Beverly Zajac Larsen

Big Apple

2011-08-10T17:41:00.004-04:00

The second painting of my fruit series. I am trying to keep the simplicity in my life and not worry about the detail so much, but the important things like the lights and shadows.

Cherry Lemon-Aid!

2011-07-15T15:12:00.002-04:00

12" X 12" Oil on Canvas

A very wet painting I just finished. With summers bounty I want to take advantage of the beautiful still life it can create. I do like to paint food - all kinds! LOL!

Magnolia Tree

2011-06-06T22:15:00.002-04:00

"Magnolia" 10" X 8" Oil on Canvas

This is a small study for a larger painting I plan on doing. I wasn't really sure how I was going to paint a magnolia tree. I was asked to paint the tree as a commission so I decided to paint it small first to work out the composition and how I was going to go about it. I think I like it, but I am still not sure. I want to keep it loose without to much detail. I really am striving for a feeling.

Lake Huron From the Deck

2011-01-25T21:43:00.002-05:00

10" X 8" Oil On Canvas

Simplicity. I am trying to find simplicity in my life and my work. I have finally cleared my cluttered life enough to slip a painting in! I haven't painted for over a year now and it really effected my balance. I thought this would be a great first painting.

The painting is a view of Lake Huron from the back deck at the house of my friend who lives in Pinconning Michigan. Yes, the home of Pinconning cheese! A girls weekend is held there at least once a year and we bask in the views, dine on wonderful cheese while enjoying a cocktail or two or three or....

This represents the simplicity, peace and tranquility I hope I can find in my life.

Laguna Beach

2009-10-05T15:46:00.004-04:00

Laguna Sunset 20" X 16" Oil on Canvas

Another sunset from my Laguna Beach Photos. I really wanted the glow of this amazing sunset to be featured along with the vibrant color in the clouds and sky. Wish I was there right now! Catalina Island in the distance. This a view from the opposite direction of the last painting post.

Catalina Sunset

2009-10-01T13:09:00.004-04:00

Catalina Sunset

14 X 11 Oil on Canvas

This past January I was in California and took a picture of the sunset at Laguna Beach. On the horizon is a faint outline of Catalina Island. The sunset is sooooo beautiful there. I was apprehensive about painting this scene because the beauty is so intense. Here is my effort.

Yellow Stone Landscape -Heiner Hertling Workshop!

2009-09-28T12:52:00.004-04:00

11" X 14" Oil on Masonite
Yellow Stone Park, Grand Tetons (Day 02)

14" X 11" Oil on Masonite
Yellow Stone, (Day 01)

Heiner Hertling Workshop
Your Brush With Nature

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to take a 2 day workshop with Heiner Hertling, the artist who hosts the PBS show, "Your Brush With Nature"! It was such a great learning experience. We worked on landscapes and techniques to prepare us for plein air painting. This is something I really would like to start doing. We completed a finished piece each day. These are the paintings we completed. Both are scenes from Yellow Stone National Park

What I loved about this workshop was learning to paint with a large brush and not worry about the details. We focused more on shapes, color and values.

Main Street Art Bev Larsen Featured Artist!

2009-09-18T15:50:00.003-04:00

This month Main Street Art in Milford, MI will be featuring my paintings in their front window!

I am very honored & excited to have my art work displayed in their gallery . If you haven't seen any of my original pieces and are in the area please stop by and check them out. Its a great gallery, filled with wonderful artwork by local and national artists along with framing, art supplies and great gift merchandise.

Main Street Art is located at:
432 N. Main Street
Milford, MI 48381
248.684.1004

Sprinkle Row

2009-09-09T16:03:00.005-04:00

10 X 8 oil on canvas

This is my submission for the DSFDF challenge. It really went along with my theme of recent paintings! I was a bit nervous about attempting this one, but once I got started it was much easier than I thought. I am glad I did it. Like I said before, DSFDF challenges me to paint things I would never have considered. It is such a great learning and expanding excersize!

Strawberry Row

2009-09-08T23:05:00.007-04:00

Strawberry Row 22" X 16" Oil on Canvas

I had so much fun painting the apples that I thought I would do same with these strawberries. Its a little smaller painting, but I still like the graphic boldness to it. I may continue doing this as a series. I am working on the DSFDF project right now with the cupcakes, which incidentally is in the same fashion as these last two paintings! I may have to add it to my series!

