Portrait of Katie - 3" X 4" Miniature oil

Fresh off the easel!

An oil portrait head study of Katie,
 my black filly (born this year).
She was one day old in this painting, all soft fuzz and curious.
(Elegant Jazz, TB X Smooth Jazz Harmony, APHA)....

Painting size, 3" X 4", on ampersand Gesso Board...
The penny is for size comparison.

Formal Portrait, Dr. Thompson's Grandparents

Final size of painting is 18 X 24, oil

Here is the photo of Dr. T's Grandfather I had for reference

Here's the photo of Dr. T's grandmother that I started with...

I composed the painting like a traditional Japanese portrait. I added a body on Grandfather, sat Grandmother on a chair, chose a different kimono (silky texture, peach for the color, with hand-painted flowers). I also reasearched traditional hairstyles, and chose a simple, but more elegant upsweep.

I researched the samari outfit for the Grandfather.

I painted this in black and white first, then added color as I developed the painting.

5 Miniature paintings accepted into the 36th Annual International Miniature Art Show hosted by MASF (Miniature Art Society of Florida)

I am pleased to announce that five of my miniature oil paintings were accepted into the 36th Annual International Miniature Art Show hosted by MASF (Miniature Art Society of Florida). This show is the largest and most prestigious show in the US for contemporary miniature artists. Accepted were:

 "Warmth of a Buffalo Robe" (above)

2" X 3" oil

"Sweet Surprise"

2" x 3" oil

"The Little Gardner"

3" x 5" oil

"Lace Curtains & Yellow Roses"

3" x 5" oil

"Serenity - Lowlands Gorilla"

4" x 5" oil

The show runs - January 15th - February 5th, 2012

at: the Dunedin Fine Art Center

1143 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin, FL

 For more information about the show & traditional miniature art:

http://www.miniature-art.com/

All of my accepted paintings will be for sale at the show....For more information about any of the paintings listed above, contact me: (Luann Houser): paintedallaprima@hotmail.com

Have a great Thanksgiving! Luann

"Prairie Bonnet" wins Best Oil Painting at Seaside Miniature Art Show

I am pleased to announce that "Prairie Bonnet" won Best Oil Painting at he Seaside Miniature Art Show. I am pleased to say, this is the second award this painting has recieved. She also SOLD at the Seaside Miniature Art Show. Many thanks to the Judge, Nar Steel (see statement below), and to the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC. Many hours and hard work go into putting on a show this size, and the contributions of the gallery often go forgotten and unnoticed. Thanks again to all that made this show so successful!...this was an outstanding show with over 300 entries!

Here is Nar Steel's judges statement below, and a link to the gallery.

We are pleased to announce the winners for our 20th International Miniature Art Show and a statement from the judge:

Seaside Art Gallery phone: 800-828-2444

You can see the entire show at 20th International Miniature Art Show

It was such a joy to see these magnificent miniatures, but with the joy came the difficult task of selecting the winners.  As anyone who views miniature paintings knows, each painting is the result of painstaking effort and diligence

It was a delight to see Leung's study of his characters in Visitors at the museum.  Each image is so clearly defined and is a complete painting of its own.   Richard Haynes details in the tablecloth were amazing, plus the shadows were an integral part of the  Eggplants painting.  Judy Lalingo's HOUND is waiting patiently for his  next assignment. His eyes are so determined.  In Tracy Hall's miniature, you feel the softness of the dove's feathers as she attempts to hide in the contrasting light green leaves.  The young girl in Luann Houser's   painting faces the future with hope and faith.  Looking at the flowers in her dress speaks volumes to the artist's ability to capture every petal.  Thomas Lee's mixed media design allows the person to view the theme of few colors and then delights the eye with a splash of red immediately evokes  an emotional response.  The pencil drawing of Debi Davis called Half Pass is a superb use of  shadows. The eyes of the horse are carefully looking at each step he takes.  The shadows beneath the reins are so  skillfully drawn, plus the head and neck are perfectly balanced.   Mac , the sculpture by Karryl is a dog  ready to sit at your feet or lap.  The sculptor has textured the ears and face so well. We can see she has a great understanding of her subject.   The whimsical sculpture of  Sharon Dee Schaughnessy was a delight to see.  Only after viewing it under a magnifier could you appreciate the smiling mermaid looking at the Man in the Moon and resting her tail on his chin.  You can almost hear her singing a lovely piece, ageless and beautiful.

Every artist deserves a very loud applause.

Here is a link to Narissa's website and gallery:
http://www.cobblestone-art.com/

Work In Progress for Lace Curtains and Roses, miniature painting

This is a mini-movie of a miniature painting, showing my working process for painting on Ampersand Gesso board, from start to finish. Finished painting size: 4" X 6".

Two Miniature Paintings accepted into the Parklane Gallery Miniature Show. See the Show on-line...

I found out this morning that two of my miniature paintings were accepted into the Parklane Gallery Miniature show in Kirkland, Washington. Accepted were "Lace Curtains and Roses", and "A Moment's Paws". Below, from the website, with the listing in the show:

To see the whole show, click here:
http://www.parklanegallery.com/gallerymini2011.htm

To see a nice video presentation, click here:
http://www.parklanegallery.com/artist-mini.htm

"A Moment's Paws" is at 01:01

Thank you to the Parklane Gallery for a beautiful presentation!

Cheers!
Luann

Three of My Miniature Paintings Are Currently Hanging at the Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC-You Can Visit the Show On-Line!

I currently have three paintings in the 20th Annual International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC. You can view the entire show on line! To see the show, visit:
http://seasideart.com/miniature-show/miniature-art-show-gallery

Artists are listed alphabetically, my three pieces are "Serenity" (Lowlands Gorilla), "White Lace and Lillies", and "Prairie Bonnet".

More information about the show is at this link:
http://seasideart.com/events/annual-international-miniature-art-show

I am thrilled to see that "White Lace and Lillies" has already sold! My sincere thanks to the gallery for a wonderful opportunity to display my miniatures. The on-line gallery is wonderful, lots of beautiful paintings!

Now, I'm off to my easel (after chores, of course...!). Yesterday I spent the entire day in my little, (but expanding) flower beds. I have a pretty purple iris blooming this morning! I'm almost glad we're having rain today, slinging bags of mulch and placing river rock is hard work :)

Cheers!
Luann