Hi Friends!

2025 has taken off to a running start! I have two new paintings in studio that I will share next month and am busy prepping for upcoming shows. It's a lot, but it's also a lot of fun!

Sneak peak of the works in progress:

New Painting: "West Fork" (18x24 inches)

West Fork Trail in Sedona has always been a source of inspiration for me, with its vibrant red rock canyons and peaceful creek reflecting the changing seasons. My latest painting, a 18x24-inch piece capturing the essence of this beautiful location, is now complete. The interplay of light and shadow across the water and rock formations was a joy to paint, and I can't wait for you to see it!

Join Me at the Wigwam Fine Art Festival - February 15-16

I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating in the Wigwam Fine Art Festival in Litchfield Park, AZ, on February 15th & 16th. This event is always a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow art lovers, showcase my latest work, and connect with collectors. If you're in the area, I'd love for you to stop by, say hello, and see my newest pieces in person. The festival is held at the historic Wigwam Resort, a perfect setting to celebrate fine art.

Two Paintings Headed to the Women Artists of the West Homestead Show

Last week I shipped my two paintings that have been selected for the Women Artists of the West Homestead Show, which will be exhibited at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center in Clarksville, TN. The show opens on March 6, 2025, and runs for several weeks, bringing together some of the finest work by women artists across the country.

It's always an incredible experience to be part of such a prestigious event, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to showcase my work in such a historic venue. Both of these paintings hold a special place in my heart and I am excited that more people will be able to see them in person.

P.S. You can find more information on the events I am participating in on the front page of my website on the bottom under Upcoming Events.

As the year comes to a close, it's a moment of reflection, a time to look back at the creative journey I've taken. This year, I dedicated my artistic efforts to documenting the stunning landscapes and natural beauty of Arizona. The state's vast deserts, majestic mountains, and vibrant skies have long been an inspiration for me, and this year, I set out to capture that inspiration in a more focused and deliberate way.

Over the course of the year, I completed 10 paintings, each a tribute to the diverse and breathtaking environments that make Arizona so unique. From the sweeping red rock formations of Sedona to the serene deserts around Tucson, I sought to preserve the raw beauty of these places in paint.

This body of work has been a deeply personal one. Arizona's ever-changing light, the warmth of its sun, and the coolness of its evenings became a central theme in many of the pieces. The play of color in the desert skies during sunset, the texture of the red earth, and the intricate patterns of the cacti are all represented.

In addition to my studio work, I had the opportunity to take several trips to remote locations within the state. These excursions allowed me to immerse myself fully in the environment, observing the ever-changing vistas that inspired so much of my painting. Whether it was a quiet morning in a desert canyon or a long hike up the rocky cliffs, these experiences enriched my work, offering new perspectives and insights that I was eager to translate onto the canvas.

One of the most exciting highlights of this year has been the honor of being accepted into three major national art exhibitions for the first time. I was selected for the American Woman Artists National Exhibition, the Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, and the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition.

Being included in these prestigious shows was a tremendous honor, and it was humbling to have my work alongside so many talented artists. The experience of exhibiting in these venues not only expanded my reach but also provided invaluable opportunities for growth and connection within the art community.

The feedback and support I received from fellow artists and art enthusiasts alike was deeply rewarding. It's been inspiring to see my paintings in such distinguished company, and it has encouraged me to push my boundaries even further. These exhibitions were a significant milestone in my career, and I look forward to continuing to grow and share my work on national platforms.

Another exciting and transformative experience this year was participating in my first large-scale art festival. It was an incredible learning opportunity, as I navigated the logistics, set up, and the dynamics of interacting directly with the public.

Meeting other artists and engaging with patrons allowed me to gain valuable insight into the art world from a different perspective. The conversations with visitors were especially meaningful, as their feedback on my work was not only encouraging but also gave me new ways to view my own art. This experience has fueled my enthusiasm for future festivals, where I can continue to connect with new audiences and refine my approach.

This year has been one of growth, reflection, and discovery, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported my artistic journey. As we head into the new year, I look forward to sharing more of my work and continuing to bring the beauty of Arizona to life through my paintings.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible year.

