Barn Owl Portrait… A Work In Progress

I’ve had some requests to post more of my sketches and works-in-progress on my blog…so here’s another painting that is sitting in the studio… ;)
This is a work-in-progress - a barn owl portrait that will debut at th Moosehorn Gallery in Montana. They are having a large event this summer and (...if everything goes well on this piece... ;) ) this will be one of my paintings in their summer show. :D
This is a work-in-progress - a barn owl portrait that will debut at th Moosehorn Gallery in Montana. They are having a large event this summer and (…if everything goes well on this piece… ;) ) this will be one of my paintings in their summer show. :D

New Small Miniatures… “On Golden Pond”, “Shattered Silence”, & “The Overseer”

This is a new miniature painting of a pair of Trumpeter Swans (
This is a new miniature painting of a pair of Trumpeter Swans ("On Golden Pond") in watercolors painted for the Seaside Art Gallery’s International Miniature Exhibition (their 17th annual) in Nags Head, North Carolina….one of 3 4×6 miniatures that I have in this year’s show. :D
This is a new miniature painting of a pair of Trumpeter Swans ( This is a new miniature painting of a pair of Trumpeter Swans (
"The Overseer - Cougar" & "Shattered Silence - American Bald Eagle" - both 4×6 watercolor miniatures that are also on exhibit at the Seaside show.

The exhibit just opened on the 5th and will run through the end of May. http://seasideart.com/

Finch & Blossoms Miniature Painting - Watercolor

 

This is a new miniature I painted that went to England for a miniature art exhibit. It is a finch with apple blossoms and is a little smaller than 4x6. My Dad has some awesome flowering fruit trees that I love ...which inspired this painting... :) (I have 'spring fever' -I'm really wishing for spring around here to look like spring. ;) :p ) == The little bird isn't life-sized...which I really would have loved to paint him (I love painting things life-sized and the challenge to make them look like they will walk off my artboard ;) ). The piece was painted to be shown in this exhibition which has an image area limit, and he had to be arranged compositionally in the painting with the flowers...this was the most pleasing arrangement that I came up with. :) == I really would like to paint the concept as a 6x8 or a little larger sized miniature so that I would have more space for everything... (Maybe the next painting... :D lol!)

This is a new miniature I painted that went to England for a miniature art exhibit. It is a finch with apple blossoms and is a little smaller than 4×6. My Dad has some awesome flowering fruit trees that I love …which inspired this painting… :) (I have ’spring fever’ -I’m really wishing for spring around here to look like spring. ;) :p )

The little bird isn’t life-sized…which I really would have loved to paint him (I love painting things life-sized and the challenge to make them look like they will walk off my artboard ;) ). The piece was painted to be shown in this exhibition which has an image area limit, and he had to be arranged compositionally in the painting with the flowers…this was the most pleasing arrangement that I came up with. :)

I really would like to paint the concept as a 6×8 or a little larger sized miniature so that I would have more space for everything… (Maybe the next painting… :D lol!)

Intimidation - Black Leopard Miniature Painting Completion

This is the completed painting of the black leopard, titled

 

This is the completed painting of the black leopard, titled "Intimidation - Black Leopard" (5" x 7"). My object for this painting was to capture the intense gaze and the action expressed in in the cat’s position - a feeling that he may lunge at any moment.

As mentioned earlier, I tried to keep the subtle qualities of the tones and such adding the contrast of the cat’s strength and focus and delicacy. The precious metals (24kt shell gold/sterling silver) were added to the eyes and sheen of the fur and other area that would add an extra glow. As in all of my work, I am working for realism and the honed look of refined miniature painting, so the touches of these illuminations (as always) are very soft so not to be gaudy or have a glaring tinsel look to them - only subtle and elegant enhancement.

You can see the beginning of the painting posted here from back in December and further progress here. The original was sold in February at a gallery exhibition.

It’s For The Birds

A quick post about an exhibition that will be showing some of my (and my family's) paintings at an avian themed exhibition. The

A quick post about an event that will be showing some of my (and my family’s) paintings - an avian themed exhibition. The "It’s For The Birds" exhibition is being held at the Eugene H. and Dorothy Kleinpell Gallery in River Falls, Wisconsin. The opening reception is being held this Sunday (March 16th) from 2-4 pm. The University of Minnesota Raptor Center will be at the opening giving a presentation "All About Owls" at 2pm. The exhibit runs through April and has special events scheduled for the weekends during the show. ( Get directions )

A quick post about an exhibition that will be showing some of my (and my family's) paintings at an avian themed exhibition. The

NatureWorks 2008, Galleries, & Wildlife Art…

NatureWorks Wildlife Art Show & Sale 2008 - Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

First of all, I need to thank everyone that came to the NatureWorks show in Tulsa this past weekend - It was fabulous to meet all of you…and see familiar faces again! My family and I really appreciate your support for us and our work. We really love what we do and are so pleased to see that others enjoy our finished pieces and the wildlife that is so meaningful to us as well! :D Thanks for making the 2008 NatureWorks one of our best showings in Tulsa! :D We look forward to seeing everyone again next year! ( www.natureworks.org )

Also…. Some gallery news - For those who may not know, we are now represented full time in Texas by Whistle Pik Galleries ( www.whistlepik.com ). Their gallery is one of the most beautiful show places that I have seen and the people who run the gallery are superb.

Our gallery in Montana is expanding ( www.moosehorngallery.com ) - they will soon be opening another Moosehorn Gallery in Washington state. The Montana gallery will also be having a large event this summer that we will be attending in Big Sky with a new collection of artwork. …so we will be busy at our easels for a while. ;)

Lastly (..but definitely not least…) An article about our family, "A 24/7 Family Affair", is featured in this month’s issue of Wildlife Art Magazine. Thanks to Wildlife Art and our author, Fran Howard! ( www.wildlifeartmag.com )

Artists Gathering

 


This is a photo slide show of the MASF exhibition in Largo, Florida (where one of my paintings was awarded the Best Work by a Young Artist Award). There really was a variety of work there. The newly elected president of the MASF was there at the show, whom I met for the first time - he told me that the collection of paintings that I had in the show sold out. :D (I was also told a little bit about some of my newest collectors…

 

I was very pleased to attend the exhibition with Joan Willies RMS (originally from the UK, an accomplished miniature artist and author that I met the first year I entered the MASF exhibition) and the workshop of artists that she brought to the exhibit. :D

Joan was hosting a workshop, teaching miniature art, at her studio in Florida. There were students who flew in from different parts of the US for her course that week. …and being in Florida already, of course I HAD to go see her! :D (She’s a sweetheart, who could resist!) …as anyone who has had the experience knows, lunch with a workshop of artists is completely unforgettable!! ;) Too much fun! …and everyone was (and is) so sweet!! I was pleasantly surprised to see familiar faces, too. :D The "art chats" were fabulous!! (Thanks so much, Joan!! :D )

These are a few more photos from Florida…

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Making A Mark Reviews The 2007 MPSGS Exibition

"Polar Ambiance", Watercolor on Board
One of my paintings in the 2007 MPSGS Exhibition

For those stopping by who might be interested in the happenings on other art blogs on the net…  Katherine Tyrrell, British blogger and artist from Making a Mark, reviewed the current MPSGS exhibition in Washington on her blog. :D (See her review by following this link.)

Earlier this year she also reviewed the RMS exhibition in the Mall Galleries in London - was nice to hear about the show I wasn’t able to go (I had 5 pieces in this year’s exhibition).  Thank you, Katherine. :)

Turtle Jam Tour

I was very pleased to hear that my handheld miniature, “Turtle Jam”, will be a part of the Society of Animal Artists national museum tour.  The painting was in the SAA’s 47th exhibition that opened at the Wildlife Experience Museum in Parker, Colorado.  The touring exhibit will be making stops around the country during 2007 and 2008.

The painting is painted in watercolor like most of my other work and measures about 3” x 8”.

Goodbye Texas

 Leaving today, but first had to take a quick trip through the town and sample some of the cuisine for breakfast.  Fredericksburg is a very German town which is reflected in the shops, architecture, and food. …and of course, being that this is Texas, also has plenty of Mexican influences as well.  

There are also many Bed and Breakfasts in the area.  I thought that it was a very quaint and beautiful little town.  It was very interesting for me to see a little bit of what is here, though it is a brief trip, having some German heritage of my own.

I can’t get away from my studio too often due to deadlines and  all of the paintings that I have to complete.  (…though, I can’t complain…)  But it is nice to get out occasionally and not always be trapped in my studio (…there are many things waiting for me back there).

Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show

Here are some snapshots of the gallery during the opening event for the Christmas Miniature Show (www.whistlepik.com).  I was very pleased that all of my family’s paintings in the show were sold out when we arrived. :D The exhibit space is set up very beautifully, and as you can see there was quite a crowd.  For those who haven’t been to the Whistle Pik Galleries before, the gallery also has a courtyard featuring a collection of large bronzes (as well as a fountain and gardens), and a second gallery building with some of the larger works and the gallery’s offices (which also have beautiful collections of artwork.)

Though I don’t paint in that style, I really enjoy the free Western style of painting….a style of painting that is represented well in the gallery.  I met a very nice artist, Qiang Huang, and his wife.  He has some of his lovely still life works on his blog…his originals were very nice.  I also enjoyed seeing some artwork from Africa, a collection of small etchings, and a beautiful large piece by Norman Rockwell.

It is very inspiring for an artist to go see beautiful artwork, showspaces, and different environments – not to mention meeting so many interesting artists and clients.  Many thanks to Tim Taylor from Whistle Pik and all of the gallery’s personnel for their wonderful hospitality.  ….and for the lovely artist’s party as well! :D (…which was also amazing….and delicious. :D )

My family and I will be supplying the gallery with more work for exhibition in the gallery regularly.  I am hoping to complete more pieces for them soon…

Yet Another Flight

I’m off to an exhibition opening in Fredericksburg, Texas this weekend.  Whistle Pik Galleries is having their reception for the Christmas Miniature Show and my family and I will be attending. 

I have never been able to get down to that part of Texas before, to see the area or the gallery, so I am really looking forward to the experience.  The Gallery is in the Texas hill country.

This is a photo from the layover in Denver.  ….not enough time to do any research or sightseeing (other than the inside of Denver international ;) ) – It would have been nice to run out and see the Rocky Mountain National Park again in the snow. :D …but this is a quick trip, so no wilderness excursions for me.  (there was a little wildlife on the aircraft, though ;) ).

Decoys & Wildlife Show - Frenchtown, NJ

Thanks to Ron Kobli and everyone from the Decoys & Wildlife Gallery in Frenchtown, NJ for such a nice show!  My family and I were pleased to meet many of of our collectors from the area. :D If you happen to be near Frenchtown, be sure to drop by the gallery to browse the paintings and art.  They still have quite a collection of our pieces for the holiday season.

Thanks to Ron Kobli and everyone from the Decoys & Wildlife Gallery in Frenchtown, NJ for such a nice show!  My family and I were pleased to meet many of our collectors from the area. :D

If you happen to be near Frenchtown, be sure to drop by the gallery to browse the paintings and art.  They still have quite a collection of our pieces for the holiday season - both smaller and larger pieces.  (www.decoyswildlife.com)

Thanks to Ron Kobli and everyone from the Decoys & Wildlife Gallery in Frenchtown, NJ for such a nice show!  My family and I were pleased to meet many of of our collectors from the area. :D If you happen to be near Frenchtown, be sure to drop by the gallery to browse the paintings and art.  They still have quite a collection of our pieces for the holiday season.

Thanks to Ron Kobli and everyone from the Decoys & Wildlife Gallery in Frenchtown, NJ for such a nice show!  My family and I were pleased to meet many of of our collectors from the area. :D If you happen to be near Frenchtown, be sure to drop by the gallery to browse the paintings and art.  They still have quite a collection of our pieces for the holiday season.

74th Miniature Painters Sculptors & Gravers Exhibit - Washington, DC

I just received notice that this painting, "Calm - Great Egret" (watercolor on Ivorine), was awarded ‘Second in Show’, the ‘Manny Sullivan Award for Excellence’, at the 74th Miniature Painters Sculptors & Gravers Exhibit of Washington, DC (the oldest miniature art society in America - http://www.mpsgs.org/).  I am honored to have received this award for the second year in a row. 

My watercolors "Polar Ambiance" and "Timberwolf" were chosen for first place in ‘Watermedia’ and first place in ‘Birds and Animals’ respectively.  I am very honored to have my work chosen for these awards this year.  Many thanks to the judge, Carol Lee Thompson, and those of the administration of the MPSGS.

The exhibit of 699 miniature works of art will run  Nov. 19 - Dec. 29, 2007 at the Strathmore Mansion (in North Bethesda, MD).  This year’s exhibition represents artists from 38 US states and 12 foreign countries.

My sister, Bonnie, was able to put a miniature painting in the exhibit this year also - her work was awarded as well.

American Art in Miniature 2007

This painting will be in the Thomas Gilcrease Museum’s "American Art in Miniature 2007" in Tulsa, Oklahoma November 1st (I am planning to be at the event, also).  I painted this piece while I was out west for the most part.  The habitat in the painting is from our hike in the Tetons.

Fells Point - North American Miniature Art Exhibition

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I just received an official notice from the exhibition faculty tonight that this painting, "Daydream", was awarded first place in the 24th Annual North American Miniature Art Exhibition in Baltimore, Maryland. 

The exhibit is hosted and sponsored by The Art Gallery of Fells Point (www.fellspointgallery.org).

The show will be on through October 28th.


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Montana Show at Moosehorn Gallery

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This landscape (top) is a view from Paradise Valley, where our Montana gallery, ‘Moosehorn Gallery‘ is located. 

We painted in the gallery showroom again for the event - thanks to them for a great show. :D We hope to be back to see everyone next year for the gallery’s upcoming events. :D