"twilight"

"twilight" 11" high x 22" wide

Assorted pastel on Uart 320

I have about a 45 minute to an hour drive home from from day job. I travel in a north westerly direction and during this time of the year , I am able to get a good view of the sunset. This really helps to make my drive home a little more bearable. I always have my Iphone ready to snap a quick photo as I drive along. I use these photos as a reference for my paintings. 

These are the photos I used as a reference for "twilight"

I am still working off those left over scraps of Uart 320. I love exploring the underpainting for my vision of the painting.

some progress photos

I have not used my Nupastel sticks for awhile. They are a hard pastel and great for sketching and blending The blue violet seemed the perfect color for the underpainting using these reference photos. I brushed the pastel in with some alcohol. When that was dry , I added some pumice gel with a bristle brush to areas of the painting where I wanted more texture. When the pumice gel was dry I started laying in the dark colors of the landscape and the some of the lighter colors of the sky. These paintings are a lot of fun to do, no pressure to make a perfect painting, but I love exploring the possibilities of the underpainting. Then I usually spend a few hours finishing up the painting. Most times I let it sit on the easel for a day or so, so that  I can come back , have a look and and then put in the final marks.  These ideas sometimes end up as ideas for larger paintings.  I'm trying to push myself to work on larger scale paintings. 

Hope you enjoy, and please,  comments are always welcome!

#fortheartistinme

#creatingconnection

 

a winter's day

"a winter's day" 16" high x 22"wide pastel on Uart 320

The weather is chilly. I have some time in my studio today , so I thought I would paint something to reflect  the feeling of the day and season. I love playing with the underpainting and texture of the pastel paper. I chose a Uart 320 grit sanded paper, my favorite paper to use. These winter days can be gray, so I started with staining the paper with Payne's Gray oil paint and turbenoid and brushing it in with a large bristol brush. I love to add more texture with pumice gel, so I brushed in some areas where I wanted the paper to be more rough. 

Here are some images of the process I use. First I stained the paper with oil paint/turbenoid and after that dried, I added the pumice gel to areas on the paper where I wanted more texture . I also put in my horizon line. I don't like to divide my landscapes in half and usually the area I want to focus on will be larger. I started with putting in the tree line , since they were the darkest. From there I went to the sky and work my way to the bottom of the painting, taping off the pastel dust as I go. I like a lot of texture and layers of pastel, so I will use a light spray of fixative to help build the layers.

 

I work from my own reference photos. It's important that I remember the feeling I had when I took the photo. 

Sometimes I use a sketch  or in this case I did a small 4" high x 7" wide study. Occasionally I will just just jump into painting, but I think it's valuable time, making plans for a larger painting.  I have  been concentrating on doing larger paintings, but I do love doing these little studies. 

I do hope you enjoy this winter day painting. As always , I welcome your comments. Please be sure to check out my website BMH fine art.

#thankfulgratefulblessed

#creatingconnection

 

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.

Rest now ....

“rest now” 12”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with ArtGraff

Matthew 11:28 Come to me ... and I will give you rest

This will be my last blog post for 2019. It has been a year of transformation for me. I have decided not to make resolutions for 2020 - rather just taking each day as they unfold. 

In November, I was able to take a much needed trip to the beach - I relaxed and rested, walked on the beach and reflected on the year. The three paintings in this post are from the trip using my own reference photos and memories.

“The glistening light” 18”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with ArtGraff and pumice gel

Working  as a design associate for Calico Corners has not given me the time to focus on my art full time. I have been working on putting together a website and hope to complete and release it in January. I hope it will open some doors for me..... I am , also , collaborating with Twill Runnage , who writes poetry. We will be putting together a book to include his poetry and my paintings.

“Unfailing love” 12”x18” pastel on Uart 320 toned with ArtGraff and pumice gel

Psalm 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, For I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

I am looking forward to 2020 and I will be leaning into my faith and see what unfolds for me. 

Wishing you blessings in the new year.

Creating connection.

