Opening: October 15, 2009

ARTS IN THE OFFICE
Featuring paintings by
watercolor artist, BEATRICE BORK
& Sculptor THOMAS HOPKINSON

Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
Thursday October 15, 2009
5:30-7:00 pm

Raymond James Assoc.
1735 Market Street, Suite 3402
Philadelphia, PA 19103

"In Your Eyes"—Western Lowland Gorilla, © Beatrice Bork

October!

I'm working on getting ready for a few different exhibit opportunities; a corporate showing in Philadelphia, and a small private venture a friend of mine is hosting. I’m also organizing which paintings to exhibit at my co-op, Artists' Gallery, in Lambertville, NJ, as well as participating in two other upcoming group shows in Pennsylvania and Colorado. It will definitely be a busy October, but I'm excited to be this busy, more details to come!

Wildlife in Watercolors

I started teaching a watercolor class at the Hunterdon Art Museum. This is a 10 week course, and I’ve just completed my second week of teaching. My class size is small and my students are eager to learn and paint. We are practicing different watercolor exercises and are now preparing to start the first painting. I want everyone comfortable enough to go at their own pace. I'm really looking forward to seeing their progress as the weeks pass.

Art in the Garden

I conducted a watercolor workshop yesterday at the Leonard J. Buck Garden, in Far Hills NJ, a fantastic place to paint in the outdoors! After a rainy start the sky cleared and we were able to get some painting done, I think this is my 4th workshop? As usual it was an enjoyable experience. Thanks to all!
Thank you to Patricia Scibilia for the use of the photos

"Why Birds?"

While I enjoy painting animals of all kinds, a large majority of the subjects in my pieces are birds, I am frequently asked, "why birds?" Well, why not birds? What's not to love, the variety is fantastic! All different shapes, sizes and colors, they fly, hover, swim and run. They are vital to our ecosystem doing everything from pollinating, propagating plants, pest control, to cleaning up carrion... and "gulp" a large portion of our own food. They are present in symbol throughout history from representing gods to representing Nations. Each has it's own character and function and depending on the bird it sets the mood of a painting.

I am continually drawn back to our fine feathered friends... they are an unending source of inspiration.

"Out of this World" —Tufted Coquette © 2008 Beatrice Bork

"How do you get your ideas?"

A question I get frequently. Inspiration comes to me serendipitously, I'll see something and in an instant, I know that's the next painting... or I'll store what I've seen in the little gray cells until one day it pops back to the foreground of my mind, and I know now is the time. I may even see a scenario over and over again before that moment happens, I can't explain why it's suddenly the right time?!

If I get an idea, but don't grab onto it right away, it just goes away, and sometimes I get an idea and mull it over until the light bulb goes on and I know I need to go for it. So I observe as much as possible, do the sketches, take the photos, and stay tuned for that "light bulb" moment.

Sometimes the whole painting is complete in my mind, sometimes not, but when that moment happens I know I'm good to go, I say a little thank you, and begin to create.

"Beach Bums" Black-footed Penguins, watercolor © Beatrice Bork 2009

Workshop, Aug. 1

I had a wonderful time conducting a 3 hour workshop at the Hunterdon Art Museum (HAM) in Clinton this passed Saturday. It is a charming place! The class was limited to 8 students. I gave an introductory talk, the class painted, and we then went inside to do a little critique—after more than 2 and a half hours outside it was nice to get out of the sun. The students had a great foundation (as most have already taken classes at HAM). I am now looking forward to teaching a full semester in the fall, where we can really get into more detailed process of painting wildlife.