Here Comes 2013

Reflecting on 2012 while beginning this piece...
Almost 40 paintings, 20 shows including my first real solo, and trips to NYC, San Francisco and Philly were all amazing moments of 2012.


Thank you so much to everyone who has supported my work; I promise to continue to work even harder next year! Happy 2013!

Winter Guardians

"Winter Guardians"

acrylic and silver leaf on birch panel

18 x 24 inches, plus frame

2012

$1,300.00

(SOLD)

For Bold Hype Gallery's "Far Away, So Close" show

This painting was an intense experience for me; I haven't had time enough with all my projects to work on a large painting like this since before my solo show in August, and even then I was racing to create several large pieces in a very short amount of time.

***

For this piece, I wanted to create a scene about my most favorite of seasons; winter.

There is a barn owl, albino doe and raven, and two arctic foxes and two white wolves.  They are flanking a snowflake-like acanthus pentagram, which is silver leafed and painted with white details.

There are also icicles hanging from the pentagram, snow falling in the background, and some pink roses and pine cones and branches.

The concept deals with my fascination of the opposition between nature and christianity.  Throughout history, christians viewed nature as of the Devil; pagans and witches of all kinds seen as heathens.  I myself see the Devil not as a god that should be worshipped literally, but as a symbol of all that which I hate about the life-hating religions, including christianity.

Thusly, I seek to paint the beauty and majesty of animals and nature.

Before christianity, there were beautiful old ways that seem to become buried and forgotten.  

I wanted these animals, which may be seen as spirits, to be the ones who guard the old ways and make sure that some part of the magic of nature cannot be forgotten or destroyed by christianity.

These Guardians are as old as the seasons; as the winter itself, and cannot be destroyed.

***

I had an extraordinarily difficult time photographing this painting because of the white highlights on the silver leaf, and the lights and darks I painted onto the birch.  Hopefully I will have a chance to get a better picture of the painting at some point.

I'm hoping to make three other paintings dealing with spring, summer and fall over the next year.

Here's the flyer for the show, I'll be in NYC for the opening!

So excited to be with such a great group of artists, at such an amazing gallery.  This is actually my first time showing in the city, so it will be a fun experience.

Demon Bird

"Demon Bird"

inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven

acrylic on birch panel

8 x 10 inches, plus frame

2012

$350.00

available HERE

Here's my painting for Modern Eden Gallery's upcoming Nevermore show, based on Edgar Allen Poe's immortal poem, "The Raven".

I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this show, as I've been a fan of Poe, and especially this poem since I was a kid.  I remember reading it in elementary school on my own, and being fascinated by the imagery it conjured in my head.

And then I memorized it after seeing the episode of "The Simpsons" where they did their own version of The Raven in a Halloween special; Bart was the raven, and Homer, the narrator.

I still can't read the poem or imagine the words without hearing Homer's voice in my head!

For my version, I decided to focus on the idea of the raven being seen as a demon; evil, taunting the narrator, like a "devil bird".  Poe refers to books that the narrator is reading, alluding that they are about the occult, or black magic, so I decided to give my albino raven ghostly horns, and added the Death and Devil tarot cards.  I added champagne colored roses, which mean "devotion" in Floriography, since the overarching theme of the poem is undying devotion.

My raven is perched on the bust of Pallus, where her face is that of the long departed Lenore; the narrator's lost love that he cannot forget.

The show accompanies the amazing new work of one of my favorite artists, Leilani Bustamante, and there are many more of my favorite artists showing in the Nevermore show as well!

Check it out this Saturday in San Francisco!

Far Away, So Close

Here's a recent picture of my progress on "Winter Guardians" for Bold Hype Gallery's Far Away, So Close show.  

If you're interesting in seeing more of my progress shots, you can follow me on Instagram at @corybenhatzel or instagram.com/corybenhatzel .

The show is coming up soon in January, and I'll be traveling to NYC for the opening and some sightseeing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A few pictures of baby turkeys so you remember that it's not necessary to eat dead animals or birds to feel thanks for all the good you have in your life.

I will be enjoying another meat free Thanksgiving today, and I hope you will do the same.

I'm so very thankful for my husband, Justin and daughter-cat, Moogle, my wonderful parents and being able to  make paintings.

