These two new drawings in the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities, are not miniatures (under 25" square), but what I consider small works. They are both graphite drawings on drafting film with limited colored pencil on the underside and a bit of acrylic, including interference color (wings), on the front. They will be matted and framed, the total framed size will be 12" x 12".

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" 

If Snail Tales looks familiar, it's because I used the same reference drawing I did for the silverpoint work,  Earth and Sky.  I needed a place for the female figure where she would be gazing at the snail.  Often I'll have a subject or landscape that I really like and will use it in different ways.  This was a perfect setting.  It is NOT a print of the first drawing, but a new drawing with slight changes to fit the composition.

I have one more piece that I am still working on for this series which will be exhibited in the same show.  It is an acrylic painting, but will be framed in the same manner as the two drawings.  When I have them all framed and ready to go, I'll show them again here.  The two above, the new painting and three miniatures, all from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities, will be exhibited in Kaewyn Gallery's Annual Invitational, Miniature Masterpieces and More! show.  I love this show and am always honored to be invited to participate.  I'll be blogging about that with more information later.  However, mark your calendars because the show opens on December 2nd in time for your holiday shopping!

It's been really beautiful her in the Pacific Northwest.  I hope all of you have been enjoying the beautiful autumn colors, my favorite season!  Thanks for taking the time to read about my work.

"Catchin Some Rays" - Second Place Award - MPSGS

Entries Accepted in the
2011 Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society's Exhibit

We just got back from a ten day parent visit in Indiana on Tuesday.  While opening all the mail I was happy to find a nice notice saying 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 was happy news indeed!  However, this morning when I started to post the news on this blog, I opened the MPSGS web page for their link and saw that they had the winners up on their website.  Imagine my surprise when I scrolled down and saw that my work, Catchin' Some Rays was awarded Second Place in the Birds and Animals Category!!  I was really doing the happy dance on this one!  This is such an honor for me!

Second Place Award - Birds and Animals

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

Gold and Glory ©Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Art Board 2" x 2"

Traveling the Slow Road © Barbara A. Freeman 

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

My three works,  Catchin' Some Rays,  Gold and Glory and, Traveling the Slow Road will be in the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society's 78th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature.  The show is held in The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD.  They are open, Weekdays 10-4 • Wed. 10-9 • Sat. 10-3 (closed Sun. & holidays).  The Exhibition Opening is Sunday, November 20th, 2011, 12:30 to 2:30.  The show runs November 21st through December 30th 2011.  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 know I have been quiet here, mostly due to traveling and also getting work completed and then shipped or delivered for the autumn and winter shows.  I have been working on more in the wood nymph series, (inspired by the wood nymph butterfly) two in graphite/mixed media and one acrylic painting.  All three will be small works, 6" x 6",  not miniature, so I'll have three new works to show soon!  I am so happy to be back working in my studio!  As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work, and Happy Autumn!

Good News and a Reminder of Shows This Weekend

Good news and a couple of reminders.  First the good news ...  I just got the call that my miniature painting,  From the Highlands took 2nd place and my mixed media miniature drawing,  Through the Portal was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 33rd Annual Arts of the Terrace Art Show in Mountlake Terrace!!  This is so exciting, I'm doing the Happy Dance!!   The show opens this weekend  and I'm looking forward to seeing it.  Hope you can make it too! You can read more about all my work in the Arts of the Terrace show on an earlier blog post here.  There are so many fun things going on with this festival! (read more below)  

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

Through the Portal ©Barbara A. Freeman 
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 3/4"x 3 5/8" 
Honorable Mention Miniatures

Reminder: 33rd Annual Arts of the Terrace Art Show in Mountlake Terrace.  The show opens to the public, this weekend, September 24th and runs to October 2nd.  The hours are Monday to Thursday, 12 to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 5, and Sunday, 11 to 5pm.  To find out more about all the fun things to see and do, visit Arts of the Terrace on  FaceBook.   See you there!

Another Reminder:  The Icon Show at Fraker/Scott Gallery in Pioneer Square, Seattle will have it's Artists Reception this Saturday, September 24 from 5 to 7.  The show will be up until October 1st.  You can read more about that show and my work in it on my previous blog post here.  You can view a slideshow of the artists and their work on opening night Art Walk at this link.  It's a fun show in a great space.  Always fun to go hang out in downtown Seattle and visit all the galleries.  What are you waiting for!  Fraker/Scott Gallery, 121 Prefontaine PL South, in Seattle.

"Embracing Mother Earth" - Gallery by the Bay

Good news arrived this morning! I submitted work for a new show at Gallery by the Bay, called Embracing Mother Earth and two of my works, Sculpted by Time and The Vernal Arrival of the Green Darner were selected to be in the show!

