New Feline Fine Art Miniatures

With so many show deadlines fast approaching, I've been in my studio painting away, focusing on  creating new miniature works.  My two new miniature feline paintings are both done in acrylic on Strathmore 500 series Illustration Board.  They are my first cat paintings and I loved painting them, especially their eyes!  These two boys are brothers, (Sid top - Sam bottom) and share space with my Mom and Dad in Florida.  On my visit there last year, I did my best to try and photograph them.  I have to say photographing them was like trying to photograph a moving target.  Get out my camera and they were gone! Sis did like to show off after a while, but Sam was shy and liked to hide under things.  It was really fun to paint them.

Afghan Kitty © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2" x 2 "

More Salmon, Please © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2" x 2 "

I have two more miniature paintings finished that need to be varnished before I unveil them.  In addition, I'm hoping to finish two more.  Because of the all the detail and fine tuning, these miniatures take a lot of time! Unfortunately, I may not have as many miniatures for the spring/summer shows this year as in the past.  The rest of March and April will be very busy so I may not be blogging as often as I would like.  Much of my time beside creating new miniatures will be taken up with framing, doing paperwork for entering shows, etc.  There is also a family visit scheduled that will include some travel time.  I do hope you will check back to see my new work.  I'll be posting about the spring shows that my work will be in as soon as I know.  As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by.  I hope you have a great spring!

Two New Miniatures and Gallery North Mini Show

I have two new fine art miniature works to share.  Both of these were done in graphite, colored pencil and acrylic on film. My last two works of a mermaid and river siren inspired me to do one as a miniature.  I had a reclining figure that would be great from a back view, I just needed a location to put her in.  Last Tuesday, it was not raining, so around 4 we hopped in the car and drove over to Mukilteo for a walk and photo shoot.  It was low tide and as I wanted a rocky shore instead of sand or grasses, the timing was good!  There were some great clouds over the sound so I took a lot of photos for future reference.  Waiting is the result of those reference photos and my reclining mermaid idea.  My intention was to create a serene place for the mermaid or siren to be resting, gazing at the horizon, waiting for her ship to come in, or her sailor, or whatever you want her to be waiting for.  Perhaps you can hear her singing!  Waiting is another work in my series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities.

Waiting © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 5/16 " x 4 1/2 "

Hideaway © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

 Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/4" x 3 1/4 "

Hideaway was inspired by a large tree I came across in a nearby park.  When I first saw it, I was so excited and knew I would be using elements of it in many works.  It has so much character in so many different views and seasons.  I've given the tree a door with a stairway as a means to reach it.  There is also another option for entry at the base of the tree.  I'm not sure if the snail is a visitor or a resident.  I think I'll let the viewer decide.  Hideaway is part of my series, Fantasy Trees.

This weekend I'll be delivering three of my miniatures, the Wood Nymph Fairies, for the 2012 Annual Miniature and Small Painting Show at Gallery North in Edmonds.

(Left to right), You Too Shall Have Wings,  Dreamer, and Moonbathing  

© Barbara A. Freeman

 Each work - Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

The show runs from March 1st to March 31st with an artist reception on March 4th. The show will be part of the Edmonds Art Walk, on March 15. Gallery North, 508 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 425-774-0946.  This show is packed with miniatures and small works in a wide variety of styles from many artists.  A real treat to feast your eyes on!  I'll be attending the reception on Sunday.  Hope to see you there! Support your LOCAL Artist!!

Now it's back to the drawing board getting new work finished for all the deadlines!!!  As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work.

News - Now Signature Member of Miniature Artists of America!

I received a phone call from the Vice President, P.R. of the Miniature Art Society of Flordia, Kay Petryszak, who is also President of the Miniature Artists of America, (MAA).  I have been selected to become a MAA Signature Member!  I didn't know I was in the Candidates Circle!  To become a candidate there are a number of things that have to happen and I must have done them.  I thank all the jurors for voting me in!  It is such an honor to be in this outstanding organization.

The MAA has a traveling show for educational purposes that I will be submitting one of my works to be in when the show changes.  The show is for educational purposes and available at no cost to museums and gallerys for exhibit.  There is more information on their website about the traveling show here: MAA Traveling Exhibit.  I saw the MAA show last year when it was on exhibit along with the Miniature Art Society of Florida show.  The work was exquisite!  To think that one of my works will be included is beyond fantastic!

