To my fellow miniature artists, supporters and collectors...

 

Dreamer © Barbara A. Freeman

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

 

To my fellow miniature artists, supporters and collectors,

It is with regret that I will no longer be entering my work in miniature art shows. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to produce the amount of miniature work that I was once able to, finding myself with more responsibilities and family commitments. I held on to the hope that I would be able to get back to a routine and work again. However, the reality is that grabbing a few minutes here and there do not make for a productive day in the studio.

There is still hope that in the future I will be able to create work to enter local shows. If any of those shows are miniature shows, I will follow the requirements for miniatures as stated in the MAA.  I have remained in touch on social media with the various groups of miniature artists and follow their shows.

I'm sure the past several years have brought changes to so many, I know am not alone. Between the way the world has changed, mourning lost loved ones, the COVID Pandemic, and just growing older, it's life entering another phase. Making art has always been a refuge and that won't change. It's just on the slow burner for now.  So don't give up on me entirely and thank you to all my supporters, collectors and family.   I will still be doing small works and showing in local venues when possible.  Until then...

Regards,

Barbara Freeman

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

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.  

Two More Shows in June

 Top left to right - Dreamer  -   Catchin' Some Rays

Bottom - A Private Residence  -  More Salmon Please

© Barbara A. Freeman

Pictured above are my four miniatures that have been juried in this years LiveARTS Bothell Art Festival.  The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd and 24th from 10am to 6pm.  The venue is the same place as last year, the new Mobius Hall Gallery on the campus of Cascadia Community College and U.W. Bothell.  There will be a Patron Preview Party on Friday June 22nd, from 5:30 to 8pm, along with an awards presentation. Tickets are $10 which include 2 glasses of wine, appetizers and live music.  You can make your reservations online at www.liveartsbothell.org. The college is located one mile east of downtown Bothell (directions and map here).

The LiveARTS Bothell Art Fair is a FREE event and always great fun, with musical entertainment, great food and ART! It takes place in the inner courtyard of the wooded campus overlooking its 58-acre North Creek wetland.  There is also free garage parking! Just follow the signs for a weekend of fun in Bothell!

A Private Residence  © Barbara A. Freeman

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

Just for Fun Art Contest at Wise Design

Also during the month of June, my work, Snail Tales will be part of the first ever,  Just For Fun Art Contest at Wise Design.   My work along with other local artists will be in the Hewitt display window of Wise Design.

Snail Tales  © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 6" x 6"
  

Congratulations to the three winners, First prize, Janie Olsen, and the two runners up, Shannon Danks and Shawn Southwick, whose work will be displayed in the main gallery.   Wise Design is located at 2908 Wetmore Ave, Everett WA.  The show will be part of the Everett Art Walk, June 16th, 4 -7pm, along with a reception for the Just For Fun Art Contest Show and for a charity show that will also be hanging in the main gallery.  Hope you can make it to this fun event!  Check out the Everett Art Walk and stop in Wise Design for the show.

As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work and the shows I'll be participating in.  Whatever you do this summer, be sure to check out the local art scene and all the great art festivals!  Support your local artist!

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.

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.  

Group Show at Lowell Art Works - Three Miniature Works from the Wood Nymph Series

I 'm happy to be participating in the Juried Group Show,  "V" Years of LAW at Lowell Art Works, celebrating their 5th Anniversary!  My three fine art miniatures from the Wood Nymph Series will be in this exhibit.

Dreamer © Barbara A. Freeman

Fine Art Miniature, Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

 

Moonbathing © 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"

 
Lowell Art Works Five-Year Anniversary Celebration!  A juried show featuring artist friends old and new. Come celebrate this auspicious occasion with us! The show runs from August 20th – October 8th, 2011.  There will be an Opening Reception:  Saturday, August 20th, 2011,  4-9 PM (during Everett Art Walk)! Lowell Art Works is located at 5205 S. 2nd Ave, in Everett, WA  This will be one of their biggest, most dirverse and eclectic shows yet with over 140 works in a variety of media from over 35 artists!  This is a celebration of five years of frolicking on the fringe ... of Everett!!

Work Selected for 54th Annual Edmonds Arts Festival Juried Show!

Sculpted by Time © Barbara A. Freeman

Metalpoint on Prepared Paper 8 1/2 " x 8 "

I just returned today from a train trip to northern Indiana to visit my in-laws. What a great welcome home when I picked up the mail and received the news that all the work I submitted to the Edmonds Arts Festival Juried Show was selected! I am doing the Happy Dance!! This year I am in three categories: One in Drawing - Sculpted by Time, Two in Painting - Garden Gnome, Contemplating His Latest Work and $2.00/bunch, and Four in Miniatures - Dreamer, Early Autumn, The Silent Ones, and Traveling the Slow Road. Two of these works, the drawing and a miniature, are done in silverpoint/metalpoint which is exciting! You can read more about silverpoint, at this link, silverpoint.com.

Garden Gnome, Contemplating His Latest Work
© Barbara A. Freeman

Small Work, Acrylic on Gessobord, 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

$2.00/bunch © Barbara A. Freeman

Small Work, Acrylic on Gessobord, 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

The Edmonds Arts Festival is one of the longest running in the Northwest, and a great time for the whole family. The Juried Art Show will be inside the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main Street, Edmonds,WA. In addition to the indoor juried show, there is also the outdoor Arts Festival with food, music and artists' booths on the lawn. This fun festival takes place on Fathers' Day weekend, June 17th through the 19th - Friday, 11am to 9 pm, Saturday, 10am to 8pm, and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. This year’s annual Preview pARTy will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at the Frances Anderson Center beginning at 6:00 pm.

Dreamer © Barbara A. Freeman

Fine Art Miniature, Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Early Autumn © Barbara A. Freeman

Fine Art Miniature, Acrylic on Polymin, 2 1/4" x 3 1/4"

The Silent Ones © Barbara A. Freeman

Fine Art Miniature, Silverpoint, 2 9/16" x 3 9/16"

Traveling the Slow Road © Barbara A. Freeman

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

Second Place Miniatures - Edmonds Arts Festival

I'll be posting more about the show as news develops. In the meantime, however, I hope to be posting a work in progress of a new silverpoint drawing. When I do post the work in progress, it will not be in real time. Unfortunately, it has had many interruptions due to my traveling! The show I'm hoping to enter it in has a deadline of June 3rd, so I really need to get working on it! Until then, thanks for taking the time to read about my work and the shows I'm in. I hope that wherever you are, you can get out and enjoy all the local art festivals and shows during the summer. Remember to Support Your Local Artists!

Another New Wood Nymph Miniature - UNCLAD 2011 and Gallery North Miniature Show Updates

I've just finished another Fine Art Miniature in the "Wood Nymph" Series. This one has a rather dreamy look to it, hence the title, Dreamer. I'm really enjoying creating figures in my work. I would not have attempted this had it not been the challenge of the UNCLAD show. I am so glad I submitted work to it! As all my "Wood Nymph" Series, this was done on Dura-lar Matte film with graphite, then colored pencil on the back side of the film and finished with Golden Interference color glazes on the wings, front side.

Dreamer © Barbara A. Freeman

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

Speaking of UNCLAD, you can see Janie Olsen and your's truly, in front of our work. I was so happy to see that Sharing Secrets had a big red dot on it when I arrived at the Artists' Reception!!! I also sold my miniature, Gathering the Morning Dew. Gayle Picken, owner of Gallery by the Bay, said my audio really helped with the sale of the work. The buyer was curious about the process and in my audio I explained how it all came together. The Wood Nymph and the other two, You Too Shall Have Wings and Moonbathing, fine art miniatures in the gift shop are still available. Janie was also very happy because her beautiful work, Lost Heart, sold on Sunday!

UNCLAD 2011 Barbara Freeman

with her two works, Sharing Secrets and The Wood Nymph

UNCLAD 2011 Janie Olsen and I together with our work.

A couple of photos of the artists' reception at UNCLAD 2011. The show continues until March 27th, with more events so if you haven't seen it, there is still time, - click UNCLAD 2011 for more information. It's a great show you won't want to miss. I'm already thinking about what I want to create for next year!


Tonight is the Edmonds' Art Walk and Gallery North in downtown Edmonds will be participating. I have three works in their . I was at the gallery during the opening reception and met up with artist friends, Eden Hopkins and Janie Olsen who also had work in the show. It was a fun time and there were lots of visitors to the gallery, all the work is for sale. This evening would be a great reason to go see it during the Edmonds' Art Walk! The show continues through the end of the month.

Gallery North - Eden Hopkins, Janie Olsen and Barbara Freeman

My next show will be the Mystical Realm Show at Happy Delusions in Renton, WA. I'll be blogging about that one soon. Until then...thanks for taking the time to read about my work.