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. 

Yellow Springs Arts Council “Isolation Exhibit” is online

 

Walk Together through the Woods

  This is the piece I created when the call came out to create a piece in response to the current isolation caused by Covid restrictions, etc. by the Yellow Springs Arts Council for a virtual show. “Isolation Exhibit”.  Last night was the virtual reception by Zoom and it was a good experience. Holly Underwood hosted (with help from Tim and another Holly with technical aspects and questions).  I created this piece after yet another hike and coming out of the woods to a beautiful sunset.  

  If you look closely, you’ll see the family walking together through a tangled woods.  When I made this, the US was still embroiled in a divisive argument about vote legitimacy that tore families and friends apart and resulted in a riot at the Capitol building that caused even more torment. We are still reeling from dealing with Covid and the loss of friends to it, etc. 

  I spoke of how nature inspires my art-making, that I’m making more art than ever, painting every day. I’m exploring digital watercolor/drawing...mostly as a tool for drawing up designs for potential paintings. However, this piece says all that it needs to say as is, in it’s digital form. I printed it and the colors are accurate. I have it framed and ready to hang. $55.  I will put it at Village Artisans Gallery where I am a member..it is open and is across the street from YS Arts Council!  

Thanks for reading and I hope that you go to the Virtual show. https://www.ysartscouncil.org/gallery/

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

Painting: A way of connecting with 'the Potency of Life'

I'm reading The Library Book by Susan Orlean...a wonderful book about the huge fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in 1987 that devastated the collection, the back story, reflection of books, etc.

Here's a quote from her chapter of how difficult it is to set about to light a book on fire.  She wanted to see how it would feel to do so since the fire was believed to be arson.  Susan can't throw a book away because 'books have souls ... feels like a thing alive in this moment, alive on a continuum, from the moment the thoughts about it first percolated in the writer's mind to the moment it sprang off the printing press - a lifeline tha continues as someone sits with it and marvels over it...'

Susan continues 'Once words and thoughts are poured into them, books are no longer just paper and ink and glue: They take on a kind of human vitality.  She quotes Milton regarding this quality: books take on the 'the potency of life'.

Actually - sometimes, I feel like that about a painting....sometimes I feel I come close to making a painting that has this quality - the potency of life - that speaks to more than a good likeness or a good rendition of light coming through a woodland.  I hope that I can do this more - impart life into works of art...spark a delight or bring a memory of place or thing or person to life in art.

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

New Exhibit at the Senior Center - A FAMILY AFFAIR

'Yuba River'  Watercolor  16x20  $450

  Here is one of my watercolors that will be on display at the YS Senior Center on Main St from early March through the end of April.  There will be a reception on Friday, March 16....4-7, I think.  Should be fun!

  I'm putting together the exhibit with paintings, stained glass, woodwork, embroideries, handmade books and mixed media sculptures from my work and my family.  I'll have one of Dan's computer board designs.  I'll also have one of my Mom's beautiful handknit fisherman sweaters along with Sue's cool designs using dyed fabric, embroidery and various elements, Eric's wooden creations, Melanie's and Lilli's paintings and sculpture creations, etc.  It will be fun figuring out how to best display such a variety of artworks. oh dear... : ).


   I'll also have a hand-made book, Sunshine for Lunch that I did with MLS Elementary teacher Ellen Guest in 2013.  She helped the children raise vegetables and learn about how plants make energy and how that energy goes into us when we eat the soup we make from the veggies!  I did collage with the children for the pages of the book.  Then I took it home and assembled it into the a large book that will be at the Senior Center.  It was a wonderful project that I am so happy have in the show.

I hope that you can come visit the show and celebrate the creativity that runs through our lives, that keep us ticking, so to speak.


Keep Creating!    Artistically yours,  Libby

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!).

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

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

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

Framing up Art and keeping the shop filled

   As I continue to frame up my watercolors for my upcoming show at the Yellow Springs Brewery (ColorfuLibby...12/23!), I am also working to keep my space in Village Artisans full of enticing artwork.

  I enjoy playing around with beads, wire, glass, fabric, etc so I make holiday goodies. I'm calling them  "Libby's Fancies".  Come check out the gallery in our sweet littl Village Yellow Springs.
  I'll share the poster for my show soon...come to the reception Dec. 30 from 5-7p and nosh on organic goodies, see the Art, learn about Community Food Initiatives.
Xox, Libby

Montenegro Scene from Melanie and Lilli's travels

Working on pieces for my upcoming show at the Yellow Springs Brewery!  I will put up work in late December and have a reception on Dec 27...I think.  I'd actually love to do it on Dec 31!  What a great way to ring in the new year.  will work on that - more later

More flowers...and joining the Ohio Watercolor Society

  As I amble along the shores of the Little Miami River here in OH, I often come across things I simply must paint,,,,now!  I've made a painting of the Spring Beauties that emerge first in the brown mud and bracken of winter.
 

'First Spring Beauties' wc - Libby Rudolf

  I've decided to rejoin the Ohio Watercolor Society so that I can submit a few paintings for their annual competition.  It is somewhat stressful, submitting work to organizations, hoping that the judge sees the excellence in your painting...the spirit/essence that you have endeavored to capture.  I wonder if this one will catch the eye and heart of the judge.  Even if it doesn't, I still love it.

an interview on channel 22/45 and a visit to the Ohio Watercolor Societ show

Went down to see the OWS travelling exhibit in Lebanon yesterday with art friends - very nice.  It was great to see Yuki and Misuk's artwork hanging in the show.  I would have preferred to see the show hung in a large gallery that was dedicated only to it but...it sufficed. 
also - you may be able to see me on tv if channel 22 gets the video posted.  They interviewed me for the "Where you Live" piece because this week is about Yellow Springs!

This piece made it into C Leepers newletter for June.  He is the president of OWS. : )