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

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

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

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

Up and Running, May 2012

"Observation Post" © Beatrice Bork

The featured "Habitat Inhabitants" is up, the opening reception is over, and the exhibit is now in its 2nd week. So far it's been a great show! I enjoy seeing how both Michael Schweigart and my paintings "co-exist" in the feature room's space.

The exhibit runs thru June 3rd.

Artists' Gallery

18 Bridge St

Lambertville, NJ

Open Fri/Sat/Sun 11am – 6pm