A Lucky Kiss!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Trillium & Wild Sunflower Paintings!

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!

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

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!

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"