Montana Artworking by Cindy Betka

Detail of a Silverpoint drawing on board (16" X 16") Metalpoint was a way of drawing in the Renaissance (15th century). Lead or graphite was not in the tool box yet. I have been fascinated by the technique, so I thought I would try it. My husband made a silver nib for me to start with. Other metals such as brass, aluminum, gold and copper may also be used. Silver comes in different degrees of hardness, and they make lighter or darker lines. When drawing, there is a depositing of metal on the abrasive surface and this metal will oxidize over time. Silver turns into a nice brown. I may work in some copper for a bit of green and brass for light black. The surface needs to be prepared with a gesso ground. The gesso can be tinted a color. For best results, the support should be hard and rigid. I used a wood panel, sanding each layer of gesso smooth after they dried. Sometimes, I am so excited about trying something new that I jump into it too quickly. Once I began, I notic...

It seems that the day goes by and I ask myself, 'what did I do today?'. Before you know it the year is at an end. These days, other tasks are taking up the day to a point of having no time for art. However, I did manage to sneak in bits of time here and there for this remake of a painting. My motivation was a need for a larger painting on one of our walls. The idea and planning of the composition was formulating in my mind for awhile. I did not do much in the way of sketches, I just had to dig right into mucking around the paint. Leaves Afloat,  24" X 40", diptych, oil on wood panels

Primavera Primavera (Italian word meaning "Spring"), is a large tempera painting by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli painted in early 1480s. ‘Alla Prima’ The wet-on-wet technique, or alla prima (Italian, meaning at once), is used mostly in oil painting. Claude Monet, soleil levant (Sunrise), 1872, oil, Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. Au Premier Coup The French term au premier coup (at first stroke/direct painting). When painting with watercolors, this (wet in wet) technique must be used with careful planning and patience. Usually it is unpredictable, but sometimes the results are wonderful. With loads of practice the frustrating accident will turn into rather nice results. Winslow Homer Stowing Sail, 1903 (The Art Institute of Chicago) James McNeill Whistler Sea and Sand: Domburg 1900 Pasta Primavera Pasta made with fresh spring vegetables. Too bad we are not in spring yet. Winter hasn’t even officially begun. Recipe - this is...

Among The Reeds, oil, 18" X 18" Hope, oil, 18" X 18" These 2 paintings have been accepted into the YAM Art Auction 50. It is exciting for me to continue to have paintings accepted into YAM's annual auction. The Art Auction is the museum's largest fundraiser of the year bringing thousands of patrons to visit the exhibition of auction artwork. Exhibition opens with artists' reception - January 25, 2018 Live & silent auction night - March 3, 2018 www.artmuseum.org Yellowstone Art Museum 401 North 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101 406-256-6804

It never ceases to amaze me what I might wake up to living in the mountains. This is almost spiritual. I must admit I am already tired of winter that hasn't official begun yet, ( Dec. 21st). This is the earliest we have seen this much snow and cold. Having said all of this, I will paint some snowy scenes. How can I not. Just off the easel is this fall water scene. Dusk Awaits,  oil, 16" X 20"

The morning was a dark, cold one. I had no ambition to do anything, let alone paint. From my window I watched the cold front blow in with a blizzard. The wind let up slightly so I threw on a couple of layers and grabbed the camera. The best way to really feel the snowy atmosphere is to hike deep into the forest. Just to take it all in cleared my head to accomplish more that day.