Miniature Art

I'm back!  I had moved over to a different blog host but that didn't work out so I am going to discipline myself to keep up with this blog from now on. 

A lot has happened this year that makes me very happy.  I was juried into three prestigious memberships:

MPSGS - Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society of DC

Oil Painters of America

and

IGOR - International Guild of Realism

It tells me I am making progress in my learning and skills although from looking at the other members' work see I have miles to travel still.

This year I took on the probably over ambitious task of entering seven Miniature Art Shows.  Three are over with, two are about to open and two will open in September.  That's on top of 4 shows of regular sized paintings.  Once I get through mid-September, I have to concentrate on commissions that are waiting to be completed.  Would be so lovely to be able to paint full time...but alas...

Here's one miniature that did not sell at the Heartland Show so now it's available in my Daily Paintworks Gallery:

Moving Day!

I have not posted on this blog for almost a year! Can't believe that!  Where does time go?

Waterlily Painting

Waterlily

12x12 oils on panel

$240 on My Gallery

The water drops were the most challenging in this painting.  I'm taking a class with Michael James Smith and painting this has taught me so much. 

Sherman: Horse Portrait

Was commissioned to paint a memorial portrait of a gorgeous horse - by a friend of the owner - and while it was fun, it was also challenging and a lesson as to why we need to ask for several reference photos as the photo of choice may be deceiving.  Here's an example:

Photo of desired pose for the painting:

Beautiful brownish/gray horse, right?

Here's a photo whose colors are not blown out:

He's actually more black/brown than brown/gray.

But I was happy with the final outcome and hope the owner is pleased. (I added his gorgeous white tail that was in yet another photo).

4/3/18 Update: The owner wrote to me after receiving the painting and it makes me so happy:

 I am shedding tears of "thanks and joy" to you. And I know Sherman approves as well. He was so very special and we knew each other so well. You got his "eye" right -- it shows his intelligence and kindness.

Series of Sei Nakatugawa

All of these paintings were based on the amazing photography of Sei Nakatugawa, who kindly offers them to artists as copyright free reference subjects.  There are many more to come.  Please visit my Gallery to see if they are available.

Catching Up

I can't believe it's been since November last year that I posted here. Shame on me. I find keeping up with my Daily Paintworks Gallery and posting to my Facebook page are time consuming and need to get better about posting here more often.

The holidays were busy and I have been painting but not quite as much, sadly.  I'll be taking a four day painting workshop in early April that will get me going again. Meanwhile time has been spent framing and shipping paintings to shows, etc.

These two sold at the Seaside Gallery in NC outer banks in February:

and many more have sold from my Daily Paintworks Gallery so I'm happy that people like my work! I am working on two pieces to send to Seaside Gallery for their May Miniatures Show and have to have them there by April 22  (dried, varnished and framed!) so only have a couple of weeks.

My last art workshop with Cindy Procious was fabulous in August, and after Christmas finally put the finishing touches on the painting I started in that class. It's getting framed and will be off to the Art at the Mill Show shortly (along with 3 others that were juried in):

Have added three new paintings this week to my Daily Paintworks Gallery and hope you check it out. Here's one I particularly love:

My Daily Paintworks Gallery

Six of Eight SOLD!

Art at the Mill  - Millford, VA

My first experience being juried and accepted into a show was a great success!  Art at The Mill ran for two weeks in October and of 8 paintings entered, these six found new homes:

Was thrilled that people liked my work enough to buy!!!

Miniature Painting

Grazing on the Dunes

3.5 x 7.5 inches

Acrylics on hardboard panel

So I've become enamored of miniature painting - which differs from just painting small. Miniature painting can have an image no larger than 25 square inches, and the objects portrayed no larger than 1/6 life size.  In addition, if one looks at these painting under a magnifying glass, you should be able to see as much detail as a 'regular' sized painting.   

Keeping Ships Safe

4x6 Inches

Acrylic on Sintra Panel

Another miniature that really tested my eyes. The difficulty of painting with a magnifying glass is getting used to judging distance. I'd find myself making strokes, but no paint going on - then realized the brush wasn't touching the painting. Have to learn how to see through a magnifying glass. 

Nom Nom

4x4 inches

Acrylic on Sintra Panel

Now this one is small at only 16 square inches, but would not actually qualify in a Miniature Painting Show because the squirrel in the painting is at least 2 inches. Are real squirrels bigger than 12 inches sitting up? No, so I would have had to paint the squirrel much smalle.  And I didn't want to because I like how he was framed in the branches. 

All these and more are available in my Daily Paintworks Gallery

Backstage Ballet

Backstage Ballet

8x10 in on panel

Daily Paintworks Gallery

Reference photo by Linda Willason.

Brought back such wonderful memories of my childhood ballet recitals.

Lazy Cat! Says Garfield

8x10 Acrylics on Hardboard Panel, Unframed

Auction

Proceeds benefit Kunzang Palyul Choling Temple Fund