Ann's radishesriver tree miniIn the early part of this year I thought and painted large for quite a while.  Doing the work for the hotel’s walls meant painting pieces up to 10-14 feet long, big strokes, big brushes and lots of paint.

At the end of the year our thoughts turn to miniatures-5×7 to the smallest at  2×2.

Lynda and I don’t enter the miniature show, of course, we do show small pieces here in Florence, and we have a Christmas tree in Charleston where we show minis.  This year we are proud to add a tree at Victor’s Bistro downtown.

People ask why we do these small pieces.  Other than the obvious reason, people like to give them for Christmas gifts, working small causes you to change gears.  When you work larger you need to include a good bit of information about your subject.  Even I, who work more impressionistly, still have to be sure the details are right.  When your canvas is 4×6 in. though   and you are doing a landscape, you only have room for the essence of the house by the tree or the rocks by the ocean.  Every stroke has to be right or it will be a small mess.  Where you used to have 50 strokes to portray something, now you have 3-4.  It really makes you pay attention, but boy when it works, it’s great.  You have a real gem. Every time you look at something differently your art sense grows.

This time for Victor’s, I am doing miniatures of the pictures hanging on Victor’s walls.  I’ve covered many of my favorites including the big one.  If, however, you go by and your favorite is missing, just let me know.

Red bridge 4