Wishing you all a peaceful and inspired New Year.

Bethany

Hi,

I want to apologize for my late post this month. I did an art fair for three days in Carefree at the beginning of the month, and I was excited to come back right afterward and tell you all about it.

However, that's not what happened. Admittedly, I had to take a few days to grieve. I grieved that we all witnessed an extinction-level event on Tuesday, and now we will have to face the consequences.

I don't normally talk about politics in relation to my art. But in this case, I think it's valid. One of the main reasons that I paint is because I find the world around us so exceptionally beautiful, and I want to share my vision with everyone. The other reason though is a little darker and that's because in my life I've already seen the serious impacts of climate change and environmental destruction. And I've already documented it in my work.

The paintings below depict natural landscapes that no longer exist. Land that supported ecosystems and absorbed carbon and heat has now been covered in concrete that will have a net deficit to our climate instead of a benefit. Healthy oceans that capture carbon are dying.

When I say that we've witnessed an extinction-level event, it's not hyperbole, and many of the world's scientists are saying the same. Scientists for years have been calling attention to the terrible damage that Trump's first presidency did to our efforts to make progress on preventing the worst outcomes of climate change.

His policies this time are worse. This year, the world is predicted to cross one of the first tipping points: a 1.5 degrees C increase in global temperature. Without a strong policy to combat climate change, it's only going to get worse. The extinction rate for species on this planet every day is already high, it's going to get higher. And don't think that can't include us. It may not be a flashy extinction-level event like the dinosaurs had, but I guess we don't get to pick what kind of extinction event we get.

Art has long played a role in political change and social movements.

This time it's clear that some people missed the message in films like Don't Look Up or the show The Good Place.

So, in my own way, through my work, I am trying to inspire all of you; help us save the planet! And when you have the chance, vote for those who will also help.

Next month, I promise I will get back to the fun of art. Unless we get hit by a meteor...

I love you all,

Bethany

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/donald-trump-climate-change-environment

As we welcome autumn (just kidding, it's still 110 degrees), I'm thrilled to share some exciting news and updates from the studio! September has been a wonderfully creative month, with the completion of two new paintings and preparation for two upcoming events that I'm honored to be a part of.

Completed Works:

1. Gatekeepers

"Gatekeepers" delves into the idea of nature as both a guardian and protector. Saguaro's have always reminded me of Tolkien's Ents in the Lord of the Rings. Somehow they feel like sentient guardians of the desert and the animals around them. I imagined these two saguaros standing together as gatekeepers of the mountain pass that lay beyond them.

1. Pygmy Owls Perfect Place  

"Pygmy Owls Perfect Place," is the second piece in my series of animals that depend on saguaros. Pygmy Owls cactus (ferruginous pygmy-owl) make their nests in holes in Saguaros. They were on the endangered species list due to habitat loss, but with conservation efforts, they recovered enough to be removed from the list in 2007. I hope my painting can help remind us how precious these resources are to the wildlife around us.

Exhibition News: Harris Hawks Hunting Haven at the Phippen Museum

 I'm excited to announce that "Harris Hawks Hunting Haven" is now on display at the Phippen Museum in Prescott as part of the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition. The exhibition celebrates the beauty and power of the American West, and I'm honored to be a part of it. This piece captures the dynamic energy of the Harris Hawks as it perches atop the saguaro and scan for its prey.

The exhibition's opening night and awards ceremony will be held on October 18th, and I would love to see you there! It's always an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow artists and art lovers, and I'm eager to share this special evening with you.

Upcoming Event: Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival

 I'm also thrilled to announce that I've been selected to participate in the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, a prestigious three-day event running from November 1-3rd. I've been busy preparing all my available work for this fine art fair, and I'm excited to showcase it alongside other talented artists in this beautiful setting.

The Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy stunning art while sipping on fine wine, making it the perfect event for art enthusiasts and collectors alike. I'm so grateful to have been chosen to participate, and I hope you'll join me to experience the event firsthand. Be sure to stop by my booth to say hello and view my latest works in person!

