oil paiinting – BOHLENDER ART

THE BRAVE AND FREE

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of Shock and Awe. At the time, we were singing Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue”, and our country was recuperating from 9-11-01. We were shaken, but we were proud of our men and women, who were keeping the war “over there”. I really didn’t have much of an idea of what they had to deal with then.

Recently, Tyler Vargas Andrews testified before congress of his experience at the Abbey Gate in the Afghanistan withdrawal.

To me, this man is a special kind of hero – along with those who have suffered for another and maybe on account of another… his tears reflect all the wounds of war and the weight of memory… so painful… yet he dares to stand in integrity and truth, like a lamp shining in a murky place, naturally exposing where darkness lies. To this man, and all the people represented thereby, there is much gratitude and respect.

Where the present darkness may temporarily abide in a form of power, Light shines through the darkness and the darkness cannot overpower it…

Here is a link to his testimony: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marine-wounded-abbey-gate-afghanistan-withdrawal/

I have known several precious people who served in the middle east and in Viet Nam and paid such a price, speaking little or nothing of their experiences, yet the shadows of that experience affected every nook and cranny of their lives. They didn’t all have songs sung when they came home, we didn’t understand so much what they experienced, but in our heart they are honored and respected as we came to understand.

I value every tear they shed.

When the U.S. Embassy was vacated, some photos came out through the news mediums, not all were identified by the photographers. There was one photo of a service member holding the folded flag from the embassy close to himself, in the helicopter or airplane he was being evacuated in. What a tragic day. From this photo, I took a painting in sharing in that day with them.

The painting may not do his experience justice, but it included my prayers for those people that did have to experience such things. I thought about all that was folded in that flag and in his embrace of it.

There are more paintings taken from their experience when they were “over there”, each one a prayer, trusting God that these very special people would be safe in body, mind and spirit… a connection where I could share in their lives, hold them close somehow. I thought about these who served with their whole hearts, and what they were fighting for:

For each other and for us, and for our America.

This has been in my heart since I saw Mr. Vargas-Andrews testify. God bless him, God bless and heal all our serving ones, and God bless and keep our America.

“Let Music swell the breeze And ring from all the trees

Sweet Freedom’s Song:

Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break, the Sound prolong!

Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, of Thee we sing:

Long may our land be bright

With Freedom’s holy light;

Protect us by Thy Might, Great God our King!”

——————————

Father God, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus Name, Heal our serving ones, heal our Land. Glorify Your Name in America and all through the earth and the universe. Amen.

“EYES ON THE PIES”

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, dogs, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, oil paiinting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting

The joys in life pile up daily, yet some spark love like lightning bolts.

When we went to visit the grandboys, I was able to bring a couple jars of my homemade apple pie filling. It sure made it easier to make the pies, and faster. I had pre-ground my flours for the crust as well, so all I had to do was add butter and water, mix and roll. I love my pie crust. So do the boys. I love those boys.

They were very interested in how to make an apple pie, and after this moment of filling, were happy to help spoon the apples into the crusts. And they sure do focus and take it all in. I hope I give them a good example of things.

My daughter took some photos of this time, and I based my painting from her photos. She has loving eyes.

“EYES ON THE PIES” – 22″x 28″ – Oil – ©2023 Bohlender

We all had great fun EATING the pies.

It was fun, too, that during that moment, their dog Onyx walked by in the background. I had to include Onyx. He has been in the family a long time. He’s a good boy, but he didn’t get any pie.

My greatest challenge in this piece was identifying the camera distortions in the resource photo, thereby straightening entryways and one of the boy’s heads was stretched and his body leaning too far, like he fell off the edge or something. I simplified a lot of things, and maximized the duo light source. The canvas used to have a desert landscape painted on it, and I left some of the nubbies from the mesquite scrub for interesting effects.

There might be a thing or two that might spring out at me that I will make minor adjustments to, but for now, I like this one as it is.

I just ordered more oil paint from Dick Blick’s. I’ve been shopping there for many years. Getting new paint is almost as good as apple pie.

Praise the Lord Jesus for His grace and love of mankind.

