"Forest Lodge" - Third in Drawing and Pastel, at the 42nd Annual International Miniature Art Society of Florida Show!

This weekend is the opening of the 42nd Annual International Miniature Art Society of Florida Show. This year I sent three entries and I'm happy to say, all three of them were juried in the show! The three works are, Forest Lodge, and two new ones in The Wood Nymph Series,  Sylvan Slippers, and Time for Renewal.  I'm even happier to announce that my work,  Forest Lodge was awarded Third Place in Drawing and Pastel!

Top: Forest Lodge

Bottom: Sylvan Slippers and Time for Renewal 

 © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

3 5/8" x 3 5/8" Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord

The artwork in this show is always outstanding, created by some of the top artists of Fine Art Miniatures from across the globe! This is why it's such an honor to receive an award!  It's thrilling also because this work was done in graphite and was competing along with beautiful colored pencil work and pastels!  So nice having my little mostly black and white work get noticed!  This show is the largest Miniature Art Show in the USA and there are hundreds of entries from across the globe!

Forest Lodge © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

3 5/8" x 3 5/8" Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord
 Third Place in Drawing and Pastel

Sylvan Slippers © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

3 5/8" x 3 5/8" Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord

Time for Renewal © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

3 5/8" x 3 5/8" Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord

The 2017 MASF Exhibition will be held at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art (LRMA).  There are approximately 800 works of art in the show, including the society’s permanent collection of more than 100 miniatures. The museum is located at 600 E Klosterman Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL . (map)
The show runs from  January 15th - February 5th.  There is a Collectors Preview on Saturday, January 14th - 10AM to 5PM with the Artists Reception following at 5:30.  Sunday is the Awards Brunch at Bon Appetit Restaurant, 9AM-12PM.  Sunday, January 15 is the Public Opening, from 1PM-5PM.

Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art (LRMA)

600 E Klosterman Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL (map)

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday 10AM - 5PM

Thursday 10AM - 8PM
Friday 10AM - 4PM

Saturday 10AM - 5PM

Sunday 1 - 5PM

Closed Mondays and National Holidays

Thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  I am currently working on new pieces for the miniature shows in the spring, so do check back.  Please "like" my page on Facebook, B Free Studios.  Happy 2017!

"Capturing the Glow" - Third in Landscape, at the 41st Annual International Miniature Art Society of Florida Show!

This weekend is the opening of the 41st Annual International Miniature Art Society of Florida Show. This year I was only able to send four entries but I'm happy to say, all four of them were juried in the show! The four works are, As Twilight Begins, Capturing the Glow, Nocturnal Flight, and Sanctuary.

Top Row: Sanctuary ©Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

Nocturnal Flight ©Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

Bottom: As Twilight Begins © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

Capturing the Glow © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

I'm even happier to announce that my work, Capturing the Glow was awarded Third Place in Landscape!  This work received an Honorable Mention at the 81st Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature at the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society show in Washington DC!

Capturing the Glow © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

This is such an honor because the artwork in this show is outstanding, created by some of the top artists of Fine Art Miniatures from around the world! Also, another thing that makes this great is that my work was done in graphite and had to compete with all the beautiful colored paintings!  Which means it wasn't competing with other work in the drawing category, but with other works in the landscape category!!! It's not easy having a mostly black and white work get any notice when it's competing with paintings!  So, that's why I am beside myself and doing the happy dance!  This show is the largest Miniature Art Show in the USA and there are hundreds of entries from across the globe!

The show takes place at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, FL.  There is a Collectors Preview on Saturday, January 16th 10AM to 5PM with the Artists Reception following at 5:30.  The show runs from January 17th through February 7th, 2016!  This is a wonderful show and not to be missed! I was fortunate enough to have attended the show once and hope to be able to do it again, someday. Hope you can make it there!

2016 Miniature Art Society of Florida Exhibition (MASF)

Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC)
1143 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698; (727) 298-3322 

January 17th - February 7th 2016

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday 10AM - 5PM

Thursday 10AM - 8PM

Friday 10AM - 4PM

Saturday 10AM - 5PM

Sunday 1 - 5PM

Closed Mondays and National Holidays

As always, thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  Happy 2016!

"Hideway" - Awarded Second Place Landscape, at 39th Annual International Miniature Art Society of Florida Show!

I am so excited to announce that my miniature, Hideaway has been awarded Second Place in Landscape at the 39th Annual International Miniature Art Society of Florida Show!  There will be over 900 Fine Art Miniatures from artists around the world!  What great news, I am so honored! 

