Year ending, 2013

The Annual Holiday exhibit at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville will continue through Feb. 2, followed by another group exhibit Lyrical, opening Feb. 8, 2014. On another front, I was also recently honored to be asked to jury the 2014 Works on Paper show at the Philadelphia Sketch Club along with two other artists. This exhibit's opening reception is January 5, 2-4 pm and will continue until January 25, 2014. I will have my work "Through the Shoals" (flamingos) exhibited.

As 2013 draws to a close, in time of reflection, my personal thoughts on art is that it is something I hold onto like a life-preserver (or a security blanket). Even over the recent rough patches, where I wasn't able to actually produce anything tangible, I was still able to create both mentally and in form of simple sketches—which I feel are now a wealth of ideas to keep me busy for quite some time (not to mention new ideas). My paintings are a reflection of my experiences and thoughts, through my connection with the animal world using watercolor as my language.

Happy Holidays, and Happy Healthy New Year to all!

Lambertville for the Holidays

"Feathered" © Beatrice Bork

I had a great time at Artists' Gallery opening reception last Saturday! It's a great time of year when all 18 of the artists display their work in a group exhibit.  I had the opportunity to help hang the show, and I must say it's a great grouping of work!

I have a few new watercolor paintings at the gallery including; In Pain Sight (screech owl), Golden Eagle, Northern Cardinal, Twisted (Manikin on a Monkey-ladder vine), Feathered and some of my favorites that "feel wintery" including Red Flyer  (N. Cardinal), Stalk Walk (Ring-necked Pheasant), Lovie Dovie (Mourning doves) and Silent Flight  (Barn Owl). There is also a selection of my giclée prints available.

More information and art can be found at: www.BeatriceBork.artspan.com

Lambertville, NJ has a nostalgic feel near the Delaware River, it has a nice variety of antique shops, galleries, and other unique stores as well as a great variety of restaurants. If you're in the area, stop in Artists' Gallery at 18 Bridge Street, we're open Thurs. through Sunday, 11am-6pm and meet one of our artists. The Holiday Exhibit will be up through January. (Please check for gallery hours in January).

Coming up in December

"In Plain Sight" © Beatrice Bork

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for many things, family, friends, my pet, better health… and thankful to be able to have a career as an animal artist! I spend my time exploring, observing and soaking in the wonders around me, and then reliving these experiences through drawing and painting.

I also enjoy the excitement of an art exhibit, creating and selecting paintings, the planning and hanging, and then meeting new people as well as catching up with acquaintances I've met along the way.  Next up is the "AG 18/18/18" the annual holiday exhibit at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. This is one of two group exhibits AG has throughout the year. It showcases all 18 artists in 18 styles at 18 Bridge St. AND this year is the 18th anniversary!

In Plain Sight is a newer watercolor painting of a screech owl that I plan on showing at the "AG 18/18/18" show.  I hope you can join the gallery at the opening celebration on Dec. 7, 4–7pm. (The exhibit runs until Feb. 2.)

Saturday on the Porch...

I'm again looking forward to this one day relaxed event, it's always a lot of fun! There's always great conversation, some refreshments—and of course my paintings and prints! Please contact Abby at HopewellFrameShop for directions and more info. Or check out Hopewell Frame Shop's FB page, for more info. about the shop (please note the frame shop is no longer located in Hopewell).

One More Weekend!

"Steadfast" Great Blue Heron, watercolor © Beatrice Bork.

It has been a whirl-wind month and I can't believe theses are the last few days of "Points of Origin" exhibit! "Steadfast" (above) is one of 19 paintings I have on display.  Join us for a closing reception, "Coffee and Conversation"—all are welcome! At Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ on Sunday November 3, 3:00–5:00pm.

Next up is a great, relaxing, one day event "On the Porch…" November 23, details to come!

October happenings...

It's been a busy month so far!

Points of Origin exhibit is up and running—we had a really nice time at the opening (Oct. 12), which had quite a few guests come through and I had some great conversations. The show is up until November 3rd, where we'll also be hosting a closing reception at 3-5pm, Artists' Gallery is located in the heart of Lambertville, NJ.

I also was invited once again to hold a workshop at Buck Gardens in Far Hills, NJ, on Oct. 17th, and as usual it was a pleasant experience. Thank you to the staff at Buck Gardens, and my enthusiastic art students—keep on painting!   While I was walking the grounds of this beautiful location — there is plenty to see and I may have an idea or two that might become paintings — I spotted this squirrel that I'd like to share — animals never cease to amaze and amuse!

Squirrel with acorn, at Buck Gardens, Far Hills, NJ. Photo © Beatrice Bork

And... Save the date for November 23rd, for an annual On the Porch show! This is a great, one day event, details to come.

"Points of Origin" Art Exhibit

One week to go.  Jennifer Cadoff and I will be hanging our work early next week, and I'm excited to see it all come together!

I will be focusing on watercolor paintings of birds in this exhibit, inspired both locally as well from my travels as well as a collection of giclée prints.  

Waylay in the Mango Tree

"Waylay in the Mango Tree" © Beatrice Bork

This has been a busy couple of months for me, I currently have twelve watercolor paintings at D&R Greenway in Princeton, NJ until October 5th, and a duo feature show at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ starting October 10 (with an opening reception on the 12th). But, I would like to also mention that I have painting juried in at the 2013 Artists For Conservation Festival (AFC) group show (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6th) in North Vancouver, BC Canada. This is a great exhibit and festival aimed to benefit conservation throughout the world. Painting sale portions will benefit the organization of the artists choice, I have chosen Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad & Tobago. I was honored to be chosen for the Don Eckelberry Scholarship Award and spent 10 days there to study birds—I was so entranced with the place I have returned nearly every year since, and even have a painting 

("Green Honeycreepers") on display there. Also on display at the AFC group show are paintings by Robert Bateman, Carel Brest van Kempen, and Leslie Delgyer to name only a few.

One month to go...

"Wood Thrush on the Rocks"
© Beatrice Bork

"Points of Origin" exhibit at Artists' Gallery opens Oct. 10 in Lambertville NJ. And all are welcome to join us for our Opening on Oct. 12, 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

I'm currently working on a slew of different things right now, first and foremost is painting and framing then, promotion, art statements, updating C/V bio info... excitement is building!

"Wood Thrush on the Rocks" is a new watercolor painting that was inspired while walking through the Sourlands (outside Hopewell, NJ). I focused on the texture and patterns that surround this piece. This is one of my new works I'll be displaying at the "Points of Origin" exhibit.

Turn, Turn, Turn

"Turn, Turn, Turn" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Turn, Turn, Turn, a Ruddy Turnstone inspired by a trip to the Jersey Coast and will be one of my new watercolor paintings on display at "Points of Origin" — a featured show at Artists' Gallery with Jennifer Cadoff this October.

We hope you join us for our opening reception:
    October 12, 4:00–7:00pm

Artists' Gallery is located at 18 Bridge Street,
    in the Heart of Lambertville, NJ
The exhibit dates: October 10 – November 3, 2013
Gallery hours: Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 11:00 am – 6:00 pm,
    or contact me directly to schedule a private viewing.

Points of Origin, Save the Date

Each year two Artists' Gallery artists pair up for a one month featured exhibit, this year I'm pleased to be exhibiting with Jennifer Cadoff in October. We are currently in the midst of planning the show, Jennifer will be showing her minimalist abstract ink drawings and collages and I am focusing on watercolor paintings of my favorite subjects, birds. Although our work seems very different, we do have similar "Points of Origin"— we are both inspired by the natural world and pay particular attention to composition through pattern, texture and negative space.

We hope you join us for our opening reception:
    October 12, 4:00–7:00pm.

Exhibit dates: October 10 – November 3, 2013
Location: Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ
    Hours: Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

D&R's Opening Reception

"Lovie Dovie" © Beatrice Bork

I had a wonderful time at D&R Greenway's "The Feathered and the Field" exhibit opening and bird walk yesterday evening! A lot of talented and diverse works are on display, the exhibit it up until Oct. 5th. It's always nice to meet new people, and see old friends. The evening was capped off with a bird walk, where we saw a flock of goldfinch—I need to go back and get some more resource material for a future painting! It was spectacular to see the evening light bouncing off the little yellow birds. Thanks to all for the work setting up the show, and those who came and shared an enjoyable evening!

A look at August.

"Barn-side" © Beatrice Bork

August is off to a busy start—along with continuously exhibiting at Artists' Gallery—I'm also pleased to have twelve pieces in D&R Greenway's "Feathered and the Field" exhibit in Princeton. There are eight other artists exhibiting work in this show as well, and should be an excellent visual experience—the curator here always does a great job mixing talent!  The gallery space here is wonderful ,  nicely suited for work that is inspired by nature. Among the works I'm showing are two brand new pieces, I'll Fly Away  and Through the Shoals.  There is an opening reception & sunset bird walk scheduled for Thursday August 15, 5:30–7:30 pm.

