On the Subway

For many New Yorker's the subway is a way of life, for us it was a novelty! We stayed at the Extended Stay America in Whitestone, Queens, New York. So, every morning we caught the q20a bus and headed to the Flushing/Main St. subway station and took the No. 7 train into the city.When we got really good at this we took the No. 7 EXPRESS!

Most locals use their subway time to nap, listen to their MP3 players, make phone calls, read, etc. As you can see I had to take it all in!

You definitely want to avoid rush hour if you can. People crowd on until they are stuffed in and at each stop more and more people get on. On our last day we got on the train at a rush time and I started panicking that Gabriel was suffocating. And made it vocally know. Totally embarrassed my husband. I didn't care.

I would also suggest you have a plan if someone gets left behind. Once my husband got on a train at the last minute, Gabriel and Hattie followed right behind, but I got left behind. They got off at the next stop and I took the next train and met them there. Whew!!

Really, the creative minds at Sesame Street knew what they were talking about.

New York City or Bust!

Last week we took a family vacation to New York City!

I have always, ALWAYS, A L W A Y S wanted to visit New York and actually, I have always wanted to LIVE there. Starting Monday, I'll be sharing with you the sights that we visited and some funny things that happened along the way.

No. 102 Orange Roses

7"x5", acrylic on paper 

This is painting 102 for the year!

My daughter told me on Saturday that she wanted to move back home. So, I've been busy cleaning out my studio to turn it back into a bedroom for her. I don't know where I'm going to be painting...probably anywhere I can find space.

TO PURCHASE :: Just click here or send me an email. Thanks!

Autumn Bouquet

"Autumn Bouquet" 

7"x5", acrylic on paper

I was inspired by this photograph. Have a lovely weekend!

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I love Blue Flowers

"Blue Flowers From My Imagination"

5"x7", acrylic on paper

I have a thing for blue flowers! I'm not much of a print girl, but when I see something with blue flowers I'm instantly drawn to it.

So, what have I decided to do next...Well, of course, it's keep painting! But I've decided to switch it up a bit. I've decided it's time to get into a local gallery. Which means I'm going to start working bigger until I have enough pieces to approach a gallery for representation. I'm going to try to keep creating a painting every week day AND for the remainder of the month of October I'm going to be working in acrylics. I'm trying to go for a loose, painterly feel.

Thanks for stopping by!


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Lincoln Arts Festival

It was a great weekend for a festival!

First of all, I want to thank all the wonderful patrons who came out to visit. I loved meeting and chatting with each and every one of you! It was also absolutely wonderful meeting and chatting with other artists. Something that I really need to do a lot more of, instead of staying in my studio totally focused on working! I received so many nice complements.

Some patrons could see my love for Wayne Thiebaud in my work. Someone said my work reminded them of Carol Marine's work. Which totally bowled me over. I'm such a fan!

When I got in the car all I could say..."Now what?" Which is what I'm thinking right now...now what! We'll see...

I'll probably be taking a few more days off from painting. My studio is a total mess along with the house. The laundry needs to be done, etc!

See you in a few days!!

Back to Festival Prep

It's happening this weekend you guys! The art festival...my first EVER!!

1. Painting inventory - I have just tons of paintings! For the art festival I'm concentrating on my oil paintings. I have to decide which I will hang with a frame and which will not be framed. I have 79 oil paintings and 28 acrylic to show at the art festival!
2. Add hangers to the backs of paintings - This is for the non-framed paintings. I hope to give you a little tutorial on this soon!
3. Record information - I like to record information on the back of each painting...and I'm a bit behind at the moment!!
4. Website design - finally! I had a good thing going over on heatherhingst.com, but it felt weird to not include my whole name. I used to use just Heather Bennett, but do you know how many "Heather Bennett's" there are? A lot. So, soon you can visit heatherhingstbennett.com! I didn't get as far on this as I had hoped.
5. Facebook Fan Page - I've been putting this off for a few years now. I just don't know what to call it. Heather Hingst Bennett Fine Art, Heather Hingst Bennett Studio, etc...what? Suggestions are welcome!! Doing this after the festival!
6. Epson Stylus Photo R1900 - Order ink and paper to make prints. 
7. Props for festival tent.
8. Prints
9. Artist statement handout.