taken the previous sessions and want to work on your painting, that is fine with me.  If you are new, bring some reference material of historic subjects and all the items recommended for the two classes above.  Brushes, grounds, and acrylic paint will be provided.  We will do quick thumbnails and transfer the composition to the grounds to paint.  I will give guidance and instruction on paint mixing, achieving distance, complementary colors, and various techniques.

I look forward to working with Alaska’s Art Teachers.

Gail Niebrugge, Pointillism Artist

Sometime soon, within the next week the peas in the garden will be ready to pick, hull, and freeze. We have a bumper crop this year, I think they love our cool, wet summer. Soon, my painting breaks from the easel will entail picking peas, enough to fill a pan or two, later we will hull and blanch them for a few minutes in boiling water then plunge them into cold water, vacuum seal and freeze. They are going to taste awfully good this winter.

Gail Niebrugge, landscape artist

Photo; Redneck Grebe clumsily moving at top Grebe speed across the lake.
Yesterday I looked up from my easel and gazed at the lake, the sun was shining and I could hear the outdoors calling so I took a break. The sun felt good as I walked across the fresh cut grass to the end of the dock where I settled myself on the iron bench enjoying the sun’s warmth on my skin savoring the moment. The lake was calm, the family of five Rednecked Grebes were all asleep floating silently with their heads hidden under their wings. The quiet was pierced for a moment by a high pitched squawking from a few birds as they flew overhead, otherwise I was alone with my thoughts, my Grebes, and my lake. Read the rest of this entry »

Party cloudy skies and moderate temperatures brought crowds for the last day of the Alaska State Fair, and our booth remained busy. It was a wonderful event but, all good things come to an end and now we are home mowing the overgrown lawn and picking vegetables in the neglected garden. Read the rest of this entry »

From a hot and sunny Saturday, Sunday was just the opposite at the fair, but even bone chilling winds and clouds couldn’t keep Alaskans away from the last weekend of this fun-filled annual event.  I enjoyed sitting behind the counter beside my little electric heater visiting with everyone.  Art lovers from all over the state stopped in to say hello, introducing me to their families, and reminiscing about art collected over the years.

One man walked into the booth decisively up to the counter, and ordered a bananna split and two tacos, this brought forth laughter and fond memories from the seventeen years that the Glennallen Tastee Freez served as my gallery.  That comment stirred many Tastee Freez stories, but the one I remember most was the gentleman who stopped in to buy an ice cream cone and left with an original, he said “this was the most expensive cone I’ve ever bought!”

This was a wonderful day shared with genuine people who love and cherish art.  It has filled my soul.  Thank you.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska’s Artist

Saturday began sunny and ended up sunny, a wonderful, busy day in our Niebrugge Studio art booth at the Alaska State Fair. Both Bob and I were kept hopping all day long, pressed to keep up with the many, many collectors and friends who stopped in to say hello and make purchases. Moods were joyous, and carefree, all were enjoying a true summer, sunny day. This is what going to the fair is all about.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Friday was a fun, crazy, busy day in our art booth at the Alaska State Fair. Our son, photographer Ron and his wife Janine, drove up from Seward and joined our daughter Tawny and two of our grandkids, Reilly and Sydney, for a day of fun, food and rides at the fair. They ran in and out of our booth all day full of stories to tell about thrilling rides, running into friends, and showing off face paint.

The day started off in chaos with the stunning surprise announcement that our friend, and Governor of the state of Alaska, Sarah Palin, was selected as the vice presidential running mate for Senator John McCain. We were glued to the T.V. until the very last minute before we opened the booth. Then, whenever possible we turned on the radio to hear what the political pundits were saying, stumbling and stuttering their way through the news about this relatively unknown newcomer. This should be interesting to watch knowing the families as we do, and see the attention brought to our beautiful, wonderful state. Congratulations Sarah, and God Bless your families, may God guide you with wisdom and courage during the next months of political games, savagery, and public scrutiny.

Gail Niebrugge, proud Alaska artist

The Steller sea lion in Alaska is listed under the Endangered Species Act, although the populations have been on the increase since 1980. Original painting by Gail Niebrugge “Steller Quartet” is now available as a miniature digital ink jet giclee printed on acid free paper with fade resistant inks, matted 8″x10″ with acid free silver gray black core and acid free backing, each print hand-signed by the artist. Price $30.00 US, to purchase please click on this link, or call Niebrugge Studio (907) 746-3256.

Melanie & J.D. Cole with their daughter, visited our booth at the Alaska State Fair and added a “Sunflower” to their growing collection of art.  Both Melanie and J.D. are teachers at Palmer Middle School, J.D. is the art instructor.  He came to my rescue a few years ago while painting the wildflower mural in Seward, Alaska, and volunteered to help.  Because of his skill for detail as an artist, I assigned him the most difficult job to paint all the veins in each Iris, and he did it beautifully.  Thank you Melanie and J.D, you are the best!

Gail Niebrugge, flower artist