New Show at Wheat Penny in Dayton - Dec 18

Yellow Springs Coloring Page

Here's a coloring page for you of the town we live in - color it bright and happy for the season!

    I'm about to hang a show at Wheat Penny Restaurant on Wayne Ave.  They're open M-Sat for scrumptious pizza and a variety of creative tasty fare.  I love to hang my work in restaurants because it is such a good pairing - food and fine art - the restaurant gets new artwork regularly and artists have the opportunity to have their work out in new spaces.  We went to assess the space last night and I'll be bringing in some of my brightest pieces - they have lively colors on the walls.  
 
   I need to express my deep gratitude to each of you and the greater community for purchasing my artwork throughout this year.  This has been my busiest year - 5 shows - plus maintaining my exhibit at Village Artisans Gallery!  I loved opening my home for the Open Studio Tour.  I take part in a few painting groups as time allows and help gather local artist friends in a once-a-month group Monday Morning Artists - it helps to keep us creating.  Thanks to YS Arts Council for supporting artists!

  I also had the opportunity to study in workshops in WC and Oil via the Western Ohio Watercolor Society and the Ohio Plein Air Society.  I've got work in the show at the Springfield Art Museum OPAS show.  I hope to have work accepted into the WOWs exhibit in January.

   happy holidays -  Merry Christmas!

Fall Beauty - getting colors on my brush

Today - I WILL paint - so many things get in the way of laying out the paint and taking up the brush. My days get filled with walking and entertaining the puppy, caring for house and grounds, outside obligations.

but - I have to go to the kids Halloween Parade in town....and I have to walk the dog...and figure out a feast for the family this coming w.e. since we'll be scattered at Thanksgiving....walk the dog....take care of the church biz...walk the dog....did I say he's a very active dog?

AND - I will paint!

Here's a painting I made from our visit to St Croix a few years ago.  They had a big farmers market with the catch of the day pulled up onto the board and cut up for you into steaks....sooooooooo good.
I can still hear the chop of his knife slicing it up.

'Fish Monger' - watercolor on aquaboard

YS Open Studio Tours Oct 15,16

Traverse City-LRudolf

 Yellow Springs Open Studio Tour  Oct 15 and 16, 11-5pm

Knitting - LRudolf

  Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 & 16, I will have my home/studio open to all as part of the Yellow Springs Open Studio Tour!  I am ecstatic to be able to host this in my home once again.  Our artist community is truly fortunate to have the support of YS Arts Council and YS Chamber for the organization and co=ordination of this tour.                                     Many thanks to Nancy Mellon, Sara Gray, YS Arts Council and Karen and Alex at Chamber for getting this together----

  There are 34 artists represented in 24 studio tour stops.  I will have at least 50 paintings on display on the walls throughout the house and garden room as well as matted work for sale.  I'll have a demo area in the garden room - cactus area.  My 'studio' with all my supplies, matt cutter/framing area and sewing area is upstairs in the loft.  All are welcome to visit - I'll tell you about what drives me to create, my materials, my workflow, etc.

  My studio is #19 on the tour = at 3590 Grinnell Rd - down the hill next to the Grinnell Mill.  Please come visit - we'll have yummy snacks and will be serving wine after 3pm : )!

Hummer with Trumpets LRudolf

Ken DeWaard Oil Workshop with Ohio Plein Air Society

I just returned from an outstanding workshop with master painter Ken DeWaard, judge of the Ohio Plein Air competition in Bay Arts, OH near Cleveland.  I went up with a few friends and we visited the Cleveland Art Museum - Go there if you can!  We painted for 3 solid days rain or shine.  Ken did a demo on the porch of the gallery simply looking down at the bar area at the end - amazing how he transformed a chaotic scene into beauty.

explaining the layout, colors, etc.

painting his demo

Ken gave us a waterfall of information, explaining the complexities of creating a successful painting, referencing numerous artists who have influenced him and basically - overwhelming us with his mastery....  It was an honor to watch him paint.  When we worked on our own pieces that afternoon, he made sure to come discuss each person's work, what he saw needed yet to be done, etc.  

  Since I am primarily a watercolor painter, I still have a lot-to-learn when it comes to painting in oil.

I've been working in oils off and on for the last few months.  It helps of course to have been working out the composition/colors/values, etc for decades in watercolor and other mediums.  Half of the skills I need to build is managing the palate, keeping clean colors, learning layering techniques.  

   As I took this painting off the easel, it fell on my head!  You can see the lovely 'brush=work to the left on the rock.  You could say I'm wearing my colors - tee hee.   I need to figure out how to lighten my plein-air gear. Phew!  I feel that this is a good start - I'm going to subscribe to Plein Air magazine and keep going down this road.  I'll keep painting in watercolor too - my first love.  

Many thanks to Grama Lil for her painting box and encouragement as I grew up and to Sue who gave me brushes that are much higher quality than what I had to work with!

I have a piece in the OPAS 'Parks' Show currently at the Springfield Art Museum - Opening 10/15 AT 5:30~ come to the Open Studio Tour and then over to Springfield for this opening : ).

