The Art of Kathleen Chaney
Fritz - Michigan at its
Very Best! opened Sunday,
May 3, 2009 at East Lansing, Michigan's Saper
Galleries. At the opening reception Kathleen
personally dedicated artwork purchased that day
and the delightful children's books she
illustrated, Gitchi
Gumme and Tears of Mother Bear.
Since that exhibition, Kathleen has created
many new oil paintings shown on this page.
Many of her limited editions are still available.
Please contact
us with any questions about
availability. Thank you!
If you have enjoyed the many splendors of Michigan: boating on the Great Lakes and bicycling Mackinac Island, climbing the sand dunes at Sleeping Bear, dipping toes in the crystalline water and fine sand beaches at Leland, touring the vineyards at Grand Traverse, fishing near sunset at Harbor Springs, enjoying the resorts at Charlevoix, watching the waves break at the Grand Haven lighthouse, and feeling the power of the thunderous Tahquamenon Falls, then you will delight in visiting this exhibition. Kathleen, one of Michigan’s most talented artists, is particularly noted for capturing so beautifully and perfectly the essence of Michigan as we all enjoy it. From a solitary rowboat amidst the lake grass to sailboats returning at dusk, trillium and lilies from our woods and backyards, children playing on the beach, apples picked fresh off the tree, the art of Kathleen Chaney Fritz reminds us of the days of our youth and summer vacations with our children. Her imagery is timeless; her paintings awaken the senses and allow us to revel in the beauty that is unique to our Great Lakes State. Enjoy Michigan at its very best through the eyes of a real treasure, Michigan painter extraordinaire, Kathleen Chaney Fritz. A graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, Kathleen worked for many years as a free-lance illustrator, honing her skills in drawing and her ability to quickly deliver on a variety of projects. In 1986, following the overwhelming success of her first poster, a commemorative watercolor for the prestigious Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, Kathleen began to focus on her career in fine arts. Although the scenes depicted in a Chaney Fritz painting may be familiar -- Michigan sand dunes, boats on the Great Lakes and carriages on Mackinac Island, as examples -- each painting is an original composition rather than a photographic rendering. "They still have the brush strokes of the painter," said one art critic. It is Kathleen's vision and her eloquent portraits of the Michigan scenes she enjoys that are so captivating by those fortunate enough to see or own them. She displays amazing talent in capturing with paint and brush the feelings she senses and wishes to share. The water reflections, the shadows, the brilliant sun, the textures of flower petals, amazing vistas all come to life in the paintings by Kathleen Chaney Fritz. It is my pleasure to welcome you to enjoy a large selection of original oil paintings and limited editions at The Art of Kathleen Chaney Fritz - Michigan at its Very Best! ~ Roy Saper
Good news! Now on display and available for acquisition are dozens of small, limited edition giclees by Kathleen Chaney Fritz, ranging from small desktop "mini" framed prints (5" square) at $40, shrink-wrapped prints at only $40, small matted prints that fit 8x10" frames for only $40. Three dozen images are available including most of those on this page -- plus many others. Do let us know as you have questions about available images! |
New Original
Paintings! Please click on images to see them in a larger size. If you like them here, imagine what they are like in person! Down to the Bay <New! Original oil painting on canvas Canvas size: 16 x 20" Frame size: 24 x 28" $4,000 framed Woodland Path <New! Original watercolor Image size: 10 x 11 1/2" Frame size: 21 1/2 x 20" $1,200 framed "Cafe au Lait" Dahlia <New! Original watercolor Image size: 20 1/4 x 18 1/4" Frame size: 29 1/2 x 27 1/2" $1,600 framed |
The images shown below are available as limited edition prints reproduced from the original oil paintings that have been sold. The process used to create these prints involves scanning (and digitizing) the original paintings and having them output on a very high resolution device that prints them on canvas or paper with such good quality it is very difficult to discern a difference between the original painting and the reproduction. These prints are often called "giclées". The limited editions on canvas are also available enhanced where the artist personally hand paints a significant portion of the giclées on canvas, effectively recreating them as "originals", giving those a unique touch that differentiates each in the edition. Please contact us for prices of the enhanced "over-paint" canvases. Thank you! |
New! >> The artist just created a series of Michigan scene mini-prints (5 1/2" square and 7" square) just $32 and $35 framed to set on your desk, table, night stand or bookshelves. They also make the perfect gift. Availability is limited and changes daily so check to see if your favorite image (below) is available as a "mini" by contacting us now! |
Tears of Mother Bear Hardcover book, 28 pages, ages 12 and older $17.95 signed by Kathleen Chaney Fritz, illustrator No longer available through Saper Galleries Walk the shores of Lake Michigan
with grandpa and his grandchildren on their rock
hunting expedition, in search of the great Petoskey
stone. Grandpa reveals the untold story of the
Tears of Mother Bear.
"While browsing through childrens' picture books when visiting the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, MI, the title and illustrations of Tears of Mother Bear immediately caught my attention. As I began to read the book I was mesmerized. Anyone who has ever spent time with family during the summer at the beach - looking for special rocks and stones on the shore - will love this book! Remember finding those stones that were great for "skipping" and those that were "keepers"? I couldn't wait to get back home to search the net for the Petoskey Stones this book introduced to me. What a wonderful tale!" ~ A reviewer "My 7 year old loved this story so much that she wants to canoe to the 2 islands mentioned. She looks forward to running down the sand dune and taking a personal look. When a book can inspire a child to want to see for herself, this is grand writing." ~ Another reviewer Prints are available of the fantastic illustrations Kathleen Chaney Fritz painted for these two books. |
Gitchi Gumee Hardcover book, 32 pages, ages 5 to 8 $18.95 signed by Kathleen Chaney Fritz, illustrator No longer available through Saper Galleries Winner of the Midwest Booksellers Children’s Picture Book of the Year Honor Book. Kathleen's incredible illustrations
immediately capture your eye and draw you into this
amazing story that reads as a 400 year old
legend. When you are done sharing this story
with your children or grandchildren, their favorite
new words to say will be....GITCHI GUMEE
!! Prints are available of her fantastic
illustrations.
Gorgeous illustrations . . . truly a book for everyone who loves the water and Great Lakes. --Detroit Free Press Here is a children's text enhanced by illustrations that manages to be both whimsical and awesome. -- Lake Superior Magazine The gorgeous paintings...evoke the...feeling of the story. This is truly a book for everyone who loves water. -- Detroit Free Press, May 26, 2006 While reading the book and admiring the pages, one can't help but get swept up into the story. --Bay Area Times Magazine A 2006 Midwest Booksellers Association Children's Honor Book of the Year, Gitchi Gumee is a story of patience and respect. It is a story of a master teaching and guiding his pupil. It is a story of the 'big water' that touched Native Americans, Longfellow, and anyone who has come in contact with the magnificence of never-ending bodies of water, be it lakes, seas or oceans. Open up an elegant and powerfully written story that has been brought to life with beautiful and vibrant illustrations. |
Saper Galleries....where
excellence is the standard!
433 Albert Avenue East Lansing, Michigan 48823 USA (517)351-0815