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