Miniature Art Society of Florida Annual Exhibition, 2012

"Hippotragus niger" Sable Antelope

It has been a while since I have posted to my blog. I hope to do a better job of it this year as I renew my artistic energy and get back in the studio to paint. Today I will highlight my recent trip to Dunedin, Florida for the 2012 Miniature Art Society of Florida, (MASF) annual exhibition and sale which has just opened to the public. This exhibit hosts the best miniature art by working miniature artists today and has left me so inspired! Recent sales of my work in the MPSGS show (Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society) in DC and MASF in Florida, has diminished my stock of miniature art available for shows and purchase. I have to paint! Two paintings sold at the MPSGS show, "Summer Siesta" and "The Broodmare". The MASF show just opened and will run until February 5. "Lycaon pictus" African Wild Dog sold on the opening day. "Hippotragus niger" Sable Antelope is still available for purchase. You can see the winners or get more information here: http://www.miniatureartsocietyofflorida.com/ 

Elegant Tern

My Florida trip yielded some excellent reference material for new paintings. I spent the majority of my time photographing the birds of Florida where there is certainly an abundance of many different species. Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Heron, Sandhill Cranes, Tri-colered Heron, Little Blue Heron and the very handsome, Reddish Egret who was very comical to watch when hunting, all made an appearance. Of course the shore birds were in abundance as well and I captured a pair of Ospreys tiding up their nest on Honeymoon Island, It was a great trip overall and I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend time with some fabulous artists whose work I aspire to.

American Oystercatcher

Osprey

Sandhill Crane

Roseate Spoonbill

Reddish Egret

Snowy Egret

Pat Getha, (Mom) Mary Jo Meyer, (Cousin) Gerrie Driggers

Last but not lease, my traveling companions, my Mother, Mary Jo Meyer (left) and my cousin, Gerrie Driggers (right) had an abundance of patience while I attended the show events and my photography excursions. We spent time with my very good friend, Monika Leon as well who is a marvelous cook and a very talented lady. She and her family live in Tampa now and it was great to spend a few days with her! We had a blast! Thanks Ladies!

Friend, Monika Leon

Cousin, Gerrie Driggers and Mom, Mary Jo Meyer

Show updates

I was notified today that this piece, "Hippotragus niger" has won a sponsor award at the Parklane Gallery in Kirkland Washington The entire show is online for your viewing pleasure.

Much thanks to juror, Jim Smith for this honor. There is some top notch work in this show from the best in the business. This is the first award I have won for a miniature.

Thanks to my new-found miniature art friends who have been doing this for a long time. You inspire me!

Current Miniature Shows

This has been a busy year so far. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with everything. Show deadlines are constantly looming and I never seem to have enough work to spread around. However, that usually means that some work is selling which is a good thing, given the current economy.

I currently have work in two shows, two pieces at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, North Carolina http://www.seasideart.com/events/miniature-art-show-gallery. The piece pictured here sold before the show opened.

Two pieces juried into the Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, Washington http://www.parklanegallery.com/artist-mini.htm.

Visit the links to see these shows online.

New Miniature Painting “Canis lupus baileyi” (Mexican Wolf)

Canis lupus baileyi (Mexican Wolf)
4 x 3.5 Oil on Board
by Patricia Getha ©2011
I frequently visit the wolves at the Columbus Zoo and they never disappoint. These Mexican Wolves are highly endangered in the wild. Sadly, destruction of habitat and human encroachment has diminished the numbers to a critical level. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has a family group and has successfully bred several litters over the years.

I have a lot of great photos of these wonderful animals. Shot one was taken before the winter snows had melted. The light was fantastic this day. The other shot was taken a week later on an overcast day. The wolves and animals in general are a lot more active during the winter months. I highly recommend visiting your zoo on cool winter and spring days.

Art Show at the Dog Show 2011

The Art Show at the Dog Show is now online and the winners are posted. I am happy to report that my two pieces have won awards in the Photography category. "Beauty and Grace" a beautiful shot of my friend's Borzoi Hound took Third place in Photography. My other piece, "Field of Dreams" an Afghan Hound has won the Best Depiction of an Afghan Hound award. Hopefully someone likes them enough to buy!

SHOWS!! MASF, ASATDS, & OVMA

Well, it has been a very busy beginning of the year and a cold one too! I had three new paintings accepted in the Miniature Art Society of Florida exhibition in January, "Sunday Cruiser", "Summer Siesta" and "Zowie ". I had the pleasure to attend the opening reception and artist activities which was a lot of fun, yielding new connections, friendships, and some nice reference material for new paintings. My little"Zowie" was purchased at the Collectors preview.

This week also brought news that two of my photographs have juried into the Art Show at the Dog Show in Wichita, KS: "Beauty and Grace" & "Filed of Dreams". Representing the Hound Group, these two images show off the traits of the Borzoi and Afghan Hound.

Last but not least, three pieces have juried into Wings, Tails and Scales, hosted by the Ohio Veterinarian Medical Association and held in conjunction with the Midwest Veterinary Conference in Columbus, Ohio. My newest miniature painting, "Lycaon pictus", African Wild Dog, is among the accepted pieces as well as a new photograph, "On the Prowl" and another miniature, "Mystic". This show runs from February 24-27 at the Columbus Convention Center.

