Tagged Art of Imagination

“The Music Genie” by Bea Garth at The Cerulean thru Feb. 26, 2018

NOTE: Jordan Clark and I will be giving an Artists Talk Sat. night Feb. 24th, 2018 from 7 to 8 PM — with folks gathering at 6:30 — over at The Gallery at Cerulean, 1439 NW Marshall St., Portland OR, PH: 503 308-9137.

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I have a bevy of paintings @ ‘The Gallery at Cerulean including my newest, “The Music Genie” you see below. I welcome those that can come hear us and see our work. The show is up through Feb. 26th. It is well presented with both my work and that of Jordan Clark harmonizing with each other by means of color and shapes–though his work is frankly boldly abstract and mine figurative.

The Cerulean is both a wine bar and art gallery on the edge of the Pearl district in Portland.

The Music Genie by Bea Garth 30 x 30 copyright 2018 acrylic on canvas
The Music Genie by Bea Garth 30 x 30 copyright 2018 acrylic on canvas

The Music Genie was inspired by my husband who was in one of his reverie’s composing music.  The watery depths in the background and the ghost like Genie to his right show him exploring his musical imagination of harmony and inter connected feeling.

I finished this painting just in the nick of time with putting in final touches just moments before putting the painting in with the rest before my husband drove off with them to take them to the gallery the day before the exhibit. Fortunately acrylic dries quickly with the aid of using a hair dryer! I had pulled an all nighter and had to crawl into bed–satisfied but curious as to how it might be received.

“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!

 

 

 

 

“Legs Like Vines” work in progress by Bea Garth

Another update on my painting, “Legs Like Vines.” A bad headache the other day (from an egg  I hadn’t boiled quite enough–I have histamine sensitivity) slowed me down.

But late tonight I was back at it again.  There is more to do with it of course. But am sharing my  process. I am not one of those really quick painters. Am a perfectionist  more or less in this area of my life. Plus all those intricate patterns take time to get right! I use the principle of spontaneity and structure working together to create tensions and harmonies.

“Leaves Like Vines” acrylic painting in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2016

On yet another level, this painting is starting to make even more sense to me considering the fact I discovered very recently that I need to take a lot more silica than I thought I’d ever need in order to be OK. My legs etc. have truly in their way been like vines.

I laugh since what else can one do. There are both positives and negatives to being what is considered to be too flexible. The big problem for some of us is that we have a hard time making enough collagen. This eventually starts to become a real negative, especially as one gets older. And yes, more silica is needed to make the collagen.

Now even my eyes are improving, as well as my hair, teeth, nails, nerves, joints etc.  I am even having less jerking at night. And overall fewer headaches. I am now able to exercise more regularly without hurting myself.  Have less reflux etc. Amazing! Its only been two months since I started taking the food grade diatomaceous earth. Literally a dirt cheap source of silica!! and healing…

With everything improving, who knows where I will be at in a year. Though one thing is for sure, more than likely I’ll be painting up a storm!!

For more info on this condition, I suggest you look up Ehrlos Danlos Syndrome. If you think you might have it, please consider joining some of the EDS  support groups on Facebook. The Cusack Family Protocol is the best!

Goddess/Surreal Art: Combining Heaven and Earth

I have to say my artwork is not overly sentimental despite my having chosen the title Goddess/Surreal to describe it. I often critique relationships and feelings for example.  My sense of humor often shows up, as well as a desire for elegance yes while exaggerating the reach and size of our joints and limbs. Often there is something amiss that one has to think on. Its not altogether obvious but its there. Why isn’t she or he happy?? I feel like I am directly connected with the Dreamtime.  My explorations of relationships and body language often tie in with the environment. All of the above makes my work fit with title “Goddess Art.”

Eating Out pen and inky by Bea Garth
“Eating Out” pen and ink by Bea Garth, copyright 2015

My artwork also combines with Surrealism given its sinuous exaggerations and mythic/symbolic imagery and Inner Vision connected with the  unknown. I very much believe in Carl Jung’s idea of the Collective Unconscious for instance–and its effect shows in my work.

My work has  been influenced by my early exposure to the art of Basque, Celtic and non European peoples while also being married to our contemporary culture and the surrealists of old.

So this all makes it kind of hip and kind of earthy and kind of ethereal combining Heaven and Earth. Is that right? For me its just what I do, although I also  try to develop and challenge myself, and thus push the envelope.

I hope you enjoy! And think about buying (or showing) some of my pieces. Shortly I will be connecting this website with my sales page on Fine Art America. You can also contact me directly at bgarthart@gmail.com if you are interested in buying some of my pieces — or showing them in your gallery!

 

Listening To The Iguanas

I made this pen and ink drawing some years ago for a poetry reading series I was hosting in Los Gatos at Cafe Rouge. I always thought it would make a great painting.

"Listening To The Iguanas" pen and ink by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“Listening To The Iguanas” pen and ink by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

The iguana is  whispering something in the guy’s ear. I think maybe he’s listening even though there is a pretty woman sitting next to him looking expectant. Or is she just figuring him out, as in is he really real?? Outside there is an alligator, who seems to know what is going on. Yes really, what is up? Why are you so self protective?? Why look at me and not her?

So many of these drawings I can choose to make paintings from. I am getting pretty excited!

Picnic at Sundown

I finally finished the pen and ink I shared with you all a few days ago. Its now transformed

"Picnic At Sundown" by Bea Garth, copyright 2016, mixed media
“Picnic At Sundown” by Bea Garth, copyright 2016, mixed media

with color and a few other additions–though to do it justice I really should do a version of it as a painting on canvas. We had a picnic at the beach last week during sundown, thus the colors and the theme…

I decided to let my natural surrealistic tendencies to come in with more force by adding the Earth Sprite reaching towards the Tree’s all knowing Eye. I almost called this piece “Connected” since that is the energy I was trying to express, how we are connected to the Earth and the Universal Spirit around us.

And yes its mixed media (ink and watercolor pencil and colored pencil) on watercolor paper.