heather paints

"caliente"

2010-05-08T18:17:00.009-05:00

© 2010 Heather Bennett
"Caliente"
6″ x 6″
oil on Ampersand panel

Here is an example of what this Web site would look like. The copy is to the right of the daily painting.

And here's some more copy to just fill up this space: Alden Avenue is a picturesque, tree- lined street in Rathbone Village. Shining wood floors in three bedrooms, living room and formal dining. All newer windows throughout. A fireplace in the first floor family room where you will enjoy a crackling wood fire. Just a hop, skip and jump to the walking/bike path. Close to school and neighborhood store. Neat homes and yards reflect community spirit. Cover Your Bases listing with an upgraded home warranty.

"cake no. 4"

2010-05-07T18:09:00.005-05:00

Click here to bid on ebay.

© 2010 Heather Bennett
“Cake No. 4” from the COUTURE CONFECTIONS series
6″ x 6″
oil on Ampersand panel

Let them eat cake! Did Marie Antoinette say this or not?

Here is how this post would look with the painting at original size and centered with copy below it.

Here is some extra copy just to fill up the space: Alden Avenue is a picturesque, tree- lined street in Rathbone Village. Shining wood floors in three bedrooms, living room and formal dining. All newer windows throughout. A fireplace in the first floor family room where you will enjoy a crackling wood fire. Just a hop, skip and jump to the walking/bike path. Close to school and neighborhood store. Neat homes and yards reflect community spirit. Cover Your Bases listing with an upgraded home warranty.

"cake no. 3"

2010-05-06T18:05:00.006-05:00

Click here to bid on eBay.

© 2010 Heather Bennett
“Cake No. 3” from the COUTURE CONFECTIONS series
6″ x 6″
oil on Ampersand panel

Today my husband and I have been married for 10 years!

"cake no. 2"

2010-05-05T18:04:00.000-05:00

Click here to bid on eBay.

© 2010 Heather Bennett
“Cake No. 2” from the COUTURE CONFECTIONS series
6″ x 6″
oil on Ampersand panel

I started painting from life so my cakes would have more dimension. This is the first cake I’ve painted in a long time.

Wet Paint

2010-04-28T19:27:00.005-05:00

I have to catch up on posting a few paintings I finished so far this week.

Click here to bid on eBay.

© 2010 Heather Bennett
“Single Tulip”
6″ x 6″
oil on Ampersand panel

This was the last tulip left in our garden and the only white one.

Click here to bid.

© 2010 Heather Bennett
“Open”
6″ x 6″
oil on Ampersand panel

Single tulip decided to open. It’s amazing, I actually saw this happening since I was staring at it so long.

~~Click here to bid on eBay.~~ SOLD! Thank you!!

© 2010 Heather Bennett
“Have a Heart” from the PITCH SOME WOO series
11″ x 8.5″ x 1.5″
oil on stretched canvas

Did you know that 95% of all women are wearing the wrong bra size? Here’s a bra fitting guide for a little help if you’re one of the 95%. I was.

i heard it on NPR

2010-04-07T17:26:00.003-05:00

The other morning I woke up to this story on NPR - Morning Edition. So, I had to go out and get the books and see what all the fuss is about. I'll let you know what I think.

I'm going to start painting again May 1. I've been finishing up some other projects and had to put painting on the back burner for a while.

simplify

2010-04-02T17:36:00.000-05:00

Since playing around with acrylics and some mixed-media projects I have found at this moment that I really like just painting from a still life.

I've really been trying to simplify my life. From letting go boxes of stuff in my basement that have been sitting unopened for 9 years, same thing with old clothes that don't fit me any more (ahem!).

Mixed media requires so much stuff!

When I paint a still life all I need are my paints and a simple subject. It's very minimal and refreshing.

I'll have some more paintings soon!

starting some mixed media paintings

2010-03-08T20:12:00.000-06:00

These collages will be the background of some mixed-media paintings I'm working on.

I’m painting on hot pressed watercolor paper that I prepare with a coat of gesso. I am using Golden Extra-Heavy Gel (Matte) medium to glue the pieces down. Over the top of my collaged background I apply a coat of Golden Soft Gel (gloss) medium. This protects the images and will allow me to wipe paint away from areas. (You’ll see what I mean soon.)

