Bea Garth in front of her art at The Cerulean, Portland, OR

This  photo of me standing in front of my newest painting (The Music Genie) is from last night’s reception of my month long exhibit.  It was a very fun night while we were entertained by the completely original music by my husband Chris Arcus’ band Climate Strange.

Bea Garth in front of her new painting "The Music Genie" at the Art Gallery At The Cerulean, Portland Oregon
Bea Garth in front of her new painting “The Music Genie” copyright 2018 at the Art Gallery At The Cerulean, Portland Oregon

I also read poetry to an appreciative crowd. While reading (accompanied by Chris on his keyboard),  I realized I often have repeating images of nature, the everyday, eros and relationship, the mythic and the subconscious in both my paintings and poetry that seem to echo each other.

I was very impressed by the beauty of the gallery and how the curator Hazel Miller arranged everything exquisitely. My art and that of Jordan Clark’s was grouped by color and shape for instance–which really works even though he is an abstract painter and I am a figurative one.

Bea Garth looking at her painting Legs Like Vines at the Gallery at the Cerulean Feb 2018
Bea Garth looking at her painting Legs Like Vines copyright 2017  at the Gallery at the Cerulean Feb 2018

The Art Gallery At The Cerulean is at 1439 NW Marshall St., on the edge of the Pearl district in Portland, Oregon.  The Cerulean is a great place to go to buy wine and a bite to eat, hang out and experience fine art.

And yes, you can see I am still sporting an arm brace.  I fell while out for a walk and  severely injured my left wrist in late December which then required surgery.  It likely will take at least 2 more months to heal. I am determined not to let it stop me now that I am a bit better and remember to use ice quite frequently while painting. Am getting better each day–and at managing with one hand for now–with help from my dear husband and our room mate who both help me with food preparation etc.

Bea Garth: Painting For Exhibit Feb. 1st at The Gallery @ The Cerulean in PDX

Chris took a picture of me putting finishing touches on my painting THE MUSIC GENIE. I have been staying up way too late even for me getting ready for my two person show beginning this Thursday Feb. 1st. The reception is Feb, 1st, 2018 from 8 to 11 PM. The Gallery at The Cerulean is at 1439 Marshall St., Portland OR 97209.

Bea Garth painting "The Music Genie" in her art studio getting ready for exhibit; photo by Chris Arcus, copyright 2018
Bea Garth painting “The Music Genie” in her art studio getting ready for exhibit; photo by Chris Arcus, copyright 2018

My husband’s experimental eclectic band will be playing original music and I will read some poetry between sets during the reception.

My paintings will be exhibited with the work of Jordan Clark through Feb. 26, 2018.

Bea Garth’s Open Studio, photos by Bea Garth nov 2017

Am too tired to comment much except to say that this weekend’s Open Studios surpassed my expectations.

Bea Garth's studio long view to front OS nov
Bea Garth’s studio long view to front OS nov, photo by Bea Garth copyright 2017

From meeting old friends to making new ones, and having so much support for both my painting and ceramic sculpture and wall plaques was really overwhelming! Thank You Clark County and all those like Jennifer Williams who made this possible!!

I was particularly amazed to see all the enthusiasm for my ceramic wall plaques and sculpture. I now may have an opportunity to work with someone in the area both with firing and perhaps creating CE workshops. Exciting stuff!!

Bea's ce sculpture Herman with Afternoon Tea and For You a Rose nov 2017 OS, photo by Bea Garth copyright 2017
Bea’s ce sculpture Herman with Afternoon Tea and For You a Rose nov 2017 OS, photo by Bea Garth copyright 2017

After so many years its really nice to be back amongst the wonderful people of  the Pacific Northwest!

Bea Garth's painting storage with display plus painting and sculpture OS, photo by Bea Garth copyright 2017
Bea Garth’s painting storage with display plus painting and sculpture OS, photo by Bea Garth copyright 2017

“Ready for Clark County Open Studios!” photo by Bea Garth

Finally ready (well almost!) for Open Studios which begins Saturday morning Nov. 11, and runs til 5 PM, and then again the same hours on Sunday Nov. 12th, 2017.

"Bea Garth's Paintings and CE Sculpture at Open Studios," photo by Bea Garth nov. 2017
“Bea Garth’s Paintings and CE Sculpture at Open Studios,” photo by Bea Garth copyright 2017

I am loving how my studio looks especially with so much of my artwork up on the walls and on a couple of my tables.

