New Work, Please Remove Shoes Before Entering at Ghost Gallery's 13th Annual Holiday Mini Art Show!

One of my latest fine art miniatures,  Please Remove Shoes Before Entering, will be available at this year's 13th Annual Holiday Mini Art Exhibit! at Ghost Gallery in Seattle!  This is my first year showing at this venue.  It's such a fun and interesting place located in Capitol Hill.  The show opens December 12th during the Capitol Hill Art Walk.  I hope to see you there!

Please Remove Shoes Before Entering  © Barbara A. Freeman

4" x 4" Fine Art Miniature  Acrylic on Claybord

13th Annual Holiday Mini Art Exhibit
Online pre-sale will launch on December 5th at 12pm PST!
Stay posted for the website password & for more sneak peeks!

Online preview on Ghost Gallery's Website

PASSWORD will be "tinygems" (all lowercase)
*Please note, this password will activate at 12PM PST on
Thur, Dec. 5th. It will not work before that time*

The show runs from December 12th thru February 9th 2020

Ghost Gallery  1111 E. Pike Street  Seattle WA  (map)

*Enter on E. Pike through the shared entrance
 with Cupcake Royale (ADA accessible),
or up the stairs via Chophouse Row courtyard.

Please Remove Shoes Before Entering  © Barbara A. Freeman

4" x 4" Fine Art Miniature  Acrylic on Claybord  Framed

The13th Annual Holiday Mini Art Exhibit opens on Thursday, Dec. 12th 5-9pm during the Capitol Hill Art Walk. The Exhibit will remain on view through Sunday, Feb. 10th, 2020. There will be 100's of small works from local & global artists and designers, 95 in total, from Seattle & beyond (including Italy, Berlin and Ukraine)! A list of the artists can be found here.  All work is 10" x 10" and smaller including framing, affordably priced for gifting, collecting and coveting.  The best part is buyers will be able to take home their purchases right away starting Friday, Dec. 13th.  This is the perfect time to buy that special art loving someone an original work that is affordable and fits in even the smallest spaces.

A great place to find something for those difficult to gift folks in your life and you can support the arts and artists! The show extends into February, so hope you get to see this exciting show!

As always, thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  Remember to support your local artists!

Pets on Parade - Schack Art Center

Two of my miniature paintings will be in the Pets on Parade show at the Schack Art Center in downtown Everett!  This is the first time I've participated in the Pets on Parade Show and from what I've heard it's always a fun time, with well behaved pets attending!  Also during the exhibit, food and pet accessories will be collected to benefit N.O.A.H and the Everett Animal Shelter.  How cool is that!

My two pet works are Afghan Kitty and Gaze into My Eyes, both Fine Art Miniatures.  I also have other animal work in the show, several more miniatures and a small work, so many other animals are represented that are not pets.  There are over forty artists included in this mixed media show! It will be a real treat!

Pets on Parade - Main Gallery

March 7th to April 13th

Opening reception: March 7, 5 - 8pm

The Schack Art Center

2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett, WA(map)

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

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2 "

Gaze Into My Eyes  © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2 "

These two brothers are my Mom's cats, Sid (top) and Sam (bottom).  My Mom and Dad lived in Florida and have had them since they were small kittens.  A year after my Dad passed, my Mom agreed to come out to Washington to live, but needed to bring her boys along.  Wayne and I discussed the hows and what it might mean to travel with two senior house cats and my Mom across country.  After discussing several ideas, we ended up buying a Ford Flex which seemed the roomiest to fit all five of us with all our stuff.  We only had time for a few practice runs with the boys to get them used to the idea of a car ride in a cage that didn't end up at the vet!  In the end, though, the trip turned out to be an adventure full of surprises for all of us.  From putting them in a large cage carrier that we had to carry into our hotel room every night, them wearing a harness for the first time and strange new rooms to explore, they actually were good traveling companions!  We were all surprised!  They are now living in their new home here in Everett and seem to enjoy watching the birds out the window and seeing snow for the first time!  Now that they are closer, perhaps I'll have to get them to pose for more paintings!

 Sid (right) first time with a harness and leash.  Stretch break in Richmond Hill, GA

 Sam thinking about a nap and Sid in back wondering if we are there yet!  The large sized cage had a second perch, blue pillow.  They sometimes went up to the second level, but mostly they stayed close to each other.  We carried this cage with the cats inside down hallways and even up a few stairs each morning and evening to and from our hotel rooms.  We had disposable litter boxes and water and food bowls handy and of course treats.  We were there to serve!

 Sam (left) first time in a harness and leash.  Boys are doing great!

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Pets on Parade show with all the wonderful work from over forty artists exhibiting photography, oils, acrylics, ceramics, prints, recycled sculpture, and much more in celebration of the pets they love!

In addition, upstairs in the Mezzanine Gallery will be the Celebration of my friend, Janie Olsen,  2019 Artists of the Year with her show, Animal Kingdom! It will be fantastic to see all of Janie's magical animals in their enchanting environments! If you love animals, this is a MUST SEE SHOW! Upstairs and down, don't miss it!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  Remember to support your local artist!

Three Art Festivals This Weekend!

More Salmon, Please © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2" x 2 "

This weekend there are THREE art festival going on and I have work juried in all of them! All three of the Art Fairs are FREE events.  Only the LiveARTS Bothell Patron Preview Party on Friday has paid tickets for wine and entertainment.