I have just finished a new miniature painting, and I'll post it after it's varnished.  I have many new works that I need to do for the upcoming shows, so I may not be very active here.  Until then, my next show in March will be the 2012 Annual Miniature and Small Painting Show at Gallery North in Edmonds, where I'll be submitting my three Wood Nymph Fairies.  I will have more information on the show coming soon.  

On another note...We've had some beautiful weather so on Saturday we went to the Nature Conservancy event at Port Susan Bay Preserve to see the eagles.  The land at Port Susan Bay is not usually open so it was a real treat to walk around the wetlands trail and look through the viewing stations that were set up.  Then on Sunday we drove to British Columbia to see the snowy owls.  We were NOT disappointed!  They were beautiful and close enough to photograph.  It was an amazing site.  We also saw a great variety of birds over the weekend, northern harriers, eagles (mature and sub-adult), short eared owls, many herons, ducks and song birds.  We're new to the birding experience and it's so much fun.  We had a great time hiking, taking photos and enjoying all the beauty and wonder!  I'm sorry I didn't get to meet my fellow blogging friend, Canadian artist, Wendy Mould who was also checking out the snowys, she was there at sunrise.  

Now it's back to catching up on all the domestic things I've put off (ugh) and creating some new miniatures (yay)!  Thank you for taking the time to read about my great news and new adventures. 

New Work - "First Encounter"

 First Encounter  © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 8 1/2" x 8"

Here she is, my latest river siren placed in a Pacific Northwest landscape.  This time I've given her a frog to keep her company.  The frog was inspired from one I spotted while on a hike at Lake 22  in the North Cascades.  Like most of my work in this series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities, this drawing was done in graphite on film, with colored pencil on the reverse side.  Lastly, back to the front with a thin glaze of interference violet on her tail and a few other places to add a bit of sparkle.

 Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae)

Lake Twentytwo - North Cascades  2011/07

The frog is a Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae), this one was camera shy but I did manage to get this photo of him.

Below are a few photos of the work as it progressed and then the final scanned image again at the end. I really enjoyed creating this piece.  I love drawing trees and rocks so that part was meditation for me.  The tree branches and water were another story! I think the most difficult part of the work was the water.  By the time I got that far, I was ready to be finished!  Getting a  good range of values to read as water wasn't easy.  There was so much going on with the patterns and textures in the rocks and wood that I wanted to make that area quiet.  I needed to show some rocks under the surface and on the edge as well as the quiet movement of the water near the shore without making it too active.  

 First Encounter  © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 8 1/2" x 8"

My intention was to create a space in which to be calm and perhaps ponder what will happen next, after the First Encounter.

Now it's on to the next project, creating fine art miniatures for all the spring shows.  Those deadlines are fast approaching!   I'm hoping to have work, fine art miniatures and larger work, in the following shows:

March   Gallery North - Edmonds, WA (miniatures and small works show)
April  Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC  (miniatures only show)
May  Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA  (miniatures only show)
June  Edmonds Arts Festival, Edmonds, WA  (juried art festival which includes a miniature category) 
June  LiveARTS Bothell, Bothell, WA  (juried art festival which includes a miniature category)
Spring  UNCLAD, Stanwood, WA  (Date coming, rescheduled for the spring)  (Unclad (nude) Figure Show)

I will announce any new shows I'll have work in on this blog as they approach and new work when completed so please do check back.  As always I thank you for taking  the time to read about my work.   It may be winter now, but fear not! spring will be here before you know it!

"River Siren at Rest" - New Work

This is my latest work, just put the finishing touches on it today.   The substrate is drafting film.  I do the graphite drawing on one side, then turning the film over, add colored pencil on the back in selected areas. Once finished to my satisfaction, I used a very thin interference violet acrylic paint on the front on the tail and a bit of gold on her ear/fin tip.  I think using the color sparsely,  gives the work an antique look.  I had fun creating the waves in the water and repeating that in her tail and hair.  I've included a few photos of the work as it progressed.  This is the final scanned image, it appears on my website without the watermark.  You can also view the work on my website by clicking on a title, or view all the work from this series together at, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities.

River Siren at Rest  © Barbara A. Freeman 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 6"x 9"

Happy Holidays to all my blogger friends!  The Winter Solstice is just around the corner and I know I'll be happy to see the days lengthen!  Happy New Year and I hope YOURS will be filled with wonderful things!!  Thanks for taking the time to read about my work!  

Just a note - I still have work showing locally at Miniature Masterpieces and More, Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell, till January 25th, Lowell Art Works in Everett until January 14th,  and if you are near Washington, D.C., I have work in the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society and that show runs until December 30th.  Opening on January 15th, the MASF show runs until February 5th and I have five miniatures in that show.

2011 Miniature Masterpieces and More! - Kaewyn Gallery - Bothell WA

 

Lost and Found © Barbara A. Freeman  

 Acrylic on Gessobord   5 7/8"x 5 7/8" 

Just Between You and Me  © Barbara A. Freeman 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  6"x 6"

Snail Tales © Barbara A. Freeman 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 6"x 6"

The Miniature Masterpieces and More! show opens this Friday, December 2nd at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell WA.  This year, all of my work in the show is from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities that I've been having so much fun with.  I'll have three small works, two drawings and one acrylic painting, which are the latest work in this series in the show.  They are shown above in their frames.  You can also view the work on my website by clicking on a title, or view all the work from this series together at, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities. In case you haven't read any of my previous blogs, the series all started when I needed to come up with something to enter in a local show called UNCLAD.  I needed a figure and knew for me it had to be placed in the forest so I came up with the wood nymph figure.  That one led to the next one having wings, when I used my version of the markings of a wood nymph butterfly.  I'm not sure how many more works I'll add to the series, but I know there are still a few (one is on my drawing board at this moment).  Also, the three framed miniatures below in this series, are in the show.  All my miniature art is under 25 inches square.  For further information on fine art miniatures, click on the link for the Association of Miniature Artists,  Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Gravers Society of Washington D.C. and the Miniature Art Society of Florida.  I am a member of all three.

(Left to right), You Too Shall Have Wings,  Dreamer, and Moonbathing  

© Barbara A. Freeman

 Each work - Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Kaewyn Gallery is located in beautiful downtown Bothell at 10101 Main Street (google map).  They are open Tuesday - Thursday 10 to 6, Friday 10 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 4.   Don't miss Santa!!  He will be at the Gallery on Wed 10 - 2, Thurs 2 - 6 , Fri 1 - 5 and Sat 10 - 2!  It is my 5th year participating in this fine invitational show.  Each year I am amazed by all the beautiful work and look forward to seeing the show.  I hope you also get a chance to see it.  All work is for sale.  These small and miniature artworks make wonderful gifts that will be lasting treasures.  Support your local businesses and your local artists!  Thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  Happy Holidays to all of my blogger friends and friends to be! 

* Kaewyn Gallery will be updating their website for this show soon.  

Third Place Drawing at MASF for "A Flash of Blue"

A Flash of Blue © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" 

Great news for me!  I received my letter today from MASF, Miniature Art Society of Florida, that all five of my works have been accepted for the 37th Annual International Miniature Art Show!  Not only that, but A Flash of Blue has taken 3rd Place in Drawing!  I sent my very first submissions to MASF back in 2008 and have gotten my work in every year.  This is my first award in this show, so I am thrilled!  It's the largest miniature art show in this country and there are hundreds of entries!  This particular drawing received 1st Place in Drawing in the 2010 Miniature Painter, Sculptors and Gravers Society in Washington D.C. which was an honor!   I guess the judges like this piece.  It makes me happy!

The other four works juried in this show are Early Autumn, From the Highlands,  I Got My Eye on You and Through the Portal.  The show opens on January 15th and runs until February 5th, 2012.  I attended the show last year and it was incredible seeing all the tiny masterpieces! If you get a chance to see the show, it is well worth it! For more information on the show and miniature art, visit the MASF website by clicking on their name. 

Miniature Art Society of Florida Exhibition will be held at the Dunedin Fine Art Center 

1143 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin, FL  Hours: Mon.-Sat.: 10AM-5PM; Sun.: 1-4PM

Thanks again for taking the time to read about my work.

"Lost and Found" - New work and Show at Lowell - "Breasts of the Northwest "V" Dangerous Curves"

Lost and Found ©Barbara A. Freeman 

Acrylic on Gessobord   5 7/8"x 5 7/8" 

This new work is my first acrylic painting in The Wood Nymph Series.  All my other wood nymphs have been drawings on film.  I decided to challenge myself with painting skin tones and wings.  It was fun painting a fantasy figure, and even though she is quite small, I still do not consider this work a miniature work.  I did however, paint it with the same attention to detail as I would paint a miniature.  I have one more coat of varnish to do, then need to have it scanned.  After that, it's off to the framers to have them do their magic.   Lost and Found will be part of my small works submission for the Miniature Masterpieces and More Show at Kaewyn Gallery in December.  Information on that Invitational Show will be my next blog post - coming soon!

On another note, I will have two of my drawings from The Wood Nymph Series,  Keeper of the Sphere and the first one that started it all, The Wood Nymph at Lowell Art Works' exhibit, Breasts of the Northwest "V", Dangerous Curves.  Lowell Art Works  is located at 5205 S. 2nd Ave. in Everett, WA.  The show runs November 19th through January 14, 2012.  Lowell Art Works is part of Everett's Third Saturday Art Walk and will have their Opening bash from 4-9PM, Saturday, November 19th, 2011 during the Art Walk.  Lowell is open later than the other Art Walk venues downtown, so cruise the town and end up at Lowell for a "titillating evening of eye-opening art, refreshment, and scintillating live music supplied by Everett's own Paul Roberts"!  I will be attending and hope to see you there too.  Come on out and join the fun!  Support your local artist!!

These two new drawings in the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities, are not miniatures (under 25" square), but what I consider small works. They are both graphite drawings on drafting film with limited colored pencil on the underside and a bit of acrylic, including interference color (wings), on the front. They will be matted and framed, the total framed size will be 12" x 12".

Just Between You and Me  ©Barbara A. Freeman 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  6"x 6"

Snail Tales ©Barbara A. Freeman 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 6"x 6" 

If Snail Tales looks familiar, it's because I used the same reference drawing I did for the silverpoint work,  Earth and Sky.  I needed a place for the female figure where she would be gazing at the snail.  Often I'll have a subject or landscape that I really like and will use it in different ways.  This was a perfect setting.  It is NOT a print of the first drawing, but a new drawing with slight changes to fit the composition.

I have one more piece that I am still working on for this series which will be exhibited in the same show.  It is an acrylic painting, but will be framed in the same manner as the two drawings.  When I have them all framed and ready to go, I'll show them again here.  The two above, the new painting and three miniatures, all from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities, will be exhibited in Kaewyn Gallery's Annual Invitational, Miniature Masterpieces and More! show.  I love this show and am always honored to be invited to participate.  I'll be blogging about that with more information later.  However, mark your calendars because the show opens on December 2nd in time for your holiday shopping!

It's been really beautiful her in the Pacific Northwest.  I hope all of you have been enjoying the beautiful autumn colors, my favorite season!  Thanks for taking the time to read about my work.

"Catchin Some Rays" - Second Place Award - MPSGS

Entries Accepted in the
2011 Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society's Exhibit

We just got back from a ten day parent visit in Indiana on Tuesday.  While opening all the mail I was happy to find a nice notice saying all three of my entries were accepted in the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society (MPSGS) of Washington D. C. for their upcoming show in November.  This was happy news indeed!  However, this morning when I started to post the news on this blog, I opened the MPSGS web page for their link and saw that they had the winners up on their website.  Imagine my surprise when I scrolled down and saw that my work, Catchin' Some Rays was awarded Second Place in the Birds and Animals Category!!  I was really doing the happy dance on this one!  This is such an honor for me!

Second Place Award - Birds and Animals

Catchin' Some Rays © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Gessobord  3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

Gold and Glory ©Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Art Board 2" x 2"

Traveling the Slow Road © Barbara A. Freeman 

Acrylic on Masonite, 2 7/8" x 3 3/4"

My three works,  Catchin' Some Rays,  Gold and Glory and, Traveling the Slow Road will be in the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society's 78th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature.  The show is held in The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD.  They are open, Weekdays 10-4 • Wed. 10-9 • Sat. 10-3 (closed Sun. & holidays).  The Exhibition Opening is Sunday, November 20th, 2011, 12:30 to 2:30.  The show runs November 21st through December 30th 2011.  If you are in the area, this is a beautiful venue and a show not to miss.  These tiny treasures make a great holiday gift!

I know I have been quiet here, mostly due to traveling and also getting work completed and then shipped or delivered for the autumn and winter shows.  I have been working on more in the wood nymph series, (inspired by the wood nymph butterfly) two in graphite/mixed media and one acrylic painting.  All three will be small works, 6" x 6",  not miniature, so I'll have three new works to show soon!  I am so happy to be back working in my studio!  As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work, and Happy Autumn!