Apples

2009-08-30T01:39:00.003-04:00

I finally got a break this weekend and was able to do a painting! These beautiful red apples were just calling me and they wanted to be big! So these are painted on a 28' X 22" canvas. It felt really good to get a painting done. I have been very busy with my graphic design business (which is also not a bad thing), but really needed to to chill out and do a painting. I really like they way it turned out and this one is definitely one of my favorites!

P.S. I ate the apple on right when I finished!

Cats Out of the Bag!

2009-08-09T00:02:00.004-04:00

Yes, its true! The Cats out of the Bag! Just thought I'd share some funny pictures of my cat, Toonsis and his sleeping habits!

Sorry I don't have any paintings right now, I am in an art festival this weekend and will be back painting after next week. Its been crazy this weekend with lots of rain! Hopefully tomorrow will be better though the temps are supposed to reach in the 90's!

See you in a couple of weeks!

Tea with Grapes!

2009-07-27T16:13:00.006-04:00

6" X 6" oil on canvas

Those darn grapes just keep popping up everywhere! LOL! Another quick study on canvas. I'm not sure if I will even call this done. I wanted to limit my painting time so I stopped here. I kind of like it right now, but I will decide tomorrow. Sometimes you need to step a way for awhile to really get an idea of what it needs or if its fine. Because this is small, I really didnt't want to much detail and I wanted it to be more expressive.I think I am really starting to favor the hardwood boards to paint on instead of canvas now!

Blueberries

2009-07-26T21:21:00.006-04:00

"Blueberries"

7" X 5" Oil on Canvas

This is a quick little study I did this morning on another one my most favorite fruits! Doing this on canvas right after painting on the masonite is an adjustment. Because there is so much tooth to the surface quick paintings seem to have a more painterly look. Here I forced myself not to blend to much which is really hard for me to do.

Fruitful Painting

2009-07-26T21:09:00.003-04:00

"Fruitful"10" X 8" oil on masonite board

Grapes are one of my favorite fruits and I do love to paint them. They are so fun and full of light. I painted this on gesso'd masonite type board, and really do like the smooth finished look of this piece. When I painted it yesterday, I wasn't crazy about it, but today when I looked at it, it really popped for me. I have to get used to the surface. Its' really slippery compared to canvas.

Lake Huron "End of the Day"

2009-07-18T17:06:00.005-04:00

"End of the Day" 11" X 4" Oil on Canvas

"End of the Day" Detail

This painting was taken from a picture I took 4th of July weekend at the end of the day on Lake Huron. Our poor umbrella just couldn't hold up any longer and looked so tired! Needless to say we had a great bonfire that night on the beach with fireworks, guitars and friends!

This painting will be available for purchase soon.

Sunflower II (Farmer's Market)

2009-07-18T16:32:00.012-04:00

I just wasn't satisfied. I just felt it wasn't done and it wasn't my vision yet. After looking at it for a while and getting some great advice from my good friend and fellow artist, Barb, I decided to revisit the "Farmer's Market". I feel so much better now.

I reworked the top right corner of the background and added some large leaves in front. I also added more detail to the sunflowers.

I know I was trying not to add to much detail and wanted to focus on color and values, but I just felt they really needed more work.
Its not a major change but I think enough to make the painting complete in my eyes. Below are some close ups of the painting

This painting will be available for sale on ebay soon!

I am leaving the old images below on the this blog, because everything we do is a learning experience. If someone can learn or take away something useful from my own learning experience (or mistakes) then I am a happy person and nothing is wasted!

Cheers! Bev

Farmer's Market

2009-07-09T14:53:00.013-04:00

Farmer"s Market 24" X 18" Oil on Canvas

Its funny how certain subjects dictate a certain size. For me the sunflower dictates large. Its such a commanding flower that requires space and attention. That is why this painting was done on a larger canvas; 24" X 18"

This was painted from a photo I took in Chicago during one of their many farmer's markets. There was this long row of these outstanding sunflowers! I modified it from the photos slightly only for compostition sake.

