Dolphins

I had a great conversation with a woman at an art show, and what I found with her and many of the people that enjoy my work that it also has a nostalgia of childhood, which is where my passion for the subject of animals began as well. We conversed on how there used to be more animals in our rural areas, which is sad but true... and she also said something that touched me very much, she said that my art may become a historical record one day of what was... I hope that's not true, but it added even more responsibility to my painting. What if that really does become the case? I treasure my encounters with animals all the more as I get older.

The photos here are of a special encounter I had with wild dolphins off the Florida coast, they were curious about me, I wonder if they could tell how exciting this experience was for me, I'll never forget it ... I have been thinking of them often this summer and wonder how they are doing.

Dolphin photos © Beatrice Bork

"Yes, this is what I do for a living..."

Many people ask me if art is the "only" thing I do for a living. I am a self-employed artist, and have been for a very long time.

I studied graphic design, because I knew I wanted to be in the field of art, and my parents gently steered me away from being "just a painter", after college I started a graphic design business with a friend and it lasted 7 years, ending in 1996. At that point I had been doing both fine art and graphic design and started gearing myself more towards fine art. Being your own boss gave me time to paint. I used to joke that I had 2 full time jobs.

In 2001 I was accepted by jury into the Society of Animal Artists (SAA), and, I believe, 4 years later was elevated to a signature member, which is a very high honor... this is a group dedicated to animal art, and has membership from around the world.

I am fortunate that my artwork resonates with people that I can continue to pursue my artistic career. I am proud to say that my passion has never altered by outside influences on what art is, or should be. To me art is an expression of self, and personally I have much fulfillment from my surroundings.

"Virtuoso" Carolina Wren, watercolor © Beatrice Bork. The first piece accepted to a Society of Animal Artist show at Hiram Blauvelt Museum in NJ

Visions of Summer

Please join me and the artists of Artists’ Gallery at our opening reception on Sunday, August 8, 2 to 5 pm.

Summer. The days are long, but the season is all too short. The eighteen partnering artists of Lambertville’s Artists’ Gallery will honor the fleeting season with a group show to be held Friday, August 6, through Sunday, September 5. “Visions of Summer” will include 2-D work in watercolor, acrylic, oil, and mixed media; photography; and 3-D work in clay, glass, and wood. “Tourists, locals, and art lovers from throughout the region should all be sure to include this show in their summer plans,” said Artists’ Gallery spokesperson Laurie Nicholson. “Here is the rare opportunity to view the season through the eyes of eighteen accomplished and diverse artists. It might never look quite the same to you again.”


"On Jordan Pond" common loon, Acadia National Park, ME. Watercolor © Beatrice Bork