Four Other Entries Submitted to MASF

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

"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.

Two Great Miniature Shows to Enter

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.

MASF Miniature Show Opening Weekend

Dear family friends, Donna, David, and Ilda Littell attended the opening (Donna & David are pictured with me here).  Ilda brought two enthusiastic friends along, and it was great to see all of them at the show.

Late nite fun at Bon Apetit on Saturday after a lovely party for the artists at Dunedin Fine Art Center. ( l-r) Wes Siegrist, Bill Mundy, Herb Weed, Helen Hause, me, Carol Curtiss, Rachelle Siegrist

The mini-ribbon cutting ceremony officially opens the show, & always brings smiles!

The miniature paintings are displayed in groups on panels that fill two large gallery rooms. This is the panel that holds my three miniatures.  Hanging beside each panel is a magnifying 

glass with which to admire the detail in each miniature painting.  The MASF permanent collection is also on display in a separate corridor adjoining the two gallery rooms.

standing here with five talented artists whose work I admire (see their miniatures via the links on my list at right), l-r, Roz Pierson, Wes and Rachelle Siegrist, Bill Mundy, & Dana Thompson. 

 Roz and Bill came all the way from England for the festivities.

President Emeritus, Social Chair, and volunteer who never quits, Carol Curtiss, is my dear friend standing with me here.

It is always a great pleasure for me whenever I have the opportunity to go down to Florida for the opening weekend of the Miniature Art Society of Florida show.  Here are some photos to provide you a birdseye view of the fabulous time I had there!  A special note of thanks to all of you from MASF who work so very hard all year long to make it so special for the artists in attendance!

This year's show includes 823 miniature paintings by 240 participating artists from all over the world.  An Iranian artist, Hossen Fallahi, even submitted his five entries on camel bone.  It's the traditional Persian surface for miniature painting.

Accepting an Award in Florida

Just a note to say I am heading out on a business trip to Florida, partly to accept an award at the Miniature Art Society of Florida Annual International Show.  If you live in the area of Dunedin, Florida, I hope to see you there!  The show opening is at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center on Jan. 18 and more information is here.

If I can get a decent photo of the awards ceremony, I'll post it when I return, and I'm back in action on Tuesday in Brooklyn.

Erlise is a Winner

"Erlise's Laugh"  3" x 3 13/16", egg tempera on panel, NFS

I was truly delighted to find out tonight that "Erlise's Laugh" won Second Prize in the category of 'Human Figure' in the Miniature Art Society of Florida 2009 Annual Show

It's my first win for this category.

"L'madone et l'Enfant de Remy de Saint" (Madonna & Child of Saint Remy)

4  3/16" x 5  13/16", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum, 

(at Dunedin Fine Arts Center in Dunedin, Florida

for the MASF 2009 Annual International Miniature Art Show)

Here is the final version of "Madonna and Child of Saint Remy."  I titled this in French because I found my inspiration for this painting during my trip to France, when our guide gave us some time to explore Saint Remy by ourselves.  I took a walk on my own and discovered a small cathedral called St. Martin's, with many beautiful devotional statues.  It was very dark inside, and I couldn't believe I was alone in such a beautiful place.  I felt so blessed to find this life-sized Madonna and Child dressed in gold, and knew then that I would want to paint my own version.

This got sent out for the MASF show in a lovely gold frame.  Framing is part of the jurying process in this particular miniature competition.  Certain specifications and guidelines must be followed, and I'll discuss more about framing for competition in a future post.

"Just Peachy", Framed

"Just Peachy", egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum,

(at Dunedin Fine Arts Center in Dunedin, Florida, for the 

MASF 2009 Annual International Miniature Art Show)

I promised to post a copy of "Just Peachy" in its frame, and here it is.  It is being submitted for the Miniature Art Society of Florida show.  I'll be posting other final entries for the MASF show shortly, and then it's on to the next show!

"Amma's Eyes"

1 3/8"W x 1 3/4"H, egg tempera and 24 karat gold leaf on Kelmscott vellum in Venetian glass frame, Available

This is an eye portrait of a world-famous Indian guru and avatar who I love and admire, Amritanandamayi Ma, known as 'Ammachi', or 'Amma'.  Jai Ma! (hail to the Divine Mother!) This is the third of three masterwork miniatures I am sending to Weatherburn Gallery for "It's a Small World - World Class Art in Miniature."  Please contact Weatherburn Gallery directly for purchase information.

"The 'Mary' in Karen"

6"W x 4"H, egg tempera on gessoed panel, Available

Third Prize, Miniature Art Society of Florida 2006 Annual Show

Here is the second of three miniature paintings being sent to Weatherburn Gallery for sale.

"Ruby Slipper Wishing Shoes in the Ship's Casino"

3/4"W x 1 3/8"H, egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum in Venetian glass frame, Available

Here is the first of three miniatures I am sending to Weatherburn Gallery in Naples, Florida for inclusion in "It's a Small World - World Class Art in Miniature," Nov. 29 through Dec. 22, 2008 featuring award winning artists from the Miniature Art Society of Florida.