Weekend In the Mountains

This past weekend I was finally able to get away for a much needed few days of relaxation to my grandmother's mountain cabin in North Carolina.  This was Jack's first trip to the place and I was so excited to spend 3 full days of painting, reading, napping, and taking pictures without worrying about a million things.  I actually forgot my phone charger and spent over the half the time with no cell phone, which lent to the feeling of escapism. 

Amongst the naps and reading jags, I also was quite productive with some new collage-paintings inspired by three things I found while spring cleaning the cabin: a 1952 original Life Magazine featuring Ginger Rogers, a 1950 original Sears Roebuck Catalog with illustrations, and an old collection of classical sheet music.  Can you say "collage time"??

These images and texts were perfect for some small panels and so I got to work. Here's my little work station in the corner.  I'm so into Modge Podge.

This is only the beginning of this little series as I have much more material to use!

I also was able to spend plenty of time walking the mountain roads taking pictures.  Of course.

Jack loved the mountains, and we spent much of the time on the front porch listening to the creek and various birds chiming in. 

He also enjoyed some quality floor time after dinner. 

The requisite sink bath following.  Such a happy "little tyke".

That's it for now.  I'm feeling pretty good about things.

Xoxo,
Beth

Wedding Invite Watercolor

I had the honor of being asked to paint a little watercolor for my buddy Amy's wedding invitations.  I'm in the wedding so I was extra excited to do this!  She and Mike are tying the knot in June; it's gonna be a blast. They are such a cute couple!

I am lucky to live just down the street from her, and I get to enjoy this view when we have a cocktail outside! She definitely has one of the best scenic side porches in all of Longstreet Hills. I am loving the ambiance and the uninhibited view of nature!

Anyway, back to the wedding invites.  I think they turned out great.  She will be utilizing the green hydrangeas and chocolate brown in her earthy color palette for the big day. Gorg!  I'll make sure to post pictures after the festivities.

I would love to do more like these in the future.  For inquiries concerning this type of watercolor for your wedding invites, Christmas cards, birth announcements, etc...please email me at bhenson25@gmail.com.

Value Painting with Sarah

Hi everyone! Today I'd like to give you a little insight into one of my painting lessons, and let you peek into my very messy and small art studio.  Yesterday my sweet student Sarah, 13, came by for her second lesson with me, and we were working on value painting.  In a nutshell, value is the lightness/darkness of an object.  For still lifes, I consider it to be the second most important facet of a successful painting, following the accurate rendering (drawing) of the shapes. 

We started with a value scale.  Sarah first made a rich black from Ultramarine Blue+Burnt Umber ( I never use the pre-made black). 

Next she mixed the black with varying degrees of Titanium White, to arrive at a final scale ranging from white through all the light grey values, to mid-tones and into dark values, ending in black.

Next she sketched out the still life onto the canvas paper with vine charcoal. 

We used a simple still life with basic shapes for this value lesson.

While Sarah was working, I asked her lots of questions to get to know her better: artistic interests, likes/dislikes, favorite music so I can make an appropriate playlist for her lessons, favorite subject matter, hobbies, etc...I do this with all my students early on so I can get a feel for their personality as well as plan a schedule of interesting and appropriate lessons for her.  Since no two are alike, I tend to tailor lessons specifically for each individual. 

A gave her a little demonstration of what we were going for with the painting of the objects.  Nothing super-realistic or perfect, but the aim is to match the correct value for each object and its cast shadow.

Sarah's value painting underway, and she's doing a great job!

Usually sometime around the first few lessons, I put together a little starter drawing kit (graphite pencils 2B and 4B, erasers, charcoal sticks, a little sketchpad...) for my students.  For years, I have been saving the paper palettes with dried-up paint, thinking I would somehow use the dried paint in an abstract painting or collage-type piece.  Today I decided I'd make a special paper bag for her kit, and this is the finished product.  I just peeled pieces of paint off the paper palettes and adhered them to the bag with matte-medium in an abstracty pattern.  Cute for art-related gifts!

Until next time! Have a great day!


Xoxo,
Beth

Some New Work

Hello all! I've had alot going on with me lately (but really, who doesn't?). I finally finished up my Masters degree at Brenau last week.  I'm really glad to be putting that chapter behind me. Jack's almost 7 months old now, and is doing so well.  Still hasn't gotten a tooth yet, but he's crawling and almost pulling himself up.  I am amazed every day to witness his little personality emerge; there is a definite willfulness I am starting to recognize (like his mama!).

He absolutely LOVES to be outside.  He is truly in his element when we are at the park, on a stroll, or swinging.

He is absolutely beautiful, and SUCH a happy baby.

 

He has made several little Baby Friends, and Cokey is his bestest.  We call them Jack-n-Cokey (obviously).

He cleans his plate 100% of the time.  With an endless appetite, his current faves are ravioli, eggs and grits, and green beans. So far we do not have a picky eater on our hands.

My little man also had his first Easter Sunday this month, which was so special and sweet this year.  Of course I had to put some bunny ears on him.

What else? As always, I have been working on some art commissions.  The latest:

A tropical-themed mural, about 9 x 12 feet and acrylic, in the bedroom of a 13-year old little girl whose favorite movie is Soul Surfer.

 

This was a major task, and thankfully I had my artistically talented sister Meg to help me with the undertaking.  It took us about 11 hours to finish, and we had fun doing it. 

Here are a couple more pics from different angles.  There does seem to be a slight glare on these photos from the windows.  The family requested 3 sets of footprints in the sand (mama, daddy, and daughter) as well as a butterfly, which has special meaning to them.

 

 

Another recent piece I have just finished ("Xaiden", 11x 14, charcoal on toned paper)

I'll be back soon to post more finished works and photos!  I hope all of you are having a great April.

Xoxo,

Beth