Amphisbaena

Cory Benhatzel and Heather Gargon

"Amphisbaena"

8 x 10 inch painting, 10 x 11.5 inches overall

mixed media (acrylic on birch panel, polymer clay, faux fur, etc)

2012

$400.00

available HERE

(details)

This is the collaboration between Heather Gargon and I for Modern Eden's Allied Forces show.

I did the painting based on Amphisbaena, the mythical two headed creature, and Heather made the cool bat on the frame.

I really love Heather's work, so I was very excited when she agreed to collaborate with me on this.  I love the way it came out!

It's available now at Modern Eden, along with many other amazing pieces.

Doubleparlour's solo show is incredible also, and is showing now too!

Magical Meeting

Here's the commission I recently finished, called

"Magical Meeting"

acrylic on birch panel

2012
SOLD

The rabbit is whispering a banishment of evil spell, and the other animals are gathered around to listen.

The arctic fox wears Solomon's Magic Triangle amulet, which is best used to banish evil entities and negative forces.  It is not meant as a protection amulet, rather it is to be used in banishment rituals and spells to drive away negative and evil influences.

The animals are surrounded by orchids (the favorite flower of the artist who commissioned the painting), which symbolize luxury, love, refinement, nobility and beauty.

Owl Masquerade

"Owl Masquerade"

acrylic, graphite and silver leaf on birch panel

8 x 10 inches, framed to 12 x 14 inches

2012

inquiries: corylou311(at)yahoo(dot)com

Here's my painting for "Incognito", a show curated by the wonderful Daisy Church.

It's this Saturday, at Mission Comics and Art in San Francisco.

ArtSeen Interview

Here's my interview from ArtSeen (http://shawndaniell.blogspot.com/)

Thanks to Shawn Daniell!

A Conversation With Cory Benhatzel

"Talisman" 2012

Holiday Mini Paintings

"Duo"

acrylic on birch panel

5 x 7 inches, oval, framed to 8.5 x 11 inches

2012

SOLD

"Bat Flight"

acrylic on birch panel

3.75 inches, circular, framed to 7.5 inches, circular

2012

SOLD

"Crystal Owl"

acrylic on birch panel

3 x 4 inches, framed

2012

SOLD

The show will open this Thursday, November 8th in Seattle.  

See Ghost Gallery for more info.

Moon Goddess Google+ Hangout

Can’t make it to the Moon Goddess (Oct 27) opening?

Join us for a Google+ Hangout at 4:00pm (PST) before the reception for a Q&A discussion with Modern Eden Gallery Director Kim Larson, Moon Goddess Curator and artist Aunia Kahn and featured artists Cory Benhatzel Scott Holloway and Tina Imel.

We’ll be fielding questions from twitter (@moderneden) and our FB page (facebook.com/moderneden), ask away!

The Reaper Carnival

"The Reaper Carnival"

acrylic, graphite and silver leaf on birch panel

8 x 10 inches, plus frame

2012

SOLD

Here's my new painting for the "Carnival of Terror" show this Saturday at Gristle Tattoo and Art Gallery in Brooklyn.

There is a vulture, horned owl and albino raven perched atop a conjoined goat skull.  The scythe blades are silver leaf, which I really love.  This is only my second time using leaf, and the first time using silver leaf, specifically.  I'm sure it won't be the last though, I love it!

The info for the show is here on the card, the artist list is amazing!

Ceryneian Hind

"Ceryneian Hind"

acrylic, graphite and gold leaf on birch panel

11 x 14 inches plus frame

2012

$500.00

for inquiries, please contact Modern Eden gallery at info@moderneden.com or call 415-956-3303

Here's my new painting for the Moon Goddess show, that the lovely and talented Aunia Kahn has curated for Modern Eden Gallery.

My painting is about the Ceryneian Hind; the sacred, gold-horned deer of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, forests and hills, and the moon.

In Greek Mythology, the Ceryneian Hind, also called Cerynitis, was an enormous hind (deer), who lived in Keryneia, Greece. It was sacred to Artemis, the chaste goddess of the hunt, animals and unmarried women. It had golden antlers like a stag and hooves of bronze or brass, and it was said that it could outrun an arrow in flight. 

Deer were the only animals held sacred to Artemis herself. On seeing a deer larger than a bull with horns shining, she fell in love with these creatures and held them sacred. Deer were also the first animals she captured. She caught five golden horned deer called Elaphoi Khrysokeroi and harnessed them to her chariot.

