Children’s Portrait Painting

“Emily and Ryan”

“In stressful times like these, we need the arts in our lives now more than ever” exclaims the host on the classical station I stream online. She goes on stating how it brings a sense of peace and calm to our daily life. And I couldn’t agree more, be it a favorite concerto, painting or another work of art! Upon seeing the final image emailed for approval of her grandchildren’s portrait, our dear collector friend exclaimed how it brought tears to her eyes, as the many memories flooded her mind. 

Isn’t it like art to remind us of fond memories associated with loved ones, pets and favorite places. Perhaps it’s even a painting of a landscape or place that we’ve never been to, but have always longed to visit. Art magically allows us to visit such places in our imagination. Some paintings, like a recent commission I did of a masterpiece entitled “Saudade” after Junior, lets us imagine, “What is she thinking and what does that letter say that she clutches tightly in her hand, as a tear slips down her cheek?” And portraits of our beloved pets, whether they are still part of our families or have since passed, are sure to bring smiles and delightful memories each time their miniature is looked at.

Art has always played a part in my life, and I remember paintings that I admired throughout my childhood. Above my Granny’s piano hung a beautiful painting and I loved imagining what the lady was playing on her violin as she descended the curving, grand staircase, coming to join the lady seated at the grand piano in the living room below. “Where they sisters perhaps and did they always dress in such finery?” A painting of a desert at sunset hung over my other Granny’s sofa, where I slept most of the time when we visited her, and I loved pretending that I was out in that desert watching the setting sun bathe the evening sky in shades of orange and red, hearing coyotes howling in the distance. Then I imagined sleeping out underneath the vast star filled night sky. Another favorite painting hung in my childhood home, depicting an older blacksmith hammering on a metal object outside a large barn. A young boy stood there watching him in a small pastoral clearing, that was surrounded by woods with a long narrow road leading off into the distance. So I urge you to take time to enjoy a peaceful escape, while peering at a beloved painting or listening to a favorite concerto, afterwards you’ll be glad you did!

Enjoy this short time-lapse video below in which you can watch me paint the miniature portrait of “Emily and Ryan” from start to finish.

 

Until next time ~ Rachelle

Autumn Leaves and Sandy Beaches

The remaining leaves continue shifting hues to golds and reds throughout our area, with many having dropped to the ground already, turning the forest floor into a thick soft bed of leaves. I must admit I haven’t put up fall decorations like I normally do each year, and I suppose some of our resident spiders weren’t happy about it and thought they’d help out a little  with grand decorations of their own, and I thought their web most impressive and a true work of art indeed!

Along with fall leaves, the symphonic serenade of loud leaf blowers and traffic noise pouring through our small town continues as well, causing Wes and I to continually seek out quiet spots whenever possible during the week, which is becoming more and more difficult. I’ve been taking videos with my GoPro from which I plan to make an autumn video for you, and it’s nigh impossible in our area anymore, to video without interruptions of man-made noise.

That being said, occasionally we find a spot that is completely quiet, at least for a few minutes and let me tell you, we soak in every single glorious second of it when we find such a gem! Whilst kayaking one day this past week, we found such a spot being a sandy beach where we had lunch. With abundant warm sunshine, I sat with bare feet buried in the warm, soft sand, while enjoying the beautiful view and sounds of crickets, birdsong and the wind blowing through the trees, wishing I could stay there all day! 

Enjoy the serenity in the short video above.

~ What’s Happening In Our Studio ~

I’m painting the final brushstrokes on this precious miniature portrait commission of two adorable siblings sharing a tender moment, and having great fun working on it! I’m making a time-lapse video of the entire progress as well and will be sharing it with you once it’s completed.

Wes finished his painting of a beautiful Carolina Wren this past week. 

 

~ See Our Miniatures This Week ~

See our touring exhibition Exquisite Miniatures now through November 4, 2020, at The Art Center, located in Quincy, IL. You can see several of the miniature paintings included in this exhibition on their website.

 

Until next time ~ Rachelle

Anticipating the Upcoming NatureWorks Art Show!

