Gathering - abstract aceo painting

Gathering - abstract aceo painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

Watercolor on paper.

ACEO (2.5" x 3.5")

This one will be auctioned on eBay starting Jan 03.

Sanity

Sanity
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

Mixed Media on Paper

Preparation - Abstract Figurative painting

Preparation - Abstract Figurative painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

2009. Mixed Media on paper

Wading Birds - Abstract nature Painting

Wading Birds - Abstract nature Painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

26 cm x 36 cm
Mixed Media on Paper

Sense of Self - Abstract Figurative Painting

Sense of Self - Abstract Figurative Painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

26 cm x 36 cm
Mixed Media on paper

Wading Out - Abstract Painting

Wading Out - Abstract Painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

Mixed Media - Watercolor and Ink
26cm x 36cm

I was seeing wading birds in everything so I decided I needed to paint them. Here is my 1st version of the cranes.

Just Before Fall - Mixed Media Painting

Title: Just Before Fall
Mixed Media Painting on canvas panel
6" x6"

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.

Woman and Bird 2

Woman and Bird 2
Acrylic
11" x 14"

1st in the New Series - Woman and Bird

Title: Woman and Bird 1: Contemplation
Acrylic on Canvas/Panel

I am still contemplating what this series means to me and why I feel compelled to create it. I am aware that, as all, it is very symbolic. Probably more so than most of my work.

Birds are a common dream symbol but not one I dream about often. Actually I added the birds in as although they are symbolic in my dreams just like everyone else, they are very symbolic to me in my daily "awake" life too. Although, they don't seem to always have the same meanings for me as they do everyone else. For instance, several people have made the comment that if blackbirds "hung around" their house like they do mine they would be uncomfortable thinking they were a so-called "bad sign". But personally, I love my blackbirds and have even named my new studio Blackbird Studio in honor of the birds who used to make a nest where the studio stands every year (they still make it in the corners by the way. lol).

One of the things I found interesting was this information taken from Bella Online:

"The Language of the Birds is also known as the Angelic Tongue, supposedly being the language the the angels themselves speak. Angels and birds seem linked and the most likely reason for this linkage is the idea of communication and message delivery. Bird song and angel tongue both seem to have the same goal--the revelation of something important, something otherworldly, something perhaps divine, to the mortal. With such an emphasis on birds' ability to communicate, it seems pretty obvious that a dream bird may represent communication of some form. The bird may be a herald, bringing news about something which may soon come into being in waking life." (direct quote found here).

I especially find this interesting as I have felt compelled to paint angels again, which is a recurring theme in my art over the years. I have yet to start a painting of an angel but perhaps I will soon.

I have noticed that I have added only blue birds (different kinds) and black birds to my paintings though. I will have to research that one too.

Up for Auction - Study of an Orange Flower

Just offered for auction! Click Here to Bid
Very low beginning bid!!

Two New Paintings

Finished these two paintings today. This one is a quick study in semi-abstract of a dancer. I always end up right back to painting dancers. My intention was to abstract this dancer using as few strokes of paint as I could. I painted this one very quickly, hardly looking at the canvas at all. I will be auctioning this painting. You can bid by clicking on the image.

"The River After"
Acrylic on stretched canvas
Part of the Smallworks Series.

Painting in Progress - Dancer 07-01-2009

Painting in Progress - Dancer 07-01-2009
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

This painting is still in progress so it is still a little rough. I am painting this one in oil on canvas. At this point I am allowing the paint to dry some before refining the image. It measures 48" W x 38" H.

Woman: Forty

Woman: Forty
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

Watercolor and ink on paper.

Completed this one last night. Probably won't add it to my website. This one will go straight to auction. I like some aspects of it and some I don't. Thats usually how I feel about my own work though so nothing unusual there. lol

Abstract Figurative Painting - The Dancer

Title: The Dancer
Mixed Media on paper
Click on image for more info/larger view

New Abstracts and Cityscape Paintings

Title: Fear
Mixed Media (watercolor, gouache and ink) on paper
9" x 12" - part of the smallworks series.

Title: See That
Mixed media (watercolor, gouache and ink) on paper
9" x 12" - part of the smallworks series.

Title: Market Day
Acrylic on hand-stretched canvas
24" x 24"

I won't have access to a computer from June 14 - June 23. I will, however, be painting during this time so check back after this date for several new posts!

New Mixed Media Work Added to My Website

Black Hat One

Mixed Media on Paper

Two New Paintings Added to Website

I have added two new paintings to my online gallery. Just click the images to view a zoomable image.

Abstract Cityscape Fifteen
Acrylic and metallic paint on canvas

Abstract Tree Thirty-Five
Part of the Smallworks series.
Acrylic on canvas

Also, I have moved things around a bit in my online gallery. Check out the changes. www.benitasweeney.com

Abstract Painting - Quietly Be There

Title: Quietly Be There
Acrylic on canvas

I grew up living on the Tennesse river in north Alabama. If you jumped hard enough you could have leaped from our balcony and landed in the water. The river was over 5 miles across in front of our house. I have many memories from that place. Some good, some not so great. This is the first in a new series of paintings based on those memories and the emotions they invoke. At the moment, these are being included in the Conversations with Mother Nature series on my website. However, I will be adding a separate category as soon as I meditate on a name for it.

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.