Last Weekend of "Watermarks"

"House Hunter" © Beatrice Bork

LAMBERTVILLE NJ— It's hard for me to believe, but "Watermarks" at Artists' Gallery  is in its last weekend already! The show has been well received and quite a few paintings have found new homes. We will be having a "Coffee and Conversation" closing celebration on Sunday Oct. 4th, 2-4pm, all are welcome to stop by!

Another new painting I've featured in the show is "House Hunter", a carolina wren seeking out a new home, and has landed on a particularly interesting tree with possible potential? I enjoy our local birds as much as any birds I've seen in my travels. Wrens are cute, loud—in a melodious way, and quick. 

I've chosen a frame that echoes the tones in the painting and the bird. It has a nice contemporary feel with a rustic finish that I find suits the painting well. Conservation framing with UV protective museum glass.

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.)

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

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".

Flamingos. 5

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

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

Holidays in Lambertville

"Vantage Point" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

Yesterday marked the opening of our 17th Annual Holiday show, a group exhibit of the house artists at Artists' Gallery. I have several pieces on display throughout the gallery as well as a few new prints and my 2013 Calendar. If you're in the neighborhood, please stop in! We have a wonderful group of 18 great artists with 18 different styles on display.

17th Annual Holiday Show:
Reception: Saturday, December 8, 4 – 7 pm
Exhibit Dates: Dec 7, 2012 – Feb 3, 2013
Artists' Gallery is located at 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ
Gallery hours: Fri/Sat/Sun 11 am – 6 pm
Phone us: 609.397.4588
Find us on: Facebook.com/artistsgallery
We Are LambertvilleArts.com


Among the paintings I'm exhibiting is a new painting that I had started right before my diagnosis (breast cancer) that I feel was a foretelling/symbolic painting of sorts. It is a painting of a house sparrow, perched on a lamp-post at Lambertville Station. The bird has a unique "Vantage Point" at sunset—and in a way at the moment I finished the piece I was feeling that same way. My situation had me stop and look around, I had time to reflect—where I was and where I was headed. I am going through treatments and looking forward to the next chapter when I can enjoy a new sunrise.

Off to a new home...

"Scuffle at the Mill" House Finches © Beatrice Bork

"Scuffle at the Mill" one of the watercolors featured in Habitat Inhabitants "flew" off to its new home last week. It's so nice as an artist to meet and speak with the people who view and purchase the artwork.

The piece was inspired in Stockton, NJ at the Prallsville Mill. I used the angles and colors of the buildings to accentuate the birds and the mood of the piece. The show will be up until June 3 (Sun), and will close with a "Coffee and Conversation" event 2-5pm.  Artists' Gallery is located at 18 Bridge St., Lambertville NJ. Hours: Fri/Sat/Sun, 11am - 6pm.

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

Keeping a Theme

"Reality Check" watercolor © Beatrice Bork

As time draws nearer to the opening of the "Habitat Inhabitants" exhibit, there are many things to work on. First on the list is just keep painting, the press releases, post cards, etc.  and ultimately what paintings will be displayed that link to the theme of "coexistance of humanity with nature".

One of the pieces I have chosen for the show is "Reality Check". This piece was inspired by a trip to St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC. The wonderful grotesques and adornments on the building are just wonderful and you could spend months just viewing them.  I took one look at the section of a doorway and had the idea of contrasting sculpture of birds with real birds. The species of birds I have depicted here also have a great story of their own and are true survivors.  House finches were once brought to the east coast from the western US and Mexico as pets, and in 1940 a few released birds from Long Island, not only survived but thrived. 

"Reality Check" fits the theme, it not only has a man-made setting, but man has also had a major influence on the history of these birds.


"Habitat Inhabitants" featuring: Beatrice Bork and Michael Schweigart
Location: Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Exibit dates: May 11 – June 3, 2012
Reception: Saturday, May 12, 5 to 8 pm

"Habitat Inhabitants"—Save the date

The excitement is growing as the opening of "Habitat Inhabitants" is just around the corner!

Top Image: "Pursuit" © Beatrice Bork
Bottom Image: "Delaware Overlook" © Michael Schweigart

Art Exhibit: May 11 to June 3, 2012 

Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 

Reception: Saturday, May 12, 5 to 8 pm

Accomplished artists Beatrice Bork and Michael Schweigart are excited to present “Habitat Inhabitants” at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville NJ, this May. Their paintings will visually explore the coexistence of humanity with nature, reflected in the transformation of landscapes and animals bringing joy and drama in some unlikely places.

Both Beatrice and Michael draw inspiration from the outdoors and the intricacies of their subjects. Michael’s landscape oil and acrylic paintings enamor the viewer with breath-taking detail and sense of atmosphere. His work finds the drama in both the beautiful vista, and turns the ordinary scene into the extraordinary. While Beatrice’s unique watercolors focus on animal subjects with stunning detail and dramatic background washes. With these artistic elements, Beatrice creates a feeling of the moment and a sense of revealing the inner thoughts of her subjects.

Artists' Gallery is open Friday/Saturday/Sunday 11am – 6pm, or by appointment.  For directions to the gallery please click here.

Habitat Inhabitants

I'm gearing up for a feature show coming up in 2 months, time is flying! I'll be displaying some of the images here as we get closer to the show. Here is a copy of the press release:

"Habitat Inhabitants"
May 11 to June 3, 2012
Reception: Saturday, May 12, 5 to 8 pm
“Coffee and Conversation”: Sunday, June 3rd, 2 to 5 pm

Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

Accomplished artists Beatrice Bork and Michael Schweigart are excited to present “Habitat Inhabitants” at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville NJ this May. Their paintings will visually explore the coexistence of humanity with nature, reflected in the transformation of landscapes and animals bringing joy and drama in some unlikely places.

Both Beatrice and Michael draw inspiration from the outdoors and the intricacies of their subjects. Michael’s landscape oil and acrylic paintings enamor the viewer with breath-taking detail and sense of atmosphere. His work finds the drama in both the beautiful vista, as well as and turns the ordinary scene into extraordinary. While Beatrice’s unique watercolors focus on animal subjects with stunning detail and dramatic background washes. With these artistic elements, Beatrice creates a feeling of the moment and a sense of revealing the inner thoughts of her subjects.

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