In the painting, I depicted the Ceryneian Hind and his mate, along with a buzzard, which was also a favored animal of Artemis.  The animals are spirits; incapable of being harmed by the arrows of men or gods.  The bow is Artemis'; which she was never without in the hunt.

The hind holds the moon between his golden antlers, and the flowers at the hinds' feet are asphodelus; one of Artemis' sacred plants.

Rose Gold Tattoo Show

moderneden:

Last night we hung some of Cory Benhatzel’s paintings from her debut solo exhibition ‘Talisman’ at Rose Gold’s. Her pieces look amazing with their beautiful interior, be sure to stop by and take a look! While you are at it, get a tattoo or piercing from one of their amazing artists…

Artwork is on exhibition at Rose Gold’s Tattoo and Piercing at 1157 Masonic Street (@Haight). For any questions, please contact us at info@moderneden.com or (415) 956-3303. Thanks!

The Peafowl Widow

"The Peafowl Widow"

acrylic on birch panel

11 x 14 inches, oval, framed

2012

email corylou311(at)yahoo(dot)com for inquiries

For Splendor Device's "Hell Hath No Fury" show at Rothick Art Haus

The female peacock (peafowl) may or may not have offered her husband (for revenge?) and is perched upon his skull, holding one of his feathers, while their babies look on.

The pincushion flowers represent widowhood, and the perilla leaves signify "role reversal" in Floriography.  The talisman she wears around her neck is the Protection from Attackers amulet.

The show is curated by Splendor Device and is themed around female wrath/rage and will be traveling to several local galleries.

Pigment Deficient Paintings

"Columbidae Heretica (Heretic Doves)"

acrylic on birch panel

8 x 10 inches, oval, framed

2012

email corylou311(at)yahoo(dot)com for inquiries

This piece for the Albino-themed show, "Pigment Deficient", portrays two albino mourning doves perched upon a goat skull, and an albino hummingbird drinking from narcissus flowers.  The narcissus stands for egotism, self-love, and self-esteem in Floriography (the Victorian language of flowers).

"Divining Treasures"

acrylic on birch panel

11 x 14 inches, framed

2012

SOLD

This painting features an albino white arctic fox, seated next to a human skull, and wearing the Discover Treasures Amulet, with a divining rod above.  The talisman allows the wearer to discover all manner of treasures and then ensures their possession.  An albino bat hangs from the divining rod, which is used to find missing items and buried artifacts, locate energy lines, find underground water, metal, or more.  

Bleeding hearts (elegance and fidelity) and magnolia (sweetness, beauty, perseverance) adorn the scene, and a magpie perches on the fox, keeping her company.

"The Mind Reader"

acrylic on birch panel

8 x 10 inches, framed

2012

email corylou311(at)yahoo(dot)com for inquiries

The magpie perched upon a crystal ball holds the Help Read Thoughts Talisman, which allows the wearer to read the thoughts of others and also lets the possessor into any desired house at will.

Below are two albino crows flanking the crystal and Japanese lilies which represent "You cannot deceive me".

Here's the flyer for the show, which was curated by Heather Gargon and also features Zoe Williams, Caitlin Hackett, Angie Mason, Alison Silva, Jenny Harada, Suzanne Falk and Allison Sommers.

I will be attending the show in Philadelphia this Saturday!

Adventure Time's Me-mow

"Me-mow"

inspired by Adventure Time

acrylic on birch panel

5 x 7 inches, oval, framed

2012

SOLD

My painting of Me-mow is available through OhNo! Doom's website.  I had a really hard time narrowing it down to just one Adventure Time character to paint, because it really is one of my favorite shows and I love them all!

Here Me-mow, the tiny assassin goes after Jake with her poison serum and has the antidote in the beaker that her tail is wrapped around.  The dagger she coughed up is in her widdle paw.  So cute and vicious.  Reminds me of my daughter-cat, Moogle.

Movie Quality

"Movie Quality"

inspired by "Step Brothers"

for Step Brothers Tribute Show at Gallery 1988

acrylic on birch panel

5 x 7 inches, framed

2012

SOLD

Here's my new painting for the Step Brothers- themed show coming this Friday to Gallery 1988 Venice.

The title refers to the end of the movie where the guys get Chewbacca masks from their parents, and one isn't as realistic as the other, leading Brennan to remark, "It's okay that mine's not movie quality."

The painting also contains some of my other favorite elements from the movie, including white dog crap.

Here's the flyer for the show, featuring a piece by Tim Maclean