"Gathering the Morning Dew" Fine Art Miniature - from the Wood Nymph Series

Since I created the last two works using the figure as a "Wood Nymph", I wanted to continue with that theme in miniature format. This first one, also done in graphite on Dura-lar Matte film, has colored pencil on the underside of the film for wing and body color. There are some acrylic touches on the front on the wings and the on dew drop. The wings have a layer of Golden Interference Violet (fine) on them as well as some gold to add sparkle. Being a miniature, you can hold the work in your hands and when you look at it in different angles, the wings will change color. The dew that she is reaching for is actually lighter in the work than what I see here on my screen. There is a very bright highlight on the left side of the dew drop. I'm not sure why that section didn't scan as well as the rest, but it views much better in reality.

Gathering the Morning Dew © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

I've had a lot of fun with these figures and have another one I am working on. I will post it as soon as it's finished. It will be the same size and done in the same way. I hope to submit both of these to the gift shop as part of the UNCLAD show. If not, they will be submitted to one of the upcoming miniature shows. Both will be 3 1/2" by 3 1/2" matted and framed in a simple 5" x 5" black frame. I hope you enjoy seeing the work and reading about the process of it's creation. If you live near, do try to see the UNCLAD show at Gallery by the Bay in Stanwood, WA. There will be a catalog of the work in the show and my two will be included. You can check out the work in the show, now online at UNCLAD's website and you can also "like" them on Facebook! Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Fine Art in Miniature Exhibit at Fredlund Gallery, Winter Park, FL

For the first time, Fredlund Gallery in Winter Park, FL will be hosting the Miniature Artists of America Traveling Exhibition, from February 19th through March 19th, 2011. This MAA Traveling Exhibit recognizes leading contemporary miniature artists and its purpose is to broaden public understanding and appreciation of this ancient art form. The exhibit consists of 35 pieces of Miniature Art owned by the "Miniature Artists of America". Exhibit Coordinator, Wes Siegrist said, "Although the exhibit is usually displayed in museums, the quality of the Fredlund Gallery makes it an appropriate venue".

In conjunction with the traveling exhibit, the gallery will also have an additional 100 miniature artworks by 20 national artists. These fine art miniatures will be available for purchase. I am honored to have been invited to participate in this show! Of my four works, two are from my Italian landscape series, In the Country and the award winning, Sunday Afternoon, as well as my colored pencil on film work, Innocence and my silverpoint drawing, Bright-eyed and Bushy-tailed. This show was short notice and I wasn't going to participate at first because I didn't have any newer work that was appropriate for this venue. However, I emailed the gallery with the above images and told them this is what I had. They said to send it, and so I did. I know that the work in the MAA Traveling Exhibit is the TOP of the line as I saw it while I was at the MASF show! The Winter Park area is a VERY nice area and this show will be up when the Winter Park Art Festival is going on, March 18,19 and 20th. That draws a lot of art enthusiasts from all over! I hope they wander in the Fredlund Gallery and see all these treasures and have to have them for their collection!!

From top clockwise, all works © Barbara A. Freeman
Innocence Colored Pencil on Acid-free Film 2 5/8" x 3 1/2"

Bright-eyed and Bushy-tailed Silverpoint 2 7/8" x 3 7/8"

Sunday Afternoon Colored Pencil on Acid-free Paper 2 3/8" x 3 3/8"
In the Country Colored Pencil on Acid-free Paper 2 1/4" x 3 3/8

Fredlund Gallery has been in business for 23 years and is the largest fine arts gallery in Central Florida. They are located at 221 S. Knowles Avenue, in Winter Park. They are open Monday through Friday 11 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 12 to 4. For more information, please call 407.622.0102. This is an exciting opportunity to see this exquisite traveling show in a fine art gallery setting along with miniature work available for purchase.

Both Works Accepted in this year's UNCLAD 2011!

Woo hoo!!  I'm doing the happy dance today.  I just received my acceptance email that my two works I submitted for the UNCLAD 2011 exhibit, The Wood Nymph and Sharing Secrets have been juried in the show!!

UNCLAD 2011 is the annual art show dedicated to celebrating the nude figure in art.  This year is the 10th anniversary!  This popular juried show in Fine Art Nudes will feature a broad range of styles and approaches in all mediums.  Last year's show featured 108 artists from all across North America.

I'll have more information on Gallery by the Bay in Stanwood, WA and UNCLAD 2011 as it gets closer to the show.  It will be featured as an online show as well as in the gallery.  There will also be an audio tour of the work.  I will want to take advantage of making an audio to talk about my work and how it can be viewed under magnification to see all the detail and about the process of working on film.  As I stated before, this is a new show for me and a stretch since I don't usually include the figure in my work.  I'm glad that I did because I have continued with the wood nymph as a subject and am currently working on her in miniature!  I'll be posting that one as soon as she's finished.  So far, she's looking good!

Thanks for taking time to read about my work.  Hope all of you are staying safe, warm and dry where ever you live.