The sketch - tbd if it’s right…

I’ve been asked to create a large piece of work and oh my, it is an honor to make a piece of artwork on commission.

My brother asked me how long it takes to make a big watercolor.  
Well, that depends on the subject and how well the planning works out, right?
 I make sketches until I really like one, then do a value sketch.

I may make a small mock-up in color before I launch into the actual piece of art.
That way, I can work out the lights/darks, colors, focal point and see if all 
seems to balance, to draw in the eye,   to make the viewer sigh with delight!  

Then….I will need to cut a big ‘ol piece of watercolor off the roll since this beauty
is far bigger than my usual Arches blocks or even my ‘full sheets’ of wc paper.  I’ll    tape or clip it onto a big board and launch into it, 

building up the colors and darks,

leaving the lights and brights to lead the eye into the place I want the viewer to 
dwell for minutes, maybe hours?

AND I recently had the delight of watching master oil painter Tim Horn paint en
PleinAir at a local Tecumseh Land Trust protected farm…

so fun to watch him 

select his scene and build from tones 

to values and colors 

and beauty on canvas. 

Western Ohio Watercolor Show at Springfield Museum of Art

‘Winter Foraging’ won Third Prize!

EXCITING NEWS! 

Visit the Springfield Museum of Art to see the Western Ohio Watercolor Juried Show

46th Annual Members Show Our juror for the show is Patrick Mauk,  Carolyn Edsall -1st Place "Summer's End"   Shirlee Bauer -2nd Place  "The Maine Line" Libby Rudolf -3rd Place  "Winter Foraging" 😊 Honorable Mentions   Diana Hoke "Swiss Living" Yuki Hall "Charleston Rain"  Rhonda Sloan "Killing Time"  Title: “The Art of Watercolor” Western Ohio Watercolor Society 46 Annual Members Show Springfield Museum of Art Show runs December 19, 2020 through April 11, 2021

Painting Keeps me Happy!

This time of social distancing has been a true challenge for artists...we create because it is in our blood, something we must do to stay sane and happy but...we also hope to sell a painting occasionally to somehow justify the enormous amount of time and energy we devote to our craft.  I have numerous other responsibilities and jobs, of course.  

The Airbnbs that I run bring in somewhat steady money and require attention.  But - I’ve made time every day to paint, to read about painting, to listen to podcasts about art, even to attend an online painting session with an artist whose work I admire - Vladislav Yeliseyev...so fun.  

I am truly happy to have sold 2 pieced during COVID-19 and a huge batch of custom greeting cards.  I’ve had a friend ask to take watercolor lessons - we’ll figure out how to do that if it ever stops raining and we can do it outside!  I’ve been asked to donate a piece of art to the Yellow Springs Community Foundation - a wonderful organization that organizes many funds that help people, etc here in our town.  I’m happy to give a painting to them...

Please, world,  don’t ask me to donate all the time....sometimes, I feel like the ‘Crane Maiden’, a children’s story about a crane that gives back to the farmer who rescued her from a trap by turning into a woman, then pulling the feathers from her back to weave into cloth..for him to sell : ).

 

‘Primrose’ Watercolor - 24x18 $750 
This painting is in a show ‘Art to Uplift’ at the Winds Cafe thru 9/6/20

Birdies Dining - SOLD, watercolor

‘Island Vibe’  Watercolor  16x12 (20x16 framed) $350

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

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

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

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 : ).