Here are my new and favorite works from the garden!
One of my favorites from the fall series is titled “Holding On.” If you love fall, this work is just that. The fruits of this specimen dried the most of any of the others, turning a warm brown. I just loved their position on its branch and it was the only “pair” that I had found on the ground. This is a large painting taking a full sheet of watercolor paper (22 x 30 inches). The fruits are painted with many transparent layers of raw sienna, raw and burnt umber and Indian red while the branches were painted with my favorite mud mixture of cobalt blue, permanent rose and transparent yellow, using my dry brush technique to recreate its unique texture.
I just took this piece to my favorite framer, Walls Alive. I selected what I think is the perfect molding. I can't wait to see this one. If it isn't accepted in the show, I will place this piece at the New Town Art Gallery!
The Charles Taylor H. Art Center
Juror Dan Smith
Hampton, Virginia
April 15 - May 27
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| "Holding On" Reserved for Exhibition 33rd Virginia Watercolor Society Exhibition April 15-May 27, 2012 Copyright Linda C. Miller 2011 |
It is currently reserved for exhibition. It is one of three paintings that I entered in the 2012 Virginia Watercolor Society’s Member Exhibition. This is the first time that I am entering the statewide competition. Once an artist has been invited to exhibit three times, one becomes a “Signature Member” of VWS. The bonus ~ this year’s exhibition, which is held in a different location each year, is at my favorite art center. Wish me luck there are more than 400 members in this group and roughly 100 paintings are accepted.
I just took this piece to my favorite framer, Walls Alive. I selected what I think is the perfect molding. I can't wait to see this one. If it isn't accepted in the show, I will place this piece at the New Town Art Gallery!
"Holding On" Accepted!
33rd Virginia Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition The Charles Taylor H. Art Center
Juror Dan Smith
Hampton, Virginia
April 15 - May 27
Tea Camellia
Watercolor on Paper
Specimen: The Elizabethan Gardens
Size: 16 inches wide by 12 inches high
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
Silent Auction Donation
Silent Auction Donation
The Elizabethan Garden's Diamonds &Denim Gala
From the Studio, Fall 2011
This fall I ended up painting six different works of fruits. Each have a different origin and their own way of coming to the studio. They are just what I needed as I am completing a year's study from The Elizabethan Garden's, many of the works are 22 x 30 inches for my upcoming exhibition next year.
Artichokes
My dear friend Patti Bierwirth purchased a florist shop in 2009, Flowers by the River in Califon , New Jersey. In 2010, we were up for Adam and Stephanie's wedding and stopped by the shop to pick up the rehearsal dinner arrangements. While in her beautiful shop, I eyed three dried artichokes, Mama artichoke , Papa artichoke and Baby artichoke. When I went to purchase them, my dear friend gave them to me as a gift. Thank you Patti!
It was when I started painting the squashes and the pear ~ I pulled them from my kitchen window sill and brought them to the studio. Today they are three paintings. The New Town Art Gallery has two of these works and one is now on exhibit at The Charles H. Taylor Art Center, an award winner. The works are rich in value created through many, many layers of washes and the details in dry brush with a steady hand.
Here are the two at the New Town Art Gallery......
Miniature Artichoke
Watercolor on HP Paper
Image size: 3 inches high by 2.5 inches wide
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
$150
Exhibited: 2011 Small Works Exhibition, awarded Third Place Watercolor
Exhibited: 2011 Small Works Exhibition, awarded Third Place Watercolor
Artichoke
Watercolor on HP Paper
Image size: 7 inches high by 5 inches wide
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
Custom framing and conservation glass
$300
New Town Art Gallery
Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM to 5PM, Sunday Noon to 5 PM
Pomegranate Fruit
Punica granatum
Watercolor on HP Paper
Image Size: 10 inches high and 8 inches wide
Specimen: Williamsburg
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
Custom framing and conservation glass
$425
The Gallery at York Hall
301 Main Street
Yorktown, Virginia
757.890.4490
Please call for hours and availability!
This year I was introduced to a "native" growing pomegranate fruit from a beautiful mature tree, here in Williamsburg. The fruit was picked as its skin was still a soft peachy color and its skin smooth as an apple. After a few weeks when I started this painting, the leaves and fruit had begun to dry. I was so taken with how the skin of this fruit become even more colorful and leathery. The reds and oranges are as vibrant as seen here. This piece is one of my signature pieces where the leather of the fruit, the turning of the leaves and the scales on the bark have been depicted in my favored dry brush technique.
Old Fashion Cooking Pear
Watercolor on HP Paper
Size: 5 inches wide by 7 inches high
Specimen: Mr. and Mrs. Ragland's Farm
Custom framing and conservation glass
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
$275
In September, my dear friend Jacqui joined me for Open Studio at The Elizabethan Gardens. We each came into the room with our finds, those to paint and those to share. I had brought pomegranates and she this wonderful "Old Fashion Cooking Pear" and a bottle of honey from their farm.
