Location: United States
2024 Bio for Nell Bednarz: Texas native Nell Bednarz seeks to honor the Lord God, inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. With an emphasis on line, she explores the influences of nature, faith, and cultural heritage on our lives. In her drawings and pastel paintings, Abstraction and Impressionism allow her new ways to express emotion. Her current work explores God's Messengers and angelic encounters. Bednarz began working with photography while doing farm work with her father, Jack O’Briant. She learned drawing from school art classes, and her mother Wilma Little initially taught her how to paint in oils when she was 16 years old.
The materials she uses are a natural extension of her life, as close to the land as the pigments she uses. As an active member of the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas and the Pastel Society of the Southwest, Nell Bednarz resides in Fort Worth, Texas. When asked what is most rewarding in developing fine art, Bednarz remarks, “My hope is to reflect the Glory and Love of our Creator, to serve Him by encouraging people to seek Him. We artists are essential to the health of our communities, and stepping out into the chaos after hurricanes (2008, 2017), floods (2016, 2017), and fires (2011, 2014) has taught me that communities heal best when artists help with recovery."
Nell Bednarz’ award-winning work has been featured in membership drives and fundraising efforts for the Arabian Leopard Trust, Audubon Venezuela, VAAUW-International Association of University Women, Nature Conservancy (Texas), Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, NorthReach University (Africa), Lost Pines Art Center of Bastrop Texas, Rockport Center for the Arts (Texas), and many local charities. Her work may be found in private collections in the US, Mexico, Venezuela, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Russia and Europe. A number of her pastel paintings and drawings were juried into the "International Contemporary Masters, Vol.8", published by World Wide Art in 2014. Paintings from that collection became part of 2015 International Contemporary Masters exhibition in Las Vegas at Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art. Paris and Rome exhibitions with MUSA International Art Space (2017) included her painting "Butterfly Dance, Circa 1920". Online, she is represented by Artavita (California). You can also see her work via Pastel Society of SE Texas website and on FaceBook.
The Word tells us to think on good things -- Whatever is true, noble, pure or lovely, think on such things as these (paraphrase). Phil. 4:8. In painting a subject, I try to think on good things, the beauty of God's Creation, our fellow inhabitants of earth sent as messengers or to give us hope and inspiration.
"Tricolor Heron" is a piece that many of my fellow artists have described as a Masterpiece, and it has received significant awards. I have been blessed to meet this stunningly beautiful creature in nature, and to witness its significance within the Web of Life.
In driving back and forth to see family members in Oklahoma, I take various routes to see nature. The Arbuckle Mountains are full of vistas worth painting, and this sycamore tree made me think of all the folks that just hang on and make the best of their situations, despite the difficulties. Noble indeed.
“"Dagger Point: Ps.107: 29-31" pastel”
"Dagger Point" is point of land in the Aransas National Wildlife Reserve on the Texas coast. The struggle of the trees against the elements is palpable and awe-inspiring. It brings to mind the Psalm about humans struggling in nature, and the Lord comes to their aid. The trees are said to sing praises to God, and I hear that praise in this place, amidst the struggles.
Jesus Christ taught us to watch Nature if we wanted to know the nature of God. God our Father is faithful, caring for even the smallest of his creations -- the ephemeral flowers of the field being clothed in splendor. Surely this faithful and loving Father will care not only for the flowers of the field, but for all of his Creation, including you and me.
A Native American dance, the Butterfly Dance, was common among particular tribes, a precursor some have said of the current Shawl Dance danced by younger women. In the early 20th century, the nature of this dance was recorded, explaining that the elder women danced in decorated shawls to remind the tribe of the light and healing touch, the butterfly touch of the women that helped the tribe in times of illness.
This painting seeks to pay homage to the elder women as healers in every tribe and every nation, in every family. Their labor of love and caring for their families and neighbors is essential for our communities. A blessing from God. My sister Dr. Bev Kleiber Grimes, and my cousin Dr. Patti Patterson are among the many women doctors that have inspired me.
“Final Flight of President Bush”
On the day that President George H W Bush was flown over Central Texas, after his passing, I encountered angels and the Lord in the sky above the Brazos Valley, among the clouds. A memory of this encounter.
“"Tricolor Heron" pastel”
“"Sycamore Tenacity" pastel”
“Consider the Lilies #2”
“Butterfly Dance, Circa 1920”
