A look back at 2009

During 2009 I ended up making the Artist's Gallery my "home-base" in Lambertville, NJ. It is a co-op gallery that I've been a member of for the last 3 years, and I'm enjoying the experience. A co-op is a little more of a hands-on experience than a standard gallery, the artists are entirely responsible for running the gallery. Along with having a personal investment in the place, I also enjoy interacting with the (no more than) 18 members at our establishment. This is also a unique place in that we jury to accept new members, and we like to keep the art diverse and of high quality. Each artist is featured once a year in a duo show.

I also was able to show my work in other venues in NJ: Lambertville, Hopewell, Princeton, and in PA: Jamison and Philadelphia, a Society of Animal Artists show in Colorado, and new representation at Robert Paul Galleries in Stowe, VT. Over the last couple of years I haven't entered as many juried shows and concentrated more on painting, and getting enough work to actually show in more venues, which is something I plan to continue into 2010.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those that came to the galleries and shows, checked out my website, and hope those that brought a piece home are enjoying the work as much as I enjoyed painting them. I also want to thank those behind the scenes that work on setting up the shows and their efforts to help make these events such memorable experiences.

I'm eager to see what 2010 brings, I'm starting the year traveling to one of my favorite places, Trinidad! The island and it's rainforest are always an inspiration for me! I'm planning on creating new works from these inspirations for the May duo show at the Artists' Gallery with my friend Paul Grecian (a new member). We are both nature and animal enthusiasts, and I'm looking forward to seeing the gallery go wild!

"Looking Back" House Sparrow © Beatrice Bork

Gearing up for Trinidad!

In 2004 I was the second person given the Don Eckelberry Award for my achievements in bird art. I was awarded a trip to see the splendor of nature, particularly the birds, at the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad. I travelled there in March 2005, and my senses were immediately overloaded with so much color, so many birds, and plants it was just amazing, and I knew from the first day that one trip would simply not be enough. Trinidad and its sister island of Tobago are the last in the string of Caribbean islands, with Trinidad being 7 miles from Venezuela. While each trip always consists of bird watching I have grown to really appreciate all aspects of the country. Truly a wonderful country from rainforest to beaches to their friendly people, rich culture and food!

As I write I am planning my next adventure there, I have some ideas that I'd like to explore and I'm also looking forward to the inspiration that comes from just being there. When I paint it is important for me to not only paint what I see, but express the character of what I am painting, so it is vital to observe and understand my subject matter, to portray a fuller experience.

"National Treasure" Scarlet Ibis (Trinidad's National Bird) © Beatrice Bork

December events

“Peace, Love, Joy, ART”

ARTISTS’ GALLERY Holiday Group exhibit:

Open House: Sunday, December 13, 2009. 2–5:00 pm

Exhibit dates: Dec. 11, 2009–Jan. 3 2010

32 Coryell Street, Lambertville, NJ

Gallery hours: Fri., Sat., Sun., 11-5:30 pm

Winter Duo Exhibit:

Beatrice Bork and Michael Schweigart

December 5, 2009 – January 2010

Bell's Dining Gallery

Lambertville, NJ

Winter Green

I will be among the artists and crafters at the the one day event, "Winter Green" at D&R Greenway in Princeton NJ, and will have my 2010 calendars and prints available. The event takes place on Sunday, December 6th, 11:00 am–3:00 pm. I also have a two original watercolors on display in their small works exhibit that runs through January 8. This event should be a lot of fun for a good cause, hope to see you there!

Autumn officially starts at the end of September, but for me the change of season really isn’t a mark on a calendar, its a gradual experience. The goldfinches lose their bright summer colors, common summer birds start to fly to warmer climates, blue jays and canada geese seem to proclaim summer is over, and one knows the cold starkness of winter is closing in on us. Birds frequent the feeders, and It's time for juncos, those lovable little snow birds that seem to enjoy our cold air and makes you wonder how much colder it is where they're from, for our north eastern climate to seem better?!

"Snow Day" Watercolor © Beatrice Bork

D & R Greenway small works show

I will be among the artists participating in an art exhibition at D & R Greenway Land Trust.

"Season's Greenings: The Gift of Nature"

November 9, 2009 - January 10, 2010

Art Opening on November 20, 2009, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
at the Johnson Education Center,
One Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ

I have selected 2 watercolors, "Little Prince" (Golden Crowned Kinglet) and "Barn Swallow" to be included in this group exhibit of artists interpretations of nature. D & R Greenway is a great organization dedicated to land preservation, education and saving wild areas for us to enjoy the wilds of New Jersey (yes, New Jersey has some natural treasures!)

Group show!

Beatrice is one of the artists featured in the juried group exhibit:

"Small Works—Big Impressions"
The Wildlife Experience
Parker, Colorado
November 7, 2009 through January 3, 2010

Visitors and collectors will have an exciting opportunity to view and
purchase little “gems” by members of the Society of Animal Artists.
The artworks for sale are one-of-a-kind, exhibit quality pieces
created on a smaller scale – making them more accessible to all art
collectors. A substantial percentage of the proceeds from the sale of
these works benefit the work and the mission of The Wildlife
Experience.

"Bees" Watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork