Hi There! #1 and #2

I have all 3 of my new macaw paintings on display at Artists' Gallery Holiday exhibit. I really had fun getting up close to these wonderful, charismatic birds! To find out more about the current exhibit in Lambertville and to see see Hi There #3, click here.  Happy Holidays!

Left: Hi There #1, Red and Green Macaw © Beatrice Bork.  Right: Hi There #2, Blue and Yellow Macaw © Beatrice Bork

Interesting note:
There is a project underway to re-introduce the Blue and Yellow Macaw back to Trinidad.

Holidays at Artists' Gallery

Join all of the Artists' Gallery artists (which includes me) for an opening reception on Saturday December 6, 4 to 7pm. This is a great chance to meet with quite a few of our artists and see a gallery full of wonderful work! This exhibit runs through February 1, 2015—in Lambertville, NJ.

"Hi There" #3 © Beatrice Bork

I will have a few new works on display including my new series of macaws. "Hi There" 1,  2, and 3. (pictured: "Hi There" #3 is a Military Macaw). These small paintings are part of a few new pieces that I've done exploring a more intimate/close range encounter.

Also displayed at Artists' Gallery this month are my original paintings: "Stalk Walk"-ring-necked pheasant, "Silent Flight"-barn owl, "Red Flyer"-cardinal, "Sun Song"-swamp sparrow, "Red-winged blackbird", "Lovie Dovie"-mourning doves, "Ah Go Ketch She Eye"-violaceous euphonias, "Twist"-white bearded manikin, and "Play Ball"-mixed breed (my dog, Buttons).  As always, I will have a selection of my limited edition prints available. To see these and more work, please go to my website: www.BeatriceBork.artspan.com

Limited Edition Giclee Prints Available

I have some new and favorite limited edition prints available for the holidays. "Little Prince" © Beatrice Bork

With the holidays around the corner, it was time I updated my print gallery webpage with a few new pieces. The website has an option for a shopping card which makes ordering prints very simple. Locally, I have a selection of prints available at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ and now also at Picture Perfect in Flemington, NJ.

Looking ahead, we have an opening reception to celebrate the winter holidays coming up at Artists' Gallery on December 6, 4–7pm, everyone is invited! I should have a few new paintings ready for this show as well.  The exhibit will be up December 4, 2014–February 1, 2015.

My Dude

Here's my latest painting, "Play Ball" of my dog Buttons—this painting is not for sale ;)

"Play Ball" © Beatrice Bork

"Glancing Back"

"Glancing Back", watercolor © Beatrice Bork

"Glancing back" to my September show at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, I thought I would blog about another painting that was part of this successful exhibit. The above painting was inspired during one of my trips to Maine, from a visit to Machais Seal Island. Although the time on the island was brief, my observations and encounters with Atlantic Puffins were awesome and memorable, and have spurred several paintings—with more, I'm sure, to come.

Buck Gardens Workshop

All photos © Patricia Scibilia, Leonard J. Buck Garden

A great time was had by all at the one-day watercolor workshop at Leonard J. Buck Gardens in Far Hills, NJ last Friday. I don't conduct many workshops, but this is one I have done annual for years and enjoy it every time. The setting is beautiful with wonderful weather and enthusiastic participants may have made this the best one yet. Same time, same place next year...

Thank you Patricia and Joanne and the gracious staff at Buck Gardens for working to pull this together every year! Also want to thank Patricia for the use of these wonderful images from the day.

But there's more!

September through the first weekend in October had my art-card full! My feature, "Flight/Patterns" as well as the weekend group show "Past, Present, Future" both came to a close.  I had a very successful month and was happy to see my work going home with wonderful people.  ... But there's more!

"Sun Song" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

I have several pieces at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ this month, including a new piece, "Sun Song" of a Swamp Sparrow (image above).

This upcoming Thursday (Oct. 16) marks my yearly workshop in Far Hills, NJ, at beautiful Buck Gardens. I just received an email letting me know the class is full! I'm looking forward to a nice weather day! Keep your fingers crossed.

Also, still in progress,  "Abbott Marshlands — More Than Meets the Eye"  September 20–November 16, 2014. At Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park. This group exhibit celebrates the Legacy of the Abbott Marshlands. This show includes 2 of my paintings, "Silent Flight" barn owl and "Surveyor" sharp-shinned hawk. Click here for more info. about Ellarslie

Coming up for December is the Holiday Group Show at Artists' Gallery, and 2015 events are already taking shape as well. A special trio show "Menage ART Trois" will be taking place in August in Solebury, PA as well as a duo featured show in Lambertville, NJ.  More information to come!

