Wind In My Petals, Acrylic on Canvas, 14"x14"

I Need A Little Pick Me Up, Acrylic on Canvas, 24"x24"

The Sisters, Acrylic on Canvas, 57"x57"

Fresh Breeze, Acrylic on Canvas, 20"x16"

Whisper, Acrylic on Canvas, 20"x16"

Twins in the Wind, Acrylic on Canvas, 12"x12"

In the Golden Grass, Acrylic on Canvas, 20"x16"

Prints available at Artist Rising.

Follow the link to get prints of my artwork ranging from $12.99 to 29.99. 8"x10, 16"x20" and 20"x24" on most images.

My Artist Rising Portfolio

Faded Glory

Faded Glory, 24"x30" acrylic on canvas

On one of our trips out to the fishing lake we spotted a ditch full of purple cone flowers. I ended up going out last Monday to take some reference photos. It is late in the season for these beauties so much of the glorious purple color had been bleached away from the sun. I found this intriguing. As I walked along the ditch paying special attention to the details of my find I discovered that the volunteers went on for nearly a half a mile. I took as many pictures as I could get over the next hour until my battery ran out of my camera.

Once home and able to analyze the results, I discovered one very over exposed and slightly out of focus picture that just sang. This is my inspiration for this piece. At first I thought I could just edit the colors to suit my typical pallet, but as I started to work on it, I discovered I was loosing the integrety of what made the picture so great. One of my theories is that you have to start from good reference material, it's kinda like a computer, crap in, crap out. This new direction caused me to shift my pallet from my normal intensity and I enjoyed the challenge.

Painting While The Boys Fish

My husband Chuck and my son Dillon love to fish. This year my husband dicovered a quaint fishing spot at the Osage County State Fishing Lake. Not much more than a typical Kansas pasture pond but I guess it's stocked regularly. We have been out there to "fish" a few times this summer as a family. I personally can not stand fishing. Don't enjoy eating them and I certainly don't like to touch any slimmy worms... ok that is my one "girly" thing. They don't scare me, it's a texture thing. Anyway, so that we can spend some quality family time I have be accompanying them out to the lake and I have been taking my easle and paints. As I mentioned last fall, I am not much of a plein aire painter but I thought this would give me the perfect opportunity to paint with nature as an inspiration. Also, I could get a much needed piece done for the up coming Arron Douglas Art Fair.


"Sunflower at the Lake", 16"x20", acrylic on canvas.



So the first time we went out we arrived with only about 2 hours of light left. I also took my lap top. I started the background of my piece allowing myself to be inspired by the blues and greens of the serene environment. Then I turned to the photos I took of sunflowers last fall. I discovered that the dual, technology and nature gave a wonderful blend of inspiration. Also, with the time limit on the light I ended up working well into the dusk which seemed to be a struggle at the time. I dreaded to look at it in the light when I got home, so I stuck it in my studio and let it cure for a little while.

When I work at home, I regularly paint outside on our back deck, sometimes using a printed copy of my photos for reference. I have powerful spot lights available to paint by and if that isn't enough I have some tungsten work lights that I can set up.


The change in environment and working into duck made a difference. The pallet that evolved through this unlikely mix was bold yet distinctly more subtle than my previous pieces done at home.





"Where the Tiny Fish are Biting", 20"x16", acrylic on canvas.

On my second trip out, we got an early start. It was a Sunday afternoon rather than trying to capture the evening. We also came provisioned with cook out goodies. It was almost a festive event.

The guys had much better luck on this trip but the disappointment was that every fish they caught was not much bigger than a grown man's hand. Catch and release was the drill for the day. This never keeps them from continuing to hope for the next "big" one.

With more time available I decided to give actual plein air painting a whirl. It was so peaceful out there. The clouds were coming in from the south and the mood was happy.

I started off blocking off an area on the canvas and immediately decided I wanted the 1/3 bottom to be the lake and allow the sky to rule the piece. I knew by the formation of the clouds there was a promise of a beautiful sunset and some wonderful color. The water intimidated me a lot. It was a little choppy and I had never attempted painting water not to metion a bunch of little waves.


