Blackbird on a Stick

Blackbird on a Stick!

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.

Woman and Bird 3 - Raven

Title: Woman and Bird 3 - Raven
2.5" x 3.5" ACEO Size Mini Painting
Acrylic on Paper

Two New Paintings - Birds Nest and Still Life

Title: Pink and Sunshine
Acrylic

Title: Birds Nest
Acrylic

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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.

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.

The Night the Bird Spoke

Title: The Night the Bird Spoke
Acrylic on Canvas Panel

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.

Painting - Signs of Spring

Painting - Signs of Spring
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Signs of Spring"
24" x 18" (61 x 46 cm)
Acrylic on Canvas

Watercolor Painting - Study of Two Bluebirds

Watercolor Painting - Study of Two Bluebirds
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Study of Two Bluebirds"
11" x 15" (28 x 38 cm)
Watercolor on paper

One of the studies I just completed of two bluebirds. I usually complete several studies before starting a painting and then sometimes more while I am working on it. Because they are studies often, like this one, they are not in my usual style.I intend to incorporate some of the properties of this study into an abstract I am working on. This one was painted on a leftover piece of Arches watercolor paper torn from a full sheet.

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?

Hand Pulled Print - Primitive

Hand Pulled Print - Primitive
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Primitive"
7" x 5" (18 x 13 cm)
Linoleum Block Print (Lino)
Series III - 1 of 1

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My daily painting today is not a painting at all, it is a lino block print instead. I started this theme several years ago when I was still in college (no I will not tell how long ago that was lol). This is similar to the idea I had then. My intention was to keep this primitive. If you are not familiar with lino block prints, it is simply a linoleum block that is hand carved and then a print is "pulled" from that carving. Most of the time it requires several steps of carving to complete a print. This one was kept fairly simple by using only two colors of ink.

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

ACEO Painting - Abstract Tree Eight with Bird

ACEO Painting - Abstract Tree Eight with Bird
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Abstract Tree Eight with Bird"
2.5" x 3.5" ACEO (6.35cm x 8.89cm)
Watercolor on paper

A quick little painting. I am not totally satisfied with the bird. I wanted him a little more abstract than he is but the tree turned out much looser.