Gail Mac Argel - Miniaturist

"In the Garden"
Gail Mac Argel

Gail Mac Argel is one of the most popular artist that enters our Annual National Miniature Exhibition. Year after year guest of the Renaissance Art Gallery are amazed by her work. This year was no exception. All three pieces entered were totally amazing. Gayle works in oils, a traditional miniature medium. Her skill is second to none.

 

Entry 1:  "In the Garden"

 

“I like everything about it.” ~ Guest Comment

" One of my all-time favorite artists" ~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance Artist.

Entry 2: "Evening Song"


The detail on this one is mind-boggling. You can count the strings on the violin! There are real notes on that sheet music.

"Evening Song"
Gail Mac Argel

 

Entry 3: "The Window"





"The Window"
Gail Mac Argel

No one walks by this little painting without leaning forward for a closer look. The blue jays are detailed down to the feathers.

Karen Chamblin - Artist in oils

 

Karen is a West Virginia artist living in Belmont, WV. She excels at still life painting. Active in both painting and encouraging other artists, she promotes oil painting workshops every year in and around Parkersburg, WV.

 

Her biography and more of her work can be seen on her website:  http://karenchamblin.com/

 

"Tuxedo Cat"
Oil
Karen Chamblin

All three of her paintings have garnered comments in this year’s show.

 

 

“Tuxedo Cat”

 

I love the way this little kitty looks you right in the eye! ~ Susan Tschantz Renaissance Art Gallery Artist.

 

Great Show! ~guest Comment

 

 

 

 

“Kitty III”

 

Warm and inviting ~ Guest comment

 

 

“Miniature Sunflowers” (sold)

 

 

"I think it is the visual impact that the sunflowers have from across the room. I love the cats, especially the one where the tuxedo is facing forward, but the visual draw of the sunny flowers does grab the eye. A number of people commented on that and stopped to look closer". ~ Susan Tschantz Renaissance Art Gallery artist

 

 

Guest comments are by visitor to the Renaissance Art Gallery. Comments have been make on the People's Choice award ballots. 

Karen Ballard, Watercolorist

"Female Ruby Hummer"
watercolor
Karen Ballard

 

 

Karen Ballard is an artist from Charleston, WV. Her work this year consisted of two 5"x5" humming bird paintings along with a rather unique? Portrait. The following comments were on ballots for our people’s choice award.

 

Her entries were:

 

1. "Female Ruby Hummer" watercolor

2. "Blue-Throated Hummer" watercolor

3. "Do you Know What I see?" watercolor

 

"Blue-Throated Hummer" & "Do you see What I see?"
watercolor
Karen Ballard

 

"Female Ruby Hummer "

Wonderful work~ Guest Comment

 

 

 

"Blue-Throated Hummer" Karen Ballard

Very Excellent ~ Guest Comment

 

"Do You Know What I See?" Unique ~ Guest Comment

 

 

Bob Ievers - Painter

"Alabama Sun"  by Bob Ievers

 

"It is an intriguing piece that deserves recognition." ~ Guest Comment

 

"Alabama Sun"
Oil
Bob Ievers

“Alabama Sun”  – This strange work appeals to me in a number of ways. It has a pleasing composition, placing the major and minor “objects” in a comfortable arrangement. It has a simple palette with just enough variation to maintain interest. The quiet placement of shadows supplies depth that grows the more you observe the painting, allowing it to suddenly emerge from the frame. Finally it looks like a big M&M – what else do you need!   ~ Ron Haeberle, watercolorist and Renaissance Art Gallery artist.

 

"When I first saw this piece hanging in the gallery, I thought it was a copper cutout, so totally convincing an oil painting this is." ~ Susan Tschantz, Artist

 

Bob Ievers is an artist from Horseheads, NY. All of the work he entered show an attention to detail and love of  art that is so typical of miniature artists and make putting on this type of show so rewarding.

 

[guess comments: comments left on ballots for the People’ Choice Award. These comments are made anonymously and are the sincere responses by guests of the Renaissance Art Gallery.]

 

Ann Grimes, Fiber Artist

 



The Magic Bird
Ann Grimes

"I picture artist Ann Grimes of Lavalette WV in a shepherdess costume, guarding her sheep and plucking puffs of wool from briars to use in making the felt “Canvas” for her pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August Flowers
Ann Grimes

 

 



“August Flowers” uses bold dyes to create shapes confined by dark outlines. “The Magic Bird” and “The Wedding” are subjects embellished with appliqué and gold stitching. I’d like to see her demonstrate her unique techniques."

 

 ~ Linda Helgasen, artist.

 

Ann is one of our most interesting artists. Working with fibers, she manages to keep to the spirit of the miniature, in pieces that draw the eye, and have you look into them to see just what is happening there.

