Winter/Christmas Updates

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did, and I've been able to paint a bunch! I wanted to share a couple of my most recent works---commissions from Christmas.  The first is a memorial portrait, Ryan, and is acrylic on 22x30 inch canvas.  My friend Kimi commissioned me to paint this for her boyfriend, Ryan's cousin.  It was an honor to create this piece for the family.

  

The other Christmas commission I finished was a double pup portrait, as a surprise gift from husband to wife (Crista and Devin White). This piece is also acrylic on canvas, and is 24x30 inches. 

The other piece I want to share is something I did (a surprise:) for my friend Josie, whose baby boy Asher is battling retinoblastoma. Please keep Asher and the Rock family in your prayers! Love you Josie! 

These new works and others coming soon can be seen on my website (www.bethhenson.com).

Outside of art news, we also had a wonderful Christmas with family in Kennesaw! It has been a much-needed break before my last semester of nursing school. 

Jack's first Christmas play! 👆

Wishing everyone a happy and fulfilling 2015! 

XOXO-

Beth

Photographer for Hire!

This year at Jack’s birthday party, as I ran around playing hostess, wiping snot off noses, band-aiding boo-boos, and also trying to be the ‘photographer’ aka "Mamarazzi"  running around with an 8 pound DSLR swinging around my neck like a weapon, I kept thinking how nice it would be to have an affordable person there for just an hour or two, so I could relax.  Someone who could read my mind and know the important photos that needed to be taken, and who would also take care of all the downloading and editing.

Recently I’ve started to get some requests to do some photography work for some families, small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community, so now I’m embarking on a new creative adventure/ ‘side gig’ and would like to let everyone know that I’m available for photography work.  I’ve been taking pictures pretty obsessively since I was a kid, and most of my friends and family would probably agree with this (no, I will never apologize for forcing you all-together-now for group photos!!!).  I’ve since graduated from cardboard box cameras to a Canon 60D with several lenses (my favorite for portraits is the 50 mm 1.4).  I don’t profess to be a professional photographer but I am a trained visual artist with an eye for composition and lighting.  I’m pretty much self-taught but I know how to take a photo. My mission is to make this a simple and easy process, and offer affordable rates with a quick turnaround time.  I can be in and out like a bandit, and can be available for any events you might imagine, such as birthday parties, family shoots, cocktail parties, brunches, baby showers, weddings, you name it.

This is a small sampling of some of my favorite photos I have taken over the last few years, for friends, family, clients, and myself.   Please see my website's photography page for more details and pricing! 

Thanks for stopping by, and y'all have a Happy Halloween!!! 

XO-Beth

New website, new work!

I set a goal for myself at the beginning of the summer that I would finish two art endeavors by its end:  1) Produce a cohesive collection of abstract paintings, since that is what I'm enjoying most these days, and 2) Have my new website finished and online.  I am proud to say those goals were met!  If you haven't already seen it after all my blabbing about it on Facebook, check it out here-----> www.bethhenson.com.  I've put together an archived collection of past works, plus a section for all my NEW PAINTINGS (and lots more)! This series was a new step for me, in that I used a limited palette for each painting (this is hard for me; I tend to use every painting under the sun, making things muddy, too busy, confusing, etc) and I made a conscious effort at achieving 'controlled chaos' and restraint (another area I struggle with in my art at times---not knowing when a painting is done, and reworking the thing to death).  Many times, I wish I could go back to an earlier version of a painting, and to combat this, I'm putting paintings away for awhile so I can 'let them rest'.  I don't know if anyone under the sun would actually buy one of these to put on their wall, but I really don't care---this is the most fun I have had painting in years!  I am hoping, and working, on a plan to get these 'out in the world' (new goal---a gallery showing at the end of 2014?).  

Here's a peak at the new collection.

Cotton Candy, 20x20 inches, acrylic and pastel on canvas

Deanna, 22x30, acrylic and pastel on canvas

Melting Pot, 48x48 inches, acrylic and pastel on canvas

Fade Away, 24x24, acrylic and pastel on canvas

For pricing and information for these paintings, check out the website:)


Thanks for stopping by! 

Xx, Beth 

Early summer updates!

A few quick updates for anyone interested! First, I just finished my first year of nursing school, which means I'm halfway to by BSN/RN degree.  I will also be working at NGMC on the Mother-Baby unit as nurse extern this summer, which I am so excited about! It has been a busy painting year as well. I finished two large mural projects: a four-seasons themed room at Family Life Center, and another at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, which was inspired by the 7 Days of Creation. Special thanks to my girl Kate Lovell who is the incredible Children's Ministry director; she made this mural a reality and I enjoyed every minute of it. I still have yet to take fully finished photos of the FLC and this piece, as some work is still being done in the hallway with trim. Here is a sneak peak at a couple different days referencing the Creation story.  I loved painting this mural; it was a special time for me and I consider it one of my proudest 'creations' as well. I'll update as soon as possible with the finished photos!

I also completed a portrait of my precious nephew, James, from a photo I took of him last summer in Destin. He is such a joy in our lives and is the toughest, happiest, sweetest little toddler:) 



I am hard at work on several new commissions as well as the abstract pieces for my first solo show (untitled as of yet) at the Quinlan in August! I hope everyone has a wonderful start to a glorious summertime;)

XO-
Beth

Fresh off the canvas...

Here's an update on a few new paintings from the last several months.  The portrait below was of my friend Kasey's darling little girl Callie.  I loved painting this piece, as Callie was such a lovely subject.  I also really loved capturing the fall forrest at sunset in the background. 

"Callie" 18x24, oil on canvas

 

The other recent painting I've done is "City Sentinel", 36x36 inches, acrylic and oil on canvas. 

 

 

This painting was in the Quinlan Gala Show, and for the second year in a row I had a piece featured in the brochure! I was also able to attend the big show for the first time ever.  It was such a fun night, and my painting sold!

 

 

 

 

This past fall, I also finished two other huge murals (not including the huge mountain scene in the gym!)  I actually have yet to take the official photos of those murals, so stay tuned for those images and a big post on those projects.  As far as current paintings go, I'm working on a new series which I hope will turn into my first solo show, a new website, and more! Thanks for stopping by :)

For any painting inquiries, shoot me an email to bhenson25@gmail.com.

 

XO-

Beth

 

 







A Fall Update

I'd like to share a couple of my recent paintings with you all. These portraits are of two retiring CPAs from the Bates Carter firm in Gainesville: Mr. John Nix and Mr. Duane Schlereth.  Again, it was an honor to paint these two successful Gainesville businessmen!

Mr. Nix, 16x20, oil

Mr. Schlereth, 16x20, oil

 






































In other life news, I am nearing the end of my first semester of nursing school at MCG (now called Georgia Regents University after merging with Augusta State).  It has been challenging but also really exciting.  I am also finishing up two huge murals; stay tuned for a detailed story of both of those projects! Here is a little preview of each one (still unfinished!)

 

 

 

Baby Jack continues to be the reason for everything and the biggest joy in my life; he just turned two and is doing wonderfully.  I can't even put into words what he means to me...but I will share a few pictures.

Happy Fall y'all!

XO-Beth