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.
$5,100
"Slide Right (Paper)" figurative oil painting of swimmer underwater red swimsuit
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...
Oil, Paper
$4,200
Dripping in Diamonds, Swimmer, Water, Work on board, Pastel, Shimmering, Light
By Carol Bennett
Located in Riverdale, NY
Dripping in Diamonds is a water and figurative artwork featuring swimmers in the water. It is a Pastel on archival board. It is the first time in 30 years Bennett has created artwo...
Pastel, Board
$13,200
"Cerulean" woman in red bathing suit swims to the surface of bright blue 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...
Canvas, Oil
$24,000
"SUSPENSE" horizontal painting of a woman in red gliding beneath the 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...
India Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
"Hannah's Back" oil painting of a woman swimming underwater in red suit
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...
Oil, Cardboard
$6,000
"SUSPENSE on paper" painting of a woman in red suit gliding beneath the 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...
India Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Paper
$2,900
"Summer Sojourn 1" Woman in Orange Bikini Swimming with Reflections on Water
By Carol Bennett
Located in Edgartown, MA
"Summer Sojourn 1" Woman in Orange Bikini Swimming with Reflections on Water “I have an open and free-wheeling approach to technique and material...
Oil, Wood Panel
$10,500
Malibu Dawn Patrol, Surfer, Water, Painting, Blue, Orange, Male Figure, Waves
By Carol Bennett
Located in Riverdale, NY
Malibu Dawn Patrol is a figurative artwork featuring a male surfer catching a wave. It is a mixed media painting. Artwork is 31.5 x 31.5. This is part of the latest series by Ha...
Varnish, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
"Water Lotus" Oil painting of a woman in orange swimming in green 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...
Oil Pastel, India Ink, Oil, Wood Panel
$24,850
"Kissing the Ground" abstract oil painting of woman in red suit under blue 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...
Oil, Wood Panel
$4,700
Hannah's Window, Swimmer, Water, Work on Paper, Red Swimsuit, Female Figure
By Carol Bennett
Located in Riverdale, NY
Hannah's Window is a figurative artwork featuring a female swimmer in a red bathing suit moving through the water. It is a mixed media painting on painted wood grained paper. Artwork is 26 x 20. It is framed to 32 x 26 with a white frame. This is part of the latest series by Hawaii artist, Carol Bennett. Carol Bennett spends all of her time surrounded by water, and a great deal within it. Her work is a meditative journey through both the water and through life. She is intrigued by how life continues to flow and change, being both in the moment and timeless. The viewer will experience being in a state “flow” – where the currents of the ocean suspend life and self, and the unexpected floats to the surface. Carol's work has been featured in many solo and group exhibits throughout California, New York, Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii including a 2007 solo show at the First Hawaiian Center at the Contemporary Museum of Art (Honolulu) and a 2018 group show "Making Waves" exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Her work was seen alongside April Gornik, Agnes Martin, Kiki Smith, and Pat Steir. In 2019, she was also featured in exhibits at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the Hawaii State Art Museum and a solo exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. She has been featured in Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Ocean Home Magazine and the New York Times. Carol's artwork has also been featured in Designer Showhouses in Westchester NY and the Hamptons, and is part of public and private collections around the world. Elisa Contemporary Art...
Varnish, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
"Flow (paper)" Abstract painting of a woman in a blue pool
By Carol Bennett
Located in Edgartown, MA
Abstract oil painting of a woman in a blue pool. "I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The "Swimmer series" has follow...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
"Orange You Drifting" oil painting of a woman floating in a turquoise pool
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...
Oil, Cardboard
$28,000
"Archer" swimmer in white bathing suit reflection in the water submarine blues
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...
Oil Pastel, India Ink, Oil, Wood Panel, Acrylic
$23,000
"Summer Traveler" oil painting of a woman in red bikini in turquoise 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...
Oil, Wood Panel
$7,200
"Women Holding Up Women/Indian Summer" mixed media painting of surfer, 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...
Mixed Media, Paper
"Soft Water" woman in white bathingsuit glides through the 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. P...
Canvas, Oil
$3,500
"See Water (Bottles) oil painting of a woman swimming underwater with red suit
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...
Oil, Cardboard
$3,700
"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...
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
"Still Water" Bright red and blue scene of swimmer on water surface on panel.
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...
Mixed Media
$3,300
"Yellow There (Paper)" mixed media painting of a woman in gold suit in blue pool
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...