Thank you Ron for the honey!
Thank you Jacqui for my gift!
The Gallery at York Hall
301 Main Street
Yorktown, Virginia
757.890.4490
Please call for hours and availability!
Fall Bounty
Watercolor on paper
Image Size: 5 by 7 inches
Specimen: Morris Farm Market, Barco North Carolina
Custom framing with conservation glass
$325
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
This painting is of two wonderful garden vegetables from one of my favorite markets, Morris Farm Market, that we pass on our way to the Outer Banks. We had stopped on our way down for my fall workshop at The Elizabethan Gardens.
The Gallery at York Hall
301 Main Street
Yorktown, Virginia
757.890.4490
Please call for hours and availability!
(Photo, Linda C. Miller copyright 2011)
"Keep Your Heart Open"
Saucer Magnolia
Watercolor on paper
Specimen: The Elizabethan Gardens
Image size: 22 inches wide by 17 inches high
$725
Custom framing with archival mats and conservation glass
$725
Custom framing with archival mats and conservation glass
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2011
Available at the Gatehouse Giftshop on February 9, 2012
Available at the Gatehouse Giftshop on February 9, 2012
The Elizabethan Gardens
1411 National Park DriveManteo, North Carolina
Please call 252.473.3234
The tree on The Elizabethan Gardens' property is one of the largest, mature Saucer Magnolia trees that I have ever seen. I have a tree on my property where the branches are herbaceous and only as round as my pinkie finger, if that. Their inside petal colors are always white and succulent. The outer petals range from the brightest, deepest raspberry red to a soft, yet vibrant violet. This year's blooms were violet.
This painting shows the spring buds and blooms in their variouse stages! I just love the branches too - the new herb growth and the last season's wood are so textural and make these unusual turns on this mature specimen. The new branches have all these wonderful small fuzzy buds where the leaves sprout out after their flowers are pollinated. What a gift! Please keep in mind that it takes tremendous "energy" and "resources" for this tree and any plant to produce their flowers.
As Artist in Residence, I have been at garden over the past year drawing and painting first series of paintings titled "Expressions of Nature at The Elizabethan Gardens". The Virgina Dare Rose will be the first painting in the series to go on exhibit in the garden's famous Gate House in February 2012.
"Fresh from the Market"
Oil on Canvas, 2010
Canvas Size: 12 inches by 12 inches
$425
Spoken for!
Spoken for!
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
I entered an oil painting in this year's Members' Exhibition. I started this painting in 2003 and had blocked in all the areas with color and a bit of shading. Then in 2006, I picked it back up and added more. I had stayed away from this medium for I truly dislike the smell, especially when using mediums including linseed oil. But it was last year when I re-read one of my favorite books "Traditional Oil Painting" by Elliot (from the Williamsburg Library) and decided to finish this piece without using any mediums.
I so enjoyed adding the finishing touches in oil, a medium that I paint with on my back porch.
"My Gardenia's Gift from its Midnight Pollinator"
Gardenia jasminoides
Watercolor on 300 lb Paper
Specimen: Williamsburg
Image Size: 20 by 14 inches
$650
$650
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
Custom framing and conservation glass
Reserved for Exhibition
The gardenia fruit is from my yard. Last fall it had three fruits. Fruits which no one had seen before - and there were many acquainted with the gardenia including two master gardeners in my class. Funny thing ...I planted a smaller gardenia shrub last year and that bush has three fruits right now. The larger shrub which bore fruit last year has none.
Past Exhibitions
VIRGINIA ARTISTS 2011
Custom framing and conservation glass
Reserved for Exhibition
The gardenia fruit is from my yard. Last fall it had three fruits. Fruits which no one had seen before - and there were many acquainted with the gardenia including two master gardeners in my class. Funny thing ...I planted a smaller gardenia shrub last year and that bush has three fruits right now. The larger shrub which bore fruit last year has none.
I have searched and searched to learn more about its pollinator and all I have learned is that it is a hawk or sphinx moth. I have yet to find a source with a species specific pollinator for the gardenia. Obviously someone likes my yard! I guess I will have to camp out one night.
Past Exhibitions
VIRGINIA ARTISTS 2011
JURIED EXHIBITION
July - August 2011
JurorAmy Moorefield, Director and Chief Curator
Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University
This piece is one of 106 works in this multimedia exhibition. I am so honored and thrilled to be part of this exhibition, where I am one of 81 artists selected from over 840 entries by 301 artists throughout Virginia.
