Skip to main content

Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

American, b. 1954

Splitting her time between Hawaii and California, Carol Bennett (b. 1954) has mastered the art of capturing movement in her enigmatic paintings.

While Bennett has garnered praise for the meditative sensibility that characterizes her paintings as well as a bold use of bright colors, some of her works are more famous than others. In fact, her “Women in Water” series is perhaps her most well-known collection. As its name implies, the series features women swimming. They’re captured from an underwater perspective, and their faces are either out of frame entirely or obscured by the sun-dappled surface of the water, which serves as a showcase for Bennett’s portrayal of the qualities of sunlight. The upper half of each painting is flecked with the blues and greens of the ocean as well as whatever color the subject’s bathing suit happens to be.

The series originated with Bennett sketching swimmers at an athletic club’s pool in Los Angeles, but as her process evolved, her husband, Wayne Zebzda, began to film the artist on her daily swim on Kauai. The resultant images inform her work, but she doesn’t consider these works to be depictions of her in particular.

“I swim seven days a week, and while I don’t consider them self-portraits, I am the swimmer in the paintings,” Bennett has said.

Given her constant proximity to the ocean, it’s no surprise that Bennett is inspired by water’s glassy properties, citing its presence as both “a mirror and then a window.” Her radiant paintings, whether she’s working with oil and shellac on paper or wood panels, allow her to explore sunlight in such a rich and provocative way that it’s as if she endeavors to suspend rays of light above the water’s surface, making them seem as tangible and physical as the swimmers themselves.

Aside from her works that hang on the walls of galleries and museums around the world, Bennett has also painted murals and even a 48-foot photovoltaic solar canopy for the Hawaii State Art Museum Sculpture Garden.

Find Carol Bennett’s paintings on 1stDibs.

to
3
2
4
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
10
4
3
5
4
1
6
5
4
4
4
39
690
644
560
336
2
10
Artist: Carol Bennett
Fish Study, painting, Reverse painting on glass gold leaf, oil, cobalt, water
Fish Study, painting, Reverse painting on glass gold leaf, oil, cobalt, water

Fish Study, painting, Reverse painting on glass gold leaf, oil, cobalt, water

By Carol Bennett

Located in Riverdale, NY

Fish Study by Hawaii artist Carol Bennett is a reverse painting on glass artwork. It is Oil, Varnish, Gold Leaf and powdered Cobalt. It is 9x12. Carol Bennett's artwork is a meditative journey through both the water and through life. She is one of the few artists to truly capture what it's like to be in and moving and swimming through the water. For Carol, the act of swimming underwater is similar to the process of painting. Her approach results in multi-layered surfaces that are intricate and textured and unexpected. She is constantly experimenting with her pieces: adding, subtracting, sanding. When she is not painting Swimmers, she is capturing the fish surrounding her. She has created over 100 large public and corporate commissions internationally, and is in private collections around the world. Carol Bennett was recently currently featured in two exhibits at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Networking and Water: Carol Bennett featuring female swimmers, as well as marine nets floating or submerged in water. Bennett was also part of the group exhibit Making Waves highlighting the important role of women artists in the museum’s contemporary collection. In this show, the works by international and Hawaii-based artists all have a relationship to water. Featured artists also included: April Gornik, Agnes Martin, Judy Pfaff, Kiki Smith and Pat Steir! Elisa Contemporary Art...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

"MV Spring" abstract figurative oil painting swimmer underwater with orange
"MV Spring" abstract figurative oil painting swimmer underwater with orange

"MV Spring" abstract figurative oil painting swimmer underwater with orange

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Cardboard

"Suzie Q (Paper)" mixed media painting of feet floating in water with reflection
"Suzie Q (Paper)" mixed media painting of feet floating in water with reflection

"Suzie Q (Paper)" mixed media painting of feet floating in water with reflection

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Archival Paper

"Heleconia" Abstract Painting, Mixed Media on Glass, 21st Century

"Heleconia" Abstract Painting, Mixed Media on Glass, 21st Century

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Glass, Mixed Media

"Flame Angel" Abstract mixed media reverse triptych painting behind glass
"Flame Angel" Abstract mixed media reverse triptych painting behind glass

"Flame Angel" Abstract mixed media reverse triptych painting behind glass

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Presently I'm working on wood, I'm intrigued by wood grain swirling like water and how that ground moves through the swimmer's form”. Carol graduated from the Art Center College of Design in painting. For some 20 years she split her time between her loft in downtown LA and a beach bungalow in Hawaii- satisfying a passion for culture and the ocean's pull. In LA she painted backdrops...

