Miniatures by the lake
Small-works show
Every year Coeur d’alene Galleries holds a show made up of miniature paintings measuring around 12 inches and no more than 14 inches. These small-scale treasures give collectors the opportunity to explore a variety of works in Western subject matter like wildlife, sporting art, cowboys and Native American subjects at more affordable price points.
“We never imagined our Miniatures by the Lake show to grow into what it is today. Every year it seems to grow and the reception is one of the best parties of the year,” says Buddy Le, owner of Coeur d’alene Galleries. “We always try and invite a few new artists each year to introduce their work to collectors, and they’re always well received. This year isn’t any different with first-time participants like Harper Henry, Mark Mckenna and Joshua Labenne to name just a few. Of course, there’s always demand for the artists who have shown with us
since the beginning like Joe Kronenberg, Chad Poppleton, C. Michael Dudash, Brent Cotton, Jennifer Johnson and Colt Idol.” One hundred artists in total will be participating.
The inspiration for Kenneth Yarus’s Close Call Crossing came from a backpacking trip in Glacier National Park. “It was a windy day and creek crossing with a pack is stressful. With great relief we all made it across and rested to dry our clothes. Then across the river where we had just been a big black bear emerged! It didn’t notice we had just crossed, but as
we grabbed our bear spray it finally saw us. It happily swam downstream. I decided to paint the bear as a small feature to find in this piece,” he says.
“I tend to paint what I love, and hunting and fishing scenes along with wildlife and bird dogs have taken center stage,” says Luke Frazier,
who brings to the show an oil of a hound fixated on a fowl in flight. “I’ve had dozens of fine hunting dogs and have many beautiful memories of the hunt—every pooch has its own personality and mannerisms. Hopefully I capture those moments in a way that shows them at their best.”
Jeremy Winborg’s Prayers to the Great Spirit depict a young Native American woman gazing toward the sky, her face framed by a feather and smoke. “My field of work always focuses on the figure with varying degrees of abstraction surrounding her. The abstract aspect of the beads, earrings and dress all lend themselves to the focus on the face and especially her eyes. She gazes heavenward gently sending the wisps of sage smoke toward The Great Spirit,” Winborg says of the piece.
One of the two oils that Henry will be bringing to the show is bursting with energy— Out of the Gate features a bucking bronco in the moment it emerges from the gate. “I wanted this rodeo-inspired piece to convey a sense of momentum. I often juxtapose elements of realism next to abstraction in my work to create a contrasting effect of movement. I want the viewer to feel the dirt and hear the horse’s feet hitting the ground,” she says.
Among other works included in the annual show are two charcoal and graphite drawings of horses by Mary Ross Buchholz, and an oil of a young Blackfeet girl and her doll by Karen Noles.
The 12th annual Miniatures by the Lake show runs from September 1 to 30. A reception, sale and draw will be held on Saturday, September 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.