A BRIGHT OUTLOOK

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Bohlender Art in art, fantasy portraits, fine art, oil paiinting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting, raven

Walking through a St. Charles neighborhood, there were few places where houses were not dense enough to block the view. However, we kept walking around, discovering a park that was nice, but the best view was a vacant lot on a hill, where one could see the city beneath, over the rooftops of communities. We loved the view from that spot, (although we did not go up to the hill because it was marked as privately owned). A space with a view. That background is suggested here …though not detailed, the feeling is there. Space. A clear space. I love the feeling of freedom in open spaces.

The raven, of course, is Jack. He has never been to St. Charles except in our hearts, and our son has only been here once, except in our hearts. He was standing in his kitchen when I took the photo, with his cell phone. A view of sorts. He also has a pleasant outlook in his life now, and I find he and Jack have a great degree of intelligence and basic joy in their lives.

And since our son and our Jack the raven are some of my favorites, I saw no problem bringing all those pleasant attributes together into one painting, titled “A Bright Outlook”.

The painting is on a canvas with 2 other paintings under it, so it has the added interest of varied textures. It seems most of my life I have painted with some sort of green underpainting before a portrait, but for this one, I began with warm colors and stayed warm to go with his red hair. I use several brands of paint, recently enjoying “blue black” from Rublev and a Mussini “juane brilliant” as well as others beautiful colors. It’s fun to try new paints. Sometimes in working these days, I might forget what I’m doing a little bit or things like that, but I don’t worry about it like I used to.

Also, I discovered I have a tendency to use brushes down to their nubs. I don’t think I want to do that any more. It’s fun to have a nice new brush or two. Live it up.

FRESH GARLIC

Posted on July 10, 2022 by Bohlender Art in art, fine art, garlic, oil paiinting, Oil painting, Uncategorized, vegetable art

I love garlic, but this is the first time I’ve painted it. It seems still life is my newest favorite. I love food. My husband brought this in fresh after cleaning it. I had to paint it. It makes sense to paint what we know well, and love heartily.

A favorite way to eat garlic is to line a pan with bacon and put your meatloaf into it. Surround the meatloaf with peeled (or unpeeled) garlic cloves, baking til the meatloaf is done. I also use raw garlic in ear oils or for fighting colds. Medicinal herb books are fun to read.

And garlic is also very beautiful as a plant, especially when the scapes curl and make ready to seed. This garlic is beautiful the way my husband brought it for us,

This was pretty easily sketched in and begun. I had a little trouble in the middle, but most paintings do. Here are a few stages. I forgot to do more until finished.

Beginning a painting is always fun.

I have been working on a study of Acts. Acts is one of the larger books in the Bible, with longer chapters. It takes a long time to “do my version”, illustrate it and handwrite the whole thing. It is time I love to spend.

Also, the 4th Mr. Floppysocks book is underway. You never know for sure where a story will take you, but this one is not for little children. They might like the pictures and be held on your lap and you can read it to them, but mostly what they’d like is being close to their moms and dads. The Floppysocks books are difficult (for me) to describe or to designate an age group.

Mostly, I’m grateful to think about things other than world events, when I paint. Other times I have to pray to remember that our God has things well in His hands, no matter what it looks like out there. My husband reminds me to “give thanks in all things” because all is given by our Lord Jesus.

Sometimes I get excited to see what He is working out through all of this, when I have an extra dose of Faith…

STAND.

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Bohlender Art in art, Christian art, fine art, oil paiinting, Oil painting, prayer, Uncategorized

“In times like these” we can do what we can, some can do more, some less, but we can pray, to and with the One Who rules the universes. My husband told me of his verse this morning, “and the God of Peace will swiftly crush satan under your feet… the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you…” Rom. 16:20. He said when He crushes satan, it will be swiftly done, not necessarily soon.

I had at some time wondered “why do we pray” if God already has everything predestined according to His plan and will. Prayer brings us into His Person, His mind and sharing in His working, and administration … the joy of His presence… We may also be aligned in warfare, in His arms wrapping around us, relationship, reality, salvation, and much more, at various times and occasions. We, as His children, serve Him in His Spirit, just as the angels.

I know His angels are here, and they come according to His bidding. Angels assist us, whether we know it or not … sometimes we see, sometimes in hindsight. Our Shepherd takes care of us.

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation? ” Heb. 1:14

“And He says to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, from now on you will see Heaven opened, and the messengers (angels) of God going up and coming down on the Son of Man.” John 1:51

“He who went down is the same who also went up far above all the heavens, that He may fill all things—” Eph. 4:10

He is full-filling all things, He is the Ladder, His will is being fulfilled, His angels are His servants… His warriors (hosts), His messengers, He is their Course… their King.

I wanted to paint the angels, what I saw, but didn’t quite know quite how to position the angels, their attitude, their arms. I had photographed a wonderfully clouded day, part of which reminded me of a stairway or ladder. I began by painting that cloud scene, and it was the beginning, the base layer. Everything else is coming a step at a time. It looks some different now from the image shown here.

It seemed interesting to me that a previous time I had painted angels, they were pressing against the curve of our atmosphere, watching, protecting, but not entering. (This is a portion of a large painting done a couple of years ago).

After that, another painting with angels, and our prayers, shows our praying pushing back, entrapping the darkness from our side, the angels working from heaven, and all the power and directives and power coming from the Throne. The angels are in the heavenlies, more interactive.

“Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power….Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore….” Eph. 6

STAND.

We are to stand as well. Pray. Be ready…

In the new painting, the angels are entering. They are standing.

I will show more of the new painting when I progress… in the “opening” of the portals from heaven to earth in praying, in the Lord’s timing. The angels ascend and descend on that ladder, and they are awaiting their appointed time. They are watching, waiting, ready, standing. How marvelous. The Son of Man in the Heaven and in His Body on earth, and He filling all things…preparing for us to go to Him.

There is another one, an Angel, or Messenger, in Revelation 10, in the future, when Jesus is in the process of claiming His earthly kingdom, one foot on land, one foot in the ocean.

Stand. He is doing all the rest.

It is nice to share in thought and deed, progress or lack of it… my work space I am fortunate to have, an easel that my husband made for me… some time ago, and the beginning of my present work. Hope I don’t screw it up. I’ve also been working in the book of Acts, now on chapter 10.

The “featured image” is from a book I did, from a series in a personal Bible study, from 1 Peter. I love doing the studies.

HORSES ON THE MESA

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Bohlender Art in art, horses, new mexico landscape, oil paiinting, western art

Sometimes we take drives to beautiful places.. We don’t go often, and generally when we do, it’s for peace and beauty, not seeking much company.

However, one day these very friendly horses were on the roadside, not at all frightened by people, they were the nice kind of company to have.

So we stopped to see them. One even came to say hello, putting his face into the truck window. I thought he’s accustomed to getting goodies from his owners, and they most likely deliver the hay from a pick up truck.

I know better than to feed other peoples livestock or to go onto their ranch land, but on the road, I could take photos. I decided to paint from them, and just finished this painting.

“Horses on the Mesa” – 28″x 22″ – Oil – ©2022

——————————————————————–

Another helpful tip: if you want to take a ride in the country, if there is a closed gate, make sure you close it again after driving through.

I really appreciate the care ranchers give to the land and animals.

Remembering the Cowboys

Posted on March 21, 2022April 5, 2022 by Bohlender Art in art, branding, cattle, Cowboys, fine art, friendship, horses, oil paiinting, oil portrait, western art

I had a good friend named Junior. He is passed on now, but a few years back he taught me a lot about cowboys and their work. I didn’t know much before these times, but I came to respect them, their care for the animals and the land, their working together when round-up times came.

Junior took me back into the places where they did the work, where they brought the cattle in from vast spaces into small holding pens or near watering holes, usually a ways from the highways, sometimes over rough terrain.

It was enjoyable then to paint the horses, the men and the cattle. It was a time of transition for me and an adventure, good painting times. I was showing at a couple galleries and had a few one-artist shows. It was a lot of work, but I got it done.

I didn’t romanticize any of it, and painted the men as they are today, and the work as they do it. They each have their own ways, but all were skillful and work together.