With the upcoming NatureWorks Art Show quickly approaching, we’re getting all of our last minute details taken care of, such as paperwork, framing, and our miniatures carefully packed up and ready to go to Tulsa, OK. As always we’re anxious to see several of our collector and artists friends there once again this year! With everything that’s been going on in preparing for the this show, as well as others however, we took time this afternoon to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine and blue skies with a relaxing walk in the woods. We drove to the nearby trailhead after eating a nice lunch at Subway. With walking sticks in hand, we started making our way up the side of the mountain leading to one of my favorite waterfalls. The air was crisp and cool as we went along winding our way around the path following the gentle curve of the mountain. Our feet made sloshing sounds as we plodded along the sopping wet, muddy trail, carefully trudging through several sections, which had become temporary stream beds. Although the tremendous amount of recent rainfall has created a mushy forest floor, it has also caused the moss to become quite stunning, assuming a bright green, lush appearance, and one that I simply cannot resist touching! Several scattered patches of  Soldier Moss were also looking quite stunning sporting their wee red caps, while looking like a miniature army marching off to battle! Unfortunately our “charged” camera batteries were alas not charged, and I was very limited in the photos I was able to take, with this unfortunately being one I missed.

The falls up close and personal!

Rounding another sharp, or “hairpin” curve as we here in the Appalachian mountains like to call them, we suddenly found ourselves on the South side of the mountain, where we were greeted with the full radiance and warmth of the sun, as well as an accompanying delightfully warm and balmy breeze. The type of breeze, which one usually has the pleasure of enjoying in late spring and early summer, and I must admit that it felt simply divine! I immediately stopped while exposing my forearms, and lifting my sun drenched face to the sky, soaking in this amazing warmth that I have not felt here, outside, in what seems like a very long time! I imagined myself as a butterfly after a long, chilly flight, landing on a sunlit rock, extending its colorful wings to absorb the much needed and appreciated warmth of the sun, thus recharging its solar batteries, enabling itself to carry on! Feeling like my own solar batteries were mostly recharged, I went along the path, catching up with Wes who was a ways ahead of me at this point. Having just turned my camera on, I captured the first glimpse of my beloved Spruce Flats Falls as I rounded the final curve in the trail, before descending to the base of the falls. Even before seeing this first glimpse, I could hear it’s thunderous roar in the distance. Scampering down the steep trail, I reached the bottom, and although I’ve seen it numerous times before, it always amazes me! Climbing over the steep, large and somewhat slippery rocks, I made my way to the very base of the falls, and stood there watching it with great admiration. The rain induced higher river levels feeding the falls, caused it to crash and roar over the edge like a torrential downspout, sending sprays and drops of water flying out a great distance in all directions as it made it’s way to the bottom! We sat on a rock near the bottom for a short while simply enjoying this spectacular show of nature. Feeling quite refreshed and happy to have had the falls completely to ourselves, we started our journey back passing several other hikers heading to the falls. Before long we were back at the trailhead, and making our way home.

My beloved Spruce Flats Falls in the distance

splish . . . splash . . . crash!

Fresh off the easel: This week I finished a miniature painting of a gorgeous Scissortail Flycatcher, to be débuted at NatureWorks show this coming weekend. Wes is currently working on a still life, which he set up in our living room, using things we’ve found over the years. It will be featured in the show “American Still Lifes” which will premiere at the beautiful R.W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport, LA in March of 2014. Wes and I will have six miniature paintings featured in this lovely show, between the two of us.

“Magnificent Scissortail” by Rachelle ~ 3 ½ x 3 ½ inches

Wes’ “A Few Things I Found” in progress

Come See Our Paintings This Week:

~ NatureWorks Art Show & Sale

February 28 – March 3, 2013: RENAISSANCE Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center, Tulsa, OK

 (Patron Preview Activities on February 28 and March 1)

 

~ EXQUISITE MINIATURES BY WES & RACHELLE SIEGRIST at The ArtCenter Manatee, Bradenton, FL

Until March 10^th

To view all our upcoming exhibits: http://www.artofwildlife.com/exhibitschedule.html

 Have a loved one or a beloved pet you would like captured in miniature? Contact and commission us!

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Until next time ~ Rachelle