Elaine Hahn - People's Choice Award

The Renaissance Art Gallery is happy to announce the winner of the 13th Annual National Miniature Exhibition’s People’s Choice Award

 

This year the visitors and patrons of the Renaissance Art Gallery have chosen Elaine Hahn’s “Sunset Glow” as their favorite miniature. This is truly an outstanding work, of great vision and depth. Although only 1 inches wide by 4 inches long, this work draws the eye. "Sunset Glow" is an oil painting done on copper plate. Elaine is a resident of Holiday, Florida

Elaine is a resident of Holiday, Florida and has been a regular participant in the Renaissance Art Gallery’s Miniature Exhibition.

 

Some of the 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

 

Each year we are able to present the best in miniature art and it is a privilege to host this show. ~ The Renaissance Art Gallery.

Linda Rossin

Another artist who has been featured in this show is Linda Rossin. Each year she amazes us with what she is able to do with paint. Her paintings never seem small or cramped but always gives us a feeling of space. Linda paints in acrylics. Her attention to detail extends to her presentation, which is always excellent and professional

 

 

 

"Little Big Man"
 Linda Rossin

 

"Realistic detail, depth. Like the use of color shadows, reflections, lighting & texture." ~ Guest Comment

 

Nancy Garcia

"Ladies Only" 

 

This whimsical painting by Nancy Garcia is developing into a favorite.

"Ladies Only"
Nancy Garcia

"Love the whimsy in all of Nancy Garcia’s paintings Whether she is painting is oils or drawing with colored pencils, Nancy Garcia shows a real talent for charm in her paintings. All her works shows this familiarity with a strong sense of humor!"

 

~ Susan Tschantz, Renaissance Artist

 

Each of her paintings show a find attention to detail and to the life of the animals that populate her artwork.

"It is so cute!" ~ Guest Comment

 

 

 

 

"I am naturally drawn to artwork done in colored pencil. I teach drawing after all. Here Nancy shows a complete mastery of the medium, and an understanding of how the colored pencil has changed, matured as a medium over the years. I also love the way the cow is looking out of the picture plane and into our world!"

~ Susan Tschantz

 

 

 

Wayne Chunat

 

"The Chase is On"
Wayne Chunat
 

Drama.

 

This word really describes Wayne Chunat’s paintings. All Three works, “Chase is on”, “Jump” and “Tiger, Tiger” have strong dramatic impact on viewers. The action in “The Chase is On” makes it the outstanding piece of the three.

 

 

 

Wayne paints with acrylics but there is nothing fast about his artwork. In the true sense of the word, these are miniatures, well constructed and full of detail. Both paintings have life, as if the animals have been captured in action.

Wayne is a member of Nature Artists. You can see more of his work here:

http://www.natureartists.com/wayne_chunat.asp

 

"Tiger-Tiger"
Wayne Chunat

 

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

 

 

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

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.

 

 

 

 

Encaustic Miniatures

Miniature Abstract in Encaustics
F. Christian

Attention all miniaturists

 

We failed to include information in our prospectus to our artist friends who work in encaustic . Due to the growing interest in the medium, we will be accepting encaustic works this year. We are very excited to see your new creations, so turn the heat on!

Miniature Encaustic Painting
F. Christian