I even got out my sculpture of ” Eos Re-emerging”. Eos is the Greek  Goddess of the Dawn.  I see her as presaging the work the feminine principle needs to do to save the planet from humanity’s greed and unbalanced throw away culture.  I have her sitting on the slab roller table in front of several of my paintings up on the wall.

I am prepared to do work with both clay and painting, depending upon the moment. It should be fun meeting so many people interested in supporting their local artists here in Vancouver, WA.

 

“Shelving Project for my Paintings,” photo by Bea Garth

At long last my shelving for my paintings is nearly ready! My hands are sore from cutting and putting things together, but my heart is happy! I plan to make a simple structure for really large paintings too that will sit right next to it between the painting shelving and the shelving for my ceramic sculpture and wall plaques.

"new painting shelves nov 2017," photo by Bea Garth
“new painting shelves nov 2017,” photo by Bea Garth

With my husband’s help, I am in the process of finally getting my studio in the garage habitable and functional in time for Open Studios this following weekend (Nov. 11 and 12th).

There just was too much going on this last summer for us to focus on making the garage habitable.  In fact a friend was using a good part of the space to repair his truck! I just  couldn’t work in it during all that.

Instead I  painted in the basement–which quickly became a huge mess since I didn’t want to set up shelving down there.

As soon as I finish with this shelving project and arrange the space, I’ll be moving my paintings etc. up into my part of it,  just in time for Open Studios.  As you might imagine, although I am very busy, I am in a very celebratory mood!!

 

 

“Healing Her Back,” cartoon for larger painting by Bea Garth

Oh wow so much to do prepare for Open Studios here in Vancouver, WA! Meanwhile Lymes started inflaming my joints again–most especially my shoulders and neck. I have to just focus and do what I have to do to take care of myself and let the rest slide for now–though I did manage to take one of my paintings over for the big show for the Clark County Open Studios at the beautiful new Cave Gallery here in Vancouver, WA (reception this Friday!!).

"Rubbing Her Back," small painting sketch by Bea Garth copyright 2015 acrylic on paper
“Rubbing Her Back,” small painting sketch by Bea Garth copyright 2015 acrylic on paper

Am finally starting to feel better using natural remedies!! Likely tomorrow I will be able to draw and paint again–perhaps by doing a larger (better) version of this small  sketch  to the right (“Rubbing Her Back”) which relates to husband rubbing my sore shoulders. This afternoon I went for a walk with him. Doesn’t sound like much but for me it is a victory! Given where I was at the last few days.

So yes often my art is born from struggle even if it does not always show it directly. I often like to focus on communication, beauty, eros and transformation. In this case  it is more directly about the transformative power (and closeness) of healing.

“Devil’s Lair,” mixed media by Bea Garth

Here’s a new painting from a pen and ink I did while waiting for an old boyfriend who was at his therapist’s. Am calling it “The Devil’s Lair,” watercolor and ink by Bea Garth.

"The Devil's Lair," watercolor and ink on paper by Bea Garth, copyright Oct 2017
“The Devil’s Lair,” watercolor and ink on paper by Bea Garth, copyright Oct 2017

I like how pen and ink and watercolor really go together. Am thinking of doing more for Clark County Open Studios this November 11th and 12th and beyond!

“Discovering Joy,” acrylic on canvas by Bea Garth

I finally finished my new painting “Discovering Joy.”

"Discovering Joy," acrylic on canvas by Bea Garth copyright 2017
“Discovering Joy,” acrylic on canvas by Bea Garth copyright 2017

My paintings are a lot like dreams where everything gets mixed together–thus the surrealist edge. For me what I am after is an exploration of the unconscious that helps me realize what it is I am feeling and thinking of underneath.

In this case it was and is the joy of experiencing summer after a difficult winter earlier this year. It got me to remember joyful times in the past such as swimming in Mexico when I was seventeen.  I remember swimming in the warm waters off of Guaymas and being thrilled by all the fish! And yes I loved being on my own with my sister and enjoying the Latin culture.

I think my trip to Mexico as a teen reminded me of my early childhood when the boy I played with next door had parents who were from Spain.  I was in love with their music and dancing and very different approach to life to that of my family. I was sorry when we had to move away.

This painting mixes experiences since quite obviously I am not a red head, nor did I even have  a boyfriend at age seventeen except perhaps in my imagination.

I am thinking of visiting  Mexico again sometime soon when I get the chance.  I bet it will help foster a whole new series of paintings celebrating life!

