Beverly Sams

Still Life in Pink & Green

2010-02-11T12:19:00.005-06:00

oil on linen

*sold*

This is as finished as it's going to be! I chopped a few inches off both the height and width and will mount the finished canvas to hardboard. Simpler than trying to find really odd-sized stretcher bars. It will be somewhere around 16.5 x 22 inches.

Painting in Progress - Mid Stage

2010-01-23T12:21:00.006-06:00

Not quite finished ---

There are a few changes/additions I want to make.

It's going in the right direction....some severe cropping,

the addition of a couple of elements, correcting the drawing, etc.

First Painting of the New Year (in progress)

2010-01-06T15:29:00.008-06:00

24" x 18"

oil on linen

It's been about three weeks since I touched a paint brush, so I just decided to jump right in with a big canvas and started this life-sized still life painted directly from life. How's that for a beginning? Nothing like diving in the deep end. I'm waiting for those roses to open just a bit more, then I'll really have to get moving on them. I'm really liking this one so far.....

Casey Baugh workshop

2009-11-10T16:43:00.006-06:00

untitled

12" x 24"

oil on linen

I recently attended a workshop by one of the best young artists of today. Casey Baugh, who at a very young age is already nationally recognized as one of the leading figure painters of our time. I had a great time learning with seven other students as we painted and watched Casey paint throughout the week. I have discovered that workshops are the best way to kick-start my painting when I find myself in a creative "block" or "slump."

Johnnie Liliedahl

2009-10-27T12:02:00.002-05:00

I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Johnnie Liliedahl. I first met Johnnie through the Society of Decorative Painters when I attended a convention and saw that what Johnnie was painting was more in line with the direction I wanted to take my artwork. Several workshops with her led to improving my skills and techniques and knowledge on many levels. She was a tirelessly giving teacher and so diplomatic when it came to her critiques. She was always serene and dignified and ever ready to answer any question. She gave her students her all and, with her husband and soulmate, Ralph, provided art education to many who would not be able to obtain it in other ways. She will always have my respect and admiration. Rest in Peace, Johnnie.....we will miss you.

"Honorable Mention"

2009-10-02T21:39:00.011-05:00

"Serene"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

My very first juried exhibit! The Arts & Design Society of Fort Walton Beach held its opening reception this evening for "Face to Face"-- an Exhibit about Portraiture in its Many Forms.

Out of 78 entries, I was honored with the First "Honorable Mention" by judge Sue Carol Knight. I am absolutely thrilled with this award and so humbled by all the fantastic artwork that was on display. There were watercolors, pastels, oils, acrylics, photography, china paintings, mixed media, ceramics, carved concrete.....It was unbelievable. Getting to hang out with other artists and seeing in person what they're creating here on the local level is fascinating! I look forward to getting more involved with The Art Center (as it's also known) and promoting local art.

Back to Work

2009-09-15T18:53:00.006-05:00

8" x 10"

oil on panel

Just a "relatively" quick study for a series of figure paintings I'm contemplating....using a very limited palette of white, yellow ochre, cad red light, raw umber, transparent oxide red and ultramarine blue mainly because I'm running out of paint. Got to order more!

Painting of me by Pattie Wall

2009-08-27T14:18:00.005-05:00

A pastel painting of me done by an artist friend, Pattie Wall. Be sure to check out her wonderful blog at Dust off the Butterfly ......

Twilight Beach

2009-08-20T11:45:00.003-05:00

12" x 16"

oil on canvas

Living so close to the beach, one would think that you would go there very often, but that is not the case. I did, however enjoy the evening represented by the above painting when my oldest brother and his family came down for a visit. The colors are changing rapidly, the breeze caresses your face and the waves gently lapping against the shore all come together to seem like the earth's natural rhythm. Heaven on Earth.

Stone Tortoise

2009-07-24T13:43:00.003-05:00

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

I liked the way the brass dish reflected up onto the glaze of the pot and all the different textures of the stone, the kiwi, the rug, and the glaze on the pot.

