Holiday Lights

The "Get Lost" show finished off on a high note, an ending to a great show. It started off last year when Joe Kazimierczyk and I paired-up for this feature, all the way through to our ending "Coffee and Conversation" event. Having a feature at Artists' Gallery is always a pleasure, meeting new people and seeing familiar faces caps off the experience of creating and then showing your labor of love.

"Stalk Walk" original watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

And now, as those who know the Artists' Gallery (AG), things change by the month, and today kicked off the start of our new "Holiday Lights" exhibit that features all 18 artists. Our work is not only in the feature salon but throughout the gallery, surely a place you could lose yourself in art for awhile. The entire gallery offers a variety of styles for every taste. We also have greeting cards, artists books, calendars, prints as well as our original works of art.  The exhibit runs through February 5th, and all are welcome to our opening to meet the artists on Sat. Dec. 10, 3-6pm. Hope to see you there!

"Get Lost" last weekend! (No Bull)

"No Bull" —Hereford Steer, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

It's almost over! I can't believe just how quickly this show seems to have gone. "Get Lost" was an idea Joe Kazimierczyk and I came up with a year ago. We both draw our inspiration from being outdoors. For Joe it's about our local beautiful landscapes, and for me it's about the animals I encounter while in nature. 

Our artwork made a great pairing, and this weekend offers the last look at our featured show at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. The gallery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 6pm. All are welcome to our closing "Coffee and Conversation" reception on Sunday, Dec. 4th, 2 – 5pm, both Joe and I will be there and look forward to capping off our successful show.

"Get Lost" update

"Headbanger" watercolor © Beatrice Bork (sold)

Wow, we’re already 10 days into the “Get Lost” exhibit, time is really flying. The opening was great, it seemed like all had a wonderful time, unfortunately I wasn’t able to able to speak to everyone. And since the opening a few of my pieces have found new homes, thank you for your support!

We will be having one more closing “Coffee and Conversation” event on Sun., Dec. 4th (2-5pm) if you weren’t able to make it to the opening, I hope you’ll get a chance to stop by and say hello!

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Get lost in a moment, in nature, in discovery

 I’m excited to say that "Get Lost" opened yesterday, and it looks
beautiful (if I do say so myself)! If you enjoy the outdoors this show
is sure to please.

Panorama of the feature room, thanks to Andrew Werth for the photo!

It is a featured duo exhibit including my animal watercolor paintings complemented nicely with landscape oil paintings by Joe Kazimierczyk.

"Jumbie Bird" Watercolor © Beatrice Bork

"Cider Mill Winter" Oil Painting © Joe Kazimierczyk

Both of us do much of our work in nature. Kazimierczyk revels in the peaceful scenery of New Jersey’s farmsteads and back road vistas. While I enjoy the discovery of birds and other animals in a more detailed approach to my subjects in harmony in their natural surroundings.

Join us this evening from 5 to 8:00 pm, as we host a reception at Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street in Lambertville, NJ.

Art Exhibit: November 11 to December 4, 2011
Coffee and Conversation: Sunday, December 4, 2 to 5 pm

Artists' Gallery,
18 Bridge St. Lambertville, NJ

"Get Lost"

November is quickly approaching and final preparations are being worked on for "Get Lost" the duo feature show at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. I'm pleased to be exhibiting my animal watercolors with Joe Kazimierczyk's wonderful landscapes. I feel our artwork compliments each other, as we both draw inspiration from the outdoors.

Come by and "Get Lost" in a moment, in nature, in discovery. Exhibit begins November 11, with an artists reception on November 12, 5 to 8:00 pm.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

"Silent Night" Barn Owl © Beatrice Bork

Save the Date

Get Lost

in a moment, in nature, in discovery. 

Artists’ Gallery

18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

www.lambertvillearts.com

Featuring original paintings by

Landscape artist, Joe Kazimierczyk

and

Animal artist, Beatrice Bork

Join us for our Open House:

Saturday, November 12, 5 – 8:00 pm

and “Coffee & Conversation”

Sun. Dec. 4, 2 – 5:00 pm

Exhibit Dates: Nov. 11-Dec. 4, 2011

Gallery hours: Fri./Sat./Sun. 11 am–6 pm. LambertvilleArts.com  •  609.397.4588

It's Raining Cats and Dogs

I’m happy to be included in this recently opened exhibit at the Present Day Club, 72 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ. The show is presented by a combination of predominantly NJ and PA artists, curated by Susan Roseman.

Among the many accomplished artists in the show are my colleagues from Artists’ Gallery, Jennifer Cadoff and Gail Bracegirdle. All the works are of dogs and cats — what’s not to love!