I am working on trying to loosen up my painting style. I concentrated on value and color in this composition and left out a lot of the detail I would have normally put in. I am hoping to capture the light and the feeling of this farmer's market by placement of values and color. I also tried to slow down my painting and to calculate each brush stroke. So each stroke has a purpose. That is so hard to do! I am so used to get right in there and painting away sometimes not realizing what I'm painting. Painting more deliberately, I made less mistakes and used less paint brushes. I also really tried to keep to a specific palate of colors. I am still not used to mixing colors ahead of time and found myself mixing paint with my brushes.

Below are images of my process. I thought this would be a good learning experience for myself to, to see how I progress and where I am going. I thought you may enjoy these photos too.

Finished Piece

Garden Wall

2009-07-07T10:29:00.003-04:00

"Garden Wall" 16" X 14" Acrylic on Masonite

This was a painting I did a couple of weeks ago during the Milford Garden Walk. Local artists were painting in the featured gardens that were on the tour. I started it there as a plein air, but threating weather and rain drops forced me to finish in my studio. I was sort of glad. I am so out of sorts painting plein air because I do not do it enought. It was so hot that day and my acrylics were drying faster than I could use them. Of course I forgot my spray bottle to keep them wet. Anyway the finished piece was a success and the garden owner purchased it!

Joelle's Cake

2009-07-02T19:51:00.006-04:00

Joelle's Cake 9" X 7" oil on canvas

This is a scratch and sniff painting!

JUST KIDDING!!!!My husband's sister, Joelle, made him this amazing decadent chocolate cake for his birthday. It was so amazing that I took a picture right after Doug cut the first piece. The cake has chocolate pudding & other secret ingredients. The outside is crumbled cake pieces! This is a chocolate lovers dream.

Row, Row Row Your Boat!

2009-07-01T20:44:00.004-04:00

Michigan Rower 11" X 5" oil on canvas

This is another painting from the DSFDF challenge. I just love doing these painting challenges, they make you paint things you may have never considered painting. Its such a great learning experience! I slightly modified this before posting it here. I felt the boat was too dark so I lightened it up a hair.

A New Computer!

Well, I haven't been posting because I have going through he*!! with getting my Adobe programs switched to my new Mac computer - which I love by the way! Adobe has their Suites so locked up and if your not using CS4 then they make sure you wish you were. I am at CS2 level and because of this they could not authorize my serial number. They had me on hold for about an hour yesterday in which I then hung up. After more hours today and digging up the serial number to my Photoshop 7 from 8 years ago!!!!!! - They finally authorized me to move my Creative Suite to the new computer. I was about to just give my graphic design business and say forget it. They want you to upgrade, but who has the money right now? Not me..... from the Detroit area where there aren't any jobs!!!! OK, I'm done ranting. I feel better.

I hope you enjoy the paintings, I hope to send another your way this week.

Speed Racer

2009-06-25T18:59:00.002-04:00

10 X 8 oil on masonite

Ok, this one was already painted in my head when I looked out the window and saw Doug cutting the lawn. It's a job and it has to be done. It's like laundry, it never goes away and we just can't get to excited about doing it! LOL! Doug by the way was not real enthused having me do a painting of him cutting the grass! I on the other hand, thought it was priceless! Hee! Hee!

Two Of A Kind

2009-06-25T10:47:00.004-04:00

"Two Of A Kind" 8" X 7" Oil on Canvas
I have been inspired lately by oils. This is my first oil study in over 25 years! I really do miss them. Now that I have my studio with exhaust fans and great ventilation, I plan on painting in oils again. I need to get used to them, since they are quite different than acrylics.

A Lucky Kiss!

2009-06-19T20:47:00.002-04:00

My niece Tenley, trying so hard to get a kiss from "Lucky" the cat! I couldn't resist this adorable scene!

10 x 8" Acrylic on Masonite

"Dancin' A Temper

2009-06-16T18:08:00.003-04:00

Again my sister standing on Hobe Sound beach while a storm is drawing near and the ocean is "Dancin' a Temper"! I didn't know how this would translate as a painting. I tried to not worry about detail and try to capture the feeling and the light. I am pleased with end result. Hope you are too!

10 X 8" Acrylic on Masonite

Here I go Again!

2009-06-12T22:54:00.003-04:00

Ok, I'm really starting to like painting on Masonite type wood. I am now getting the bug to paint again, but this time to paint people, scenes, and places. So I decided to pick on my sister Lynne, for the subject of this painting study and the next one to follow. She is kind of my muse. She is always ready to pose for pictures for me or let me video tape her so I can practice video editing!

Anyway this picture was taken in Florida on Hobe Sound beach and its been sitting in my que to paint for a long time. I need to paint people and figures more. I haven't done this in quite a while since I've been concentrating on landscapes and floral. Don't worry, I haven't abandoned my florals or landscapes, I'm just switching up for a while.

I hope you enjoy the paintings!

7.5 X 10" Acrylic on Masonite

Summer Bounty

2009-06-11T13:44:00.008-04:00

10 x 8 Acrylic on Gesso's Hardboard

A new challenge for myself... I decided to paint on gesso'd hardboard or masonite to keep costs down. Since the hubby has been laid off we need to conserve and I heard lots of great things about painting on gesso'd hardboard. Hardboard is inexpensive and you can purchase it at any hardware store, like Lowe's or Home Depot. It also preserves paintings very well because of its rigidness. Many historical painters, I have found, have painted on hardwood instead of canvas and their works have with stood the elements better!

This is my first piece experimenting with this new and strange surface. I am finding it a very different animal. Its like painting on your walls or on illustration board. The paint just soaks right up into the surface. On the contrary though, if you prep the gesso really smooth its like painting on glass and the paint just slides around.

That's sort of the beauty of this, you can prepare your surface how you like it. I am researching and working on finding my best prep surface and board type and will let you know what I have discovered in later posts.

In meantime I hope you enjoy the paintings!

Cheers,
Bev

P.S. My painting photo reference is from a challenge called "Different Strokes for Different Folks." A photo is provided and numerous artists create their rendition of the same photo! This is a great concept and I will be planning on hosting this challenge with my artists friends! Look for more info soon!

Assembly Line Concert-Guinness World Record!

2009-04-19T22:53:00.005-04:00

For those who haven't heard about it... The Assembly Line Concert hosted by AJ's Cafe in Ferndale was the place where we made a Guinness World Record!

288 Hours of a Continuous Concert: Doug, John and myself aka, Completely Oblivious, Inc., had the opportunity to be part of this record making event by playing twice during the marathon. First on Sunday, March 22nd at 3 AM then on Thursday March 26th at 7 PM.

(The Assembly Line concert brought two worlds together as the music marathon paid tribute to American workers, products and automobiles. The Assembly Line called on musicians from all segments of society to come together in the heart of hard-hit Main Street America and help pay tribute to the down, but not out, American worker. Governor Granholm did make her visit along with Martha Reeves, Stewart Francke and many other local celebs! visit www.assemblylineconcert.com)

The current record as of Monday, Jan 5, 2009 at 5:30 AM
for the longest concert by mulitple artists was 216 hours at the
3rd Balatonfüred International Guitar Festival
in Balatonfüred, Hungary

As of Tuesday, March 28th, 2009, the old record has now been surpassed by a 288 Hour
continuous concert at AJ's Cafe in Ferndale! MI!
We are now just waiting for the authentic certificates from Guinness. How exciting to be part of a world record! This also gave our guitar pick company Pointless Picks® some great exposure! Oh, yes, we are officially registered! I will post some cool pictures soon!

Take Care, Bev

Cone Flower & Blackeyed Susan

2009-02-27T20:33:00.008-05:00

A couple more wild flowers added to the series!

Each of these wild flowers is painted on gallery wrap canvas, meaning they are painted on all 4 side. You could hang them with or without a frame!
Each painting is priced at $125.00 and can be purchased by emailing me here:
bev@beverlylarsen.com

Cone Flower 8 X 10 Acrylic on Canvas
$125.00 (Does not include shipping)

Blackeyed Susan 8 X 10 Acrylic on Canvas
$125.00 (Does not include shipping)

Lily

2009-02-22T19:53:00.004-05:00

This painting was done from a reference photo I took in the summer. These beauties hang out around the trees by our bon-fire pit in our yard. I can't wait to see them again! I can't wait till we can have bon-fires again! This winter is really getting to me!