New Painting

2009-07-16T23:23:00.004-05:00

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

I had a painting facing the wall in the studio I wasn't happy with and decided to put it out of my misery. Tore the canvas off the stretcher bars, removed the staples, tossed the offending canvas into the garbage heap where it belonged, and stretched nice, clean, white untouched canvas over a still viable skeleton in order to give it new life. I am pleased with the results thus far. I have painted this jug before, but not with this much lucious color. I added the kiwi fruit for a change, because I've never seen kiwi in a painting, only in tropical drinks. Kiwi are hard to paint, maybe that's why I don't see them much in paintings. Time will tell if I'm able to pull this off. If not, I'll have a smoothie with kiwi, lime and strawberry. They're sitting in the fridge waiting for the next painting or fruity drink.

Young Girl

2009-07-03T18:17:00.002-05:00

8" x 6"

oil on canvas

New Painting in Progress

2009-06-25T17:01:00.004-05:00

12" x 16"

oil on canvas

Started this one recently, seriously thinking about switching out the trumpet flowers for hibiscus....

Niece

2009-06-04T11:09:00.006-05:00

12 x 9

oil on canvas

Ok, I couldn't wait any longer.......Happy Father's Day, my baby brother!

Do-Over!

2009-05-30T12:17:00.005-05:00

5 x 7

oil on canvas panel

8 x 10

oil on panel

Girl with Cat

2009-05-12T13:22:00.003-05:00

8 x 8

oil on panel

Artist Deb Sterk

2009-05-07T21:54:00.011-05:00

9 x 12

oil on canvas by Deb Sterk

Deb is a painter I became aware of through Aaron Lifferth's blog. She is a an artist in the Pacific Northwest whose work never fails to amaze me with her wonderful use of color and brushwork. I am honored to own one of her paintings that I have hanging in my office in my studio to inspire me daily. It is a 9 x 12 study of a wave, deceptively simple, yet complete in the form, color and feel of a wave breaking just off the shore. Some may feel that it is counter-productive to feature another artist on one's own blog, but we each have our own artists and friends that we look up to. Deb has graciously allowed me to give her my space today and I am proud to showcase her work. I admit I'm hooked on her wave studies! Check out her art on her blog at http://dsterk.blogspot.com/

Oh, and don't miss her
"Spring Plow"

Simply amazing.....Thank you, Debby!

Dark Horse (In Progress)

2009-05-01T20:39:00.008-05:00

12 x 16

oil on canvas

Sometimes easy, sometimes, not! I am fighting with a small sculpture of a horse. I don't expect to completely win. This entire painting will be much darker in general. My plan is for the horse to be partially emerging from the shadows. That's why the title of this painting will be "Dark Horse," although he/she looks very light right now. Somehow, I suspect this horse is male. Go figure. The best-laid plans "Of Mice and Men;" or women, as the case may be.......

New Studio

2009-04-29T22:10:00.007-05:00

The lengths to which we will go to get something "working" for us! I'm not a tall person, but in order for this particular easel under these low (8 ft) ceilings to work for me at eye level, I've taped a scrap piece of wood under the canvas and placed my set-up onto a box on top of the tallest piece of furniture I could find in the place. I actually sawed off a good 15 inches from the center post of the easel so that I could raise it to it's highest height and have

the still life at the same level as it will be on the canvas.

I'm working with only the light from the spotlight and I have it shining on the still-life set-up, my canvas, AND my palette all at once. It looks as though I'm working in the dark, but once my eyes adjust, all the values and colors are the same on every surface and it's much easier to judge the differences in both. For me.

16 x 12

oil on canvas

I started this painting today, and seeing as how I enjoy "progression photos" as well as the next person, I decided to, again, post a painting in it's progressive stages. Thanks for reminding me, Phoons! This shot was taken with only the light from the spotlight on the still life set-up (no flash!) and since I was concentrating on the painting and not the photographing thereof, it is a bit blurry. Or maybe it was just me and all that squinting. Looks like an apple. Smells like an apple. Tasted like an apple....

Spring

2009-04-04T18:32:00.004-05:00

11 x 14

oil on canvas

Clock & Lemons

2009-03-15T17:10:00.003-05:00

16 x 20

oil on canvas

Almost there...

2009-03-14T16:55:00.003-05:00

Part IV

2009-03-10T18:48:00.003-05:00

Little by Little

2009-03-07T17:44:00.004-06:00

Trying to paint and pack up the studio at the same time doesn't work. But, More on that later!

More Progress...

2009-03-05T17:08:00.004-06:00

New Work in Progress

2009-03-02T18:17:00.003-06:00

16 x 20

oil on canvas

Painting started this week--will take a little longer since it's a larger canvas than I normally use.

WIP- Matt

2009-02-22T22:13:00.005-06:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

This is a painting that I started after flipping through my son's camera photos (with his permission!). A casual photo of one of his friends lit by incandescent light on one side and the light from the TV on the other. Used my version of the "Zorn Palette", Ivory Black, Cadmium Red Light, Yellow Ochre, and Titanium White. Will probably finish it this week, but pleased with the progress so far....

Tea Chest

2009-02-11T20:13:00.002-06:00

8 x 7 5/8

oil on panel

Blue Vase

2009-02-05T17:20:00.003-06:00

9 x 12
oil on canvas

Girl, Interrupted

2009-02-03T11:31:00.004-06:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

Small Studies

2009-02-02T15:42:00.003-06:00

oil on canvas

6 x 4

oil on panel

5 x 7

A Little Bunch

2009-01-20T22:14:00.004-06:00

oil on panel

5 x 7

Painting from life, playing with colors....

Lady of Shalott

2009-01-07T17:20:00.005-06:00

oil on canvas

detail

More work on "I Am Half-Sick of Shadows" said the Lady of Shalott. A little more color, a little more drama. More to follow........

More Waterhouse

2008-12-17T20:16:00.008-06:00

Detail

More work on the Waterhouse painting. Some opaque fleshtones and sleeves on the gown,a little more work on the reflection in the mirror. I need to tack on that ear a little better!

Waterhouse

2008-12-16T21:42:00.007-06:00

18 x 24

oil on canvas

unfinished

A copy of "I am Half-Sick of Shadows" said the Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse.

After an extended hiatus, I've decided to refresh my skills by copying a few of my favorite John William Waterhouse paintings. Not that I think I can come anywhere close to duplicating the luminous quality of his beautiful skintones, but I'll do the best I can and I learn the most by attempting to do so. This painting started with a monochromatic value study followed by transparent glazes. The next step is the opaque and semi-opaque or scumbled, and hopefully final, layer.

As an unusual detail, I like the bottle-bottom glass of the windows that Waterhouse employed in a few of his paintings.

The original painting is much darker and more dramatic and that is the look that I will strive for in this final stage as befitting the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Premio Dardos Award

2008-11-27T16:13:00.008-06:00

Thanks to my fellow artist and friend from "Across the Pond" Sharon Wright for honoring me with the Premio Dardos. This award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing and art work ...that's the general idea.

The rules of this award are as follows:

*Show the image of the award on your blog.
*Link back to the blog that gave the award.
*Nominate 15 other blogs that you consider deserving the same. (How Many?)
*Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve selected.

Here are my choices --

Nancy Rhodes Harper

Barb Pask

Deb Sterk

Sylvia Jenstad

Sara Winters

Theresa Miller

Irene Rensci

Oh, this is just crazy! Pretty much everyone on my blogroll and some others that I've not had time to list on my blog. Check 'em Out!

Girl Day 3

2008-10-28T17:49:00.003-05:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

Okay, All Afternoon......I'm tired of looking at her. It's time for chocolate. Special Dark......

Girl 2

2008-10-25T15:28:00.006-05:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

(cropped)

More work on this painting today. Need to warm up the shadow side of the face, fix her mouth, nose, and eyes---- more modelling of the light side, less like Barbie........Get in the neck, ear, hair, background, yada yada yada......

And then the real work starts. Oh, wait, that is the real work.

New Beginnings

2008-10-23T17:06:00.006-05:00

9 x 12
oil on canvas

8 x 10
oil on panel

New painting of this girl started today. I'll be going back and forth on both of these for the next few days....work on one til I get sick of it, work on the other til I get sick of it, go get some chocolate til I get sick of that (not likely!) then back to the first again.

Michael Buble

2008-10-17T13:18:00.003-05:00

On our way to see Michael Buble!

Pensacola tonight....

Water Maid

2008-10-11T09:06:00.003-05:00

18 x 24

oil on canvas

Another unfinished painting from a Johnnie Liliedahl (after Charles Sprague Pearce) workshop a few years ago. A lot of the forground needs to be added and one of these days, I'm going to finish several of these incomplete paintings that are propped against the walls of my studio. I have "proppers" and "hangers". The ones not done are propped, the finished ones are hanging.