The end is near...

"Eye to Eye IV" Peregrine Falcon © Beatrice Bork

These are the last few days of "Flight/Patterns", my duo exhibit with Jennifer Cadoff, and we're celebrating this successful show with a "Coffee and Conversation" reception, on the last day, Sunday October 5th, 2-4pm. At, Artists' Gallery located at 18 Bridge Street, in the heart of beautiful Lambertville, NJ. For gallery hours, directions and more, please click here

AND, also this weekend: October 3 through October 5th: "Past, Present & Future" a group exhibit featuring several great local artists to benefit the Historic Doylestown Cemetery. I'll be presenting a few original paintings, as well as framed limited edition giclée prints. I'll be attending the opening reception on Friday Oct. 3, 5-8pm, at Rolling Green Farm, Route 202 & Aquetong Road, New Hope PA. Weekend hours for the exhibit are Sat. and Sunday 11 am – 5pm. To find out more about this event, please click here.

For information on these and other scheduled events please go to my website:
www.BeatriceBork.artspan.com

The Fall Schedule

Fall brings a busy time of year for me and I'm involved in a few shows.

"Eye to Eye III" Cooper's Hawk © Beatrice Bork

Currently through October 5
"Flight/Patterns" 
featuring: Beatrice Bork
and Jennifer Cadoff , at
Artists' Gallery in historic Lambertville, NJ.
Please join us for a coffee & conversation closing event, Sunday, Oct. 5 from 2 to 4pm.

________________________

"Surveyor" Sharp-shinned Hawk © Beatrice Bork

"Abbott Marshlands — More Than Meets the Eye" 

September 20–November 16, 2014. At Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park. This group exhibit celebrates the Legacy of the Abbott Marshlands. This show includes 2 of my paintings, "Silent Flight" barn owl and "Surveyor" sharp-shinned hawk. Click here for more info. about Ellarslie

________________________

"Red Flyer" Northern Cardinal © Beatrice Bork

"Past, Present and Future" A weekend group Art Show  to benefit the preservation of historic Doylestown Cemetery. At Rolling Green Farm, Rt 202 & Aquetong Rd, Solebury, PA, October 4 and 5, with an opening reception on Oct. 3, 5-8pm. I will have several original pieces available, including; "Stalk Walk", "Red Flyer", "Lovie Dovie" and "Vantage Point" as well as a few framed limited edition giclée prints. 

Eye to Eye II

Eye to Eye II © Beatrice Bork 

Eye to Eye is a series of four small paintings of birds of prey that I have on display at "Flight/Patterns" exhibit. I enjoy this in-depth concentration into the eyes, and may do more—maybe other species as well. The above watercolor and gouache painting is Eye to Eye II Great Horned Owl.

"Flight/Patterns"

A featured artists exhibit: Beatrice Bork and Jennifer Cadoff

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

The exhibit runs through October 5
Join us for the closing "Coffee and Conversation" reception 2–4pm.
For hours, directions and more information go to
www.LambertvilleArts.com

Up and Running...

Follow Me Maybe — Watercolor/Gouache © Beatrice Bork

"Flight/Patterns" is up and running, our reception last night was a lot of fun! I really appreciate everyone who trekked out to visit us and see the show. The exhibit will be up until October 5th, where we'll have a "Coffee and Conversation" closing reception — and hopefully more cooperative weather.  Details can be found at Artists' Gallery website.

Above is one of the paintings I have on display Follow Me Maybe  is a painting of male and female Green Honeycreepers that I observed at the Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad.

Join us September 6th!

One week until "Flight/Patterns" opens! I hope you can join us on September 6, 5 to 8pm at Artists' Gallery in the heart of beautiful Lambertville, NJ. Please go to www.LambertvilleArts.com for gallery hours, directions and more.  The exhibit will run until October 5th.

I have several new pieces in this exhibit, including a few smaller works. The watercolor/gouache painting below of a Barred Owl will be included. "Eye to Eye I" is part of a series of paintings of birds of prey.

"Eye to Eye I" © Beatrice Bork

Save the date: Sept. 6th

Mark your calendar and please join us for a gathering to celebrate the opening of our (Jennifer Cadoff and my) exhibit "Flight/Patterns" on September 6, 5 to 8pm. At Artists' Gallery at 18 Bridge Street in the heart of beautiful Lambertville, NJ. The exhibit opens on September 4 and will run through October 5th.