The show is free and open to the public now through October 28. The club is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am–4pm, Friday 1–4pm and Saturday by appointment 609-924-1014. All works are for sale.

"Dog Days" watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

2012 Calendar is here!

I'm pleased to announce that my 2012 Calendars are now available. This is a jewel-case style calendar (the size of a CD case) that flips open and becomes it's own display easel.  Please click here for more information.

Art and the Animal 2011

I'm proud to have a painting included with The Society of Animal Artists 51st Annual Members Exhibition.

I unfortunately will not be able to attend the opening, but I know from past SAA exhibits this is a great place to see some of the best animal art! If you're in the area check it out!

The exhibit begins at The Dennos Museum Center on September 17 in Traverse City, Michigan.


"Bees" watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

The Fall Line-up

It's shaping up to be a busy fall!

SHOWS: 51st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists “Art and the Animal”

Opening September 17

Dennos Museum Center

Traverse City, MI

Continues on Tour, details on future locations to come.

“Get Lost”

with Beatrice Bork and
Joe Kazimierczyk

Nov. 11 – Dec. 4, 2011

Opening Reception:

Sat. Nov. 12, 5 to 8pm,
all are welcome!

Artists' Gallery,
18 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ

WORKSHOPS/CLASSES:

"Art in the Garden"

September 1, 2011 (rain date Sept. 2)

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

at Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ

Workshop/Hunterdon Watercolor Society

Topic: From inspiration to the finished painting

September 12, 2011

7 - 9 pm

All art © Beatrice Bork

Horses. Part 4

After comments from the client, as well as my own thoughts about the previous drawing, I've incorporated the changes into this new sketch. The challenge of a commissioned piece is the requirement of not only creating the composition and being accurate to the species, there is the additional component to also being true to the character of each individual. I've sent this drawing to the client and will probably generate one more drawing before I move into the painting. Because I work with watercolor, I need the drawing to be precise before I start. Unlike oil or acrylics there isn't much room for error, I can't really edit a piece in the process. You could say that watercolor is "extreme painting" like a sky diver, once your out of the plane you can't go back. :)

Horses © pencil drawing, Beatrice Bork

Dog Days

I was inspired by our furry friends who seemingly are getting a little too much of our summer this year. I'm finishing up the framing for "Dog Days" and will be presenting him this month at Artists' Gallery (18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ) as well as a few more locally inspired works. Artists' Gallery is a cooperative gallery I'm proud to be a partner of since 2007, we are entirely run by 18 members who are selectively juried by our artists into membership.

"Dog Days" watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

Horses. Part 3

I have now completed basic drawings of all the horses and started to compile them into one image, and refined it somewhat. There are things at this point that I still need and want to rework, but because this is a commissioned piece, I feel that this is a good place to start getting some feedback from my client, before I take the drawing too far. She will let me know if I'm on the right track with character traits, and any other changes she would like to see.

Pencil sketch #3, horses © Beatrice Bork

Everyday wonders...

Just thought I'd like to share this image, the beauty of nature is all around, you don't have to look very far... this was just outside my door.

Photo © Beatrice Bork

horses: initial drawings part 2

After I have roughed-out a basic first draft (which gave me a general idea of where the horses will be positioned), the next step is to work on each individual horse. I am studying movements now, and will work-up each one into a sketch using vine charcoal. From here I can move and position them in order to create the next step which will be the initial sketch for the client, who will then let me know how the personalities match up with the real horses.

I'm working on having the image be about 3 feet long. (once this is matted and framed it will be close to 4 feet in length). At this point I have a fairly good idea of not only where the horses will be but a good idea of how I'm envisioning the color and style, but I won't worry about that too much until I get the horses tightly drawn.

© rough sketch of paint horse by Beatrice Bork — work yet to be titled. 2011

Horses!

I have been presented with a unique challenge to paint 11 horses, but not just any horses. This piece will be focused on 3 generations of paints. I have been given photos, with detailed descriptions of their personalities—and will be depicting them running as a herd, starting with "grand-mare". While I generally do not work on many commissioned works, this venture seemed too exciting to pass up! I am looking forward to the weeks/months ahead as I go through the process of creating this from sketch to final watercolor painting.

I will be posting a series of progression... I'll just need to keep a camera close by and remember to take a photo now and then to show the progress ;)

In this first drawing I've created a very loose sketch to get a feel of where each horse will be positioned. I used vine charcoal to do this, as it's easy to get quick lines down, and rub off as needed.

© rough sketch of paint horses by Beatrice Bork — work yet to be titled. 2011

New prints and book

I have spent the last week or so working on updating my website design as well as adding a few new prints and made the "Birds of Trinidad" book available through the shopping cart as well.

