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!

Shows in September

It's going to be a busy September!  First off, I'm happy to say that my entry She Weeps was juried in to the 3rd Annual ICON show at Hanson Scott Gallery, 121 Prefontaine Pl S, in Seattle's Pioneer Square.  (map)  The First Thursday Artwalk is happening on September 5th, from 5 to 8 PM.  Also, on September 14th there will be an Awards Reception, from 5 to 7 PM.  The Hanson Scott Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 to 5.

I will be attending the show and Artwalk on September 5th.  I hope you'll stop by to say hello and check out this eclectic show with the many interpretations depicting the theme,  ICON.  It's sure to be fabulous and the Pioneer Square Artwalk is always a fun thing to do!

 

She Weeps  © Barbara A. Freeman

Graphite and Mixed Media on Claybord  8" x 10"

She Weeps is a new work on claybord using graphite and carbon pencil with just a bit of added color using colored pencil and acrylic paint .  I have been wanting to explore drawing on different substrates.  It was different working on a surface this hard, especially after using the gliding buttery-ness of film.  This one almost ended up in the reject pile until my order for some carbon pencils arrived.  It was just what I needed in my drawing, some dramatic darks!  I was impressed with the amount of darkness I could add to the already saturated area of graphite.  I'm happy with it now and may even use the claybord again with graphite, only this time I'll use the carbon for my darkest places. I am even thinking I would like to go larger next time! As usual, the forest was inspired by one of our many great hikes here in the Pacific Northwest!

 

I'm so happy to announce that Janie Olsen and I are doing a show together titled, Charmed, at Wise Design in September!  I will be exhibiting my works of mermaid, fairies, wood nymphs and a few of my trees, many works from the series, Wood Nymphs and Other Curiosities.  I know that Janie Olsen will have all of my favorites of her fabulous pieces in the show!  This is a great opportunity to see many of my works together side by side.  I usually only have a few at a time in any one show.  It will be exciting to be to be showing them all together as a group AND alongside Janie Olsen's imaginative work!!

Charmed Art Exhibit -  September 2013 at Wise Design 2908 Wetmore Ave Everett, WA Reception at the Everett Artwalk - Third Saturday, September 21st, 2013 from 4 to 7.  I'll be in attendance so come by and say hi.  Hope you will be "Charmed" by our work!

**Please note, I am having a lot of problems writing this because Blogger keeps adding code that messes up the format!  I have spent more time than it should have taken to write this and was very happy to share my news with you, only to have ended up becoming very frustrated!!   I do hope this turns out readable and I do thank you for taking the time to read about my work. 

"Lady and the Dragon" - Meyers Cafe

Lady and the Dragon  © Barbara A. Freeman

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

 
Each summer for the month of August, local artist Shannon Leah Danks curates a show at Meyers Cafe at the Marina in Everett.  This year the theme, The Extraordinary Ordinary, is an eclectic mix featuring work inspired by the everyday, ordinary that becomes the extraordinary!  The show by local artists using a variety of styles and mediums, runs the entire month of August.  Meyers Cafe, a beautiful place to have lunch or brunch, is located at The Everett Marina, 1700 West Marine View Drive, Everett, WA. The Everett Marina is also the location of the Sunday Farmers' Market! Be sure to see the show during your visit! All work is for sale ... support your local artist!

My entry for the show, Lady and the Dragon, is a new graphite and mixed media drawing on film.  This work is not a fine art miniature because it is not to 1/6th scale. 

From the Association of Miniature Artists [AMA], "most contemporary societies have adopted a one-sixth scale guideline: Subjects should be rendered one-sixth their life-size or smaller with some leeway given to naturally small subjects (hummingbirds, butterflies and delicate flowers)."  

It would be difficult indeed to draw a tiny dragonfly to 1/6th scale, let alone a ladybug! However, this work was done in the "spirit of a miniature".  I consider it a "small work".   Work done on film does not always scan well and with this one, the color appears lighter than it does in person.  As I do with most of my drawings on film, the image is drawn on one side in graphite.  I then turn the work over and use colored pencil to add color to the work on the back side.  Then lastly, I return to the front side and add a bit of acrylic interference color to the wings of the dragonfly. They sparkle and glow as you view the work from different angles.  

I know I have not been as current in blogging as I would like.  I am still trying to catch up from all the time I had been away from home and studio.  New artwork has been slow in coming, trying to find time to be in my "creative head space"!  Life does have a way of taking you on detours.  I think the best way to cope is to look for new opportunities in the detours and keep an open mind.  I do hope to get back on track! 

Next month, I am so excited to be doing a show titled, "Charmed", with Janie Olsen at Wise Designz!  Details to follow in the next blog post.  Hope you will come back to read all about it.  Thank you for taking the time to read this and hope you get a chance to stop by Meyers Cafe and see The Extraordinary Ordinary!

Parklane Gallery 21st Annual International Miniature Art Show

My four framed entries in Parklane Gallery's Miniature Art Show

Parklane Gallery's 21st Annual International Miniature Art Show is online for viewing at www.parklanegallery.com. The show opens April 30th and runs through June 2nd.  The Reception and Awards Ceremony is on May 10th from 6 to 8 PM.  That is also the same night of the Kirkland Art Walk.  Parklane Gallery is located at 130 Park Lane in beautiful downtown Kirkland WA.  For more information, phone 425.827.1462.

Smooching © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Panel 1 3/4" x 2 3/4"

My new acrylic painting, Smooching is number 86 in Parklane's online show.  These two cuties were inspired from a visit we made to the Evergreen State Fair last summer.

On a sad note, I'm sorry to say that I will not be able to attend the Parklane Miniature show this year due to other obligations.  Therefore, we will not be able to photograph the show to post on my blog and other miniature group sites as usual.   This is the first year since I've been participating in this show that I have not attended.  I will miss seeing all these tiny treasures in person and the enthusiastic gallery visitors viewing the show.  I am so glad that at least I can view these many wonderful artworks online.

Undaunted © Barbara A. Freeman  SOLD

Acrylic on Illustration Board 2" x 2"

Undaunted is number 87 on the Parklane Gallery online show.  It's another tiny work inspired from a hike.

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

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

Waiting © Barbara A. Freeman, M.A.A. SOLD

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

Hideaway, number 88 and Waiting, number 89 are the two works that were part of the Miniature Artists of America's (M.A.A.) submissions that recently traveled as part of the World Federation of Miniature Artists to the 5th Worldwide Conference and Exhibition of Fine Arts in Miniature, held at the Russian Academy of Art in Moscow, Russia,  September, 2012.  At the time I didn't have much information on the show, or if they were even exhibited.  When they were returned, I was glad to find out they were in the exhibit.  They were gone a long time and traveled from here in Washington to Florida to London to Moscow and who knows how many custom stops in-between!  Now they are back home and showing for the first time here at Parklane!

This is a great show, I will miss the excitement and all the miniature art lovers at the reception.  My friend Janie Olsen is in the show with five of her wonderful goat and dog paintings, starting number 195 in the online show.  Be sure to check out Janie's work, it will put a smile on your face!  This is the best miniature show in the Pacific Northwest, so hope you get a chance to see it.  You can check out the show online www.parklanegallery.com for a preview and after May 1st, it will be possible to also put the work in your cart and purchase them online!

As always, thank you for reading about my work.  Hope your spring has arrived and you are enjoying the beauty around you. 

Photos of Parklane Gallery's 20th Annual Miniature Show

Parklane Gallery, Kirkland WA

130 Park Lane, Kirkland WA

May 8th to June 3rd 2012

Online Miniature Gallery Link

My friend, artist Janie Olsen (left) and I.

Janie's husband, Bill checking out the work.

Janie and I trying to ignore Wayne taking our photo.

Unfortunately, there was a lot of glare.  It was a sunny evening (really it's true!) and between the spot lighting and the sunshine pouring in the windows, it was a bit difficult to get clear photos.  Hopefully you can see enough to recognize your work if you are in the show.  If you live near enough, you will want to make sure to see this show in person.  There is nothing like seeing these treasures in front of your eye and even better under magnification!  The show continues through June 3rd.  It will be open during the Kirkland Studio Tour during Mothers' Day Weekend and will be part of the Kirkland Artwalk.  Once again the work can be purchased via Parklane Gallery's Website.  They are located at 130 Park Lane, Kirkland WA.  This is a very popular show and one not to be missed! 

LiveARTS Bothell Reception Photos and New Work in Progress (WIP)

Here are a few photos of the Artists' Reception and Preview Party from last weekend at LiveARTS Bothell.   There was quite a crowd in the lobby. 

Wayne snapped this shot of me getting my award for First Place in Miniature for my work, Mister Pelican.  When I came back on Sunday after the show to pick up my work, I found out that it had sold!

Above, artists Eden Hopkins and Susan Jones in deep conversation. 

 

This fun photo was being taken at the same time by both Wayne Freeman and Ron Stocke, so we are all directing our eyes at two different cameras!  Starting left, Ursula Stocke, Josey Wise, Barbara Freeman, Janie Olsen and Eden Hopkins.  It was fun meeting up with everyone, all in the same place at the same time.  These talented artists all had work in the show.

What I'm Working on Now...
 
is another graphite and mixed media on film.  It has a female figure in the foreground with one of my fantasy trees behind her.  I have enclosed the image in a circle and will be adding color on the back side of the film, the border of the circle, her body color and the sphere.