The above paintings are new and a continuation of a series that I'll be exploring from time. Above (l–r) is Feathered II, Ring-necked Pheasant and Feathered III, Peacock— © Beatrice Bork. This series started with a painting of the feather structure of a Red-tailed Hawk. I am enjoying exploring the patterns in these small works both are 2.25" x 3.5".

August at Artists' Gallery

Paintings on display this month at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ.

On display this month at Artists' Gallery is: Reality Check a piece inspired by a trip to St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC, Goldfinch, Summer Plover, Little Blue Heron, and Summer House at the Shore which is hanging in the hallway entrance. As usual I have a number of prints also available. (I'd like to thank Michael Schweigart, another fantastic Artists' Gallery artist for supplying me with the above photo.).

Reminder: My featured exhibit "Flight/Patterns" with Jennifer Cadoff, opens September 4, with a reception on Sat. September 6, 5-8pm—all are welcome to attend.

Flight/Patterns, update

"I Spy" Watercolor/Gouache © Beatrice Bork

I find the theme "Flight/Patterns" very exciting, as it really reflects Jennifer's (Cadoff) intricate pen and ink works, as well as my own specific inspirations in nature. I have a total fascination in birds—particularly the ability to fly, as well as the spectacle of nature that offers unending inspiration in it's patterns and color. As I've explored in "I Spy" (Eastern box turtle).

So, one month until the show opens! Jennifer and I have the post card exhibit cards and are working on getting labels together to mail the invites out. If you're not on the Artists' Gallery, or my mailing list and you would like to get a reminder for the show, please drop me an email at: BeatriceBork@gmail.com. We'd enjoy seeing you at our opening reception.

Beatrice Bork and Jennifer Cadoff
"Flight Patterns"
September 4 – October 5, 2014
Reception: Saturday, September 6, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Artists' Gallery
18 Bridge Street
Lambertville, NJ

Gallery Hours: Thurs. – Sun. 11:00am – 6:00pm

Featured painting

"Down Under" Watercolor/Gouache painting © Beatrice Bork

The above painting is the complete image that's featured on the invitational card for the exhibit "Flight/Patterns" and will be seen on display for the first time in September at Artists' Gallery. The scene depicts cliff swallows under the Lambertville Bridge in NJ.

The exhibit runs September 4 to October 5, with a reception on September 6, 5-8pm— at Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ. Gallery hours are Thurs. to Sun., 11am to 6pm.

"Flight/Patterns" Save the Date!

Images: (L) "Flight Patterns" pen and ink © Jennifer Cadoff
(R) Detail of "Down Under" Cliff Swallows, Lambertville Bridge
watercolor/gouache © Beatrice Bork

The details are set and the art is continuously being created for the upcoming exhibit "Flight/Patters" at Artists' Gallery this September. Jennifer Cadoff and I are looking forward to once again share the feature and hope you can join us at our reception.

Exhibit: September 4 through October 5
Reception: Saturday, September 6. 5-8pm
Coffee and Conversation to close the show: Sunday October 5. 2-4pm

Artists' Gallery
18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ
Hours: Thursday through Sunday 11am-6pm

Opening weekend Art of the Animal

The Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT

I had a wonderful time this weekend in Bennington Vermont, for the opening of Art of the Animal Kingdom XIX. The Bennington Center for the Arts, is simply a wonderful place, it's a large, open, beautiful space, with beautifully curated galleries in a scenic area. The gallery director, family and staff made the artists feel welcome, and we were pampered to a wonderful day of events, reception and dinner on Saturday, along with breakfast and a quiet walk on our own through the Center on Sunday. There are more than 50 artists' works at the Animal Kingdom gallery alone, and I will treasure the exhibit catalog as a fond remembrance of the artists I met. There is a lot to see at The Bennington, beyond our Animal Art exhibit, and I would highly recommend a stop there if you are in the area!

"Through the Shoals" on exhibit at Art of the Animal Kingdom

Art of the Animal Kingdom XIX

I'm looking forward to the opening on Saturday, of the "Art of the Animal Kingdom" exhibit, at The Bennington Center for the Arts in Vermont. My work "Through the Shoals" is included in this national exhibit juried by Rosetta, I'm pleased to be in the company of such wonderful artists. The exhibit is open until August 24, 2014. Click here to see a web page of exhibiting artists:  http://www.thebennington.org/index.php/art-of-the-animal-kingdom

Dude with Attitude

Dude with Attitude © Beatrice Bork

I was recently excited to present the above commissioned watercolor painting, and it was equally well received, entitled "Dude with Attitude".

