The Spring Miniature Show is presented by the members of the IWS. We are composed of professional and amateur artists that have a love for the medium of watercolor. We come from all over the state of Iowa and total about 200 members.

The Iowa Watercolor Society's (IWS) Miniature Exhibition gives artists a creative limit: all work must fit in a frame size no larger than 8x10 inches (but they can be as small as the artist wants). But within that limitation they are free to explore and use any water color medium (paints, inks, gouache, pencils, or markers), and have their choice of papers, even collages are accepted. Juried exhibitions normally have more stringent requirements. Artists love the freedom of using multiple tools and techniques as it gives them more flexibility to experiment. Come and enjoy the artists’ creative solutions to this medium. 

This annual Spring Miniature Show at the Urbandale Library is one of our most popular, along with our annual exhibition in the Fall in Perry, Iowa. 

Bubble of Life, in Iowa

The Des Moines Camera Club is a diverse group of creative individuals who are passionate about creating photographic images. Just like the uniqueness of our outdoor environment, each of us 'sees' and photographs the world in our own personal way. While some are attracted to colors, shapes, lines, or patterns of a scene, others may be inclined to capture equally interesting images emphasizing the action, mood or totality of a place. Some are spontaneous, capturing life as it occurs naturally around them, and others plan each shot predetermining the time, subject, place and perhaps using special equipment.

Regardless of our methods, we all strive to share our own unique vision and perspective through our photography. As a club, we cherish these differences and enjoy the versatility and creativity of the group.

We hope that you will enjoy our interpretations of 'Bubble of Life' and the individuality of each image.

Through the transformative process of turning wispy wool fibers into soft, strong felt, artist Megan Hammer explores the potential for harmony and collaboration with nature. She embraces the natural textures revealed through the felting process and presents intricate details which immerse the viewer in the artist’s discoveries, exploration of place, and experiences in our natural world.

Artist Biography

Megan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting and Drawing from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003. She later became fascinated with using wool as an art medium, and has been creating vibrant, expressive fiber art since 2018. Recent exhibitions of her fiber art include the Carnegie-Ellsworth Gallery, the Polk County Heritage Gallery, and the Iowa State Fair Fine Art Exhibition.

Through sharing her work, Megan discovered a curiosity in others surrounding the art of felting. Since 2019, she has found joy and connection by leading creative workshops in which she shares felting techniques while encouraging an appreciation for nature. She has been a featured workshop instructor for organizations such as the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University, Polk County Conservation, and the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival in Colorado. 

Megan’s artwork has evolved through different mediums, but has always been inspired by the simple, natural wonders she encounters. Megan can be found admiring and gathering inspiration from the flora of her surroundings, whether wandering the wild prairie, or weeding her backyard flower garden. She lives in Urbandale, Iowa with her husband, where she creates art while instilling a love of nature in her two young sons. 

meganhammer.com
Facebook/meganhammerart
Instagram/meganhammerart

Serving Memories is dedicated to the commemoration of life events. By combining glass servingware with florals commonly used in celebrations, the end result inspires viewers to meditate on life experiences. This may be by scent memory, or by recognition of specific botanicals.

This project inspires a deeper appreciation of florals connected to special days, or seasons of our lives. These paintings present vegetation on beautiful serveware that may be rarely used, but are treasured and brought of china cabinets for life events. Bridal showers, tea parties, holiday festivities, and birthday parties are all celebrated in style; often paired with special dishes.

Barb Thompson is a Cedar Rapids based artist who loves to study florals and vegetation. Her aim is to capture blooms, colors and textures for year round enjoyment. She paints from her own garden and plants, as well as bouquets she curates from local floral shops. Growing up in the Midwest, she has learned to immerse herself in each season, and enjoy the botanicals as they bloom and change.

Revival is a collection of original oil paintings depicting modern contemporary country life in middle America, especially Iowa.
 
Statement
Jeff Klisares is a self-taught artist/painter who was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. The second child, Jeff was probably destined to break the rules, while also attempting to please everyone in unconventional ways. His maker also chose to make Jeff mostly left-handed, adding to the humbling legacy of thinking differently than most others.
Jeff found himself armed with a B.S. degree in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University, including intense focus on Industrial Engineering and Landscape Architecture.
 Employment in Corporate America taught Jeff that functioning in a cult environment where creativity is frowned upon was not for everyone, though nearly, it seemed.
Jeff now paints.
jeffklisares.com

All work presented here, with the exception of the San Francisco piece are from the Iowa area.  Many are from areas in and around Des Moines.

As an avid cyclist I see much of my potential work from the seat of a bike. The road figures prominently in this work as it does in our everyday life.
www.jeffsuchomelartwork.com

I grew up in southeast Iowa, intensely exploring the hills and plains, timbers and fields of that landscape. Summer days, were full of trips out of town to explore timberlands, fish, hunt arrowheads, or just play in the creek near my home town. After high school I attended the University of Iowa, majoring in art after an initial dalliance into engineering. I graduated with a ba in 1984, and immediately pursued a master’s degree. I taught elementary and junior high art for four years (while working on my graduate degree) before moving to northwest Iowa in 1988. I finished my master’s in 1989, driving weekly to Iowa City, and teaching days at Iowa Central Community College. I retired from teaching full time at Iowa Central in 2018. I still teach a few classes there. I currently live in Rockwell City where I have converted an old hardware store downtown into a studio and workshop (Prairie’s Edge Studios).
 

About Andrew: "I've been a practicing artist since 2005 and have exhibited professionally since 2011. I work with a mixture of media. My hand-made work consists of wood-burning, acrylic paint, colored pencil and charcoal on wood panel. My digital pieces are created through modifying images of my hand-made work, or they are generated from scratch. Visually my work centers around creating matrices of color fields and linework, then breaking apart and piecing them back together.  I feel this  technique helps to keep my work evolving. I intend to showcase and sell prints of my work  through this site.  PLEASE, contact me directly about collaborations, commissions, and/or purchasing hand-made work.  I would be more than happy to make something unique for your space!" – Andrew Clarridge

See more artwork and order prints at ClarridgeArt.com

There is no one photograph that is exactly like another, as every photograph is a split second visual that will never be repeated in a lifetime.

I have always loved seeing the world through the camera lens and have professionally for the last 25 years.

In my photography, I continually strive to reveal the beauty of people, places and things through the lens, offering you a new way of looking at them…up close and personal. Everything in life has a unique beauty all it’s own. That is what I desire you to see as you experience my work.