Encaustic Miniatures



Encaustic Miniatures by Fern Christian

 

 

These pieces represent a new media to the Renaissance Art Gallery’s Annual Miniature Exhibition. The use of Encaustics. While an ancient medium it is currently undergoing a revival with new technicalities. It is, in the words of artist Fern Christian, “the most fun you can have with an iron!” 

 



"Red & White"
Encaustic painting
Susan Tschantz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encaustic_painting

 

 

The Renaissance Art Gallery has held several workshops to re-introduce this media to the area and this year featured works in encaustics.

 

Fern Christian has employed a small iron as both pallet and brush to create swirls of abstract color. Her work invokes strong moods, “Storm Gathering”, Fantasy Fly” and “Day of Delight” describes feeling. Artist Susan Tschantz takes a more traditional approach with hot wax and a brush in “Red & White” and “Vase on Green”.

Encaustic proved to be a very popular medium. Many visitors were completely fascinated with the introduction of this medium this year.

"Red & White" and "Vase on Green"
Encaustic Paintings
Susan Tschantz

 

Drawing Fine Art in Miniature

"Music in the Air"
Colored Pencil
Kath Pollack

While paintings are in the majority, entries in the 13th Annual National Miniature Exhibition also include many fine art mediums in addition to paintings. We have sculptures and wood burning. Encaustic and scratchboard. Paper cutting and collage as well as different textile art.

 

Being a card-carrying member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, (http://www.cpsa.org/)  and the drawing teacher at the Renaissance Art Gallery, I am naturally drawn to those works done with some sort of pencil or pen, or in the case of scratchboard, stylist.

 



"Peek-a-Moo"
Colored Pencil
Nancy Garcia

"Red Pears"
Colored Pencil
Susan Tschantz

We have a wealth of these works this year.

 

 

"Firework Flower"
Colored Pencil
Susan Tschantz

Many of which more than one person thought were oil paintings. Some like Kath Pollack of Dunedin, FL have such a gentle touch that many believed her drawings were watercolors.

 

"Pennsylvania Covered Bridge"
scratchboard
Dolores Andrew

Yvonne James of Palm Harbor, FL won a complimentary award with her amazing drawing of hat of all things! Finely drawn and detailed. Although he won a Merit Award for “Mr. Hercule”, a painting done in acrylic, his “Study of Gorilla” done in graphite to me is much more intriguing. The gorilla’s eyes seem to look right at you.

So here are just some of the drawings submitted to the Renaissance Art Gallery's 13th Annual National Miniature Exhibition.

 

When it come to drawing you cannot forget the whimsical and colorful felt pen drawing of Don Watts. Don has been drawing in Huntington, WV for quite some time and always has a different take on things.

 

One truly outstanding colored pencil painting is Lenore Long Lancaster, of Ridgeley, WV. Her Mountain Path seems to come right off the paper.

 

It is always fascinating to see just what people come up with in miniature art, and the variety of media is part of the fascination.



"Flowing Colors"
Felt-tip pens
Don Watts

"Mountain Path"
colored Pencil
Lenore Long Lancaster

Elaine Hahn & Sunset Glow

 

"Sunset Glow" Oil on Copper by  Elaine Hahn

 

[Comments from ballots for the people’s choice award:]

 

 

 

“Waves show incredible detail along with white sea foam. The sun’s refection also show rippling effect.”~ Guest’s comments

 

“So much beauty in such a small space! Excellent!” ~ Guest Comment






Elaine used an unusual surface for her oil painting. Copper. she does show her master of this surface and of oil painting. 

 

 This is a tiny painting, 1" x 4". But it does not feel small! Looking at it, you get the sense of the wide ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

 

http://twitter.com/wvgallery

http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

 

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

 

People’s Choice Award 2012

 

People walked through The Renaissance Art Gallery all during November admiring the fine miniatures. Each person was given the chance to select his or her own personal favorite. At the end of the month, we counted up the votes.

 

This vote is always tight. There are so many fabulous and amazing miniatures that is  really is hard to choose a favorite. The People’s Choice award gives everyone a taste of just how hard it is to judge this exhibition. Over 150 people took an interest in the show this year, and while the voting was fierce, and close, we do have a winner.

 

Sue Wall’s Kitchen Helpers was a clear winner. Sue has been a favorite of guests at the Renaissance Art Gallery's Minaiture show for years, and we are happy to give her the People's Choice award for 2012.

 

Sue lives in New York City and is an active pet artist. You can see more of Sue's work on her website: http://www.suewallstudio.com/

 

It is time to say Good-Bye

Its sad to see the 12th Annual National Miniature Exhibition come to an end. These lovely paintings and works of art seem so happy on our walls, that we will miss them.

 

 

Already it is time to take them down. Help those who have purchased a new friend wrap them up, and for others to return to their homes, to seek out a new venue.

 

 

We thank all the artists who were part of our show this year, and all our guests who enjoyed the enrichment of fine art. And to the media without whom we could not have had such a wonderful attendence.