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
$3,300
"Gesture (Paper)" mixed media painting of a figure in orange suit in teal 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...
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
"Blue Board" Ink and Oil Woman on a surfboard held up by another woman.
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...
Mixed Media
$8,200
"Women Holding Up Women/Green Flash" mixed media painting, surfer, orange, blue
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...
Mixed Media, Paper
$8,200
"Women Holding Up Women/Baby Blue" Blue and gold mixed media painting of surfer
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...
Mixed Media, Paper
$7,500
"Lotus Action Figure" Abstract oil painting of woman in lotus pose in blue pool
By Carol Bennett
Located in Edgartown, MA
Abstract oil painting of a woman in lotus pose in a blue pool. “I have an open and free-wheeling approach to technique and materials: hypothesis, experiment and conclusion…I am intr...
Oil, Wood Panel
$355
H 12.6 in W 10.24 in D 1.19 in
Sentier Peyriac 2: Contemporary Pastel Landscape on Paper, Framed
By Marion Puig
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This landscape is inspired by the saltwater lagoons around Peyriac-de-Mer in the south of France, where land and water interlace. She sought to convey this fragile harmony through th...
Paper, Pastel
$800
H 9 in W 7 in D 1.5 in
Leaving Orange Pt. 1 (2020) Oil on panel sunrise sunset cityscape urban skyscape
By Francesca Reyes
Located in Jersey City, NJ
"Leaving Orange Pt. 1" (2020) by Francesca Reyes Oil painting on wood panel, urban skyscape, sunrise or sunset Figurative Art / Representations of Architecture / Cityscapes and City Scenes / Dark Colors Small scale vertical contemporary landscape, cityscape. Moody color tones of a Philadelphia...
Pastel, Oil, Wood Panel, Graphite
Contact
By Airom
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Painting depicts contact, ambiguous as to whether it could be adverse contact or intimate contact between the focal characters.
India Ink, Oil
$5,733
H 48.04 in W 29.93 in D 1.58 in
French Contemporary Art by M.-P. Autonne - Les Poissons Rêvent en Couleurs
By Marie-Pierre Autonne
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic & oil on wooden panel Marie-Pierre Autonne is a French artist born in 1960 who lives & works in Angers, France. She studied at Penninghen in Paris, France. She work...
Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$2,650
H 39 in W 39 in D 1 in
Crowning Essence - 21st Century Mixed Media with Oil and African Women Fabrics
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatund...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Newsprint
1900's Horses at the Trough
By William Lemos
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming mid century oil painting of two horses at watering trough by William M. Lemos, Santa Cruz and San Francisco artist (American, 1861-1942), circa 1900. Writing on verso is in ...
Oil, Cardboard
The Procession at St. Lauren Holland - Figurative Landscape
Located in Soquel, CA
Figurative landscape painting of the Saint Jans Basilica and the Procession, Laren, Netherlands "Concept (After) Frits Hes (Dutch 1911-1972) of Hilversu...
Oil, Cardboard
$1,680
H 13.4 in W 16.5 in
Before Storm Vivid Landscape by Swedish Master 19th century
By Wilhelm von Gegerfelt
Located in Stockholm, SE
Attributed by Wilhelm von Gegerfelt (1844—1920). The disheveled crowns of the trees indicate to us the raging wind, and the evening sky in the background...
Wood, Oil, Cardboard
$686Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.75 in W 18.75 in D 1 in
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Still Life with Apples and Female Torso
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Still Life with Apples and Female Torso by Anne Marie Migette Perard (French 1902-1977) Medium: Acrylic ad pastel on unframed paper Size: 2...
Acrylic, Pastel
$9,200
H 50 in W 36 in D 1.5 in
Bouquet (Figurative Still Life Painting of Pastel Pink Flowers in Tabletop Vase)
By David Konigsberg
Located in Hudson, NY
Large gestural still life painting of light pink peony flowers in a simple tabletop vase "Bouquet", oil on canvas, 50 x 36 inches Framing is optional, sides are cleanly painted whit...
Canvas, Oil
$3,200
H 48.04 in W 29.93 in D 1.58 in
French Contemporary Art by M.-P. Autonne - Pivoines
By Marie-Pierre Autonne
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic & oil on canvas Marie-Pierre Autonne is a French artist born in 1960 who lives & works in Angers, France. She studied at Penninghen in Paris, France. She worked for several ...
Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$3,100
H 39 in W 51 in
To Love And Be Loved - Still Life Floral Artwork Original Oil Painting
By Katharina Husslein
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With a contemporary perspective on landscape painting and inspired by paintings created by old masters, German artist Katharina Husslein paints in a representational manner to captur...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 36 in W 36 in
"Sea Water (Bottles)" painting of a woman swimming in a red bathing suit
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...
Resin, Oil, Wood Panel, Cardboard
Sold
H 22 in W 30 in
"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...
India Ink, Oil, Acrylic
Sold
H 5 in W 8.5 in
"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...
Oil, Handmade Paper
Sold
H 20 in W 20 in
"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...
Oil, Cardboard
Sold
H 18 in W 23 in
"Lift and Glide (Paper)" figurative oil of swimmer underwater white bathing suit
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...
Oil, Paper
Sold
H 18 in W 18 in
"Rachel Shashay" Textured painting of a woman swimming underwater
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...
Oil, Cardboard
Sold
H 20 in W 24.5 in D 1.5 in
Lift, Swimmer, Water, Work on board, Pastel, Blue, Female Figure
By Carol Bennett
Located in Riverdale, NY
Lift is a figurative artwork featuring a female swimmer through the water. It is a Pastel on archival board. It is the first time in 30 years Bennett has created artwork with pastels. The Artwork is 16" x 20.5". It is framed to 20" x 24.5" with a white frame. Carol Bennett spends all of her time surrounded by water, and a great deal within it. Her work is a meditative journey through both the water and through life. She is intrigued by how life continues to flow and change, being both in the moment and timeless. The viewer will experience being in a state “flow” – where the currents of the ocean suspend life and self, and the unexpected floats to the surface. Carol's work has been featured in many solo and group exhibits throughout California, New York, Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii including a 2007 solo show at the First Hawaiian Center at the Contemporary Museum of Art (Honolulu) and a 2018 group show "Making Waves" exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Her work was seen alongside April Gornik, Agnes Martin, Kiki Smith, and Pat Steir. In 2019, she was also featured in exhibits at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the Hawaii State Art Museum and a solo exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. She also just completed a 40 piece glass panel commission at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. She has been featured in Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Ocean Home...
Pastel, Board
Sold
H 32 in W 40 in D 1.5 in
Light Catcher, Swimmer, Water, Work on board, Pastel, Blue, Female Figure
By Carol Bennett
Located in Riverdale, NY
Light Catcher is a figurative artwork featuring a female swimmer through the water. It is a Pastel on archival board. It is the first time in 30 years Bennett has created artwork with pastels. The Artwork is 32" x 40". It is framed to 40" x 48" with a white frame. This is new 2023 work by Hawaii artist, Carol Bennett. Carol Bennett spends all of her time surrounded by water, and a great deal within it. Her work is a meditative journey through both the water and through life. She is intrigued by how life continues to flow and change, being both in the moment and timeless. The viewer will experience being in a state “flow” – where the currents of the ocean suspend life and self, and the unexpected floats to the surface. Carol's work has been featured in many solo and group exhibits throughout California, New York, Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii including a 2007 solo show at the First Hawaiian Center at the Contemporary Museum of Art (Honolulu) and a 2018 group show "Making Waves" exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Her work was seen alongside April Gornik, Agnes Martin, Kiki Smith, and Pat Steir. In 2019, she was also featured in exhibits at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the Hawaii State Art Museum and a solo exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. She also just completed a 40 piece glass panel commission at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. She has been featured in Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Ocean Home...
Pastel, Board
Sold
H 20 in W 13 in
"Suspense Vertical (Paper)" mixed media painting of woman in red suit in 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...
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Sold
H 10 in W 10 in
"Free Horizon" Oil painting of a woman in a white swimsuit in a blue pool
By Carol Bennett
Located in Edgartown, MA
Oil painting of a woman in a white swimsuit in a blue pool. "I throw myself into the water almost every day- it grounds me, the body floats and the mind drifts. The Swimmer series h...
Oil, Panel
Sold
H 35.5 in W 23.5 in
"Tickled Pink" oil painting of the feet of a woman floating in 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...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sold
H 36 in W 36 in
"Rachael in Suspense" Woman floating in water in orange one piece swimsuit.
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...
India Ink, Oil