Watercolor Classes Spring 2010

I will again be teaching "Wildlife Watercolor" at the Hunterdon Art Museum this spring (NJ). Classes run April 22 through May 27th, Thursdays 10 am to 12:30 pm. For more info and registration for spring 2010 classes click here, there is a pdf available at the bottom of the page.

Wild Together, 6 weeks to go!

I'm currently working on getting things in place for my next show in May, there is so much to do; postcards to create, press releases to write, mailings, emailing and so much more. Not to mention new paintings and new giclee prints as well!

"Wild Together"
at the Artists' Gallery
18 Bridge Street in Lambertville, NJ.

Featuring:
Beatrice Bork, watercolors
Paul Grecian, photographer

The exhibit will be on display starting May 7 through June 6th.
(Gallery hours are Fri., Sat., Sun., 11–6 pm)

May 15th, 5-8 pm Reception

May 30th, 2-5 pm for "Coffee and Conversation"

Barnsie and Copper

I occasionally work on commission, and just delivered this piece to the owners of these fine looking Chocolate Labradors. I was able to meet the dogs and get to know them as well as using many photos as my resource.

"Barnsie and Copper"
Watercolor
8 x 16.5"

Beatrice Bork

Hello!

What has really been amazing to me is the amount of people viewing my website from all around the world! Close to 150,000 hits since the start of 2010. To me this is very inspiring, I'm happy to have the opportunity the web provides to share my work with friends far and wide, and I just wanted to say thanks for viewing my site!

"Hello" © Beatrice Bork

Nice Surprise

I just found out that my co-op, Artists' Gallery, is featured in the "Quick Sketches" section of American Artist magazine. We are celebrating our 15th year, and it was nice to see the page with some of our artists' work published. I was among the artwork included, "Reed Song" is a watercolor of a Red-winged blackbird I spotted in Cape May, NJ. I look forward to hearing these wonderful birds in the spring, the sound always feels hopeful and a sign of nicer weather to come.

"Reed Song" © Beatrice Bork

Happy Carnival!

This is a watercolor painting of a bird I find suited for carnival, although it is very small, it has all the adornments needed to stand-out! It is a male tufted-coquette, which is the smallest hummingbird in Trinidad, that I had seen on one of my trips to the island.

"King of Carnival" © Beatrice Bork

Trinidad: part 3: People and Culture

Trinidad and Tobago are a twin island nation, being occupied by Spanish, French, English and by 1962 finally became an independent nation. It is very diverse culturally, with the majority of the people having an Indian or African ancestry. There is a wide variety of religion practiced here from Catholic to Hindu to Muslim to Rastafarian and more, although I'm sure there are differences in opinions, they seem to make it work. For more history and other info., click here.

I find the people here wonderful, most will greet you with a Good Morning, (or Good Day, Afternoon, Evening or Night, sometimes I get confused as to which occurs at what time). The language is English, with their own unique Caribbean twist, with a lovely melodic flow, easy to listen to. When speaking quickly I admit to not totally understanding, but the more I visit the easier it is. Click here for a link to a trini dictionary.

Trinidad is very well known for Carnival, and Calypso music, I am partial to Soca. I was pleased to see a steel pan performance on my recent trip as they were competing for the upcoming Carnival. It is said that steel pan originated in Trinidad, starting with African Drums, that were outlawed by the occupiers, then came "Tamboo bamboo" a sort of drum constructed with bamboo, then the steel drums made from barrels, and in time crafted into the beautiful musical instruments used today. Nothing is quite like steel pan!

Happy Carnival!

Photo of "Arima Allstars" at competition this year.