Wes & Rachelle Siegrist

"Tiny Treasures of the Natural World"

Monthly Newsletters

MINIATURE PAINTINGS: African Birds Birds of Prey Butterflies Florals Gamebirds Landscapes Mammals Portraits Reptiles Songbirds Larger\|Older Reproductions HIGHLIGHTS: Biography Exhibits Statements Resumes Galleries Publications Newsletters History Awards Framing Sitemap CONTACT: Order Testimonials siegrist@artofwildlife.com	Rachelle and Diane Mason tour the Art Castings foundry in Loveland, CO. Since Karryl and Diane both use the foundry they were delighted to give us a "behind-the-scenes" educational tour. We also ran into mutual friend Stanley Proctor while there and were treated to watch one of his memorial monuments during the final waxing stage.	Rachelle and Diane Mason beside Louise Peterson's sculpture at The Wildlife Experience.
	News Highlights: * New shows and Venues: The jury results have again come back positive for us so more exhibits have been added into the schedule. We've accepted the invitation to participate in the Reflections of Nature show in Fallbrook, CA next May. We're most excited about seeing so many of you and our peers again in person at the upcoming Waterfowl Festival followed by the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival!
	Wes gets some photographic advice from the geese about how to best photograph the ducks and geese on the other side of the fence. Thanks again guys...the shots came out perfect!	Rachelle especially loves the reptiles and apparently they care for her as well!
	Interesting Updates: * Wes is currently working on several miniature history and informational projects in between his painting time. * On the easels: We're both trying to finish one or two more works in advance of the upcoming shows. Since these will be our "surprise" paintings we can't tell you what they are...for now!
	Wes enjoying breakfast with Jeff Whiting, Bob Mason, Vicki Parsons, Hap Hagood and Karryl during the SAA business meeeting. It was our second breakfast for the day with the first being hosted by Kay Witherspoon in her studio. Our shows are always a wonderful time with friends and the public...and of course the food is delicious!	Rachelle, Chistine Knapp and Kelly Dodge actually love to laugh more than eat chocolate...well maybe? A large group of artists enjoyed a buffet dinner on Friday night after the formal reception which was a wonderful way to unwind and catch up with friends.
	Our Recent Memory Makers: •Top highlights include our stay in Colorado with Bob and Diane Mason and all their critters. Karryl also joined us for the time we were there seeing Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park and Loveland with a foundry tour and several fun meals together. The hours spent at the Denver Zoo went by far too quickly. The SAA show had a record number of member artists in attendance at 52 so we were able to put smiling faces to so many we've previously only known via email. Another treat was to meet fellow miniaturist, Jennifer Robb Hall and her husband, Wesley. We've known Jennifer for about a decade participating with her online in various miniature art forums. They joined us for lunch with about a dozen other artists at the Cafe inside the Museum. Another new friend of note that we found in CO is Steve Spears. http://www.sculptlife.com/ Steve is currently designing a monument in tribute to the U.S. Navy’s involvement in the DDAY invasion of WWII and he'll soon be moving to our area of TN! •We enjoyed the last outdoor concerts of the season at our Heritage Center here in Townsend and also managed to squeeze in a few parties with friends and neighbors despite the long hours painting lately. •Our drought is still with us and has affected the leaf color at least in our yard. What few leaves are left hanging on our trees are beautiful shades of yellow, red and orange. The mountains surrounding Townsend are just starting to reach their peak beauty.
	Rachelle, Karryl and Hap Hagood trying their best to locate a Leaf-tailed Gecko in a display filled with leaves.	Rachelle, Karryl and Chris Knapp discuss the best way to photograph penguins.
	Diane, Rachelle and Karryl inside Karryl's studio in Loveland.	Rachelle and Tricia Wilhoit pause during a mountain hike to take in some of the colors of the Sourwood trees.
	Critter Encounters: * Yard Bird List: 95. We added the Ovenbird and Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Ovenbird was remarkably tame and spent several days in our backyard. The pair of Red-breasted Nuthacthes are daily visitors to our peanut feeder. The Purple Finches, White-throated Sparrows and Juncos have returned announcing the soon arrival of colder weather. * We added the following critters and birds to our list of encounters while out in Rocky Mountain National Park: Prairie Dogs, Prairie Rattlesnake, Western Scrub Jay and Tufted Squirrel. Our highlight was a herd of about 25-30 Bighorn sheep that we observed along the road on a hillside. Between us and the other artists in the van the cameras were working overtime!
	Rachelle on the banks of the Yellowstone River photographing an American Dipper. She's already decided upon one of her Birds In Art entries for 2008.	The lovebirds atop a peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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