Well - tonight is the big night!   Wish me well....I've been feeling a bit pulled in all directions Mostly because of our puppy!  This is going to be a wonderful event though - talking with all the sweet people who come out to see an artist's work, share their opinions, etc.  This show has many pieces that are landscapes, a few people.  I've arranged it by the Season...to honor the restaurant where they are hanging.  I do love setting up a show in a restaurant because then I have to go visit it for a meal...at least every couple of weeks!
   Next on the docket is an oil workshop with the Ohio Plein Air Society with Ken DeWard.  I'm looking forward to playing with a new medium, just for fun, exploring with art friends in upstate Ohio.  Perhaps I'll be showing oil and watercolor some day?

ttfn, I hope you get outside to enjoy these gorgeous autumn days...
Libby

Commissions, Plein Air Painting and upcoming shows...

    I am happily working on a commission to paint a lovely homestead in our region - watercolor.  I have got a bit done - hoping to finish it by early August!  Here's a beginning showing the miskit protecting the whites as I glaze the painting with layers of color.  

beginning of the WC

  In September, I will hang an exhibit in Springfield at a lovely spot - Seasons' Bistro and Grill on Limestone St downtown.  It will be there from Sept. 5 through mid December.    Artist Reception with tasty goodies, etc - Thursday, Sept. 22 from 5-7pm.   Come on over!

   Then, I will open up my home and studio to participate in the 'Open Studio Tour' in Yellow Springs and surrounds.  October 15 and 16, 10-5pm, 35 or so studios will welcome you to look about, see the art, talk with the artist, perhaps purchase a favorite to take home with you : ).  

Visitors will be guided on the free tour by a map which will show the studio locations, a description of work, etc.   It will be a busy fall, that's for sure!

Finally, I will be attending a workshop up in Cleveland with Ohio Plein Air Society to study oil painting with a group of friends...and meet new friends.  I can't wait!

Timothy Horn Oil Painting Workshop - mixing it up!

I've taken acrylic classes, mixed media, illustration, air brushing and pastel over the years.  I am totally addicted to painting watercolor BUT one must challenge oneself from time to time, break rules !!! and try other mediums.  
    The workshop with Timothy Horn was absolutely wonderful - a small group - outdoor painting sessions in beautiful bucolic places and....Tim painted such luscious works of art, even when the lighting wasn't ideal as the sun dipped under the clouds.  He was so generous with his time and talent, helping each of us with our own painting dilemmas.
    I have painted in oil but not for 3 years and it is quite a switch from watercolor.   I had to rethink the way I apply paint, working from thin to thick, light to dark...or is it dark to light?   It is an additive process, like watercolor - glazing but with thicker stuff.   It honestly felt like I was painting with butter sometimes.


Here are a few photos from the workshop here in YS, Ohio.  Tim was visiting from Marin County, CA.

Tim painting fields

Finished piece

the group moving painting equipment

the subject

the under-sketch

finished piece!

Color and Light - Brush and Needle at the Winds Cafe

I will have watercolor paintings and Pam will have her art quilts at the Winds Cafe in Yellow Springs.  It is a great place to hang an art exhibit - and wonderful spot to dine.  I am truly grateful to have the opportunity every other year to hang my work there....many thanks to Mary Kay and crew for their TLC!

 The Winds Cafe has a superb wine selection, local beers, etc  and a seasonal menu with old favorites always available.  

Hope you can come to see our joint art exhibit!  I'm debating whether to do a mini-workshop during the show some morning and winding up at the Winds for lunch!  will keep you posted... : )

Art show at the Winds Cafe - Thoughts onTeaching

May and June, I will host a show at the Winds Cafe in Yellow Springs for the months of May and June with friend and artist Pam Geisel.  We're working on a title...Color and Light - Brush and Needle.  Pam creates art quilts and I mainly work in watercolor.  I am musing, dreaming up my next paintings to include, exploring themes....

    I've been painting my whole life but concentrating on it for about 15 years.  Yesterday, I taught a private lesson and thoroughly enjoyed working with an artist to help her realize her vision.  So often, watercolor is difficult for artists because they fear to make a mistake.  They often use tiny amounts of paint and great quantities of water.
 
   There are certain skills that will help along the path to a successful painting such as wet-into-wet painting but paying attention to the timing and wetness of the paper....  If you don't have sufficient pigment on your brush, the color will simply disappear as it dries.  Of course you can continue to glaze or add layers.  I think I helped her paint more freely and wield the brush more assertively.

   I truly love to help inspire confidence, freeing people from inhibition of the creative process.  Here is a photo from a mini-workshop I taught last winter - helping people go wild w/color!  Joy  Joy Joy

Dayton City Paper - 'There's something in the Watercolor'

Dayton City Paper's writer Lisa Bennet wrote up a splendid article on me and my life/work.
I hope it inspires you to stop by the Y S Brewery or Village Artisans in Yellow Springs to see my work.

Golden Harvest (Honey Biz II)

Click here to see the article...   Dayton City Paper article

YS Brewery ColorfuLibby - Watercolors for CFI Art Reception..Full of AWESOME People!

YS Brewery Art Reception Dec 30-2015

Had a wonderful time talking with so many AWESOME people who came out to see my show!!! and munch on M. Brown's declisioso snacks, sip brews from YS Brewery....and maybe a bunch of folks who were  actually there just to grade papers or get into the Ramen Food Truck line : )....

Thank you so much, Mary Nally (director of Community Food Initiatives) for coming from Athens

Lisa Wolters and crew who took such good care of us all and helped w/set-up, snacks, sales

my family for supporting me in getting this whole thing set up during such a busy time of year

Yellow Springs Arts Council for their promo/help with frames

Yellow Springs News - ads, etc

You all for coming out!