Texas Ranch

"Texas Ranch"
oil pastel on paper
12" x 16"
commission

Another holiday commission to share!  The family ranch in Texas, painted from their photograph (see below).

reference picture

I took out some of the smaller details, like the pool railing and table to keep it simple.  I liked the colors that came out in the final painting.  The loose quality in the trees is my favorite part of the painting.  See the progression from a pastel sketch, to alcohol wash, to the oil pastel:

Thank you for reading!  

Bethany

Two Shepherds

"Niko and Raynas"
oil pastel on paper
11" x 14"
commission

Here is another holiday commission.  These sweet German Shepherds are service animals and love to help people!  

This was a surprise gift for their Daddy.  They work together at the Army hospital and retirement homes.  What a special brother-sister team they make!

I was especially honored to paint these incredible animals.  The colors came naturally and just seem to pop out of the photograph for me!

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Lake View

"Lake View"
oil pastel on board
12" x 16"
commission

One of the holiday commissions I can share now.  Three sisters wanted to give Mom a painting of her favorite lake view.  This was fun working on, and they were really open to my interpretation!  

I would love to wake up to this view in my back yard every morning.

Thanks for reading!

Bethany

Fishing with Daddy

acrylic on canvas
11" x 14"
Commission

Just finished up the very last commission for Christmas.  The gift has already been received so I am not spoiling the surprise!

I loved the photo and right away knew it would make a beautiful painting of father and son.  

Merry Christmas, and thanks for reading!

Bethany

Downtown Apex at Night

"Downtown Apex at Night"
oil pastel on paper
8" x 10"
Available in my Shop

I love Apex and it's charming historic downtown district.  Last year I did a different acrylic painting from this photo, with Christmas lights and people lined up for the parade.  

"Christmas on Salem"
11" x 14"
acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I am going to  have this made into some giclee prints or small canvases.  There aren't many paintings of Downtown Apex available.  The Apex train depot is also on my "to paint" list, as is the view looking South with the Apex Baptist Church steeple.

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Holiday Sale!

"German Glass"
5" x 7"
oil pastel
Available in my Shop

In honor of all of the Holiday deals in stores, I am having a Holiday Sale in my Etsy shop.  I always try to shop local and handmade whenever possible, and Etsy is a great way to support independent artists and crafters!  

Visit my store to find my original paintings, cards, and commission information:

www.BethanyBryant.etsy.com

Use coupon code HOLIDAYSALE at checkout for 20% off!  

(Now through December 10th.  Note that I am not taking any more commissions for Christmas delivery.)

Thank you for reading, and wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season!

Bethany

Nora

"Nora"
oil pastel on paper
5' x 4"
view auction here

A quick study to try out a new paper before I use it for a large commission.  This is on UART 500 grit sanded paper.  I liked the tooth and its ability to hold up to a watercolor wash. Next I will try another technique for underpainting with the UART.

I loved this view because I thought she looks so sweet!  I love Jerseys and their feminine lashes and beautiful colors.

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Bossy Bessie

"Bossy Bessie"
oil pastel on paper
9" x 9"
sold

A fun portrait based on photos I took in Vermont this summer.  This cow was bossing the other ladies around at the feed trough.  She earned her title, "Bossy Bessie."  I may regret disclosing that my parents used to call me "Messy Bessie" as a child!  (Hence the Bessie in this title!).

I continue to experiment with the Sabretooth sanded paper. This was on a scrap piece of the pink color. I am finding that I prefer the smoother Colourfix paper for most projects.  UPS just delivered a sampler set of UART sanded papers, so I am off to check them out.  Next I have some larger commissions to finish up.

Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Bethany

Early Morning

"Early Morning"
oil pastel on board
8" x 10"
click here to bid

This was a cloud study for a Challenge at Daily Paintworks, "The Sky's the Challenge."  I tried to keep the colors vibrant and not to blend the oil pastel very much.

Painted on rag board primed with gray Colourfix pastel primer.

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

Eastern Shore Marsh

"Eastern Shore Marsh"
oil pastel on paper
6.75" x 10"

A quick study of some beautiful scenery from the Cape Charles, VA area.  I had a beautiful weekend there with some of my best friends this past Labor Day weekend!

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

German Glass

"German Glass"
oil pastel on Pastelbord
5" x 7"
view auction

One of my German glass ornaments from my Grandparents. Love the vintage shape and colors in these ornaments! Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I love a tree decked out in classic ornaments.

Painted with watercolor underpainting on white Pastelbord.  Oil pastel was layered over the watercolor in several layers.

reference picture and watercolor underpainting

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Costa Rica Commission

"Costa Rica"

acrylic on canvas

14" x 18" 

commission

A recent commission I finished based on the client's image.  A gift for their friends who just returned from a Costa Rica honeymoon...a great wedding gift!

This painting is a prime example of how great photos make for great paintings.  Not all photos make for lovely paintings, and this is why I don't accept all commission requests.  I always want to be sure that I can create a successful painting.

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

Quiet Wonder

Quiet Wonder10" x 8"
oil pastel on paper

I loved the innocence and quiet in this photograph of my daughter.  The sun was getting high in the sky, making for strong overhead light.  Painted with Erengi and Sennelier oil pastels over a Nupastel/alcohol wash underpainting.  On salmon-colored Sabretooth sanded paper.

Thank you for reading!
Bethany

Just off the Easel: Late Afternoon Ride

"Late Afternoon Ride"
24" x 30"
acrylic on canvas
commission

It's challenging to work from a black and white image, but a great practice and very freeing.  Definitely takes me longer to create, though!  Honored to be able to paint this boy and his Grandpa. Now the boy is grown and will have a reminder of time spent on his grandparents' farm.

reference photo

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Percy the Seagull

Percy the Seagull
10" x 8"
oil pastel on paper
price $45

This was a painting based on a photo posted as a Daily Paintworks Challenge for this week. I have recently joined Daily Paintworks, which features artists' original works and offers them for sale and through auctions.  See my gallery here.

I'm hoping this site will encourage me to continue to paint smaller studies while working on larger commissions.  It's a good break for me, and a great exercise!

I did an alcohol wash underpainting on a new light blue Sabretooth sanded pastel paper I picked up recently...

Nupastel and alcohol wash underpainting

Stay tuned for the latest paintings off the easel!

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Wedding Church Commission

Going to the Chapel
11" x 14"
oil pastel on Pastelbord
commission

A bride-to-be commissioned this painting of the church where they will get married in October.  We added some fall color to the trees, since she took the photo in mid-summer.  This is her wedding gift for the groom (though once she received it, she couldn't wait to show him!).  The church is a historic site located in Stratford, Connecticut.

For more information on commissions, see my Etsy shop or message me at bethany@bethanybryantart.com ! My schedule is filling up for the holiday season, currently into November.  

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Beach Boys Commission

A recent commission painted in oil pastels from a client's photo...

Beach Boys
9" x 12"
oil pastel on paper
commission

progress picture sent to client

reference photo from client

For information and more examples of the types of commissions I paint, see the Custom Portrait and Custom Landscape sections of my Etsy shop.

Thanks for reading!

Bethany

Just off the Easel: Chapel Hill Creamery Barn

"Chapel Hill Creamery Barn"
11" x 14"
oil pastel on board
Available in my Shop

I worked on this painting a few months ago and didn't get to finish it.  I have been working on cleaning up my pile of unfinished works and finally got it done!  I love the colors in the shadow of the barn and the light hitting the tractor.  

The Chapel Hill Creamery hosted a tour last fall for members of The Produce Box.  We got to meet cows, pigs, and horses, not to mention sample some delicious cheeses!  You can find their cheeses locally at the Durham,  Carrboro, and Western Wake Farmer's Markets.

Stay tuned for more new paintings. Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Just off the Easel: Beach Babe

"Beach Babe"
5" x 7"
oil pastel on Pastelbord
available in my Shop

"Beach Babe" has been waiting to be finished for a month or two.  Lots of UFOs(unfinished objects) hanging around the studio right now, so I'm trying to tackle those in between other projects!

It is a cropped, more vibrant version of this painting:

"Walking with Daddy"
8" x 10"
oil pastel on board
available in my Shop

Thank you for reading!

Bethany

Just off the Easel: Bonnie the Cow

"Bonnie"
oil pastel on board
8" x 10"
contact for purchase info

Here's a nice young lady I met in Vermont during our vacation.  My first painting of a Holstein cow.  I have more than 100 pictures of Jersey and Holstein cows to use as reference photos!  

Stay tuned for more, and thank you for reading!

Bethany

Commission progress and decisions

Quick post with an update on the commission study. Still deciding on colors for grasses!  This study doesn't have to be perfect, just a roadmap for the larger 24" x 30" painting. The study is 16" x 20" acrylic on canvas.

current snapshot
reworked grasses, background, upper right

8/7/2012

 Here are some of the stages of the painting so far:

8/6/2012

getting paint onto canvas
deciding on colors
8/4/2012

lay out image in vine charcoal
starting with red canvas
8/4/2012

WIP: Commission using black and white photo

This is a study for a 24" x 30" commission.  We only have a black and white photo as reference.  It is liberating to choose any colors, but at the same time challenging!

commission study
16" x 20"
acrylic on canvas

reference  photo

I have to resolve a few areas before we proceed with the larger painting.  I have to change some colors and define the upper right area above the fence.  I need to go back in all over and refine a little bit, add a little more detail to the faces, horse, and the fence.  

Stay tuned for more progress on this piece! Thanks for reading.

Bethany

Just off the Easel: Bouncing Baby Boy

Here's a recent commission.  This is the second grandchild of hers that I have been fortunate enough to paint!    

"Baby Nathanael"
oil pastel on paper
8" x 10"
commission

I have another recent commission to share soon, and I am busy working on a larger acrylic commission painting.

For more information on having a custom painting done, see the Commissions tab of this site and my Custom Landscapes and Custom Portraits sections on Etsy.  Now is the time to get on my schedule for the holidays!

Stay tuned and thanks for reading,
Bethany 

Just off the Easel: Vermont Farmhouse

This is a surprise for my husband's Grandma.  We will be visiting her in Vermont this week and staying at this lovely house!

Vermont Farmhouse
oil pastel on pastelbord
6" x 12"

We have many happy memories of staying at Gigi's during visits to Southern Vermont.  Hoping to capture lots of great images to paint during this trip!

Stay tuned and thank you for reading!

Bethany

Art Across NC!

I've been busy spreading my artwork across North Carolina...

Four pieces are showing at Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery in Blowing Rock, NC:

I also now have four works at Little Art Gallery of Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC:

My painting, "Just Before Sunset," was accepted into a juried show with the Yadkin Arts Center in Yadkinville, NC. The show opens on July 13th with a reception at the Welborn Gallery and runs through September 17th.

"Just Before Sunset"
Yadkin Arts Center

The Apex Arts Council has a patriotic art show and silent auction at the Salem Street Promenade in Downtown Apex.  My painting, "Captain Bill's, Morehead City" will be on display now through July 9th.

"Captain Bill's, Morehead City"
Apex, NC

I've been busy with events and shows, but am excited to get back to work painting some new work and finishing up some commissions!

Stay tuned, and thank you for reading!
Bethany

Just off the Easel: View from Moses Cone

A new painting from the photos I took in Boone last weekend... 

View from Moses Cone
oil pastel on board
8" x 10"
$60

This is a view from the Moses Cone Manor, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I have many more great images from our trip to paint from...stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!

Bethany

Father's Day Commission

Father's Day
18" x 24"
oil pastel on Pastelbord

I was recently asked to create a painting of a Father on the beach with three young boys.  There weren't any photos to use for reference.  She couldn't find anyone to take on the painting, and this was such an important project. One of the boys passed away and this painting would be a special reminder of him.  I knew I had to help.

Here are some images to show the process:

reference image purchased from iStockphoto

sketch of idea for the figures

the small sketch sent to client for approval

laying down the underpainting in Nupastel

after painting the Nupastel with alcohol

first layers of oil pastel
(and reference sketch)

close to being finished

finished!

I am so thankful to be a part of this tribute to a Father and his sons.   Happy Father's Day.

Thank you for reading!

Bethany