This is one of the lizards the clients had enjoyed observing on one of their trips out west, and had ideas about character and wanted a western feel to the setting. They presented me with some of their photos of various lizards—but wanted the piece to be of my creation and style.

Throw-back Thursday

"Kingfisher" © Beatrice Bork 1983

One could say this piece was the one that really started it all. This watercolor painting, entitled "Kingfisher," was done in High School and was ultimately selected to be displayed at the NJ State Museum in Trenton through the Teen Arts Program back in 1983. 

Scheduling, Summer 2014

Princeton, NJ: May 23 is the last day see "Oasis and Mirage: Disappearing Water" at D&R Greenway's Gallery  I have two pieces, "Clique" and "Summer Plover" on exhibit there with quite a number of other talented artists' works.

Lambertville, NJ:  I'm excited to have the planning phase underway for a show coming up in September at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville. Once again Jennifer Cadoff and I have teamed up for a featured exhibit entitled "Flight/Patterns". This is a great title—kudos to Jennifer for coming up with it! It embodies so much of both our work, the obvious flight covering my interest in birds and her wonderful pen and ink pattern work, but it also covers so much more... the ideas of patterns in nature and flights of fancy.  At this stage we've settled on scheduling, which includes when to get the postcards ready, press release info. and our reception. The show runs from Sept. 4 to October 5th, with our opening on Sept. 6th. More info to come.

Bennington, VT: I'm also getting my Through the Shoals painting ready to be delivered to the Bennington Center for the Arts in Vermont for the "Art of the Animal Kingdom" national juried exhibit that begins June 14—August 24, 2014.

"Sky Dive" the Sketch

"Sky Dive" peregrine pencil sketch © Beatrice Bork

Sky Dive

"Sky Dive" © Beatrice Bork

I came across a sketch for a painting I did a while ago, and thought I would post the painting. It is a peregrine falcon in a dive. These are fascinating, powerful birds of prey that can reach wild speeds in their pursuit of prey—up to 200 mph in a dive. I really enjoyed doing the painting for this particular piece, I once did a tandem sky dive, and the thrill of that is something I'll never forget!

The Cornell website "allaboutbirds.com" is a great resource of information!

Lambertville gallery logo update.

As many of you know, my work is represented at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ, and I really enjoy showing my work there and being involved in the aspects of running the gallery with my fellow artists.

We have updated the logo—and I'm excited! Artists' Gallery is now over 18 years old, and we decided that it was time that the original logo got a face-lift to better reflect the diverse, high quality of art we have on exhibit. This logo has started appearing at the gallery, website, and on our printed materials—and hope to have all our signage updated soon!

Old Logo © Artists' Gallery

New logo © Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ
Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 11am–6pm

News

"Through the Shoals" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

I just received some great news! My painting "Through the Shoals"of Caribbean/American Flamingos has been juried into Art of the Animal Kingdom XIX exhibit, June through August, at The Bennington Center for the Arts in Vermont.

Details to come.

Box turtle… dessert first.

I've been working on some smaller paintings, that I've not put on my website yet. The parameters for placing images on the website gallery are the same for an 18 x 20" as for a 3" x 3"— which means, the experience of viewing one painting to the next are very different. So, for now, I'm placing some of them on my blog (or framed in a gallery) until I find a good way of presenting them on my website.

I've just finished a box turtle with blackberries. This is actually two small paintings that I plan on "floating" in a frame together. Both images as a unit will be 3.125 x 3.5"

"Dessert First" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Save the date, April 11

"Clique" watercolor painting of Razorbills © Beatrice Bork

I was pleased to have two paintings ("Clique" and "Summer Plover") accepted in the juried exhibit "D&R Greenway’s Oasis and Mirage: Disappearing Water show".  D&R has a great way of presenting exhibits with an environmental message, I'm excited to see the diversity in artists interpretations of the theme.

Exhibition dates: March 31 – May 23
Reception: Friday, April 11, 5:30-7:30pm

D&R Greenway Land Trust

Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ 08540 

(on Rosedale Road, across from Johnson Park School)

March 2014

"Jumbie Bird" © Beatrice Bork

If you haven't been to Artists' Gallery in the Lambertville, NJ, and are in the area, please stop in. There's always an artist there to assist and answer questions, as it is an artist-run gallery. Each month we change the exhibits with different features, so there's always something new to see!

This month the watercolor paintings I have on display are: Wood Thrush on the Rocks, Jumbie Bird, Feathered, Golden Eagle, RUN!, Barnside, and Romeo.  I also have a selection of limited editions prints available.

