"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.

Work in Progress #3 "The Wood Nymph" (nude) - Graphite and Mixed Media on Film

As in my previous post WIP #2, I'll let the images show my progression on this work. One thing I forgot to mention in the last post was that I used a small brush to blend the pencil marks when making the soft shift in values on the figure. Another change is to the right of the figure where I moved the "bark" straight down rather than curving to the left.

One of the things I am really pleased with is the way the main tree developed. I needed the base of the tree to support the figure. I liked the idea of the figure half reclining as though relaxing on her throne. The model for the tree was a mass of open roots. I kept the idea of the open roots but only those under the tree.

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

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

Work in Progress #2 The Wood Nymph (nude) - Graphite and Mixed Media on Film

I have been in a bit of a rush lately with finishing this blog post and working on another drawing for the Unclad competition. Since many of the photos are self explanatory and you can get the idea of how I work, I'll let the progress images speak for themselves.

At this point I wanted to have the Wood Nymph interacting with another subject. I decided to use one of my favorites, a crow. However, I was a bit unsure of the crow, its body seemed the wrong shape. I made several attempts to correct it. I think it wanted to be a chicken! I added a wood nymph butterfly on the figure's knee.

I continued to work on the background hoping it would help the crow.

Problem solved, the crow is removed! I came to the conclusion that the crow was taking the focus away from the figure. After all, the unclad figure is the focal point and I needed to keep it that way. The crow will have to wait for another time.

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.

Note: *One of the things that I like about film is that when using graphite on it, it is very forgiving and erases well. More care is needed when using colored pencil.

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

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

This latest work is a new stretch for me. It's been quite awhile since I have done any life drawing. Normally, I don't have the human figure in any of my work, exceptions are the Buddha paintings and the Gnome with beets painting. This new work is for a local, annual, juried show I want to submit to called, Unclad. I went to see the show last year and the ideas started to brew! I knew if I did something for this competition it would have to be in a landscape and trees would have to be involved, of course. I had the perfect tree that I wanted to use. All I needed to do was find a way to get a nude figure in it as the central focus. The "unclad" figure is after all, the whole point of the exhibit.

The figures are from an artist's book of model poses that I used as a guide. I played around with different positions in my sketchbook and had several studies worked out to see which would be best suited.

I drew the outline for my tree with some guides for the forest trees and border area on larger paper. The outline of the figure I transferred to a piece of film so I could place it on the tree and move it around for the best placement. The little blobs are sticky putty to hold things in place.

When I had the composition worked out, I put a sheet of film over my drawings, then drew them in with light pencil marks. I only use a basic outline of my composition because I create the drawing as I go.

You can see where I started to create some of the trees and foliage.

The forest is further developed.

I'm still not sure at this point if this is going to work and am anxious about the figure so I started to work on the area around her head. Normally I like to work from the top left and work my way across and down. It's very easy to smudge the graphite with your arm. I always try to protect what I have done with having a barrier between my hand or arm and the work, I use a fold of soft cloth. You also want to protect the film from indentations or scratches. I had to be very careful since I was working in an area that would be in the path of my arm when I did the area above!

Here you can see further work on the forest and foliage. I've also started drawing the upper branches on the central tree. I do use my reference photo, I have it up on my computer screen. It is mostly a guide for light and shape. Much of it will be changed to form my visual idea. This is many, many hours of work and at this point, I'm happy to say, I decided that the figure appeared to be progressing in the right direction. I will continue on!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my work. I hope you will return to see the progress continued in the next post, coming soon.

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

Through the Portal...New Fine Art Miniature in Graphite

Through the Portal ©Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 3/4"x 3 5/8"

This is a new miniature work on film using graphite and mixed media. It's another of my fantasy trees, this one with an opening to tempt the viewer to follow the path inside. I used the photo as a basic reference, for shape and light source. Next to that, is a copy of a colored pencil drawing I did many years ago thinking I would use a similar opening in the new work. However, once working I decided on a different pathway. I started this drawing in my studio with the intention of taking it along with me to work on while visiting family in Indiana. I figured graphite would be easy to carry and work on in short spurts of time. Rather than buy a hand held magnifier and have to pack it, I decided to buy one after I got there. I did some research and found most of the large office supply and art supply store chains have magnifiers and lighting. I googled the location of several in the areas we were passing through and stopped on the way. (I found a decent enough one with a good balanced light AND it was on sale! It worked out great and I left it there for our next visit.)