At first, I worked on the sky to get the initial fluffyness with the lower flat clouds. Then blocked it a purple line of trees and turned to tackle the water challenge. I knew if I could get that right, the rest would fall into place. I worked and worked on the water and finally allowed myself the more subtle wakes rather than the choppiness of the real deal. It captured the mood I wanted. As the evening drew nearer, I was rewarded with the promised sunset color. As the light changed and colored the clouds I was able to mimic it in the clouds I had previously blocked in. I was very fortuneate that the cloud formation changed very little in the 3 hours that I sat and was inspired by nature. I ended up working on this piece well into dusk as well. But was much more confident as the work done in poor lighting was minimal.


These painting adventures are only the first of what I hope many of my plein aire attempts.

Aaron Douglas Art Fair Announces 2007 Art Fair's Featured Artist: Michelle Leivan

The Aaron Douglas Art Fair Committee has chosen Topeka artist Michelle Leivan as the featured artist of the 2007 Aaron Douglas Art Fair: A Celebration of Community. Her painting, Windswept, features a stylized sunflower and will be the image used on all promotions for the 2007 art fair.

Michelle is a notable artist from Topeka Kansas who has shown her work across the nation, including the Agora Gallery in Soho, New York, Governor Sebelius’ Conference Room, and SouthWind Gallery at Framewoods of Topeka. Michelle was also the featured artist for the Topeka Jazz Festival in 2005. Many people who are not just from Kansas own her work, including individuals from Turkey and Spain. Michelle grew up in Beloit, Kansas who then went to Fort Hays State University to obtain her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting.

The fair is scheduled for September 8, 2007 from 11am to 4pm in the Aaron Douglas Art Park at 12th and Lane in Topeka, KS. More information can be found at http://www.turnaroundteam.org/art. If you have questions about exhibiting at the art fair, please contact Lyn Weichert at artdirector@turnaroundteam.org. Artists’ submissions will be accepted until July 25, 2007. Those interested volunteering for the Art Fair, assisting in youth activities, or donating money for the 2nd Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair, should please contact Lacey Keller immediately at lacey.keller@washburn.edu or (785) 233-2224. The Aaron Douglas Art Fair is a project of the Central Topeka Turn Around Team.

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I would like to thank everyone on the Central Topeka Turn Around Team for honoring me with the selection of my work for the featured art. The Topeka community has been working hard to elevate our culture in the arts over the last few years and this art fair is an important contribution towards the goal of Topeka becoming one of the Top 100 Art Cities in the United States. I look forward to seeing you all at the Aarron Douglas Art Fair and sharing with you many of my new paintings.

Students learn about art through local artists

Show and sale set to begin at SouthWind Gallery
By Ann Marie Bush
The Capital-Journal
Published Monday, April 16, 2007

Photo: Anthony S. Bush / The Capital-JournalFrom left, Tim Royer, Patsy Barnes, Martin Weishaar and Michelle Leivan frame artwork Friday at SouthWind Gallery. The art was completed by Auburn-Washburn fifth- through 12th-graders during the Artist-in-Residence program this school year.

Auburn-Washburn students' artwork will be on display and for sale beginning Friday thanks to SouthWind Gallery at Framewoods of Topeka, Target Corp. and the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation.

About 275 pieces of artwork — everything from watercolors to pottery — were created through the district's first Artists-In-Residence program and will be displayed at SouthWind Gallery, 3074 S.W. 29th.

The Artist-in-Residence program, which was started this school year, enabled local professional artists to visit Auburn-Washburn schools to work with and inspire students.
Work from the artists, as well as Auburn-Washburn art faculty, also will be on display at the gallery.

Michelle Leivan, a Topeka artist who took part in the program, serves on the foundation board and is assistant gallery director for SouthWind. She has been working alongside other foundation board members and Martin Weishaar, communications coordinator for the district, to mat and frame several of the pieces during the past several weeks.

On Friday, Leivan, Weishaar and foundation board members Pam Brandsted, Tim Royer and Patsy Barnes spent a few hours cleaning glass, matting artwork and attaching hardware to the frames.

Gary Blitsch, president of SouthWind Gallery, helped in implementing the program and donated $500.

"The business of cultivating future artists and patrons of the arts starts at the grade school level," Blitsch said. "Any time you have art and kids in the same sentence, I turn into a softie."
Target Corp. donated $1,000 toward the project. The foundation allocated $2,000.