Lily 8 X 10 Acrylic on Canvas $125.00
(Does not include shipping)

Lily Of The Valley

2009-02-22T19:45:00.004-05:00

Lily of the Valley 8 X 10 Acrylic on Canvas
$125.00 (Does not include shipping)

Trillium & Wild Sunflower Paintings!

2009-02-13T21:51:00.015-05:00

A Couple New Paintings
added to the Wild Flower Series

Trillium, 8 X 10 (Acrylic on Canvas)
$125.00 (Does not include shipping)

Wild Sunflower, 8 X 10 (Acrylic on Canvas)
$125.00 (Does not include shipping)

Getting My MOJO Back!

2009-02-03T21:31:00.010-05:00

Its been a while since I did my painting a day series. Between the holidays, art shows, working, and marketing Pointless Picks for our company Completely Oblivious, Inc. the time just flew by.

So... I decided I need to get my painting MOJO back!

Since I do have a solo show coming up in March, Thank You HVCA!, I want to create more pieces to go with my 8 X 10 Michigan Flower Series. All my paintings will be acrylic 8 X 10's but larger than life!

This is first piece I have done since fall and will try to get a few paintings done a week this month. You will get a sneak preview of these paintings on my blog and I hope you enjoy them.

This is small purple wildflower that blooms in the spring. I think it is part of the flox family. I need to research it. It grows in field like conditions but also shade and wooded areas. I found these in the woods next to our house and behind our barn.

$125.00 (Does not include shipping)

Some Show Details: See below - Look for more info to follow

Huron Valley Council for the Arts
Gallery Exhibit

CAPTURE light, The Artistry of Beverly Zajac-Larsen
With music by Doug Larsen

205 West Livingston Rd

Highland MI 48357

Phone (248) 889-8660

The show & sale opens on Friday, March 6th. A reception with light refreshments and live music will be held from 7-9PM. The show runs until March 29th, 2009.

Arts & Greens Holiday Market

2008-11-06T20:51:00.008-05:00

Hi Friends!

It's hard to believe, but the Holiday's will be here in no time! I am already planning some holiday shows that will feature:

BAZL Handpainted Ornaments!

Handmade and handpainted BAZL bags,
both leather and canvas!

Handmade and Handpainted reusable canvas lunchbags!

Original prints and greeting cards and more!

My first show will be at:

The Arts & Greens Holiday Market
November 21-23
1525 Bogie Lake Road,
White Lake, Michigan, 48383
Friday 5-8pm,
Saturday 9am-5pm,
and Sunday 10am-5pm

Bogie Lake Greenhouses, Inc., collaborates with the Huron Valley Council for the Arts to host 2008's annual Arts & Greens Holiday Market. Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm at 1525 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan, 48383.

Purchase unique fine art and craft gifts and meet the artists who make them. Enjoy local author/artist book signings, live music, and holiday ambiance surrounded by Bogie Lake Greenhouse's festive plants, flowers, and greens.
Complimentary admission, ample parking at no charge.

Friday Night Music provided by Doug Larsen!

"Empty Bowls" Community Sharing Benefit
Join us for a Soup Supper and take home an original hand crafted bowl.
$10 donation supplies your Empty Bowl, soup of choice, bread, and dessert.
All proceeds support local Community Sharing Outreach Projects.

Look for information on more shows soon!

Hope to see you there!
Bev

Dandelions Wins Award!

2008-09-14T22:11:00.005-04:00

Hi Everyone!

I am really excited to post that "Dandelions" has won an Honorable Mention Award
in the Views and Visions Art Show!
Views & Visions:
September 20, 21
The Views and Visions Art Show (Sponsored by the Village Fine Art Asso.) is scheduled in conjunction with Milford's Historic Homes Tour. Be sure to stop by the Senior Center, and join us Saturday night for more!

I will also be participating in the Horsin Around in Highland Festival: September 27-28!
(Sponsored by the HBA) I will have my own booth there with piantings, purses and totes, floor cloths and other items I like to create! Please stop by and say "Hi"

New Painting

2008-07-18T21:21:00.003-04:00

8 X 8 Acrylic on Canvas

Hi All,

I know its been a while, but you know how summer is. Its too fun and too fast! So I did manage to squeeze in a painting. This one I did as a commission for Tim Twiss of Milford Music for his new CD cover. Its a painting of the instruments he used on the CD. A banjo, bones, tambourine and jawbone. If you were wondering "Is that the jawbone of a Peruvian donkey?" well yes that is the jaw bone of a Peruvian donkey and the teeth are removable!

Dandelions Painting!

2008-06-08T19:29:00.006-04:00

Hi Everyone! I hope this comes through OK.

"Dandelions" is not part of my "Painting A Day" series, but a new painting I did last month. The dandelion is so underated and thought our lawn looked so pretty will all those fuzzy yellow dots! So I laid down in the lawn and took a super close up picture of a really bright yellow one and was amazed at the beauty of this weed! They are such a happy little weed! I just had to paint them!
I will be back at "Painting a Day" in a couple of weeks,
but till then I will try to squeeze in a few here and there.

"Dandelions" 24 X 20 " Acrylic on Canvas
Sold!
Dandelions is on display right now at the HVCA Gallery in HIghland thru the month of June.

Tiny Dancers

2008-06-03T17:13:00.003-04:00

My thoughtful husband bought me a tiny model when he went shopping on Saturday thinking I didn't have one. Low and behold, I had 2 already, so we added the the new one to the growing tiny model family I have. So, I had to paint them!

"Tiny Dancers" 8 X 10" Acrylic on Canvas
T: 3:00 hrs.
SOLD

Light Study

2008-06-03T17:12:00.002-04:00

These are the pine trees that line our driveway. The sun was casting such great shadows and I really tried to capture it!

"Light" 10 X 8" Acrylic on Canvas
T: 2 Hrs
SOLD

Gerber Daisy

2008-06-03T17:11:00.001-04:00

I know its a little Cliche, but everyone loves a "Gerber Daisy!"

"Gerber Daisy" 10 X8" Acrylic on Canvas

T: 3:25 Hrs.
$125.00

Bell Peppers

2008-06-03T17:10:00.005-04:00

Wow, trying to fit in life along with painting a day is becoming quite interesting! I had to break down and go shopping yesterday, there was no food in the house! Proof I bought food - at least bell peppers!

"Bell Peppers" 10 X 8" Acrylic on Canvas

T: 2:00 Hrs
$125.00

Good Morning!

2008-06-03T17:10:00.004-04:00

My morning cup of tea!

"Good Morning!" 10 X 8" Acrylic on Canvas
T:3:00 Hrs
$125.00

Kitchen Flowers

2008-06-03T17:09:00.001-04:00

"Kitchen Flowers"8 X 10" Acrylic on Canvas
T: 3:00 Hrs.

Pin Cushion

2008-06-03T17:08:00.001-04:00

Its been pretty challenging trying to fit in these painting during the holiday weekend! My house is trashed but "Hey" I'm Still Painting!"

"Pin Cushion" 10 X 8"Acrylic on Canvas
T; 2:45 Hr.

Window

2008-06-03T17:07:00.001-04:00

"Window View" 8 X 10" Acrylic on Canvas
T: 2:45 Hrs.

Mango

2008-06-03T17:06:00.006-04:00

"Mango" 10 X 8" Acrylic on Canvas
T: 1:45 hr.

Sunday Morning Mango!

2008-06-03T17:06:00.005-04:00

Anyway, Bob Ross I am not! This painting took a good 3 hrs! I got myself into a bit of deeper water than I wanted and took on something a little to complicated for me to complete in an hour or 2. I love detail and the plate had so much cool stuff I couldn't resist.

Well, I did finally get to eat the mango and it was GOOD! "Sunday Morn Mango" Acrylic on Canvas 10 X 8"
T: A good 3 hours!

Carnations

2008-06-03T17:05:00.001-04:00

This was one of the carnations Jessica got me for Mother's Day!

Carnation" 8 X 10" Acrylic on Canvas (Time: 3 hours)
Painted Thurs. May 22

My first Daily Painting-Oranges

2008-06-03T16:19:00.000-04:00

This is the first of my "Daily Paintings" I decided to start this challenge to improve my painting skills and help me get rid of the dreaded "Blank Canvas" syndrome that happens from time to time.

"Oranges" 10 X 8" Acrylic on stretched canvas

T: 3:00 hrs. plus some!