The Nighthawk (Mt. Rainier).
Denita Benyshek
2020, North Bend, WA
Acrylic on cotton rag paper
42 x 86” unframed
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, a great moon rose, then day came, then a low mist floated in. One day, the painting asked for a yellow gold sky. Although I wasn't sure about this, I trusted the art spirit’s voice. I did as I was requested, and the painting was done!
Details below.
The Still Lake of Reverie
Denita Benyshek
2020, North Bend, WA
Acrylic on 2 sheets of cotton rag paper
35.75 x 77”, unframed
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. So peaceful. 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.
Details below.
Denita Benyshek
2020, North Bend, WA
Acrylic on 2 sheets of cotton rag paper
35.75 x 77”, unframed
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. So peaceful. 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.
Details below.
The Plateau
Denita Benyshek
2021, North Bend, WA (based on sketches from Arizona and New Mexico)
Acrylic and fabric collage on rag paper
22.5 x 30”, unframed
I received a grant from the Creativity & Madness Conference that included a flight to Santa Fe. After the conference concluded, I travelled to Canyon de Chelly, in Arizona, making a series of 62 sketches during the journey.
Additional sketches from my journey, Santa Fe to Canyon de Chelly.
Denita Benyshek, 2018, sketches of cliff dwellings in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.
Denita Benyshek, 2018, sketch, near continental divide.
Crossing the Continental Divide
Denita Benyshek
2021, North Bend, WA (based on sketches from Arizona and New Mexico)
Acrylic and fabric collage on rag paper
42.25"W x 40.5"H
One of my favorite paintings, such a sense of mystery, what is about to be experienced.
Spider Woman Rock
Denita Benyshek
2021, North Bend, WA (based on sketch from Arizon, Canyon de Chelly)
Acrylic on rag paper
22.5 x 30” unframed
Artist Denita Benyshek in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2019.