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

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

Hideaway is one of two works that were part of the Miniature Artists of America's (M.A.A.) submissions that traveled as part of the World Federation of Miniature Artists, for the 5th Worldwide Conference and Exhibition of Fine Arts in Miniature, held at the Russian Academy of Art in Moscow, Russia,  September, 2012!! Whew!  I remember at the time I didn't have much information on the show, however, when they were returned, I was glad to find out they were in the exhibit.  They were gone a long time, traveling from here in Washington to Florida to London to Moscow and who knows how many custom stops in-between!  Now it is once again on exhibit in the Miniature Art Society of Florida Show!

 

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

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

Keeping Watch ©Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

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

Bottom: 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"

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

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

I am happy to say that all five of my works were juried in the show! This year the show will be at the Dunedin Fine Art Center in Dunedin, Florida, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, FL.  The show opens on January 18th and runs through February 9, 2014!  This is a wonderful show and not to be missed!  I was fortunate enough to have attended the show once and hope to be able to do it again, someday.  I'll be blogging again as a reminder of the show as it gets closer.

In the meantime, stay tuned for more information on the annual upcoming show, Miniature Masterpieces and More! at Tsuga Gallery, opening on December 6th.  Thanks for taking time to read about my work.  See you soon and Happy Holidays!

80th 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!  This year all my entries are bird images, from my series, Birds - Wild and Domestic. 

 Crow and Clover  © Barbara A. Freeman M.A.A.

Graphite and Colored Pencil  2 1/4" x 3 1/4"

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

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

Crow and Clover   Graphite and Colored Pencil  2 1/4" x 3 1/4"

© Barbara A. Freeman M.A.A.

My three works, Crow and Clover,  Negotiation and The Hunter will be in the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society's 80th 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. and Holidays).  The Exhibition Opening is Sunday, November 24th, 2013, 2 to 4.  The show runs November 25th through January 4th 2013.  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 will also have work in the annual invitational, Miniature Masterpieces and More! show coming up in December at Tsuga Gallery in Bothell, WA.  (formally Kaewyn Gallery) Then upcoming in 2014 is the Miniature Art Society of Florida's (MASF) annual show that I will be participating in.  More information will given about these shows when they are announced.

I know I have been scarce with news this year, but it's been a very unsettling year with family business and responsibilities for both my husband and myself!  We also are involved in some personal life experiences that are taking up much of our attention.  Needless to say, there hasn't been much time to be in my studio.  I am really stressed that I'm not making any new work!  Sadly, I may have to skip submitting to some of my favorite shows in 2014.  Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel and we should be moving forward before the new year!  I will be back with new work as soon as I can!  I still have a lot of new ideas waiting to be put to board!  Wish me luck and support your local artists!  Thanks for taking the time to read about my work!

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.  

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.

Three New Miniature Paintings

As promised, my three latest miniatures, all done in acrylic, each on a different substrate.

From the Highlands  © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Illustration Board  2 1/8" x 2 1/8"

This cow is from a hearty breed of Highlands cattle.  He kindly posed for me while on the Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms, which takes place around the end of September, first of October.  The farm tours are self guided, so you can pick and choose which route and farms you want to visit. They are so much fun and a great way to learn about different farm animals, as well as veggies and fruits. One of our favorite stops is the apple orchard. I never knew there were so many varieties of apples!  We do the apple tasting, then purchase the ones we like, along with my favorite pears. They store well and we can enjoy them for weeks to come.  Another one of the many reasons I'm really starting to enjoy living here in the Pacific Northwest!

I Got My Eye on You  © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Illustration Board  2 5/8" x 2 5/8"

These pelicans, however, are not from the Pacific Northwest. This one along with the one below are from our trip to Dunedin, FL in January when I attended the Miniature Art Society of Florida's (MASF) annual miniature art show.  Gina, Wayne and I took a walk along the causeway where folks were fishing.  The pelicans were in various modes of relaxing and watching all of us! 

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

This pelican was hunched down into his body, looking very relaxed, indeed! He was a bit older I think and trying to have his afternoon nap. We didn't seem to be bothering him at all, but I'm sure he wished we'd go away!  One of these pelican miniatures will probably be heading back to Florida for this year's MASF's show.

I have been busy with many different projects this summer.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to keep up with blogging as often as I'd like, nor have I been able to visit my blogging friends' sites and leave comments. Facebook has taken away from some of that time. It's really been difficult to stay connected to everyone and all the different events taking place. I'm sure many of you must be experiencing some of the same. Therefore, I thank all of you who do manage to take the time to read about my work and leave a comment. Your support is much appreciated!

*The faint red marks on the images are my watermark and do not appear on the actual work.

Work Juried in Miniature Art Society of Florida's 2011 Exhibit

Once again I am happy to report that I have had all five of my miniatures juried into the Miniature Art Society of Florida's, 36th Annual International Miniature Art Show. They are, starting at the top and going clockwise, Late Bloomer, Gold and Glory, The Silent Ones, "Peek A Boo", and in the center, Traveling the Slow Road.

