I’m so pleased to announce that Woman Made Gallery in Chicago has chosen my Ladybug, Big Spots watercolor to appear in its annual Small Works Members Show.

This popular holiday show runs from Saturday, December 2, though Saturday, December 23.

Woman Made has planned several special events as part of this festive show.

Opening Reception: Dec. 2 – Join Me There

Please join me for the opening reception. I will attend, and I’m looking forward to seeing you.

The reception will be held Saturday, December 2, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Admission is free, always, at Woman Made Gallery. The gallery is located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. NOTE: This is a new location, and this holiday show will be the first exhibition in the new space.

Show Runs Dec. 2 – 23

My Ladybug, Big Spots painting will be among works by 121 artists featured in the Small Works Members Show, which runs from Saturday, December 2, through Saturday, December 23.

My watercolor painting measures 8 inches square, and it’s framed and ready to hang. This beautiful piece is perfect for holiday giving, with its bright color and whimsical subject.

Besides paintings, the show presents sculptures, mixed media art, prints, fiber art, and photography.

Everything in this “small works” show is for sale and measures no larger than 20 inches on any side, making these works perfect for holiday buying and giving. All pieces are priced in a range up to $400.

Three Receptions: Dec. 2, 9, and 23

Woman Made Gallery will celebrate this show and the current festive season with three receptions, including the opening on Dec. 2:

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 – 7 p.m.: opening reception
• Saturday, Dec. 9, 2 – 4 p.m.: member/volunteer appreciation party
• Saturday, Dec., 23, 2 – 4 p.m.: closing reception

I will attend the opening as well as the other events. I hope to see you there!

About Ladybug, Big Spots

Ladybug, Big Spots was among the pieces I created during a “bug phase” in my painting. During that time, I painted tiny bugs, from mosquitos to mayflies, on Asian paper that I tore to give each painting a sculptural quality and to showcase the paper’s texture and edges.

I had so much fun painting these little creatures from the natural world, and Ladybug especially captured my heart and imagination. This piece combines both watercolor painting and pen and ink for the little legs.

Because this piece was made on traditional Asian paper, it needed to be mounted. Also, as a watercolor, it required framing to protect the painting. I have framed it especially for this show, with a custom cut red mat and a simple black square frame; both of these help bring out the bright red of the ladybug and the contrasting black of her spots.

As for the mounting, it took me many years to find the right materials and techniques to mount this type of painting. Only last year did I achieve that and develop the skill to mount my paintings myself. So Ladybug is a celebration not only of artistic joy and bright colors but of the breakthrough I experienced in realizing I could finish this painting in the time honored, traditional methods to present it in the best possible way.

As with Red Bamboo, mounting Ladybug was a magical process. What a wonderful pleasure to finish it and return after it dried to see that the mounting had worked perfectly. And now, Ladybug is finished and ready to greet you, properly mounted and beautiful framed.

Visit Woman Made Gallery-New Location!

Woman Made Gallery has just moved to a new location at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

To contact the gallery, call 312-738-0400 or email general@womanmade.org.