Arts of Ara'Bed

On The Tiny Side.

debara — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:36:41 +0000

It’s been a while since my last post. Spring seems to take me away from the computer with the increased activity of the season. The Outdoor Painters group I belong to is once again heading outside to many exciting locations to paint and/or photograph all the lovely outdoor scenery. I look forward to getting outside again, gathering reference material for all the new works I need to complete. I must paint, paint, paint as my summer is shaping up to be rather busy.

I am going to be exhibiting some of my work at Art Inclined Gallery, in Buckhorn for the month of May and will once again be exhibiting at the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, held in August. I have also received news that I have been accepted to exhibit my miniatures at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival held Canada Day weekend. Currently you can see some of my work on display at a new art and gift shop in the little village of Keene. Sasquatch is a quaint little shop located in the Masonic Hall on First Street that was once a church. If you are in Keene stop by and meet Emile and Charlotte, have a coffee and some ice cream and take a look around. Lots of local artisans have work on display and you can also browse the collection of used books.

During the month of April I have been able to complete five new “super” minis. They are the some of the smallest miniatures I have painted to date. Each painting is 1.5 square inches in size depicting different birds or water fowl. I love painting birds and find they are a subject matter that is greatly received by many.

Well back to my easel. It’s going to take a lot of miniatures to fill a booth!! Here are my latest, enjoy!

Ready for the Show

debara — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:16:57 +0000

I have been busy at my easel for the last two weeks painting my little brush off to get a piece ready for the upcoming show at Kawartha Artists Gallery and Studio titled “Winter Escapes”. I am very excited for this show as the piece I chose to paint was that of items needed for my favorite past time besides painting……. hockey. Hockey is my second passion and I would be lost if I couldn’t play. Hockey is my escape from the winter blahs. It gives me light when the skies are grey and is great for my mind as well as my physical being.

"My Winter Escape", Acrylic, 1.5"x3.25"

This piece is very detailed and took many hours to complete. Even my smallest brush was too big at times. I hope to create more work in the future depicting a hockey theme, but right now my eyes need a bit of a break!

Until next post……………debara

New work for December

debara — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:53:30 +0000

"Finishing Touches" Acrylic, 1.75" x 2.75"

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed spending time with family and friends!

Here is my latest creation that I managed to finish just before Christmas. I was inspired by a photo I had taken in the summer at Buskerfest Toronto 2009. There was an amazing face painting booth that created the most wonderful works of art on the faces of those who wished to sit. As I watched the cutest little girl, sitting ever so still and I’m sure feeling ever so grown up, getting her face dolled up, I couldn’t resist asking her parents permission to photograph her. The resulting image really touched me and although I don’t usually paint portraits, I was drawn to paint this beautiful little angel. It presented me quite a challenge, but I am pleased with the final results. I am happy to report that once again a piece has sold quickly before I had time to post it to my website. Now I have to concentrate on finishing three commissions that are patiently awaiting my brush.

New Work Completed

debara — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:08:04 +0000

"Taking a Breather" 3" x 2", Acrylic on Multimedia Board

Well, I have completed another new work and am happy to be posting it. I am having trouble coming up with a name for this new piece which is unusual for me as a name often jumps out while I am painting. I have a few titles in mind and hope to come up with a decision soon. With this piece I experimented with a paper I have never used before. Multimedia board is a paper injected with resin which then allows it to accept any form of medium. I used acrylic paint for this piece. The background is quite interesting. I added water to the paint to thin it out like watercolor and applied it to the background which gave a unique marble effect. To me the painting looks like it was done with gouache.

I received news that I have been selected to once again exhibit at the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival 2010. Sales and attendance was down at last summers event and much of that can be blamed on the economy, but apparently the festival had more visitors from areas outside of the Kawarthas which is encouraging. The festival committee has plans to increase their promotional efforts to areas far and afield.

UPDATE…….It figures that once I published this post a name for my new painting would come to me. I have decided to title my new piece “Taking a Breather”. I knew I should have waited!! lol!!

Latest Created Works

debara — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:21:11 +0000

Here are the latest two created works that I am happy to report sold quickly at the Kawartha Artists Gallery & Studio, Outdoor Painters exhibition.

"Grace Afloat", Watercolour/Gouache, 1.75" x 2.75"

"Brew Me A Bouquet", Watercolour/Gouache, 1.75" x 2.75"

Exciting News

debara — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:46:33 +0000

I would like to announce some very exciting news that is happening in my artistic life.

Firstly, I, along with some fellow miniature artists from the US have taken out an ad in a very prestigious art magazine, American Art Collector. An interesting article comparing miniature art to small works of art is highlighted along with some beautiful images. Following the article is a two page ad in which I can be found along with one of my images. It will be fun to see where this ad may lead!!

Secondly, I am very happy to announce that two of my pieces were juried into one of the largest miniature shows in the US. The Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C.’s 76th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature will run from November 22, 2009 – January 2, 2010. You can check out their website at www.MPSGS.org. I am very excited to be a part of this prestigious exhibit.

Lastly, my two latest works of art have sold quickly after only previewing for four days in the latest show I have entered. I hadn’t even had time to properly add them to the website before they sold, which by the way is not co-operating with me and is experiencing some glitches. I hope to have all the issues worked out quickly.

Yours in Miniature,