I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with the central sphere she is holding.  I have a lot of ideas but I'll wait to see what she wants to do with it.  This drawing has taken a lot longer than I thought it would.  The tree is always the easiest part, the figure, not so easy for me.   Right now I am making some corrections to the arm and hand.  I may add something to the four corners, I haven't decided yet.  I like the vision so far.  I do have a competition in mind to enter it into if it's finished in time.  It may be a long shot as you never know if your work will fit the theme or if the juror will like it.  However, when I head about this show, I was inspired to create this new work with that goal in mind. To me the inspiration and creation of the work are what's important!  Until next time, thanks for taking the time to read about my work.  Enjoy your summer!

2nd Place Miniatures! - Edmonds Arts Festival - Fathers' Day Weekend

Traveling the Slow Road © Barbara A. Freeman

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

Second Place Miniatures - Edmonds Arts Festival

Sunday evening Wayne and I went to the Reception for the artists and volunteers of the Edmonds Arts Festival at the Frances Anderson Center . The show was still in the "raw", the work not yet hung in it's final position nor with information labels and awards ribbons. Therefore, it was hard to see who the artist was and what works got awards.

I saw someone looking at the tag on my miniature, Traveling the Slow Road and when I told her it was mine, she congratulated me and told me it had taken Second Place!! When the show opens with the Preview pARTy on Wednesday, the 15th, all will be labeled and polished.

Pastel artist, Cheryl Hufnagel and Acrylic painter, Janie Olsen

While there, I met up with several artists friends. My friend Janie Olsen has two paintings and four miniatures in the show. She was happy to find out that her work titled Jingle Bells, took Third Place in Miniature! Pastel artist and friend, Cheryl Hufnagel has two paintings and three miniatures in the show. It's always great to run into Cheryl and see her latest work.

Yours truly with Cheryl and Janie.

Being an artist who loves to draw, I was also excited to see several very nice graphite pieces in the Drawing Category. I was blown away by a really wonderful piece featuring rocks and shells. It was filled with texture and a beautiful range of values. When I looked to see who it's creator was, I found it was my friend Susan Jones' work! Sorry, I didn't get any photos of Susan.

Awards and kudos to artists, sponsors and volunteers.

I am looking forward to returning to the show when the festival is in full swing this weekend. Mark your calendars and take Dad to the Edmonds Arts Festival , this Fathers' Day weekend, June 17th through the 19th - Friday, 11am to 9 pm, Saturday, 10am to 8pm, and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Also, this year’s annual Preview pARTy will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at the Frances Anderson Center beginning at 6:00 pm. Look for my work at the Juried Art Show, inside the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main Street, Edmonds,WA

Needless to say, I was very happy that my miniature received an award, especially after I received notice last week that the silverpoint and acrylic work in progress that I had just blogged about, Trio, was rejected from the competition I entered it in! Just goes to show, you never know what gets in and what gets turned away. As most jurors will tell you, it's a hard job! In the meantime, I'm working on another mixed media piece on film and will post it here when it's finished. As always, thanks for taking the time to read about my work. Do try to visit some of the great Art Events in your area wherever you live, and support your local artist!

Photos of Parklane Gallery's 19th Annual Miniature Show

Parklane Gallery, Kirkland WA

What a fun Artists' Reception at Parklane Gallery Saturday evening. I got to meet Jim Smith, the juror for the show, who is also the Fearless Leader of the Yahoo Miniature Art Group. Jim is even more delightful in person than he is online! It was a great show with lots of red dots appearing while we were there.  Several of my artist friends came by to see the show and say hello. Some also had work in the show. My friend Janie Olsen and her husband Bill attended. Janie had several red dots appear on her work, including one of my favorites Banty Hen!! I also met Naoko Morisawa who works with mosaic bits of dyed wood that she cuts and makes into beautiful images. Sue Jackson-André, aka, Clovie Boy stopped in to say hello.  Sue had two beautiful colored pencil drawings of rabbits in the show.  The show gathered a large number of people throughout the evening.  It was a beautiful evening!

Juror and Artist, Jim Smith with Artist, Barbara Freeman (yours truly)

 

Juror, Jim Smith telling how he made his difficult choices for the awards! 

Lovely Music is always provided. 

If you haven't seen this show, do try to see it.  It's amazing, the amount of detail and wonder that is contained in these tiny masterpieces! This show will also be part of the Kirkland ArtWalk on Friday, May 13 from 6 until 9.  The 19th Annual Miniature Art Show at Parklane Gallery, 130 Park Lane in Kirkland WA continues through June 5th. Parklane Gallery is a beautiful place to visit.

I know that some who will read this blog to see the photos, looking for their work, will be disappointed.  I regret if the photos are not large enough to see all the art.  When taking photos of the show and reception, we try to respect those who do NOT wish to have their work photographed.   Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.  Support your local artist!