Jumbie Bird, is a painting inspired during one of my visits to Trinidad. The ferruginous pygmy owl is a small bird with a call that's easy to detect. We heard him and called him over (by mimicking) where I was then able to get some research photos and see him moving about in the trees. My goal for this painting was to emphasize its mystery, and wanted a "folk-lure/story-book" feel to the piece.

Buttons

"Adopt Me" © Beatrice Bork

Today is my dog "Buttons" Birthday—or at least it's close enough (Feb. 29th, was the best guess). I adopted him in May 2012. Little did I know when I was rescuing him, that he would do the same for me… 

This is a small watercolor painting (3.25 x 3.5") I just finished of him as a puppy. 

Great Quote

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, 

people will forget what you did, 

but people will never forget how you made them feel" 

— Maya Angelou

I find that to be a great quote, and so true with painting—which is why I make every painting I create something personal. (There is another quote that relates, "The more personal, the more universal" by Carl Rogers).

Coming soon...
I'm currently finishing up a piece that I'll be showing soon of Green Honeycreepers …  as well as a few smaller pieces (what I'm referring to as intimate encounters) that I may only be showing on my blog for now. (like "Feathered" , the original painting is currently on display at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ)…

"Lyrical" is open

Join Artists' Gallery artists for and opening reception on Sat. February 8 — 4 to 7pm. 

I always look forward to this particular group exhibit. The receptions are always very nice meet and greets, surrounded by wonderful works of art—hope to see you there!

"Lyrical" —an Artists' Gallery Group Show
February 6 to March 2, 2014
Opening reception: Saturday, Feb 8, 4-7pm

Artists' Gallery
18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

I am have two paintings part of this 18 artist exhibit, as well as six other paintings on display there along with a variety of limited edition prints. (Paintings on display: Attraction, Caribbean Sun, Run!, Through the Shoals, Waylay in the Mango Tree, Twist, Feathered, and Wood Thrush on the Rocks)

Quote

"I would rather die of Passion than of Boredom" —Van Gogh

… although I'd like to keep my ears ;)

It's a true blessing to do what you love to do, and for me, starting with the morning walk, that includes any wildlife, is inspiring, and then being able to translate my experiences into drawings and paintings fills me with joy and gratitude.

A "Lyrical" Theme

"Caribbean Sun" © Beatrice Bork

This upcoming February Artists' Gallery group show, has the theme of "Lyrical" which pairs musical lyrics (or poems) with art. One of the paintings I'm planning on exhibiting at this show is "Caribbean Sun" along with the lyrics from the song "Yellow Bird" which I'm familiar with via a Trinidadian Steel Drum version, and a cover by Chris Isaac (it has been covered by many singers/ musicians).  While I was searching for the lyrics to the song, I found out that it is actually a Haitian Folk song, written by Oswald Duraund with music by Michel Mauleart Monton, 1893.

"Yellow Bird"
Yellow bird, up high in banana tree.
Yellow bird, you sit all alone like me.

Did you lady friend leave the nest again?
That is very sad, makes me feel so bad.
You can fly away, in the sky away.
You're more lucky than me.

I also had a pretty girl, she's not with me today.
They're all the same those pretty girls.
Take tenderness, then they fly away.
Yellow Bird, yellow bird.

Did you lady friend leave the nest again?
That is very sad, makes me feel so bad.
You can fly away, in the sky away.
You're more lucky than me.

Wish that I were a yellow bird, I'd fly away with you.
But I am not a yellow bird, So here I sit.
Nothing I can do.
Yellow bird, yellow bird.

What's next?

The current Artists' Gallery exhibit is winding down ("AG 18/18/18" ends Feb 2), and I'm getting ready for the next group exhibit, "Lyrical". This will be the second time we're going with this theme, it pairs up art with a song or poem.

"Lyrical"
2nd Annual Exhibit
18 Bridge St.
Lambertville, NJ 08822

January 25, is the last day of the Philadelphia Sketch Club exhibit where "Through the Shoals" is on exhibit. I was one of three jurors for this show, and there are some excellent pieces represented there.

Happy New Year!

"Twist" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

On this very, very cold day, my mind drifts to warmer climates, and one of my favorite locations is Trinidad, specifically at Asa Wright Nature Center. "Twist" was inspired by the Monkey Ladder Vine and those wonderful little birds white-bearded manakins. This bird is great fun to watch and listen for, it keeps a clean floor, and does a fascinating dance to get a female's attention. (what's not to like about that!) "Twist" is one of the paintings currently on display at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ.