UPCOMING SHOW

Artist Statement:

BETH BARNDT

Pursuing a degree in Art/Psychology from Goddard 50 years ago, I started making collages as a means to illustrate dreams. A few years prior to that, on the eve of my move to VT (Halloween, 1973), I visited the Boston Science Museum, and, upon discovering the butterfly exhibit, became completely rapt ​- these were the most exquisite works of art I'd ever seen! In those moments of butterfly enlightenment, I resolved that I would strive to make things that were as satisfyingly beautiful as these wings.A Zenith I'm still aiming towards.

Over the years, other than for specific projects and some greeting cards, I moved from using juxtaposed images to create metaphoric, innerscape-type compositions, to creating more impressionistic, external 'landscapes', endlessly inspired by this bit of paradise (Vermont) I've been lucky enough to inhabit for most of my life. I have made a lot of pieced quilts over the past 50+ years - mostly traditional geometric patters, but also a few free-form ones. In several of the recent collages done specifically for this exhibit with my friend Linda Finkelstein, I utilize outlining (black paint), painting seams, which feels like a direct evolution from piecing quilts.

In order to achieve the various effects I have in mind, I spend a lot of time preparing and calculating steps for the final gluing. I use pins; I use scissors; I pull from my decades-acquired stashes of colored paper detritus, scraps from full sheets of papers to tiny punched out dots of lacy metallics.  Once gluing commences, my delusional sense of control over the process is always challenged. The Unintended Consequences! That's when things start to get fun. How to incorporate the unintended into a new vision?  Mitigating moves. It's very liberating.

Especially given our mantra for this joint exhibit: "Don't Think; Just Play".  Our title gave us license to relinquish control, and to trust ourselves to conjure beauty. I mostly use paper or other flat, easily glue-able materials.* Almost all my collages contain something shiny/metallic, which can pull them out of the realm of realism into something that straddles it. I also almost always include some pieces of sheet music, (lifes' blood). I work from my own sketches, as well as photographs (and then sketches from the photos) that have caught something that might have strong geometrics, strong light. color or some other intrigue. 

 * Some of the papers and materials I use: 

Thai lace paper; Thai Kozo fibres; Japanese Ogura Lace; Japanese Washi tissue paper and other tissue paper; Origami paper; wall paper; Lokta paper; Mango, Anate, Mulberry, Banana and Papyrus paper; my own handmade paper; Wasp nest paper; sheet music cigarette pack foils; candy wrapper foils; stamps (postage and rubber);paper punches; acrylic paint; thread.  I use Mod Podge to glue and coat.

Artist Statement:

Linda Finkelstein

Making art is a way to many places. It can be a way to a quiet place or to an exuberant one. For me the creative process is centering, healing and transformative. It is a process that can synthesize heart, mind and soul. Through color, shape and commitment, I make art. I hope you will sense the spirit and sparkle of my creations. They are stories about my love of colour, my attraction to animals and nature, and my gratitude to those who are dear. I am thankful for all the possibilities life offers. I moved to Vermont over eleven years ago in a glorious May and have been inspired by nature , art , friendship and the vibrant creative energy around me. I began using eco art and found joy creating unique compositions using indigo, rusty objects, eucalyptus and various leaves. I have loved taking photos since childhood and learned how to draw into them and create layers in a painterly way. I pursued making videos with messages for friends and playful alphabet learning for my grandchildren. For me making things is a joy!