Watercolor is fluid color in motion, dancing from brush onto paper

 I keep thinking of watercolor as kind of a dance between color and water, brush and ‘artist’s eye’ as I apply paint to create a painting…

I paint light and color but in order to do that, one must paint shadow and neutrals…life is a balance, right?

                                              Watercolor - Stepping Stones     

Plein Air painting in the sunflower fields with friends!

 Yesterday, I had the absolute delight of getting together with friends to paint in the fresh air at the sunflower field that Tecumseh Land Trust plants yearly!  It is in it’s prime and the colors were VIBRANT! So, of course, I used my brightest hues and values…so fun!

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. 

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! ❤

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/

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 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 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 -

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.

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

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

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

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"

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!).

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 : ).