Christmas cards, crafting and cooking

cards, pins, pjs etc...so many beauties to create. This year, I've had several orders for cards and custom paintings.... I'm happy to be included in multiple shows and am investigating hanging my work in Downtown Dayton. very nice...

Merry Christmas to all!

Workshop Time! Lian Zhen - Chinese Brush

This week, I'm going to learn chinese brushwork from a master. It can't help but give me some new ways with my own paintings...


Lian Zhen

   I'll bring over my class of elementary students too, if the teacher is ok w/the idea...give them a chance to see his work. The class is sponsored by Western Ohio Watercolor Society and is being held right here in YS at the First Presbyterian Church on Xenia Ave...cool!

Here's a link with his gallery. Lian Zhen

Studio Tour this week-end! Oct 20 and 21 10-6pm

When: Saturday, October 20, 2012

Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
THE 12th Annual YSAS TOUR AND SALE

Come see me at studio 4 at Ridgecrest Dr off of Fairfield Pike
I will have watercolor paintings, prints and cards for sale. 
8 LOCATIONS 27 ARTISTS -

(This description is directly from the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce site)

With an extraordinary collection of talent, the Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour and Sale stands out among art excursions, and this year’s tour is no different. The 2012 Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour represents the twelfth consecutive tour. For the third year, the tour will have eighth host studio locations, each bursting with an eclectic variety of artists and craftspeople. There will in fact be a total of 27 artists, from three to four at each location. The studios will be open to the public on Saturday October 20th and Sunday October 21st from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Studio Tour features more medias then ever before including ceramics, fiber arts, mixed media arts, printmaking, collage, sculptures, jewelry, glass, watercolors, pastels, encaustics, photography and more. Many of these artists are nationally and internationally acclaimed through a variety of awards, accolades, articles, books and exhibitions. Art will be available in all price ranges.



The Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour makes an important connection between artists and community members. Collectors travel from far away to use this opportunity to make informal studio visits talking to each artist and learning about their processes and techniques. It allows them to understand the artists’ inspiration, process and most importantly, develop relationships with the artists and to bond over their mutual appreciation of beautiful things and the process that is used to create them. Artwork will be available for sale from each artist. This is a unique opportunity to meet artists who do what they love and to make purchases directly from the source. The tour is also an ideal opportunity for interior designers and gallery owners to make new connections and discover new work for their clients.



This annual event varies each year, as new artists are invited to participate in the tour and tenured artists explore and develop new bodies of work. This years’ event features eight artists who are new to the tour along with two artists returning from sabbatical. Organizer Lisa Goldberg is particularly “excited that there will be so many new talented artists, along with old favorites, to make a exceptionally well rounded and exciting tour this year.” The self-guided driving tour provides an opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts alike to personally visit these creative artists studios and get a head start on their holiday shopping. Yellow Springs businesses enthusiastically sponsor this successful event. WCBE radio (90.5 FM) and WYSO radio (91.3) are the official media sponsors. Organizers are partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to create an occasion for visitors to spend the weekend exploring the arts in Yellow Springs. The weekend, dubbed “ Third Weekend Art in the Springs”, begins Friday night with the Art Stroll in downtown galleries and restaurants, displaying local artists’ work for the evening. This year the Stroll is being expanded to include two new galleries and guided tour of some of the exhibition locations. It continues over the weekend with the Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour, a driving tour showcasing the artwork of twenty-seven distinctive Artists.



Visit one or all of the studios on this free self-guided driving tour. The village of Yellow Springs offers easy access to all of the studios. A list of participating artists and maps marking the studio locations may be downloaded at www.YSArts.org.

http://www.ysarts.org/index.html

Studio Tour no 2!

Come see me at my quilting friend Pam Geisels' house - 573 Ridgecrest Dr. in Yellow Springs for the Annual Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour  I'm scrambling as we 'speak' to frame things up, etc in preparation. 

I'll have plenty of new paintings, cards, prints, etc for you to browse.  Come on down!  I also hear there will be some beer tastings from the newest brewery in town! yummm.....

'Aspens' - sold but I could make a print.....

lots of other paintings that I haven't taken photos of yet : )

Here are some friends posing after a 5K Fundraiser- full of color!  The onlookers had spray bottles filled with 'people-friendly' paint that they sprayed on the runners as they sped by.  I love the colorful fence that they are posed by also...

I start the kid-class 'Art Fun with Libby' today.  Wouldn't it be fun if we could tie-dye ourselves like this?  I think I'd have to ask the parents first!

