Here is another painting (pictured in progress) in my studio. It’s a snowy egret that I was able to watch on the beach catching minnows in Florida earlier this year (see my ‘Bad Hair Day‘ post…). I started the miniature painting during the NatureWorks show in Tulsa…painting in my family’s booth. The painting has been accepted into the Bennington Center For The Arts’ Art of the Animal Kingdom Exhibition this summer.

 

The painting is titled "Illuminated" - I was struck by what seemed to be an internal glow of light as the bird was fishing. All of the fine feathers reflecting light seemed to ‘illuminate’ and glow… It seemed to shimmer…as did the little minnows that he pulled out of the ocean. …I had such a fabulous time watching him (and just enjoying the whole environment during my stay…thanks to my friends who put up with me running around to see everything and snapping photos… )

Here are some other images from Florida for everyone to take a peek at. Many thanks to our friends for their help in getting the wildlife to cooperate… lol! Again, we were so fortunate to have such a wide variety of birds and such show up for us. (…even a pair of young raccoons fishing at sunset in Merritt Island! ) …so much material for new works!

We have been so fortunate this reference trip that all of the wildlife has been cooperating with us so well. This is one more shot from the beach today.  I will post more soon…

I am pleased to post that this painting, "Symphony of Light", watercolor on ivorine, was awarded a top honor at the Miniature Art Society of Florida’s 33rd annual exhibition - "Best Work by a Young Artist" (Best of Show for artists 35 or younger).  This is the second time I have been given this award, which I am very honored for especially being that I am still a ‘20 something’.

It is quite an honor to have been given such high awards at both the MASF and MPSGS this year.  Many thanks to both societies.  As our elite miniature art exhibitions in the United States, each of them are surpassed by none.  I greatly appreciate all that they do to preserve miniature art and it’s roots.

(Also, I want to post a congratulations to my sister, Bonnie, for her award of "Best Animal" at the CPA International Miniature Exhibition in PA with her beautiful Asian leopard portrait.  I am very proud of her. )

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.