“Bring On the Boys” ©2022 – 28″ x 22″ – Oil

“Tellin’ A Windy” – ©2022 – 24″x 20″ – Oil

“Cowboys in Tandem” – ©2022 – 60″ x 48″ – Oil

I don’t know where these fellows are today, two are passed on. But I will remember their hands and their ropes, the way their horses respond to the cattle and the man on their back. It’s like poetry at times. It was an experience I treasure. I didn’t know before this that some horses can talk to you if you listen.

I don’t remember how many paintings all together I did of the cowboys, but it was many.

“Early Morning Moves” – ©2022 – 30″x 20″ – Oil

There were four different ranches I went to. Each was unique and well managed. I am forever grateful for them letting me be there, taking hundreds and hundreds of photos to work from.

I was reminiscing about my friend Junior today, remembering him. He was a fine man, his wife equally as wonderful. But I miss him. He was one of the good men on the earth.

God is good. It’s amazing the places we go and people we get to know in a lifetime.

I have added a new tab on the home page menu, “Western Art”.

Loving Mario

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Bohlender Art in art, children, Christian art, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, mother and child, nursing, oil paiinting, oil portrait

There is no greater Gift from God than being given a child. We are entrusted by God to raise them to Him. It is the most important job in the world, and we are never more tired, even exhausted, yet it is a treasured and joy-filled time of life.

Nursing our children provides a time of closeness and mutual nurturing, nothing is sweeter. The time is peaceful and calm, a love-bubble for the two of you. Not to mention the mother’s milk is full of healthy things for the baby, guaranteeing immunities and lots of good things.

And there is nothing sweeter still than seeing your daughter’s joy as she loves beyond the deepest exhaustion, fulfilled in motherhood. Her child is happy and beautiful. She gives her life to her children fully and without reservation. I love seeing her with her boys.

“Loving Mario” – 20″x 20″ – Oil ©2022 Bohlender

I suppose this is the last of works from our last visit. This is the fifth piece, extending my time with them some. Mario has already grown, and is doing amazing things. He’s a happy boy, gregarious and jolly. I look forward to when I may see them all again. God is good, He knows all things in our hearts.

My next painting is already forming, my husband feeding the raven out front when it snowed the other day. Our raven friend Jack is rather spoiled at times.

Mario & Grandma

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, Christian art, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, oil paiinting, Oil painting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting, Uncategorized

He’s the star of the show, and the sparkle in my eye. Mario is full of zesty life and I was honored that he felt comfortable with me. I would love to see him more, but that isn’t always doable these days. We were in a park, but the trees did not seem as significant as the feeling of shade nearby and we in the sunshine together.

“Mario & Grandma” – 28″ x 22″ – Oil ©Bohlender 2022

It wasn’t hard to make him the focus, the subject. He is that in real life also. Over flowing joy.

I take comfort in knowing that God has raised up children for this time in history, that He will take care of them, and all things work out according to His Purpose and Timing. No one is a mistake, our times are in His hand.

Autumn Afternoon

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Bohlender Art in art, autumn, fine art, landscape, oil paiinting, Oil painting

Every day I walk for health, for prayer, for enjoyment. I get to see the seasons change, the insects, the Creation and Power of our God. As an artist, I get to see abstract form, and color variations within the days and times of days. I have to admit that my lot has been cast in pleasant places. I am grateful.

The warmth of the afternoon light, the longer shadows and the sense of a day closing it’s eyes is restful, and I am pleased to retire with the setting sun. Somedays we know, in spite of the battles in the world, that all is well in the world, in my soul.

“Autumn Afternoon” – 36″ x 18″ – Oil ©2021

Usually the colors are not so warm, but this day, with the sun and sky as they were, the weeds and grasses at the stage they were – and some had red red stems, and maybe warmth in my attitude, there were few subtle grey-yellows, and still enough green in mesquites, and trees that must have a water supply. A small building is handily placed and distant enough that I didn’t worry what kind of building it might be.

There are more mesquite present, but unnecessary to the work and almost distracting, unimportant to what the scene was speaking.

Once again, I painted over a used canvas, and there are strokes that vary with the landscape strokes, yet add a pleasant sense of motion… air.