Painting BIG!

 Painting a large piece pushes me, loosens up my tendency to tight brushwork because…tiny strokes would be of little impact.  Most important is value, color and shape/composition!  Even more important than painting the perfect leaf or reflection…the painting relies on me looking at it abstractly.  Does it feel right?  Do the shapes tell a story, draw the viewer in to travel throughout the scene?

Here’s the progress so far on my fall scene - - -

Wish me luck ad I continue to add darks (but keeping some sparkle), shapes and reflections!

Days exploring mountains and valleys with friends = painting inspirations!

Everytime we travel, I take way too many photos to save the colors/shapes/natural designs that I see as we hike. Well, we got to stay in a yurt on the highway of Big Sur and hike lots of the beautiful parks, beaches, redwood forests there. We also visited the Sierras ad hiked up to mountain tops with their 2 horses and 2 dogs...more inspiration. Then we came home and skipped off to stay in a yurt in Red River Gorge where again, nature outdoes itself with the beauty of the rock, mountains, waterways and flora. The first painting that I made was of the light filtering through the redwoods, then a quick one of the mists that wrap around the pines and scrup by the ocean at Big Sur. Today, I completed a piece of the sweet pup that we walked daily in the foothils of the Sierras and in the mountains. It was a crisp fall day and she was especially eager to skip prance along the roads and trails. Here is 'A Walk with the Pup'

Pleinair Painting is Delightful!

Painting Outside - challenging yet fresh!

I've helped the Tecumseh Land Trust set up 4 Pleinair Paint Outs at properties that they have preserved. We've painted at Howell Farm (I taught a mini-workshop there too!), at Praires's Edge Studio near Springfield and will be at the Glen Helen property 'Camp Greene' in October. Another paintout at a wetland prairie had to be cancelled due to weather. Today's painting is from the Prairie's Edge property....I painted a beautiful old Oak Tree. It had the remains of an old swing that I decided needed to be put in. It was a challenge to capture the colors of the prairie, the tree and the shadows/sun spots beneath the tree. We hope to put together an exhibit with work from the artists that have participated in the paint-outs. If you'd like to paint with us, sign up with Tecumseh Land Trust to come paint on October 16! Are you a beginner or need a refresher? I'm teaching a mini-workshop "Give it a Try" at 9:30. See you there! ❤

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 -

Paint-Out in Yellow Springs OPAS - June 22!

I've organized a Plein Air Paint-Out here in Yellow Springs for all interested in joining us.  I attended the Ohio Plein-Air Annual meeting in April and they encouraged all of us to host (particularly someone in YS - hint - hint).  I found a friend to co-host it with me, Yuki Hall, a wonderful watercolorist whose work I adore.

All are invited to come on Saturday, June 22 between 9am-1pm.  We'll meet at the big stone church on Main St - First Presbyterian (314 Xenia Ave.) between 9-10 for snacks, reconnoitering, etc. then head out to paint the town.  I'll close up the church (plenty of spots for bathrooms in town) and we'll meet up again at 12:30 to share paintings/talk.  I'll close up the church again...folks are welcome to paint on their own, etc. : ).

Plenty of spots to paint - downtown, Antioch College, Glen Helen, along the Little Miami River, the Riding Center, etc.  Lots of barns in the area if you like farm scenes...come one come all

BTW, the town holds an Art Stroll Friday, June 21 from 6-9pm with gallery receptions, etc.  I'll be at Village Artisans Gallery for our reception of 'Pollinators', corner of Dayton and Corry Streets. please visit us!

Monarch to Be - Giclee print

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

               

Watercolors - Libby Rudolf and Diana Hoke at the Winds Cafe

I am pulling all my resources together (painting/framing/documentation) to get my art ready....still making decisions on which paintings to include in my joint exhibit at the Winds Cafe in a week...yipes.

This will be my third exhibit at the Winds - I love to have my work in the cozy ambiance of this restaurant where the small=room effect of the architecture, colors and lighting help to enhance our show.  It's still amazing how many pieces can be displayed there too!  I am joined by fellow member of  Western Ohio Watercolor Society, Diana Hoke.  Our pieces really compliment each other - both nature lovers, etc

I have the good fortune to have YS woodworker-friend Robbie Marion make me frames for a few pieces that will be in show.  He has also made a large frame (35x55!) for a commission that I'm working on.  My son, Eric will be making me frames when he has time also : ).  

Here's a poster for the show - print it out and share & share this post if you are so inclined.  Diana and I will be ever-so-grateful!  Come see the show and join us for the

Artist Reception on Sunday, June 3, 6-8pm

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

Merry Christmas to One and All!

Here's hoping that you have a joy-filled holiday season...

This has been a busy year - full of creating lots of ART, going to dynamic ART workshops, traveling far and wide (and painting on-site), experimenting with new ways of painting, etc.

The day usually starts with a romp with the dog who is very energetic!!! and needs a lot of walks.  Of course, that's good for me too.  If you sit/stand to paint, you have to balance it out with activity, right?

To help celebrate the holiday, I made a little illustrated poem about 'Lucky', our Border Collie.  Here you are!  It is on a website that hosts videos (though this is more of a slide show).  Enjoy : )

https://vimeo.com/247328258

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"

Colorado is so beautiful!

We have the good fortune of having friends who live in Colorado.  We decided to go out to visit during the summer this year instead of during ski season as usual to see the mountains in bloom.  We had a marvelous time hiking, biking and even had a bit of time for me to paint next to a wild and wondrous waterfall.  As I sat and painted, it started to sleet/snow even though it was early July - you never know what the weather will do in the mountains.  I kept up as long as possible...until my hiking buddy husband said --- enough!

I cam home with lots of photos to paint from - better get started!

Here I am near the rushing falls...

sitting by the stream

the start for the quick plein-air

Finished!

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