Nine Lives

This is my majolica work which represents the feminine connection to the feline. Over many moons passing we hold permanent connections to the spirit worlds.....both human and animal.   Specifically this is a depiction of my daughter Lilly and her cat, Mushkin.  Mushy lived to be over 20 human years. Now she has pulled another heartstring from our human family into a realm far ahead of our possible understanding as mortals.  I welcome the expansion of my creative realm and honor the influences which have inspired me.

The Last Mow

Plein Air Oil
Barren's Valley
This painting celebrates the smell of cut grass in the cool air, the last now in November before the hard frost sets in.

November Sky

Knorr's Farm by Vivian Sterste

It may have well been the 1800's! Just like Lawrence and Tammi Knorr could imagine.  Thanks for have me over to paint on Saturday.....it was my pleasure..... especially when the buggy drove by!

Sunflower Mug!

One of the new majolica mugs I delivered to Brath and Hughes Gallery in Mechanicsburg.  Each one is thrown, fired, glazed and uniquely hand painted by me!  A special gift for a special person.

Ode to My Garden Studio

The summer of 2013, although replete with rain, proved to be one of the best growing seasons I ever encountered! My Mexican titonium have reached 11' tall!!! This painting is an ode to the splendour and privileges I have had here in my garden this summer with Buddy, my golden retriever by my side.

Blooming Cardoons

Completed painting.... on exhibit at the City House Bed and Breakfast, Harrisburg Pa.

One of my paintings you can see this month at the City House, Bed and Breakfast on Front Street in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg Magazine September 2013

Hey hey!!!! :-) My name is mentioned in an article about the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters in September's Arts and Entertainment Issue of Harrisburg Magazine!  I'm proud to be a member of this group!

"Blooming Cardoon"

Pastel and Oil painting... 12x 36. The willing model, albeit an aging swallowtail agreed to model on my artichoke.

Back Forty Beckoning

We have been sketching and painting with our SVPAP group regularly this summer. This is a pastel I did at Donna Barlup's house.  I was compelled by the sunlight on the back lawn illuminating the grass and the way it was framed by the dark trees.  I love to find magical entries to outdoor rooms! This was one of those spots.  Happy Pennsylvania summer!

"Brit by the Creek"

Liz Gallucci had us over to paint and sketch at her house by the Conodoquinet shortly before yet another summer of 2013 downpour! This is "Brit" her adorable doggie who kept my attention and was a great pal for the hour or two we were there.

Looking back at the Super Moon.

Super Moon June 2013

I was transfixed by the undulations of the edges of the trees while I stared at the powerful light.  Eyes can play tricks....if you let them.    Perception is an entertainment in itself, but to be able to put down, en plein air, all be it at night, is something of a gift from God.  This may sound arrogant, but think about it.  The ability to place pigment on paper and allow that image to represent a perceived real experience is truly a miracle.  Many artists I have spoken to have described the sensation of a power working through them and I am not shy to state that it is a creative drive within me, that if and when I am tuned in, will produce something I can look back at and remember the exact sensations, the exact moment in which I experienced a tremendous clarity and connection with the universe.  At these moments, I am not scared of death, but am open to the possibilities that exist for me to come to a better understanding of acceptance for whatever will be.  Connection with nature allays fears for me.   We are mere mortals, but I will open my mind to all possibilities. In contemplating the expanse of the universe and the concept of infinity, I have always pulled back to a place where I live in shear awe and gratitude for having been able to see for so long.   

Tall narrow planters being born...:-)

My majolica mugs at "Fleurir" alongside their delicious Spiced White Cocoa Mix!

 Stop in for samples and pick up a flowery mug for your chocolate drink, I love it iced also!

 Fleurir boxed chocolates come in various sizes and incredible flavors!

" Bonne Vivi"  majolica mugs add color and panache to an already incredibly elegant chocolate shop in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

http://fleurirchocolates.com/    stop by today or online and enjoy the best chocolates you have ever tasted!

Fleurir hand grown chocolates 3235 P Street NW Washington DC 20007

Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters: Featured Artist - Vivian Sterste - Brandler

Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters: Featured Artist - Vivian Sterste - Brandler: Today?  Outside? This is what you would see at my home, in the back of the old brownstone farm house, above.   And WELCOME!!!!!    My na...

Glazing Majolica Mugs....outside.

After a very long week at the Camp Hill Plein Air Festival I am happy to be back home glazing mugs for a commission.

