Matters of Decorum

So... this is my sink. And now it's art! Enjoy.

Reflective Grapes

A study of a reflective surface, this is acrylic on hardboard and the original size is 8"x10". Yum!

Alla Prima Apples

This was done with a limited palette all in one sitting. Now I have lots of apples to eat!

Sold.

Simple Black and White Compositions

Getting back into the swing of things this semester... these are some small studies in acrylic.

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Tomorrow I begin another semester's work on my thesis. Keep watching my Web site for new work. Thanks for your interest!

Her Regal Bearing

Beautiful tree bearing regal red flowers... high-quality reproductions for sale now on Imagekind.

Sold.

A Pirate's Tale

This is my final painting from my Situation and Environment class with Zhaoming Wu. I enjoyed pondering the subject's 'pirate-y' adventures as I painted.

On another note, although my paintings made the cut list for my school's Spring Show they didn't get hung. But there is some excellent work in the show, my favourite being a piece entitled Wednesday Afternoon by a classmate in the fine art field, Jeff Merrill. I also enjoyed seeing work by other Situation and Environment classmates: Swarupa Chavan, Fongwei Liu and Jonathan Ahn. Also, in the illustration field there's some great work by Jen Oaks, Santiago Casares, Forest Stearns and many others. I can't forget to mention my friend Stephanie Penland in the MFA graphic design department whose book arts project is on display.

Make sure you check out the show if you're in the Bay Area!

Spring Show 2009

Happy news: My artwork has made the cut and will (if space permits) be part of the elite Academy of Art University's Spring Show on display from May 21 - June 11 at 601 Brannan Street, San Francisco.

Opening Reception is May 21 at about 7 pm. The show continues 10 am - 6 pm until June 11 and is closed Sundays and holidays. Hope to see you there. Thanks!

View last year's show here.

Painting Jann Arden

So this is another painting I'm working on. The subject matter is Jann Arden in concert (one I attended in 2007 in Calgary) with her guitarists Russell Broom and Graham Powell. An amazing concert I hope to catch the spirit of in this painting!

The first image is the drawing and composing the layout of the canvas. Then the next is laying in the value pattern and color choices. The original canvas is 22"x28" horizontal. Something I've noticed as I've been painting is that I need cooler reds and purples in order to get the right light on the stage and where it's reflecting on Jann's back. I'm enjoying trying to capture each person's attitude in their gesture and proportion, as well as color.



Original available for purchase.

Michael Dudash

I love this painting entitled "Mary M" by inspirational artist Michael Dudash. See more and buy prints on his Imagekind page here.

After the Dance

Just completed this oil on canvas painting today in class! I had lots of fun so I hope you enjoy it.

Thesis Development

This is a page straight out of my directed study journal where I'm annotating the development of my thesis. This is some sketching for an illustration of Sarah from Hebrews 11:11

In Progress 2

Here he is again! This time I've blocked in some color and refined the values some more. I think the reflected light is going to be fun in this piece as it bounces back and forth between the boards and the figure. Hope you're enjoying watching my process.

Until next time, peace.

Kerne Erickson

I recently bought a set of postcards painted by this artist. I was reluctant to send them as I fell in love with their retro look and soft colors featuring various travel destinations in Hawaii. Then I realized that Erickson does other images I've seen too... like this San Francisco image:



I may have to purchase some larger prints... love, love, love!

In Progress

An oil painting in progress for my Situation and Environment class with Zhaoming Wu. This is the first stage. The line drawing is done with a small flat brush and then I blocked in the major values with a large flat brush. The paint I used is a mixture of ultramarine blue and van dyke brown. I 'watered down' the paint with Gamsol to cover large areas thinly.

I've started using Gamsol as a medium instead of Turpentine or Turpenoid because it has almost no smell compared to others and is much easier on the environment. In addition it much less flammable. So far I'm liking it as it feels thinner and more like painting with water than a medium.

Purple Ruler

A painting from my Situation and Environment class. Oil on Linen. 20x24. I call it "Purple Ruler". :)

Sold.

Razzauti, Roman and Rahab

So I wandered through a couple galleries in Lahaina while I relaxed on Spring Break... I really enjoyed the work of Andrea Razzauti. I'm inspired by his refined drawings and beautiful colours. His work is on display in the Lahaina Galleries (there's a sister one here in San Francisco). This is his "In Toscana".

I also enjoyed another artist's work on display next door at Sargents and was inspired by his story: Roman Czerwinski.

Now back to my thesis! Here's a couple of conceptual thumbnails for my book which is in progress...

Self Portrait with Bridge

A Self-Portait with the Golden Gate Bridge... to practice painting in Photoshop.

A Detached Ear

Another day's work... playing with warms and cools in acrylic.

Original available for purchase.

Oteino

All in a day's work... Oteino's head scarf is straight from Ghana.



Original oil painting available for purchase.

Inspiration

I can't stop looking at impressionists lately, especially Mary Cassatt. I love the energetic brush strokes and unexpected uses of colour. Today I'm studying this beautiful painting by Claude Monet from 1875, "Woman with Parasol":

www.bethanyillustrates.com

My new website is now done with lots of recent artwork uploaded. Take a look around:

Bulletin

View a nice comment on my portraiture by Grant over at Veer here.

Boots

So, I'm back at school for Spring 2009... and this is my first painting. It's 16"x20" oil on canvas limited to a monochromatic color palette with titanium white for the lights and ultramarine blue / raw sienna mixed for the darks:



Also, I'm endeavoring to get my website back up and revamped before my thesis begins stealing my time away. Almost there... keep watching! www.bethanyillustrates.com

Sold.

Calgary's Skyline

This is a recently commissioned oil painting I just finished. Calgary's skyline with the new LRT design in the foreground:



And, for interest's sake, here is the initial pencil sketch:

Oh Canadia!

Been on winter break for the last couple of weeks, recharging my batteries and trying not to freeze back in Calgary, Canada! Lots of time spent with family, friends, dogs and hot tubs. I may have picked up my Mom's still good 40-year-old oil paints for a day or two as well.

Side note: I found this amazing lamp at Canadian Tire. I didn't realize I liked Canadiana until I moved away. Who knew!?

Nelly Furtado

This is one of my first forays into painting portraiture digitally. Hopefully she's recognizable!

BTW, I'll be updating my website in January. Keep checking back: www.bethanyillustrates.com

Lenny Kravitz

This is a celebrity portrait that I completed recently. It connects to Lenny's self-proclaimed "Love Revolution".

I have to admit, I love his music.

A Work in Progress

I finally bought an easel... the "Weston Full French Easel". I like it as I can fold it up and put it away when I'm not using it. Here it is in action with a recent painting in progress...

Oh, look!

My flying pig made it to the front page of IMAGEKIND! Toot, toot...

Also, my portraiture is featured on VEER's portfolio pages!

Purchasing Prints

Check out my greeting card gallery on IMAGEKIND, I've just uploaded some new images!

Today's Notes

Across the Universe

A narrative illustration responding to the Beatle's song "Across the Universe":

"Words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world."

The Secret Garden

This is a sketch I'm working on painting digitally right now... for the book "The Secret Garden" in my digital painting class. It was a favourite story of mine growing up, and I remember listening to a dramatized version on audio cassette.

More Digital Adventures

More painting on my computer... this time I can't take credit for the under drawing (it's my teacher's: Robert Revels) BUT the painting is all mine.

Tools for Repair

Digital Adventures

I've recently been learning how to paint with my computer... created this lady in class today. Fun!

A Late Arrival

She opened the heavy front door as quietly as she could and yet a loud creak reverberated through her Grandma's front room. A cold winter's draft forced its way in behind her and directed her attention toward the one lonely lamp lighting the space. She heard a small moan from behind the couch and realized regretfully that her Grandma had indeed waited up for her. She knew there was nothing she could say so she turned out the light, crept up to her bed in the attic and cried herself to sleep.

Wintery Strings

Her bright yellow cello case trundled along, shielding her from the blustering winds. Glowing brighter than the moon in the night sky her vintage white scarf trailed behind. As she wondered what her Grandma would say at her late arrival she slipped and fell flat on her bottom. What else would go wrong tonight?

Sweet Henry

Packed

Converse Clique

Salon Wall

Some of the work I created this summer...

What I've been up to...

I haven't been doing very much sketching this summer but I've been doing a portrait painting class with Zhaoming Wu. This is my self-portrait in progress... black and white in oil. :)

Union Square 13IV08

... this was done in a new square-sized sketchbook and a favourite green brush pen I haven't put to use in awhile... another outdoor sketch in an inspiring Union Square.

Happy Easter!

I couldn't resist doing SOMEthing illustrationy for Easter. This is drawn by hand then painted in Photoshop.

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

Union Square 9III08

Coffee, Sunglasses, Wine glasses...



..."No no no no no" from a drunk man, "Yip, yip, yip" from the dogs...



...sun off the buildings, relaxing with a friend and my sketchbook.