Botanical Art Society of the National Capital Region
"The Art of Seeing" Exhibition
Juried by
Marcia DeWitt, ASBA
December 5, 2010 through Sunday, February 6, 2011
Double Gardenia Fruit
Graphite on HP paper
Size: 16 inches high by 8 inches wide
Specimen: Artist's Garden
$350
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
Custom framing and conservation glass
New Town Art Gallery
Size: 16 inches high by 8 inches wide
Specimen: Artist's Garden
$350
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
Custom framing and conservation glass
New Town Art Gallery
Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM, Sunday Noon to 5 PM
Virginia Dare Rose
Watercolor on Paper
Specimen: The Elizabethan Gardens
Size: 25 inches high by 15 inches wide
Copyright Linda C. Miller
Spoken for!
I decided to keep this painting very transparent and light because the rose petals are so delicate. If I were to paint the leaves their "true" color, they would over power the painting. There is a larger work in the studio that will be included in the upcoming exhibition.
Summer's Splendor
Lace-cap Hydrangea
Hydrangea Macrophylla
Specimen: The Elizabethan Gardens
Original Watercolor on Paper
Size: 6.75 inches wide by 4.75 inches high
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
Larson Juhl antique gold frame and double matte
$450
I started this piece with a cutting from The Elizabethan Gardens in the Outer Banks! I used a No. 3 Round Winsor Newton Series #7 Sable brush (originally created for Queen Victoria) for the entire piece. I am amazed at how fine a line this "all in one" brush will make. Honestly - you only need one brush to do the work that I do.
New Town Art Gallery
Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM, Sunday Noon to 5 PM
5 x 7 Prints available at New Town Art Gallery, The Gallery at York Hall, The Elizabethan Gardens and
Past Exhibitions
VIRGINIA ARTISTS 2011 JURIED EXHIBITION, July - August, 2011
Juror
Amy Moorefield, Director and Chief Curator
Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University
This piece is one of 106 works in this multimedia exhibition. I am so honored and thrilled to be part of this exhibition, where I am one of 81 artists selected from over 840 entries by 301 artists throughout Virginia.
2011 Annual Hampton Arts League Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Art Center
January - February 2011
Daffodills
Narcissus ceylon
Watercolor on HP paper
Image Size: 26 inches high by 12 inches wide
$350
$350
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2008
Custom framing and conservation glass
New Town Art Gallery
http://www.newtownartgallery.com/
Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM, Sunday Noon to 5 PM
Custom framing and conservation glass
New Town Art Gallery
http://www.newtownartgallery.com/
Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM, Sunday Noon to 5 PM
Past Exhibition
Artist Solo Exhibition: "Botanical Discoveries" at Williamsburg Regional Library, 2009
The Sweetbay Magnolia tree is also called Swampbay or Swamp Magnolia.
Magnolia virginiana
Watercolor on 300lb Hot Press paper
Specimen: Williamsburg Botanical Garden
Size: 13 inches by 13 inches
$400
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
Custom framing and conservation glass
What I love most about painting plant portraits is one--- I learn so much about each plant's morphology and two--- since picking this specimen - I have found five trees growing just off the marsh on the Greensprings Trail that I walk regularly. So its common name is perfect, for its native habitat is a wetland!
New Town Art Gallery
$400
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2010
Custom framing and conservation glass
What I love most about painting plant portraits is one--- I learn so much about each plant's morphology and two--- since picking this specimen - I have found five trees growing just off the marsh on the Greensprings Trail that I walk regularly. So its common name is perfect, for its native habitat is a wetland!
New Town Art Gallery
Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM to 5PM, Sunday Noon to 5 PM
5 x 7 Prints Prints available at New Town Art Gallery and The Gallery at York Hall or
Please click here and visit Linda's The Botanical Art Store to order
5 x 7 Prints Prints available at New Town Art Gallery and The Gallery at York Hall or
Please click here and visit Linda's The Botanical Art Store to order
Wisteria Seed Pod, Winter
Watercolor on HP paper
Specimen: Williamsburg
Size: 5.5 inches high by 6 inches wide
Framed, $135
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2008
Copyright Linda C. Miller, 2008
This piece was painted during my day and a half getaway class with Lara Call Gastinger at The William Cox Inn. My goal was to create a work that realistically showcased this seed pod. The seeds are a very dark black-brown and have a very shiny surface. They also have these undulations that reflected the light, creating the perfect highlights. The seed pod is from the Williamsburg Regional Library.
The Gallery at York Hall
301 Main Street
Yorktown, Virginia
757.890.4490
Please call for hours!
Please call for hours!
Lenten Rose
Helleborus orientalis
Watercolor on HP 300 lb paper
Size: 12 inches high by 7 inches wide
Framed, $175
Copyright Linda C. Miller 2008
Framed, $175
Copyright Linda C. Miller 2008
This wonderful specimen came from my dear friend's farmhouse garden last year. This is one of my favorite paintings, a study for a much larger piece that is in the studio. I could paint this flower year round if it were to be in bloom. The variety of greens and how the seed heads develop are so amazing.
The Gallery at York Hall
301 Main Street
301 Main Street
Past Exhibition
Artist Solo Exhibition: "Botanical Discoveries" at Williamsburg Regional Library, March - April 2009