Once I had the outline worked out and the drawing started, I then focused on doing the inside of the portal. The castle idea came from the work that I did in the miniature, Always Illuminated. I was able to complete enough of the acrylic painting before leaving so would only have to concentrate on the graphite work while away.

The inside work was so tiny, measuring 1/2" x 3/8" !!!

I love doing the texture of trees and bark, so the rest of the work flowed and was a calming mediation for me. I managed to finish all the graphite work while away. However, I'm sorry I don't have more photos of the work in progress. I only have the beginning as above. In fact, I even forgot to photograph it before I put it in a mat and frame under glass! Luckily, I do have the official scans for my website which I hope to have up soon.

Once back home in my studio, I was able to look at the work as a whole and decided that some changes needed to be made. I did a bit more work on the inside acrylic, smoothing out some of the color and added some colored pencil on the underside of the film between the two sets of stairways. I also added a touch of blue on the right side to balance out the color. Below are the photos with the work framed under glass, so there is a bit of glare. I'll be submitting this to a local holiday show. I'll say more about that show as the time draws near. Meanwhile, thanks for taking the time to read about my work.

Through the Portal ©Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 3/4"x 3 5/8"

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

Work Juried in Green - themed Exhibit Lynnwood Library Gallery

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

I received good news that my graphite and mixed media work, The Vernal Arrival of the Green Darner, has been accepted for the themed, juried art exhibit, It’s Not Easy Being Green, sponsored by the Lynnwood Arts Commission at the Lynnwood Library Gallery. Thirty eight artists were chosen to have their work on exhibit and mine was one of them! The show runs from September 27 – November 18 at the Lynnwood Library Gallery, 19200 44th Ave W Lynnwood WA 98036. There will be an Artists' Reception on Saturday, October 2 at 11am - 12pm. I'll post this again when the show gets closer. I did this show two years ago when the color theme was Mellow Yellow. That was the first one I entered. Last year, however, was different with a theme of Celebration/50 as it was their anniversary. This year it was back to the color theme with green in it's many different interpretations. I'm sure it will be a very interesting group of work and I am looking forward to seeing all the different viewpoints of being green.

Update - Finished - Forest with Dragonfly, Graphite on Dura-lar Matte WIP

I thought I had finished this work of the forest with dragonfly, (still untitled), but had mixed feelings about it after I photographed it and saw it on the monitor. The area that radiates from the dragonfly was to be of a greenish glow. Instead it was a bit too much on the yellow side, (see above).

The Vernal Arrival of the Green Darner © Barbara A. Freeman

Mixed Media on Film 7" x 7"

I decided to go back into it and lift some of that color off and add more green. It still doesn't look as green here, above, as it does in person. However, I am much happier with it now that I've changed it. A work always looks better after I get away from it and then look again with new eyes. It will be cropped a tiny bit after I mat the work which I think will make the composition stronger.

Close-up of dragonfly detail.

This work was done with graphite on Dura-lar Matte film. I used colored pencil on the back of the finished graphite work. The dragonfly's tiny wings were glazed with Golden interference oxide green (yellow shade). When I have it titled and framed, I'll post it again in it's completed form. Thank you for taking the time to read about my work in progress.

