My most recent piece is entitled, Unconditional Love. There is nothing like the love of a child…
This work was created entirely on an iPad, using Procreate. Although it has be challenging to adapt to this support, I am enjoying the process more than I imagined. Even though I miss the physical dance between myself and the canvas, I have been able to immerse myself into this new form of creation. I continue to let myself be inspired and transported by music like Ludovico Einaudi, so if you have recommendations I would be happy to give them a try.
Unconditional Love has been added to both of my online shops for prints and merchandise:
I’ve just finished Mindwarp, a digital oil painting. This painting took longer to make than my others, but I’m happy with the end result. It’s entitled Mindwarp because its layers reminded me that sometimes we need to follow the twists and turns on various levels in order to see the full picture.
I know that I promised to write about NFTs and my new Character series in my next article, but I am sure you will understand why I decided to feature this piece instead. About 10 days ago, I lost someone who was dear to my heart. Even though we lived on separate sides of the ocean and rarely got to see each other, it rocked my world. Ever since we were kids, I had admired the strength and determination of her mind and the energy and light of her strong spirit.
The news that she had lost her battle to Covid left me completely dumbfounded because word hadn’t even reached me that she was sick. For the first time, I found myself at a complete loss. I tried working, but suddenly hated all of my current projects to the point that I was ready to throw them away. I tried writing because that had always been a source of comfort to me, but here I was left with a blank page.
As many of you know, when you are a Mom, you often have to put on a brave face… but I couldn’t even pretend to hide my grief, often bursting into tears at the most inopportune or unexpected moments in front of anyone who happened to be around, including my children. Nothing I did or said made anything better, so I decided to just stop trying and allow myself to grieve and think of her… her voice and her laugh resonated in my mind.
The next thing I knew I had drawn a long rounding twisting line. I decided to let it take me wherever it wanted. Without forethought and with no preconceptions, I drew simple flowing lines… one after the other until I stepped back and came to the realization that she was there. There was her light and her energy. It had always been there in my heart and now there she was in front of me reaching towards the heavens.
She lit up the Earth with her presence and now that light shines from above… an Angel of Light. She will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, and I’m sorry for that. This past year has completely changed the dynamics of our household, and it has taken some juggling and some getting used to in order to be able to create in an apartment, with no real space of my own. This had never been an issue because the kids were usually in school and my dear man and I would often work from home, so we have a mutual respect for each other’s space, no matter how small that space happened to be.
I honestly didn’t think it would effect me as it has, but just to give you an example… I have been interrupted 8 times while writing this paragraph, and now my dear man just received a call that he is what they call here a contact Covid case. So, out come the masks at home, yet again. This is the 3rd time that one of us has been a contact case. I’m sure that there are a lot of you who can relate to all of this. My autoimmune illness adds further stress and constraints to the situation, but I try to remain positive. I’m thankful to have the Bois de Vincennes of Paris nearby to reconnect with nature, and I’m fortunate to have my children and dear sweet man by my side. I cannot complain, nor do I want to because so many have suffered, and my heart goes out to them.
I’ve tried to maintain my Twitter and Instagram accounts, and I know some of you have found your way to me there and I’m thankful for that. Your continued support has meant the world to me.
So, without further ado… What have I been up to?
The French tech show, ORLM, invited me to test out the iPad Pro 7 and the iPad Air 4 for a couple of weeks. They filmed and a little segment of me during one of their shows. As many of you know, I’m not one to put myself in front of a camera, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to test out these to products. This actually changed they way I work today. I loved both but decided on the Pro being better adapted for my needs. Prior to this I was using a computer with an attached graphics tablet. It took some getting used to, and I’m not sure if I ever truly adapted after having to stop painting my large canvases for health reasons.
ORLM episode: http://youtu.be/mD11lIj6j2k My little segment appears around the 37:07 point in the video. It’s in French but you will get the idea. 😉
Oh, and no, I am not sponsored by them or anyone else to say what I am about the iPad (I wish! 😁). I’m sharing this because I have often tried to share my process with you. There’s something about being able to paint or draw directly on the screen that is quite liberating, and the fact that I can physically move around, changing positions, helps reduce the pain I get when I sit or stand in the same position too long. I’m literally lounging on my back while typing this. 😅
I’m thankful that I have been able to find a state of mind that enabled me to create in all of the craziness going on around me. Below are 4 of my most recent creations, each of which were done on the iPad. The piece entitled, Synergy was the first time since I stopped oil painting that I was able to create something that resembled my paintings. I got that incredible same sensation when I realized that it was finished. There is nothing like disappearing into the music, to just create.
Synergy by Bellanda The Synergy of my physical oil painting merged with today’s digital world… a coming together of techniques to create a new mode of expression that enables me to continue expressing myself despite the physical limitations my illness has placed upon me. This is the first of many to come!Transcendence by Bellanda Allowing myself to disappear while I paint is a huge part of my process… there is a moment when I can feel myself let go completely. My brain turns off, so to speak, from trying to control the output. When I stepped back to see what I’d done, this piece quite literally filled my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
Spring Feeling by Bellanda Using my new tools, and new techniques, this piece is different because it was inspired by the beauty I came across during my most recent outing in the Bois de Vincennes of Paris. I started reconnecting with nature by taking long walks because I have felt so isolated from the world this past year. I think it was the first time in quite a while that I actually felt hopeful, as if things were finally going in the right direction. I decided to immortalize the feeling that these blossoms had brought to me.
Innocence by Bellanda A pensive moment during what should be the innocence of youth in the midst of a changing world. It breaks my heart what our children are having to live through during these Covid Days.
In addition to these 4 pieces, I’ve begun a completely new series of what I am calling Collectible Characters (they’re a lot of fun), of which I will feature in my next post. Some have been minted as NFT tokens. This is something I’ve recently become interested in because I think it will change the future of art and artists. I look forward to talking more about this Collection of Characters and NFTs in detail.
In the meantime, I’ve updated my about About Page on this website. It’s a far more detailed piece of writing that lets you truly into who I am and why I do what I do. I will be updating the rest of the website over the next couple of weeks.
Until, then, stay safe… Send any extra positive thoughts and energy our way, as we could use them this week. Due to the Case Contact we are in complete lockdown. My dear sweet man will be getting the first of two mandatory tests Monday. Stay safe, everyone…
From a haunting passage under the Paris metro to that which takes you another realm, transgressing time. This is where you will find my newest piece of artwork, Paris Passage.
Happy Labor Day! To help celebrate this American holiday, Free ground shipping to U.S. customers, with destinations within the USA, is now available on all orders until midnight Eastern Time on Labor Day!
Close out summer in style with a new look for your home. If you’re not in the mood to redecorate, try accessorizing your life with apparel, fashion accessories, and tech products.
For artwork and accessories, please see below and visit: Atelier Bellanda Shopping for additional artwork and accessories.
There is nothing like working on a piece to discover how much you miss sailing… The last time I went sailing, I was in my 20’s, but while working on this project, I suddenly found myself thinking of the time I spent on the boat. I even dreamed of being out there, wind rushing through my hair, as I remembered the sensation of freedom that filled me. I had never felt that feeling before, nor since… I think it’s time for me to get from the boathouse to the boat, soon!
This creation started with simple but beautiful rowing boats on a lake in the Bois de Vincennes, Paris, France. It’s one of my favorite spots in Paris. I love drifting, dreaming, enjoying the calm of a busy city… taking in the natural beauty left unseen by the many tourists who come to visit the city of lights.
Then, this piece took on a new life. The holidays brought me to what I consider my second home in France… Nice. One can’t help but to be inspired by the beautiful colors and sunsets found in Nice and in the nearby mountains. Colors and lighting I have missed since my move to Paris.
Rowing Boats is a collaboration of the two French cities in which I have lived… These beautiful places that have forever captured a piece of my soul, and will continue to inspire not only me, but many.
For more information, or to purchase a print or other merchandise of Rowing Boats, please visit or click:
Today only, we’re offering free shipping to any destination in the world. This offer is good on all prints, bags and other merchandise. Click the photo below to view my entire catalog. Happy Shopping!
I’ve turned my creations into wearable art in the form of tote bags that can accompany you on your picnics, pool parties and beach outings. These lightweight totes are also a great way to be environmentally conscious, as they can replace plastic shopping bags for your everyday purchases. The tote bags come in 3 sizes: 13 x 13 inches – 16 x 16 inches – 18 x 18 inches.
Happy news: Now that my illness is stabilized, you will be seeing my posts more regularly. I’ve had to find less physical ways to express myself… ‘Blue’ is one of the results of this. It was created by using several different media.
Atelier Bellanda: Oil Paintings, Photography, Mixed Media, Digital Art & NFTs 