The Ruby Slippers

Miniature Art Society of Florida International Exhibition

2012-01-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

"Carol By Moonlight", 3 3/4" x 3", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

presenting dear friend and MASF Social Chair Carol Curtiss with her portrait in miniature

Recently I demonstrated egg tempera painting in miniature, and presented an award fund and portrait to Carol Curtiss at this year's Miniature Art Society of Florida international exhibition. Many thanks to all with whom I spent some treasured time in Florida! Bill Mundy, we missed you! Hope you are well, hope to see you next time, and I loved seeing your portrait of Jade, along with many other amazing works of art in miniature at this year's show. Those of you who I missed meeting this time, I hope to meet soon too! In my next post I will share something from my egg tempera demonstration in Florida, and a miniature baby portrait of proud mom Erika's daughter Amelia. Meanwhile, a few more great moments from this year's show:

It was such a joy spending some in-person time with fellow artists and bloggers

Barbara Stanton, Debra Kierce, and Akiko Watanabe!

Online friends and colleagues were delighted meet in Florida, many for the first time in person. L to R, Lynn Ponto -Peterson (Best of Show), me, Akiko Watanabe, Barbara Stanton, Debra Kierce, Wes and Rachelle Siegrist, Pat Getha

(photo courtesy of Barbara Stanton)

With dear friend and show Administrator extraordinaire, Herb Weed at the Awards Brunch

An emotional moment as Kay Petryszak presents a lifetime MASF membership to her husband and MASF Exhibition Chair, Mike Petryszak

An update, more portraits and a start on "Madame Butterfly"

2011-12-05T20:36:00.001-08:00

"Madame Butterfly" in progress, 5" x 7" small work, oil on panel

"Carolina" 9" x 12", black and white charcoal on green pastel paper,

a detail from a 50-minute pose from life

Hello everyone! This Fall I have been taking a little hiatus from miniature painting and miniature competitions, in order to give more attention to my portraiture and portrait commissions, so although it's been several months since my last post on this blog, I have posted fairly often to my portrait blog. Among other projects, several couples portraits are in the works. If you'd enjoy following my work in portraiture, the follower block is positioned at the bottom of the blog at Mona Conner Portraits, (due to the large picture format). "Carolina", shown above, is just one example from the live model drawing practice sessions I've attended from Sept. through early December. Weekly free 3-hour sessions with live models is a wonderful privilege provided to all School of Visual Arts alumni who wish to attend, and I have enjoyed both the models and the camaraderie so much that I really look forward to when these sessions resume next semester!

I'll be posting "Hat Lady in Pink" in her frame sometime soon, and meanwhile a new Lady I just love has entered my head vase collection, this sweet "Madame Butterfly", or so it says on the label that remains intact, and above Carolina is just a start on her. I'm hoping also to share one of my Christmas portraits in miniature here with you too this month, a baby portrait, but only if it won't spoil the surprise for a very proud Mom I happen to know, so miniatures coming soon too!

Hand Painting a Frame Specifically for a Painting

2011-09-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

"Hat Lady With Red Flowers" in the frame I hand-painted especially for this painting (scanned version)

(camera shot)

(painted frame detail)

I wanted to show you how I finished off Hat Lady #1 by hand-painting this frame. Although a frame always becomes part of the finished artwork, I feel it is even more so in this instance an integral part, since it was hand-painted by me.

P.S. , have added a scan of the framed painting to the top of this post, since it shows more accurately the tone and color of the painting, while the camera shots offer more dimensional views of the frame.

Progress on Hat Lady in Pink

2011-09-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

"Hat Lady in Pink" (later stage of progress), 5" x 7" oil on gessoed panel

earlier stage of progress on gessoed panel, 5" x 7"

Here is my start on another hat lady from my own collection, and it's only a start on her too, more fun to come!

Since she's almost finished, I've added a more recent version of my progress on top.

"Hat Lady with Red Flowers" and "Red-ruffed Lemur"

2011-07-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

"Hat Lady with Red Flowers", 5" x 7", small work oil on sealed clayboard

"Red-ruffed Lemur" (in progress), 11" x 14", oil on Ampersand gessoboard

So first, here is "Hat Lady with Red Flowers" after more progress. Since small works as well as miniatures comprise just a portion of my work as an artist, "Hat Lady" is included in a gallery on my website which I've recently renamed to include both types of paintings and which you can visit here: MINIATURE PAINTINGS AND SMALL WORKS

Second, I started "Red-ruffed Lemur" quite a while ago, but reached a point where I felt undecided over how I wanted to handle the background. Yesterday I pulled this one it out again and seemed to know exactly how I wanted to proceed. I still have more to do on this painting, but it's a good example of how helpful it can be, (if time permits, since artists don't always have this luxury!), to wait until it feels just right to process a painting. I've often enjoyed painting animals, and you can view some of my other work on this topic by visiting my website under:

NATURE, ANIMALS, AND FLOWERS

Hat Lady ~ a small work oil in progress

2011-07-10T17:22:00.001-07:00

"Hat Lady", in progress, 5" x 7", oil on sealed clay board panel

I have such a soft spot in my heart for hat ladies! Anybody else love these classy sweet pieces of nostalgia? So I'm having fun with this small work in oil of a favorite hat lady from my own personal collection. Found her a few years ago at a little vintage shop that I like to explore in my neighborhood called "Under the Pig". I'm also looking forward to painting a miniature of a wonderful hat lady collection that I saw at the 2005 Orange County Fair in California.

Marcia and Harry ~ finishing touches and framing

2011-05-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

"Marcia and Harry" frame treatment

"Marcia and Harry", after final touches, 3 7/8" x 3", egg tempera miniature couples portrait

Just wanted to briefly revisit the miniature portrait of "Marcia and Harry" since before I framed and shipped this out, I added a few final touches which I feel subtly improved it---a bit of additional dimension to chins and faces, plus a forgotten buttonhole on the gray jacket (small, but it's there!) It's interesting how even after I've been working on a painting so long, it often helps to see what else can be done when I have the luxury of giving it a break and can take one last look before framing. I can also report that Mom and Harry have received their portrait, and were very happy with the outcome!

I hope to return next to my Princess Kate series, this time at small work scale in 24 karat gold point. Meanwhile, feel welcome to visit my portrait blog and my website where you can see some of my larger work with commissioned and non-commissioned portraiture.

#2 in the Princess Kate series

2011-05-09T12:45:00.001-07:00

"Princess Kate #2", 3 7/8" x 3 1/8", framed silverpoint miniature portrait (shown at it's actual size) on pink-toned museum board with egg tempera highlights, $450 on Etsy

Here is the second in my Princess Kate series of portrayals commemorating the recent royal wedding. Later today, I'll add a picture showing it's frame, which is framed with the same style of antique silver-gilded frame as Princess Kate #1.

Princess Kate - One of Several Portrayals of Her in Miniature

2011-05-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Princess Kate", 3 7/8" x 3 1/8", (framed dimensions: 5 1/2" x 4 5/8"), miniature silverpoint drawing on prepared museum board in antiqued silver gilded frame, $350 on Etsy

Here is the first of several portraits of Princess Kate which I've been working on this week in silverpoint. This one is currently listed for sale on Etsy (click on the link above), and please stay tuned for another Princess Kate portrait which I hope to post tomorrow.

HRH Kate on Her Special Day

2011-04-29T00:23:00.000-07:00

preliminary drawing for a silverpoint miniature portrait of Kate Middleton, who today becomes Her Royal Highness

In just a matter of hours, Kate Middleton will become HRH Princess Catherine! I am so excited about the Royal wedding, so I want to try a portrait of Kate. I'm already trying to picture what she may wear, and I can't wait to see her wedding gown today, -- can you?! I've read that her dress includes a nod to Princess Diana, and will be inspired by fashions from the Renaissance period. One of her jackets is a bit reminiscent of the Renaissance without the under blouse, so I've sketched that in. I thought she might wear her hair partly up and partly down. Here is a preliminary pencil drawing for a silverpoint portrait, and depending upon whether I want to include a bit of wedding apparel, this may change later today, but first I must stop to watch this historic and happy occasion. Congratulations to Kate and William!

Happy Easter and Passover!

2011-04-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Scenes from Litchfield Villa garden this week in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Wishing each of you that blast of spiritual energy renewal which blesses all of us with a new beginning during the Holy celebrations of Easter and Passover each year.