The foundation raises funds throughout the year. Funds are distributed directly to teachers by way of classroom grants each year, Weishaar said. The Artist-In-Residence program is the first time the foundation has directly managed a student program.

Many of the art pieces will be available for purchase for $25.

"While we hope to make enough money on the event to break even, the real goal of the project is to teach our students about different artists, artwork, styles, techniques," Weishaar said. "We have provided an opportunity for hundreds of students to be exposed to artists and art methods that they might not otherwise encounter. With the gallery show, we are giving these students the chance to display their talents in a professional setting."

Local artists who took part in the project are Barry Busch, watercolor; Leivan, oil painting; Ed Miller, print making; John Kudlacek, pottery; and Barb Reser, watercolor.

The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at SouthWind Gallery, and will continue through May 11. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. On Friday, May 4, the show will be part of the First Friday Art Walk, and the gallery will be open until 8 p.m.

Superintendent Brenda Dietrich said the project is a wonderful opportunity to bring experts into the classrooms.

"The Artist-in-Residence program was a perfect opportunity for kids to be able to access professional artists and learn from their experiences," she said.

Betsy Pederson, a 16-year-old 10th-grader at Washburn Rural High School, said she enjoyed working with artists. She worked with Kudlacek and has a slab mug pottery piece in the show.

"He gave a lot of advice and helped out with technique," Pederson said. "I think it's pretty neat."

Link to original story on CJOnline

Album of Uploaded Artwork

My Photobucket Album of Art Work

30 Minute Nude from Live Model

30 Minute Nude 3-36-07

17.5 x 23

Watercolor Crayon and Acrylic on Paper

This piece was drawn from a live model with a 30 minute pose. Nearly the entire work was done during that period. I did darken the background with violet once the watercolor wash was dry. It was particularly intrigued with the line that was created with light and shadow that ran from her shoulder blade down her spine and sinuously curved around her buttocks.

As we are getting ready at work for our First Friday Art Walk on April 6th, we had two artists come in with a couple of pieces. After some discussion, I discovered that there is an open drawing session here in town with a live model every other Monday. I was very excited to find this out as I spent many hours in figure drawing during my college years and became one of my most favorite subjects. It has been nearly 10 years since I had an opportunity to draw from a live model and I have missed it.

Self Portrait with a Dog of a Different Color

Self Portrait with a Dog of a Different Color
Oil on Canvas
22"x28

I am getting behind in posting my new works. This piece has been done for a little while. It is oil which is a fairly new medium for me. I had a lot of fun with this one and enjoyed the color possibilities. I also utilized symbolism in this piece. I wanted to say more than I usually do with this piece. The dog is our family mutt Rascal and represents traditional symbolism: companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity. I placed the drum to depict the continuous rhythm of life and the plant mimics the sinuous nature of femininity and reminds me of the continuing renewal of self and the intertwining of humanity. As for the pose of the figure, contrast it with the self portrait I use as my profile image, what do you think? Please give me a comment about what you think.

I was inspired by the early century masters shown at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City. Chuck and I went to KC for a romantic weekend during Valentine's week. We toured the Museum and there is nothing more inspiring than getting to view the masters in real life.

"The art of Expressionist, Fauve, Cubist, Bauhaus, Dada and Surrealist artists working between 1900 and 1945 is presented in the Nelson-Atkins building. During these tumultuous years of the early 20th century, the forms and meanings of art were in constant flux. Highlights from this defining period of Modernism include outstanding works by Emil Nolde, Kees van Dongen, Juan Gris, Constantin Brancusi, Wassily Kandinsky, Giorgio de Chirico, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Kay Sage and Alexander Calder."

It's a great museum and I would highly recomend a visit.

Butterfly Milkweed - Oil on Canvas 28"x22"

Butterfly Milkweed - Oil on Canvas 28"x22"

Ok, I was taken in by the oils, they are much more sensual and much more forgiving than acrylics. I have had to overcome the "hurry up it's going to dry" urdge and accepting that the piece will have to be returned to more than once.

The reference picture for this was taken at the Tallgrass Prarie Reserve and the Symphony in the Flint Hills. I distinctly remember taking this picture and beliving it to be a boon considering there were hundreds of people filing by on the path toward the event area. It was like finding a little corner of peace in the chaos of the busy hot day.

I also played a lot with the colors in this piece keeping in mind my tendencies toward color and hey it works in oils and acrylic - LOL. I can not say for sure which is my favorite but I am being seduced by the oil bug.