 

 ~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance Art Gallery artist.

 

Don Watts

 

“Home” 

 

By Don Watts

 

 – Miniature art is often all about replicating what would be a large painting in a very small space. The more I observe miniature art the more I believe that I am influenced by the shapes and color. This piece by Don Watts is a good example. Using a primitive style simple shapes and vibrant colors he has produced a unique rendering of a common local scene.

 

Ron Haeberle, Renaissance Art Gallery artist.

Award of Excellence: Judith Edgington Bays - Grandpa's Apples

Award of Excellence:

 

 

Judith Edgington Bayes – Grandpa’s Apples –

"I could immediately feel the emotional attachment of the artist to the subject. There is a pervasive warmth to the entire work. The gentle curve of the composition helped along by the subtle sway of the grass takes the viewer through the orchard and from detail foreground to diffuse background.  The details  and gestures (the man’s face; his grasping, gloved hand; shoelaces,; and spectacles) and especially the light used – a soft dappling light on the man’s shirt and overalls – create a lovely portrait and landscape in one. "

~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

 

"This painting is proving to be very popular with everyone who come to the Renaissance Art Gallery. There is definitely an emotional response to it. We all remember this, whether it is our grandfather or family outings picking our own." ~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance Gallery Artist.

 

First Place- Janet Laird-Lagassee - Matchless

this is our second 1st Place Winner:

Janet Laird-Lagassee – Matchless - 

"I love the cropped composition in this painting. It immediately brings the viewer into the work. Beautiful details on the bridles, harness, etc.  It is so realistic, that the viewer almost expects the pair to move and the carriage to pass across the front of the picture plane. The angles of the reins, the horses’ ears, the grass and slope of the hill all add to the arrested but expected movement.  Very nice – it reminds me of a farm I once lived on and roamed in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania."

~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

 

"Reminds me of our Beach Visitations, very restful" ~ Guest Comment

 

First Place - Janet Palmer Swirling Waters

Two works share this year's First Place Award. Our juror, Jenine Culligan found it impossible to choose between them, thus the shared 1^st Place:

 

Janet Palmer – Swirling Waters –

"This work is small, but has a vast feel.  One can almost sense the pull of the tide. The slightly elevated perspective puts the viewer on the rocks overlooking the ocean. Very nice use of the paper showing through – expertly rendered. It reminds of  19^th century seascapes at their best, especially William Trost Richards."~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

"This is another painting that photography just does not do justice to. It is an outstanding piece of work, that although small gives a feeling of space. It does not feel small!" ~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance Art Gallery artist.

 

 

Akiko Watanabe - Mr. Hercule - Merit Award

 

Akiko Watanabe – Mr. Hercule –

"The direct stare of this cat really catches your eye. It is so detailed and beautifully executed. Notice the black whiskers on the green, and the white highlighting the black whiskers against the black fur.  Also, notice the slightly white outline of the eye and the wonderful reflections in the eyes – Nice!. The tondo format is perfect for this cat portrait. You can see so much color and detail in the fur of this “black” cat." ~Jenine Culligan, Juror

"This is a truly outstanding portrait of this cat, not just any cat, but this one. You can see the personality in his eyes." ~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance artist.

Lena Leitzke - San Diego - Merit Award

Lena Leitzke – San Diego –

Nice use of wet on wet watercolor – wonderful reflections of the boats and lights in the water and vice-a-versa.  Just enough detail suggested to pull it all together beautifully. Love the twinkling lights of the twilight hour. Beautiful work. ~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

 

Beautiful ~ Guest Comment

Carol Rockwell – The Stand Off - Honorable Mention

 

The Stand Off

 

Carol Rockwell – The Stand Off –

 

This work caught my attention because of its unusual cropped composition, and then the more I explored it the more I liked it. I like the unusual subject matter, the elevated perspective (as if you are seated in the stands at a rodeo). I really like the hats in the bottom left, and the shadow of the bull in the dirt, the details in the rodeo clown’s face and gestures. The viewer can feel the stop in the action with both the rodeo clown and the bull anticipating each other’s next move. Really lovely little watercolor - a 21^st century take on a “western” subject matter.  Artist has a very distinct personal style.

 

Ronnie Cramer - Ice Skater - Honorable Mention

Ronnie Cramer – Ice Skater
 

Again, a nice cropped composition. I like that, and I like the banality of the subject matter. All the works entered by this artist had a distinct look, nice soft use of broad areas of color with subtle shading, and the artist incorporated the white of the paper in the composition. Nice facile approach with the wet on wet watercolor.

