Kelsey Lake (Center & Right Panels - Works in Progress)

Kelsey Lake (Center Panel) 30 x 40

oil on panel (work in progress)

Kelsey Lake (Right Panel) 25.5 x 34

oil on panel (work in progress)

Was able to work on my new water lily triptych. I like having 3 separate paintings to work on simultaneously. It allows me to keep working while I let layers of paint dry. These paintings involve a lot of glazing because there is much more to see under the surface of the water.

Mark your calendars! My studio will be open for the next Gallery Night, Friday, January 15th and Saturday, January 16th. Check back soon for more details.

Burt

Spending all weekend at the studio working on Kelsey Lake listening to my new Burt Bacharach box set. Stop by, we'll have tea.

Downtown Montessori K-5 Class Visit

Some students from my son's school braved the cold and visited my studio today. We drew strawberries, learned about still life subject matter, and had hot chocolate! I had a great time.

Christmas Tree and Ornaments

6 x 6

oil on panel

$55

6 x 6

oil on panel

$55

Here are a couple of Christmas inspired pieces. I was prompted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Christmas Art" promotion. If they select my painting it will be on the front page on Christmas Day. Wish me luck! Kind of like the top one.... bottom one looks good from far away.

Kelsey Lake (Center panel - work in progress)

30 x 43

oil on panel

This is the center panel for my new triptych. Thought I would post the progress now that it's starting to look like something.

My studio will be open for the "Bay View Holiday" day of shopping, Saturday, Dec. 5th from Noon - 6 pm. Paintings and prints will be available for purchase. Give the gift of ART! Visa/MasterCard accepted.

Red Delicious

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85

Three Strawberries

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85

Strawberries are fun to paint but are a challenge. There are so many variations of red in such a small area, and trying to get the shine to look convincing was a bit tough. After wiping the first one, this is what I ended up with. I like it.

Small Pumpkin

6 x6

oil on panel

$85

This is the first small painting I did in my new studio. I love this place.... I have another one started that I'll try to finish this week. George has his own section in the studio to paint. He also has a great time here.

Grand Opening

Here are a few photos of last night's opening of Carmen Benske Studio.

Sand Lake

40 x 48

oil on panel

$4,000 SOLD

Had a great time painting today. Returning to Deerton, MI next week for more reference material from Sand Lake.

Black Eyed Susans #3

8 x 10

oil on canvas board

$85 SOLD

I did three small paintings in the last two days. This is the only one I think is worth posting. Painting flowers and glass is a challenge for me. I'll keep trying!

Black Eyed Susans #1 & #2

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85 SOLD

I did two paintings of the same set up. I guess I was on a roll. I like the glow at the bottom of the vase on the first one and the second one is pretty nice too.

8 x 10

oil on canvas panel

$99

Sand Lake (Work in Progress)

40 x 48

oil on panel

SOLD

This painting is progressing past the ugly stage. I like how it's turning out.

Jody's Farm

6 x 6

oil on panel

$55

Orange Lily

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85 SOLD

Sand Lake (Work in Progress)

40 x 48

oil on panel

Sand Lake (Work in Progress)

40 x 48

oil on panel

What I like about painting this subject matter is the transparency of the water and the things you see that are submerged, the reflection of the sky and the trees, and the lily pads defining the surface of the water – all happening at once. I've decided to do an entire series of lily pad paintings for my show.

In this photo you can see the red lines (thread) which I use to help with the drawing... otherwise I go crazy drawing those lily pads!

Kelsey Lake

6 x6

oil on panel

$55

6 x 6

oil on panel

$55

I did these two paintings on Thursday at Kelsey Lake, Dowagiac, MI. Still need to find out the name of the red tree. It's driving me nuts.

Sand Lake (Work in Progress)

40 x 48

oil on panel

This painting is turning out to be really fun to work on. It involves a lot of layering and glazing to make the water transparent. I'm loving how the trees already look like they're reflecting.

Daisy & Sand Lake (work in progress)

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85

Here's a daisy George picked for me. I'll probably do several like this. He's always picking flowers.... so sweet. Below is a work in progress. I'm doing a series of lily pad paintings. This one is from my favorite place on earth, Sand Lake in Deerton, Michigan.

40 x 48

oil on panel

Red Ornamental

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85

I had fun with this 1 hour study at my friend Jody's house. George played with her kids while I painted and drank beer. What a great day! I need help with the title of this one. We don't know the name of the tree, other than it's a red ornamental. Does anyone know what it's called? Here's a picture of it's leaves.

Maple Sapling #2

6 x 8

oil on canvas board

$55

Here's another tree I saved. This is about a 4 hour painting, done in two sessions.

Maple Sapling #1

6 x 6

oil on panel

$85 SOLD

Here's a little still life I set up of a maple tree I saved from being weeded. I'm glad I kept this one. Anyone need a maple tree for their yard? I need to work on photographing these. They're so shiny and buttery... the real thing looks way better.

Purple Tulips

6 x 8

oil on canvas

$35

This is a quick 45 minute study I did today. I would have liked to spend more time on this one but the weather wasn't cooperating. My son George was also climbing on my back as I was painting, which was a great lesson in patience.

Reeds

7 x 5

oil on canvas

$35

I did this little painting from a snapshot I took driving home from Michigan. I started with a dark green canvas because I was having trouble with the lights and darks mixing wet into wet. Having the dark greens in place seemed to help.

3 Tomatoes

6 x 8

oil on canvas

$55 SOLD

It was a frustrating day of painting yesterday. I painted most of the day and this was all I had to show for it after wiping the first painting of violets. This one was almost wiped too. Oh well.

St. Francis

Oil on canvas

5 x 5

Not for Sale

Here's a small study for my neighbor Gretchen. Thanks Gretchen for the easel and use of your backyard.

Lees Pond

24 x 26

Oil on panel

2009

$2,500

Boston Ivy

20 x 20

Oil on panel

2008

Not for Sale