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

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 

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

The Summer of Murals!

This summer, it has been me against the walls. 

These walls have been formidable and daunting at times, presenting various graphic obstacles for an artist.  I love a challenge, though.  And so it has been, one that I've met with a steady work ethic--as a mama sometimes I've only been able to grab an hour here, an hour there--and I've loved every minute of it! It's been a fun change of pace and space, and I couldn't have asked for better locations to do these murals.  The first one finished was at First Baptist Church's Family Life Center. The FLC is a multi-purpose fitness and activities center with facilities, equipment, and programs open to church members and the community. I grew up playing pickup basketball there and it is the backdrop to countless memories in my youth!

The director of the FLC, Liz Isandoro (an art enthusiast!), had a vision for the mural to convey some natural elements, not necessarily sports-related, but something that everyone of all ages could appreciate and enjoy.  She'd seen my "Blue Summer" painting

and we talked about using that (above) as the inspiration for an expansive panorama of mountainous imagery, traveling the length of the gymnasium in the middle of the FLC building. 

Here's what the gym looked like before (a beautiful, sunlit space that just needed some 'jazzing up' with color on the walls):

 

And here it is after I got my hands on it for a few months

 

 

   

 

I never measured the exact square footage for this project but it is longer than the length of the actual basketball court.  And the wall height was about 10 feet. It really looks so much better in person (so go to the wonderful FLC and check it out!!); it is so long that it was difficult to get a photo to really capture it. This project was something of a real team effort; the staff at the FLC was incredibly helpful, and I had several people who helped me paint, my two good friends Jessica and Brooke,  my art student Sarah, and my sister Meg.  I also had major 'babysitting time' from my cousins Maggie and Casey.  The best part about this job was that Jack loved being there too! They have tons of stuff for kids to play with, and he ran all around the place having a ball (special thanks to FLC staffer Corey who kept an eye on him many times!!).  His favorite thing to do was to watch the "big boys" who came in to play basketball every MWF at lunchtime. 

Here he is very comfortably watching the guys warm up:

 

 

I could write a much longer post about this project, about the challenges it presented and the lessons I learned from the mistakes and mishaps.

More than a few hours lost here.

Lesson: double check to see if the wall is oil-based BEFORE painting an outline

I could talk more about the personal inspiration behind these mountains and all the many times I've driven the Blue Ridge Parkway (the inspiration) with loved ones

 

 

I can even relate this immense project to other undertakings in my life currently, like how I start nursing school in Athens in a few weeks and I'm sortof freaking out. I am proud of myself for finishing this mural in only about 2.5 months while juggling everything else. It took a solid effort of prioritizing and planning to make it happen. I am so thankful for the help I had along the way and for the opportunity from Liz and the FLC to have the honor of doing something special and lasting like this. 

 

Stay tuned for the 'story' of the next mural.  I'll give you the bare bones with this photo and a brief synopsis: it covers both walls down the hallway and and attempts to depict the Seven Days of Creation.  Quite the simple task, no?  I'm tackling the challenge!!!

 

 

 (Hi Kate!)

 

 

-Beth

 

 

New portrait!

I just finished a painting I am excited about--- Mr. Jim Walters, one of the most successful and philanthropic businessmen Gainesville has ever seen.  You can read more about him below, in an excerpt from the Gainesville Times:

James A. "Jim" Walters has found many avenues of community service. He served on the board of the Medical Center foundation, the philanthropic arm of Northeast Georgia Health System, from 1999 to 2008. Walters has also served on the Georgia Board of Natural Resources, recently completing a one-year term as chairman. Walters made his fortune in the consumer loan business and has shared many financial gifts with the community. He has been a benefactor for the hospital, Brenau University and the Boys and Girls Club. One of his most recent legacies is the naming of the Hall County YMCA in his honor.

Jim Walters, oil on canvas, 18x24

 

 



Stay tuned for lots of new art I'm currently hard at work on....

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

XO-Beth

Recent Art Happenings!

Hey folks! I wanted to touch base and share some of my recent work over the last couple months (since I haven't posted since the Holidays!---life gets busy:).  One of the most exciting things was participating in the Quinlan Arts Center's annual Gala event, their biggest fundraiser of the year! This was  the first year I have participated, and had 3 pieces in the show (below)... 

"Spring Horizon", acrylic on wood triptych, 12x18 inches

"Blue Ridge Parkway #1", acrylic on canvas, 22x30

"Crazy Happy" 36x36, acrylic and pastel

I was so honored to have "Crazy Happy" featured in the Gala preview publication as well.  All three of my paintings sold, and I can't wait to participate next year!

 

The other "big thing" I had going on art-wise around this same time was a portrait of the retiring president of Lanier Tech, Mr. Russell Vandiver.  This was quite an honor, and the painting was even shown in the paper a few times. Exciting!!

Oil on canvas, 24x36

 

As a result of this recent exposure and a few lucky breaks and referrals, I am a busy gal with paintings for the summer.  I am so thankful! 

In other news, I was accepted to MCG's Athens campus to begin the nursing program in the fall.  I am very excited and nervous because it is going to be a tough couple years, but I know it will be worth it.  Since I will be in school full time, I won't be working my day jobs anymore, but I'll be painting as much as possible! Looking forward to showing in some new exhibitions in 2013-2014 and also finishing up my commissions.  Currently I'm working on 4 portraits, 2 murals, a pup painting, and some of my own personal creations.  On a roll!!

That's about it!

Oh, and one more thing, the main thing:

 

 

 

My sweet little guy is almost 19 months old; he is the joy of my life and such a blessing! He's talking, running, jumping, feeding himself; he loves to play basketball and golf and ride on T's "mo-mo"(riding lawnmower).  He's my reason for everything!

 

I'm Still Here!

It's really been awhile this time!...over 2 months. I will have to say that it is a good thing to take some time away from social media once in a while.  I have not had many minutes minutes to spare;  taking an accelerated biology class that met 5 days a week at 8 am, with exams every few days...in addition to the other things going on in my life like my sweet angel Jack (turned 1 on September 24th!!), paintings, work, and trying to squeeze in time to see friends.  I've learned that my life has to be strategically prioritized these days.

My big boy in September.
 

"Falling" 24x30 acrylic on canvas

"October" 2012, 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas

(I'm trying to sell some work right now, and all new paintings (including the above) that you see on my site will be for sale.  If interested, please email me at bhenson25@gmail.com) 

Also thrown into the mix is a new venture with a local company in Gainesville called FloatMobile.  I am working with them and managing their social media presence, focusing currently on Facebook and Twitter.  I am a relative newbie in social media marketing, and have found it very exciting to be involved in the process of a new company gaining a following online. 

That's it for now.  I will be posting some new painting pics and other random thought trains asap. 

Until later peeps,

Beth  ;)