The newly listed Limited Edition Giclee prints are: Baby It's Cold Outside (Cardinal), Sweet Nectar (Bumble Bee), Charming (Green Frog), and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. (image shown above).

Happy Summer!

"Ruby-throated Hummingbird" Watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Latest painting...

The Cabbage Butterfly, whilst very common,
is still a very nice sight to see...

"Cabbage Butterfly"
© Beatrice Bork
Watercolor
4 x 6"

So, what's going on now?

In case you missed the "BORK" show which ended this weekend, there will still be a few of my paintings as well as my father's jewelry at Soul Made Gallery if you're in the Pt. Pleasant Beach (NJ) area.

This weekend at the Artists' Gallery in Lambertville (NJ) we are joining the "Hidden Gardens Tour" with the local Kalmia group to on Saturday. The artists select pieces to benefit this wonderful organization, so come out, enjoy the gardens and stop by the gallery to see some beautiful artwork.

I will also be presenting "Sentry", a Red-shouldered hawk, my latest original watercolor painting at the Artists' Gallery this month.

Image above: "Sentry" watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

"BORK" Show extended

One more chance to see the "BORK" exhibit at Soul Made Gallery, extended until June 5.

This is a very unique show as both my father and I are exhibiting together for the first time. This is my father's first show ever, our family is so pleased this has finally become a reality. I was thrilled with how elegantly our work was arranged throughout the gallery.

The reception last Friday was so much fun (although a little nerve wracking for my father— welcome to my world dad ;). Many thanks to the wonderful folks at Soul Made who made this a memorable event!

Soul Made is located at 725 Arnold Avenue in beautiful Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. For more info. click here.

Photo courtesy of Andy Cialone

Soul Made

The summer is about to begin, and I'll be celebrating it at Soul Made gallery in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. This is a beautiful gallery and artisan shop run by a wonderful down to earth couple with an eye for creative talents.

This is very special to me, as it will be the first time I will be exhibiting my paintings along with my father's hand-engraved totem jewelry. Family and friends have been trying to get my dad to show his creative talents for many years, and we've finally pulled it together!

We delivered paintings and jewelry yesterday, and I'm happy to say the painting "Sounds of Summer" that is featured on the invitation card has already been sold, along with a couple of prints!

The exhibit runs May 22–May 30, with an artist reception on Friday, May 27th, from 4–7 pm. All are welcome!

Soul Made Gallery
725 Arnold Ave.
Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ 08724
732-892-0900


Image: "Summer Plover" Piping Plover, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

BORK at Soul Made Gallery

Exhibit May 22nd through May 31st

Meet the artists May 27th, 4-7 pm

I'm very excited about this upcoming show, it will be the first time my father and I will be exhibiting together. This show will feature his fine hand-engraved jewelry and my wildlife watercolor paintings.

For more info. on store hours and directions:

Soul Made

725 Arnold Avenue

Pt Pleasant Beach, NJ 08724

732-892-0900

"Summer House at the Shore" Purple Martins, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

"Birds of Trinidad"

In 2004, I entered The Don Eckelberry Scholarship Award, to my delight, I won. This award provided me a wonderful opportunity to observe the birds at the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad. At the time I did not know much about the island, but was excited to see what inspirations this new place might bring me.

During my first trip—as a matter of fact, the first few moments of daylight— I was blown away by the colors, sights and sounds of the diversity of birds, vegetation and other wildlife... so much so, that I have been back almost every year since.

One of the naturalists working at Asa Wright was Denise Etienne, she was most knowledgeable about where to see particular species and helped answer all my many questions. We became friends and it wasn't long before I found out that she was also a very gifted poet and soon after the idea for the book was born.

I am happy to announce that Denise and I have finally completed our book of poems and paintings, "Birds of Trinidad".

"A Collection of Paintings and Poems by Beatrice Bork and Denise Etienne, Birds of Trinidad" © 2011

Save the date...

I'm getting ready for a new show at Soul Made Gallery, which is very exciting for me. It will be the first time my father and I will be exhibiting our work together.


Exhibit May 22nd through May 31st

Meet the artists May 27th, 4-7 pm
A double pleasure as we host critically acclaimed watercolor artist Beatrice Bork in the gallery, and jewelry artist Guenter Bork in the shop.

For more info. on store hours and directions:

Soul Made

725 Arnold Avenue

Pt Pleasant Beach, NJ 08724

732-892-0900

The Kids are Alright

I visited one of my colleagues from Artists' Gallery today, he and his wife have a wonderful eco-inspired farm—Sweet Sourlands Farm. I have to say I am impressed with my visits there, and always come away with new knowledge, and inspiration—and today was no exception.

This time I set out to get some photos of their goats, the kids (13 of them) were bounding about, between their anitics and just being so darn cute, I could watch all day. I also met the "handsome" buck named "Winston." A portrait is probably on the way!

