About Me

MY BACKGROUND

Growing up in a small lake town St. Joseph, MI heavily influences my artwork. Beaches, lakes, and sunsets make their way into many pieces. Over the past two decades I haave migrated to lakes/oceans in the midwest, west coast, and south Florida...while practicing for 15 years as clinical therapist specializing in adolescent depression and anxiety. Most recently my husband and two young daughters have gained footing in northern Virginia, and I am devoting myself to art full-time. My background as a therapist very much informs my creative process, and ultimately I try to cultivate a sense of joy with every piece.

Portrating water-based subjects while playing with colors, movements, and patterns in big ocean waves and large fish is what I am drawn to most frequently. My art is a love letter to and a meditation on everything in and around our vital oceans. However, the cows in Virginia have started to rub off on me, and much of my work now falls into the category of "Surf & Turf."  Putting cows and other animals on surfboards is irresistably fun and I hope it makes others smile too.

While an undergrad at Northwestern University I took as many art classes as possible, and continued taking classes at University of San Francisco with professor and artist Glenn Hirsch while I was living in California and working as a therapist.  I started studying pastels with award-winning pastelist Lori Goll at Oatlands Greenhouse in Leesburg, VA in 2019 and continue to study with her today.

I exhibit regularly in juried shows throughout the East Coast, and have work up in private homes, galleries and restaurants throughout the US. My most recent solo show was at Muz & Rose in June/July 2022 in downtown Leesburg.

MEDIUM & INSPIRATION

Seascapes, big ocean waves, and wildlife are my biggest inspirations and I enjoy getting to know them intimately through the process of painting.  I love doing commissions-from boats and scenic views to people and pets of all kinds.

The main medium I use is pastel. My pastel paintings are done on sanded paper, mounted on backing board, and framed with museum quality glass. Pastel is the most permanent of all media and dates back to the 16th century (Edward Degas and Mary Cassatt were considered the most prolific pastelist of their time). It is a pure powdered pigment that is rolled into chalk-like "sticks" and since pastel paintings reflect light like a prism, no other medium has the same power of color, vibrancy, or stability.  Today pastel paintings have the stature of oil and watercolor as a major fine art medium. Before framing I spray my paintings with a fixative that helps hold the many layers of pastel in place. I use museum quality glass for framing, and for my largest pieces I use museum quality acrylic. These surfaces are "super clear" and allow you to see more details since they control reflection from surrounding light sources and protect your pieve from smudging and from UV light.The high quality glass does add to the overall cost of my work, but it is a worthwhile investment and ensures your piece's longevity!

CANVAS RUGS

The rugs are hand cut from heavy duty primed duck cloth, painted with acrylic paint, and coated with polyurethane to survive lots of footsteps and for easy cleaning. It is "floor art" but can be hung or framed beautifully. If you like any of the prints shown you can purchase one that will be made-to-order, or choose your own size/color/theme to be commissioned. 

COMMISSIONS

I am available to discuss commissions. If you like a painting that has been sold already, I am happy to paint something similar. Since pastels are delicate and "live and breathe" I do the framing myself immediately after the picture is finished. I have a variety of frames and a relationship with outstanding local framers so I can help you find an option that fits your taste and your piece. You can also order a framed print of almost any painting (that's not a commission) you see on my website. 

JURIED SHOWS/ART FESTIVALS

Western Loudoun Art & Studio Tour Loudoun County, VA June 2023

Art at the Mill Millwood, VA Spring 2023

Seaside Art Gallery  "International Miniature Show" Nags Head, NC 2021, 2023

Middleburg Art Fair Middleburg, VA Nov 2022

Artists in Middleburg "Honorable Mention" Great Art Small Prices Middleburg, VA Jan 2022

Howard Allen Events' Las Olas Art Festival  Ft. Lauderdale, FL March 2022 

Art at the Mill  Millwood, VA  Spring & Winter 2021

Artists in Middleburg  Middleburg, VA 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Great Falls School of Art "Honorable Mention" Great Falls, VA 2020, 2021

Yellow Barn Studio  Glen Echo, Maryland 2019, 2020 

Franklin Park Arts Center  Purceville, VA 2020

GALLERIES

Muz & Rose Artist in Residence July/August Leesburg, VA 2022, 2023

Chloe's of Middleburg Featured Artist Middleburg, VA February 2023

ARS Gallery and Culture Center  Benton Harbor, MI (solo installation) Aug/Sept 2021

CONTACT

I am available for commissions and shows. Feel free to contact me by email at alibwiese@gmail.com or phone# 954-591-0475.