You are here: Home » Blog

Pensive Coyote Painting

on

The coyote is a very adaptive creature.  They can thrive in the wilderness or urban areas of our cities.  Outside my studio, while I am working, I often hear packs of them calling back and forth to each other in their usual whining  howls in the wee hours of the night.

This piece depicts a coyote that I came across on a very hot afternoon while he was enjoying the shade of a bush.  He glanced at me several times but didn’t seem to mind my presence.  Not wanting to disturb him, I was sure to stay a distance away.  I was very pleased to have been able to create a painting of the experience.

Pensive – Coyote, watercolor on board, 9×12, ©Rebecca Latham

Painting Motion – Hummingbird

on

This hummingbird piece, more or less, is a reflection on suspension and motion.  On numerous occasions I have found myself in an encounter with these winged gems, while observing my own garden or perhaps visiting an arboretum, flashing their color while they busily dance through on their way.  They are also incredibly curious about their surroundings.

Painting the look of a hummingbird’s buzzing wings was both interesting and challenging.  The contrast of the naturally bold colors of plumage coupled with the blur of action and soft, subtle qualities gave the piece a pleasing balance.  The painting is small, 6″x6″, watercolor on board, “Vibrant Motion”, © Rebecca Latham.

Water’s Edge & White-tail Newborn

on


Last week we had a new arrival show up in our yard… a new little white tail fawn was curled up in the grass.  Luckily he was spotted before we disturbed him.  He has the most beautiful soft blue eyes..

We quickly snapped a few photos and left him to wait for his mother to return.  Hopefully she will bring him through the yard when he is a little bit older and less vulnerable.

The event this week reminded me of a painting, essentially complete, that I have in my studio cabinet of a whitetail fawn.  In this piece I especially loved the glow of back lighting through the warm rust colored fur as well as the surrounding cattails along the edge of the water.  The setting, with so many warm tones to work into the painting, made the painting process of this work especially satisfying.  The painting is 5″ x 7″, watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham.

Masters in Miniature: Jackson Hole Miniature Show Invitational

on

A view looking up the Grand Tetons within Casc...

Image via Wikipedia

Some of my greatest inspiration for my work has come from my stays in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and subsequent visits to Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons, and surrounding wilderness.  My trips to the area always bring freshness to my work, whether it is encountering a bull moose only yards away, seeing a herd of elk cross the Madison river, or just the majesty of the sunlit mountains.

I was very pleased when I was asked to participate in Trailside Galleries’ inaugural “Masters in Miniature” show in Jackson Hole this Summer.  With the blessing of Raindance Gallery, my current representation in JH, I will be showing two new pieces at the Trailside Galleries event…scans to be posted soon.  If you are in the area, please drop in during the show!

Masters in Miniature: Jackson Hole Miniature Show Invitational
Trailside Galleries, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
July 4 – 24, 2011
Artists’ Reception July 21, 2011

Ethereal Light – Trumpeter Swan

on

Ethereal Light - Trumpeter Swan, 5x7, watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham

Ethereal Light – Trumpeter Swan, 5×7, watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham

I love back-lit subjects to paint….using a limited palette in my paintings is also a favorite.  Incorporating both of these aspects, this piece was a pleasure to paint.  Coming across a trumpeter swan late on a Summer’s day, with light glowing through a thick haze across the lake and the sky’s blue reflected in the shadows, I had no doubt that I would be painting the scene in the near future.

This painting is currently on display at Raindance Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (http://www.raindancegallery.net)

White Wolf Subtleties

on

This is a fairly new work in progress of a backlit wolf, using a limited palette.  There is a bit more detail to go, but it is starting to develop.  I’m enjoying the subtle qualities of the painting.  This piece should finish up as a 12″x16″.  (watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham)

Masterworks in Miniature 2011

on

This painting, Mindful – Timberwolf, is a part of Gallery One‘s  2011 Masterworks in Miniature.

Now in its 20th big year, Masterworks opens March 11 “Each miniature is so special,” said Alan Brown, Gallery One president,  and demand is so intense that prospective buyers from throughout the world submit ‘intent-to-purchase’ forms in hopes of ‘being drawn’ to buy their favorites.”

Such “intents” can be filed in person at Gallery One, in Mentor, Ohio ,where all of the works will be on exhibit until Saturday, March 26. Intents can also be filed by mail or over the web at www.galleryone.com where the entire collection can be viewed once the show opens. Winners of purchase rights will be drawn at the close of the event.

While some Masterworks fit in the palm of one’s hand, others are as large as 9″ x 12.”  A rare few may be a bit larger. Regardless of size, all are exquisitely detailed and represent the high quality expected of the individual artists.  Genres include wildlife, portraiture, still life, landscape, western and fantasy.

The artists are from all over the world.  “When such top artists are ‘forced’ to work small, their prices become really affordable,” said Brown.  “Collectors of limited editions often find that they can collect such miniatures for less than prints by the very same artists.”  That may explain why art lovers – and dealers – from all over the world vie for rights to such paintings.

In 2010, Rebecca was awarded the Buyer’s Choice award among all of the work in the exhibition, voted by the most “intents”.  Rebecca’s sister, Bonnie Latham, was runner-up for the award.

And how do collectors display the miniatures?  Many find their way into wall groupings while others rest comfortably on small easels, bathed in lamplight.  Some hang alone, featured above an interesting furniture item.  Regardless of how they are used, they are perfect jewels.

Gallery One is located at 7003 Center St. (Rt. 615), Mentor between Routes 90 and 2. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  In addition, Gallery One will be open until 9 p.m. on Fridays during the event.   For additional information, call 800.621.1141 or visit www.galleryone.com.

Barred Owl in Sepia

on

This is a new 5″x7″ Barred Owl watercolor painting I’m starting on, currently in sepia stage.  The owl is from a raptor center in Montana that rescues birds.  This owl’s injuries, unfortunately, were too extensive to allow him to be released into the wild.  …so he now serves as an ambassador with the organization.

Tawny Owl – New Painting in Sepia stage

on

This is a new painting of a Tawny Owl (European).  I love the warm sienna and gold colors of these owls… one of aspects that attracted me to begin this painting.  I set the area surrounding area with lush moss to compliment the rust shades in the bird.  ….looking forward to the progression of this painting.

Settler’s West – American Miniatures (Raccoons)

on

This is one of my paintings that will debut at Settler’s West Galleries’ show, ‘American Miniatures’, show in Tucson, Arizona this week.

Mischievous Curiosity – Raccoons, 9″x12″, watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham

My other painting, ‘Explorers – Bobcat Kittens‘ will be on display as well

The show opens February 12th 5-7pm.  www.settlerswest.com