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.    

Postcard Portraits Exhibition

I created some 'small' portraits for an exhibition in spring.  I have been really enjoying experimenting with watercolour and combining pencil, ink and paint so I decided to use these to create my postcard portraits. I am experimenting with the concept of absence in some of my work (especially pencil work).  As hair is often an identifying feature I have been exploring leaving it blank; I like the aesthetic, that it is a bit unusual and also draws more attention to the face.

 Red Queen

 Self Portrait Silver and Purple

Spiritual Boadicea Green

  

January Work

Happy new year! Over Christmas I have been experimenting with watercolour which has been fun.  I am currently working on some pencil and paint portraits for an exhibition in the spring.