As for the weather.....it is supposed to warm up this weekend. We had significant tree damage from a recent ice storm which left our pastures and yard a real mess. I'm thinking SPRING!

AKC Museum of the Dog Invitational

"Time to Play?" will be on display at the AKC Museum of the Dog as part of a recap from the 2010 Art Show at the Dog Show. Artists who had photography in the 2010 show were invited to participate in this special exhibit. If you are in the St. Louis Area in, stop by and see the exhibit. The Best in Show winner from Art Show at the Dog Show is purchased for the permanent collection of the museum.

Photo Exhibition: Highlights from the 2010 Art Show at The Dog Show

Opening in the Sally Johnson Spillane Special Exhibit Gallery in February 2011
Available to visitors through April 23. For more information, please visit the museum at http://www.museumofthedog.org/

Indiana Wildlife Artists Open Juried Exhibition

Local Artist, Patricia Getha will be among the award winning artists whose work will be shown at the Twenty-Seventh Annual Exhibit presented by the Indiana Wildlife Artists Association. Three of her works will be featured, “Winged Jewel” a stunning photo of one of the world’s smallest birds, “Tern Style” an Oil painting of a Tern preening its feathers, and “Niagara Falls Sentinel” a miniature acrylic painting of a Ring-billed Gull measuring only 4 x 5 inches!

This showing of Fine Nature Art will be displayed to the public in the Indiana Room of the Minnetrista Cultural Center, 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway, Muncie, IN, from September 12 through September 26, 2010. The opening awards presentation is Saturday, September 11, 6:30-8 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Monday-Saturday, 9-5:30 p.m. and Sundays, 1:00-5:30 p.m.

The exhibit will include two and three-dimensional artwork in a variety of media and styles with a wide range of subjects. The show is judged by expert representatives from the Fine Arts and Wildlife Naturalist professions. This exhibit displays some of the finest professional and amateur artists working in the state of Indiana and surrounding areas in the subject area of wildlife and nature and is an excellent concentration of artists dedicated to preserving and promoting wildlife art as a truly Fine Art.

Indiana Wildlife Artists was first organized in 1982. Among its goals are the advancement of wildlife art and education about conservation of natural resources. Membership at several levels is available to all artists whose work shows a serious approach to wildlife art.

Persons needing additional information about the group may contact IWA by calling 317-846-4755 or by visiting their website at www.indianawildlifeartists.org.

Warmer Weather, Borzoi National Specialty and Art In Bloom!

I have been very busy lately! Framing work, shipping to shows, teaching painting and photography classes as well as riding my horses, taking care of family and working my part-time job at Gypsy Woods. The warmer weather has been a little distracting too. My perennials are growing and the spring bulbs are nearly finished blooming.

The birds are really active! Lots of color in my yard! We have Eastern Bluebirds nesting in one house. The other house is still vacant after my war on the English Sparrows and now the wasps that are trying to build a nest. There were 5 male (bachelor) tree swallows all trying to get in the house while I was riding yesterday. They swooped right under Amy's nose! A Blue Jay is sitting on eggs in the cottonwood right off the deck at eye level. She hasn't moved and the male brings her food and tenderly feeds her... quite a contrast to their typical reputation as a somewhat obnoxious bird!

Artistically speaking, I have some photographs that have juried into the National Borzoi Specialty in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky in May. My friend Lynne Hlavin brought her beautiful dog over for me to photograph. The resulting images were quite stunning with nice golden, late evening light against the dark backdrop of our woods adding to the artistic quality of the photos. Here are the images:

"Intensity" and "Beauty and Grace" you can see the entire show here:
http://web.me.com/veniharlan/BCOA_National_Juried_Art_Show/Gallery.html#grid

I also have work in the Seaside Art Gallery 19th Annual Miniature Show www.seasideart.com http://www.seasideart.com/EventDetails.aspx?id=26
Images included in this show are "The Broodmare" "Timber Wolf" and "Mystic" All these paintings are done in Acrylic and custom framed. My darling husband made the floater frames from some scrap Maple. He is cutting and joining all my frames now! He is so talented!


Other events this week include the Columbus Museum of Art, "Art In Bloom" fund raising event. I will be photographing the floral arrangements along side artistic masterpieces. The arrangements are designed as an interpretation of the art they are photographed with. This should be an interesting assignment! Its not often that an art museum allows photography (except when its for them!) https://www.columbusmuseum.org/specialevents/aib2010/

In other news. I was recently asked to be one of two judges for the upcoming Delaware Arts Festival. This is a good size festival held in May with lots of local and regional talent. I am looking forward to this and was honored to be considered.

Recent Work

These images are from some recent work. the first image is called "Got Love?" It is an acrylic done with my new Golden Open Acrylics. I love these paints! They can be blended much like oils even 2 days or more after putting them on the canvas. The other three images are visitors to my bird feeders. These guys are used to seeing me around the feeders in fact the Chickadees darn near eat out of my hand and the nuthatches dart in and out so quick you hardly can get a shot off.