Paintings of Wildlife & Nature by Rebecca Latham
I thought that some of the visitors to my blog may be interested in seeing these photos of an art exhibition in Vermont. The Art of the Animal Kingdom show is on right now – these are some photos of the exhibition (courtesy the Bennington center for the Arts ). This piece (circled :) ) is work that I have in the exhibition, "Distracted".
This is a new sketch for a painting of a robin in grass.
This is a little different post for me…
Years ago I learned that the way I painted my artwork (and the way my family paints) was painting "in miniature" and in a similar way that traditional miniature painters execute their work. Because it is so directly related to the way that my family and I paint, I (and others in my family) have done quite a bit of study of miniature art and it’s history, thanks to encouragement of some of my friends. I’ve written a brief article on the miniature based on conversations I have had and research of the subject that some of you may find interesting that can be read here.
For myself and my work, I’ve found that how miniatures were painted as well as various things that have influenced the art to be very interesting. And, as I posted earlier, I have been using various traditional surfaces (or also referred to as ‘grounds’ :) ) in my more recent paintings because of my studies. I believe it has stretched me a bit as an artist. :)
(Artwork pictured by miniature artist Nicholas Hilliard – 1547-1619)
The completed painting of Chloe.
I have quite a schedule coming up if all that is planned comes through…
I am pleased to announce that a special showing featuring my family and a few other artists is planned the last weekend of October in Frenchtown, NJ – we will be attending this exhibition. (My family and I are planning to have 30 or more pieces for that exhibition.) This gallery is also having their annual “Fall Show and Shoot” over Labor Day weekend (September)that will have some of our new work on display as well. http://www.decoyswildlife.com/
We are now represented in Fredericksburg , TX at Whistle Pik Galleries and will be sending them more work (and larger paintings) to have in their gallery. As in previous years, all three of us will have work in their annual Christmas Miniature show. http://www.whistlepik.com/
Galleries West Fine Art, within minutes of the Grand Teton National Park, in Jackson Hole, WY is hosting a wildlife exhibition, “Wild Spirit: Interpretations of Wildlife”, August 10-24 in their newly expanded gallery. A collection of my (and my family’s) new pieces will be shown there as well. We will be painting in the gallery on the 14th & 15th for their annual “Fall Roundup” during the Jackson Fall Arts Festival (6th – 16th) in September. http://gallerieswestjacksonhole.com/
Another gallery showing in beautiful Paradise Valley at the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park – Moose Horn Gallery in Livingston, MT also has a show for my family planned in September – we will be painting in the gallery on the 16th & 17th. http://www.moosehorngallery.com/
There are a number of other exhibitions that are still being confirmed…so more updates soon…. :)
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Some watercolor pieces by my family and I are a part of the 5th Annual "Nature in Miniature Show" in Salem, Oregon June 2nd – 25th, 2007. It is an invitational exhibition sponsored by Elsinore Gallery. More information is available on the gallery’s website – http://www.elsinoregallery.com 
A quick note – ArtsWOM, a British blog for the arts sponsored by Sky Arts (Sky TV network), posted a very nice review of my artwork and blog as their "Showcase Pick" on June 4th – see it here. A big "thank you" to them!
This is a miniature painting of a blooming cactus 3-3/4" x 4-3/4" that I just completed titled "Cactus Jewel". It’s a pretty intricate and involved painting. It is painted on ivorine, a simulated ivory surface – Ivory is a traditional ground and popular for miniature artists to paint on since the 1700’s – of course, due to conservation reasons, has now been replaced with the synthetic version (which, though synthetic, has been used by miniature artists for over a century).
I have been delighted with my experience with painting on ivorine. :D (…and am planning to paint more of them.) Normally I have painted watercolor on board, which would be similar to traditional surfaces that were used also, though a little more modern.
The experiments with this surface have been due to one of my friend’s, Joan Willies, influence. She has a tremendous knowledge of miniature art as well as the history and techniques, and a little of it is rubbing off on me. She also has a beautiful website of her miniature paintings here.