LiveARTS Bothell - Four Fine Art Miniatures - Juried show inside Mobius Gallery (Miniatures in this Show on previous blog post.)
June 23rd and 24th Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm

On the campus of Cascadia Community College and U.W. Bothell  (map)

Patron Preview Party Friday, June 22. from 5:30 to 8pm - Tickets are $10 which include 2 glasses of wine, appetizers and live music.  Make your reservations online at liveartsbothell.org.  I'll be attending the Preview Party, hope to see you there!

Kenmore Art Show - Metalpoint Drawing,  Sculpted by Time - Juried show inside main building.

June 20 - 24, 2012

On the beautiful Bastyr University Campus  14500 Juanita Drive N.E, Kenmore WA (map)

Shoreline Arts Festival - Two Small Works, - Juried show inside Conference Center.

(Acrylic Paintings) Garden Gnome, Contemplating His Latest Work and $2.00/bunch

June 23rd and 24th, Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm

The Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155  (map)

Schedule for many activities here.

All artwork is for sale.  The Shoreline Arts Festival is a new show for me.  The festival sounds like a lot of fun with a culturally diverse line up of activies to enjoy!  I've particpated in the Kenmore Art Show a few years ago but stopped due to timing of the show. This year however, I submitted because I was curious about the Bastyr campus.  I'm glad I did, it's a beautiful place.  LiveARTS Bothell is always a great festival and I'm so happy to once again be a part of it!  There are so many fun art festivals happening this month!  I hope you will be able to get out and enjoy some art and entertainment this weekend.   Perhaps I'll see you there!

New Feline Fine Art Miniatures

With so many show deadlines fast approaching, I've been in my studio painting away, focusing on  creating new miniature works.  My two new miniature feline paintings are both done in acrylic on Strathmore 500 series Illustration Board.  They are my first cat paintings and I loved painting them, especially their eyes!  These two boys are brothers, (Sid top - Sam bottom) and share space with my Mom and Dad in Florida.  On my visit there last year, I did my best to try and photograph them.  I have to say photographing them was like trying to photograph a moving target.  Get out my camera and they were gone! Sis did like to show off after a while, but Sam was shy and liked to hide under things.  It was really fun to paint them.

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

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2" x 2 "

More Salmon, Please © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A.

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2" x 2 "

I have two more miniature paintings finished that need to be varnished before I unveil them.  In addition, I'm hoping to finish two more.  Because of the all the detail and fine tuning, these miniatures take a lot of time! Unfortunately, I may not have as many miniatures for the spring/summer shows this year as in the past.  The rest of March and April will be very busy so I may not be blogging as often as I would like.  Much of my time beside creating new miniatures will be taken up with framing, doing paperwork for entering shows, etc.  There is also a family visit scheduled that will include some travel time.  I do hope you will check back to see my new work.  I'll be posting about the spring shows that my work will be in as soon as I know.  As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by.  I hope you have a great spring!

Two New Miniatures and Gallery North Mini Show

I have two new fine art miniature works to share.  Both of these were done in graphite, colored pencil and acrylic on film. My last two works of a mermaid and river siren inspired me to do one as a miniature.  I had a reclining figure that would be great from a back view, I just needed a location to put her in.  Last Tuesday, it was not raining, so around 4 we hopped in the car and drove over to Mukilteo for a walk and photo shoot.  It was low tide and as I wanted a rocky shore instead of sand or grasses, the timing was good!  There were some great clouds over the sound so I took a lot of photos for future reference.  Waiting is the result of those reference photos and my reclining mermaid idea.  My intention was to create a serene place for the mermaid or siren to be resting, gazing at the horizon, waiting for her ship to come in, or her sailor, or whatever you want her to be waiting for.  Perhaps you can hear her singing!  Waiting is another work in my series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities.

Waiting © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. 

Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 2 5/16 " x 4 1/2 "

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

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

Hideaway was inspired by a large tree I came across in a nearby park.  When I first saw it, I was so excited and knew I would be using elements of it in many works.  It has so much character in so many different views and seasons.  I've given the tree a door with a stairway as a means to reach it.  There is also another option for entry at the base of the tree.  I'm not sure if the snail is a visitor or a resident.  I think I'll let the viewer decide.  Hideaway is part of my series, Fantasy Trees.

This weekend I'll be delivering three of my miniatures, the Wood Nymph Fairies, for the 2012 Annual Miniature and Small Painting Show at Gallery North in Edmonds.

(Left to right), You Too Shall Have Wings,  Dreamer, and Moonbathing  

© Barbara A. Freeman

 Each work - Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

The show runs from March 1st to March 31st with an artist reception on March 4th. The show will be part of the Edmonds Art Walk, on March 15. Gallery North, 508 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 425-774-0946.  This show is packed with miniatures and small works in a wide variety of styles from many artists.  A real treat to feast your eyes on!  I'll be attending the reception on Sunday.  Hope to see you there! Support your LOCAL Artist!!

Now it's back to the drawing board getting new work finished for all the deadlines!!!  As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work.

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.

1st Place Miniatures! LiveARTS Bothell!

Over and Beyond © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Claybord, 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"
Fine Art Miniature, from the Italian Landscape Series

Great news for me, I just got a phone call from LiveARTS Bothell and I got First Place in Miniature, for my work, Over and Beyond, the acrylic painting from my miniature Italian Landscape Series. Wow, it sure has been a great week! Tomorrow evening is the Patrons Preview Party and I'll be attending along with my husband Wayne. The festival is at a new venue this year and the the sun will be shining! You can click here, LiveARTS Bothell to see my earlier blog post with links to the location and times and the other works I'll have in the juried art show. Remember, the festival is free and has free parking, with juried art inside the new Mobius Hall Gallery, outdoor artisan booths, music, food and fun activities for the whole family all weekend! I hope to see you there!