Escape

Escape  18"x24"  Oil on Canvas

No I haven't retired, I've been visiting my family in the states for my first Thanksgiving in six years. It was fabulous and I even ventured out the following day to the mall on Black Friday for some shopping and great people watching. I loved every minute of it!

I did this piece upon my return. Women reading seems to be an ongoing theme for me. I was trying to paint more directly, thoughtfully progressing and finishing off a section at a time.  If I wasn't happy with it, I'd scrape off the paint and start again. I was also sticking with cool lights and warm darks.

I won't be posting again until the second week in January. We're going to Bali over the holidays, someplace I've always wanted to visit. I can't wait to paint the beautiful tropical surroundings to share with you when I return to Malta.

Best wishes to create a magical New Year.

Biggie Size It

Reading Nude  18" x 24" oil on canvas

Sometimes when I really enjoy a small study and feel that the composition will translate well into a larger piece I biggie size it. It's always unique with it's own surprises.  What I liked so much about the small one was the texture so I kept the surface very thick and juicy on this larger version as well.

for purchasing info please contact me

Woman Reading

Woman Reading  6"x 8" Oil on Board

It's always helpful for me to do a small study to decide if things are working and if I feel like it's interesting enough to create a larger version.

What do you think?

to purchase this painting for 100 USD click here

Nude Study

Nude Study   6"x 8" Oil on Board

This little study was about applying lots of thick paint but still being representational of the subject. It works well from far away and has a very painterly quality close up.

to purchase this painting for $100 click here

Georgia

Georgia   9" x 12"  Oil on Board

Georgia was a pleasure to paint with the soft lighting.  Doesn't she have the greatest dimples ever?

Marbles in Paradise

Marbles in Paradise   6" x 6"   Oil on Board

Yesterday I was rearranging my toys for a still life and day dreaming about my trip over the holidays this year to Bali. I've always want to go there. While I was setting up I got the idea to place the items on a wild tropical print with the suggestion of lying on a beautiful beach.  Have I lost my marbles?

click here to purchase this painting for 100 USD

Child's Play



Child's Play  9" x 12"  oil on board



I had so much fun painting I Luv Mommy that I set up another slightly more complicated still life with crayons, marbles, and bits of modeling clay.  I don't finish this type of painting in one go, I have to let some areas dry so I can come back in and add another layer, so they take a few days to do, but lots of fun! I really enjoy doing still life on the days when it's cold and rainy outside but bright and sunny inside my studio. Perfect conditions every day!



I Luv Mommy

I Luv Mommy  9" x 12"  Oil on Board

This piece was donated to an online auction raising money to help prevent maternal deaths world wide.  90% of these deaths are not necessary. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will be given to the Every Woman Counts fund. To learn more about this worthy cause or participate in the online auction please visit

dailypaintworks.com

sold

Ziva

This is Ziva.  Can you tell she's a wee bit mischievous?

Yi-Ying

Yi-Ying

This little sweetie is Yi-Ying. She likes to draw and is filled with personality!

More about my series of faces:

 This ongoing series of faces are all the same size and medium.  8" x 12" oil on board.

It's called the Many Faces of Spirit.

I have no idea how many I'll do or what direction it may take. The idea behind this is that we are all very unique individual expressions of Spirit/ Source/ God energy and therefore we are all One. It still never ceases to amaze me how different we all look even though we all have two eyes, one nose and one mouth.  It's our subtle little differences that make up our expressions and personalities.



Study of Provence

Study of Provence  6"x 8"  Oil on Board

This is another field study from Provence.  I was trying to

use as few strokes as possible but still represent what I saw.

Terrace View

While in Provence we found a nice little cafe on a hill with a gorgeous view. We painted all morning and ended up staying for a delicious lunch.

A perfect day. What does your perfect day look like?

Rainy Day Tea Pot

Rainy Day Tea Pot  6" x 6" Oil on Board

It rained one day while I as in Provence so I decided to set up a still life.  I chose this white tea pot and white cup thinking it would be a fun exercise to see how much color I could use besides white.

sold

Hilltop Retreat

Hilltop Retreat  11" x 14" Oil on Board

France is covered with views like this, old castles, villages, and monasteries all perched on the top of a hill for better defense.  I did this painting on the Burgundy portion of my recent trip.

Gordon

Gordon 9"x 12 " oil on board

I'm still working on my faces.  It's a project that will take a while.

Canal Cafe

This painting of one of my favorite cafes was done on the Burgogne half of my recent sejour in France. The barges run up and down the canal but I enjoy biking on the voie verte, or painting! Both very relaxing;)

sold

Sur la Sorge

While in Provence we stayed in L'isle Sur La Sorge. It's a lovely little town and is a destination antique hunters. The afternoon lighting on this walking street really got my "wow" factor going.

sold

B and B

While I was in Provence at the workshop we stayed in a B and B called Le Temp de Chanson. This is a study I did of the outdoor terrace where everyone ate breakfast. A very nice Dutch couple bought this painting on the spot to take home to remember their vacation. That was really cool!

The Watercolorist

I spent about three weeks in September in France. The weather was perfect.  I did alot of painting, first in Provence at a workshop led by my friend Francesco Fontana and then left the group and went to my house in Burgundy. Francesco works in oils and watercolor, is a gifted teacher and runs a great painting holiday.  If you feel the need for a creative get away check out his website.  http://www.francescofontana.com/English/Biography.htm
This is a painting I did of Francesco working on a watercolor piece in Provence.

sold

Angel and Deamons

Angel and Demons 9" x 12"

This courtyard in Beaune could be 500 years old and seemed to be filled with mysterious spirits.

Kelly

Kelly  9" x 12"  Oil on Canvas

I tried to keep the painting soft and in a higher key because it seems to suit her sweet personality.

French Dirt

French Dirt  9" x 12"  Oil on Board

When the light is right in France, even a pile of debris and discards can be beautiful.

Salvu

Salvu  9" x 12" Oil on Board

Salvu definitely has one of the most interesting faces I've painted.

Trying to capture personality with paint is so much fun!

Tony

Tony 9" x 12" Oil on Board

I wanted to keep this painting in a higher key but it just wasn't working for this dark haired Aussie with a two day beard so I had to add some darker color.

Three Hour Tour

Three Hour Tour  9" x 12"  Oil on Board

River rides and umbrellas, can you tell it's summertime?

For purchasing info click here.

Spellbound

Spellbound 6" x 6 " Oil on Board

I've just offered this small study of Spellbound up for auction on Dialy Paintworks

Please check it out!

 

to purchase click here

Ramon

Ramon  9 x 12  oil on canvas

This is Ramon.  He sort of reminds me of a Maltese version of the godfather with his super cool shades. Isn't it strange how different we all look even though we all have two eyes, one nose, and so on?  These head studies are fascinating me so I keep painting them!

What do you think helps artists capture someone's unique personality even though we all have similiar bone structure? (besides the slight variations for race, sex and age )?????

Sorolla's Courtyard

Sorolla's Courtyard  12 x 8 Oil on Board 

I had the pleasure of visiting Sorolla's house in Madrid.  His studio was wonderful and his house is filled with his paintings and beautiful loose studies he did for the Visions of Spain series. Like alot of other artists he spent alot of time designing his garden.  This is my study of his entry with a refreshing shady courtyard that was a delightful contrast to the blazing Spanish sun.

The Hive

Shoo sings the bee hive

The sticky sweetness of things

Deep in darkness stings

Why do you think we are motivated to create, to write, to sculpt, to paint?

Whatsitsay?

 Whatsitsay?

6 x 6 oil on board

This little painting is up for auction on Daily Paintworks.  All proceed go to help the starving children in Africa.

Click here to purchase

Seriously?

I'm offering this small 6x8" painting titled Seriously? for sale.

Click here to buy this painting



Maris

Maris has such an unusual look with lots of character.  I just loved painting her.

A-muse-ing

The idea floats out of the blue like a feather drifting slowly down from the sky.  I’m glad I noticed it.  If I was in a hurry or preoccupied I would have missed it completely. 

It glides from left to right and back again, then pirouettes gracefully on the breeze before landing onto my outstretched hand. How lucky I am! 

Stroking it carefully I admire its beauty, wonder where it came from, who sent it, and how was it made in the first place? I tickle my check with it, smile with delight and tuck it in a pocket next to my heart.

I turn and head immediately to the studio. How lucky I am!

Muse- a guiding spirit; a source of inspiration.
A-muse- to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly.

Do you think we are more inspired when we create with a sense of play?

Generation Gap

I like to do paintings of people reading. Perhaps it's a little passe at this point with

the Kindle, Nook and phone apps. These two were a perfect example of the old verses the new, what a contrast. Hence the title: Generation Gap, 18 x 24, oil on canvas.

Thanks for taking a look!

 

Ripe Melons

I do lots of small studies to see if I'd like to do a larger version. This is an 8 x 10, oil on  board, professionally framed and ready to hang.  I've decided to sell this painting in an online auction at Daily Paintworks.  If you're interested go to http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/bbingham-226
Thanks!

Claire

Meet Claire, she's another in my series of faces.  I've been asked to say a little more about what I'm trying to do with these head studies.  I was motivated to create studies in a variety of color harmonies without getting overly realistic, but just enough to try to capture the personality of the person.  The grouping is called the Many Faces of Spirit.  I feel like we are all part of a Divine Essence made manifest, so the more variety and uniqueness I can paint, the more complete the expression of Spirit.

Katherine

This is Katherine. She's part of my ongoing series of faces.  I chose an analogous color harmony for her.  I tied to keep the colors as high key as I could and still make sense for someone with really beautiful dark hair.

Bogdan

Bogdan is an IT architect. He's also someone I only see at night and no matter where we are he always has a laptop up and running casting an eerie glow on his face.

Après Déjeuner

 Après Déjeuner        8 x 10           oil on board

Have you ever felt like this after lunch?  I know I have especially when I go to France!

I found this couple irresistible. When I saw them I thought- they're just perfect. It was one of those rare and wonderful occasions where I just smiled the whole time I was painting. 

I snapped a quick pic of these folks and finished back in my studio. Since I don't want to be a slave to photos, I paint from black and white and use it as a reference with alot of alterations and a bit of memory, the bit I still have.

Frankly, like some other painters I know it's my preference to find a model with a little,
um, extra meat on there bones.

                                                              



Shady Side

It's super hot here in Malta right now.  It's a good idea to stay on the shady side of the street. The title was easy for this little painting.  8 x 10 oil on board

Ian

Ian

9 x 12

oil on board

Meet Ian.  He is part of my ongoing series of faces.  I feel like he is about to speak to me.