Pink Dahlias on Yupo Paper

Pink Dahlias on Yupo

23-136-1201 - I used a style that's different than my usual style to paint from a photo I took of my pink dahlias I grow in my garden. I just love how watercolor paint moves around on Yupo paper and I know I’ll be using it again!
#yupopaper, #dahlias, #paintedflowers, #watercolors

Patty & Tom’s Restoration

I used oils to paint this scene of Kelly Greens Golf Course in Ft. Myers alongside my artist friend Patty. I included the word “Restoration” in the title knowing this view brings joy to Patty and her husband Tom as they continue to restore their home to what it once was - - and with their personal touch - even better than before. Hurricane Ian’s 3’ surge washed through their home in September 2022 and Tom has been working hard to restore it ever since. So thankful Tom got a lot done before he needed surgery to both knees. May God bless him with a speedy recovery and patience knowing how hard it will be to oversee the work until he’s healed up and ready to continue.This beautiful view & use of their pool will definitely help!

Sunset at the Seashore

Special thanks to photographer Pamela Woodyard Escobedo for allowing me to use her beautiful photo as a reference to paint “Sunset at the Seashore” on a 24x36 frameless canvas. I used acrylics and “painterly” strokes for this painting that has become my husband’s favorite and is hung on the wall seen as guests enter our home. #BethBasista.pixels.com, #Sunsetpainting,

Spoonbill coming in for a landing

Roseate Spoonbill building its nest, Spoonbill painting

As soon as I saw it, I fell in love with Timothy Comeaux’s photo of this Roseate Spoonbill he gave his permission to paint. Using an 8 x 10 frameless canvas I tried a new approach for the first time by using watercolors to first establish the blending of the bright pinks, blues and purples before painting a final layer using the richness I love when using oils. From a distance the Roseate Spoonbill is one of the most beautiful shorebirds I see in southern Florida, although when you see it’s spoon-shaped bill it appears to be almost cartoon-like do you agree?

#timothycomeaux #abcbirds #bethbasista.pixels.com, #allaboutbirds #ftmyerssanibel #spoonbill

Ready to Launch

Who wants to go kayaking? I enjoyed a memorable kayak trip out of Matlacha, Florida a few years ago.
We rented a tandom kayak and paddled around many mangrove islands, but as we crossed a wide waterway we started to have a problem matching our strokes. To fix the problem we started singing a made up silly song that mimicked the military march singing 1-2 3-4. Probably curious to see who’s making all that racket, we we’re so excited when dolphin swim up to us and swam along for a bit.
I took lots of paint-worthy photos including the one I referred to to paint this scene.
#kayaking, #Matlacha, #watercolors, #paintingpalmtrees, #floridapainting,

**Enjoying Many Years of Mill Creek Park with Jeannie**
Lou Zitillo commissioned this painting I created using oils and a splash of glitter I added to enhance the Silver Bridge. I referred to Lou’s photos taken back in the 60’s to paint the couple and their dog and referred to my “Stairway to Heaven” painting to create the background. Those who have seen it love how the Silver Bridge sparkles as the light changes while drawing them in closer. Lou explained the reason he chose this scene was to commemorate his 50 year wedding anniversary. He and his wife Jeannie have enjoyed many days in Mill Creek Park together creating “nothing but fond memories.” Happy 50th Anniversary Lou & Jeannie - May God Bless You!

The Davis Center

This painting has been accepted in the 42nd YWCA Women’s Celebration show. I painted “The Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Spring” in watercolors with a blanket on my lap to keep me warm on a crisp, sunny day in Mill Creek Metro Parks, Youngstown, Ohio. For detailed subjects like this one, I like to spend extra time sketching my composition which actually saves time painting. This painting is a great example for why it’s an advantage to paint “en plein air”. I was able to see a variety of colors wherever I focused my attention instead of relying on a photo that averages the colors. Plus, I was able to use my artistic license to eliminate a tree at right that would have covered part of the sky and gift shop and instead, I painted what I saw behind it. I added a few finishing touch.
#womenartists, #DavisCenter, # Mill Creek MetroParks #youngstownywca,

Newport Falls Mill Creek Park

This painting will for sale with others in my Mill Creek Park Collection in my Weller Gallery Show in September 2024 (Fellows Riverside Gardens).
I’ll keep you posted when the time draws near.
#waterfallpainting, #Newportfalls, #MillCreekPark,

Seahorse shelling

I spent hours hunting for treasures at the beach that I used in this mixed media painting. After washing the shells, I organize them and place similar ones in baggies. Next I painted the beach scene on a canvas board and then secured and glued it into a frame to make sure the epoxy coating wouldn’t seep along the edges. Then I glued the shells and sea oats into position and topped it off with epoxy.
See Beth Basista Shell Art on Pinterest to see so many other shell art creations I’ve made including shadowbox florals and even shell animals.
#shellart, #seahorse, #shellfish, shellturtle

**The Wetlands in Bloom 9x12 Oils**

I invited my artist friends from The Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society to paint at Mill Creek Park’s Wetlands on a beautiful day in May. The yellow iris and forget-me-nots were blooming along the shorelines throughout the wetlands. We painted along the beautifully renovated West Newport Trail that connects the wetlands to Newport Falls. We were entertained by birds singing, ducks quacking and a deer walking through the water stopping to stare two different times. Perhaps she was waiting for us to leave her favorite spot?
#bethbasista.pixels.com #mvartists.org/our-artists/ #millcreek #wetlands #oilpainting #landscapes