Oils - a new adventure

"Dillon in his NY hat" - 8"x10" Oil on Canvas


"Frog Woman" - 10" x 16" Oil on Canvas Board

My son was home sick with the flu last week and in one of his more lucid and bored afternoons he wanted to paint. This was exciting to me because he hasn't wanted to paint with me for ages... I guess being a teenager, busy with school and friends leaves little time for painting with ole' mom. Anyway, delighted with the prospect, I asked him "Oils or Acrylics" He said "oils." I drug out the new oils I had been collecting over the last few months anticipating this spontaneous activity.

For some reason a few months ago, Dillon made up his mind that painting in oils has to be easier than painting in acrylic. I believe he had seen a Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" session and was impressed with the speed and agility of the artist... I've explained to him that either way, it takes practice... But this is what lead to the beginning of the oil tube collection and I had hoped to entice him to paint earlier than this last week.

As for me, I have shied away from oils as my college instructors all had sensitivities to oils and would not use them. Being pleased with the results of acrylics, I have never thought it important to actually try oils. I have had artist friends tell me that oils are a much more sensual medium. Well, so with the interest from my boy - I decided to venture into this new medium with Dillon's enthusiasm to fuel the curiosity.

Above you will find my first two efforts in oils from that day. The first was the portrait of Dillon and then just for giggles, I made the "Frog Lady." I was able to explore my color pallet and how it interacts with oils. I would have to rule the experience - fun.

Chuck at Le Petite Cafe NYC - 10"x26"

This is another NYC experience piece. We found Le Petite Cafe (and it's literally petite) near the corner of West Broadway and Spring St. in Soho. In this painting you are only missing about 4 ft of the front window to the right, so you can see this is a very small cafe.

Dillon and I had stumbled upon it Thursday morning when looking for a place to eat breakfast near the Agora Gallery's Soho location. They serve the greatest coffee and the most awesome omelets.

This was Friday, the beginning of the exciting day that we walked from Soho to Times Square and we wanted a harty breakfast to begin our exploration of the city. Also, Chuck had not been able to get into NYC for my opening so he wanted to also start the day off by seeing my pieces at the Agora Gallery. Dillon and I had raved about it so much Chuck wanted to experience it too.

We truly enjoyed ourselves this particular morning and I remember telling both Chuck and Dillon "Life couldn't get much better than this."

Dillon in NYC subway - 10" x 26"

I bought some new canvases in November which are 10" x 26" thinking they would make perfect landscapes for the wide open spaces of our local Flint Hills area.

Then, this last Wednesday I was poking around and reviewing the photos from our NYC trip. I found a photo of my son in the subway. It was the typical horizontal format and included the subway train arriving to the station. Also, you could see a bit of the platform across the way. I was thinking that the picture was great and it crossed my mind to paint the piece in full. Then somewhere in the back of my mind the previously ignored and waiting for a great plein air day, long and skinny canvases came to mind.

A little cropping and excitement mounted as inspiration hit. The tall canvases worked perfectly for the skyscraping urbanscape of the NYC experience.

This piece is a little different from the other figurative pieces that I have done as I have reached further toward realism. I had no intention of bringing complete realism to the piece but I wanted to identify where the subject was without recreating the photo. I also wanted to create the mood of the moment captured.

The day we took this photo we had traveled by foot in an indirect path from Soho to Times Square. By midnight, we found ourselves exhausted, drenched by a rain storm and determined to find our way back to our hotel in Soho through the subway system.

It was an awesome journey for our first NYC trip as a family and it is important to me to relive this through my work.

I have plans for a few more memorable moments to document and I hope that you will enjoy them.

New Paintings for 2007

Coneflower 1 & 2 - 12"x12"

Inspired by the new year and fond memories of the past year. I finally found the time from the hustle and bustle of the Holidays to sit down, relax and paint.

I browsed my pictures set aside for just this kind of quiet time and discovered I had some interesting photos taken during the Symphony in the Flint Hills at the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve this last summer. I found that these two flowers not only reminded me of wonderful event they also juxapposed each other so nicely, expressing the harried feeling the season can bring and the promise of a new beginning in the the coming year.

Let me know what you think.

I hope that 2007 brings you all joy and victory over troubles.