So that’s where I’m at with my projects. I have a total of 4 collaged backgrounds ready to go for tomorrow and the under-painting of a cake with no collaged background.

new supplies

2010-03-07T12:47:00.000-06:00

I’ve been waiting for these! I really enjoy ALL the fun mixed-media techniques you can use with acrylics, but I have always hated how they dry so FAST. I mean really fast.

So, I thought I would give these OPEN acrylics by Golden a try. They are supposed to stay wet for a few days on your palette and stay workable for a few hours on your work surface.

awaiting supplies

2010-03-03T14:31:00.001-06:00

The "studio" is coming along. Now I'm waiting on some supplies I ordered and just collecting ideas. I'm going to be working in a different style next. A little more mixed-media folk art style. We'll see what happens!

I've been brave and put a few paintings on Ebay. One sold and one is in the bidding process. It's exciting to see the sales and get my art into new homes.

new studio

2010-03-01T17:39:00.000-06:00

I've been neglecting my art, but for a good reason. I'm moving my studio from our living room to the bedroom. There's just a little too much distraction in the living room and I've been schlepping my stuff to my sons bedroom to work...and got tired of that. So, now I've made a permanent (I hope) spot in my bedroom.

More painting coming soon!

"stormy sky"

2010-02-22T20:26:00.000-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
“Stormy Sky”
6″ x 6″ x 7/8″, Oil on stretched canvas

Today I experimented with some abstract ideas. Abstracts are a challenge for me. I never know when it's finished. So, I'm not selling this one yet. I have to see how I feel about it in the next few days.

"just a slice" - SOLD

2010-02-18T08:00:00.012-06:00

"fugi trio" - SOLD

2010-02-17T18:54:00.004-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
“Fugi Trio”
6″ x 6″ x 7/8″, Oil on stretched canvas

Click here to bid on Ebay.

I always experience a variety of emotions when I am painting. From “Wow, this is looking really good!” to “Why did I do that?” to “I can’t paint this subject.” and then finally “I did it and it looks pretty good!”

I do really have a hard time painting apples. I think I’ll try a different variety sometime. Fugi apples are kind of round and lopsided and don’t really look like a “typical” apple.

a class project

2010-02-16T20:08:00.000-06:00

Today I worked on a painting for a class I am taking that I hope to be teaching in the future. In this beginning class students will learn about the primary colors and how to lighten and darken them; eye level; shines on different surfaces; reflected light; reflected color and much more!

Tomorrow it's back to still lifes! I'm not sure what I will be painting...hmmm...better take a look around the house...

sorry, no art so far this week

2010-02-09T15:17:00.000-06:00

My grandfather passed away on Saturday and I've been having a hard time concentrating and getting into the painting mode.

"love mug"

2010-02-05T14:50:00.006-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
Red, Pink, Black & White Series - "Love Mug"
6" x 6" x 7/8", Oil on stretched canvas
$25 USD – free shipping in US

Please email me to purchase this painting or for more information.

"still no cake?"

2010-02-04T09:07:00.001-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
Red, Pink, Black & White Series - Still No Cake?
6" x 6" x 7/8", Oil on stretched canvas
$25 USD - free shipping in US

Please email me to purchase this painting or for more information.

"where's the cake?"

2010-02-02T18:48:00.007-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
Red, Pink, Black & White Series - Where's the Cake?
6" x 6" x 7/8", Oil on stretched canvas
$25 USD – free shipping in US

Please email me to purchase this painting or for more information.

I saw this cake stand and HAD to have it. To paint, of course!

"purse straps"

2010-01-28T13:24:00.008-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
Red, Pink, Black & White Series - Purse Straps
6" x 6" x 7/8", Oil on stretched canvas
$25 USD - free shipping in US

Please email me to purchase this painting or for more information.

I'm trying to come up with a good place to take pictures in my house. I hope to have better photos soon!

Thanks for visiting!

"hanging around"

2010-01-27T13:21:00.003-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
Red, Pink, Black & White Series - Hanging Around
6" x 6" x 7/8", Oil on stretched canvas
$25 USD - free shipping in US

Please email me to purchase this painting or for more information.

"red purse"

2010-01-26T15:34:00.007-06:00

© 2010 Heather Hingst Bennett
Red, Pink, Black & White Series - Red Purse
6" x 6" x 7/8", Oil on stretched canvas
$25 USD - free shipping in US

Please email me to purchase this painting or for more information.

From now until Valentine's Day I am going to challenge myself to paint a red, pink, black or white object.

color

2010-01-25T14:34:00.002-06:00

I'm getting set up for still life painting tomorrow. It's been a while since I've painted one, so I'm a little nervous.

I have been working on a series that I call "Long Neck Beauties". These are painting from my imagination and hope I will finish one soon, so I can show you.

Today, along with working on the long neck beauties, I have been enjoying studying about color. To actually achieve correct secondary colors you need two different sets of primary colors. THE OIL PAINTING COURSE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED suggests using a warm primaries of cadmium yellow medium, cadmium red hue and thalo blue and cool primaries of lemon yellow hue, permanent rose and French ultramarine blue. This is the proper way to mix your secondary colors. I'll show you my results in the near future!

I've also been enjoying Vicki McMurry's book, Mastering Color: The Essentials of Color Illustrated with Oils.

There's so much to learn about color!

it has been a while

2010-01-18T16:59:00.000-06:00

I can't seem to get into a groove since the kids have been on winter break! It hasn't helped that since going back they have had 3 snow days and now have 2 days off! So, they will be back in school again on Wednesday. HOPEFULLY...I think we could be expecting more snow in the next few days! It has been a very wintery, winter.

I signed up for an on-line painting class that begins Wednesday. So, I will be painting soon!

a little something sale...

2009-12-28T16:27:00.000-06:00

Here's a little something for that empty space in the office, bathroom, guest room, bedroom, entry, kitchen, hallway, etc.

I'm cleaning out my art and getting ready for a whole new inventory for 2010.

The pieces I am offering at HALF OFF were made between 2007 - 2009 and are an example of all the different kinds of art I have been dabbling in over the past 2 years.

All are is 50% off with FREE shipping!! This offer will be good until January 2, 2010.

You can see what's available here!

Palette Patchwork

2009-12-01T18:28:00.001-06:00

I had a lot of extra paint on my palettes from doing color exercises for my online class, so I thought of designing some "Palette Patchwork" pieces. These are simply painted patchwork pieces from the paint left on my palette.

PALETTE PATCHWORK #03

Oil on paper

PALETTE PATCHWORK #02

Oil on paper

PALETTE PATCHWORK #01

Oil on paper

Have a Wonderful Holiday Week!

2009-11-23T15:04:00.002-06:00

I'm taking the week off to clean my house and spend time with the family! See you all next week!

Teacup Study

2009-11-17T20:35:00.001-06:00

I purchased this pattern packet a few years ago and finally decided to work on it. I don't know why I was so intimidated by it. It's not perfect, but I really learned A LOT by completing it.

What was really emphasized in this DVD is how light travels in a straight line. You can see this in my study. The light is coming from the right, slightly in front of the object.

Theory

2009-11-11T18:41:00.001-06:00

Do you know what I've been missing in my life? THEORY! Yes, there are some guidelines to painting and drawing and you should get to know them.

Today I was working through one of my lessons in THE OIL PAINTING COURSE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED and found that taking the time to do some exercises in the "illusion of three dimensions" very helpful.

For example I learned that when drawing a sphere there is a cast shadow, general light, highlight, reflected light, halftone, core shadow and lost edges. WOW! All these elements are identified and when placed in the correct areas give the "illusion of three dimensions".

Now I have a general idea of what to look for to give my work more dimension.

Tomorrow I'm going to be working with mixing paint. AND I'm gearing up to paint some pumpkins.

2 Nice Things My Husband Said Recently

2009-11-08T12:14:00.001-06:00

My husband is the type of person that doesn't give many complements, but the other day he noticed my "Three Is A Crowd" painting and asked, "Did you paint that?" and I said, "Yes." And he said, "That's pretty good."

AND then the other day he told me that he actually like me NOT working a full-time outside the home job.

WOW!

Since I don't have any art to show for this week, I thought I would show you a picture of the Iowa State Capitol we visited the last week of October. Isn't it lovely?!

Back at IT...

2009-11-02T19:03:00.001-06:00

I found this great book last week.

AND just as the title says it IS the painting course I’ve always wanted. How did the author know? So, I’ll be sharing the exercises over the next few weeks.

I’m also taking a class on line with Kingslan & Gibilisco Decorative Arts Studio. The class is a design course that covers:

How to be a Creative Thinker
Color Theory and Schemes
Perspective
Design Principles
Design Elements
How to Work with Reference Material
How to Work from a Set-up
History of Composition

I have really enjoyed it so far and LOVE the section about color!

I had a great few days off. Our family took a quick trip to Des Moins, Iowa. We toured their lovely state capitol. I'll have to post pictures later.