Category

2010s Abstract Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Trigger" Abstract Painting, Mixed Media on Glass, bright colors

"Trigger" Abstract Painting, Mixed Media on Glass, bright colors

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Glass, Mixed Media

"Bad Ass Rose (paper)" Acrylic painting on paper of a white rose with red dots
"Bad Ass Rose (paper)" Acrylic painting on paper of a white rose with red dots

"Bad Ass Rose (paper)" Acrylic painting on paper of a white rose with red dots

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic

Flat, painting inspired by Hawaii Fish, Red, black, Green, Oil, Ink on panel
Flat, painting inspired by Hawaii Fish, Red, black, Green, Oil, Ink on panel

Flat, painting inspired by Hawaii Fish, Red, black, Green, Oil, Ink on panel

By Carol Bennett

Located in Riverdale, NY

Flat is Ink and Oil and Varnish on Wood Panel inspired by the Hawaii Flatfish. It is 20x20 filled with red, orange, black and green. Carol Bennett spends all of her time surrounded...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Ink, Oil, Wood Panel

Waterfall Duet 1, Water, Gold, White, Flowing, Acrylic, Oil, Painting, unframed
Waterfall Duet 1, Water, Gold, White, Flowing, Acrylic, Oil, Painting, unframed

Waterfall Duet 1, Water, Gold, White, Flowing, Acrylic, Oil, Painting, unframed

By Carol Bennett

Located in Riverdale, NY

Waterfall Duet 1 is an original waterfall painting by Hawaii artist Carol Bennett. It is reminiscent of the beautiful flowing waterfalls throughout the Hawaiian islands. It is Acry...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Varnish, Oil, Acrylic, Board

Waterfall Duet 2, Water, Gold, White, Flowing, Acrylic, Oil, Painting, unframed
Waterfall Duet 2, Water, Gold, White, Flowing, Acrylic, Oil, Painting, unframed

Waterfall Duet 2, Water, Gold, White, Flowing, Acrylic, Oil, Painting, unframed

By Carol Bennett

Located in Riverdale, NY

Waterfall Duet 2 is an original waterfall painting by Hawaii artist Carol Bennett. It is reminiscent of the beautiful flowing waterfalls throughout the Hawaiian islands. It is Acry...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Varnish, Oil, Acrylic, Board

Related Items
Diane Englander, Red and Buff on Orange XI, 2017, Mixed Media
Diane Englander, Red and Buff on Orange XI, 2017, Mixed Media

Diane Englander, Red and Buff on Orange XI, 2017, Mixed Media

By Diane Englander

Located in Darien, CT

A native New Yorker, Diane had an earlier career including 17 years as a management consultant to local nonprofits concerned with poverty or disenfranchisement; work in NYC governmen...

Category

2010s Arte Povera Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Cardboard

Serie Dibujos Felices 10 - Original Red Blue Watercolor and Ink Artwork on Paper
Serie Dibujos Felices 10 - Original Red Blue Watercolor and Ink Artwork on Paper

Serie Dibujos Felices 10 - Original Red Blue Watercolor and Ink Artwork on Paper

By "Sergio ""Valenz"" Valenzuela"

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Sergio Valenzuela “Valenz” is a contemporary Guatemalan artist who tells stories with everyday objects, primarily expressing them with graphite and acrylic on canvas. His artworks pr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper

"Flirtation, " Abstract Painting
"Flirtation, " Abstract Painting

"Flirtation, " Abstract Painting

By Ned Martin

Located in Westport, CT

This horizontal abstract painting by Ned Martin is made with oil paint and 24K gold leaf on aluminum. The artist's signature square and rectangular patterned composition serves as a ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Insightful Intent: Calm Dog Painting, Abstract Expressionist, Framed Gold
Insightful Intent: Calm Dog Painting, Abstract Expressionist, Framed Gold

Insightful Intent: Calm Dog Painting, Abstract Expressionist, Framed Gold

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: BLUE - Insightful Intent Painting Animal Dog Modern Gold Contemporary Striking Invest Bold Classic Joy Original One-of-a-kind This painting forms part of an artwork series c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gold

"Paris in Chloé" Colorful French Haute Couture Painting on Archival Paper
"Paris in Chloé" Colorful French Haute Couture Painting on Archival Paper

"Paris in Chloé" Colorful French Haute Couture Painting on Archival Paper

By Cindy Shaoul

Located in New York, NY

Exploring the purity of the feminine form and the drama of French haute couture, artist Cindy Shaoul creates a dialogue between the figurative and the abstract. Her spirited composit...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Archival Paper

"My Golden Hour Heart" Contemporary Oil Painting with White Floater Frame
"My Golden Hour Heart" Contemporary Oil Painting with White Floater Frame

"My Golden Hour Heart" Contemporary Oil Painting with White Floater Frame

By Cindy Shaoul

Located in New York, NY

Motivated by bold color and fast brushwork, we are moved by the simplicity and thick textured oil paints in these works. Shaoul’s “My Heart Collection” is a vibrant and energetic dis...

Category

2010s Abstract Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Glass

"Rabbit" Realist Rabbit Portrait in the Field Oil Painting on Carved Wood Panel
"Rabbit" Realist Rabbit Portrait in the Field Oil Painting on Carved Wood Panel

"Rabbit" Realist Rabbit Portrait in the Field Oil Painting on Carved Wood Panel

By Chaval

Located in New York, NY

With the medium of traditional oil paint, this charming piece by Chaval is exceptionally detailed and thought-provoking. Following a realist approach, yet depicting some playful impe...

Category

2010s Realist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel, Varnish

Huge Dorothy Gillespie Colorful Abstract Expressionist Enamel Painted Sculpture
Huge Dorothy Gillespie Colorful Abstract Expressionist Enamel Painted Sculpture

Huge Dorothy Gillespie Colorful Abstract Expressionist Enamel Painted Sculpture

By Dorothy Gillespie

Located in Surfside, FL

Dorothy Gillespie (1920 – 2012) Ribboned Image X 2001 Metal Ribbon Sculpture, Enamel on Aluminum with colorful striped green ribbons. Dimensions...

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Golden Thread - Painting Abstract Expression Gilding Calm Ocean Blue Abundance
Golden Thread - Painting Abstract Expression Gilding Calm Ocean Blue Abundance

Golden Thread - Painting Abstract Expression Gilding Calm Ocean Blue Abundance

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: Golden Thread Golden Thread - Painting Abstract Expression Gilding Calm Ocean Blue Abundance Gold In this piece, I've embraced the dance of harmony and flow. With featherli...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Nature and Human Relation-Ships" Abstract Portrait Expressionist Painting
"Nature and Human Relation-Ships" Abstract Portrait Expressionist Painting

"Nature and Human Relation-Ships" Abstract Portrait Expressionist Painting

By Suki Maguire

Located in New York, NY

This piece is an abstract composition done with mixed media, oil and acrylic paints on linen. The artist explores an incredible world filled with color and expressive brush strokes. ...

