Gearing up for the Studio Crawl!

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. – Henry David Thoreau
                                                                                      
Fishing for something? I believe that all people are born with a desire to create something. We mimic the Creator with our hands, our minds, our hearts. Beverly, my twin sister, and I have loved creating a variety of artworks with a variety of materials. At age 10, we sat by the Bois de Sioux River near the Wahpeton-Breckenridge bridge and wove mats out of reeds to pretend we were living in an Indian Village. Many people return to their pasttimes of age 10-11 because they realize that was a true representation of what they were meant to do. Now, many years later, we find ourselves contented as we “weave” with paint, glue, old road maps, interesting gems that we have hung onto for some purpose unknown. We arrange them on canvases and boards and watch as they evolve into art. We believe you can do the same. I will be demonstrating this process in the upcoming FMVA Studio Crawl event. Please consider this your invitation to attend to be inspired to create your own art.
  • October 3-4, 12pm-6pm daily. FMVA STUDIO CRAWL  I will be demonstrating a variety of art techniques this year.  Physical distancing, use of hand sanitizers, and masks will be recommended for all visitors. This free event is open to all ages. You are invited to attend this event held at Mourning Dove Studio, 809 20th St. North Moorhead, MN. Online brochure can be downloaded at https://www.fmva.org/2019-studio-crawl/
  • All Drawing and Watercolor workshops have been postponed until further notice. Private lessons and small workshops can still be scheduled by appointment only. I will be available after October 15th for scheduling. If you received a gift certificate for lessons, it is up to you to contact me. There are no expiration dates on gift certificates.
  • Double Trouble Gallery, the new addition to Mourning Dove Studio in Moorhead, MN, is open by appointment only. You will be able to do physically-distanced shopping at your convenience. Afternoons and early evenings are the best times to visit the gallery. Call Barbara at 218-443-1126 to make an appointment for shopping.
May God bless you as you enter a new season -perhaps a season of self-discovery and joy through creating art!- Barbara

Skipper by Beverly Benda

Beverly with Camarillo Trout

Barbara with Patriot Trout

Leave a comment

Still Looking Up!

Still Looking Up by Barbara Benda Nagle ©2020  This painting is a revisit of my 2006 painting called Birches: Looking Up, an oil painting. The biggest difference is I tried the same image on black watercolor paper, using white gouache to mix in with my watercolors. This painting was accepted into the 2020 National Juried Art Exhibition sponsored by our local Red River Watercolor Society. My painting received a Purchase Award. It’s a painting about my faith in God to get me through the trials of life. There have been so many I often wonder how Job was able to manage…he couldn’t depend on his friends; his family was gone, his wealth gone, he was stricken with boils- Job lost everything tangible in his life, YET his faith in God saved him mentally, spiritually, physically. Still Looking Up is about faith and having the perseverance to push through the obstacles and hardships, knowing that God has a great result at the finish line for those who trust in Him. God has given me some wonderful gifts: family, Christian friends, golf, gardens, and hope-the  greatest  gift  of  all.

Leave a comment

Benda Twins Art Store Opens May 1!

Beverly, my twin, and I are happy to announce the opening of our new online store, the Benda Twins Art Store. You can access an abbreviated store on this website or you can click here to see the store in its entirety http://shop.barbarabendanagle.com  

We decided to create an online store and offer local delivery of our art to your door in the Fargo-Moorhead area for a nominal fee during the summer months.  If you are located outside of this area, please contact me to arrange shipping details as it will be handled on a case-by-case basis. This store is a great way to access original art at affordable prices. Many paintings qualify for free shipping.

Our Spring Art Sale at Mourning Dove Studio in Moorhead is postponed to  May 23-24th from 12-6pm. You are invited to attend this spring art sale event at 809 20th Street North, Moorhead, MN.

Thank you for your support of local artists like Beverly and me! We are grateful for your patronage!

Leave a comment