Art Making Abundantly!

 This year of semi-hibernation to keep safe has pushed me to make more art than ever. It is partly because I create to express the beauty of nature and oh-my-goodness, I’m taking more hikes than ever too.  Which inspire me to paint even more....it’s a good cycle.  I’ve been painting outdoors quite a bit with art friends too..as long as it’s not TOO cold.

I also make little cloth bird to sell at the Village Artisans Gallery for Christmas or...just to hang on a lamp or wherever.  Here are a few pix!

Stop by Village Artisans for more of my artwork or visit https://www.villageartisans.org/ to see more of my work and my fellow artists’ creations!

Birches - I can make prints

Woodpecker and Birches - I can make prints

Costa Rica and Ladies Luncheon Watercolor

Cloth Birdies 

Zinnia (or Dahlia?) Watercolor

Painting in Tuscany - such fun!

We just returned from a lovely trip to Umbria and Tuscany where we traveled by plane, train, bike and bus from Paris to Umbria to Siena (!) to Trequanda and Florence - what fun.  We first biked UP and down the huge hills with friends, fueled by croissants and lots of cappuccinos.  The food is so good that we were glad we were exerting ourselves with biking daily!

Then we finished up with a week at the Fattoria Del Colle, an agritourismo spot that produces exquisite wines.  The wined tasting was such fun, we learned a lot about the Donatella C. Colombini vineyard and Wine production.  Donatella started her wine business in 1988 on family lands owned since 1592.  When she sought a vintner/wine to oversee and produce her wines from the Wine Schools of Siena, they said they had none available, all the men had been hired already.  Donnatella thought about that, called back and asked if they had any women?  They replied that yes, they did have women available...so she hired a woman and now produces wine with all women in the production areas.  Men do help in other capacities though : )...overseeing the vineyard and olive groves, etc. - a very fun place to stay, dine on wonderful food, sample wines.  I sold a painting to a couple visiting who saw me at work!  First International sale of artwork - happy happy joy joy -

Oh - and I was part of a Art Workshop there : ).  We painted daily with Yuki Hall and Diana Mara along with lots or touring to various towns and cities nearby.  Siena and Florence caputured our hearts.  Dan and I walked daily through the countryside and I made a few paintings, took way too many photos and will make more paintings, hopefully in time for the Open Studio Tour on Oct. 19 and 20!  I will have guest artist Pam Geisel with her Art Quilts. 

Please come visit my studio and the others in Yellow Springs!  It is a fun way to see how artists work and maybe pick up a painting or piece of artwork that captures your heart...

https://ysopenstudios.ysartscouncil.org

we got to bike in Paris and Italy!

Lovely countryside

First Painting in Italy - the Tuscan fields and mountains -

Art Group Exhibit MMA = The Joys of Art

Coming up NEXT Week!! March 11.  I will be co-ordinating and helping hang a group

show in Westminster Hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs.  

We will have many mediums represented in this lovely exhibit - pastel, computer

art, watercolor, colored pencil, fabric art quilts, acrylic and mixed media. 

Artists - Toni, Brian, Mary, Sue, Libby, Theresa, Ron, Angie, Mary Beth, Marti, 

Margrit, Ruth, Kathryn and Fran....maybe more? will be in the show.

The show will be in place through April 30.  Many pieces will be for sale and 

patrons can contact the artist directly to purchase.  Some of the artists will give 

the proceeds or a portion to the church from purchases.

Monday Morning Artists meet the first Monday of the month at 9:30 to create, 

critique, talk about art, opportunities, encourage artistic expression, etc.  You

are invited to join us.

                        Please join us for our Artist Reception! 

Sunday, March 17 at 11:45 = St Patricks Day

for Irish Music, Food & Fellowship

               

Ohio Plein Air Exhibit at Springfield Museum of Art

'Riding Center' Watercolor Plein Air - OPAS Show 2018

I've got a piece in the current exhibit "Farms En Plein Air' of the Ohio Plein Air Society   It's at the Springfield Museum of Art and the opening reception is this Saturday, December 8 from 5:30-7:30.  I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful places people have captured on canvas/paper hanging in the museum gallery and of course, talking with fellow artists.  Most of the artwork is in oil.  I hope there are a few other watercolorists there...

I painted this by the fields of the fields of our local gem, the Riding Center.  Our daughters practically grew up on horseback here, under the capable tutelage of Carolyn Bailey.  As I painted, my husband stopped by to say hi....when I turned back to paint, the horses had all migrated to the barns for their suppers!  So - forgive a bit of distortion in horsy shape - chalk it up to me not having my models cooperating : ).

Hope to see you there!
PS - You can always find more of my artwork at Village Artisans Gallery in Yellow Springs, OH.


2018 OPAS Members Show 
at the Springfield Museum of Art
Dec. 8, 2018 – Mar. 9, 2019

Travel inspires paintings!

We recently returned from a trip out west where we drove through an incredible variety of landscapes and then...seascapes.  I have SOOOOO much material to work from in watercolor, etc.  We went from Salt Lake City, thru high desert in Idaho to the coast of  Oregon and down to California, then to the Sierras.   Here’s a photo from a beatiful outlook south of Eugene, OR.   

Soon, I’ll post some of the work I’ve created during the trip or here at home in Ohio : ). 

 (Flatland compared to what we drove thru!)

Watercolor Sketch Class Sept. 18

Come join me for a mini workshop next month at the Hertzler House in Springfield, OH!

En Plein Aire Workshop,     Tuesday, September 18, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Hertzler House Museum Advisory Committee Programs

Hertzler House Teacher Libby Rudolf will lead ‘en plein aire’ watercolor workshop at the Hertzler House. Artists should bring their own paints and brushes and a sturdy back board.  Arches paper and ink pens will be provided. ($15 per person) Registration limited to 15.