Paintings at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ this month include: Red-winged Blackbird, Little Blue Heron, RUN!, Dog Days, and No Bull.  Along with a couple of new prints.

Waylay in the Mango Tree ships this week for the exhibit at Artists for Conservation 2013 Festival in N. Vancouver, BC Canada, which will run Sept. 27 to October 6th.

Looking ahead: I'm working on new paintings for an upcoming feature exhibit with Jennifer Cadoff at Artists' Gallery in October, along with a show in a more casual setting in November, details to come.

Glass

When it comes to framing a painting, print or photo there are many options to glazing—plexi-glass, glass, varnishing (done by the artist) or not at all— plus different types of finishes and UV protection.

My usual glazing choice is 99% UV protective conservation glass or museum glass. Lately I've been using museum glass, which is amazing in that you can barely see it. It's more expensive, but I figure I'm spending a lot of time on my paintings and would like them to be framed with the same quality and care as I've put into the creation part.

A qualified framer will be happy to help you decide what the best choice would be for you.

Still

"Still" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

I'm pleased to present a new painting of a Caribbean/American Flamingo. (Either Caribbean or American is acceptable, latin: Phoenicopterus ruber).  Keeping with the significance of the flamingo as a symbolic image to me personally, the title is "Still". 

I'll Fly Away

"I'll Fly Away" Black-capped Chickadee, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Above is a recently finished painting that I'm planning on displaying for the first time at "The Feathered and the Field" Exhibit at D&R Greenway's, Marie L. Matthews Gallery (Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ). It is a wonderful exhibit space, and looking forward to getting more details that I'll share on future blogs. 

The show dates are August 5–October 5, with an opening reception and sunset watch on Thursday August 15, 5:30-7:30.

One show ends, another begins

July 20th wraps up of "In Their Eyes" animal art exhibit at the Clifton Art Center, (located at the Clifton Municipal Complex off Well Road, in Clifton, NJ). The event will close with "Pet Day" and should be a lot of fun!

Then I switch gears and get ready for a new exhibit. "The Feathered and the Field" at D&R Greenway in Princeton, NJ—which begins on August 5 and will run to October 5. An opening reception and sunset watch is scheduled for Thursday August 15, 5:30–7:30pm. Stay tuned for details!

July at Artists' Gallery and update.

"No Bull" Hereford Steer. Watercolor © Beatrice Bork

I will be exhibiting two original watercolor paintings, "Through the Shoals" (Flamingos) and "No Bull" (Hereford Steer) at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ this month, along with some of my limited edition giclee prints. "No Bull" was featured in the "44th Art and the Animal" exhibit sponsored by Society of Animal Artists, and toured through the country (2004-06), it started in New Jersey and went west to Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arizona before making his way back to me.


Items of interest:

• I have been busy working on some new paintings, and will start posting them soon. I have a flamingo portrait and a chickadee in flight almost ready (working on titles and frames)... 
• In the works is also another show to my schedule, at D&R Greenway in Princeton, NJ called 'The Feathered and the Field', which sounds like an exciting show and will share details as I get them. 
• "In Their Eyes" exhibit continues at the Clifton Arts Center (Clifton, NJ) through July 20th.
• I'm also very excited to be getting "Waylay in the Mango Tree" ready to ship soon to a wonderful international Artists for Conservation exhibit  in Vancouver BC, Canada.

Looks like the next couple of months will be exciting!

Meadowhawk

"Meadowhawk" Limited Edition (of 20) Giclee © Beatrice Bork
Subject: Autumn Meadowhawk dragonfly. Image size: 5 x 8.5"

I'm pleased to present a new giclee print, Meadowhawk.  The inspiration for this piece came to me while I was teaching a workshop at the beautifully landscaped, Leonard J. Buck Garden (part of Somerset County Park Commission, NJ.)  a couple of years ago. There were many of these Dragonflies (Autumn Meadowhawks) about on this particular summer's day and I just loved how their red bodies stood out among the various greens, and the plant it perched on made the whole image a bit other-worldly.  (The original painting is sold).

I will again be leading this one-day class on October 17th, this time with an autumn backdrop. I'm looking forward to the changes in color and how it influences the students. For more information check out the Somerset County Parks Calendar, (scroll down to the heading "Art in the Garden –Watercolors in the Garden").

