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Nature in Miniature – Flemish Miniature Paintings

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I thought that I would post a little of my inspiration. :D

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - Dragonfly - circa 1600

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - Butterfly - circa 1600I do quite a bit of digging around researching earlier miniature art through various different sources.  The art of miniature painting has so many different facets to it and connected to so many cultures.  Seeing so much that has come before me is very inspiring in my own painting.

These are a few Flemish miniature paintings of nature subjects from around 1600.  They are stunningly intricate and delicate.  I find them absolutely beautiful and so inspiring.  They are painted in watercolors on vellum in much the same way that I paint my work. 

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - Damselfly - circa 1600I think I find them particularly fascinating because my painting methods originated with my studies a number of years ago with a Flemish artist who also paints nature like this.  He had studied it in his native country.  It is rooted deeply in their culture.  …and continues today.

Miniature paintings, like these, show wildlife art being carefully depicted by artists who also shared a connection with nature 400 years ago. :D

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - circa 1600

Defensive – Wolf Watercolor Miniature

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This is a new miniature I am working on.  This is a 9×12 painting of a wolf – very soft tones in this piece.  I liked the more unusual pose of him, his ears back, makes the piece more unique and helps give a deeper story to the painting with the animal’s behavior (a defensive posture, perhaps a little unsure of his environment).  So far, this piece has progressed very quickly. :D

Wolf Study – Original Drypoint Intaglio Engraving

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This is a small original print I just completed.
It is printed with umber ink on cream Canson.

Mammoth Miniature Painting

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I like to keep my painting experience interesting.  In traditional miniature painting, there are a lot of different surfaces recommended for artists to paint on – one of them is antique ivory.  It, and ivory substitutes that have been made, are very luminous and help the artist create more ambiance in their paintings. 

I started a painting on mammoth ivory (I’ve added a couple of photos of the surface as it comes prepared for painting).  I started the piece several months ago, but had to set it aside for a bit due to other commitments.  The pieces of tusk are sliced very thin for the miniature artist.  I will post the progress of the painting itself soon. :D

Red Fox Commission Completed

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I just put the finishing touches on my red fox kit commission. :D It is now off to the framer’s for a little dressing up.

Turtle Jam Tour

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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

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 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

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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

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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 ;) ).

MPSGS Opening Events

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This is a slideshow of some of the snapshots from the Miniature Painters Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, DC opening events that my family and I attended.  Enjoy! :D