Mona Cuppa Joe

2008-10-10T11:05:00.005-05:00

5 x 7

oil on canvas panel

My morning fix. This is just about the first face I see when I get up in the A.M. Those who know me know that I'm not a morning person, let alone actually having to put words together to form spoken sentences. Mona greets me with Maxwell House most days and gives me human interaction capability. It comes gradually after about 2 cups. More is preferable.

I didn't realize how hard Mona (in two dimensions) would be to paint on a 2 dimensional surface representing a curved three dimensional surface. I see her enough daily so I didn't spend more than a couple of hours on this. She looks better after a couple of cups. I guess that's why I'm not known as Beverly Da Vinci. Among other more obvious reasons...

Young Mama 2

2008-10-06T17:21:00.005-05:00

9 x 12

oil on canvas

Alrighty then, this is my second try at "Young Mama". I wasn't happy with the previous version and this one has its faults, as well. The baby is holding a little doll clutched in that cute little arm which is what's casting that shadow in front of her ear. The underpainting is showing through in that area and in the area of the diaper. The likeness is getting there, but I'm putting this one aside and starting again. I'm Not Giving UP! and don't even get me started on those hands...

Elio Camacho workshop in Destin FL

2008-09-30T16:52:00.003-05:00

photo by me

Elio Camacho has graciously consented to give a plein air workshop
Nov. 10-14 here in Destin, FL.

I have had the pleasure of attending two of his workshops so far and he is a dedicated and generous painter and teacher. I learned a lot and made some very good friends! It's always interesting to see how different artists interpret the same subjects.

To see more of his work, visit

http://www.eliocamacho.com/

To learn more about and register for this workshop, click here. It will be a great time to be in Destin. Beaches will be less crowded and the sunsets are phenomenal, not to mention sublime temperatures...

Sam

2008-09-26T20:51:00.007-05:00

oil on board

9 x 12

My Great-Uncle in Alabama has this wonderful dog, Sam. Or maybe Sam has Uncle Lathan...Sam will walk with you wherever you're going and patiently wait 'til you're ready to go somewhere else. I spent about 90 minutes on him using a limited palette of yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, and white, 3 brushes and the entire surface of my 16 x 20 inch glass palette. So much fun!

Florida Critters

2008-09-23T00:16:00.007-05:00

Too freaked out to paint...

Ok, I've been living in Florida for about a year and a half, now. I'm not afraid of spiders and the usual creepy crawlies, not even the little lizard-type fellows that go skittering every time I walk out the door. But this past weekend has just plain unnerved me with the appearance of several little unwelcome visitors.

First, Friday morning in my studio, this little guy shows up. He's not so bad from a distance. But zoom in a little and he looks like a prehistoric dragon---

My son assures me that this is "just a cute little Gecko". I don't care if he (or she, how do you tell?) is just two inches long. Cute in an ugly sort of way...

And then, Saturday morning, I open the garage door to this guy:

This was pretty much the kicker. Those of you that know and love me also know how I feel about this particular creature. I was proud that I didn't--

1. Have a heart attack on the spot...

2. Faint dead away while standing right there...

3. Have another sort of accident..

4. Or all of the above simultaneously.

After these individuals were dealt with, my son comes through the living room Saturday night holding something in his hand and goes outside. He found a frog in his shower. I have not the faintest clue how it got there. I didn't get a photo. No big deal to him. I'm still recovering...

Reverie

2008-09-16T17:44:00.005-05:00

oil on canvas

A painting started last week and finished as far as I'm taking it. I'm really starting to lean more towards faces and figures. The human form is endlessly fascinating, with all the facets & so-called flaws that make each one unique. And no, it's not a self portrait...

Young Mama

2008-09-12T17:55:00.007-05:00

9 x 12

oil on panel

A work in progress -- I started this one last week, but have been going back and forth on it. Mom and baby are both asleep on Father's Day. More later!

Sunset Sail

2008-09-10T17:14:00.011-05:00

11 x 14

oil on canvas

Just can't seem to get away from the sail boats. They're so beautiful and graceful and quiet. Reminds me of Chrisopher Cross's song "Sailing." I think this was off Hilton Head Island.

This painting and song are dedicated to my own personal in-house art critic, musician and sailor,

my son, Seth.

