Ripple

Tricoloured Heron- 3" x 3.5" Pencil sketch on WC paper

Piping Plover - 3" x 3.5" Pencil sketch on WC paper

A few days ago I read about an online project that has been set up to aid in the Deep Water Horizon Gulf Oil Spill.

Kelly Light is a talented illustrator who wanted to do something about this disaster, so she set up a project called "Ripple"... the thought being that one ripple reaches out to many and repeats.

She contacted her art community and asked individuals to create a sketch on a 2.5"x 3.5" format and she would post it to the Ripple blog where each card would be "sold" when a person made a $10 donation to either the The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies or The International Bird Rescue Research Center, two non-profit organizations currently helping in the Gulf.

Well, Kelly's project has been a great success with people adding to it everyday. Every penny raised goes directly to these organizations and since June 3rd, this project has raised over $4,000!

"Tricolored Heron" and "Piping Plover" are my two little contributions. To make a donation and purchase, visit the Ripple Blog for further instructions.

And I would like to put out the challenge to all other artists to donate their own little sketch. As Kelly puts it "We don't have to feel helpless. We can help. Our small actions together will ripple outward. "

Miniature - Chickadee (Work in progess)

Chickadee miniature WIP
3" x 3" - Watercolor on WC board

Here's one of the minis I am currently working on.
When we go for our walks to a nearby conservation area, the woods are filled with chickadees who have learned that hikers are suckers and almost always have food.
It is great to see young kids able to have one land on their hand or heads to grab a seed.
Needless to say, I have lots of photo reference :-)

Miniature-Cardinal Thicket

Cardinal Thicket
2.25"x4.25" (8"x10" framed) watercolour on HP paper

Here is the finished miniature that I posted as a WIP earlier this week.
This watercolour painting measures 2.25" x 4.25" and has been submitted for inclusion in the Dundas Valley School of Art 39th Annual Art Auction, a local fundraiser.
The auction will be held on Saturday, April 18th at 7:00p.m. Admission is $20.00 in advance, $25.00 at the door. Free previews will be held from 9 - 9 on Thursday, April 16th, Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th (until 5:00 p.m.)
So, if you're in the area... :-)

Detail from Cardinal Thicket

Miniature-WIP

Here is a peek at what I am currently working on (sorry for the lousy scan...). A miniature painting, watercolour on hot pressed watercolor paper, measuring 2 5/8" x 4 5/8".

This differs from my recently posted ACEOs which are more like little studies, always measure 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" and don't have as much detail.

A true Miniature follows the following guidelines:
•Minute in scale vs. life sized. Following the general 1/6th scale.
•Delicate and painstaking technique that withstands magnification.
•Small in format and size. 25 inches or less for surface area.
•High in quality. The work should exemplify Fine Art ~ demonstrating a mastery of composition, color, values etc.

Additional info can be found here:
Association of Miniature Artists
Art in Miniature
Miniature Art History (Courtesy of Wes and Rachelle Siegrist)