It's Graduation Time Again & Spring Show Time Too!

2011-04-25T11:06:00.001-07:00

"After the Davidson College Graduation," 4 5/8" x 3 3/8", (framed size: 8 3/16" x 6 3/16"), egg tempera on true gesso panel (black lacquer frame), available

several views of "Tulips at Giverny Gardens," 2 inch diameter painting in oil over 24 karat gold leaf on carved bone basket box, (SOLD)

"Carribean Cruise Flag", 3 1/16" x 2 1/2", (framed size: 5 7/8" x 4 7/8"), egg tempera on vellum, available

It's graduation time again, and I can hardly believe that very soon two of my nephews, David and Ben, will graduate from high school, and one nephew, Greg, will graduate from Denison College! I am so proud of these guys!

As it is also Spring show time, I'm very honored to be participating once again in the invitational show, "The Art of the Miniature XIX" at The Snow Goose Gallery in Bethlehem, PA. My three paintings in the show include one I painted after attending my niece Lauren's graduation from Davidson College last year, "After the Davidson College Graduation", and also my bone box painting,"Tulips At Giverny Gardens", along with "Carribean Ship Flag". You'll find these miniatures among many other fine offerings at "The Art of the Miniature" from May 1 to June 11, 2011, with a collector's preview on Sat., April 30th, 6-8 PM, and opening reception, Sunday, May 1, from 1-5 PM.

Finished miniature portrait of Marcia and Harry

2011-03-14T23:56:00.000-07:00

"Marcia and Harry", 3 7/8" x 3", egg tempera on true gesso panel

And here is the completed miniature portrait of my Mom and step-dad, "Marcia and Harry."

Hope they like it! To see the photo I was working from, please visit Mona Conner Portraits.

Marcia & Harry, further progress on a dual mini-portrait

2011-02-12T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Marcia and Harry" miniature portrait in progress, 3 7/8" x 3"

Still a bit of work to go, but here is the dual miniature portrait of my Mom and Harry after some more progress. They are standing by the picture windows of a beautiful NYC restaurant called Asiate, which sits atop the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park. The three of us had a lovely meal at Asiate to celebrate their honeymoon in New York in April 2008.

Marcia and Harry

2011-02-01T00:56:00.000-08:00

"Marcia and Harry" in progress, egg tempera on gessoed panel, 3 7/8" x 3 1/2"

Well, surprise! After mulling it over, I just couldn't resist trying a portrait of this couple! So here is the start of my dual portrait, in progress, of my Mom and step-Dad, Marcia and Harry. They were on their honeymoon when the reference picture for this portrait was taken, and the background once filled in will indicate where they are standing (in a very special spot!)

My next portrait in miniature: my stepfather, Harry

2011-01-24T13:06:00.001-08:00

a photo of my stepfather, Harry Killian

Some of you who follow my art will recall that after my father passed away, my Mom met and married my stepfather Harry Killian. They have both very recently turned 85 years old, and will happily celebrate their second wedding anniversary this April! My next miniature will be a portrait of Harry, and I'll post a progress report on this soon.

More Great Art to Choose From

2010-12-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

"Antique Ornaments", 11" x 6", framed egg tempera painting,
$225 on Etsy

"Christmas Flowers," 7 1/4" x 8 1/2", framed egg tempera painting, $750 on Etsy

A purchase link to each painting is provided if you click on the art.

Gifts For Your Holiday Giving

2010-12-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

"Victorian Toy Story" (left side detail of painting) $1200 on Etsy

"Victorian Toy Story" (right side detail of painting) $1200 on Etsy

"Christmas Holly Cake", $200 on Etsy

"Cat's Christmas Mischief" $300 on Etsy

"Fruits of Christmas", $200 on Etsy

"Madonna in the Leaves" $600 on Etsy

Twenty five years ago I did 33 paintings for a Harper Collins book called Christmas At Our House, A Family Memory Book. Above are a few examples of these Christmas paintings, many of which are now on sale in my Etsy store along with my Madonna miniature paintings and other surprise treats. If you need a gift, please check out: MonaDianeConner.Etsy.com

Latest Miniatures Framed

2010-10-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

"After the Davidson College Graduation", 4 5/8" x 3 3/8", egg tempera on panel in black lacquer frame

"Self Portrait at 34", 3 3/4" x 3 3/8", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum in a gilded wood oval frame

And here are the two most recent minis framed. The gloss of the black lacquer is hard to capture in a scan, but it makes for a richer black wood to surround "After the Graduation".

"After the Davidson College Graduation"

2010-10-07T08:54:00.001-07:00

"After the Davidson College Graduation", 4 5/8" x 3 3/8", egg tempera on true gesso panel (click the image to see it enlarged)

Here is the completed version of this miniature, and I'll share with you the framing solutions I've used for my two most recent miniatures in my next post.

"Self Portrait at 34"

2010-09-30T00:14:00.001-07:00

"Self Portrait at 34" (shown actual size @ 3 3/4" x 3"), egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

If you'd like to see the reference photo I took when I was 34, and worked from to create this traditional portrait miniature, I've posted it too over on Mona Conner Portraits.

After trying to paint my rhinestone necklace at miniature scale, I esteem even more the great work of Nicholas Hilliard (1547 ~1619) whose specialty in miniature portraits was elaborate jewelry and lace details. If you Google his name as an image search and scroll, you'll find many of his amazing portraits in miniature.

Self Portrait at 34, in progress

2010-09-14T21:40:00.001-07:00

"Self Portrait at 34" in progress, shown at actual size

Here is a peek at a self portrait which I'm painting from photos I took myself with the self-timer setting of my camera at age 34. I'm wearing one of my all-time favorite wardrobe items, a black velvet cocktail dress, which makes it all the more fun to paint, and the tricky part will be to see if I can articulate in a pleasing way the details of the rhinestone necklace I was wearing. Haven't decided yet how I'll frame it, but an oval might be nice....we'll see.

My Blog News, and Two Miniature Drawings

2010-08-30T09:08:00.001-07:00

"Sandra at the Lotus Pond," 5" x 7", graphite on card

"Martha," 7" x 5", graphite on card

Since I need commissions at this time, my emphasis lately has been over at my portrait blog. If you haven't been watching it, or would like to help me spread the word, here is another opportunity to see what's cooking, by clicking: http://monaconnerportraits.blogspot.com. I now have email subscription capability to all of my active blogs for those who prefer receiving the latest posts via email. On my portrait blog the subscription sign-up is at the bottom, (just so you won't miss it there.)

Above are several miniature-scale drawings I've done recently to thank a few dear friends, Martha and Dwane of Charlotte, NC, and Sandy and Dwight of Trenton, NJ, who have graciously hosted me in their homes this year. It's great keeping in touch with old friends, and most of us, (except Dwane), all attended college together. Grounds For Sculpture in Trenton is the location of the lovely lotus garden where I drew Sandy. I'm hoping to have some time this week to start a new miniature, and to finish After the Graduation.

Grant Application Prep

2010-08-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

Working on several larger paintings pertinent to an important grant application deadline. Wish me luck! I'll see you 'in miniature' in another week or so.......

"After the Graduation" in Progress

2010-07-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

"After the Graduation," (in progress), 4 1/2" x 3 1/4", egg tempera on gessoed panel

This pretty little miss was in the audience at my niece's college graduation, this Spring, and apparently over two hours of calling names was too much for her, so here she is, after the graduation! I loved how ready for the party she looks except for the part about softly falling asleep.

I'll post another update on this when it is further along....

Getting back into gear

2010-07-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a tough and discouraging summer for me in a number of respects, but I'm at least happy to report that after several weeks of not being able to work in my studio, I'm kicking into painting gear once again. Expect a post sometime soon on several new miniatures in progress.

Thanks also to those who left kind comments about the return of my missing miniatures. I wish I knew the story of their journey back to me, but was glad to be able to post a few of these for sale once again. Those who have followed this blog for a while may recognize a newer version of "Eve and Her Dog" recently posted on my new portrait blog. And if you haven't visited my etsy store recently, nine miniatures are also currently listing there for direct purchase online.

Some Good News!!!

2010-07-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

"Ruby Slipper Wishing Shoes", available for sale in my Etsy shop

© Mona Diane Conner 2006

"Kimberly's Eye II"

© Mona Diane Conner 2009

"Pink Lotus Flower", available for sale in my Etsy shop

© Mona Diane Conner 2009

Well, in spite of a practical problem in the studio which is still not cleared up, I'm happy to at least report some good news! Last year after my participation in a show, three of my miniatures which were due back to me in the mail became lost. It's been almost a year, but today a package arrived at my door with all three miniatures. There was no note, name, or return address, so I don't know who to thank, but I am so relieved to have these back. Thanks to anyone who gave their prayers to this concern of mine, thanks also to my friend Val who suggested to pray to Saint Panurius, and thank you Saint Panurius!

The titles of the three miniatures are: "Ruby Slipper Wishing Shoes," "Kimberly's Eye #2," and "Pink Lotus Flower." I'd like to say thank you to whoever returned these paintings to me. I've already posted one of them for sale online today, and more to come soon.

studio problem

2010-07-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

Just a note that until it is fixed, a practical problem going on in my studio is preventing me being able to work normal hours, but I hope to be able to resume posting soon.

Introducing Mona Conner Portraits

2010-07-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have started a new blog which will incorporate among other things, both miniature portraits and miniature eye portraits, although not all of the portraits will be miniature in size or scale. It's called:
"MONA CONNER PORTRAITS ~ Portraits Large and Small" and it's my fourth blog!

The Sacred Art of Icon Writing

2010-06-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

I reviewed in an earlier post this Spring the topics discussed at a lecture/demo that I offered at Kingsboro College. Among these topics was icon-writing. For anyone who is interested in knowing more about the art and spiritual practice of icon-writing, and the Prosopon School where I have been fortunate to study, I have done a post about this today which I invite you to read on my spiritual portraits blog, Grander Joy of Spirit.

"Lauren's Graduation Day"

2010-06-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

"Lauren's Graduation Day," 5" x 7" miniature scale silverpoint, graphite, and egg tempera on blue-toned panel

Here is the completed silverpoint drawing of my niece, Lauren at her May graduation, which is also a promotional example for portrait commissions.

Silverpoint, graphite, & Egg Tempera on Gessoed Panel

2010-06-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" miniature scale (1/6th of life size) silverpoint, graphite, & egg tempera work in progress on blue-toned gessoed panel (click on the image to see it at its actual size)

I still have a little work to go on this drawing, a miniature scale small work, but wanted to post it in progress, since it is an example of how nicely egg tempera combines with silverpoint. This is my first try at silverpoint, a method of drawing with silver which produces finer lines than are possible with pencil, which tarnish and darken over time. Silverpoint was utilized by the old masters for preliminary drawings for egg tempera or oil paintings. Modern acrylic-based silverpoint ground can also be great to apply to the surface and draw on, as one of my next miniatures will demonstrate, but in order to include egg tempera, I drew this one on another great surface for silverpoint: true gesso panel.

This drawing is mostly silverpoint with graphite applied in the darkest areas, with soft highlights in white egg tempera. If questions arise, my upcoming Egg Tempera Workshop is a great place for solutions about mixed media with egg tempera too. I was inspired to try silverpoint by two of my friends and colleagues in art, Koo Schadler, and Barbara Freeman. Please take a moment to see their beautiful work in silverpoint.

What's Next / An Important Update on My Summer Workshop

2010-05-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

My next post will be my next completed miniature, a portrait drawing in silverpoint, graphite and white on toned gessoed panel. Until then, an important announcement regarding my next egg tempera workshop:

I will need to hear from five or more definite participants by June 10th in order to hold the opportunity of the private summer workshop in egg tempera in position for early August. To help you decide if you are considering attending, here is some additional information:

The location in Brooklyn, NY is within driving distance from most neighboring major cities and approx. 30 minutes from mid-Manhattan via subway. PLEASE NOTE: the dates have moved slightly to Tuesday through Thursday, August 3, 4, and 5. The cost is $300 for two full days of instruction 10 AM to 6PM with a one-hour lunch break, and $400 for three full days, excluding accommodations which are running approx. $200 and up per night, BUT only if booked now at the Holiday Inn Express and and at similar locations very near the venue in Brooklyn. The workshop fee also covers a gesso panel to paint on, and a few basics (like eggs!), but not all of your art materials, so please plan to bring paints and brushes with you, and a reasonable supply list will be provided to guide you on what you will need.

For those who wish for it, and because I have included the optional of three days instruction: if it is the group's desire to spend part or all of the additional day out on a field trip, it is also my personal delight to take you to one or more possible locations: The Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquarium at Coney Island, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, or a New York City Cathedral tour including St Patrick's Cathedral. I hear that an exciting new version of the musical "Promises, Promises" is returning to Broadway this summer, and there are many exciting ways to spend your evenings in the Big Apple during your stay.

Your $100 check holds your spot in the workshop, but I will need to at least receive your email responses by June 10th (please email mona@monadianeconner.com). Inquiries also welcomed.

Miniatures and small works for direct purchase in my Etsy shop

2010-05-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

"The Bluebird of Happiness," $400 (miniature painting)

"Heaven is Like a Rose in Bloom," $700 (small work)

"San Diego Freedom Flag, Version II," $1500 (small work)

As promised, here are some examples of the items I have for direct sale in my Etsy shop. There is a range in both the items and prices being offered, and there will be a few surprises from time to time too! :-) To see more, or to make a purchase, you can visit my shop here: MonaDianeConner.Etsy.com

One of my favorite supports for egg tempera and for miniature painting

2010-05-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

At left is a 3/16" thick birch ply panel from Pandora, and on the right is a 1/4" thick masonite panel from Chester Gilder

Certain types of surfaces, or supports, are important to use with the medium of egg tempera. Egg tempera requires a painting surface that is both rigid and very absorbent. Some of the popular miniature painting surfaces such as drafting film, mylar, polymin, and ivorine would not ideally meet either of these requirements. The surface most universally preferred by egg tempera painters, which oil painters also still enjoy is traditional gesso, sometimes also called true gesso, which is the gesso that was produced prior to the advent of acrylic gesso. Traditional gesso recipes vary, but are usually composed primarily of rabbitskin glue and some form of whiting.

There is a fundamental incompatibility between the plastic content in acrylic gesso and egg tempera which can be risky for long-term adhesion. The greater absorbency of true gesso compared to acrylic formulas is an additional reason why it is so nice for egg tempera painting. It's piano-key smooth surface also makes it ideal for the refined details in miniature painting. Egg tempera painting superimposes many thin translucent layers with glazing and scumbling as the primary method of paint application, and traditional gesso can absorb these thin layers.

The labor involved in producing a true gesso panel, which involves cooking the gesso, painting at least four to eight layers on a wood or masonite panel, avoiding air bubbles and sanding it smooth, (combined with the difficulty of doing smaller cuts in the case of miniature panels) accounts for the cost of purchasing pre-made gesso panels. In fact, some artists actually prefer to make their own, sometimes doing "panel-making week" once or twice a year to produce the supply they will need.

I prefer to buy mine pre-made so that I can spend more of my time painting, and there are a number of panel makers out on the market producing quality panels. It's easy to see how True Gesso got it's name, and their panels come highly recommended, so I look forward to trying them too. My suppliers so far have been Pandora, which also produces icon panels, and Alexandra Hadik of Chester Gilder (*click on 'custom framing') who airbrushes the gesso on. Pandora will cut to custom sizes, and Alexandra has been willing in the past to cut me a batch of small mini panels to approximate sizes for my workshops, or for my own use, which for a flat fee gives me an ongoing supply.

my lecture/demo at Kingsborough

2010-05-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

One of a series of large spiritual portraits in progress which I brought along to my lecture/demo for the illustration class and Art Club at Kingsborough College. The dark red area is red clay bole painted over the gesso in preparation for water gilding. At right are two patches---one of burnished gold leaf, and the other of a mother-of-pearl tile, which will border the gold leaf area of the portrait.

Right on the heels of my lecture/demo at Kingsborough Community College and producing an article on my work in miniature, I travelled to help and support my family at two graduations in New York and North Carolina. It felt wonderful to be present on these special occasions in my niece and nephew's lives, but it's great also to finally have time to share with you in more depth my experience at Kingsborough, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm told that the article I wrote for Small Talk, the Miniature Art Society of Florida's newsletter, will be published in the next issue, which comes out very soon.