 

 

 

 

“Swimming Underwater,” work in progress by Bea Garth

"Swimming Underwater," work in progress by Bea Garth, copyright oct 2017
“Swimming Underwater,” work in progress by Bea Garth, copyright oct 2017

Am nearly finished with this piece “Swimming Underwater.” Its been  good to make a work that expresses the joy of life in these troubled times. What else can I say about it? Except that I feel its so very important not to lose sight of what is is that makes us happy.

For me I am reminded of swimming down in Mexico years ago off of Guaymas. I was so impressed/amazed by the quantity of colorful fish! That and of course my continual exploration of the dance between the sexes and the fineries of body language and subtle facial expressions.

From it I am inspired to do another more mythic piece of giving birth to a new world, perhaps also from underwater. Will see what and if it happens… Be watching for it. It all depends on what my psyche is ready for!!

Though for now I may want to simply finish some pieces for the Clark County Open Studios happening here in Vancouver, WA this November 11th and 12, 2017. Be watching for that too!

“Swimmers,” painting in progress by Bea Garth

I just started working on my painting Swimmers again in preparation for the Clark County Open Studios in mid November.

"Swimmers " painting in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2017
“Swimmers ” painting in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2017

Given this very traumatic fall season with massive forest fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and yet another mass shooting, I feel its important to  realize we all have special moments that make this world very worth preserving.  Meanwhile we need to do what we can to help those in need and begin to rectify some of the causes of these difficulties such as global warming and creating a better socio-economic system while still remembering to cultivate and savor those happier moments.

“Guitar,” painting in progress by Bea Garth contd.

Thought I’d be done with it, but still tweaking this painting. Even though its small its drawing me in… This is from an Instagram photo, so its not showing the whole thing. I changed some of the colors to give it more contrast.

"Guitar," in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“Guitar,” in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

“Guitar,” painting in progress by Bea Garth

This is a very small painting I am calling “Guitar.”  I have been working on it the last couple of days–and should be able to finish it tomorrow. It was inspired by my husband who plays the guitar, though he is a redhead, and I have brown hair. So imagination takes the lead here, but like a good friend of mine says, the emotions are what matters…

"Guitar," painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“Guitar,” painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

I am in the process of making some small new works for my part in the Clark County Open Studios for November 11th and 12th, 2017. I have lots of bigger paintings, but not so many small ones…

“What Is This Tangle?” drawing for mixed media by Bea Garth

This is a new drawing I plan to enhance by adding color along with some black and white areas.  I was listening to jazz late at night and feeling its groove… All about being tangled up and snaky.  The cat is grooving to it too.

"What Is This Tangle?" drawing for mixed media by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“What Is This Tangle?” drawing for mixed media by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

“Under A Red Sky,” mixed media in progress by Bea Garth

Here’s what I am working on right now–I am temporarily calling it “Under A Red Sky.”

"Under a Red Sky," mixed media on paper by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“Under a Red Sky,” mixed media on paper in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

Its mixed media–ink and colored pencil on parchment paper.  I’ll likely tweak it a little, but it is mostly done.

I like the female figure’s dreamy look.  I don’t think she really wants to be interrupted!

I have always really enjoyed making pen and inks. I am liking the fact I found a way to make them work with color.

Combining ink with colored pencil is really fun to do–it is so direct! I have found that the parchment paper is a dream compared to many other papers for this kind of treatment.

I am thinking of doing a series of these small 8.5 x 11 inch pieces for the Clark County Open Studios in mid November,  and then a show I may have the following month in Portland at an alternative gallery–assuming it all works out. More on that later!

Bea Garth: Paintings & Ceramics at Clark County Open Studios Nov. 11-12, 2017

I will be participating in the Clark County Open Studios in Vancouver, Washington (just across the river from Portland, OR) this coming November 11th and 12th, 2017: here’s my page for the event featuring some of my art: http://www.ccopenstudios.org/portfolio/beatrice_garth/

"The Fool," acrylic painting on paper by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“The Fool,” acrylic painting on paper by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

You can find the general information of what Clark County Open Studios is about, the artists involved (including me) and an art map here: http://www.ccopenstudios.org

This info. includes instructions on how to get to my Open Studio just across the county line in Vancouver, near Minnehaha and 68th–not far from I-5. My studio is on a slight rise with fairly good parking.

Besides painting on paper and canvas I will also be including some of my ceramics:

"Petting the Cat," ceramic vase by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“Petting the Cat,” ceramic vase by Bea Garth, copyright 2017