Show Preview | Miniature Masterpieces - Southwest Art Magazine

Evergreen, CO
Evergreen Fine Art, November 19-December 10

Kelli Folsom, Blue Blossoms, oil, 9 x 12.

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Masterworks come in all shapes and sizes. This month, Evergreen Fine Art recognizes the world of small wonders—and the patience, concentration, and extraordinary dexterity needed to create them—with its sixth annual Miniature Masterpieces exhibition.

Gallery owners Barb Hadley and Phil Shanley say they are excited to have about 50 invited artists showing more than 150 works measuring 120 square inches or less. “These are high-quality pieces by some of the best artists working today,” they say.

Miniature Masterpieces opens Saturday, November 19, with an artists’ reception from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition offers a varied collection of themes and subjects across the board, something gallery director Doug Kacena says is fun. “It’s perfect for entry-level collectors who are just beginning to build their collections, and it’s a good opportunity for more established collectors to fill gaps in their collections,” Kacena says.

: Edward Aldrich, Ever Vigilant, oil, 10 x 12.

: Karen Roehl, Chessie, mixed media, 8 x 10.

: Kelli Folsom, Sweet Rose, oil, 6 x 12.

: Pem Dunn, Top of the World, oil, 8 x 15.

: Renee Buller, Mom’s Chickadees, oil, 8 x 8.

: Robert Spooner, Shem Trawler, oil, 7 x 12.

Notable artists participating in the show include oil painters Robert Spooner, Mai Wyn Schantz, and Quang Ho, along with landscape artists Dave Santillanes, Susiehyer, Keith Bond, and Kevin Weckbach. Still-life artist Jeff Legg and abstract painter Karen Roehl display works alongside bronze and stone sculpture by Pati Stajcar, Sandy Graves, Rosetta, and Stephen LeBlanc.

Wildlife painter Edward Aldrich has participated in the Miniature Masterpieces show since its inception. “I want the small paintings to still make an impact from across the room,” Aldrich says. “There aren’t as many details in a smaller work, but all of my paintings are inspired by the lighting, mood, and what really grabs me.” That light-and-dark contrast, and the use of strong diagonals between the standing coyote and the background, creates a strong sense of naturalistic majesty in his piece EVER VIGILANT. Aldrich says this painting was a combination of two separate photos he captured: one of the animal in its natural state and one of a background habitat Aldrich found himself particularly drawn to.

: Sandy Graves, Sly, bronze, 5 x 4 x 3.

: Ed Kucera, No Doubt, oil, 10 x 8.

: Jie Wei Zhou, Greek Oil Flask and Flowers, oil, 12 x 9.

: Karen Roehl, Colorful Dreamer, mixed media, 10 x 8.

: Pem Dunn, Celestial Light, oil, 8 x 15.

: Robert Spooner, Dutch Watermills, oil, 6 x 10.

Pem Dunn, a landscape artist and retired airline pilot, finds his art calling him to the Rocky Mountains. Dunn first looks for an immediate, gripping emotional impact before painting a scene in oil. He has five paintings in the exhibition, covering a range of landscapes. “In the miniature show you can do a lot of different types of paintings because it takes less time to create each one and you can get more excitement into each work,” Dunn says. “I can create different moods within a single subject matter to stir new emotions.”

Miniature Masterpieces continues through December 10. —Katie Askew

contact information
303.679.3610
www.evergreenfineart.com