Painting and looking forward to YS Artist Studio Tour!

Here's a painting I did as an exercise for the class I taught at the YS Arts Council -

I'm looking forward to the Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour - October 20 and 21!   Take a look at the website that Pam made - excellent as always.  Hmmm - maybe I should have a website? 

For now - I'll stick to these updates and spend my time with brush in hand instead of mouse. Now, I'm painting every day! Love it...

Maine Seacoast Inspiration

Maine coast offers too much beauty at every turn...  We visited in Boothbay Harbor on Mt Desert Island.  We loved the biking in Acadia, the Beehive hike up the rocks and the 'Sand Beach'.  We also travelled down to Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor and various other sweet spots.  Everywhere I went, I was feeling the ache to paint but mostly just sketched and took photos.

  While there, we heard about a wedding that took place last night. Lionel Ritchie was engaged to play, @400K an hour. I'm in the wrong line of work!  

Here is the mesmerizing sparkle of the water ...

 Here is a peek at Pemaquid Lighthouse that we visited on our way down....flag is half staff because of the Aurora horror.

Rainbowpillars by Libby

Here is a wee illustration I made for fun years ago - hope it cheers your day.  I like to play on the computer at times, between paintings, using a stylus and wacom pad.  It is so easy to create, erase and recreate!  Sometimes, I look up and the hours have flown by without me 'accomplishing' much.  I should be doing marketing, painting, managing the house/garden/kids, etc...but I so enjoy making art.

I truly enjoyed teaching a workshop recently at the new Yellow Springs Arts Coucil space.  I had 12 participants and am leaning towards teaching again in the fall, after the kids are settled back in school.  I need to get to work on the plan now however, to secure space and get the word out.  I need to find a picture from the workshop to post. 
ttfn   Libby

'Exuberance' Show - paintings, quilts, workshops and more...

The show is doing well.  It will be up through Saturday, July 14.  I teach a workshop from 2-3p this coming saturday, June 23, from 2-3p on 'Watercolor Sketches'.  We'll have fun!

I checked out one of the members' blog and saw this bit of news....How awesome that Pam has quilts spread far and wide - in 6 shows?! 

  Two of them are in the Exuberance Show at the YS Arts Council space with our group, the Monday Morning Artists.  See Pam's stuff at For Quilts Sake. 

Here is a picture of the group - Y.S. Woodwind Quintet - that played at our opening. They performed beautiful music, despite the weather being in the mid-90s. 

Exuberance Show Opening tonight! 6-9p - come on down

Here's a little sketch I did of the YS Arts Council space where I've been laboring to put together a group show with fellow artists.  We've got it up beautifully, YSAC has been very supportive and loads of good nosh is coming to fill our tables for the opening tonight....music too! 

Come enjoy an air-conditioned space - and lots of wonderful artwork.

 PS - I'm teaching a 'Watercolor Sketching' workshop on Saturday, June 23 from 2-3pm   - $10 pp     sign up tonight!

xox, Libby

Workshop with children

I taught students at the Elementary School here in Yellow Springs, in a workshop format, with my friend Toni.  It is challenging to get the right approach when you have a specific product the children must produce but your deepest desire is to help them express their innermost self...in watercolor.  We had a great time with the kids and while some stuggled, others seemed in their element and the colors flowed.  The end result was that each child seemed to come away pleased with their work. 

Here are a few photos from the time we shared with the kids 'Painting their Dreams' - Thank you Ellen Guest, Mikasa Armstrong and Heidi Hoover - teachers extrordinaire!

One can never tell for certain what will strike a cord....beg to be painted...
This morning, in Yoga, we discussed a sanskrit word (sahzi?) that means 'to seek beauty'.  This is seen as a way of going through life, the ambition to find beauty as one goes through the rites of daily life.  I don't know if I will paint this tiny bird but he certainly is lovely - full of cheer and hoping for a crumb from my toast, I bet.

There are days when I don't get to paint but I can still seek beauty, gather inspiration for the time when I do hide away from obligations/laundry, etc and pull out the art tools.

Next week, I will go with a friend to the local elementary School, Mills Lawn, to work with 3 second grade classes.  We will lead them in painting their dreams on a cloud!  How magical - how fortunate we are to have the privilage to help these children, to share their dreams. 

Sweet.

Painting up a storm

I just finished a 4 day workshop with the W.O.Watercolor Society in plein-aire with Andy Evansen and it was truly inspiring.  The whole gang came to our house one day to do value sketches and paintings around our property.  Several were inspired by our chickens, some strolled over to the riverside, etc.  Here are the value study and the painting, side-by-side.

