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.  

Work juried in the 34th Annual Arts of the Terrace 2012

I'm happy to announce that my two drawings, The Wood Nymph and Snail Tales, (from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities) and my four miniatures, Gold and Glory, Keeping Watch, Undaunted, and You Too Shall Have Wings, have been juried into the 34th Annual Arts of the Terrace at Mountlake Terrace. The show will kick off on September 28th, with the Artists and Patrons Preview from 7 to 9 pm with the Awards Ceremony at 7:30. Then, on September 29th through October 7th, 2012 the show is open to the public, Monday to Thursday, 12:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm,  and Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Wood Nymph  © Barbara A. Freeman

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

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

Gold and Glory ©Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Art Board 2" x 2"

Keeping Watch  ©Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  3 1/4" x 3 1/4"

Undaunted © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

You Too Shall Have Wings © Barbara A. Freeman

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

The exhibit takes place at the Mountlake Terrace Library Complex, (map), 23300 58th Avenue W., Mountlake Terrace, WA. I really like this show and it is always a fun reception. Come enjoy painting, prints, calligraphy, drawings, miniatures, photography and 3-dimensional works by top local and regional artists. I look forward to another exciting venue to exhibit my work. I have several aritist friends in this show, so it's going to be a fun time with great art viewing. All work is for sale, so come on out and support your local artist!!

55th Annual Edmonds Arts Festival Work Accepted

Good news this morning via email for the 55th Annual Edmonds Arts Festival!  My two drawings and four miniatures I submitted for the show were accepted!  Woo Hoo!  Now that's the way to start a Monday morning!

Afghan Kitty © 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"

Gold and Glory ©Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Art Board 2" x 2"

You Too Shall Have Wings © Barbara A. Freeman

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

My four works juried in the Miniatures Category are, Afghan Kitty, Peek-A-Boo, Gold and Glory, and You Too Shall Have Wings. The two works juried in the Drawing Category, First Encounter and The Wood Nymph are both from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities.

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

The Wood Nymph  © Barbara A. Freeman

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

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 (map here). 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 15th through the 17th.  I'll be adding more news about the festival as it draws nearer, so mark your calendars for this fun filled art weekend in beautiful Edmonds, WA!

"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!!

"The Wood Nymph" accepted in ICON Show at Fraker/Scott Gallery - Seattle

The Wood Nymph © Barbara A. Freeman Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 8 1/2" x 8"

I am so excited to announce that my graphite drawing, The Wood Nymph was accepted in the Juried, Themed show,  ICON, at Fraker/Scott Gallery in Seattle.  The Opening Night is September 1st, and the gallery will be participating in Pioneer Square -1st Thursday Art Walk, from 5 to 9pm.  The Reception and Awards are Saturday, September 24th from 6 to 8pm.  The show will continue through October 1st.  Fraker/Scott Gallery is located at 121 Prefontaine PL South, Seattle, WA.  I'm really looking forward to being in this show. Hope you can make it too!

LiveARTS Bothell Juried Show Acceptance

I've received my letter from the LiveARTS Bothell Juried Art Exhibit and the good news is... ALL my work has been juried in!  Below are the four works in the Miniature Art Category, including the new miniature painting, Mister Pelican, making his debut in this show. 

Mister Pelican © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic, 3 1/8" x 2"  Framed

Peek-a-Boo, © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Claybord, 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"  Framed

A Touch of Autumn, © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Polymin, 2 1/8" x 3 1/4"  Framed

Moonbathing © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" Framed

My two larger works,  The Vernal Arrival of the Green Darner and The Wood Nymph are in the Drawing Category, both done in graphite and mixed media on film.  You can read about the two of them on this blog as a "work in progress" by clicking on each of their titles above.

The Vernal Arrival of the Green Darner © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 7" x 7"

The Wood Nymph © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 8 1/2" x 8"

The LiveARTS Bothell show will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday, June 25th and 26th.  The venue is the same place as last year at 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 24th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with the awards presentation at 7:00. Please call for reservations at 425-398-0559 by June 10th. The college is located one mile east of downtown Bothell (directions and map here). The LiveARTS Bothell Art Fair is always great fun, with musical entertainment, great food and ART! There is free garage parking and the festival event will be in the inner courtyard of the wooded campus overlooking its 58-acre North Creek wetland.

This is a great community event and always lots of fun. I hope you can make it. Be sure to look for my work in the new Mobius Hall Gallery. The sun is going to shine that weekend!

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I know I said I was working on a new drawing in silverpoint and would blog about it as a work in progress as soon as I had it finished.  I can with relief say that I did finally get it finished today (Friday) in time to submit it to a local competition!  I will blog about it and show the steps I took, hopefully by Monday!  I need to download the photos, organize and put my watermark and copyright on them.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share a sneak peek image of it. 

Trio, Silverpoint Work in Progress © Barbara A. Freeman

Thank you for taking the time to read about my work and the shows I'm going to be in.   The sun has been out all day and it looks like a beautiful weekend here.  I hope you are all enjoying your spring or whatever your weather is, in what ever part of the universe you reside!

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.

"You Too Shall Have Wings" Fine Art Miniature - from the Wood Nymph Series

This is the third of my miniatures in the series of "Wood Nymph" drawings that will be in the gift shop at Gallery by the Bay during the UNCLAD show. This one, You Too Shall Have Wings, is of a male wood nymph. I wanted to have the male figure represented and chose this posture with him looking forward. Once I had the figure worked out, I still wasn't sure what I wanted him to be looking at. Then one night when I couldn't sleep, I remembered how beautiful the wood nymph caterpillar was. I loved its beautiful orange and black markings. I knew then that I had the focus for my figure.

You Too Shall Have Wings © 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" Framed

Moonbathing © Barbara A. Freeman

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

Gathering the Morning Dew © Barbara A. Freeman

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

All three of the framed miniature works together.

Sharing Secrets © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 6 1/2" x 9" Framed

The Wood Nymph © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 8 1/2" x 8" Framed

Above are all five of my framed works that will be on exhibit at Gallery by the Bay during the UNCLAD show. There will be an audio of my work so be sure to bring your cell phones to hear about how I created them, they are number 50 and 51. There will also be a magnifying glass available to view all the fine detail in each work. All five have been created in the same way, graphite drawings on Dura-lar Matte film, with colored pencil on the back and Golden Interference color glazes on the wings. You can read about them on earlier blog posts by clicking on "Wood Nymph". There will also be catalogs available at the gallery of all the works in the show. The UNCLAD Exhibit will run from March 12th through March 26th. Gallery by the Bay is now open 7 days a week, 11 am to 5 pm every day. They are located in Stanwood, 8700 271st NW. For more information, phone: 360.629.4297 or Email: gayle@gallerybythebay.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my work. Mark your calendars, you are invited to experience the 10th Annual UNCLAD Art Show at Gallery by the Bay, featuring over 150 works of art by artists from across North America, a wonderful Gift Shop, a free Audio Tour, artist Demos, special Events, and all the energy, excitement and inspiration that comes when artists, friends and art enthusiasts gather to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of this unique community event. I hope you can make it! Support your local artist!

"Moonbathing" Fine Art Miniature - from the Wood Nymph Series

As promised, here is the second miniature in the series of "Wood Nymph" drawings. This is the final finished image below.  I will have it along with two other miniature works available in the gift shop at  Gallery by the Bay during the UNCLAD show, opening next week.

Moonbathing © Barbara A. Freeman

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

This is the the initial drawing where I worked out the position of the body, especially the hands and feet, always the hardest for me!  At this point I wasn't sure where she was going to be, I just liked the posture.

I then transferred her to the Dura-lar Matte film and as shown above, where I placed her on a shelf-like ridge next to an opening in a tree.  I started the drawing on the top left.

Here is my set up with my mangnifier and tray of graphite pencils and tools.

In this photo you can see I've gotten fairly far along.  I've done the figure, face and hands.  The best part for me is the tree textures and values.  I love doing that part, so meditative!

You can see the shelf I've placed her on.  I was using the idea of fungus that you often see growing on trees.  Then I added the steps leading inside, which seemed to be the right thing to do.  I wanted to keep the flow moving to create the rhythm and lead your eyes around the work.

This is what the back looks like when I add colored pencil to it.  I used it for the wings, body and sky and a few touches where the night light shows on the steps.

When I had the opening in the tree, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it.  I had the choice of making it a view to a forest real or imaginary and then it just hit me that it would be great to have the moon and stars show through.  The circles in her wings repeat the shape of the moon and the colors set a mood.  I added glazes of Golden Interference Blue (fine) to the wings, the stars and the moon.  You can see I was excited about this one.  I am having so much fun with these imaginary creatures! I have one more finished miniature that I will be posting soon.  I will be delivering all my work for UNCLAD tomorrow and meeting up with my friend Janie Olsen.  Janie also has work, Lost Heart,  in the show. Her beautiful work has an interesting story behind it and you can hear Janie tell all about it with the audio tour by listening on your cell phone.  I also have audio for my works, Shared Secrets and The Wood Nymph, telling how I work on film.  I hope you can make it to the show!  It's going to be a great time.  Lots of fun things going on at the gallery and in the community.  Thank you for reading about my work and I hope you will return to see my next miniature in the wood nymph series.

"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.

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.

"Sharing Secrets" - wood nymph (nude) - Graphite on Film

This new work is of another wood nymph. After finishing up my last work, The Wood Nymph, I wanted to do another one but with wings this time. Staying with the wood nymph butterfly theme, I gave her wings with similar markings. The drawing was done on Dura-lar Matte film, in graphite. I did the wings in colored pencil on the back of the film. On the front, her eyes and the smaller butterfly were painted in acrylic. I also added a gold glaze on the wings for a bit of sparkle. I used the same tree and forest references as in the last work but bringing it all closer.

As with the last work, this one was done for submission to the *Unclad 2011 show. Wish me luck as I have no idea if they will be accepted or not. This is my first time ever to submit to this show. I won't know until sometime in February, I'll keep you posted. Now it's time to get busy making some fine art miniature works for all the upcoming miniature art shows and miniature categories in the summer art festivals.

Sharing Secrets © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 6 1/2" x 9"

I was traveling with this drawing with the intention of working on it when time allowed (see below). I did make some progress, but not nearly as much as I needed to. I do know that I will take more care in packing a larger work if I travel with one in the future. In past traveling trips, I had no problem with miniatures. I sandwiched the film between foam core and it stayed protected. This one, however, was not packed as well and because it was larger, it had more area that could be smudged! I was a bit anxious about it. However, all was well and I was able to finish it and get it submitted.

I just returned last week from a trip to Florida visiting my Mom and Dad. My daughter, Gina flew in from Austin to be with us. It was wonderful to be all together again, a long overdue visit! While there Wayne, Gina and I made an overnight trip to see the Miniature Art Society of Florida's Exhibit in Dunedin, FL. We had a great time seeing the show and eating great food. The quality of the work far surpassed any I have seen in any miniature art show. I do hope I get to go again!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my work. Your comments are always appreciated. I hope you will check back soon.

*Link to the Unclad show at Gallery by the Bay in Stanwood, WA.

Work in Progress #4 "The Wood Nymph" (nude) - Graphite and Mixed Media on Film

The Wood Nymph © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 8 1/2" x 8"

See finished work above. This is the last of my Wood Nymph, work in progress. The rest of the work is in developing the area under the tree, and the foreground.

I added two more butterflies, then added colored pencil on the underside to all three of them. They didn't seem to have the impact I was looking for so I added some acrylic paint on the front. I also added a bit of color to the figure on the underside with colored pencil and then back to the front with acrylic on the eyes. One of the things that is so much fun in using film is the ability to work both on the back and front of it and in different media.

Above is a close-up view of the wood nymph and foreground. If you look at the first image as compared to the above image, you can see where I was leaving a mysterious light source under the tree on the left side. When I get toward the end of a drawing or painting, I like to step away from it and look at it with "fresh eyes". Putting the work in a different setting, like propping it up in a different room with different lighting, or looking at photographs of it on the computer screen, all help to assess a work. Once again I found myself getting side tracked, having that light area under the tree took away the focus from the figure. I darkened all the underside and brought the attention back to the wood nymph. Her subtle color and her butterfly friends direct your eye to the figure.

This is the completed work of The Wood Nymph. I hope it will be well received. I am currently working on another "unclad" figure with the same theme of the wood nymph. I haven't done the new one as a work in progress, but as soon as it is finished, I'll be posting it here. I'm on a tight deadline and hope I am able to finish it by the deadline of January 15th.

Again, if anyone is interested, here is the link to the Unclad show at Gallery by the Bay in Stanwood, WA. Thank you for taking the time to read about my work. Your comments are always appreciated. I hope you will check back soon.

**When using film, the product is Dura-lar Matte film by Grafix.