Update - Forest with Dragonfly Graphite on Dura-lar Matte WIP

Above is the progress I've made in the "forest with dragonfly", graphite work. As you can see it doesn't look like I've made MUCH progress. I'm actually getting frustrated since I should have been finished with this by now! However, I am happy with the way it is turning out. The dark area at the bottom is difficult to keep smooth when I rush though it so I'm having to slow down and be mindful of the strokes and not get too dark too soon. I certainly don't want to create problems at this stage of the work!! After I finish the dark shadow under the trees, I need to add more old leaves, stones and twigs and also complete the log on the right. Then I still need to clean up spots and smooth out areas, before moving on to the final fun part, adding some color! Almost there! In the meantime...

It's been quite a busy two weekends, with the Edmonds Arts Festival and LiveARTS Bothell, dropping off work, picking up work and then going to the receptions and meeting up with artist friends! Yesterday I dropped off another piece for the upcoming show, Art of the Garden, happening at the Arts Council of Snohomish County due to open July 8th. I'll have more information on that later. As I've stated before, I'm still working on my graphite on film work, "forest with dragonfly". It's difficult sometimes getting the flow going when you have so many interruptions, even the good kind! I have several deadlines fast approaching and little time to create the new work I'll need to send out to the two big miniature shows, MPSGS in DC and MASF in Fl. Also, I'll be at Studio 206 in the Mukilteo Art Building for Waterfront Wednesdays again this Wednesday where I am showing a selection of my works on canvas from the Italian Landscape Series. I think that the show will be changing to new artists for the month of July. If you are interested in seeing this work, stop by tomorrow, I'd love to see you! Thanks again for taking the time to read about my work.

Continued Dura-lar Matte WIP - Forest with Dragonfly

This is the continuation of my work in progress, (WIP) of the forest and dragonfly. I should have been a lot further along by now, but with shows, framing, delivering and picking up work, I'm a bit behind my deadline.

If it would make it easier to see all the pieces together without the other posts in between, go to the "labels for this post" section at the bottom of the post and click on the phrase, "forest with dragonfly wip,". That should bring all the posts of this work together. In case you weren't aware, you can do that with any key word. I'm trying to be consistent in my labels to make that possible.

From the last post of this work, I've done the front tree, center tree and the stump. Adding textures and forms.

In the above, I've done a lot of the forest in the background across the top of the image. Also, I started doing a bit more of the main tree on the right front bringing it down.

This is the same as the previous photo but showing the reference photo and the miniature drawing in graphite with an enlarged section for a guide. This one will be different from my miniature, A Flash of Blue, but using a similar light source and tree shapes.

Here I have brought the pathway down on the left and done further work on the tree on the right. You can see where I've darkened the center tree to make it contrast with the one on the left. You can see it better in the photo below.

This one is current from work I did just last night. I darkened the path on the right foreground where the trees would be creating a shadow. I also darkened the left tree to help define the stump. I still have a long way to go. Once I finish laying down all the graphite bits, I'll be darkening areas to create a good range of values, softening some areas to create mystery and sharpening some to make shapes stand out, to lead the eye and create rhythm. Then comes the fun part of adding touches of color. That will be in the final stages. As for now, it's time to get back to work.

Later today, I'll be heading over to Bothell to deliver my two work works for the Live ARTS Bothell Festival this weekend. Then tomorrow over to Studio 206 in the Mukilteo Art Building for Waterfront Wednesdays. I hope to see you at both these events! Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Art Beat Includes Mention of Work, "The Key"

I've just received my unsold work back today from Seaside Art Gallery's 19th International Miniature Art Show, in Nags Head, North Carolina. They always include the art review, "Art Beat" by Mary Ellen Riddle from their local paper, The Virginian-Pilot, inside the box. I was delighted to read that my work, The Key, was mentioned in this review. Here is what Ms Riddle said about that work:

"Of note is the magical graphite and mixed media work by Barbara A. Freeman. Her image, "The Key", features a raven in the woodland standing in a ring of golden toadstools. In its beak, the raven grasps a red ribbon upon which is tied a key. Behind the clearing where the raven takes center stage stands a regal tree with intricate patterns. The majority of the work is black and white with only minute bits of metallic color adding contrast to the monochromatic palette. These gem-like dots work well with the pearly sheen of the film on which the work is drawn. But don't overlook the faint purple shadow under the raven - subtle but powerful."

