Development of Mixed Media Pieces

I have revisited an old mixed media piece and updated it with elements from my more current mixed media work.  Here are the progress pictures.  I am pleased with the outcome and have already started a small series inspired by this piece.

 

Self Portrait From A While Ago

Self portrait from a while ago - my native american heritage coming through! I was doing a lot of metal embellishment on canvas at the time as you can see here. Someone commented they thought I "look prettier in real life" than in this portrait 😂 Have to admit I disagree, this painting is a very close likeness - sure I didn't go for a glamorous pose but then self portraits (generally) aren't about making yourself look attractive but about depicting & expressing yourself, inside & out. Often the artist is the artist's best sitter as they know that face so well & they know everything that goes on inside. For the record, I can & I do create many flattering portraits, but that wasn't what this painting was about 😉

You can check out the full painting and more images on my website: www.bethlouella.com (portraiture - fine art).

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Progress Video 'My Brothers'

Progress video of 'My Brothers' painting - it shows my brother & the name of our deceased, adopted brother tattooed on his arm. I love this painting because it celebrates both my brothers, it fills me with a sense of love & warmth.

The painting is 80cm x 60cm, on canvas. Interested in seeing more of my portraits? Check out my website: www.bethlouella.com

Adoption Photo

Came across this photo of me finishing 'Adoption', a painting that celebrates physical & spiritual adoption. I have a canvas print of this painting on my wall at the mo (much smaller than the original) & I find the regular reminder of awesome love everytime I pass it really inspiring & uplifting.

Surpasses All

This painting, 'Surpasses All' was recently chosen as a canvas print (a great affordable art option). It's an older work of mine that explores spiritual peace & comfort that doesn't really make sense ("...surpasses all understanding..."*). I have experienced peace & comfort like this in particularly tough times, such as bereavement through suicide. It is hard to depict the unseen but it's something I often try to do in my artwork.

The woman is holding a plant in her bleeding hand, the wind blows her hair obscurring her face and flame like brush strokes rise in the background suggesting hardship and pain. Despite this, the woman exudes peace and calm through her glowing skin, the ethereal gold, her relaxed closed eyes and out stretched hand on her chest. The plant is olive blossom which is a symbol of peace. Original 50cm x 100cm, paint & embellishment on canvas.

If you are interested in a canvas / art paper print, please visit: https://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/428253 and/or message me.

* "And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding..." (Philippians 4:7)

Below the Surface...

‘Below the Surface’ is a body of work consisting of portraits created with hard pencil, ink and paint.  The paint is expressive, depicting elements of the subject’s character.  Here is one of the portraits, there are more to come!

Woman Yellow 29.7cm (w) x 42cm (h) pencil, ink and paint on paper

View / buy prints on Saatchi

Lineage

Here is another recent painting. It is a self portrait (not a very flattering one, but then that is not what self portraits are about!).  It is called Lineage, the painting is about heritage, ancestry, what gets passed down to us and what shapes us.  My dreads look like tree branches so I created a 'family tree' / 'tree of life' with the layout of my hair.  The splashes of colour represent different elements being passed down, the things that impact / shape us and the results. The turquoise represents bitter sweet elements and the yellow represents positive elements, such as love, joy and faith. 

Lineage 61cm (w) x 91cm (h) paint on canvas 

View / buy prints on Saatchi