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.

Abstract Painting - Thinking Out Loud

Part of my "Smallworks" Series.
Title: Thinking Out Loud
6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm)
Acrylic on cradled wood panel.

Abstract Cityscape Painting - Progression

"Progression"
Acrylic on stretched canvas
11" x 14" (28 x 36 cm)
Click on image for closeups and more info.

Abstract Landscape - On the Edge

Title: On the Edge
Acrylic on Panel
18" x 24" (46 x 61 cm)
Will be offered for Auction!
Click here to Check my Auctions.

Abstract Cityscape - Blue City #2

Title: Blue City #2
Acrylic on glued canvas
18" x 24"
Up for Auction
Visit Website for Larger Images

Ramblings

It takes more concentration than one would think to create a cohesive mess on a piece of canvas.

Abstract Painting - Blue City

"Blue City"
12" x 12" (30 x 30 cm)
Acrylic on stretched canvas.
(Click image for more info)

Abstract Landscape Thirty-Seven: Red

"Abstract Landscape Thirty-Seven: Red"
12" x 12" x 1.5" (deep)
Gallery wrap canvas - painting extends along the edges.
(Click image for more info and larger view)

Abstract Painting - Understanding

Abstract Painting - Understanding
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

Title: Understanding
11" x 14"
Acrylic on canvas

Well, my studio is not anywhere near being finished but I can't stand not painting so I have carved out a little corner and will be working on a few smaller works until I can get into the new studio. I am trying to get back to posting a painting every day. Perhaps I will succeed :)

This painting is somewhat representative of my spiritual state recently. That's all I will say as I prefer you interpret it for yourself. What does it mean to you? Comments are welcome!

Abstract Landscape Painting - That Moment

Abstract Landscape Painting - That Moment
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"That Moment"
20" x 16" (51 x 41 cm)
Acrylic on Canvas

Whats New ...

As I write this, it is Sunday afternoon and cold. We can have crazy weather here sometimes. Yesterday, before the storms it was 70 degrees. Now you must wear a jacket outside and I turned the heat back on today. Oh I hope it warms back up this week! Everything here is already green and getting greener. The trees are all in bloom and it is beautiful. Our property looks like the Creator took a paintbrush and splattered gorgeous colors everywhere!

Unfortunately, there is nothing new with my studio (the one being built anyway). There are still building materials all over my yard. That makes it kind of difficult to cut the grass. Sometimes I go look at my tiny new studio and get so excited I want to jump up and down like a six year old. lol. The roof is on, the walls are up and the windows are in. I have two whole walls of windows, the largest facing the north. The other wall has four tall windows in it and looks out over my front lawn. There is going to be so much more natural light than my current area I paint in!!!

In the meantime... I have completed several new paintings that I have been and will be adding here soon. If you scroll down some you will see the first in my new "Conversations with Mother Nature" series. It is separate from the obsession with trees series in that the paintings may or may not have trees and they are all based on emotions inspired by nature. Or in some instances, the lack of it. I have also started a new series of abstract figures. The name of this series hasn't been revealed to me yet. Maybe soon.

I will be updating my website soon with a few changes. Some of the changes will be:

• Ability to purchase directly from my website.
  
• Galleries sorted by series.
• I will phase out the "In the News" page as I will keep updates posted here instead. Be sure to subscribe to my blog if you had a subscription to the news page!

Until next post... Peace and happiness!!
Benita

Abstract Landscape Painting - One Stood Taller

Abstract Landscape Painting - One Stood Taller
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"One Stood Taller"
14" x 11"
Acrylic on Canvas

Part of the "Obsession with Trees" Series

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

Abstract Painting - Delicate Flowering

Abstract Painting - Delicate Flowering
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Delicate Flowering"
20" x 24" (51 x 61 cm)
Acrylic on Canvas

Study of a Woman in Abstract - Mini Watercolor Painting

Study of a Woman in Abstract - Mini Watercolor Painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Study of a Woman in Abstract"
3.5" x 2.5" (9 x 6 cm)
Watercolor on paper

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.

Abstract Figure Study #39 - Watercolor Mini Painting

abstract figure study #39 - Watercolor Mini Painting
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Abstract Figure Study #39"
6" x 4" (15 x 10 cm)
Watercolor on paper

Abstract Figure Study: Early Morning, Watercolor

Abstract Figure Study: Early Morning, Watercolor
Originally uploaded by Benita S.

"Figure Study: Early Morning"
3.5" x 2.5" (9 x 6 cm)
Watercolor on paper

I have been on a "painting rampage" the past couple of days. I now have 7 paintings in progress. My studio is on hold at the moment while my incredibly wonderful builder completes another job. He's family so I gotta wait. : ) Everything is very, very cramped but I have managed not to sling paint too terribly much. I'm afraid I'm going to have quite a mess to clean up in my house by the time my studio is finished. lol

If you are an artist in or near Huntsville Alabama and you are looking for someone reliable to build or add on a studio (or if you are just wanting renovation work or home additions) my builder is now taking appointments. You can contact me and I will give you a referral. He gets very, very booked so don't delay. :)

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.