Sing a song of seasons

“glory” 9”x12” pastel on Uart 320

Autumn Fires

In the other gardens

And all up the vale

From the autumn bonfires

See the smoke trail

Pleasant summer over 

And all the summer flowers

The red fire blazes

The grey smoke towers

Sing a song of seasons

Something bright in all

Flowers in the summer 

Fires in the fall!

As we approach the end of autumn, I am reminded of this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. The wind and rain have taken most of the foliage off the trees, but the burning bush is still ablaze with color.

“hallelujah”  12”x18” pastel on Uart 320

I see glimpses of autumn’s glory in passing, soon to be gone with winter approaching.

“the light is golden”. 18”x12” pastel on Uart 320

I am still having fun with exploring a more textured and under painted surface for my pastel paintings. I feel it creates more depth and excitement. I don’t want to caught up in the details of the image, but rather leave you with an impression or feeling you may connect with. 

I am always thankful for the inspiration I receive from God’s creations. 

Enjoy these last days of autumn. 

“I am surrounded by You” 18”x12” pastel on Uart 320

It has been quite some time since I have posted on my blog. My new life has created new patterns for me, but I am not giving up on my painting ! Less time for painting with a full time job..... anyway I was inspired to paint this today and made a point of taking time in my studio space. I recently went up to Blue Ridge GA and the lake was just beautiful.... the end of the summer. Soon all the leaves will be changing colors ! I’ve had a song on my mind by Michael W. Smith - Surrounded (Fight my Battles) , been singing it in my head for days and it just seemed to inspire me to do this painting. I am so very grateful for God’s grace, the beauty He created, and my gift for painting. 

Here is my  reference photo that I used for the painting.

I have been having a lot fun playing with underpainting and texture for my pastel paintings.

Here is how I started.  I like the rougher grades of pastel paper and used Uart 320 . I then toned the whole sheet with ArtGraf . It is water soluble and also works with rubbing alcohol. First I used a bristle brush and scumbled  some of the areas with pumice gel. Then I went back with rubbing alcohol  and brush and blended the rest in. The next photos are some progress shots.

Some news.... I have been working on a website! I hope to have it completed by the end of this month. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

I hope my painting brings you joy . Blessings 

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A fondness for green

“a fondness for green” 9”x12”pastel

First post for 2019. I’m really having a fun time exploring a more textured surface for my pastel paintings. I had several sheets of Uart 500 which is a softer texture. So I decided to tone the paper with ArtGraff water soluble color and brushed it in with a fine pumice gel. 

Here is a photo of the process. The ArtGraff stick is square and flat and I just rub it lightly across the paper. You don’t need much , the color is intense. Then I take the fine pumice gel and paint it on with a a large Bristol brush , blending in the color and leaving the brushstrokes for added texture. Once that is dry , I lay in the first layers of the darkest values, then go the the sky and work my way down. 

Here are a few more of my recent pastel paintings with the added texture and toning of the Uart 500. By the way , it works well for a new surface on paintings that did not work out well, that I washed the pastel off in the sink.

A small 5”x5” quick paint on black toned 

15”x15” toned a dark brown

9”x12” toned sepia

9”x12” toned sepia

12”x18” toned sepia. 

I think this is the direction I will be heading in this year, exploring more with different papers and texture.

Comments are always welcome!

“stand sleeping in the cold” 12”x16” pastel on Pastel Premier Italian clay 320

Winter Trees/ William Carlos William

all the complicated detail 

of the attiring and

the disattiring are completed!

A liquid moon

moved gently among

the long branches.

Thus having prepared their beds

against a sure winter

the wise trees

stand sleeping in the cold.

As 2018 comes to an end, I thought I would try to get one more blog post in. So much has changed for me this year, new resolutions to be made, finding a way to put myself to rest with the approaching winter and preparing for a new year, a new path. As I am working a full time job now, there doesn’t seem to be as much time to paint. It seems more thought and heart go into each painting I have time for. Sometimes just an impression in a 20 minute quick pastel. Sometimes I wash everything off from an unsuccessful painting, repurpose the paper, toned black with clear gesso, starting with a new idea. Sometimes it’s just a feeling and I just paint what comes from inside me. Painting - so much a part of who I am - I can’t let it go. 

Wishing you blessings in the New Year

"dawn's arrival"

"dawn's arrival" 6" x 18'' pastel on Uart 320

Most days I start with an early morning walk. There is something special about the early morning light. Here in Georgia with the humidity, everything seems softer in the morning. I always bring along my iPhone or camera for photos. 

 

These are photos from two different mornings of the same scene. The sky had a lovely soft pink color. This is what inspired my painting. I used the photos only as a reference and painted what I remembered feeling and seeing on my morning walk.

I decided to use the Art Graf Viarco again, this time using the red, to tone the Uart 320 sanded paper, brushing it in with rubbing alcohol. After that dried, I added some clear gesso for added texture.

The start of my painting......

The title of the painting comes from this poetry by William Lindenmuth

Say hello to the dawn's arrival

Open your eyes to a brand new day

Lift your eyes to feel the sun's blessing

The morning light will show you the way

The morning light will show you the way

Each gentle ray blesses the living

We all reach out for it's energy

It's gentle warmth will caress you

The morning light will show you the way

The morning light will show you the way

For every tree and every flower

That dances in the sun

For children playing in the daytime

And having their fun

Foe every broken heart that sees the 

Light of day

The morning light will show you the way

The morning light will show you the way

Illuminating all that it touches

Brings out the color of the world

It's warmth it gives us good feelings 

The morning light will show us the way

The morning light will show us the way

For every tree and every flower

That dances in the sun

For every childhood smile

That touches everyone

For every life that we are given

For every dream realized

The morning light will show you the way

The morning light will show you the way

Have a blessed day

"lift your eyes"

"lift your eyes " 18"x18" pastel on toned Uart 320

I usually stick with 5"x7", 9"x12", or 12"x16" sizes for my paintings. It can be costly framing a pastel painting because they need to be covered with glass. I prefer  to use museum glass, which has very minimal glare and shows true color. 

Today was an emotional day for me, with sad news of several dear friends. With emotion, I turn to the sky to express it. I pushed myself to do a larger painting - 18"x18" - my feelings called for it. It needed to be powerful. 

I used Uart 320 and toned the paper with black Art Graf Viarco . 

They are water soluble, but I chose to use rubbing alcohol with a large brush so it would dry faster. 

Here is my palette. I kept it to a minimum .  I used some reference photos I had taken of the sky at the end of a stormy day recently where I live. This is where I started.

 I worked on the painting most of the morning and decided to take a break.

 I came back to it later in the day and worked some more on it - sometimes it's difficult to know when to stop - I didn't want to over work it. Finally I got to a point where it felt complete. I actually feel tired after painting this one. I have a special connection with each painting I do..... little pieces of me.

Have a blessed day.

Hollister House Garden, Washington CT

Me....

During my visit to Connecticut in June, I went with a dear friend to the Hollister House Garden in Washington. It is an 18th century farmhouse set on 25 acres of fields, wooded landscape  and an old fashioned English garden. It was an overcast day, perfect for photos with minimal shadows and lots of inspiration for future paintings.

a few of my photos

From my reference photos , I started in my sketchbook working out some ideas.

There is a parking area, from there you walk up toward the house and out buildings. I couldn't resist painting the two red out buildings surrounded by trees and daisies. I worked out some sketches first, then painted.

sketchbook

sketchbook

12"x12"pastel on Uart dark 400

There is a stream running through the property - this is where I was most attracted. There was something so calming and I wanted to just stand there and enjoy the view and sounds. Standing in the English garden facing the hillside just past the steam.

"I lift my eyes to the hills"12"x16"pastel on Pastel Premiere Italian clay 320

Psalm 121:1-2 I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and earth. 

Standing on the wooden bridge that went over the stream to the field, I looked up and down the stream and painted these two scenes.

"a good land" 9"x12" pastel on Uart 320

Deuteronomy 8:7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land - a land with brooks, streams and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills.

"song for joy" 12"x16" pastel on Pastel Premiere Italian clay 320

Psalm 96:12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

I still have many more photos and memories from that day to paint from. I'm hoping to get back there this autumn to see the change of season with all it's color. 

I hope you enjoyed.