Three is a Crowd

2009-10-24T14:48:00.000-05:00

"Three is a Crowd"

Oil on paper

6" x 6"

Here it is finished.

I won't be around much next week. My son is out of school and so I'm going to try to do some fun stuff with him. I'll be back at work the first week of November.

WIP - Three's a Crowd

2009-10-19T20:38:00.001-05:00

This is the painting I started today. {sorry about the glare!}

maintaining studio hours...

2009-10-18T20:57:00.000-05:00

has been very hard for me along with getting the photo taken. i'm working out of my home and find myself distracted. it probably doesn't help that my studio is in the living room and my husband works wacky hours, so he's home not working the same time i am home trying to work.

so...it's obviously got to change. if i want to succeed i must maintain strict studio hours!!

last week...

2009-10-14T17:29:00.001-05:00

i was expereincing techincal difficulties. these silly computers!

anyway...i got into the buckeyes and painted them...

rendered them in colored pencil...

and sketched them...

yes, i have had it with the buckeyes!

the hardest thing about painting daily...

2009-10-05T20:12:00.002-05:00

is getting my photos uploaded! (at least for me.)

this is going to be something that i'm really going to need to work on.

i ended last week making some encaustic paints and started this week by playing around with the wax paints i made.

my son picked up some buckeyes on the way home from school last week. i love their rich brown/burgandy color and i've been trying to paint them.

What are your plans for the week?

2009-09-28T19:31:00.002-05:00

Me...I'm going to paint every single day. Isn't that what I planned to do? Some days it just doesn't get done...which is VERY bad.

Today I didn't get to my painting until 1:30 p.m. Then I just hunkered down and did it. Painted the outline and WENT FOR IT!

I'm pleased that without a lot of fuss it turned out pretty good!

Purse & Shoe Still Life Painting

2009-09-21T20:48:00.000-05:00

Well, it turned out better than I thought. There were times when I had my doubts, but I just decided to keep plugging away at it today and I'm satisfied. I had quite a struggle getting the red colors correct.

Purse & Shoes Still Life

2009-09-17T20:40:00.000-05:00

This is the still life that I’m currently working on. I’m just at the drawing stage.

Last week I made my shadow box. It’s just a box. I painted the inside black and cut a large hole out of the top. I’ll try to get photos of my set up tomorrow. The idea of placing your still life in a shadow box is so you get more dramatic shadows. And your light source doesn’t change on you.

CSS an Art

2009-09-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

I've been a Web designer for about 12 years and started churning out Web sites using tables...which is the now "old" way of Web site design. Now designers use CSS. I've been trying to "just get by" adding a little here without REALLY understanding CSS. Well, I've got 2 Web sites to create in a short period of time and I really need to know it!

So, instead of painting...I've been learning CSS.

I'm a little frustrated with myself. I'm relying on this job that I quit to work on my art and to make money with my art. What am I doing...I have to put a stop to it soon!

Wishing for More Time...

2009-09-14T17:58:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been bombarded with work from the job I quit at the beginning of summer. Yes, they haven't hired someone yet and I've been filling in. I'm actually designing some pretty nifty Web sites, but I can't wait to have the projects finished so I can concentrate on painting.

I ordered a painting video for my birthday about a month ago and got through it all last week. So, I'm really inspired and can't wait to practice.

I've attached another picture from the State Fair. The goats were really posing for me that day. They must have thought I was bringing them food or they liked my lens cap hanging from my camera.

I'll have more paintings soon!

Giving Encaustic a Try

2009-09-08T20:25:00.000-05:00

Here are a few encaustic pieces I've been playing with this summer.

This was created using an image transfer (the polka dot pattern) and a graphite transfer (the drawing of the dress) I then painted the background with oil paints. I'm not sure if this is finished yet. I still might add more...

For this piece and the one below I layered colored wax and incised line into the wax with a plastic hotel key, pizza cutter and sewing pattern rotary marking tool. After creating the lines I added more depth to the piece by applying oil paint into the lines.

I took an Encaustic class this spring with a local artist, Margret Berry. I don't know if I have a future with encaustics. Maybe if I have a studio separate from the house someday I would work with it some more.

I really like the image transfer technique and can't wait to try it with acrylics!

Third Time is a Charm

2009-08-30T17:58:00.001-05:00

Here is the final painting for this still life. I'm ready to move on to something else! Maybe a pair of shoes...we'll see.

Here is my critique:

I think the drawing is finally working. I get a greater sense of depth. Colors might be muddy.

I'm so happy to move on to a different subject tomorrow.

A Day at the Fair

2009-08-29T21:12:00.001-05:00

We spent a lovely day at the Nebraska State Fair. This will be the last year the fair will be in Lincoln, next year it moves to Grand Island.

Back to painting tomorrow!

Today's Still Life

2009-08-27T20:10:00.004-05:00

This was my 2nd painting today. The first attempt just wasn't working out. Here is the critique I wrote on the back:

I fixed the drawing. I think I'm getting closer. Making the shadow a different color was a bad idea. I used layering techniques from "Expressive Painting" by Anne-Marie Esson. Didn't mix my color correctly from the start. My white reflection spots look silly.

I am going to attempt this same drawing tomorrow using the Expressive painting technique from the beginning.

I actually tweaked my drawing again tonight. I think I've finally got it!!

My First Still Life

2009-08-27T10:55:00.002-05:00

OK...first I have to tell you I have never painted anything from "life". I have drawn many still lifes, but I have NEVER painted any.

I feel very humbled by the process, but I also know that with practice I will get better.

I am using Golden Acrylics on Canson paper. I really need to use some mediums with my acrylic paints. The get so thick and dry so quick.

So, I'm just doing a lot of experimenting. Trying not to get too discouraged. There is definitely room for improvement! A LOT of IMPROVEMENT! :)

Catching Up!

2009-08-26T21:14:00.002-05:00

Life has got in the way of painting lately. Well, not actually painting, just the photographing of painting and posting them. It's a habit I really need to get into.

Here's what's been distracting me...

My brother and his family came to visit.
I turned 39.
Took an unexpected trip to Kansas City for my birthday...I don't think we took a single picture...DARN!
I've been having some issues with my back, so I've been trying to do MORE yoga!
Drinking more green tea!
Catching up with photographing/scanning paintings!!

I hope to have some art to share soon!

Pearl Cupcake

2009-08-19T21:25:00.003-05:00

“Pearl Cupcake”
Couture Confections Series
4" x 4" Acrylic on Stretched canvas with scrapbook paper and "pearl bling"
$25 USD

Please email me at: bennett_heather [at] hotmail.com if you interested in purchasing this painting.

Cupcake on the Lawn

2009-08-18T20:17:00.003-05:00

“Cupcake on the Lawn”
16″ x 20″ acrylic, pattern pieces, tissue paper on stretched canvas
© 2009 Heather Hingst Bennett
$99 USD

Please email me at: bennett_heather [at] hotmail.com if you interested in purchasing this painting.

Pink Cupcake Painting

2009-08-17T12:32:00.000-05:00

Pink Cupcake
Couture Confections Series
4" x 4" Acrylic on Stretched canvas with scrapbook paper
$25 USD

Please email me at: bennett_heather [at] hotmail.com if you interested in purchasing this painting.

Yellow Cupcake Painting

2009-08-15T21:31:00.003-05:00

Yellow Cupcake
Couture Confections Series
4" x 4" Acrylic on Stretched canvas with scrapbook paper
$25 USD

Please email me at: bennett_heather [at] hotmail.com if you interested in purchasing this painting.

Blue Cupcake Painting

2009-08-14T10:58:00.004-05:00

Blue Cupcake
Couture Confections Series
4" x 4" Acrylic on Stretched canvas with scrapbook paper
$25 USD

Please email me at: bennett_heather [at] hotmail.com if you interested in purchasing this painting.

Have a lovely weekend!

Polka Dot Cupcake Painting

2009-08-13T16:57:00.006-05:00

Polka Dot Cupcake
Couture Confections Series
4" x 4" Acrylic on Stretched canvas with scrapbook paper
$25 USD

Please email me at: bennett_heather [at] hotmail.com if you interested in purchasing this painting.

Welcome!

2009-08-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are! Thank you for stopping by my new blog (for those of you who are joining me from a past blog).

Where to begin...ok, how about here...

With about $4000 saved and a husband willing to let me give this a go I quit my full-time graphic design job to pursue a full time career in art. I am starting this brand new blog to take you along on this adventure with me.

I want to become a painter. I currently paint, but it's mainly from my imagination. They are OK paintings, but I want something MORE. I want to become immersed in my subject. Seeing like an artist. Seeing like I could 15 years ago.

So, please join me. Comment and critique me. Give me pointers!! And last but not least please buy my small affordable paintings!

Namaste