Woman and Bird 4 - Enchantress

Woman and Bird 4 - Enchantress
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

Mixed Media
Miniature (4" x 6" / 10 cm x 15 cm)

I have to use magnifying glasses to paint these little paintings. They are completely handpainted and aren't manipulated or touched up on the computer. What you see is it. :)

This one turned out a little different from my usual style but I think maybe it was because I was experimenting with my paint. At any rate, I liked how it turned out so here it is.

Two New Paintings - Birds Nest and Still Life

Title: Pink and Sunshine
Acrylic

Title: Birds Nest
Acrylic

Be sure to check my website at www.BenitaSweeney.com for purchases.
Both of these paintings will be auctioned. Be sure to check my auctions section for more info.

Bird in the Grass

Bird in the Grass
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

I love blackbirds. This little guy was so pretty!

Little Brown Bird

Little Brown Bird
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

I do these little paintings as a study of a subject I am working on. This one measures 6" x 6". I am working with birds a lot right now for the "Woman and Bird" series. This one is one of my personal faves. I always try for a looser, less detail kinda painting. All of these little paintings are auctioned when I finish them.

Three Studies of Blackbirds

Just completed these three studies of blackbirds today. They are all three acrylics and measure 6 in. x 6 in.

Latest Small Studies.... Horses and People again! :)

Just completed these two studies. Both are 11" x 14" (28 x 35.5 cm)
Both will be offered at auction.
Click Here to See My Auctions

Daily Painting - The Silver Stallion

The Silver Stallion
Acrylic on Panel
Will be offered for auction. Click Here to View my Auctions.

Painting - Mr Ben

A small 11" x 14" (28 x 36 cm) study of a rooster I just completed. I titled this one "Mr Ben". You can click on the picture to view a zoomable image on my website. I will probably auction this one for a charity so be sure to check my eBay listings.

Blackbird on a Wire - Mixed Media Painting

Blackbird on a Wire - Mixed Media Painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Blackbird on a Wire"
15" x 11" (38 cm x 28 cm)
Mixed Media - Watercolor and Ink on paper

The blackbirds have returned. I have quite a few this year. Unfortunately, my cat has already managed to catch several of them when they found their way into my new studio somehow. They always bring with them a certain mood that is hard to explain. Winter is almost gone and the trees are starting to bloom but much is still bare from the winter. I tried to capture that moody feeling I get in this painting.

ACEO Watercolor Painting - "Cry Despair"

ACEO Watercolor Painting - "Cry Despair"
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Cry Despair"
3.5" x 2.5" (ACEO)
Watercolor on paper

I am finally having a new studio built. There is still one area that is open to the outside. It is just a small area really but I guess it was large enough. A few days ago I found a blackbird lying in the floor where it had obviously flown in and died somehow. It didn't have a mark on it. This miniature painting was inspired by that beautiful bird. Perhaps I will name my new studio for the bird. After all it is also the location near where a blackbird made a nest last spring.
Any suggestions?

Miniature ACEO Watercolor Painting - Study of a Peacock in Abstract

Miniature ACEO Watercolor Painting - Study of a Peacock in Abstract
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Study of a Peacock in Abstract"
3.5" x 2.5" ACEO (8.89cm x 6.35cm)
Watercolor on paper

Painting a Day - First Snow #2

"First Snow #2"
Study of a Bird
3.5" x 2.5" ACEO
Watercolor on Paper

This is my second study of a bird in the snow. I am working on a larger painting that includes a bird but I want it to be much more loose and abstract than what I have created so far. Well, that is the purpose of the studies so I will try again. Still, I like this little guy so I thought I would share.

Daily Painting - A Walk in the Rain

"A Walk in the Rain"
6" x 4" (15.24cm x 10.16cm)
(OSWOA)
Study in Watercolor & Ink

This one is a study for a larger watercolor I am still in the planning stages with. It is just one horse of many that will be in the painting. He may change some before he is added into the other painting but I thought this small study did well enough to stand on its own so here it is.

Painting a Day - Daily Painting - First Snow

"First Snow"
Watercolor on Paper
6" x 4" (OSWOA)

I have always created small works as studies for larger paintings and/or experiment with new techniques or subjects but I have only begun in the past year to share these and offer them for sale. I usually paint one or more of these small studies per day. I didn't start this because of the painting a day "movement" as I have been doing this many years but I have acquired quite a collection of these small works so I have decided to share them.

Because they are usually done as a study of a subject or idea, many times they are not in my usual style so I have been hesitant about offering them. Painting outside of my usual methods and/or style gives me the freedom to experiment without veering too far away from my personal vision of where I want to take my art. I already have a tendency to do that anyway (a symptom of having so many and varied interests!). Painting these helps me somewhat to stay on track.

I will try to add at least one of these every day of the week if possible. Forgive me please if I miss a day or two here and there. I have a disability that occasionally leaves me unable to get out of bed and I don't have a laptop so that makes it difficult sometimes to keep up.

Bid on this painting.