Commissions & New Projects:

 As I gear up for these exciting events, I'm also accepting new commissions for the fall and winter seasons. Whether you're looking for a custom landscape or wildlife scene, I'd love to work with you to bring your vision to life through a personalized painting.

Thank you for your continued support of my work. Your encouragement fuels my passion to create, and I'm so grateful for this community of art lovers. I can't wait to share even more with you in the months to come, and I hope to see you soon at one of these upcoming events!

I spent July 4th with family, on the 35th floor balcony of a building in downtown Phoenix overlooking the valley. We could see most of the other cities' fireworks displays, and hundreds of individual fireworks, going off continuously across the valley. It was an amazing sight, but mostly I was glad to spend it with loved ones. I hope your 4th of July was enjoyable.

Events

That kicked off a busy art month, and several events to plan for. The first was the amazing show at James R. Ross Fine Art in Indianapolis. This is the Oil Painters of America National Juried Salon show. Out of over 1400 applications only 120 pieces of work were accepted, so it was quite an honor that my painting Superstitions was accepted. The show was truly beautiful, and the work was exceptional. I highly recommend you check it out.

Oil Painters of America National Juried Salon Show

I was also notified that I was accepted into the Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival, running November 1st - 3rd. This is one of the top ten fine art festivals in the country! But wow, this is also a little scary! I'm a pretty slow painter, and I only have three months to create enough work to fill a 10x10-foot tent! I am looking forward to the experience, and meeting other artists and collectors. I hope to see you there!

Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival

New Work

I am excited about my new painting this month. I had the reference picture for over a year and had a lot of doubts about it. Was it dramatic enough? Was there enough color variation? Could I pull off the level of detail required? Sometimes painting feels like going into a mental battle. Every brush stroke is a decision on color, location, technique, and experimentation. And I frequently don't win, but that is part of the fun!

And then I had to figure out how to photograph and edit it to show the colors and details accurately. Let me tell you, that is half the battle. One of the things I am most proud of this month is learning how to use Photoshop to color-correct an image!

So, how do you think it turned out?

Sentinel of the Valley

19x23 inches

Oil on Aluminum Composite Panel

Sentinel of the Valley is already on my website, but won't be available to ship until it's dry. If you are interested please reach out to me.

Sentinel of the Valley

I have the largest piece I have ever painted planned for August. Wish me luck!!

Until next month...

Bethany

www.Bethanystephan.com

Welcome to Summer! June has been busy with lots of art and art-related happenings. I spent some time updating my website. I wanted to give it a cleaner look which also allowed me to share more information and more work on the front page. Take a look at it and let me know what you think.

www.BethanyStephan.com

With the start of summer, I am also opening commission spots. Oil paintings can take a while to dry properly, so it's not too early to plan for fall birthdays or holiday gifts. I have a new page on my website to contact me for a commission, or you can just email me. ð-

Commissions

My new work for June was strangely inspired by a scrap of aluminum panel that was a cut-off for another piece that I am working on. This scrap piece was 5 inches by 24 inches. Tall and thin, and I thought I would make an interesting piece.

So, what is tall and thin and beautiful? A Saguaro of course. I love painting saguaros, but for this piece I wanted the eye drawn upward, to show that the saguaro is also an important part of its environment. Many animals rely on the Saguaro for homes, food, and perches.

One of my missions as an artist is to bring environmental awareness to the natural places in Arizona in the hope that it inspires others to help protect them. I hope this piece can do that in some small part.

Title: Harris Hawks Hunting Haven (who doesn't love alliteration!)

Specs: 5x25 inches, Oil on Aluminum composition panel

I can't tell you how excited I am to be part of Oil Painters of America Salon show. It was my first time applying to an Oil Painters of America Show and it was a huge surprise and honor to be accepted!

It will be held at James R Ross Fine Art in Indianapolis. The opening night is Thursday, July 25th. The awards will be that evening at 7:00 pm. I will post a link to the awards show on my website under events when I receive it.

This is the painting that will be in the show:

I hope you have fun summer vacation plans. Hit reply and let me know what they are!

Bethany