For the lecture/demo at Kingsborough I covered highlights on three topics: miniature painting, egg tempera, and water gilding. I wish I had a picture to share with you of the enthusiastic and attentive illustration class and Art Club in attendance! (If anyone present took one, I hope you'll email me at mona@monadianeconner.com.) I talked with this group about the world of miniature art competition, sharing four of my miniature paintings along with some favorite show catalogs and books on miniature art. Among them were Wes and Rachelle Siegrist's Exquisite Miniatures, Love and Loss, American Portrait and Mourning Miniatures, by Robin Jaffee Frank, and The Monarchy in Portrait Miniatures From Elizabeth I to Queen Victoria, by D.S. Lavender Antiques, Ltd.

Next I demonstrated how I prepare egg tempera medium, and mix my egg tempera in several different ways, both in advance and on my palette. I showed them where I was in my progress on the egg tempera portions of the large panel painting above. I explained how with this spiritually-toned portrait I am borrowing aspects of icon painting to echo a spiritual feeling, such as working on a traditional arched icon panel with it's niched edge, and the inclusion of water gilding.

Having painted several layers of red clay bole on the background of the painting in progress, I demonstrated the laying down of one piece of gold leaf after moistening it with the breath, known in icon painting as "the breath of God". The professor who invited me to do this demo, Valerie Sokolova and I took lessons together in the past at the Prosopon School of Iconology, where more recently she has become a teacher, so in tandem with her I talked with the class a little about icon painting, it's spiritual significance, and how it involves both egg tempera and gold leaf.

I also brought along an actual icon painting I have in progress, and since Daisy, an Art Club member in attendance, expressed an interest in learning about icon painting, perhaps I'll do a post on this topic in the near future on my spiritual portraits blog,

Grander Joy of Spirit in Portraiture. Interesting questions arose on all three topics, and all too soon our time together was over. Delightful refreshments were served afterwards. Special thanks to my friend and colleague Valerie Sokolova, to dept. chair Judith Wilde, and to all the students and members of the Art Club in attendance. I really enjoyed meeting you!

Since I am catching up, tomorrow is when I'll cover just part of a topic that I will be including in this summer's Egg Tempera workshop: true gesso as a painting surface.

An article in progress on my work in miniature

2010-05-06T06:52:00.001-07:00

Today I am preparing an article on my work in miniature art for next issue of the Miniature Art Society of Florida newsletter. More coming soon....

The Parklane Miniature Show, Opening Tomorrow

2010-05-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

The Parklane Gallery's 18th Annual Miniature Show begins tomorrow, May 4th, with over 300 miniatures on view, and will remain open til June 6th at 130 Park Lane in Kirkland, Washington near Seattle. Park Lane is open from 11AM to 6PM daily. I'm pleased to report that both "Madonna in the Leaves" and "Tulip Garden at Giverny" shown in my April 27 post, have been juried into this international miniature show.

I'm also preparing for a lecture/demonstration which Judith Wilde and Valerie Sokolova have graciously invited me to offer at Kingsborough College in Brooklyn this Wednesday, and I hope to have a picture or two to share from that experience later this week.

Two Miniature Shows Opening Today!

2010-05-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

"Carribean Cruise Flag," (shown at actual size), 3 1/16" x 2 1/2", (framed size 5 7/8" x 4 7/8") egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum, at Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, North Carolina, or visit my art at Seaside to purchase this painting online

"Niche in Aix en Provence," (enlarged for detail), 1 7/8" x 1 1/2", (framed size 3 1/2" x 3 1/2") egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum, The Snow Goose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA (to purchase visit The Snow Goose Gallery)

I also have lovely items for sale in my new Etsy store online, which I'll introduce next post, but it's here too: Art by MonaDianeConner at Etsy

"Tulip Garden at Giverny," and more tulips at home

2010-04-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

"Madonna in the Leaves," 2 5/8" x 1 7/8", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

"Tulip Garden at Giverny," 2" diameter (shown enlarged for detail), oil over gold leaf on bone

view of the open basket box and lid

Tulips at home in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Bird bath at the Litchfield garden

Tulips and grape hyacinth at the Litchfield garden

I'm hoping Parklane Gallery (in Kirkland, Washington) accepts "Tulip Garden at Giverny" since it has a dimensional quality to it. I've sent two miniatures to the Parkland Miniature Show, and the other one is "Madonna in the Leaves," shown here at the top.

Local tulips at Litchfield

2010-04-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

tulips in Brooklyn's Prospect Park at the Litchfield Villa

More on my tulip painting of Giverny Gardens soon, but today on my walk I very much enjoyed these local tulips in the park on the hill at Litchfield.

More Progress on the Giverny Bone Box

2010-04-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

My painting of Giverny Gardens in progress, oil over gold leaf on bone, (2 inches diameter)

Here is a bit more progress on my bone basket box lid painting, as seen from under my magnifier. Still working on the left-hand side.

My Spring Walks

2010-04-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Japanese cherry blossoms on my block

stoop gardens

bleeding hearts

grape hyacinth and ranunculus

tulips winding around an old tree

Life has been busy behind the scenes for me the past few weeks, but I hope to share an update soon on my Giverny bone box miniature. Even when I'm working hard, I try to carve out an hour for a nice walk each day, altering my route each time to make it more fun. Last week I finally remembered to bring along my camera to capture just a few of the sights of Spring, on my block or close by in my Brooklyn neighborhood. Within these scenes there's a miniature or two that I'll look forward to painting.

Egg Tempera Workshop Dates

2010-04-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

materials used in painting with egg tempera include yolk of egg and powdered pigments

The dates set so far for my Egg Tempera Workshop in Brooklyn, NY, are two full days in August: Thursday - Friday August 5th and 6th. Please contact mona@monadianeconner.com for more information as it develops.

If there is enough interest in June too, I'll consider setting up a second workshop.

Announcing My Summer Workshop in Egg Tempera

2010-04-08T14:37:00.001-07:00

If it's step-by-step paintings, you know that I do them, both here and on one of my other blogs, Grander Joy of Spirit in Portraiture, but there is so much more to know about painting with the medium of egg tempera! With at least 10 or more participants, I'm pleased to announce that I am planning to hold an egg tempera workshop this summer.

Dates, cost, and details will follow when I know how many are interested, but it will take place in Brooklyn, NY. It helps to have some general experience in other painting media, but beginning artists are also welcomed.

If you'd like to participate in my workshop, please email me at: mona@monadianeconner.com. and please let me know your preference for a June or August workshop.

"Heaven on Earth"

2010-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

(double hand-painted museum mats in floral frame (click image to see it larger)

"Heaven on Earth Rose," 2 3/8" x 2 7/8", (shown actual size), egg tempera on vellum

$600 + $15 shipping/handling ~ on Etsy

In honor of my late father's birthday in March, I'm offering for sale the completed and framed miniature painting of the floribunda rose called "Heaven on Earth."

Giverny Gardens on Gold Leaf

2010-03-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

(click to see it larger)

Miniature painting of Giverny Gardens in progress, 2 inches in diameter, oil paint over gold leaf on bone basket box lid (my photo of Giverny Gardens is on the left, isolated in a similar circle)

Giverny Gardens Painted on a Bone Basket Box

2010-03-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

lid and bottom of bone basket box, image area is 2 inches in diameter

bone basket box

I'll be posting my rose miniature for sale as soon as it's frame arrives.

Meanwhile, however, I am so excited to try this new challenge---painting a miniature of Giverny gardens on this exquisitely carved bone basket box! Some of you know that in 2007 I had the great experience of visiting Monet's Giverny gardens during tulip time in April. I've had a number of miniature paintings in mind to paint from my experience at Giverny.

Here I'm experimenting with the best way to try egg tempera on this smooth bone surface, very like ivory, but when I reached this point above, I realized my medium was not adequately absorbed and secured on the bare surface itself, so I am recording this try and wiping it off in order to apply a hide-glue-based ground on which I can paint with egg tempera more successfully. I may seal it all with liquin upon completion; I may add some oil paint highlights on top. I'd like to try adding gold leaf to the inner rim around box lid too. We'll see. It will take a bit of extra patience, but that is what miniature painting is all about, and I'll post my progress with this tiny landscape as it develops.

a little more progress.....

