'Tis the Season

We're already well into the Holiday Season and it's been busy! I wrapped up a nice little pop event on December 5th with D&R's Open House in Princeton, NJ. They were gracious to have some artists on location for that event.

My "Individual wall" at Artists' Gallery

The the following week was active as well with the "Small Works in a Small Town/20th Anniversary" of Artists' Gallery opening on December 10th with an Open House on Saturday December 12th. Notably, "Brr" in his first time show, found a new home. I have four paintings in the small works portion of the gallery, as well as a nice display area with several more paintings, drawings and prints until January 4th. I'm also showing "Fall Flurries" and "Looking at Ewe" for the first time.



I'm also pleased to be part of two more group exhibits currently running: "55th Annual Art of the Animal" Tour (currently at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in Oradell, NJ) and "Animal Nature" at Art Times Two Gallery, Princeton Brain Spine.

I hope to see you at an upcoming art exhibit. (Please see my schedule page on my web-site for updated information).


Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

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.

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

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.

"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

June 3, 2012... the closing

"Habitat Inhabitants" closes this weekend, and we're capping it off with a "Coffee and Conversation." This will be a more relaxed event with some sweets, coffee, and another chance to meet the artists (Michael Schweigart and me). All are welcome, June 3,  2-5pm at Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ.

"Get Lost"

November is quickly approaching and final preparations are being worked on for "Get Lost" the duo feature show at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. I'm pleased to be exhibiting my animal watercolors with Joe Kazimierczyk's wonderful landscapes. I feel our artwork compliments each other, as we both draw inspiration from the outdoors.

Come by and "Get Lost" in a moment, in nature, in discovery. Exhibit begins November 11, with an artists reception on November 12, 5 to 8:00 pm.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

"Silent Night" Barn Owl © Beatrice Bork

So, what's going on now?

In case you missed the "BORK" show which ended this weekend, there will still be a few of my paintings as well as my father's jewelry at Soul Made Gallery if you're in the Pt. Pleasant Beach (NJ) area.

This weekend at the Artists' Gallery in Lambertville (NJ) we are joining the "Hidden Gardens Tour" with the local Kalmia group to on Saturday. The artists select pieces to benefit this wonderful organization, so come out, enjoy the gardens and stop by the gallery to see some beautiful artwork.

I will also be presenting "Sentry", a Red-shouldered hawk, my latest original watercolor painting at the Artists' Gallery this month.

Image above: "Sentry" watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

"BORK" Show extended

One more chance to see the "BORK" exhibit at Soul Made Gallery, extended until June 5.

This is a very unique show as both my father and I are exhibiting together for the first time. This is my father's first show ever, our family is so pleased this has finally become a reality. I was thrilled with how elegantly our work was arranged throughout the gallery.

The reception last Friday was so much fun (although a little nerve wracking for my father— welcome to my world dad ;). Many thanks to the wonderful folks at Soul Made who made this a memorable event!

Soul Made is located at 725 Arnold Avenue in beautiful Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. For more info. click here.

Photo courtesy of Andy Cialone

Soul Made

The summer is about to begin, and I'll be celebrating it at Soul Made gallery in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. This is a beautiful gallery and artisan shop run by a wonderful down to earth couple with an eye for creative talents.

This is very special to me, as it will be the first time I will be exhibiting my paintings along with my father's hand-engraved totem jewelry. Family and friends have been trying to get my dad to show his creative talents for many years, and we've finally pulled it together!

We delivered paintings and jewelry yesterday, and I'm happy to say the painting "Sounds of Summer" that is featured on the invitation card has already been sold, along with a couple of prints!

The exhibit runs May 22–May 30, with an artist reception on Friday, May 27th, from 4–7 pm. All are welcome!

Soul Made Gallery
725 Arnold Ave.
Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ 08724
732-892-0900


Image: "Summer Plover" Piping Plover, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

"Birds of Trinidad"

In 2004, I entered The Don Eckelberry Scholarship Award, to my delight, I won. This award provided me a wonderful opportunity to observe the birds at the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad. At the time I did not know much about the island, but was excited to see what inspirations this new place might bring me.

During my first trip—as a matter of fact, the first few moments of daylight— I was blown away by the colors, sights and sounds of the diversity of birds, vegetation and other wildlife... so much so, that I have been back almost every year since.

One of the naturalists working at Asa Wright was Denise Etienne, she was most knowledgeable about where to see particular species and helped answer all my many questions. We became friends and it wasn't long before I found out that she was also a very gifted poet and soon after the idea for the book was born.

I am happy to announce that Denise and I have finally completed our book of poems and paintings, "Birds of Trinidad".

"A Collection of Paintings and Poems by Beatrice Bork and Denise Etienne, Birds of Trinidad" © 2011

Longevity

I recently read an article written by an interior designer, in which they had mentioned that oil paints last longer than watercolor, which may be the case when looking at antiques, but does not hold true today. I have done a bit of research that actually say watercolors last as long as oils. What it really boils down to is the quality of the painting as well as the condition in which the painting is kept, no matter what medium.

The quality and technology in today's paints (all paints) and support materials are much better than even years ago. I use quality paints*, paint on an acid free watercolor support, and use archival quality framing (100% ragmat and acid free foam core), with UV protective glass. As with any painting in any medium—or photo or print, it is wise not to hang the piece in direct sunlight, or in poor conditions.

*I paint with A or AA rated pigments, which are rated as "permanent" (from the Winsor & Newton website: AA - Extremely Permanent, A - Permanent, B - Moderately Durable, C - Fugitive).