In repose at the Art Association of Harrisburg.

I am reviewing the program of participants for the current show. Quite a wonderful mix! Happy to be included!

"Sheer Joy"

Entry # 2..... completely happy painting with several surprises!  This one is based on a woman I saw madly shearing away at her azaleas in Camp Hill....I wouldn't dare tell her I found it worthy of my fanciful imagination ! 15 1/2" x 19 1/2". All on display this weekend for the Camp Hill Festival. This one will be a historic piece as I have honored the Plein Air committees for all their hard work!

"At Last We Will Be Free"

Pastel and mixed media., 18x24  Camp Hill Plein Air Festival entry #1!  Inspired by the bluebird that flew within inches of my face earlier this week while painting in Camp Hill.  Title based on a line in the song " Bluebird" by Paul McCartney.

Camp Hill Plein Air Festival

Come out to see the artists paint in Camp Hill this week!

"Narcissi"

Give your mother a flower that lasts!  3 1/2" square macro photograph of one of our lovely spring flowers we all love! Framed in a distressed 12 inch square frame with a creme colored mat. This little gem goes for $75. and will last forever! Contact me if you are interested! Happy Spring and Happy Mother's Day coming up!

"Dzeja" - my first book!

A compilation of my mother's poetry which my father found after she died. From 1940-2010,  she wrote daily on subjects ranging from her fears during the period of time when Latvia was invaded by the Communists and her father was executed in Siberia to later times in her life when she pondered nature, God and her own mortality.  This project took over two years and we are proud to share our accomplishments!  I am a writer as well as a ceramist, painter and gardener. My mother remains my main inspiration to strive and thrive in my own creative endeavours!

Fleurir cocoa mugs being born!

"Vivi- by the Sea" and "Autumn Glow"

Self portrait painted in one of Earl Blust's sessions at the Mechanicsburg Art Center. Those were such inspired meetings!   Below is a quick loose sketch painted plein air from that same time...with Earl.

"Starseeds"

Pit fired white earthenware clay bowl (fired with rice and a sparkler!)  Made it into the Art Association of Harrisburg's International Juried Show!  

Studio details...

"Geometry Exposed"

Raku fired vessel.  22"x21".

My studio warmers.... Reginald wood stove and Paul Revere tea pot....! Thank guys!

Detail from "Lotus Vessel"

A unique work by Vivian Sterste-Brandler.   Raku fired vessel 26" high x 22" diameter. From a private collection. 

"St. Maarten Goats"

Original Majolica plate by Vivian Sterste Brandler.

"Lines- Accumulations -Blinds"

Black, white pastel -watching the 3/18 snow falling heavily...quickly.....

"Rose Petals"

I'm curious to see what a "straight-out-of-the-cellphone" shot looks like... None of the images I will post of my artwork will be altered by any photo editing process, like Photoshop or Lightroom as I want to keep them as comparable to the real work as possible. Yes my colors are bright and true!    My photographic works on the other hand are definitely a product of much fun with editing!  Digital delights!

Julie Riker

My friends , administrator and  President of SVPAP, Claire Carnell and  Julie Riker,  have been helping me get ideas and get my blog up and running on the SVPAP website. Thank you to both these wonderful ladies!
Here's a pix of Julie painting in the Carlisle festival of Art last fall. That was a fun day! We were able to listen to music while we painted on the square!

Thanks for the views!   100 since I posted this morning...Holy Moly!!!!   LOLOL    ..just getting started folks!   So much yet to photograph and share!   Can't wait to post my ceramic work!   Stay tuned!

Brath and Hughes Fine Art, LLC - Mechanicsburg PA Gallery: Brath and Hughes Fine Art Billboard

Brath and Hughes Fine Art, LLC - Mechanicsburg PA Gallery: Brath and Hughes Fine Art Billboard: Have you seen the billboard around the Mechanicsburg area?  It moves to a new location every month.  Thank you to Stuart Leask for taking t...

I am artist of the month at Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill, Pa. !

Art | The Cornerstone Coffeehouse

"Fantastic Flowers"

Original pastel.

"Harrisburg Skyline"

Carlisle Arts Learning Center sponsors the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters show in which I participate. My painting is of Harrisburg, framed in black. Still available for sale!

Painting En Plein Air in Carlisle!

Eric Olson's Sunflower Field

"Fuller Lake Fantasy"

Original oil/pastel for sale.