2010-02-24T21:51:00.001-08:00

Kinda creeping along on this, it's mainly the leaves I worked on and hopefully in another few days it's a final post. I'm also hoping to install my new Photoshop software tomorrow, so I'm very excited to try it out!

What's Next

2010-02-10T23:00:00.000-08:00

"Heaven on Earth Rose," (Step 3), egg tempera miniature on vellum

I'm back online, and I have several things going on. Above is my latest rose miniature as it looked when last posted and I'll have some progress to show you on this painting soon. I'm installing and adjusting to some new software, and it's tricky, but I know that some important improvements will come out of this effort.

I'm also working very hard to finalize four of my large paintings, and begin several new ones to be included in my portfolio which will be submitted to galleries who may represent my work. You can follow my progress with this on my spiritual portraits blog: Grander Joy of Spirit in Art

Update

2010-01-20T23:28:00.000-08:00

Just a further update that due to a hard drive crash, I'm still trying to get back into gear! Although I got the hard drive replaced, got the computer home, and started reinstalling software, a new mystery sound is sending my iMac back to the repair shop tomorrow.

I trust my persistence will pay off, but until I can post, I hope all is going well for you and am wishing all the readers of my blog a great start in the new year.

Happy New Year and computer problems

2010-01-02T18:14:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!!

Just a heads-up also in case it's a little while until I can post. I'm fielding some computer problems, but hoping to be back in action soon!

Completed Drawings of Corin and Ona

2009-12-20T18:23:00.001-08:00

"Corin", 10" x 8", graphite portrait drawing (click image to enlarge)

"Corin" detail (click to enlarge)

"Ona", 10" x 8", graphite portrait drawing (click to enlarge)

"Ona" detail (click to enlarge)

Merry Christmas Ona and Corin!

Merry Christmas also to all of my blog readers and buyers, and thank you for watching my art journey this year! I hope your day has also included some snow.

progress on portrait drawings

2009-12-15T16:57:00.001-08:00

Here is a detail from a 10" x 8" drawing I'm working on of Corin's sister Ona.

Ona loves horses, so she is holding a tiny colt, and sitting with some of her favorite dolls.

"Corin" in progress

2009-12-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

"Corin", 10" x 8", (small work), graphite portrait in progress

Here is a study I've got going for a portrait effort. I've got errands to run today, so I'll get back to this later with a further post, but here is my friend Corin, in her room with some of her favorite dolls and treasures.

Additional note: took my signature off this original post-in-progress in case it was unclear, but it's a drawing still in progress, an informal scene, which will be including her favorite stuffed dog in front of her on a striped bedspread.

"Laguna Rose" Birthday art

2009-12-08T00:03:00.000-08:00

"Laguna Rose", 5 3/4" x 4 1/4", graphite miniature drawing of my mother, Marcia, for her December 7th birthday

Spent part of Dec. 7 working on this drawing of my Mom, a moment captured when she was on vacation in Laguna Beach, just enjoying a rose arbor, in the summertime. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom!

Surprise Commission After More Progress --(Shhh!!!)

2009-11-30T01:34:00.000-08:00

6 1/2" x 3 3/4", completed graphite miniature portrait on Avon Smoothcard

I'll reveal who is in this miniature portrait later on, but it's a surprise, so Shhh!

Surprise Commission --(Shhh!!!)

2009-11-29T16:19:00.000-08:00

6 1/2" x 3 3/4", miniature portrait (in progress), graphite on Avon Smoothcard

Here is my start on a dual miniature pencil portrait, but it's a secret about who it is, and who it is for, so Shhh!

"Heaven on Earth Rose," Step 3

2009-11-17T13:17:00.001-08:00

"Heaven on Earth Rose," in progress, shown at actual size

Another progress update after two more sessions on the rose. The hardest areas to blend in egg tempera are open areas, or areas with a shadow that has to fade into a light area. In this painting that is happening in several of the outer petals, and I am still working on evening out that blend.

Flowers are a great challenge because they are so subtle in the variations of tones and colors petal to petal. Egg tempera is a perfect medium for subtle variations because of what can be accomplished with transparent glazing and translucent scumbling.

Progress on "Heaven on Earth Rose"

2009-11-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

Heaven on Earth Rose (in progress), 2 1/2" x 2 7/8", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

Here's an update on my progress with my second in a series of rose miniatures. As mentioned earlier, this kind of miniature which zeros in on a small subject is one that some refer to as 'atypical' because it has all the qualities of a miniature, except 1/6th scale. More to come on it, plus a start on a new miniature.

The previous step in "Heaven on Earth Rose" as it posted earlier this Fall, (a Floribunda species called, "Heaven on Earth")

My Niece Goes to the Nationals!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

A pause just to say: My niece's college soccer team WON THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE TITLE TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to Lauren and the Davidson Wildcats, & onward to the National championship!

Lauren's Shining Moment

2009-11-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

"Sweet Pea Blossom," 3" x 2", egg tempera on vellum, NFS

"When Lauren Smiles," 2 7/8" x 3 3/4", egg tempera on gessoed panel, NFS

Above are two miniature portraits I created of my brother's daughter, Lauren, which were on exhibit in the first Miniature Art Society of Florida annual miniature show that I participated back in (2003). More recently you may remember that I drew a pencil portrait of Lauren on her birthday in an earlier post in Aug. '09.

As her Aunt, I'm very proud of her for yesterday scoring the winning goal for her women's college soccer team against the #1 team, enabling her team to advance to the Southern Conference championship game against Charleston tomorrow! It was an absolute thrill also today for me to see her pictured on the Southern Conference homepage. I'll be routing for you and your team tomorrow, Lauren!

"Eric", Final Version

2009-11-05T14:59:00.000-08:00

"Eric," 8 1/2" x 8", small work, final version of the pencil portrait of my nephew Eric

Although my initial drawing made a nice study of Eric himself, I wanted to spend some time on the clothing, but more specifically on the background of this drawing so it is clear to the viewer that Eric is on the subway. The reason is that Eric has loved trains and all things 'train' since the age of 3. He knows the NYC commuter and subway lines inside out (better than Aunt Mona who is a New Yorker of many years), as well as many other train networks around the world as a result of his enjoyment of trains. So of course he knew right away that this was drawn from a photo of him on his last birthday, while riding the "E" train!

Birthday Portrait

2009-10-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

"Eric", 8 1/2" x 8", pencil portrait of my nephew for his October birthday (click on the drawing to see it larger)

I'll replace this with another scan after I put some final touches on the clothing in this, but I'm going to visit Eric's family in a few hours, and he has been waiting so patiently for his birthday drawing! Happy Birthday, Eric!

Tea Party

2009-10-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

"Ona and Corin with Bluebird", pencil, (small work) 11" x 7"

(click on image to see it larger)

"The Bluebird of Happiness #2", 1"x 1", egg tempera on vellum

Last week I was invited to tea with my friends Martiina, and her daughters, Ona and Corin, who also used to be my neighbors. They have moved to another spot in the area, so on this occasion we had some great fun catching up, eating cake and cookies with hot chocolate and tea, practicing our yoga and dance moves, and playing with pet gerbils!

Some of you who follow my blog will recall how I made a second miniature painting of my lucky glass bluebird, "The Bluebird of Happiness (#2)" for them to have in their new home. It's an honor that it is posted in a special spot right in between the girls' rooms, and since they posed for a few pictures how could I resist making a drawing of them?!

Visiting Miniature Masterpieces Behind the Scenes at the NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art

2009-10-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

Last month friend, fellow miniaturist, and Royal Miniature Society member, Justine Woodward contacted me to let me know she would be visiting her daughter in New York City in October, and we thought it would be great to try arranging an appointment similar to one we had arranged five years earlier to view miniatures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It takes some advance planning to arrange such a visit, but it is possible for serious artists, especially those interested in viewing for research purposes or for specific professional inspiration to make an appointment to view works of art in the Museum's permanent collection which are not currently on display.

Collection databases searches are available online at metmuseum.org

(Metropolitan Museum of Art) so I did a search for European miniature paintings, and it took about five hours of research for me to narrow down a list of suggestions. As it turned out, Ms. Mattia of the European Art Dept. brought the suggested portraits out in archived boxes, enabling us to see much more. Although a few including several by Hans Holbein the Younger were in conservation and not available to view, we did see one by Holbein, several by Nicholas Hilliard, as well as the portraits of Jean Baptiste Isabey, Etienne Bouchard, and other French, English, and German miniaturists spanning several centuries.