Andy Evansen

  Andy did a beautiful watercolor of our shed (!) and a wheel barrow.  He is sending it to our family in gratitude for the day here - boy are we ever lucky!  Andy just won the Bronze award in the American Watercolor Society and had to shorten our workshop to attend the award ceremony in NYC....well deserved.  He is an amazing artist....here is a photo of him doing a demo of the mill as reflected in our little pond.



a demo



Yellow Springs Arts: Some towns might have ordinary trash cans BUT

Yellow Springs Arts: Some towns might have ordinary trash cans BUT  
This is a wonderful way to creatively repurpose the village cans...thanks Corrine for sharing.  I've always loved the collaborative work of Kathi and Beth.

Winds Show now up thru April

'Kayakers'

Here is "Kayakers"which is currently up at the Winds Cafe.  I made a similar painting that my brother Dan'l has since he is an avid kayaker!  I think I painted this after taking a workshop with Frank Francese who encouraged us to use our paints with abandon, paint freely and with expression.  He advocates using small areas of key colors to excite the eye.    He lays in the shadows with a violet color which is very effective for bright sunny days...
  The kids have already used our kayak to go out on the Little Miami River which we usually don't get to do until May at least!  hmmm - what am I doing on the computer when I should be painting or out kayaking?

Lunar Dance - at the Winds

When next you come to Yellow Springs, be sure to visit the back corner of the main dining room of the Winds where you will find "Lunar Dance".  I paintied it in a loose style with the moon and clouds dancing in the sky and water.  I think this painting has a sprinkling of Chesapeake Bay, Lago di Como, Ceasars Creek and somewhere in California - many waters ...  You never know what will flow from may paintbrush!



Lunar Dance - watercolor
22x27 - $400

 The show is up until Sunday, April 1.  I just received a commission so life is marvelous!

Paintings at the Winds Cafe - landscapes,cats,portraits

 Here's a little painting that is reminiscent of the waters of Asilomar, CA where we played in the sea .  The trip was a graduation present for our daughter.  She wanted mountains and ocean for her gift...somehow much better, I think, than jewels or clothes. 

  I like the quote from Gertrude Stein that I found in the book I'm reading just now... 'The Paris Wife' about Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley.  Stein says that "People should buy pictures instead of clothes."  Gertrude assembled a cadre of writers and artists for her 'salons and acquired a large collection of now-famous paintings.

Who are the Gertrude Steins of our region and time?

If you didn't get to the opening, please come by the Winds Cafe any day but mondays through Sunday, April 1.

Paintings at the Winds...Reception this sunday!

River Play

Here is a painting that I love for its sweet simple joy...I've donated it to the Antioch School "Julia Sweeney" Gala and auction, happening on March 24... I hope people will bid on it.
Please come to the reception at the Winds this sunday! 4:30-6:30.

More painting preview for the Winds show!



Here is the painting 'View from my Window' that isalso going to be in the Winds Cafe in Yellow Springs March 6-April 1.  It is in a competition which isn't to be decided until April so it can not be sold presently. I will make a little print for the show.
 

'View from my Window'

 Winds Cafe, Bakery and Wine store- a lovely spot to dine and---- local artwork!

Paintings at the Winds Cafe - March

Still framing, etc. for hanging my show this coming sunday!  Here's another preview of what will be on the wall soon....
This is the Grinnell Mill here in Yellow Springs, which is being run as a Bed and Breakfast. It was lovingly restored primarily by private donations.  This painting is being framed right after I get off this computer... : )

Grinnell Mill

Condolences to a dear friend and her family

Today is a day of grief, for Theresa, my dear friend, lost her mother this morning. I suppose we know, deep inside, that we are not immortal, but...

Mysteries of the Heart Show

Come to the opening at Village Artisans this friday to see my 2 pieces along with a host of others.

The opening is Friday, 2/10 from 6-9pm and I'm sure there WILL be chocolate!  Woo Hoo!!!

Working, getting frames together, etc...for the Winds show!

Working toward a show can be exhausting but also exhilating!  I am currently painting joy if such a thing can be done...we'll see. 

I will have a show at the Winds Cafe and Bakery here in Yellow Springs for the month of March.  This time, I elected to show with a friend, Jennifer O'Brien, who I know through Western Ohio Watercolor Society.  We hope to do a reception on Sunday, March 11.