Photo © Beatrice Bork

Longevity

I recently read an article written by an interior designer, in which they had mentioned that oil paints last longer than watercolor, which may be the case when looking at antiques, but does not hold true today. I have done a bit of research that actually say watercolors last as long as oils. What it really boils down to is the quality of the painting as well as the condition in which the painting is kept, no matter what medium.

The quality and technology in today's paints (all paints) and support materials are much better than even years ago. I use quality paints*, paint on an acid free watercolor support, and use archival quality framing (100% ragmat and acid free foam core), with UV protective glass. As with any painting in any medium—or photo or print, it is wise not to hang the piece in direct sunlight, or in poor conditions.

*I paint with A or AA rated pigments, which are rated as "permanent" (from the Winsor & Newton website: AA - Extremely Permanent, A - Permanent, B - Moderately Durable, C - Fugitive).

Out and about...

While I do enjoy the cold and wintry scenery, I am more of a sun worshiper, and as the weather gets warmer, I slowly come out of my hybernation. Spring is exciting as life resurrects itself, and I find myself being inspired every time I go for a hike. The mink in the above photo, may be seen in one of my paintings soon...

© photo by Beatrice Bork

American Coot as seen today

I spent a little time outdoors today at one of my favorite locations. Today's "bird-of-the-day" were American Coots, they were splashing around and chatting it up near the shoreline today... maybe a painting in the works one day. Here is one of the photos taken today.

American Coot Photo © Beatrice Bork

Process

Inspiration comes in many ways, and for me it usually comes from observation. Most of my paintings are carefully planned with a sketch and progress from that point, but sometimes the subject doesn't take form until after. For instance the piece here, "Skimmer," actually originated with a splash of watercolor I had done some time ago, and had been sitting in my studio, until it finally "it let me know" what subject should be painted.

"Skimmer" — Black Skimmer, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Palate and Palette

I am once again happy to have some of my paintings exhibited at Bell's Tavern in Lambertville NJ, for the month of March and April. Bell's and Artists' Gallery (also of Lambertville) have had a unique relationship as the owner has showcased our artists for the last couple of years. The exhibit changes every couple of months, and the restaurant always seems to take on a new feel depending upon what's exhibited.

So, if you're in Lambertville, and are looking for a bite to eat check-out Bell's, its a great place to relax, have some great food and be able to casually take in the artwork adorning the walls.

Bon Appetite!


"On Jordan Pond" common loon, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

February schedule

I'm participating in "Love that ART!" a group show of all the artists who are partners at the Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. All are invited to come to the opening on Sat., Feb. 12th —4:00 to 7:00pm and have a fun time taking in a variety of work and mingle with the artists. I will have a couple of new pieces at this show, "Lovie Dovie" and "Devoted" are making their debut among my other watercolors.

"Birds, Bees and Butterflies" also continues through February (ending March 25th) and showcases a group of artists that have been inspired by nature. This show is at the Marie L. Matthews Gallery at the Johnson Education Center at D&R Greenway in Princeton, NJ and benefits the land trust. "Sweet Nectar", "Rainforest Rendezvous" and several other of my works are included in this beautiful exhibit.

"Devoted" Black Labrador, watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

"Love That Art!"

I've been busy working on some new paintings for the many shows coming up this year. "Lovie Dovie" is my latest painting inspired by the mourning doves huddling for warmth in the sunshine of my deck. The piece will be included in a new Artists' Gallery show opening soon. "Love that ART" is a group exhibit beginning February 11 through March 6, 2011. Opening reception on Saturday February 12, 4:00 to 7:00 pm—all are invited!

"Lovie Dovie" Mourning Doves, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Up and running...

Happy New Year!

This year's schedule starts off with a group show at D & R Greenway in Princeton, NJ: "Beauty of Biodiversity: Birds, Bees and Butterflies" in which I have a few pieces. I've included a new piece shown here "Sweet Nectar." The show's topic is intrieging, and is accompanied by a series of lectures. Please see D & R's website for more info.

---------------------

Beauty of Biodiversity: Birds, Bees and Butterflies

January 10– March 25, 2011

Opening Reception: Friday, January 14, 2011, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

More than vibrant colors, melodious sounds, and sweet honey, birds, bees, and butterflies are ecological bellwethers of environmental health. Water quality, native biodiversity, and adequate spaces in which to flourish determine their well-being. Walk through gallery rooms surrounded by art of the “Forest,” the “Meadow,” and the “Grasslands” of New Jersey.

D & R Greenway
One Preservation Place
Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: 609.924.4646.

"Sweet Nectar" Bumblebee, watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork