56th Annual Edmonds Arts Festival - Work Selected!

I'm very happy to announce that all my submissions have been selected for the 56th Annual Edmonds Arts Festival!  This year my entries have a bird theme.  In the drawing category, my new graphite work, Special Delivery, features a crow as messenger.  My work in the painting category, Snowy Visitor, has a snowy owl regally posing on driftwood.  In the miniature category, my paintings include a pelican, Catchin' Some Rays, a heron, Patience, an eagle, The Hunter, and more crows, this time as a trio in, Negotiation.  I guess you can tell, I love birds!

  Special Delivery  © Barbara A. Freeman

 Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  9 3/4" x 7 5/8"

 

 Snowy Visitor  © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on True Gesso Panel  7 5/8" x 9 5/8"

Fine Art Miniatures

Catchin' Some Rays  © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Gessobord  3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

Patience © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Illustration Board 3 1/2" x 2 5/8"

 

The Hunter © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on True Gesso Panel  3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

Negotiation  © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 
Acrylic on Claybord  3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

The Edmonds Arts Festival is a three day fun filled event that takes place over Fathers' Day Weekend, June 14th -16th, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Frances Anderson Cultural Center, 700 Main Street in beautiful downtown Edmonds, WA. The Edmonds Arts Festival is one of the longest running in the Northwest, attracting artists from across the nation.  There are artists booths outside along with performing arts and children's activities and yummy food.  My work will be in the Juried Gallery Show which is INSIDE the Frances Anderson Center.  There are different rooms exhibiting the juried work, the main gallery where my work is located, you'll find, paintings, drawings and miniature art.  Don't miss the photography and artisan work which is located in rooms a few steps up.  Also, you can find the excellent student art show downstairs. Don't miss out on a fun weekend!  Bring Dad along, too!  All artwork is for sale.  Remember, art makes a fine Fathers' Day Gift!  Happy Fathers' Day to all you Fathers out there!

New Miniature Show - Snow Goose Gallery - Bethlehem PA

I am excited to have been invited to participate in the Twenty First Annual Invitational Miniature Art Exhibition at the Snow Goose Gallery, 470 Main Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania! (map)  There are 66 top miniature artists in the show and wow, it's such an honor to be included!  Because of recent family responsibilities, I have had a few major interruptions in my creative time.  Therefore, I didn't think I would be able to participate.  Also, my inventory of artwork was very low and I hadn't enough time to create any new pieces.  When I found out that another show I usually participate in was cancelled this year, it was the perfect opportunity to send that work, along with two earlier works to Snow Goose Galley!  Sometimes things just work out!!
 

Above, my four submissions in the show (l to r) 

A Touch of Autumn, Gold and Glory, 
Afghan Kitty and More Salmon, Please.

Snow Goose Gallery 
Located in the heart of Historic Bethlehem, PA

the art of the miniature xxi

The Twenty First Invitational Exhibition of Fine Art Miniatures from Around the World

May 5- June 16, 2013
Collectors' Preview: Saturday, May 4, 5- 8 pm

Opening Reception: Sunday, May 5, 1- 5 pm
Enjoy the music of Brian Bortz (bass)
and Lou Czechowski (keyboard)

with hors d'oeuvres by The Mint Gastropub!

Afghan Kitty  © Barbara A. Freeman 

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

More Salmon, Please  © Barbara A. Freeman 

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

Gold and Glory  © Barbara A. Freeman 

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

A Touch of Autumn  © Barbara A. Freeman 

Acrylic on Polymin  2 1/8" x 3 1/4" 

The opening sounds like great fun!  I wish I was able to see this one in person.   Okay, I admit, I'd love to see them all in person!  If you are anywhere near Bethlehem, PA be sure to make the Snow Goose Gallery a visit.  You will be happy you did!  The work will also be up on the Snow Goose Gallery's website starting on the opening weekend, May, 4th until the end of the show.  The work will be available for purchase as well.  The only problem, will be, which ones to choose!  All beautiful jewels, they'd make the perfect gift for MOM!  As always, thank you for taking the time to read about my work.    

Parklane Gallery 21st Annual International Miniature Art Show

My four framed entries in Parklane Gallery's Miniature Art Show

Parklane Gallery's 21st Annual International Miniature Art Show is online for viewing at www.parklanegallery.com. The show opens April 30th and runs through June 2nd.  The Reception and Awards Ceremony is on May 10th from 6 to 8 PM.  That is also the same night of the Kirkland Art Walk.  Parklane Gallery is located at 130 Park Lane in beautiful downtown Kirkland WA.  For more information, phone 425.827.1462.

Smooching © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Panel 1 3/4" x 2 3/4"

My new acrylic painting, Smooching is number 86 in Parklane's online show.  These two cuties were inspired from a visit we made to the Evergreen State Fair last summer.

On a sad note, I'm sorry to say that I will not be able to attend the Parklane Miniature show this year due to other obligations.  Therefore, we will not be able to photograph the show to post on my blog and other miniature group sites as usual.   This is the first year since I've been participating in this show that I have not attended.  I will miss seeing all these tiny treasures in person and the enthusiastic gallery visitors viewing the show.  I am so glad that at least I can view these many wonderful artworks online.

Undaunted © Barbara A. Freeman  SOLD

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

Undaunted is number 87 on the Parklane Gallery online show.  It's another tiny work inspired from a hike.

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

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

Waiting © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

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

Hideaway, number 88 and Waiting, number 89 are the two works that were part of the Miniature Artists of America's (M.A.A.) submissions that recently traveled as part of the World Federation of Miniature Artists to the 5th Worldwide Conference and Exhibition of Fine Arts in Miniature, held at the Russian Academy of Art in Moscow, Russia,  September, 2012.  At the time I didn't have much information on the show, or if they were even exhibited.  When they were returned, I was glad to find out they were in the exhibit.  They were gone a long time and traveled from here in Washington to Florida to London to Moscow and who knows how many custom stops in-between!  Now they are back home and showing for the first time here at Parklane!

This is a great show, I will miss the excitement and all the miniature art lovers at the reception.  My friend Janie Olsen is in the show with five of her wonderful goat and dog paintings, starting number 195 in the online show.  Be sure to check out Janie's work, it will put a smile on your face!  This is the best miniature show in the Pacific Northwest, so hope you get a chance to see it.  You can check out the show online www.parklanegallery.com for a preview and after May 1st, it will be possible to also put the work in your cart and purchase them online!

As always, thank you for reading about my work.  Hope your spring has arrived and you are enjoying the beauty around you. 

Seaside Art Gallery's 22nd Annual International Miniature Art Show

The 22nd Annual International Miniature Art Show at Seaside Art Gallery is happening online now.  I look forward to this show every year.  It's always exciting to see the wonderful variety of art from artists all across the globe. 

Above are my three works in the show, shown in their frames.  The top two, Dreamer and You Too Shall Have Wings, were done in graphite and mixed media on film and are both from my series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities. Below them is my new work, Ol' Blue Eyes, using colored pencil on a new substrate called TerraSkin.

Dreamer © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

You Too Shall Have Wings © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Ol' Blue Eyes © Barbara A. Freeman

Colored Pencil  3" x 3"

The miniature, Ol' Blue Eyes was inspired by the beautiful white geese we saw at the Evergreen State Fair last year.  It was the beautiful blue eyes surrounded by the orange lid that did it!  It is an Embden goose which is one of the most common breeds of geese in the United States. Guess I never got close enough to their beautiful eyes to appreciate them.  I used colored pencils with a different substrate, called TerraSkin, which you can find out more about by clicking on the name.  TerraSkin is not paper made from trees, but from stone, using no water!  I wanted to try it because I read that it accepted silverpoint really well, but it works really nicely with all mediums! There may be more use of this in the future!

This great show is a favorite of mine. I love the presentation of the entire show online. Sadly, this year their website was hacked!  They are in the process of creating a new website which will be up in time for the show on May 1st.  When Seaside's site is up, this post will link to their site as well as to my work in their online gallery.  Seaside is a very organized and well run gallery.  Not only will you be able to click on the work to see an enlarged view, but if you click on the details, it tells you the artist's name and where they're from.  There is also a thumbnail of the work in it's frame which you can click on for an enlarged framed view. The clarity of the image is perfect AND you can put it in your cart and buy the artwork online!  Just click on Dreamer, You Too Shall Have Wings or Ol' Blue Eyes to see my work on Seaside's online gallery.  *(Links will not work until after Seaside Gallery's website is up.)

Seaside Art Gallery's show is one of the top five national miniature shows that you can see in person and online.  This year the exhibition runs from May 1^st through June 1^st,  2013. The Open Reception is May 25^th from 7 to 9 PM.  The online exhibition starts upon arrival of each artist’s work.  When the artwork arrives in the gallery, it is examined, measured, photographed and posted.  Each year, this nationally acclaimed miniature show exhibits approximately 600 works of art by artists from all around the globe. Some of the world’s most renowned miniature artists participate each year. Miniature art is often referred to as "the little jewels of the art world" and enjoys continued growth in popularity worldwide. I wish I could be there to see it in person! I hope if you are in the area, you will go see this great show!  Seaside Art Gallery, 2716 Virginia Dare Trail South, Nags Head, NC 252.441.5418 or 800.828.2444

New Work - "Special Delivery"

  Special Delivery  © Barbara A. Freeman

 Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 9 3/4" x 7 5/8"

 

This is the VERY beginning of the new piece, whereas I have the reference photos and a vague idea of how I want to use them.  The setting was inspired by the wonderful tree (aren't they all wonderful?) that's near the trailhead at one of our favorite hiking spots.  I'll be presenting this as a work in progress to show the progression of it. 

The drawing was done on the frosted film, Dura-lar Matte, using a range of graphite pencils with a bit of colored pencil work on the back side of the film.

 

Some of the forest background completed, you can see the detail in the magnifier below.  I use magnification to mostly only check the work at this point, but do use it for adding the fine details near the end.

Below you can also see where I've placed the beginnings of a tiny door.  It seemed a perfect spot with the dark arm above to shelter it.

I've moved further down the tree drawing the bark, mostly from my imagination.  I use the photo reference which I have up on my computer screen, for placement of form, light and shadow.  Sorry about the yellow glow to this one.  I tend to photograph these before I end an evening which can be rather late when my brain has ceased to function! 

I've placed the crow, and two more openings in the tree. Crows are amazing birds and fun to watch.  I can imagine them being messengers for the forest spirits and have used them in my work many times.

There is much more progress here with details of the rocks and twisting roots.   I've also added the scroll for the message delivered by the crow.

 

Now the crow has form and feathers!  I've created the very dark areas of the crow by working on the underside of the film.  As you can see, more work has been done on the bottom of the tree and rock.

More progress on the right side forming the plants and ferns.  I also added folds to the scroll and more detail to the crow.

Almost finished, this time adding subtle color on the underside, to the passageway in the opening of the tree, the upper door and the window. I'm not sure it shows up well in the photos.

 

At last, finishing up with the runes on the scroll and all the last minute details.  I had fun with this, looking up the rune alphabet and making the letter shapes curve with the folds of the scroll.  I really enjoyed watching this one come alive with each session.  These pieces become a meditation for me.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing the progression of Special Delivery! As usual, I'll announce here when this work is in a show.  

I know it has been a long time since my last blog post.  Rest assured, I haven't fallen off the edges of the earth, even though it often feels as though I have.  Taking care of family responsibilities has to take priority.   Wayne and I still have a lot more work to do regarding family, so new artwork will be slower in coming.  I will have work in three miniature art shows coming up.  One show is invitational and a new venue for me, which is exciting.  I will be blogging about them soon with links.  I also have two new miniatures and hope to share them soon!

Until next time, thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  Enjoy this crazy spring!

The Wood Nymph - Selected for the 2013 CVG Show!

The Wood Nymph  © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 8 1/2" x 8"

I'm happy to announce that my drawing, The Wood Nymph, has been chosen for inclusion in the 2013 CVG Show in Bremerton’s Collective Vision Gallery.  The annual CVG Show is one of the largest and most prestigious art competitions in the Northwest. Over 325 artists from 79 Washington cities submitted 896 artworks for consideration. Of these only 127 pieces were selected for inclusion in the show. Alfredo Arreguin, an internationally known painter from Seattle is the juror for this year’s competition. Next, Arreguin will choose the recipients of $7,000 in prizes going to 11 artists in multiple categories. Additional prizes include a purchase award by the Kitsap County Arts Board, a $300 People’s Choice Award and a $1,000 Best of Kitsap Award sponsored by the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest.

Exhibition coordinator Alan Newberg says: “Looking for art that startles the viewer?... that inspires?...Art that fills the mind with intrigue or amazes with technical finesse? You think that art should challenge the social status quo, or touch the soul? Whatever you are after in your visual quest for art, the 2013 CVG Show has it all.” These 127 artists hail from every quarter of our state and exhibit all of the best qualities of contemporary and traditional art.

The 2013 CVG Show be will open to the public Jan 19, 2013 from 1 to 5 pm. The exhibit continues until Saturday, Feb. 23. The gallery will be open Tuesdays – Saturdays 10 to 5 and Sundays 1 to 5. The Collective Visions Gallery is located in downtown Bremerton (map) at 331 Pacific Avenue, just 3 blocks from the ferry terminal. Phone: 360 377 8327
For a complete list of the exhibition events, visit www.collectivevisions.com.

Needless to say, I'm very excited to have my work, The Wood Nymph, (from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities) included in this show. This was the first time I've submitted work here and it is even more exciting because Alfredo Arreguin is the juror.  I have seen his work in person, and love the patterns, colors and spirit of them.  If you are in the area, I invite you to check out the 2013 CVG Show.  I am looking forward to it!

Continuing this month, there is still a chance to see the show, Miniature Masterpieces and More! at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell until January 8th.  You can find more information on the link ( Friday, November 30, 2012 blog post ).  Also, later this month, the Miniature Art Society of Florida Show will open on January 20th.  You can find that information on the link (Friday, November 23, 2012 blog post).

I hope all of you have had wonderful Holiday Celebrations and hope the New Year will bring wonderful things your way!  Thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  

2012 Miniature Masterpieces and More! - Kaewyn Gallery - Bothell WA

It's that time of year for the Miniature Masterpieces and More! exhibit at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell.  This year I'll have all acrylic paintings of birds, including Negotiation, my latest miniature painting.

Negotiation  © Barbara A. Freeman 
Acrylic on Claybord  3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

I love to watch crows socializing.  These three were actually sitting on our bird bath last summer and we were able to watch them for quite some time.  Wayne took a lot of photos while the whole family refreshed themselves and chatted.  On one of our walks in Mukilteo, we watched several crows on the rocks near the water's edge.  I'm not sure what they were doing, but it looked like they were picking up bits under the rocks.  The water and rocks were such interesting colors, I decided to recreate that day for my backyard crows.

(Fine Art Miniatures) Patience,  A Walk in the Woods,
 Catchin' Some Rays, and Negotiation

(Small Works Category)  Snowy Visitor   © Barbara A. Freeman

The Miniature Masterpieces and More! show opens today, Friday, November 30th at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell WA.  You can also view the paintings on my website by clicking on a title, or view all the work from this series at the link, Birds - Wild and Domestic.  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. ,  Miniature Art Society of Florida, and the Miniature Artists of America, all of which I am a member of.

Kaewyn Gallery is located in beautiful downtown Bothell at 10101 Main Street (google map).  The show runs from November 30th to January 8th, 2013.  They are open Tuesday - Thursday 10 to 6, Friday 10 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 4.   It is my 6th year participating in this fine invitational show.  Each year I am amazed by all the beautiful work.  I hope you 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.  

3rd in Landscape - Miniature Art Society of Florida's 38th Annual International Miniature Art Show

A Private Residence © Barbara A. Freeman

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

 

Happy News!  I received my much awaited letter from the Miniature Art Society of Florida, (MASF) and all five of my works were accepted for the 38th Annual International Miniature Art Show!  And the best part is, my work, A Private Residence has taken 3rd Place in Landscape!  I am so pleased, this is my second year in a row for an award in this show!  Last year I received a 3rd Place award in Drawing.   I am so honored! This show is the largest miniature art show in this country and there are hundreds of entries from across the globe!

Dreamer © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Welcome To My Warren © Barbara A. Freeman

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

Always Illuminated © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2 3/4" x 3 3/4"

The Hunter © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on True Gesso Panel  3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

The other four works juried in this year's show are Dreamer, Welcome To My Warren  (both from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities), Always Illuminated and The Hunter.  The show opens on January 20th and runs until February 10th, 2013.  If you are anywhere near this show, it is well worth the trip!  Also on view with this show is the Miniature Art Society of Florida's permanent collection of fine art miniatures and the Miniature Artists of America's Traveling Exhibit.  For more information on the show and miniature art, visit the MASF website or click any link in this blog. The Miniature Art Society of Florida Exhibition will be held at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 E Klosterman Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL (map).

I am varnishing the new bird miniature I've just completed and will deliver it along with the rest in time for the Miniature Masterpieces and More! show at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell.  Check back for the details and as always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work.  

79th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature - MPSGS - Washington, D. C.

I received good news that 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 is very happy news!
 

 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 "

Peek-a-Boo, © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Claybord, 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

My three works,  Afghan Kitty,  More Salmon, Please and, "Peek-A-Boo" will be in the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society's 79th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature.  The show is held in The Mansion at the 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 18th, 2012, 2 to 4.  The show runs November 19th through December 29th 2012.  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!

We have been in Indiana taking care of family things for two months, it is so wonderful to be back home!  I was  unable to create any new artwork during this trip.  However, I do have a new miniature acrylic painting in progress that I am hoping to have finished in time for the annual Miniature Masterpieces and More! show at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell.  This year I'll have all bird paintings in the show.  I'll be posting more information on that show soon, so please check back.  As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work and the shows I'll be participating in.

Three works juried in Unclad October 2012!

River Siren   © Barbara A. Freeman 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 6"x 9"
Framed size  13" x 16"

Just Between You and Me  © Barbara A. Freeman

  Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  6"x 6"
Framed size  12" x 12"

Keeper of the Sphere © Barbara A. Freeman
 Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  7" x 7"
Framed size 14" x 14"

Great news that my three works have been juried into the UNCLAD show taking place in Stanwood, WA in October!  UNCLAD 2012 is the 15th Annual Art Show dedicated to celebrating the Nude Figure in art.  River Siren,  Just Between You and Me, and Keeper of the Sphere are all from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities.  All three works were done using graphite and colored pencil on film using both sides of the surface.

UNCLAD takes place at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center (map) and runs from October 12th, 13th, & 14th.  The show is opens to the public, 10 am to 5 pm (Admission $5 suggested donation).  On Friday, October 12th, 6 to 9 pm, there will be the ARTISTS & PATRONS PARTY (tickets $10).  On Saturday, October 13th from 6 pm to 9 pm there will be a Wine & Cheese event with Vicki Artimovich, giving a "Nude in Art" lecture (tickets $10).  Check the website, uncladart.com to view the show online, (be sure to check out my three works in the online gallery,  River Siren,  Just Between You and Me, and Keeper of the Sphere).  It's a great looking show with over 150 artworks (all nudes) from artists across North America.  This is a show that is much anticipated, with paintings, sculpture, photography, glass and including a great Gift Shop!  Hope you get a chance to view the show in person!