Links to my Main Social Media

Keep up to date with my work on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlouella

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth_louella_art/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlouella_art

Tumblr: https://beth-louella-art.tumblr.com/

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.

 

NEW series

I'm very excited about this new series, I am not going to say too much now but here are some pictures so far....

Native American Art Series...

Darker feathers for my Native American man... I think this painting is finished now - there will be more similar paintings soon. I love portraiture, paint & mixed media. I have Native American heritage & often explore themes of history, culture & heritage in my work as well as strength, the spiritual & emotional / social. I regularly use gold & silver in my fine art work - often representing the unseen...

#nativeamerican #nativeamericanart #portrait #mixedmedia #gold #art #artist #artblog #artblogger #watercolour #portraitseries #insideart #victorian #spiritual #ethereal #artprocess #americanindian #mixedmedia #deity #beautiful #beth_louella_aulton_art #american #firstnation #celebration #history #heritage #culture #unseen #artwork #travel

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).

#womanhood #feminism #heritage#history #ancestry #nativeamerican #african #kenyan #dreads #emotion#spiritual #faith #culture #multicultural#ethnicity #artist #selfportrait #fridakahlo #painting #portrait #portraiture #art #artblog #artblogger #nuture #familytree #genetics #dreadlocks

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

Start of 'Deborah' Illustrated Portrait

Start of 'Deborah' illustrated portrait for 'Inspiring Women' series. Deborah was a Jewish Prophetess & Judge of Israel (12th century BC) - a truly awesome & powerful woman from a VERY long time ago!

Want to see more? Check out my website: www.bethida.co.uk The 'Inspiring Women' series so far is under 'commercial & editorial' illustration.

#deborah #prophet #prophetess #jewish #jew #jewishwomen #powerfulwomen #femalehistory #feminism #history #art#illustration #portrait #illustratedportrait #artist #artblog #artblogger #bethlouellaaulton #drawings 

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.

Progress Video of 'Fit'

Here is a progress video for my painting 'Fit'. My fine art work centres around celebrating people (& places) holistically, not just their physical form. I find people and places inspiring and my work is a response to that which, in turn, inspires & encourages others.


If you want to check out more of my artwork please go to: http://www.bethlouella.com/

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)

'Adoption'Progress Pictures

Here are some progress pictures of 'Adoption' (100cm x 150cm paint on canvas).  I don't usually change colours whilst painting but the blue wasn't quite working for me.  The painting is a celebration of adoption (physical and spiritual) and I think the warm, ethereal yellow was the right choice in the end.

You can view a higher resolution of the final painting here  

and the same painting plus other artwork on my website 

The Art of Caring, St Pancras

Three of my pieces are on display at the Conference Centre Gallery, St Pancras, London until 19th October. This is the second part of the Art of Caring exhibition. Here are the selected pieces that are on display, all of which are connected with the theme of caring - love the concept of this exhibition.

Progress Pictures of 'Mothers'

For those of you that like progress pictures...

View on Saatchi Art

Henley Series

I have some of my 'Henley Series' artwork (prints and cards) in Tiny Gallery, Henley-on-Thames. 

Henley Blue Church

Henley Doors

Henley Angel

NEW exhibition

Thrilled to find out two of my paintings have been selected by the CARISCC competition for a touring exhibition which will be in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds. Here are the two selected portraits: 'Koko' and 'Lineage'.

The Art of Caring

Today is the last day of The Art of Caring exhibition which has been on display at St George's, Tooting, London. Here are my pieces that have been exhibited there, all are connected with the theme of caring. Great concept for an exhibition and big thanks to the organisers.
#theartofcaring #adoption #gift #art #painting #portraits

Here is my new painting: ‘Mothers’, a self portrait (60 cm x 76 cm paint on canvas with photographs). 

I love the genre of self portraiture and the freedom of expression it brings. I painted the self portrait ‘Mothers’ because I wanted to explore the concept of heritage (physical, cultural, emotional, spiritual) and womanhood.  I have Native American heritage and am connected to Kenyan culture hence the hair style, choker style necklace and wrapped material. The necklace depicts my female family tree, showing the eyes of my mother, mother-in-law, grandmothers, great grandmothers…etc.  I focused on the females in my family tree because of the emphasis on womanhood and the influence mothers have. The pose is unusual; I chose to look at the viewer as if I were looking down to give the impression of strength and power.  I wanted to convey that my heritage and the women/mothers that are part of that heritage, empower me.

You can view this painting on Saatchi Art: http://bit.ly/2q23R5i

Fine Art Heroes

I am inspired by many artists but these very influential artists are my all time favourites and have played a big role in shaping my work:

FRIDA KAHLO - 1907-1954 (Mexico)

GUSTAV KLIMT - 1862-1918 (Austria)

AMEDIO MODIGLIANI - 1884-1920 (Italy / France)

Small Faces Exhibtion

It has been great being a part of the HUGE Small Faces Exhibition which is made up of LOADS of postcard portraits displayed in the Solent Showcase Gallery in Southampton. There were nearly 600 people at the private view and they expect many, many more to visit the exhibition which is up until 21st April.  It is great seeing so many different mini portraits side by side, especially if you love portraiture like me!

You can take the impressive 360 virtual tour if you wish (you should be able to spot my 'Red Queen' straight away): https://www.solent.ac.uk/360/showcase/s

To see more detailed versions of my postcard portraits and information about them, please click on the Saatchi Art links below:

https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Drawing-Spiritual-Boadicea-Green/428253/3479117/view

https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Drawing-Self-Portrait-Silver-and-Purple/428253/3478904/view

https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Drawing-Red-Queen/428253/3478715/view

Painting Identitical Twins

I have nearly finished a portrait of an identical twin, I am painting her twin sister soon.  Painting identical twins is fascinating as the differences in facial features are so minute. As a portrait painter you have to be spot on with accuracy but the precision is so important when painting identical twins, I have to confess that at one point in the early stages the portrait looked more like the other twin! All the facial features are honed and correct now (the portrait definitely looks like the correct person), I just need to finish off the clothing.  Here are some progress pictures, I'll post more photos once completed.