Exploring my imagination

“into the light” 12” x18 pastel on Uart 320

I feel very fortunate to live with in a few miles of a lake with walking trails. Going there allows me to get away from all the current happenings and catch my breath. I was drawn down a path off the the walking trail where the light was coming behind the trees and illuminating the ground and leaves on the trees. We are in the month of October and typically would be seeing the autumn colors - but everything is still very green.

 A few photos walking off the trail.

I could only imagine what this scene would look like with the autumn colors....

Autumn is my favorite season - the angle of the sun , the crisp air, the changing of colors and the anticipation of the restful winter months. So I decided to use my photo references and paint what I thought it would look like in the height of autumn color - thinking about the color in the light and in’s the shadows. Just exploring the possibilities. 

I started with toning the Uart 320  sanded paper with ArtGraf and brushing it in with alcohol. Next I layer in all the trees in a  dark purple black pastel . From there I just played with the color - brighter colors in the light and muted colors in the shadows. 

I very excited to say that I have SOLD the painting !  I will be running prints, so please be sure to check out my website BMH fine art. 

As always , comments are welcome. 

#thankfulgratefulblessed

creating connection

 

A purpose for my art

 video

 2020 - a year full of unexpected happenings.

I never anticipated what this year would bring for me.

If you have been following along with me and reading my blog, or for those who know me -

you are aware that I have been making some life changes.

I would not consider myself a writer and I have always struggled with the words to describe

my feelings and thoughts - even to title my paintings. 

I realize now why I am a painter. 

I believe it is God's gift to me. 

Through my paintings, I want to create a connection, to share what I see and feel 

and hopefully to bring you feelings of joy.

Just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, I had just completed a 6 month program to help me find

 a purpose for my life. 

I hope you will watch the video link to hear my words.

#creatingconnection

#thankfulgratefulblessed

BMH fine art

BMH fine art website is released!

I have finally finished my website and putting it out there. Bonnie Morgan Hyde fine art

It has been a work in progress over the last year with the encouragement and help from some important people in my life. Honestly, it might not have happened without them and I am deeply thankful.

With that said, my website is a selection of my artwork through the last 15 years. It is mostly my pastels, including original work and giclee prints. I have included some giclees of earlier work that I did in watercolor.

If you have been  following me on FB, Instagram or reading my blog - you know that I consider this work to be “ pieces of me”. It has been difficult for me to separate myself from them and offer them for sale.

I will just say this - with the growth of my Christian faith over the last several years, I found that I might be able to use my artwork to create a connection. A connection with people through my art and also to connect people to God through my art. Some of my more recent paintings include Scripture. All of my work is inspired by God’s creations that I see and connect with. I am thankful for the gift of painting that He has given me.

I recommend that you view the website on a laptop or desktop computer for better viewing, but it is also mobile phone ready. 

I hope my artwork brings you JOY. 

please feel free to reach out to me with your comments

#thankfulgratefulblessed

“creating connection”

Something to be said about commission paintings

20”x16”pastel on Uart 320 toned with Payne’s gray oil stain

Inspiration for me, has always come from the connection to what I SEE, what I FEEL and my grateful feelings for this gift of painting that God has given me. My paintings are all very personal to me - little pieces of me.

When painting a commission, the image that is handed to me to paint is not my connection. I know I have the skills to paint the image - but my goal is for the painting to show an emotional connection. 

“Seasons of life” 18”x12” pastel on toned Uart 320 

24”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with alizarin crimson oil stain

These recent commissions have been requested by family or personal friends. Maybe that was the emotional connection I felt - wanting them to enjoy the painting I give them because that image was meaningful in some way to them. 

I guess it is all about “creating connection” and that may be what God has put me on earth to do.

Seasons...

“seasons of life” 12”x18” pastel on Uart320

I sat up late last night writing down my thoughts for this blog post. I recently moved. Trying to get settled into my new home and working full time has not given me much time to set up my new studio space and painting. But once I laid out my pastels on the table , I knew it was time to focus on my painting. It had been 3 months since I had picked up a pastel stick.

Some of my pastels 

BOOM - along comes COVID-19 everything changes, I am laid off temporarily from my job. The world is in pandemic, the news, the sickness and loss of loved ones, people and businesses failing financially - FEAR. I  feel myself pivoting into a new season. As my pastor, Jody Ray, says in his book, Pivot, “ Pivot moments occur when you recognize there is more to a situation than what you can see. They happen when you believe you have a future, despite what your present reality might be...they happen when you don’t allow your fears to paralyze you and you don’t let worries weigh you down”. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. As a Christian - I let go of my fears and trust in God. He has prepared a journey for me, a change in my season.

My sister has been living in Newburyport MA on Plum Island. She recently shared some photos with me. I don’t use other people’s photos for my work unless they are commissioned. But these photos called out to me! The path -the journey. The change of season from winter to spring - new life. The sky - for the artist in me. I have been to Plum Island, painted there, the connection was strong. I needed to paint !

Here are some progress photos of the painting. After not painting for several months, I felt rusty. I took my time feeling my way with my pastels and the texture of the paper. I added some pumice gel to areas where I wanted more texture and toned areas with pastel and alcohol wash for the underpainting. I love the rough surface which creates more depth . I wanted this painting to be more thoughtful, moody. Eventually it came together. Appropriately I titled it “seasons of life”. I hope you connect with my painting. I pray that you come through this pandemic into a new season of hope - more thoughtful and fearless. 

As always , your comments are welcome. 

Creating connection.