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Karen, Rebecca, and Bonnie Latham
Summarized briefly, miniature painting is a form of painting that is deeply rooted in many cultures and spans centuries. The Latham’s are a family of American artists practicing it in today’s art market. As artists, Karen and her daughters Rebecca and Bonnie, strive for detail in their paintings. Studying with a Flemish master, they have developed their styles for painting extreme realism.
The original meaning of the word “miniature”, in referring to the classical traditional art form, means to paint very detailed and is not associated with size or scale. As artists working in that style, the Latham’s have discussed the topic and studied research of some of the world’s leading experts on the subject of miniature painting. The Latham’s are artists dedicated to preserving all true traditional miniature art as well as the wildlife that they feature in their own miniature paintings.
Karen: Beginning at the age of 10, Karen realized that she had a very special artistic gift. Since that time, she has taught herself to utilize her talent, in addition to earning a biology degree. She developed her own style through many hours of studying techniques. Karen has continually worked to improve her art. She says “The best artist never stops learning. Many paintings keep evolving as they progress and end up quite the learning experience.” Karen has won numerous awards in the US and England. In sharing the special magic of wildlife and nature in her paintings, Karen hopes to help the viewer better appreciate the natural world around them.
Rebecca: Growing up in a family drawn to the outdoors, Rebecca has always experienced a closeness to the natural world. With the supportive encouragement of her parents, and finding a talent in art, she chose to focus her future as a painter in her mid teens. Rebecca's primary goal in her work is to use it to help the creatures she paints as well as their habitat. She often participates in many wildlife and habitat conservation fundraising events to raise funds and awareness. Her work has been featured on several conservation/hunting stamps including the 2003 MN wild turkey stamp and the Manitoba conservation stamp. She spends as much time as possible observing and experiencing the wildlife she paints: "We often take up to 5000 still photographs on a shoot. It is very important that the subject painted is studied from every available angle, as well as it's habitats and preferences.”
Because of her interest in the biological aspects of wildlife art, her paintings always reflect a personal experience with the species. "For me, the research and fieldwork involved are my favorite, rain or shine. There are many times I have to drag myself back to my studio to paint, as I would much rather spend all of my time outside.”
Her style and technique are primarily influenced by her artistic family, Karen & Bonnie. After studying many mediums and styles of painting and sculpture, she now works primarily in watercolor in a traditional Flemish style. She particularly enjoys painting small and miniature works.
Bonnie: Inspired by her creative family and their love of the outdoors, Bonnie began her art career at a very young age. She paints nature, landscape, animals, birds, and the occasional portrait. She works in watercolors, acrylic, oil, inks, graphite/charcoal and others, however watercolors’ have become her medium of choice. She achieves a unique quality of depth and shape in her work, drawing the viewer into her paintings. Bonnie works in a assortment of sizes and formats, ranging from larger paintings to very small miniature paintings rendered less than one square inch.
Driven by her love of the outdoors and wildlife, Bonnie enjoys painting all wildlife subjects. Her travels have taken her to countless areas of the United States to study wildlife and habitat first hand. Her dedication to environmental conservation is evident in her paintings and drawings. "The balance of nature is so delicate. I only hope that through my paintings more people will realize that, unless we do our part, nature won't be here for us to enjoy. I enjoy helping wildlife and nature programs in any way I can." She spends as much time as possible studying her subjects. Her knowledge of each species is reflected in her work. " It's important to see not just the animal, but the twigs, grass, moss, etc. I try to bring these things into my studio." Through her artwork, Bonnie has raised thousands of dollars for conservation causes and wildlife rehabilitation and is recognized internationally for her talent.
She exhibits her work extensively in the United States and England. She is a member of The Wildlife Art Society International, and is a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists in New York. Bonnie's artwork was featured on the US Fish and Wildlife Service's 2000 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, being selected from 40,000 entries across the United States. She was also named "Artist of the Year" by Minnesota Ducks Unlimited for 2007.
Robert Paul Galleries is proud to show the works of American artist’s Karen, Rebecca, and Bonnie Latham.