Sculpted by Time © Barbara A. Freeman

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

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

Along with the work, I need to state what "Embracing Mother Earth" means to me.  The quotes from the artists will be part of the show.  Embracing Mother Earth opens October 7th and runs to November 21st.  Gallery by the Bay is located at 8700 271st St NW, Stanwood, WA. (Click for Map)  Gallery by the Bay shows are always well put together, featuring great art and lots of fun.  All work will be for sale. 

Work Accepted Mountlake Terrace Juried Art Show 2011

I got an email today stating that all my submissions for the 33rd Annual Juried Art Show, Arts of the Terrace, Mounlake Terrace have been accepted in the show!  That's exciting news, as two of the works are making their debut!  My two drawings in the show are, Keeper of the Sphere and The Vernal Arrival of the Green Darner.

Keeper of the Sphere © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  7" x 7"

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

The four Fine Art Miniatures are From the Highlands,  Peek-a-Boo, Through the Portal and A Flash of Blue.

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

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

Through the Portal ©Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 3/4"x 3 5/8"

A Flash of Blue © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Acid-free Film, 2 3/4" x 3 3/4"

Keeper of the Sphere and From the Highlands are both new works, this is their first show.  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.  The show opens with the Artists and Patrons Preview Party on Friday, September 23rd from 7 to 9 pm, with an Awards Presentation at 7:30.  The show opens to the public on September 24th and runs to October 2nd.  The hours are Monday to Thursday, 12 to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 5, and Sunday, 11 to 5 pm.     

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!!

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.

"In The Red" - Lynnwood Library Show

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

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

I just got word that my painting, Garden Gnome, Contemplating His Latest Work has been chosen to be in the annual themed show, In The Red - Juried Art Exhibit at the Lynnwood Library Gallery.  Forty-three artists will be in this exhibit. I noticed a few familiar names on the exhibit list that are art friends of mine.  Congratulations to Eden Hopkins,  Naoko Morisawa and Susan Jones! I'm looking forward to this fun show and am happy to be included!

The show runs from September 26 – November 17 at the Lynnwood Library Gallery, 19200 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA.   Three winners, chosen by the Lynnwood Arts Commission for prize baskets, will be announced at the reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, October 1 at 11am - 12pm at the library.  I'll be attending and hope you can make it too!

Just a quick update to let you know I have been creating new work!  I have three new miniatures that I will be posting soon.  They are in the varnishing stages now and once dry, will be scanned.  It's been a very busy summer.  I have taken some time away from my studio to do some "research exploring" by hiking some of the beautiful trails around here, gathering reference photos.  There are so many exciting places to discover and I need to take advantage before the weather changes.  It's also a great way to clear your head and make room for new ideas and allow images to come forth.  To me, taking a hike among the forests and rivers is a way to connect with the spirit. As always, I thank you for taking the time to read about my work and hope you will retun. 

"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!

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!!

WIP Fantasy Tree with Nude, "Keeper of the Sphere"

Keeper of the Sphere  © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  7" x 7"

I can't believe I've finally gotten this work finished! I really enjoyed all the aspects in creating this work, but for whatever reason it just seemed to take forever to finish!   As I said in my last post, I am happy with the way the graphite forest, tree and figure turned out.

The above image is from the back side of the film where I've decided to add the Triquetra symbol to the corners to repeat the theme of the central sphere.  The color is done with colored pencil.

After coloring the back of the film, I returned to the front side and added acrylic paint to the sphere and trinity knot symbols.  I've also added highlights on the sphere and her eyes.  I used interference violet on the knots, the circle's outer ring, and the Triquetra in the sphere.  It was not a sunny day yesterday so the first photo above is quite dark.  I was so unhappy with the results that I decided not to publish this yet and instead hope for better light the next day.

Keeper of the Sphere  © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film  7" x 7"

Well, I'm happy to say even though it still wasn't very bright this morning, I had much better results in taking the above photo.  There was such a difference between the two I decided to show both to compare. 

I am still thinking of a title.  Some times the work needs to rest and with any luck, it will manifest it's own name.  I want to go with the Neopagan meaning of Triquetra as the three stages of the goddess (Maiden, Mother, and Crone) or the interconnected parts of our existence (Mind, Body, and Soul).  I like the spiritual, mystical feel of this work which is intentional.  I plan on entering it in a show with the title/theme, ICON.  I think the show will have a very open interpretation with many interesting submissions.  I'm not sure if this work will fit, however, I still want to take a chance on submitting.  Besides, using the show as a challenge gave me an excuse to continue doing work with the female figure in the forest series which I am having so much fun with!  The show isn't until September so it will be a while before I find out anything.  When I do, I'll be sure to announce it here!  In the meantime, it's time to get busy creating miniatures for all the fall deadlines!!

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer and are staying cool! Thanks for taking the time to read about my work.