Many years of drafting and sketching took "Lu", as she prefers to be called, into the field of landscape design, which utilized her creative energy within a living media. The natural elements of plant materials, sunlight, and dancing shadow made their impressions on her. Strong lines, vivid color, and elongated shapes help to emphasize the beauty and variety of the shadow, which are her current focus. Acrylic paints are fast drying, assisting in her spontaneous style. Flowers are an easy choice of subject. "They don't move around much, they create interesting shadows, everyone can relate to them, and it's always a great excuse to come home with more plants." explains the artist.  

Down a wooded, gently curving lane in rural South Carolina you will find the calm oasis that is Lu's home studio. Inspiration flows freely there, surrounded by her eclectic music, ranging from the classics, to her beloved Dean Martin, to her hometown Motown, to Blue Man Group. She believes that each painting requests it's own music and candle scent. "Part of the joy of painting, for me, is floating into another level of consciousness and the special world of the painting on which I am working. I'm more of the conduit, hopefully allowing the painting to flow through the heart and out the fingers, bringing that world into this." she explains. Her goal is, "Channeling the love of art through the paint to the canvas."  

An award winning artist, Lu accepts commissions in addition to her presence at the annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit every May in Charleston, South Carolina. More paintings are available for viewing on her website: www.BentleyArt.com.

Please click any of the paintings for a  larger  image