Wow, that really made me happy that she got that! I'm also happy to report that that particular work has sold.

Fine Art Miniature, The Key, © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Acrylic on Film, 2 3/8" x 3"

As for now, I'm, back to working on the graphite on film of the forest and dragonfly, not a miniature, but a small work. I'll be sharing my progress on that work tomorrow. I also have some framing to complete for the festival this weekend at Live ARTS Bothell. As you can tell, it's been a very busy month! As always, thank you for taking the time to read this.

More on the Edmonds Arts Festival

Well, I sure started my day off right! Just after a breakfast of oatmeal, blueberry pancakes, I got a phone call from the Edmonds Arts Festival that my drawing, Finding Time has sold!!! I'm really doing the happy dance now!! I still have three miniatures left in the show as far as I know. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Hay Bales will sell. It's a favorite of mine in the miniature Italian Landscape Series and has gotten an Honorable Mention at the Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS), and a Judges mention at the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, N.C. The festival is still going on through the rest of the day. We'll be going over there later this afternoon to see more of the show.

Here are a few more photos of the awards being given at the opening of the Edmonds Arts Festival on Friday. I almost missed being given the award as we were inside looking at the show! That day the gallery was getting crowded and sales were taking place while we were there. The miniature art was given a lot of attention which was nice to see. However, this particular festival does not adhere to the same standards as the Association of Miniature Artists do, so some of the work was much larger and/or loosely painted, which was very different than what I am used to seeing in a miniature art show. My friend, Janie Olsen has some very nice work in this show too. The one I really love is her miniature, Gelert, Before the Tragedy. She has so much detail in such a small space and the dog's eyes and face say so much! Great piece Janie! Hope all of you get to attend this fun show and festival! Remember the Juried Art Show is inside the Frances Anderson Center. Support Your Local Artists!

I'm second from the right. As you can see, the sun was shinning!

They didn't have the checks cut yet, so we were given an empty envelope and he was telling us where to go to get it filled.

Yours truly with my work, Finding Time.

Second Place in Drawing - Edmonds Arts Festival!!

Woo Hoo! Just got a phone call from the Edmonds Arts Festival that my work, Finding Time, took 2nd Place in Drawing! I am so happy, doing the happy dance for sure! The Awards will be presented to Artists tomorrow, Friday, June 18th at 11:00 am on the Edmonds Arts Festival Main Stage. I plan on being there! 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 19 through the 20th.

Finding Time © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite on Acid-free Film, 8 1/4" x 10 1/2"
Second Place Drawing, Edmonds Arts Festival

More on Dura-lar Matte WIP at STUDIO 206, Waterfront Wednesdays, Mukilteo

We all had a lot of fun last week, at Waterfront Wednesdays in Oldtown Mukilteo. Thanks to all of you who stopped in to say hello to us at Studio 206 in the Mukilteo Art Building. It was great meeting and talking with everyone. I especially enjoyed showing the children who were interested, how I worked.



Roxanne Jaross, owner of Studio 206, artist Janie Olsen, and I will once again be in Studio 206 this Wednesday in the Mukilteo Art Building, showing a selection of our work. My work seen above is from the Italian Hills Series. Janie has a selection of her beautiful and mysterious dog paintings, they always make me smile, Janie! Roxanne has her delicious chocolate paintings as well as her cat and crow work. Click on the artists' name for a link to their websites.


I'll once again be set up with a demo of my work in progress, done in graphite on Dura-lar Matte film. Unfortunately, the one I had been working on met with a bit of an accident this past weekend! I've had to start over, but I'm making a lot of progress. Above is what I have done so far and I hope to be even further along by Wednesday evening. I hope we have more folks this Wednesday as word gets out and the weather improves. I think there are glass blowing demos downstairs at 5, so come on upstairs afterwards and see our work. We'll all three be there, rain or shine so hope you can make it! Click on Waterfront Wednesdays for the link on times and events.