Watercolor Sketches Plein-Air (outside, if the weather permits).  I’ll teach how to pick a subject for your WC sketch, compose your design and use ink and watercolor to make a lovely painting.  We’ll have the chairs, etc for you to pick your chosen spot, WC paper and ink pens. You bring anything you need to be comfortable outside (hat, sunscreen, water bottle), your paints and a few brushes and a board to paint on (clip board size). I like to use a small and a larger round brush as well as a flat brush.  I’ll bring some extra brushes for people to borrow.  I’ll also bring along some sample watercolor sketches.  Come join us and have fun painting in this beautiful historic setting!

In 1800, ladies were expected to be proficient in a variety of fine arts. The Hertzler House Museum Committee is sponsoring two such crafts for area ladies. (Embroidery class 9/11 w/Sue Rudolf)

If interested in either class, please register and pay in advance by September 1 with Barbara Arnold at 937-864-1046 or bsadragon@sbcglobal.net. Write checks to the Hertzler House at 162 Green Vista Drive, Enon, OH 45323.  Here’s the website from Clark County. http://www.clarkcountyparks.org/upcoming-events/.  

‘Antique Bed’ Watercolor and Ink - Libby Rudolf

A Family Affair - Libby Rudolf at YS Senior Ctr

Come see the show!

Now through April

I've got a lovely show up now that includes my artwork along with samples of my extended family's work too!  You can find Sculpture, Photography, Stained Glass, Embroidery, Oil, Woodwork, Watercolor, Irish Knitting and a wonderful PBL book that I made with the elementary kids and First Grade Teacher, Ellen Guest.  

It's a fun show - I sure hope that you get a chance to come visit!

xox to all art lovers, Libby

YS Community Foundation Show at the Winds Cafe

So very happy to have a piece accepted into the Yellow Springs Community Foundation currently showing at the Winds Cafe in the room off the entryway.  It is a lovely show!

You may see my photograph from the exhibit here:

https://www.yscf.org/2018/01/20/frosty-morning-at-antioch/

There are about 30? photographs of places and beautiful views from the YS area.

There will be a reception on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 4:30-6pm.

Frosty Morning at Antioch - Libby Rudolf

Open Studios Yellow Springs

Open Studios Yellow Springs is coming up soon = October 21 and 22, 10-5pm each day.  Click the link to find out about 30 Artists who will be participating this year!   The website is all set now - please download a map and come on down the Grinnell Rd to visit!

I'll have new work as well as prints, cards, etc for you to look through.  I'll have my hopefully-cleaned-up Studio open for you to check out.  I would love to have you stop by to visit!  We'll have snacks, of course...something yummy I'll bake.

Here are a few pieces I'll have on the walls.

'Bright Waters' Watercolor 16x20"

'Covered Bridge' Watercolor 16x20"

Art House Hop!

  We hosted as one of the 'Art Houses' on the Art House Hop fundraising for Yellow Springs Arts Council a few weeks ago.  It was a wonderful event - wish that we'd been able to go visit the other homes on the tour but we were too busy escorting people around, chatting about paintings, sculptures, etc.  It feels right to support the Arts Council - they support artists by hosting rotating exhibits in the gallery, putting on various events and hosting the YS Studio Tour.
   We have a collection ranging from oil/watercolor/acrylic paintings to clay mosaics, carved wooden fishes and sculptures along with a few pieces of the beautiful artwork our children created. Of course, since I'm a painter, there are a lot of my pieces throughout the house.  People also enjoyed visiting our pet frog, SeeMore (Eatmore) in the garden room.  Seemore enjoys living in his stone pool on a pedestal surrounded by blooming bouganvillia, orchids, etc.  The room gets toasty in the summer but has ventilation = it's especially wonderful when the weather cools down in autumn and winter.  Wherever we travel, I seek out others art (around home too) because it often inspires me to keep creating.  YS Arts Council helps to keep YS Art-Full.

Sculptured pot - K. Seidl
beside bouganvillia and hoya coming down from above

Art First!

   There are so many things that keep me from painting...er..messi g around with the computer, dog walking, house and town/gallery duties, etc.
   I want to share a quote from Wordsworth that helps me focus.  Here it is in a wee poster with a watercolor sketch I did in Janet Rogers workshop (Janet is awesome!).

Ohio Plein Air Show and W. OH Watercolor shows

    I'm so delighted to have a painting chosen to be in the Ohio Plein Air Exhibit at the Columbus Art Museum!  The show '2017 Best of OPAS' will be on exhibit March 3 until June 18, 2017.  Next up - submit art to Western Ohio Watercolor by 'Tomorrow'!!!

    This juried event will celebrate the plein air tradition by exhibiting and promoting an exclusive group of works painted outdoors in the true spirit of plein air painting. Our juror will select the finest plein air works from members of the Ohio Plein Air Society. We will celebrate at an opening on Thursday March 2, 6:00 –8:00 PM.   

   I'll be picking up my a painting from the Springfield Art Museum that has been in the OPAS 2016 show for about 3 months....very cool.   The painting on exhibit is the one on the right below....it wasn't quite finished when I took the photo.  I painted it in Vermont.

painting with friends and pup in Springfield

paintings - on the rocks - of stream, etc....

Watercolors at Wheat Penny until March!

Come visit my latest show at the Wheat Penny Oven and Bar - a bright, happy place with scrumptious food!   I will be there on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 6-9ish to meet and greet for a 'Toast the Show' - just a come and BYOB : ).   I hope you can come!  There a several new pieces in the show.   Love every one of you that come to see my art!!!

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!