Two of five miniatures for sale at Elder Street Gallery, Houston, Texas

"St. Joseph and Christ in Aix en Provence," 1 15/16" x 1 5/6", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum, (SOLD)

"Pink Lotus," 2 3/8" x 2 7/8", egg tempera and gold paint

Here are two of my five framed miniatures for "It's a Small World," a minature competition and show at Elder Street Gallery in Houston, Texas. Although I have previously shown "Pink Lotus" on this blog and elsewhere in a pink shelled frame, since framing is part of the judging and the rule of 'no craft' may exclude that frame, I reframed "Pink Lotus" in a gold frame for this miniature competition, and will be using my pink shell frame for another upcoming rose miniature I've started.

I decided to frame "St. Joseph and Christ in Aix en Provence" with a triple matt, which takes lots of patience and several tries to cut perfectly, but I think it was worth doing. (It's middle matt is a cream color museum matt, though it looks more white online.) My other three entries for the Houston, Texas show include, "The Ruby Slippers," and two eye portraits which you can see by visiting Eye Portraits in Miniature: "Kimberly's Eye," and "Kimberly's Eye #2". All of these miniatures are also available for sale online through Elder Street Gallery. "It's a Small World" opens at the gallery in Houston, Texas Sept. 19 from 5 - 10PM, and runs through Oct. 4.

"Memory Rose"

"Memory Rose," 1 1/4" diameter, egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum in gold easel frame

(enlarged)

I've test-fitted this into it's frame before signing it, but here is the finished art for "Memory Rose." Once the miniature is signed, I'll also add it to my website.

*Just want to add, thanks so much, everyone, for your lovely comments about the rose mini. I've decided it goes up for direct sale. Since I enjoyed painting it so much I've started another rose, from the other rose bush I planted in memory of Dad, and I hope to post on it soon too.

....And More Birthday Art!

"David (my nephew) at 17", 4 5/8" x 4", (detail from graphite drawing)

Happy Birthday David (today, August 10th)!

"Lauren, (my niece) at 22", graphite drawing, 4 1/2" x 4"

Happy Birthday Lauren, Aug. 6th

As you can see there are a lot of summer birthdays in my family! At least two more birthday drawings coming up soon, but next is the finish on the rose miniature.

Birthday Art

"Ben at Seventeen"

Just catching up on some birthday treats for my niece and nephews, but Ben is first since his birthday is most recent. He looked so handsome in this photo that I couldn't resist trying to draw him!

Rose Miniature

rose miniature in progress 1 1/4" diameter,

egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

Gold easel frame for rose miniature

Here's the floral miniature I have in progress. For this painting I've pulled out my photo of the very first rose from one of two rose bushes that I planted in my father's memory. This is a "Princess Diana" rose, and it's colors are so delicate, even for a tea rose. It sits on a hand-painted English berry plate that I serve strawberries and creme on when I give a tea party. (Come to think of it, that's another mini I must paint!)

Sometimes I like to plan a mini around a frame I've found, and I have this lovely gold frame that I think will be just perfect for it. I'll post it again when it's further along.