Pursuit

"Pursuit" Peregrine Falcon with Rock Pigeons, watercolor © Beatrice Bork

"Pursuit" is the image I selected for the postcard for my upcoming exhibit "Habitat Inhabitants", I feel this particularly fits our theme of co-existance. I have long had the fascination with the idea that some animals are real survivalists, and while pigeons are well known for this, being "city birds"—I really wanted to focus on the peregrine falcon here.  With the help of conservation efforts it has really made a remarkable recovery (back from DDT pesticide poisoning), and  can now be seen adapting very well to habitats such as in cities like Philadelphia that I've chosen for the backdrop for the painting.

"Habitat Inhabitant" 

Featuring Beatrice Bork and Michael Schweigart 

May 11–June 3 2012

Opening Reception: May 12, 5–8pm

Artists' Gallery 

18 Bridge Street

Lambertville, NJ 08530 

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.

Horses!

Horses, watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork 2012

I have finished and delivered the horses painting to a happy owner, and now pleased to show it here. These horses were great subjects, they all have different characteristics that was very important for me to portray accurately. I'm very proud that I was chosen to create this piece for the client.  The painting is around 50 x 30" framed, and certainly is a statement piece.

update on Asa Wright Nature Center

After I finished posting my blog this morning, I was sent another article. The quarry has stopped production—for now. Here is the article from the Trinidad Express.

They're looking into the "visually intrusive mining" They've been "directed" to replant the area that can be seen from the Nature Center.  So I guess seeing it changed everything? 

Asa Wright Nature Center

Seven years ago I went to Trinidad for the first time. It was a magical place and my eyes opened to the diversities of this wonderful place. It was an opportunity that my love of creating paintings featuring birds afforded me. The Don Eckelberry Award, through the Society of Animal Artists, provided me with travel and 10 days at the Asa Wright Nature Center. I had a great time and in many ways it changed my life. I was sad to read an article the other day about how a quarry is now inching it's way closer and closer to the Nature Center. While I have been to Trinidad and Tobago a few times since my first trip in 2005, I have not been to the nature center in a few years. I'm not sure what the ecological effects are and will be, but can not imagine that this is good. Don Eckelberry was a bird artist who was one of the people instrumental in creating the Asa Wright estate into a nature center. This is a struggle that is difficult as it pits economy with ecology, for my 2¢ I hope that Trinidad recognizes an ecological treasure can last far longer than a quarry—after the land is stripped there's really nothing left.

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.