Visit to the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum

"Through the Shoals" American/Caribbean Flamingoes, painting © Beatrice Bork

ORADELL NJ— A trip to the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum was on my list of things to do this year ever since I found out that my painting "Through the Shoals" was among the works on tour with the Society of Animal Artists' "55th Art and the Animal" Exhibit. I also had another nice surprise when I found out that my work was selected to be part of the promotion for the show at the Blauvelt.

Next Exhibit: "Small Works in a Small Town"

Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ will be hosting a small works exhibit in the feature Salon (in addition to the normal gallery exhibition spaces).

One of the small paintings I will have on display is one of my favorites, "Lovie Dovie".  Framed with a soft silver and white dimensional conservation matting, with museum glass, the size including frame is 12" x 11.5".  I'll also be presenting a few new watercolor paintings and a charcoal portrait throughout the gallery, as well as limited edition giclee prints and greeting cards.


"Small Works in a Small Town"

All are welcome for an open house
  Saturday, December 12th, 1pm to 7pm

The exhibit will run December 10 through January 31.

Artists' Gallery is located in the heart of historic
Lambertville, NJ on 18 Bridge Street.

www.LambertvilleArts. com


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Continuing Group Exhibits:
"55th Annual Art of the Animal" Exhibit is now on display at Hiram Blauvelt Museum in Oradell, NJ until January 3, 2016

and

"Animal Nature" at Art Times Two, the gallery at
Princeton Brain and Spine until March 2016, located on Alexander Rd, in Princeton NJ. (please call 609 203-4622 for more info.)

"Seeker"

"Seeker" Watercolor/Gouache Painting © Beatrice Bork

TRINIDAD— I have traveled to Trinidad and Tobago islands frequently and have a mountain of inspiration accumulated that may last forever. "Seeker" is a Purple Honeycreeper (Male) on his way deeper into the lush neotropical rainforest, and is currently on display at Artists' Gallery through the end of the month.

Looking ahead: Artists' Gallery

LAMBERTVILLE NJ— Artists' Gallery is a unique gallery that is artist-run, and therefore we chose which art to show our "own" wall space.  Different work is on display every month, as well as our special featured and group shows in our largest exhibit area.

After a successful September feature with Carol Sanzalone ("Watermarks"), we moved on to different areas of the gallery to show our work. My work is currently in "Salon D" right now and next month I will be in "Salon B". This change makes the gallery constantly new.

"The Raven" © Beatrice Bork, found a new home during our September exhibit.

Artists' Gallery will present "Small Works in a Small Town" exhibit on December 10 celebrating 20 years, with a group show. All are invited to our OPEN HOUSE scheduled for Saturday December 12, 1pm to 7pm!

I am also excited to be paired with Michael Schweigart for the gallery's first duo featured show of 2016, in April. Plans are already underway!

Beatrice Bork & Michael Schweigart
April 7 — May 1, 2016
Opening reception: Saturday April 9
Artists' Gallery
18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

NYC and Far Hills, NJ

October 14, NYC— Wednesday was an enjoyable day, New Hope Arts graciously organized a bus trip to the Whitney Museum that I was quite happy to join. What a great trip to see a museum with 40 or so artist colleagues! I enjoyed the Whitney's collection as well as the highlighted exhibit of Archibald Motley's work. I confess I did not know much about him, but there is nothing quite like a large body of work to get a great feel for an artist! I came away wanting to know more and was intrigued by his color, composition and subject.

October 15, FAR HIILS, NJ — What a fantastic day to teach a workshop outdoors in the beautiful setting of Leonard J. Buck Gardens! The group (including myself) was only 6 people, but we had a great time. The nature center supplied us with coffee and snacks  along with wonderful vistas.

I observed a couple of ruby-crownded kinglets, which only added to the great day—and possibly inspired a future painting.

Steady

"Steady" Watercolor/Gouache Painting by Beatrice Bork

LAMBERTVILLE NJ— "Watermarks" enters it's second week at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville NJ. I'm pleased that the show has been well received!

One of the paintings in the show is "Steady" a green heron. I have seen these small herons around the pond by my home frequently this summer. They are still, patient, and quiet in their pursuit of fish, frogs, insects etc. Which is one of two reasons why I chose the title "Steady". As with most all my paintings there is another level, a personal reflection within the piece—"Steady" also reflects a way of life, I enjoy being still and quiet and reflective. While it is a wonderfully patterned and colorful bird, it camouflages itself within its environment very well—quiet and still, is not boring.

I had this framed in a nice deep silver toned wood frame and created depth with some creative matting so that the viewer is looking into the painting. The framing is conservation quality with UV protective museum glass. The museum glass adds clarity and reduces glare.

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Crocodile, Completed Painting

"Perilous" watercolor/gouache painting © Beatrice Bork

Earlier this year, I posted the starting steps of a commissioned painting I was working on of a Crocodile (click here to see post), and I'm happy to say it's finished and the painting was very well received by the new owner! This was an enjoyable painting to do, because of the flexibility I was given by the commissioner of the piece. It measures about 40" wide. (At this point the title is still tentative.)

Sounds of Summer

"Sounds of Summer"
Laughing Gulls
Limited Edition Giclée Print (20)
Signed and Numbered
©Beatrice Bork

There are a number of things that seem to continuously inspire me, and here again, is a memory of my youth. My family would head to the Jersey Shore each summer on vacation. I remember mornings waking up to the sound of gulls—I was eager to jump out of bed and race to the beach for another day of sun, swimming and building and digging in the sand—and of course bird watching.

To see more of my work, please visit my website www.BeatriceBork.artspan.com. 

"I'll Fly Away"

"I'll Fly Away"
Black-capped Chickadee
Limited Edition Giclée Print (20)
Signed and Numbered
©Beatrice Bork

One reason birds inspire me is my fascination with flight, to be able to just fly away when trouble is near, represents freedom to me. This piece was done after successful treatments for breast cancer—it would have been nice to fly away from everything occasionally during that time, but I must say it did give me a new, more positive perspective on life and that is what I wanted to portray in this piece. The original painting was done in watercolor and gouache.

Go to my website to see more work, or to purchase click here.

Expectations

"Expectations" © Beatrice Bork

There's a new exhibit coming to Artists' Gallery in March, "Mostly Monochrome"where I plan on showing some old favorites including "Expectations". This is an unusual watercolor/gouache painting for me—as I usually don't create still life work with my animal subjects, but this was an image that kept re-occurring in my mind and after many sketches, I finally painted it. In 2003, I saw an opportunity to enter it in the 12th National Juried show, at the Art Center of Northern NJ in New Milford—and to my delight it won Best in Show. This is a painting that I don't exhibit often, and has a nice spot in my own home.


"Mostly Monochrome"
Gallery Members Group Show
March 5 to April 5, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, March 6, 5-8pm

Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

www.LambertvilleArts.com

Crocodile painting, the early stages.

I'm working on a commission that was given to me last year, I have free range on what to do, which is great! I've been able to put thought, research and had some time to think about it and came up with doing this guy under water.

I began with "a gazillion" sketches and when I was happy with one, I worked on a more detailed rendering and brought it up to scale. (This piece is 40" wide). I taped my hot-press watercolor board to the wall in my studio and began the background and then transferred the drawing.

Once I had the drawing transferred I then began to lightly paint—negative areas first.

I then begin the long process of layering in the details. It will be a few weeks before the next post, but I'm already pleased with the progress.

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

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. 

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

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. 

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.)

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.

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

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.