2011 Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF) Entries
© Barbara A. Freeman

The 36th Annual International Miniature Art Show runs from January 9th, through January 30th, 2011 at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, FL. For more information on exhibition dates, and times, please visit the Miniature Art Society of Florida's website, click on "Annual Exhibition", then scroll down for the 2011 schedule which includes a listing of places to stay. This exhibit is the largest showing of fine art miniatures in the USA and is always well attended. I'll have more to say on this fine exhibit as the dates get closer. Meanwhile, I'll be announcing soon, the work that I'll have in this year's Miniature Masterpieces and More Show in Bothell, WA. Check back soon and thanks for taking the time to read this. Happy Thanksgiving!

Miniature Art Society of Florida Show Opens and Other News

This weekend the 35th Annual International Miniature Art Show opened. I have five miniature works in this show, (you can see them in this blog post). I heard that sales were doing really well at last night's Collectors Preview and Artists' Reception. I hope several of them were mine! The show opens to the public today at 1PM to 5Pm. The show runs from January 17th through February 7th, 2010 at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs, FL. This is the largest miniature art show in the country and one I would love to attend. There are 850 works of art from 221 artists, in addition to the society’s permanent collection of more than 100 miniatures. There are magnifying glasses available for the complete enjoyment of these small treasures. Entries are from 33 states and 11 countries!

Other news...the prospectus is now online for Parklane Gallery's 18th Annual Miniature Art Show, in Kirkland, WA, at www.parklanegallery.com.

Also, another great miniature art show coming up is at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC. You can find their prospectus for the 19th International Miniature Art Show on their website, at www.seasideart.com. I am planning to have work in both of these shows and will be blogging about them in the near future.

I have a new painting to share soon and another one in process. I'm sorry I've not been able to share much due to my trackball (mouse) causing me problems. I am using a loaner until my new one arrives on Tuesday. This one is different and like my new one, so I'm having to retrain my thumb! Now back to painting!

All 5 Works Accepted in 2009 MASF!

I've received my acceptance letter from the Miniature Art Society of Florida, (MASF) and I'm so happy to have all five of my miniatures accepted into this wonderful exhibit! This show along with the other miniature art society show, Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society, (MPSGS) are the two biggest deals for a miniature artist in this country. I'm always so pleased to have my work get juried in these two shows!! My five miniatures in the MASF show are, A Touch of Autumn, Buddha in the Pacific Northwest, Joey, and the two new works, Wednesday,Late Afternoon, and The Key.

Wednesday, Late Afternoon, Acrylic on Polymin, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

I did a partial work in progress on this acrylic painting on polymin, in this blog post.

The Key, Graphite and Acrylic on Acid-free Film, 2 3/8" x 3"

This work is done on Dura-lar Matte film. I have been fascinated with crows lately, they keep appearing in my work!

The 35th Annual International Miniature Art Show runs from January 17th, through February 7th, 2010 at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, FL. For more information on exhibition dates, times and places to say, please visit the MASF website, click on "Annual Exhibition", then scroll down for the 2010 schedule and listings of places to stay. This would be such an exciting show to see!

Frustration and Perseverence!

Wow, what a week!!! I finally got my work shipped to the Miniature Art Society of Florida, (MASF) for their 35th Annual International Miniature Art Show. It was a really close call as the deadline is this Friday, tomorrow, October 9th! I thought I had the right sized mats cut for the two new works I just finished, (varnish still drying) but they didn't work out. So, I had to cut two new ones, and that is the worst for me!!! I don't know how it always looks so easy when you watch a demo, but I end up cutting so many before I finally get one that is without flaws! I got so frustrated, I thought about giving up and not doing this show. Seriously! It's not only one of THE two most important miniature art shows of the year in the USA, but it's the largest miniature art show of the year and I am a society member! MPSGS in DC, the oldest miniature art society in the USA, is the other most important show, (work shipped on time). I made myself take a deep breath, persevered and was able to get everything together and made a mad dash to the post office and shipped five works priority mail, 2 to 3 days on Tuesday! I love usps online shipping and printing! Thanks to Wayne for all his help!

I'll be posting the two new works as soon as the images are sized and my copyright put on them. The one that I recently posted as a work in progress is the new Italian landscape I submitted. The other new one I submitted is done on film with graphite and acrylic. It's an image of trees and a crow with a key! It was inspired from the larger graphite on film, Finding Time. I love how one work can send your mind into other possibilities for future works. Never did I think I would be watching crows as a subject in my work, but now I see crows everywhere, (course they are everywhere!). I'm hoping to post these images soon. I told that to my "webmaster" and he just smiled at me, so we'll see. SOON!