Denita Benyshek, 2019, The Nighthawk, acrylic on rag cotton paper, 42" H x 85' W

During a flight, saw Mt. Rainier through the plane's window and did a quick sketch on a napkin. I then worked on this
painting for 10 years, through many changes, an entire mountain range came and went, a storm blew through,
large trees grew in the foreground, then vanished. Dark night with purple clouds, then day, then a low mist. One day,
​ the painting asked for a yellow gold sky. Although I wasn't sure about this, I did as asked and the painting was done!
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Denita Benyshek, 2019, The Nighthawk, detail.
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Denita Benyshek, 2020. The Still Lake of Reverie. 37.75" H x 77" W, acrylic on rag cotton paper.

Near my mountain home is a lake. Spring fed, the water is rather cold. In the summer, I enjoy swimming back and forth across the lake, floating in the middle and looking up at the clouds, treading water and gazing at mountains and trees. I walk along the shore, all seasons, coming to know the rocks and trees and wildlife. I bring home water from the waterfall to use in my studio, incorporating the mountain water into my paintings.
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Denita Benyshek, 2020, The Still Lake of Reverie, ​detail of alder tree.
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Denita Benyshek, 2020, The Still Lake of Reverie, ​detail of water.
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Denita Benyshek, 2020, The Plateau, 22.5" H  x 30" W, acrylic on fabric collage and cotton rag paper.

From a series of 62 sketches drawn during drive from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.
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Denita Benyshek, 2018, sketches of cliff dwellings in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.
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Denita Benyshek, 2018, sketch, near continental divide.
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Denita Benyshek, 2020, Crossing the Continental Divide, acrylic on fabric collage and rag cotton paper, 40" H x 42" W.
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Denita Benyshek, 2020, Spider Woman Rock, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, 
acrylic on fabric collage and cotton rag paper, 30" H x 22.5" W.
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Artist Denita Benyshek in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ​2019. Richard Levitt, photographer.