Special to the News-Sun
SEBRING - Wes and Rachelle Siegrist are a husband and wife team who specialize in creating exquisitely detailed miniature paintings that are gems of fine art for enhancing existing collections, or for filling a display niche. The artists render their intricate artwork in opaque watercolor. These tiny treasures typically measure less than nine square inches and appear even more detailed when viewed under magnification.
Sebring holds a very special place in the Siegrists' hearts as a home away from home. From 1989 until 1999 the Siegrists taught adult and children's classes at the Highlands Museum of the Arts. In fact, it could be said that it was at the museum that the Siegrists career together began since Rachelle was one of Wes' students there in 1989.
Rachelle sat in on other classes Wes taught during their time dating and helped as an instructor once they were married in 1990. The duo also served on the board of directors for the Highlands Art League during much of the 1990s, with Wes serving stints as the vice-president and then president for three years. At one point, they practically lived at the museum with Wes teaching a variety of classes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on one day of the week with full teaching schedules the rest of the week as well.
Rachelle served as gallery manager of the musuem for a time and both artists put in extra volunteer time pulling weeds in the landscaping, painting the interior walls and agile Wes was often tapped to climb the ladder to change the light bulbs high in the stairway ceiling. Outside of the museum the Siegrists also regularly exhibited at shows, festivals and galleries in the greater Sebring and Lake Placid area and continued to do so until they moved to Tennessee in July 2001.
Miniature art has been in existence for centuries, and the current revival in its popularity has given rise to miniature art societies, which in turn have given the Siegrists a platform for international recognition among peers and collectors. Wes and Rachelle Siegrist are members of The Society of Animal Artists, the Miniature Art Society of Florida, the Miniature Artists of America, the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, DC, and the Cider Painters of America. In addition, they are the authors of the world's first standard definition of miniature art adopted by the Association of Miniature Artists.
The Yellow House Gallery and Gift Shop is at 1989 Lakeview Drive. The Art League hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Additional information may also be obtained by calling 385-5312, or visiting the website highlandsartleague.org.
Friday, January 11, 2013 - www.newssun.com/011313-hal-artist-of-mo