Clifton Arts Center, "In Their Eyes" Art Exhibit

It was a beautiful day to have an opening at the Clifton Arts Center yesterday. The sun was shining and the climate was comfortable, the Art Center is located on lovely grounds which also has some sculpture. The opening was 5- 8pm with refreshments and we even had a pianist playing music. All four of the artists were there for a meet and greet, and as all shows before you know it, the time ended and we made our way home.  If you didn't get a chance to swing by, the show is up until July 20th, where we'll also have a closing (info. to come).

I also found out the building we are showing our work in, a nice open space, was also at one time The U.S. Animal Quarantine Station and built in the early 1900s, so our animal art seems to be fitting. I also found a nice little archived article about Clifton in the NYTimes, dated back to 1991, which includes some interesting historical facts, click here for the link.

Summer into Fall Events

RUN! Grey Squirrel, watercolor © Beatrice Bork, on display "In Their Eye's"

This past Monday I transported my art, and met up with the other artists in "In Their Eye's" animal art show at the Clifton Art Center. We hung around 15 paintings each, the room is now full of a wide variety of species and we're ready for the reception next week, June 20, 5-8pm. There are four artists exhibiting, Laurie Harden, Maureen Casey, and friend and colleague, Linda Rossin, who is also a member of the Society of Animal Artists. It's been quite some time since I exhibited nearby in Wayne, NJ, and am happy to be in exhibiting in the area again. Receptions are always a nice way of meeting new people, and maybe even seeing some people I haven't seen in awhile. The show will run until July 20th.

Those of you with long range schedules, please also note that I have a piece "Waylay in the Mango Tree" juried into a great group exhibit at Grouse Mountain, in Vancouver Canada (Sept. 28-Oct. 6). I'm also very excited for my upcoming duo feature show at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ in October, and have a special one day solo exhibit coming in November. I'll be working on some newer pieces for those, and will post more information as the time approaches.

My work is continuously shown at Artists' Gallery and this month I'm showing "Through the Shoals" for the first time, along with "Lovie Dovie" (mourning doves) —June with all it's weddings seemed like a fine time to show these two "love" birds ;)

After a long year, it feels good to be back.

Artists for Conservation

"Waylay in the Mango Tree" © Beatrice Bork

I was excited to find out yesterday, that my watercolor painting "Waylay in the Mango Tree" was selected by jury for the Artists for Conservation 2013 exhibit in Vancouver Canada. The AFC's festival will be September 28 – October 6, 2013 at Grouse Mountain Resort. Art selected will have a portion of its sale go to a conservation group of the artists choice. I'm hoping the show has many sales, as there are many great groups that will benefit! My group of choice is the Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad (West Indies). This is a place that has grown very dear to me since I first visited in 2005, through being a recipient of the Don Eckelberry Award. I have been several times since. The subject here is a bananaquit, which is fairly common on the islands, but still fascinating to watch.

Quotes for the studio.

"Go with the Flow" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

On the walls of my studio are sketches, ideas, photos, clippings and things I find inspiring including these quotes:

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." —Aristotle

"It's never enough for the artist to just copy an object in paint, no matter how accurately or beautifully. The question "What does it look like?" has to be asked and resolved, of course, but equally important is the question "What does it mean"? —Raymond Harris Ching

"The more personal, the more universal."  —unknown

Animal Art at Clifton Art Center

"In Their Eyes" exhibit features the art of:
Laurie Harden, Beatrice Bork, Maureen Casey and Linda Rossin.

Evening in Stockton, NJ

Thank you to Rodney Miller for his photograph.

I had a nice evening yesterday speaking to the Artsbridge group about my work, held at Ty Hodanish's gallery & studio in Stockton NJ. I had a presentation of several images (in powerpoint), the Artsbridge group had a nice professional set up with the computer and screen, topics included how I got started, inspiration and process .

I thank Artsbridge for inviting me, and thank you to everyone that came! I was able to meet some new people as well as seeing some friends and familiar faces. I hope everyone enjoyed the evening as well.

Showing this month

Sanderlings at Sunset
© Beatrice Bork

 I continually have work represented at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. This month I have gone to the "shore" (as I am a "Jersey girl" I call it the shore ;)  Three of the pieces on display are from NJ, Stone Harbor (Sanderlings at Sunset, and Windward),  and Cape May (Summerhouse at the Shore) plus one from a distance, Trinidad & Tobago (Little Blue Heron). 

I have fond memories of spending summer vacations at the Jersey Shore, making sandcastles, digging for mole crabs (aka sand fleas), feeding seagulls, and just having a great time riding the waves along with thralls of people! As I got a little older the quiet off-peak season seems to appeal to me a lot more, rythmic sound of waves, gulls calling and the sun feeling great in contrast to the ocean breeze. I also spend more time bird watching in and around the coast. But, no matter where I am in my travels, I always seem to find it soothing near the sea.

Windward, Tree Swallows © Beatrice Bork

What's Next?

I was asked a little while ago to give a presentation for the Artsbridge: "Distinguished Artists Series", at the time it seemed so far off and as it's approaching I'm working on pulling it together. I plan to focus on inspiration through process, and hopeful that a good discussion will follow. It takes place on May 16, 7:00 pm at Prallsville Mills, Route 29, Stockton, NJ. For more information, click onto: Artsbridge website. 

I'm also looking forward to participating in: "In Their Eyes" a group exhibit, with Maureen Casey, Laurie Harden and Linda Rossin. June 19–July 20th (Reception: Thursday, June 20th 5–7pm). Clifton Arts Center in Clifton NJ.

And, I continuously have art on exhibit at Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ. www.LambertvilleArts.com. Hours: Fri/Sat/Sun 11am–6pm, or by appointment. 

Please see my website's schedule page for updates on exhibits and other presentations.

Framing, Focus on the Art.

Many people have made some nice comments about my framing, so I thought I would write a short blog about it.

I personally feel that a frame is an extension of a painting, the finishing touch, if you will, so I make an effort to get the right one for the piece—after all I have taken a lot of time to create the painting. My goal is to showcase the work in a way that supports the look and feel of the piece and doesn't distract the viewer from the focus, which is the art. I use archival mats as well as UV protective glass to support the overall quality of the work.

Each artist has their own way of presenting work, and each medium has different requirements for presentation, some art doesn't need a frame at all. If you have any questions about the art, medium or framing when viewing a piece, feel free to ask the artist or a representative.

Flamingos 4

"Through the Shoals" watercolor, 11 x 28" © Beatrice Bork

At this point of the painting I am very close to being finished, I will put this on an easel and continue to look at it for awhile, to see what else might be needed to be done in order to for me to feel it is complete.

The title has been something I have been pondering since I began the project, every painting is personal and I like to title them accordingly. After considering several options, "Through the Shoals" seemed to be the title most reflective of my thoughts. It not only portrays the birds feeding through the shallows, but also my journey through these last several months of breast cancer treatments.

The last "tanning" session

"Buttons in the Studio"  BBork

As some of you who read my blog know, I've been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. I am happy to report that today is my last day of radiation (a.k.a. "tanning"). Whew! This all started last July 2012— chemo, surgery and after today radiation will be done. It's been a long road, and I've been lucky that things have gone as planned all along. I've had a great support system, family and friends have really been there for me, and I've met and been treated by the kindest, caring people! I also want to acknowledge my little rescue pup, I adopted him about a month this all started, and he's kept a smile on my face all through this as well.

I am feeling very excited about my art and look forward to presenting the flamingos, which I hope to post next Friday.

Forward
:)

Artsbridge in May

Detail of "Little Prince" © Beatrice Bork

I'm pleased to announce that I've been asked to be a speaker for the "Distingueshed Artists Series" at the May 16th Artsbridge meeting, at Prallsville Mills, Stockton, NJ at 7:00 pm.  It is a wonderful artist community that promotes the arts, artists, events, and more.

I plan on having a discussion about medium, inspiration and process, and may also briefly explore how life can throw you a curve-ball and how it does or does not effect the creative process. I'll bring some paintings and present images to aid in discussion.

Framing, Focus on the Art

Many people have made some nice comments about my framing, so I thought I would write a short blog about it.

I personally feel that a frame is an extension of a painting, the finishing touch, if you will, so I make an effort to get the right one for the piece—after all I have taken a lot of time to create the painting. My goal is to showcase the work in a way that supports the look and feel of the piece and doesn't distract the viewer from the focus, which is the art. I use archival mats as well as UV protective glass as a final touch to the quality of the overall work.

Each artist has their own way of presenting work, and each medium has different requirements for presentation, some art doesn't need a frame at all. If you have any questions about the art, medium or framing when viewing a piece, feel free to ask the artist or a representative.

Flamingos. 5

Painting in progress, on the "drawing board" with my resource photos. © Beatrice Bork 2013

Flamingos, inception...

The Flamingos painting is coming along well, a few distractions this week made it a little slower, so I thought I'd go back to its very beginning, its inception if you will.  I will continue with the progress of the painting next week.