1820 Gaskell House

I was invited to participate in the Salem Historical Society’s Home & Garden Tour on Sat. July 8 and assigned to paint this home located on 433 S. Lincoln Avenue in Salem, Ohio. The home’s rich history includes being part of the underground railroad with a trap door in the kitchen leading to the basement where it provided a hiding place for runaway slaves. This painting is on display and available for purchase with 15 paintings in my Exhibit featured in the Salem Chamber of Commerce Art Gallery through June 19, 2024.
#bethbasistapaintings #historical #pleinair #oilpainting #salemhistorical #undergroundrailroad #historicalhome #artcollector

"On Top of Daffodil Hill" I began this 11x14 oil painting of Daffodil Hill two years ago “en plein air” until a snow storm sent me home with a half finished painting. I’ve recently set a goal to finish every painting I start, and referred to my photos to finally finish it. I painted the daffodils from a child’s perspective as though looking down the hill toward Lake Newport. For over 90 years, children have loved running along the grassy paths between the flowers while families & couples make Daffodil Hill (also known as Daffodil Meadow) a destination to capture beautiful photos.

#millcreekmetroparks #daffodils #pleinair #impressionism #landscapedesign #landscapepainting

What, no cheese?

My newest still life watercolor painting: 1) "What, no cheese??" includes fresh picked flowers, a bottle of wine, yet to be opened, and some grapes. 11 x 14 Watercolors

Misty Night

Painted this watercolor landscape blending an abstract technique with my typical style.

Falling Tree

Painted another watercolor landscape blending an abstract technique with my typical Beth Basista Style.

Like a Rock

I painted "Like a Rock" using oils on a beautiful summer day en plein air along the East Cohasset trail in Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, Ohio. While painting I saw 3 deer splash by, a kingfisher fly by, and a fisherman *almost* catch 2 large fish he had on his line. This painting will be on display in my Weller Gallery Show located in Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek Metro Park throughout September, 2024.
#bethbasistapainting #oilpainting #pleinairpainting #pleinairmag #paintedflowers #paintedrocks

Open Window

"Open Window" named by my friend Steve Tepsick was painted in the garden of a beautiful old log home located in the country just north of the city of East Palestine. It continues to amaze me how the colors in the photos I shot at each scene pale compared to what's seen on location.
#bethbasistapainting #oilpainting #pleinairpainting #pleinairmag #paintedflowers #paintedrocks

Bob&Sue at Lily Pond

I painted the bench and scenery of this 8x10 oil painting at The Lily Pond in Mill Creek Park, and then added Bob & Sue in my studio referring to a photo of them sitting on the same bench. This painting preserves treasured memories of countless hikes they’ve enjoyed in the park over the years. Visitors have enjoyed walking the popular .25 mile circle trail around the 3.25-acre Lily Pond since 1896 and appreciate the features and improvements made in 2016.
#oilpainting #artistic #landscapes #artlife #landscapepainters #portraits #hike #fallpaintings

To the Beach

Adding a new one to my “Beach Get-Away” themed paintings. Since I’ve always loved wearing hats, I think I’ll add different hats to each like this one. To change each one up, I'll add in flip flops, beach balls, shells, kids, people walking or shelling, shore birds or other objects seen at the beach.

Snowy Egret Thief

While watching my husband shore fishing, I enjoyed watching my buddy “Sailor” the Snowy Egret hang around waiting for the right moment to steal our shrimp. I made a quick pen and ink sketch of him sitting on our shrimp bucket. After he took off with his catch, I drew in more details and then painted it. Artists like me carry our sketch book wherever we go and have fun painting subjects like this one.
#snowyegret, #watercolors, #beachpainting, #pleinairbeach

Nona’s Smile

Over the years, I’ve painted portraits using watercolors, oils, and pastels, but never acrylics because the paint drys fast and doesn’t allow me to push colors into each other like with other mediums. But after following a demo, I discovered it’s actually helpful for acrylics to dry fast allowing opportunity to paint in layers and paint over areas if needed. I also like how it helps me to achieve the semi-impressionistic style I like. I added a few final touches on this one using oils. Mary Ann and I share the joy of being the grandparents (she goes by Nona) to Blake and Reid and have developed a very close friendship. She has been a fan of my art and I am so thankful she keeps telling me how much she loves her painting. I like knowing it permanently captures her beauty (inside & out) forever.
#BethBasistaPaintings #semiimpressionistic #acrylicpainting #portraits #artistic

This 30 x 40 Mixed Media painting is the largest painting I’ve painted to date. After painting it using acrylics, I added a heavy gel medium and sparkles on the icicles . Although it’s a rare occurrence, I’ve seen otters along the gorge in Mill Creek Park three times which is always a nice treat. They seem so innocent and playful as they swim to a rock or ice platform to enjoy the catch of the day. Many who dare to hide the gorge in the winter are familiar with seeing icicles that hang under the umbrella rock throughout the gorge. In order to capture the scene and the otters, I painted this on a large 30x40 frameless canvas beginning with acrylics then adding heavy gel medium on the ice daring the viewer to touch and then I added oils in several places because I love how it adds a richness to the overall look and to add a shimmer, I added glitter.

#otters, #frozen waterfalls, #Mil lCreek Metro Parks,