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Linen, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Original-Moonlit Dahlias in Blue-Jardin d'Hiver-British Awarded Artist-abstract
Original-Moonlit Dahlias in Blue-Jardin d'Hiver-British Awarded Artist-abstract

Original-Moonlit Dahlias in Blue-Jardin d'Hiver-British Awarded Artist-abstract

By Shizico Yi

Located in London, GB

[Jardin d'Hiver] is Shizico Yi's on-going series, created in her winter studio while savouring for the summer left behind. This is an evening scene of the last full moon before the L...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Brian O'Neill's 'Deep Dive 2' Original Acrylic Painting with 24K Gold Leaf"
"Brian O'Neill's 'Deep Dive 2' Original Acrylic Painting with 24K Gold Leaf"

"Brian O'Neill's 'Deep Dive 2' Original Acrylic Painting with 24K Gold Leaf"

By Brian O'Neill

Located in Denver, CO

Brian O'Neill's "Deep Dive 2" is a remarkable original artwork created in 2024. This piece measures 12 x 12 x 1.50 inches (30.48 x 30.48 x 3.81 cm) and features a sophisticated combi...

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Previously Available Items
"Light Catcher" Woman in white bathing suit at play under water
"Light Catcher" Woman in white bathing suit at play under water

"Light Catcher" Woman in white bathing suit at play under water

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

India Ink, Oil, Acrylic

"Diamonds" Abstract oil painting with water sparkling white and orange
"Diamonds" Abstract oil painting with water sparkling white and orange

"Diamonds" Abstract oil painting with water sparkling white and orange

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

"Listening (Paper)" Figurative abstract oil painting of people in the ocean
"Listening (Paper)" Figurative abstract oil painting of people in the ocean

"Listening (Paper)" Figurative abstract oil painting of people in the ocean

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. P...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Handmade Paper

"Beachwalker (In the Light)" abstract painting of silhouette, glistening ocean
"Beachwalker (In the Light)" abstract painting of silhouette, glistening ocean

"Beachwalker (In the Light)" abstract painting of silhouette, glistening ocean

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

"I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has followed me over the years, resurfacing and evolving. Pr...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

"Time Out (paper)" abstract painting of a woman swimming under teal water
"Time Out (paper)" abstract painting of a woman swimming under teal water

"Time Out (paper)" abstract painting of a woman swimming under teal water

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

Abstract mixed media painting of a woman swimming under teal water "I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer ...

Category

2010s Abstract Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

"Om/Mom" Black and white abstract seascape of figures in the ocean
"Om/Mom" Black and white abstract seascape of figures in the ocean

"Om/Mom" Black and white abstract seascape of figures in the ocean

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

Black and white abstract oil painting of figures in the ocean with a resin finish. "I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drift...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Resin, Oil, Wood Panel

"Kissing the Ground" Abstract oil painting of a woman in a red suit under water

"Kissing the Ground" Abstract oil painting of a woman in a red suit under water

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

Abstract oil painting of a woman in a red suit under blue water. "I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer se...

Category

2010s Abstract Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Fresh Water Drops" Black and white oil painting on paper of ripples in water

"Fresh Water Drops" Black and white oil painting on paper of ripples in water

By Carol Bennett

Located in Edgartown, MA

Black and white oil painting on paper of ripples in water. "I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series"...

Category

2010s Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

Salmon Study, Mixed Media work on paper, Swimmer, Water, Coral, Orange, floating
Salmon Study, Mixed Media work on paper, Swimmer, Water, Coral, Orange, floating

Salmon Study, Mixed Media work on paper, Swimmer, Water, Coral, Orange, floating

By Carol Bennett

Located in Riverdale, NY

Salmon Study by Hawaii artist Carol Bennett is Oil and Shellac on Paper, 22x22. It is framed to 24x24. Carol Bennett spends all of her time surrounded by water, and a great deal wi...

Category

2010s Contemporary Carol Bennett Abstract Paintings

Materials

Varnish, Oil, Archival Paper

Carol Bennett abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Carol Bennett abstract paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of abstract paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Carol Bennett in paint, oil paint, acrylic paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Carol Bennett abstract paintings, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sarah Alexander, Jenny Nelson, and Jenny Kemp. Carol Bennett abstract paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $500 and tops out at $22,000, while the average work can sell for $2,600.