I found one of the very first scribbles for the idea of the Flamingo piece that I'm currently working on. This is how many ideas are "captured", a sighting or a thought is scribbled onto the very first piece of paper I can find and then it "gels" in my mind until I'm ready to formulate it into a real painting. Sometimes I refer back to the sketch, sometimes not. I probably have hundreds of these sketches laying around, some become paintings, some become inspirations for something else, and some never get further than the initial "light bulb" moment.

Initial idea/sketch, on scrap notebook paper, Sept. 2012.  As you can see I was thinking about the number of  birds to include in the piece.  © Beatrice Bork

Flamingos. 4

The painting is progressing well. I layered the whole piece with some subtle color to give me a starting point, letting me know me where everything is (the pencil outlines can be confusing if the piece is very complicated)—from there, I started building section by section.  When working with watercolor it is important to have everything planned and placed well before starting, because it is very difficult (if not impossible) to change your mind once the piece is begun.

Below is a section of the right side of the piece that I've built up. I will keep layering the rest of the piece to this level, then continue to work on it more as a whole until I'm satisfied. (Each piece is different and the process is dictated by its composition, image etc.)

Process of Flamingos watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork 2013

Flamingos. 3

Once the initial drawing is figured out, the next phase is to get the painting started. I usually sort out the background wash first. I originally thought to go with dark greens on this piece, and started with that approach—but it just didn't seem settle with my vision for the feel of this piece. I started another background with a more purplish color to compare. I let the two backgrounds soak into my thoughts for awhile before I decided. I'm very happy that I explored a second option for background for this piece, it ended up feeling like the right way to go. I then lightly transferred the drawing to the painting, as seen in a close up below. (note the color tones on the photo are a little off).

Flamingos, watercolor/pencil closeup © Beatrice Bork 2013

Flamingos. 2

Once I had the general idea in the sketch of what I was looking to accomplish, I then went further into detail. I pulled all my photos, and researched my subject matter—which in this case included skeletal images so I could better understand the beak/face and posture. I began by working on the individual birds, then started compiling them. Once I compiled them there were several more drawings done to get everything as I wanted them to me. The image seen here is the last of these drawings, and the one I will use as the basis for my painting.

 

Pencil drawing, Flamingos © Beatrice Bork, 2013

Flamingos. 1

My journey back to health for the last half year had put my painting on hold for a while, but I have continuously been sketching and reflecting, and ideas for future paintings are plentiful. While I still have treatments to complete, I am now feeling pretty good — like a horse in a starting-gate ready to burst back onto the track.

So, what is to be the creation that gets me back? I've settled on an image that I had sketched several times since all this began. Flamingos. Maybe the pinkish ribbon-like necks influenced me. I had seen them on one of my trips to Trinidad, they are of course striking birds and this seemed to be the right time and connection for me.

I want this piece to not only accurately depict the birds of course, but also have my own personal experience be reflected. They wade through the mangrove swamps and tidal flats in groups with there heads down going through the shallows and muck to sustain life. They are gregarious and looking at a group you see a tangle of necks and legs… and yet they' re in harmony getting through another day.

I'm now finalizing my pre-painting renditions and hope to begin the piece in the next week or so. Below are initial charcoal renderings, these are used to work out positioning and composition. The next phase of drawings work out more of the details and accuracy. Updates to come.

Initial charcoal rendering (stage 1) for flamingos © Beatrice Bork, Feb. 2013 

Initial charcoal rendering (stage 2) for flamingos © Beatrice Bork, Feb. 2013

"Lyrical"

"Lovie Dovie" © Beatrice Bork

February marks the start of a unique group exhibit at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. All 18 of the house artists are participating in "Lyrical" a show that groups art with poem and song. Due to the snow storm predicted, the opening reception for "Lyrical" will be held on Sunday, Feb 10 from 3-6 pm. The show is on display through March 3.

I have chosen 2 pieces, "Lovie Dovie" which is paired with the poem "Hope" by Emily Dickinson, if you have read my last blog on Feathers, makes an obvious connection with my recent journey. I also chose my painting "Summer House at the Shore" to go along with the song "Surfin' Bird" by the Trashmen. It is just a fun old song, there's always room for some fun! ...  My inspiration for this piece comes from the Purple Martins seen at Cape May by the lighthouse, where there are a slew of "apartments" set up for these birds that "surf the air". 

"Summer House at the Shore" © Beatrice Bork