nature – Giants & Pilgrims

September 2020 Desktop & iPhone Wallpaper

September 2, 2020/0 Comments/in Art, Desktop Backgrounds, Monthly Themes, Online /by Betony Coons

We just got back from a family trip to visit the coastal redwoods in Northern California for the first time. The minimal color palette of the forest, the smell of the needles and the fog, the peaceful immensity of the trees, all of these things have been resting in my sub-conscience and filling up my inner wells. Hopefully this forest-inspired wallpaper can bring a little of that feeling to your spaces as well. Thank you all for your continued love and care for our family and artwork. Happy September! – Betony

For the desktop, click on the image above to view the large size image

For the iphone wallpaper, navigate to this page on your phone and then click and hold on the image you want. Select ‘Save image to camera roll’. Then from your camera roll set your home screen/lock screen or both. I make a couple different versions so that you can use what works best for your device.

Featured Artist: Wes Bruce

June 21, 2014/0 Comments/in Art, Downloads /by Betony Coons

Bio: Hi, I’m Wes. Like everyone else, I’m a lot of different things. I’m a son, a husband, a friend, a soul, a supporter, a lover of mountains, rivers,and wild places. I’m a believer in the power of the human imagination. I’m an investigator of the human condition. I’m an artist, an educator, an illustrator, a designer, and a photographer. I’m also a poet, a climber of trees, and an advocate for play (for adults and kids). I’m a rememberer. I’m a protector and purveyor of walking trails, shared meals, and community engagement. I believe in others, and using art as a vessel for character development. I’m passionate, and deeply curious about the world around me. I was born and raised in the woods of Northern California, then spent 10 years in San Diego, and now live with my wife and best friend, Emi in Colorado. We live gratefully, and are aware of the threadedness between joy and mourning. We love libraries & swimming pools.

Betony’s Almanac Painting “Held”: Process & Story

April 15, 2014/0 Comments/in Almanac, Art /by Betony Coons

In the Giants & Pilgrims painting series is a piece called “Held”; a primary image of a woman curled-up surrounded by elements of earth and garden . Below is artist Betony Coons’ process pictures alongside some bits of story and meaning, giving why she created the piece.

From Betony:

I saved the creation of this piece for last. I think I was nervous about it. I don’t paint people very often, and I had a very clear picture of what I wanted.

I have had two miscarriages the last two years. Each were very difficult in their own way, but through the process, I discovered strength I didn’t know I had and felt “held” by those around me, mourning with us.

For me, this painting is my processing of those experiences. I knew I wanted to paint a curled up figure, in a sort of fetal position, but I didn’t want it to be sad. I wanted her to feel strong. The piece is about movement, history leading into new voyages and journeys forward. Water is portrayed as moving us towards the next adventure; holding on to the mystery and beauty of life.

My favorite part of the piece is the darkness in the center with the little flecks of gold leaf. To me, it speaks of this mystery and beauty.