November 25 is Small Business Saturday

The Friday after Thanksgiving is well known as Black Friday, the time for getting a head start on your holiday shopping. But did you know that the following day, Saturday, November 26, has been dedicated to supporting small and local businesses? We support the movement now known as “Small Business Saturday” as we work to…

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A Day in Plein Air

Since I will be teaching plein air painting in a few weeks, I realized that I had better get back to the swing of things and start painting on location again. My last paintings have all been studio paintings, where I’ve had the luxury of working from photos, taking my time, and listening to the ball…

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Forcing the big shapes

Because I struggle with zooming out and painting the big shapes first, I forced myself to conduct a little exercise. I wanted to see how loose I could go while still maintaining recognizability. So I grabbed an Anthropology ad and found a great photo to work with, and I let go, trying to paint as…

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New Art: "In His Image"

This piece started as a tribute to an organization called Kimmy’s House. Kimmy’s House focuses on ministering to special needs orphans in India and Haiti. The need is great. Either because of cultural beliefs or because of lack of resources, the special needs orphans of India and Haiti often times suffer great neglect, and can…

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Color comps: The key to good art

Below are five good reasons why one should create color comps in the same media as their final illustration or painting. One mistake I used to make was doing my color comp in a medium other than the one I was going to use for the final illustration. But after looking at Rockwell’s color comps,…

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An Iris of Hope

Custom Fundraising Card Design

This painting was created in response to the tornado disasters in Joplin, Missouri, Alabama and all across the South and the Midwest. Pictorially, we wanted to show how hope can grow even in the darkest times. This hope comes not from us or our own strength, but from above. By creating this piece, Painting for…

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Wedding Portraits

  The busiest month of the year for weddings is here: June. Chances are, you are going to a wedding or two within the next few months. Have you thought of what to give the bride and groom? Especially a bride and groom that already has everything? While a painting or print is a great…

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Speak About Life Abundant

Life is a gift, and artist Benjamin Hummel can appreciate this more than ever. Having been the recipient of TWO liver transplants, Benjamin created this design originally for University of Colorado Hospital Liver Transplant Team. The green ribbon symbolizes the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Each letter showcases a small snapshot of…

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Illustrated Books: Madison and Main Gallery

Greeley, CO (March 3 – April 25, 2008) Cherish Flieder and Benjamin Hummel, Colorado native artists & children’s book illustrators, in conjunction with the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, bring to Colorado art lovers a show entitled “Illustrated Books.” Through April 25th, the Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley, CO will display original…

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