Justine views one of the archival boxes that we saw. For several hours Ms. Mattia brought out an absolutely thrilling array of miniatures for us to view, providing us with wonderful inspiration from master miniaturists.

When we arrived, Ms. Mattia greeted us and brought out the first box of miniatures, a white cotton glove to carefully check tag numbers, a strong magnifying glass, and a copy of the museum's definitive book on this collection: "European Miniatures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art" by Graham Reynolds, which provides some interesting background infomation on each miniature.

A peek inside one of about nine archival boxes that we saw. This particular box featured some of the miniature works of Jean Baptiste Isabey. The variations in his approach within this box helped us to see how Isabey's style changed over a thirty year span of time.

Taking a closer look at "Madame Jean Baptiste Isabey" (See below a black and white copy from the Met online of this miniature portrait which Isabey painted of his first wife.)

"Madame Jean Baptiste Isabey (Jeanne Laurice de Salienne, died 1829)", 3 3/8" diameter, on ivory, was painted by Jean Baptiste Isabey between 1796 and 1800. She is pictured sewing with a small basket, spools of white thread, and a tiny, tiny pair of sewing scissors. Stylistic differences are revealed between this miniature and the one below, "Mrs. Rufus Prime", which Isabey painted about thirty years later.

"Mrs. Rufus Prime (Augusta Templar Palmer), 5 3/8" x 4", on card, an American bride portrayed by Jean Baptiste Isabey in 1828. I can't adequately convey enough detail with my photograph of this miniature to duplicate the experience of seeing it first-hand, but because this was a larger miniature, it was great to study it's details and brush strokes. It's pastel tones and colors, the translucent fabric and ribbons, were so finely and delicately handled in this later work by Isabey that I found it to be a wonderful source of inspiration.

One box we saw held two bracelets which consisted of linked ovals, each of which held a miniature portrait of a family member, with the mother at one end, each child in the middle and the father on the other end. We imagined and discussed ways that one could create a modern miniature portrait bracelet. Some of the miniatures held sentimental inscriptions on their backs or frame covers, and jeweled trim, or scrimshaw on the back of the ivory. There were also about half a dozen eye portraits, in rings or brooch pins, which I very much enjoyed seeing.

Ms. Mattia kindly copied an interesting article for us to take home which I look forward to reading called "Secret Arts: Elizabethan Miniatures and Sonnets" by Patricia Fumerton. I'm also purchasing the above mentioned museum's book on this wonderful collection as a memento of my visit and to read more about the fine portraits we saw.

Mini Meeting at the Met!

2009-10-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

Giant frames loomed on floor to ceiling vertical racks at one end of the inner offices of the European Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, next to where Justine Woodward and I sat behind the scenes to view selections of the European Miniature art collection

Yesterday I had a thrilling experience in tandem with friend and British miniaturist, Justine Woodward of the Royal Miniature Society, when, thanks to the gracious and kind help of Ms. Mattia of the European Art Dept., we went for a private appointment to view miniature masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC! I am still absolutely soaring inside from all the inspiration we were so fortunate to absorb from miniature master portrait artists such as Holbein, Hilliard, Isabey, and many more. Stay tuned for photos and a full report of our visit in my next post....

Four Other Entries Submitted to MASF

2009-10-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

I promised to post you about which other four miniatures I've sent off to MASF, Miniature Art Society of Florida, for their annual show, January 17 - February 7, 2010. Since I've recently made a few improvements here and there on my website, I thought you might enjoy viewing these four paintings directly on my website in my miniature gallery, so here are the titles and the link to see them:

"Carribean Ship Flag," "Madonna in the Leaves," "The Bluebird of Happiness," and "Memory Rose," can be found at monadianeconner.com in the Miniature Gallery.

Just a few notes of clarification---Only once in a while do I have a later thought about an improved title for a painting, and when I do, I allow myself to re-name the painting. I've done this on two of my entries. Also, on my website the miniature portraits appear in both the Miniature Gallery and the Portrait Gallery.

"The Piano Recital---It's Mary's Turn" completed

2009-10-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

"The Piano Recital---It's Mary's Turn," framed

"The Piano Recital---It's Mary's Turn," art and image © Mona Diane Conner 2009
5 1/2" x 4 1/4" egg tempera miniature on gessoed panel, (Sold)

The five entries I have submitted to the Miniature Art Society of Florida 35th annual miniature show at Leepa Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs (January 17 - February 7) include "The Piano Recital---It's Mary's Turn," shown above in it's final form. This portrait of Mary has sold, pre-show, to her parents, but they are allowing it to go into show competition this year, prior to receiving it, and I am grateful for their support.

More on the rest of my entries for the Florida show later this week.

(Interim post to see it larger)

2009-10-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

(This is just an interim post of the same stage of the painting as below so you can click on this one to see it larger, since the click-on in the post below was not working.)

A Few Points About Competitive Miniature Painting

2009-10-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

Post Script: Here is the portrait of Mary almost completed. While it's Mary herself who inspires its details, and I hope I am doing justice to the person who inspired it, a question recurs from time to time about how 'it looks finished already' when its still in progress, and I know it's sincere, so just once I want to take a moment to go over a few specific points from my own perspective about competitive miniature painting.

It's throughout the year that I am developing my miniatures for competition purposes, so if at times it seems I get into minute details, it's often a conscious effort on my part if I feel I may be preparing a painting for competition---something which usually takes longer than non-competitive miniature making. Added into the mix, my medium of egg tempera is also more time-consuming than other mediums because it consists of many superimposed thin layers of paint, but I hope it feels worth the extra time to others because of its effects, and because it is my preferred medium for painting. At times I can unconsciously get into a higher level of detail even when I am doing a simpler miniature study, and some of you have purchased good bargains from my blog in this way.

Because my particular style lends itself toward detail, to the extent it feels important, I go as far as I can go with detail to be on target for a competitive entry. But at miniature competitions I have seen that other styles are also respected, and what I have witnessed over the past six years as a participant in competition is that for those with a different style, such as a pastel artist or an impressionistic painter, it is simply a matter of preserving that specific style and scaling it down more finely for its miniature size and scale. Making miniatures is about an effort to fit into a small area and scale the same level of painting that we can paint larger.

When it comes to minute detail at miniature scale, ultimately it becomes important to see a miniature painting in person in order to truly appreciate it. I can come close, but I can't duplicate it entirely online either if it's this tiny, so I hope if you have never seen a miniature show in person, you may have an opportunity in the future to do so.

Next post I'll show you the final version of the portrait of Mary.

"The Piano Recital, Mary's Turn," (in progress), 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", egg tempera miniature on gessoed panel

Here's another update on my progress, and with her dress now finished, I'll do one last post of the completed painting in a few more days. I want to work on her hands and hair a little more and refine certain details and values in the painting.

More progress on "The Piano Recital, Mary's Turn"

2009-09-30T02:14:00.000-07:00

"The Piano Recital, Mary's Turn," (in progress) 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", egg tempera on gessoed panel

Here is another update on my progress on the portrait of Mary. I've started working on the piano keys, and next, will zero in more on the beautiful dress she is wearing, which has a delicate pink floral pattern.

"Niche in Aix-en-Provence"

2009-09-25T00:07:00.001-07:00

"Niche in Aix-en-Provence," 1 7/8" x 1 5/16", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

(framed version, shown at it's actual size)

Here is one of three spiritually-toned entries I submitted earlier this week to the annual miniature show competition of the Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Gravers Society of Washington D.C. This little French Madonna and Child ornaments the corner of a building in the beautiful town of Aix en Provence. My other two entries, which were shown recently also at the Miniature Art Society of Florida show are "Madonna and Child of Saint-Remy," and "Amma's Eyes".

progress on "The Piano Recital, It's Mary's Turn"

2009-09-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

"The Piano Recital, Mary's Turn" (in progress), (click on the image to see it at it's actual size) 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", egg tempera on gessoed panel

I'm busily preparing for two miniature shows, so it's just occasional updates for right now. Here's an update on my progress with the portrait of Mary at the piano recital. I've really been enjoying working on this one!

