tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87807452035294713962012-01-31T08:25:02.107-07:00Original Art by Colorado artist Barb Benik.Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-74338771982224788532012-01-29T13:04:00.001-07:002012-01-29T13:04:09.531-07:00

The new members' exhibit at the LAC Gallery and Art Center is an artist's challenge where at least one apple, lemon, or pear must be included in the subject matter in each submitted work.  This exhibit opens Tuesday, January 31 and continues through Saturday, February 25, 2012. I've been working on 4 paintings for this exhibit.  The largest measures 8" high by 24" wide.  I set up several

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-45892967920869565262011-12-21T07:58:00.000-07:002011-12-21T07:58:58.554-07:00

This day holds great significance for me, for now the days will only be getting longer.  It brings a sense of renewal and the realization that the new year is just around the corner... Oh, and this was the day, 55 years ago, that my baby brother came along.  Happy Birthday, little bro! Speaking of the new year, the members of the Lakewood Arts Council (LAC) kindly elected me to be president of

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-17090347049510909312011-11-02T08:21:00.000-06:002011-11-02T08:21:15.257-06:00

This is my latest completed painting that I have submitted to Daily Paintworks. Little and Littler Oil 6" x 6" This is painted on a gallery-wrapped, stretched archival linen canvas.  It was a lot of fun painting these last little survivors from our pumpkin patch.  Enjoy!

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-70382932304900285002011-10-31T09:45:00.001-06:002011-11-01T20:42:43.797-06:00

Here is Echo, standing at the top of the hill, doing his job of overseer at the Benik house.  He is a rescue border collie we adopted 8 years ago and has the most wonderful, sweet personality. Echo Standing 5" x 7" Oil This is painted on hardbord (Ampersand brand) that I covered with a mid-tone gray gesso combined with fine pumice gel (Golden brand).  I hope you like it! I submitted this to

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-25505281945044826712011-10-26T09:40:00.000-06:002011-10-26T09:40:03.558-06:00

Here is my latest submittal, this time to the "Simplify Cute" challenge.   Girl in Pink The toughest part for me was getting the little girl's head proportions correct to accurately reflect her age.  This was very fun and challenging.  Painted on a 6" x 6" stretched linen canvas and now for sale in my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/84689742/

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-51184092896692264582011-10-09T22:15:00.000-06:002011-10-09T22:15:40.004-06:00

Daily Paintworks offers weekly painting challenges that have no deadlines.  There also are fundraising auctions for worthy causes.  Check them out because there is some great art to be seen on their website, and they are doers of good in the world. I submitted one of my pieces to the Hand Challenge; it shows the Vulcan greeting sign for "Live long and prosper" from Star Trek.  I hope you like

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-56374034224127879852011-08-08T12:33:00.000-06:002011-08-08T12:33:34.681-06:00

It's been a rainy summer this year, so my plein aire outings have been few.  However, I did complete this piece last week.  I hope you like it! Plains Cottonwood                                                                                         This painting measure 8" x 10" and is oil on linen canvas panel.

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-3159875752741766852011-06-22T22:07:00.000-06:002011-06-22T22:07:40.886-06:00

Just completed this oil of red poppies for a decorator piece.  It measures 30" high x 48" wide overall and is painted on gallery wrap canvas, so no frame will be used.  I hope you like it! Red Poppies Diptych

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-66576957773285016422011-06-11T13:07:00.003-06:002011-08-05T09:08:08.753-06:00

Another small oil painting wrapped up for the exhibit in July and August at Miners Alley Playhouse. Two CupsOil Painting5" x 7"  Cards and other products printed with this image may be purchased from my CafePress Shop  

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-11371376996012131882011-06-11T12:43:00.005-06:002011-07-01T20:45:45.223-06:00

Here is one of my new pieces that will be on display at Miners Alley Playhouse in July. Flowers for VincentOil11" x 14" I had a lot of fun painting this piece with its complementary color scheme.  Designed after a photo taken at Gene and Myrna's garden a few years back. Cards and other items printed with this image may be purchased from my CafePress Shop:  For images on dark background, click

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-37227656196587938612011-05-15T08:28:00.003-06:002011-06-11T13:10:09.328-06:00

Here is another small floral oil painting: Pink HollyhockOil Painting9" x 12" Hollyhocks are difficult to paint; they are tall and slender and want to be vertical in an art piece, but the flowers are so ruffley and complex, as are the leaves and stems.  I chose to focus on the beautiful flowers and stems attached to the stalk. Cards and other items printed with this image may be purchased from

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-55048257948507228952011-05-14T15:58:00.000-06:002011-05-14T15:58:06.333-06:00

I just found out that my oil painting "Warming Up" received a merit award by Juror Janet Nunn in the 2011 Artists Choice exhibit, currently showing at the Lakewood Cultural Center.  I'm very excited about receiving this award; there are many other beautiful pieces that are also deserving. Warming Up

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-64421228053915311332011-04-30T07:47:00.008-06:002011-06-24T07:06:16.252-06:00

Just finished these two paintings of felines for the Lakewood Arts Council's "Cats" exhibit for the month of May.  This exhibit is in conjunction with a fundraiser for our local Cat Care Society, a no-kill cat shelter.  Large, one-of-a-kind painted fiberglass cats will be on display in the gallery alongside the exhibit. Georgia O'Kitty by Jane McFadden Dorsey More information can be found on the

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-935603540328861812010-11-23T17:51:00.000-07:002010-11-23T17:51:20.462-07:00

This oil painting is from the latest challenge on my Studio Atelier blog.    Apple Harvest Oil 11" x 14"

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-2817193997953974612010-10-23T07:09:00.002-06:002010-10-23T07:30:22.188-06:00

Finally was able to get back to some painting this month and just wrapped up this little landscape. View From McIntosh LakeOil8" x 10" This painting will be on display at the Lakewood Arts Council's Community Art Center and Gallery beginning next week. Another piece that is going into the gallery is this one.  It originally was an 8" x 10" horizontal, but I was not content with the completed

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-70692970911569267932010-08-15T15:06:00.008-06:002010-08-22T20:02:20.952-06:00

What a perfect morning for painting outdoors!  There was a light breeze; it was sunny and about 70 degrees.  Ginger & I met in the Chatfield Denver Botanic Gardens parking lot.  Our first location was on the south side of the building complex. Ginger's first painting was the barn, silo and other buildings: The colors on her piece are quite vibrant, more so than what shows in this photograph.

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-56284257233396376932010-08-08T13:19:00.002-06:002010-08-10T09:25:51.152-06:00

Elk Meadow is an Open Space park in Jefferson County, along the Evergreen Parkway at Lewis Ridge Road, and about 5 miles from I-70 at Exit 252.  We met about 8:30 am Sunday morning, and the parking lot was beginning to fill up with hikers, bikers, runners...you name it.  It was just Ginger and me painting this day; we hiked a little way up the trail and set up to paint. Ginger's first subject

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-48453621742891175462010-08-07T21:44:00.001-06:002010-08-07T21:45:30.662-06:00

I'm always happy when I can spend half a day painting, but when I finish a piece, it is even more rewarding.  I recently was able to wrap up two paintings.  One was from my Studio Atelier painting challenge blog, and the other was from my plein aire outing at the Bear Creek Greenbelt. This is the Lily Pond painting challenge; I'll have to post a better photo after it dries and I can scan it. 

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-66723435573283781002010-07-29T07:53:00.002-06:002010-07-29T07:55:11.309-06:00

I spent a couple of hours in the studio cleaning up the first painting from our outing at Matthew Winters Park.  To recap, here is the photograph of the scene I painted: and here is the completed painting: "Dinosaur Ridge"Oil5" x 7" This is a piece I will consider for a larger studio painting, to be worked on when the plein aire days are long gone!

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-68739671398873878872010-07-18T13:54:00.004-06:002010-08-10T09:36:00.434-06:00

Six of us arrived to paint:  Ginger (our leader/coordinator), Sharon, Shirley, Barney and Karen, and I.  We started early to try to get something done before it heated up too much. My support was a 5x7 piece of hardboard panel that I didn't prime.  I did apply a layer of the fine pumice gel all over it for some "tooth" and allowed it to dry before painting in oils.  In retrospect, I should

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-50440347940270353592010-07-11T15:28:00.002-06:002010-07-11T22:02:55.050-06:00

This was the painting challenge for June on my Studio Atelier blog. I hope you like it.  The actual painting took about four hours to complete, but the picture sat there for a month while I walked by or worked on other pieces.  June is always very busy for us, so getting time to paint is a challenge in itself. Carribean Paradise5" x 7" oil on black gessoed Gatorbord When I did finally sit down

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-19456564982356045402010-07-11T15:19:00.003-06:002010-08-08T13:24:28.137-06:00

We started out pretty early in the morning; I had scoped out the area the previous week, as had Ginger.   It was just us two for painting. Matthews Winter is an open space park traversed by many trails and with Mt. Vernon Creek running through it.  The trails are designated as hiker only or bicyclist only, with some being shared.  The park is immediately north of Red Rocks, tucked in the Mt.

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-32039373529410887692010-07-06T07:27:00.001-06:002010-08-07T21:36:27.114-06:00

We had another great morning of painting, this time near the Old Stone House on the Bear Creek Greenbelt.  I met Ginger, Shirley, Sharon, and June for a fun time.  We were joined by June's friends Barney and Karen. Once again, our leader Ginger gave great instruction and tips on improving our technique in the field.  She painted in oil on a toned canvas panel.  Shirley came with her acrylics and

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-14000075499008861152010-06-20T10:13:00.001-06:002010-06-20T22:21:00.825-06:00

Three of us painted at Prospect Park in Wheat Ridge.  Ginger was our instructor.  The weather was perfect.  Everyone was out walking the trails, and any dogs that were there made a beeline for Clear Creek.  They loved the water. Ginger set up and gave us a brief lesson and demo:  Her subject matter was Clear Creek and this willow: Here is her painting after she touched it up in the studio: This

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-14812964850334875652010-06-09T20:04:00.006-06:002010-06-20T22:09:06.579-06:00

Recently completed this 4" x 6" oil from my monthly challenge blog Studio Atelier.   This is the completed piece after it has dried and been varnished. The motorcycles are from a photo taken in Washington, D.C. at the "Freedom Ride" gathering.  The painting is on canvas mounted to Gatorbord; I covered the canvas with a couple of coats of black gesso, which I first used on the sparrows painting

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-86688893818569088162010-04-04T08:23:00.000-06:002010-04-04T08:23:06.414-06:00

Working from the photograph below: I developed a sketch of the concept for this painting: I tried something new (for me) with this piece.  Working on an 8" x 10" linen panel, I applied a layer of black gesso, allowed it to dry, and sketched my drawing onto it with a very light grey colored pencil.  The painting will go on top of this drawing, so I sprayed it with a workable fixative to

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-63411302558151008112010-04-02T12:17:00.001-06:002010-04-02T12:27:18.521-06:00

Finally completed the challenge piece for Studio Atelier in March.  Work and vacation interfered with painting time, but now it's done.  This was a difficult topic; I will have to find easier subject matter for future challenges. "Malibu Fountain"Oil 6-3/4" x 9-1/2"

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-17715641009892875252010-03-08T10:56:00.005-07:002010-03-13T11:27:50.317-07:00

This is a pen & ink drawing I did of Leo the lion snoozing.  It currently is showing at the Lakewood Community Arts Center & Gallery as part of the astrology exhibit through April 2, 2010. "Cat Nap" earned a Merit Award from juror Janet Nunn.

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-16684825889218738462010-03-08T09:10:00.001-07:002010-03-08T09:11:31.755-07:00

Just finished framing this little oil painting.  It was very fun to paint these poppies from my garden. I hope you enjoy this piece! "Garden Poppies"Oil 3-1/2" x 5" Prints are available on my Imagekind site:

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-90178730312694031282010-02-15T16:42:00.000-07:002010-02-15T16:42:43.964-07:00

Now a little twist to the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog.  Many of Karin's followers wanted to send her a thank-you for all of the work she has done with DSFDF.  Jill Polsby headed up this project and connected with the artists who participated in the end-of-year portrait challenge at Different Strokes From Different Folks.  Well, 118 of us responded and painted our own version of a

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-81139921751416890112010-02-05T10:20:00.010-07:002010-03-08T09:18:31.426-07:00

Here is the completed painting from the first challenge on my blog Studio Atelier.  I hope you enjoy it!  "Snow Shadows"Oil7-3/4" x 4-3/4" Prints of "Show Shadows" may be purchased through my Imagekind site:

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-1265841864497007622010-01-23T20:46:00.000-07:002010-01-23T20:46:20.669-07:00

Here is something new:  a miniature the size of an artist trading card (ATC) - 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".  This piece is oil on canvas mounted on Gatorbord. The hardest part about painting a mini is getting an image of it that looks OK on the computer!

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-17228357467562300102010-01-21T12:55:00.001-07:002010-01-21T12:56:08.053-07:00

Just finished this little piece... "Lemon Study" is 5" x 7", oil on Gatorbord.  I hope you like it.

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-7428112533666722862010-01-21T07:40:00.000-07:002010-01-21T07:40:58.984-07:00

Alas!  Our hero at Different Strokes From Different Folks is taking some time off to concentrate on her real world.  I wish her all the best and support her in her choice.  There are times you just have to stay in the trenches.  Good luck, Karin Jurick. In light of that, I'm launching Studio Atelier under similar guidelines as the DSFDF blog.  Artists are invited to paint their interpretation of

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-11712577801036595292010-01-02T07:45:00.004-07:002010-01-11T06:43:31.898-07:00

Now that the dust is settling from the whirlwind of the holidays, there's time to post my recent contribution to the DSFDF End of Year Portrait Challenge.  What a fun project this was!  I encourage you to visit the Different Strokes blog and look at all of the wonderful portraits contributed by artists all over the world.  Artist Karin Jurick is not only a talented artist but also an advocate for

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-89482304822363201732009-09-07T10:34:00.010-06:002009-09-07T11:07:49.447-06:00

This is my first attempt at painting the assignment from Karin Jurick's Blog "Different Strokes From Different Folks" where artists where are encouraged to paint or draw their own interpretations from a photograph she provides."Labor Day Cupcakes" is a 4" x 6" oil painting on Gatorbord. It was fun to paint!

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-1255009709218115632009-08-09T07:42:00.002-06:002009-08-09T07:57:00.110-06:00

This pencil drawing on bristol is our border collie rolling in the grass.He's a wonderful dog!

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780745203529471396.post-55128325725870963642009-08-09T05:44:00.006-06:002009-08-09T06:40:40.287-06:00

This still life oil study of "Red Peppers" is 4" x 6" on canvas mounted to Gatorbord.

Barb Benikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02059167150151854022noreply@blogger.com0