"Storybook" is a painting of our daughter and is for an invitational group show called "Private Spaces". The show opens with a reception on Friday May 6th.
Each invited artist was asked to paint something that represented a private space for them. I decided that a little girl, hidden away on a canopy bed, reading a big storybook was a good choice.
We were each asked to write a short description of our painting to hang next to it in the show.
Below the painting is what I wrote to accompany it.

"Storybook" 14x18" oil/linen. Frank Gardner © 2011
$1,500. Framed. Available at M Gallery of Fine Art. Charleston, SC
"Story Book" is about a little girl's private time with a story book and her imagination. A private space on a soft bed with a canopy pulled. Separating her from the outside world and allowing her to escape into her inner space. This is a painting of our daughter, but I think everyone can relate to a little child and that special age. The time when the printed word becomes real, if just for a moment, and a world of endless possibilities and promise expands a child's world.
I also sent them a 6x8" that I painted when I was working out the design for "Storybook". This one is from a slightly different angle and Erin is reading a larger book. This one is called "Big Stories".

"Big Stories" 6x8" oil/linen. Frank Gardner © 2011
$550. Framed. Available at M Gallery of Fine Art. Charleston, SC
A third new painting that I sent to M is a landscape with a full moon coming up over the hills here in Mexico. The serene feel to this view and the colors really inspired me to paint it. This one is not for the "Private Spaces" show, but it will be hanging at the gallery.

"Rising Moon" 16x20" oil/linen. Frank Gardner © 2011
$1,800. Framed. Available at M Gallery of Fine Art. Charleston, SC