~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

 

Melinda Fabian - Crab on Deck - Honorable Mention

Melinda Fabian – Crab on Deck –

 

 

An unusual,  clever and well- crafted 3-dimensional watercolor. So well done, that one expects the little crab to go scurrying on his way. I enjoyed all the works submitted by this artist, and liked the combination of the 2-D and 3-D aspects in each work.
~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

This has proved to be a very popular work piece. It draws the eyes, and brings a smile to everyone who sees it. Melinda Fabian's work is so detailed and completely fun! ~ The Renaissance Art Gallery.

 

 

 

Hossein Fallahi - "Rose of Esfaham" - Complimentary Award

 

Hossein Fallahi - Rose of Esfaham 12 A

 

"Beautifully rendered work in a very traditional style. The lush rounded forms and the soft but vibrant colors really pop out on the white ground, much like porcelain painting.  Very nice details."

 

~ Jenine Culligan

Juror

 

Ted Daubresse - One more Time From the Top - Complimentary Award

 

 

 

Ted Daubresse – One More Time from the Top – 30B

 

This stage-like composition caught my eye due to its linear style, simplified color scheme, and charming subject matter. I like the artist’s unique drawing style. ~ Jenine Culligan, Juror

 

 

Yvonne James - "Milady" - Complimentary Award

 

Yvonne James – Milady – 10A

"I find this a very interesting subject for a miniature. The painting is a complicated exercise, portraying many layers and lots of depth. I was impressed with the treatment of the glass shop window, the brick wall, the arched window frame and the complicated angles of the hats. A very ambitious work with lots packed into a small-scale format."

~Jenine Culligan,
 Juror’s comments.

 

"This is definitely one painting that photography just does not do justice to. It must be seen to be fully appreciated. The camera lens just is not sensitive enough to reveal the real depth this painting has. "

~ The Renaissance Art Gallery
 

Sue Walls - "Pure Affection" - Complimentary Award

Delightful Miniature: Pure Affection

Sue Wall

 

– Pure Affection –

 

"The three works submitted to the show by this artist involved cats, architectural details, and stained glass windows. This one stood out because it was a little less formal, and is just plain “sweet.” The interaction of the two cats is, as the title suggests, is pure affection, and the artist has caught this gesture perfectly. "

~ Jenine Culligan
 

 

"There is such a consistency to Sue's work. Each year guests of the Renaissance Gallery are amazed that the skill, detail and emotion she puts into these small masterpieces." ~ the Renaissance Art Gallery

 

"Sue Wall is one of my favorite artists. Each year she delights both the Gallery Artists and public with her incredible and intimate artwork. She is one of the artists everyone looks forward to seeing." ~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance Art Gallery Artist.

 

 

 

 

Miniature Exhibition 2013, Statement from our Juror

 

 

"First I want to thank everyone at the Renaissance Art Gallery for putting their trust in me to select the award winners for the 13th Annual National Miniature Exhibition. This is a fabulous exhibit, with participants from across the U.S. Including the Tri-state region.  I applaud the Renaissance Art gallery for continuing to present this quality show, and for attracting artists from around the country to Huntington.  I am so pleased to be a part of this, and love the fact that all who enter have their works displayed (if they meet the miniature criteria).  It was a difficult decision to select a few award winners out of so many excellent  entries.

 

in a world of Mega-malls and McMansions, where everything is SUPER-sized and phrases like "bigger is better" have become the norm, it is refreshing to view an entire gallery of small-scale artworks that require up-close, intimate inspection. Skill and expertise in a chosen medium is required to work on a small scale such as this, and the talent of the miniature artists is apparent.

 

The range of subject matter tackled in the exhibit was impressive, and much broader than what I imagined would be found in a miniature show. I was expecting more portraits – as is the historical precedent of miniatures.  I also expected everything to feel small, yet many of the works had a BIG feel in a tiny format. I enjoyed this entire process immensely and hope interest in the exhibit will continue to grow."

 

Jenine Culligan

Senior Curator
Huntington Museum of Art

Huntington Museum of Art

Miniature Exhibition Opens

Guest admire the artwork

 Sunday November 3, 2013 the 13th Annual National Miniature Exhibition opened. The Gallery was comfortably crowded with artists and art lovers. The Herald-dispatch of Huntington covered the opening:

 

 http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x731045669/Miniature-exhibit-begins-run

 

Each year we have the best in miniature artwork, and this year is no exception. Watercolors, oils, encaustics, etc. Work runs the gambit from landscapes to still life, even some experimental work.

 

 

 

The Miniature Exhibition runs through December 8, 2013. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Renaissance Art Gallery

900 8th Street, Suite #20

Huntington, WV 25701

 

Gallery (304) 525-3235

Appointments: (304) 453-3187

gallerywv@yahoo.com

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Gallery hours are:

 

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm

Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon