Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day 9x12 Acrylic on Canvas

It started out looking like a Maple Leaf.  The paint had another idea!  I don't mind.  It's all about the imagination.

150 years of Sovereignty and prior to that who knows how many years of beautiful country.  I am proud to be Canadian and very happy to live in this beautiful place.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Bente

Acrylic Pour

Acrylic Pour on 8X10x1 1/2 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Painted on the sides so that no frame is required.

Life is busy around here getting ready for company, getting repairs done before the painters start and all the running around that goes with that.  Just had to do a painting and wanted to do one that felt cheerful.  My personal thoughts on that are that I want people to feel joy when they look at my Art.  Hopefully you feel it.  I was going to title it "Cheerful" but opted for the descriptor title.

You can see how I get the paint to flow down the sides.

This is quite the interesting process with the additives for the marbling.  A person can get very carried away with that but I am inclined to like solid color mixed with the textured color.  I used to throw alcohol at my Acrylics and this idea is similar to that.

Blessings for a great day and Happy Canada Day in a few days.

Bente

Floral Abstract

Floral Abstract 12x16 Acrylic on Wood Panel

I did this painting on a paper thin wood panel.  I have never seen them before.  I started with two coats of gesso and then put on a coat of Gel Medium.  I put these coats on with a sponge roller which gave a very interesting texture.  I was hoping for a really smooth surface and got the opposite.

With all of this experimenting I just have to go with the flow.  Literally!

I started by generally outlining the image in white.  I now have these fluid paints in squeeze bottles so that I can do that.  Then I started in with the colors and tilted, squirted and let the paint flow.  I wanted more control and to not waste so much paint.

I am rather liking this one.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Tidal Change

Tidal Change 8X8 Acrylic on Yupo Paper

I tried painting on my watercolor paper with my acrylics.  For the methods I am using it really didn't work that well.  I had a few sheets of yupo so I thought I would try that.  The shiny surface actually worked quite well.  I am also experimenting with many tools.  Some of the cheapest are the best!  My favorite  is a paper clip.  Can you imagine that?  I am able to flow the paper clip under the paint and move it oh so subtly.  Where that comes in handy is if I have an edge that is too straight I can move it oh so slightly.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Overflow

Overflow  11X14 Acrylic on Canvas

I am loving the composition on these paintings.  I go back in and add color in certain areas to accent the contrast.

Someone asked me how long it takes me to do these paintings.  This is a hard question to answer because some of them come together quickly.  Others I retry over and over and eventually they end up by the garbage can.  Right now I have a huge stack sitting by the garbage can.  At least they aren't an attractant for the bears we have in the area!

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

River Edge Abstract

River Edge Abstract 11x14 Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas $175

This painting is me playing with many pouring techniques rather than the standard dirty pour.  I want the paintings to remain abstract with the hint of a landscape.  I see a rivers' edge.  You may see something different.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Morning

Morning 8x10 Acrylic on Wooden Cradle Board

I am having a blast playing with all these cool colors and letting them show me the way.  This one changed a lot while it was drying.  There was a nice band of Nickel Azo Yellow where you see the band of red.  The density of the other colors spread out and there went my yellow.  Someone told me I was using too much of that color so maybe this is a good thing!

Happy Painting.

Bente

Happy Dance

Happy Dance 8x10 Acrylic on Cradle Board

I did a happy dance when I painted this.  I love these colors and the paint did what I wanted it to do.  When I tried the same thing later on another substrate it was not the same outcome.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.

It will be varnished and ready to hang.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Abstract

 Abstract 24x30 on wooden cradle board

I present this one a couple of ways.  Its a large painting where I dragged the paint across the canvas and then poured colors over it.  Its interesting when you drag the paint the colors don't mix the same as when you take the two and mix them together on the painting or palette.  I usually like bright cheerful colors.  On this one those colors are still there but not in as high a concentration.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Pouring

Pouring 10X8 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is one of the first acrylic experiments that I did.  There were many more that I did that went into the garbage.  That's part of the learning process for me.  I sit back and try to figure out what I just learned.  I like this one and it looks good presented on any side.  I have always loved the contrast of blue flowers next to rich deep brown soil so that was how I chose the colors to start.  It grew from there.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Portal

Portal  8x10 Acrylic on wooden cradle board

This one reminds me of a portal into the unknown with the light saying follow me! It's a safe and happy place.

The paint goes down the sides so that it can be hung without a frame and will have attachments so that it is ready to hang.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Orbit

Orbit 8x8 Acrylic on deep gallery wrapped canvas  $75

This is a deep gallery wrapped canvas so the painting continues on the sides which gives it a bigger presence. The photo is slightly blurred in the top left corner.

Blessings for a great day.

Bente

Glow

Glow  12x12 Acrylic on Canvas

Painted on the sides so that no frame is required.

When my son passed away I needed a distraction from all the things going through my mind.  These acrylic paintings have been great for that.  It's a new learning curve and I am having fun trying many new techniques.  There are many that don't work and then I try again on another canvas or panel.  Approach it in a different way and on I go.  It keeps my brain occupied and I do love my colors.

It's a beautiful day.  Have a great one.

Bente

The paintings will be varnished and ready to hang.

Release

Release  12x12 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

It may not be obvious but there is a nice hint of gold acrylic paint  to bring out the colors in this  painting.  The painting goes over the edge and is painted on the sides so that no frame is required to hang..

Have a great weekend.

Bente

One Day

One Day 10X8 Acrylic on Wood Cradle Board

I have needed a distraction and the best distraction for me is color and a new art technique.  Since my solo show opening I have been enjoying playing with acrylics.  The paint goes over the sides so that no frame is required.

Blessings for a great day.