 

Thank you, each of you you helped to make this show special

 

~The Artists of the Renaissance Art Gallery

Whimsy

"For the Young at Heart"
Judy Ferguson

I love whimsy in art.

 

 

 

 

Art that is not afraid to laugh.

 

 

 

 

"Friends"
Don Watts

To enjoy life

 

 

 

 

"Someone has food!"
Anne Shuff

To show life at its fullest

 

 

and sometimes most  absurd.

 

 

 

Whether it is full out or subtle, I love whimsy in art.

 

 

 

 

 

"Less is More"
Sharolyn McCray

 

I love art that shows the joy in everyday objects,

 

Takes a different view. Turns life upside down.

 

 

A celebration of life in all its aspects.

"A Special Place" and "Weeds and Roses"

Lindy Daly

Houston, TX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These beautiful and soft paintings are a joy to look at. Each stroke done with lovely care really draws you in. Although small, there is always something new to meet the eye.

Different Media, Different Strokes

"Gray Cat"
Linda Harbison

Different Media

 

By far, paintings in watercolor, acrylics and oils are the most common media used by miniature artists today. But they are by no means the only media used.

 

Miniature artists can and do work in a variety of materials and media.

 

"Celtic Horse"
David Compertore

This year we had submitted work done in Mixed Fibers, Collage, Hand forged copper, stone, porcelain, pottery, batik and wood.

 

Among the drawing media used there scratch board, pen & ink, colored pens, felt tip pens. We even had etchings!

 

 

 

 

Lenora Long Lancaster

 

 

"Soft Shoulders"

Each of the three works by Lenora Long Landcaster (Ridgeley, WV)is unique and shows the range possible with colored pencil.

 

“Soft Shoulders”

 

A very soft looking portrait with muted colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Summer Flowers"

 

 

“Summer Flowers” has bright sharp features. Each line is clear and defined. There is texture in this piece.

 

 

 

 

 



“Old Kessell Barn” has clear lines, almost of photo-realistic clarity.

 

 

"Old Kessell Barn"

~Comments by Brenda Jeffrey and Susan Tschantz
The Renaissance Art Gallery

“Golden Stairs”~Yvonne James

“Golden Stairs”

Colored Pencil

 

Yvonne James

Palm Harbor, FL

 

There is drama in the composition and use of perspective. This work evokes a feeling of activity; we wonder where the stairs lead. The use of darks vs lights draws the eye up.

 

~Barb Mannon,

Artist

Susan Tschantz,

Renaissance Art Gallery Artist

Soft Shoulders: Lenora Lancaster

"Soft Shoulders"

 

Lenora Long Lancaster

Ridgeley, WV

Colored Pencil

 

"I like the muted texture, the details of hair and fabric. There is a feeling of movement from a breeze. This artist understands the use of light."

 

~Barb Mannon

Artist & Student
Renaissance Art Gallery

“Very soft looking. The colors are muted, soft and Feathery. Love it.”

 

~Brenda Jeffery

Artist & Student

Renaissance Art Gallery

Colored Pencil Drawings in Miniature Art

 

In among the traditional paintings are a growing number of drawings--most in colored pencil. The detail and precision of colored pencil naturally lends itself to the demands of miniature art.

 

"Yellow Callas"
Nancy Garcia,
Falls Church, VA

 

  These works of art show the range of colored pencil. It is a flexible medium,   but requires skill and knowledge to weld it expertly. This year’s show includes the work of several master colored pencil artists.

 

"Taking up Space"
Ann Grimes Lavalette, WV

Kitchen Helpers, a Miniature

 

"Kitchen Helpers"

Acrylic

 

 

 by Sue Wall from New York.

 

"I loved this acrylic miniature painting. Great title: loved the cat as a helper."

 

~Laura Moul,

Renaissance Art Gallery member.

Resthaven Morning

A Painting by James Andrews, Bellevue, OH

"Resthaven Morning"

Oil

 

A wonderful little landscape.

 

"This miniature oil caught my eye. The artist created a tranquil scene that would be enjoyable to visit."

~Laura Moul

Renaissance Art Gallery Artist

 

 

 

“Looks like the perfect place to fish. Reminds me of a lake I know.”

 

~Richard Tschantz

Renaissance Art Gallery Guest.

A Miniature with An Unusual Title

 

Beverly Fotheringham's "Red Glow"

 

Acrylic

 

"This local artist from North Bend WV, created an interesting acrylic miniature painting. The title did draw me in for a more in-depth look."

 

~Laura Moul

Renaissance Art Gallery Artist

 

 

"Absolutley adore this subject!"

 

~Susan Tschantz

Renaissance Art Gallery Artist

White House Pueblo

"White House Pueblo"

Acrylic

Robert R. Newport

 

An interesting painting in an interesting shape. A number of artists this year seemed to embrace the new square canvases and painting panels. White House Pueblo is an acrylic painting on wood block. This gives the painting a different texture than you would get on stretched canvas.

 

An ancient Indian dwelling in the south west, this small painting manages to give the feeling of depth, of receding into the cliff.
 

 

~Susan Tschantz

Renaissance Artist