Touch Up

2008-08-22T16:54:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to tweak this sketch a bit. Some subtle differences from the original.

Finally Back!

2008-08-21T17:31:00.008-05:00

charcoal sketch

on paper

After a few weeks out of the studio, it's good to be back. A week long workshop, a trip to see my parents, and various unavoidable distractions took up a lot of time. Hopefully, the rest of this month will be productive, depending on Fay, of course.

Last Rose

2008-07-25T16:40:00.005-05:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

This rose was on it's last leg and pretty much wilted right before my eyes. The colors were so vivid while it lasted.

Apple Jug

2008-07-23T16:35:00.005-05:00

oil on canvas

11 x14

Not quite finished, but almost there. Will post again when it's done...

Eden Gardens

2008-07-11T16:53:00.008-05:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

8 x 10

oil on panel

Although it was an overcast day, I took myself off to Eden Gardens State Park to paint. There are beautiful views of Choctawhatchee Bay and a circa 1800s house surrounded by flower gardens, statuary and fountains. Very quiet, although I did meet some friendly visitors who stopped by to chat with me. There was a lovely young couple, she from the Ukraine, he originally from Bulgaria, and an artist from the San Francisco Bay area who does watercolors. And a very young guy who asked me "How do you paint the clouds when they're moving so fast?" Good question....

Afternoon Sail

2008-07-06T16:58:00.006-05:00

9 x 12

oil on canvas

sold

This is my absolute favorite time of day, just before the sun sets and everything seems to take on a subtle glow...

Recent Workshop

2008-06-26T18:44:00.005-05:00

8 x 10

oil on panel

If my friend Nancy Rhodes Harper is brave enough to do it, I guess I will too! This is my effort from a recent Elio Camacho workshop. Looking at it away from everything else, it was the only one I felt comfortable posting. He's a fantastic painter AND teacher....

Red Flag Afternoon

2008-06-25T18:08:00.006-05:00

11 x 14

oil on canvas

Working on trying to "loosen up". Seems like the simplest thing, yet so hard to actually do... "prolly" gonna do a little overhaul.

Sketches

2008-05-16T17:11:00.003-05:00

A couple of sketches I did just messing around today, also known as waiting for gesso to dry...

More Roses

2008-05-02T10:36:00.006-05:00

Oil on Linen on panel

11 x 14

sold

I've done some more work on this Liz Pruitt workshop painting. I've yet to do the blue deltware design on the vase and some odds and ends that catch my eye...

On the Easel

2008-05-01T11:47:00.004-05:00

Oil on Canvas

From a Johnnie Liliedahl DVD workshop, this is a copy of Bouguereau's "Boreas". After a monochromatic value study, transparent colors were glazed over the entire painting. The opaque flesh tones have been added, and now the arm and the rest of the painting will be completed.

Elizabeth Pruitt Workshop

2008-04-28T17:18:00.020-05:00

Oil on Linen on panel

9 x 20

sold

Haven't posted in a while...I'm showing a couple of paintings I am currently working on. These are from a workshop with Elizabeth Pruitt a few weeks ago. She's a wonderful artist and teacher. I'm not sure this is quite finished, but I'm letting it "rest" for a day or two before I decide.

Oil on Linen on panel

11 x 14

You can see where I've started to mass in the flowers that branch out to the side as well as one lying on the table to the left. I'll post this one again after it's finished. The workshop was a lot of fun as well as very informative. I've learned a great deal about color temperature and values.

Learning the Ropes

2008-03-01T17:23:00.000-06:00

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

You know it's time to stop painting for the day when you wipe your brush then throw it away instead of tossing the paper towel...

Light & Dark

2008-02-22T10:03:00.000-06:00

oil on canvas panel

8" x 10"

Painted from a photo reference kindly provided by a fellow member of WetCanvas! I think my painting is almost too photorealistic. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

"Sea Glass"

2008-02-21T11:47:00.001-06:00

Oil on Canvas Panel
4" x 6"

sold

This is a painting of one of the sailing-related objects my son has collected. It is a reproduction of a six-sided glass deck prism that was used on old sailing vessels to bring light belowdecks. The flat top was embedded into a hole in the floor of the deck leaving the pointed prism exposed underneath. When sunlight hit the glass above, it was reflected into the area below.