Birthday Drawing

2009-09-14T23:33:00.000-07:00

"Casey," 7 1/2" x 8 1/4" (small work) graphite drawing

(click the image to see it larger)

Belated Happy Birthday Casey (September 9)! My youngest nephew, Casey, is a few years more mature than this drawing reflects, but I drew my inspiration from one of my favorite pictures of him from 2007 because I feel it just captured him so well.

Wedding Roses

2009-09-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

"Heaven on Earth Rose," (in progress, Step 2)

During the past week I was thrilled to attend the lovely wedding of good friends, Susan and Peter. On this great occasion I met their wonderful families and friends, and it was also an honor for me to be asked to serve as one of their witnesses at the wedding. After a warm, elegant ceremony in a private room at Convivium restaurant here in Brooklyn, and champagne toasts all around, I enjoyed ballet-dancing with Peter's granddaughter, Madeline, sharing a delightfully delicious meal, and a special wedding cake baked by the restaurant's co-owner, Michelle Pulixi.

Susan and Peter at their wedding

Madeline and I ballet-dancing after the wedding at Convivium

Susan gave me some of these gorgeous pink roses to take home from the wedding, and once I complete my work for the upcoming miniature shows, I hope to paint at least one 'wedding rose' miniature! Susan and Peter, Mazel tov!

Step 1 of "Heaven on Earth Rose," and What's Next

2009-09-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

"Heaven on Earth Rose," (in progress), 2 3/16" x 2 5/8", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

Shell Frame for "Heaven on Earth Rose"

the sketch for my next miniature, "The Piano Recital: It's Mary's Turn"

Sometimes when the object being painted is so beautiful, it's really nice to be able to zero in on it more, and the rose I have started painting is hard to resist for a close-up view. When this is done in miniature painting, it can wind up being miniature in the size of the painting itself, and miniature in its level of detail, but not at 1/6th of life scale, and this is sometimes called an 'atypical' miniature. "Heaven on Earth Rose" is an example of this.

"Heaven on Earth" is the species name of this variety of Floribunda rose, which I photographed from the first rose bush I planted in my father's memory. I've planned for it to be framed with this pink shell frame, and when it's finished, I will post it for sale exclusively on this blog, but since two more major miniature shows are fast approaching it will be completed in my spare time as I go forth.

Next I'll be starting the miniature painting of "The Piano Recital: It's Mary's Turn."

This post also marks my one year anniversary with The Ruby Slippers blog, since my first post began Sept. 4th, 2008.

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

2009-08-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

"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"

2009-08-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

"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!

2009-08-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

"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

2009-08-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

"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

2009-08-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Eve and Her Dog (part 3) & Piano Key Miniature

2009-07-30T23:59:00.001-07:00

"Eve and Her Dog," small work in progress, 9" x 12", charcoal & pencil on mylar

Now that I've developed the clothesline I feel I want to indicate a building or two behind it in the background to clarify where Eve is, but since I'm not sure if this rooftop scene was in Manhattan or elsewhere, I'm going to ask Eve, and get filled in on that before I proceed further. I'm also starting a small floral mini before I resume on the piano recital miniature because the show I'm preparing the floral for happens first.

Meanwhile, do these eyes look familiar?

piano key ivory (shown at it's actual size)

I'm also starting a new miniature eye portrait, and this time I'm painting it on a piano key! You can read more about piano key ivories and follow me as I paint this miniature portrait of my own eyes in oils on my eye portrait blog, Eye Portraits in Miniature

Eve and Her Dog, part 2

2009-07-22T00:01:00.001-07:00

"Eve and Her Dog," small work in progress, approx. 9" x 12", charcoal and pencil on mylar

I'm developing the rooftop scene in this drawing of Eve I started a few weeks ago. It's cropping a little tightly on my scanner top to bottom. I have a little more work to go on the clothesline and sky behind it.

2009-07-08T21:55:00.001-07:00

Returning to blogging soon, but just in the midst of a two week break for re-organizing, and hosting several special guests. I'm looking forward to catching up with some old friends and my Florida cousin who are coming into town.

Latest Miniature Eye Portrait

2009-06-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

"Kimberly's Eye", 1/2" diameter (shown actual size), egg tempera on vellum with gold leaf matt in a pearled brooch

Here is my latest miniature eye portrait. To see more visit my eye portrait blog:

Eye Portraits in Miniature

Eve and Her Dog

2009-06-23T00:45:00.000-07:00

"Eve and Her Dog," small work in progress, charcoal & pencil on mylar (approx. size 8" x 10")

I've been having a lot of fun doing this small charcoal for a family friend. Eve and her husband, Gus, originally met my father at NYU law school. Later on, Eve became my very first art patron in life, when she asked me to make an oil painting for her family. I was just 12 years old! I still remember how thrilled I was, and believe it or not, Eve still has that painting I did of Brutus, their large family dog.

I'm working here from a small polaroid of Eve as a lovely bathing beauty, catching some rays with another favorite dog of hers, up on a city rooftop. Still thinking about developing the background a bit more.

Two colleagues try egg tempera

2009-06-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

"5 Giuseppe," 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", egg tempera on drawing paper, by Deb Kierce (c) Deb Kierce 2009

"Einstein #3," 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", egg tempera on Multimedia Artboard, by Akiko Watanabe (c) Akiko Watanabe 2009

Here is the first egg tempera painting done by each of two colleagues, Deb Kierce, and Akiko Watanabe during the past week. Deb has also done a second egg tempera, now posting on her blog, of Mother Teresa. Please click on their names to visit their blogs overall, and see some of the great work being done by both of these fellow artists.

I want to salute them for trying egg tempera painting. It's beautiful work!

And now it's time for the humorous video version of how to make egg tempera!

2009-06-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

"St. Joseph and Jesus Devotional, Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur, Aix en Provence,"1 3/8" x 1 13/16", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

I'll be posting one more time on this miniature painting of a Joseph and Jesus devotional in France which I had started a while ago, after it's finishing touches are done, since I'm trying to get it ready in time for an approaching miniature show.

Two of my fellow artists have tried out egg tempera as a result of my video and tips, and with their permission, I'd like to do a special post on their work tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the humorous video version of how to make egg tempera has to be hands-down my friend and fellow artist Rob Milliken's own animation: "Making Egg Tempera Paint", so make sure to see it too, it's hilarious fun! Thanks so much, Rob, for allowing me to share it here. Rob serves on the board of the Society of Tempera Painters, and please take a moment to view his amazing egg tempera paintings here.

Answers to FAQs and 3 more tips about painting with egg tempera

2009-06-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

As a result of my brief demo on egg tempera medium (see June 14 post) one question that came to me is whether to buy liquid tempera in jars that is sometimes sold as a children's product. This is just poster paint. Look for dry powder pigment, sold in jars, available through most art stores, and also through Kremer Pigments, which is mixed by you with water into a paste and then mixed with egg medium. You can also buy a limited palette of egg tempera paint pre-mixed in tubes in some art stores, but since I haven't worked with it, I can't comment on using it.

If you want to varnish your egg tempera, or work over it in oil, you must isolate it with a layer of blonde shellac or liquin. I recommend either of these rather than spray fix to isolate it best. Varnish is not required, and you can also "buff" or "polish" an egg tempera, once it is more thoroughly dry, gently with a soft cloth to enhance it's beautiful natural sheen.

Three more important recommendations:

Choose a rigid support. Choose a thick four-ply board with a smooth absorbent surface such as Strathmore cold press illustration board or Crescent hot press illustration board to practice on at first. I don't recommend paper or bristol because it will warp with the addition of too much water and the paint may crack. Egg tempera is a rigid medium, so choose a rigid non-bendable support. The most ideal surface for egg tempera is a rabbit-skin glue gessoed panel (such as poplar wood or high quality birch plywood). Panel is a different experience too, than working on rag illustration board, but in both cases it is possible to build up many layers. Acrylic gesso will not absorb the egg tempera paint as well as rabbit-skin glue gesso, and the paint may not bind as well. I've tried clayboard also, but only with mixed results, so I don't recommend it.

Apply the paint very thinly, and in layers. A common mistake most beginning egg tempera painters make is to apply the paint too thickly in one individual layer. Build your paint gradually and remember that the principle is translucency. You are building layers to create an illusion of color and this also results in more luminous color. Remember that the principle is juxtaposing translucent layers. Layering creates an illusion of a color---for example a layer of green, with a layer of vermillion on top would make a warm shadow on a face.

How much egg medium is too much or too little? If the paint is chalky and dusting off your surface you have too little medium. If it becomes tacky and sticky, you have too much medium. As you gain experience your finished painting will eventually have an even 'sheen' or satiny patina. You can help even it out at the end by gently applying a thin layer of egg medium in the areas without sheen.

For any other questions which may arise I recommend the Society of Tempera Painters website at: http://www.eggtempera.com and it's forum link.

Moving along next to my next miniature!......

What's in Progress

2009-06-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

sketch/value study for the piano concert miniature painting

Recently I had the pleasure of attending my nephew, Eric's, Westchester spring piano recital at Wainright House in Rye, New York. Out of his piano school, Eric is currently the tallest and most experienced pianist, so his performance came last, but while I waited to hear him play, having a front seat made it a great joy for me to both listen and catch a few photos of each student performing their music. I'll be doing some artwork of Eric later on too, but today I enjoyed preparing this sketch and value study of another young pianist from the concert who caught my eye. Can't resist making her my next miniature subject in egg tempera on panel!

More information about surfaces to paint on, and answers to other questions about painting with egg tempera coming tomorrow.

"How to Mix Egg Tempera Medium", my video demo

2009-06-14T01:36:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get this finished last weekend, but I went briefly out of town, so here, as promised, is my demonstration on how to mix medium for egg tempera painting. I hope it might tempt you to try this wonderful medium, especially if you have never worked with it before! This is the medium I have used most often to paint with, whether on gessoed panel, on Kelmscott vellum or on Strathmore illustration board, and it is a medium perfectly suited to miniature painting because of it's capacity for fine detail and translucency.

For more about working with egg tempera, I also highly recommend a visit to the Society of Tempera Painters informative website.

Kathleen and Jason's Miniature Eye Portraits Completed

2009-06-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

Kathleen and Jason Coy, husband & wife eye portraits shown actual size, 3/4" diameter each, egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

Kathleen's eye portrait, enlarged view

Jason's eye portrait, enlarged view

I ordered this pearled brooch from Nancy Still's MiniArt Supply, because I thought it would be a lovely way to for Kathleen to enjoy wearing either her own eye portrait or her husband's.

Here are the finished eye portraits of friend, artist, and fellow blogger, Kathleen Coy and her husband Jason Coy. They were such great subjects to paint, and such willing participants! These two portraits are my gift for them with my thanks, but if eye portraits are of interest, or if you'd like to commission your own eye portrait, I welcome you to visit my newest blog, Eye Portraits in Miniature, for more information.

Two Great Miniature Shows to Enter

2009-06-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

I'll be posting the finished eye portraits of Kathleen and Jason shortly to follow this evening, but just want to give a heads-up to any interested fellow miniaturists out there that several prospectuses are now out for two important international miniature show competitions, and provide you the links to these entry forms if you are interested in submitting your work.

Entries for the Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF) 2010 show are due on Oct. 9, 2009, and the link to their prospectus is here. Entries for Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS) are due Sept. 26, 2009, and the link to their prospectus is here.

Kathleen's Right Eye (in progress)

2009-06-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

Kathleen's right eye, 3/4" (actual size), egg tempera on vellum

(enlarged view)

This is a little paler in it's original form (scanner exaggerated the pinks), but it's done except for some softening and final touches. Next it's Jason's left eye.......

Husband and Wife Eye Portraits

2009-06-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

fellow artist Kathleen Coy and her husband Jason

(thanks Kathleen for loaning this photo for the portraiture!)

sketch for Kathleen's right eye portrait (enlarged - actual diameter 3/4")

sketch for Jason's left eye portrait (3/4" diameter)

Friend, artist and fellow blogger, Kathleen Coy was kind enough to loan me the lovely photo above of herself and her husband Jason, and from this reference I will be painting their eye portraits! Also above are two sketches I have prepared. One thing I've been observing as I paint eye portraits is that it is not only the eye itself, but the area around the eye that must be given attention for context so that the eye does not 'float'. Facial expression, lighting, and angle of the eye also factor into what makes an interesting eye portrait.

To see some additional eye portraits I'm preparing to paint, please also visit Grander Joy of Spirit, and check back later this week to see these paintings unfold.

Awards and Appreciation

2009-05-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am honored when a colleague acknowledges my work, and I want to say thank you to James Parker who awarded me the "Splash" award, and thank you Akiko Watanabe, for the "Noblesse Oblige" award. You can read about these awards on their blogs and take a moment to see some of the excellent work they are doing. Whether it is a blog award, a sale of my art, or a comment in the comments column, I want everyone to know how much I appreciate all of these gestures of appreciation for my work.

I'm addressing some important personal matters, but check back since I hope to post soon on my next eye portrait, and thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed hearing about this special miniature tradition.

Miniature Eye Portraits, Part 1

2009-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Mother Meera's Eyes" 1 3/8" x 1 3/4", egg tempera on vellum, eye portrait of Indian saint, Mother Meera

"Amma's Eyes", 1 3/8" x 1 3/4", egg tempera on vellum, (eye portrait of Indian saint, Amritanandamayi Ma) available from my website

An example of an eye portrait pin (unknown artist, circa 1805-10) from the Lelia A. and John Hill Morgan Collection shown in Love And Loss, American Portrait and Mourning Miniatures, by Robin Jaffee Frank (p. 264)

My miniature magnifier arrived yesterday, and before moving on just want to mention that fellow miniaturist, Carol Andre, pointed out a very practical and less expensive way of magnification: if you wear reading or bifocal glasses, place a second pair of reading glasses over the first pair to achieve the magnified view (cost is about $1 as opposed to the $17 it cost for my magnifier). Speaking of eyes, it's my next topic!

I want to try another eye portrait. The top two images above are examples of two eye portraits I've done in the past, but lest you think it's my own idea, miniature eye portraits or lover's eyes are a lost art with an interesting history. The third example above comes from Love and Loss, a book I recommend on miniature painting. In the past, tiny jeweled brooches, rings and pins were the frames for a portrait of the single eye of a secret love, the idea being that if you can only see the eye, it is more anonymous--- a form of portrait that no one can easily identify except your beloved. It is said that a former Prince of Wales kept an eye portrait of his mistress which is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection, and a secret lover was often the subject of an eye portrait, one reason that they are a rare find now, but some were not only for secret loves. (See this short online article on Lovers Eyes.)

There are some wonderful examples of miniature portraits online, but since jewelers and museums have pretty strict copyright protection on the images, just Google "miniature eye portraits" to see some further examples.

For Part 2 on the topic of eye portraits, I'll show you an eye portrait I am working on.........

A special postscript for anyone visiting this post late who is interested in miniature eye portraits: please visit my blog for more detailed information on this at http://eyeportraitsinminiature.blogspot.com

Video Demo on Egg Tempera, Anyone?

2009-05-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone for your supportive feedback on my website improvements! It's really helpful to get some feedback on it.

I should soon have the new miniature magnifier that I ordered for $12.99 plus shipping from Bass Pro Shops, a fishing tackle outfit online.

Hoping also to post another miniature soon, and I want to let you know that within two weeks I'll be posting a five minute demo on how to mix egg tempera medium. If it's of interest, I'm also scoping out whether I can create a 30 minute instructional DVD (perhaps eventually a series of these) on learning to paint with egg tempera, which would be available for purchase from my blog and website. Is anyone also interested in this opportunity for more in-depth instruction on painting with egg tempera?

Website Expansion

2009-05-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

"Cinderella's Slipper," 4" x 4", egg tempera illustration on Strathmore board

"Floral Illumination," 4 1/2" x 4 1/8", egg tempera on Strathmore board, miniature scale embellishment painted for Anne of Green Gables (Macmillan)

Above are two of the illustrations and paintings now posting in a newly expanded version of my website. The topics I've been asked to paint over the years are various, so if you've enjoyed seeing some of my miniatures, you might also enjoy seeing another side of my work, as an illustrator and commissioned artist. Although I gradually add new art and make improvements on an ongoing basis to my website, right now there are approximately 25 additional paintings and illustrations for you to see when you have time for a look at monadianeconner.com