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She’s known for both her tiny illustrations and her huge murals in the Rockford area. And Beginning Feb. 1, from 5-8 p.m., Jenny Mathews will showcase her artistic talents at the Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand Ave. The public is invited to the show and artist reception with an artist talk about 6 p.m.
Mathews’ watercolor and acrylic pieces of such subjects as cactus, bumblebees, jellyfish, whales and clouds can be seen during the entire month of February in the Main Gallery. The exhibit is titled “Things We Cannot Touch.”
In the smaller, Bell Gallery, colorful landscapes and seascapes will be shown created by the late, renowned artist Marek Kossiba. A Polish immigrant, he spent 20 years as a merchant marine and used his camera to capture photos he would later turn into paintings. He resided in Beloit from 1985-2018.
Mathews is the owner of Rockford Illustrating and Art Director for Zombie Logic Press. During the past year she focused on hundreds of small illustrations for children’s books. She also created large murals. Her large work has been on display at the Rockford Art Museum, can currently be seen at the Discovery Center of Rockford and along Sinnissippi Park where she painted a basketball court on cement near the YMCA.
Of her work, she says: “I make art as a way to connect with people I like and give them something of myself. Sometimes I illustrate jokes for pals, sometimes I’ll dedicate a whole series of paintings to a person or place as a way to prove my fondness.”
Mathews is looking forward to her solo exhibit in Beloit.
“I am excited to be in Beloit and the art scene that is happening there. I moved back to the Midwest about seven years ago right at the right time.”
Mathews says she views the region as a renaissance area. “Beloit is a wonderful example of that.”
The Beloit Art Center is open Monday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 608-313-9083.
Mathews’ watercolor and acrylic pieces of such subjects as cactus, bumblebees, jellyfish, whales and clouds can be seen during the entire month of February in the Main Gallery. The exhibit is titled “Things We Cannot Touch.”
In the smaller, Bell Gallery, colorful landscapes and seascapes will be shown created by the late, renowned artist Marek Kossiba. A Polish immigrant, he spent 20 years as a merchant marine and used his camera to capture photos he would later turn into paintings. He resided in Beloit from 1985-2018.
Mathews is the owner of Rockford Illustrating and Art Director for Zombie Logic Press. During the past year she focused on hundreds of small illustrations for children’s books. She also created large murals. Her large work has been on display at the Rockford Art Museum, can currently be seen at the Discovery Center of Rockford and along Sinnissippi Park where she painted a basketball court on cement near the YMCA.
Of her work, she says: “I make art as a way to connect with people I like and give them something of myself. Sometimes I illustrate jokes for pals, sometimes I’ll dedicate a whole series of paintings to a person or place as a way to prove my fondness.”
Mathews is looking forward to her solo exhibit in Beloit.
“I am excited to be in Beloit and the art scene that is happening there. I moved back to the Midwest about seven years ago right at the right time.”
Mathews says she views the region as a renaissance area. “Beloit is a wonderful example of that.”
The Beloit Art Center is open Monday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 608-313-9083.
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The love of nature shines through clearly in Debra Hall’s photography.
On Friday, Jan. 4, the public is invited to view her photos at the Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand Ave. when her exhibit opens.
Hall retired after working many years in customer service jobs, owning her own business, working in manufacturing and more.
She’s always been interested in art, however.
“I’ve always loved art. I took it all through high school,” she said.
And when she owned her own business, she created cookbooks and banners.
“I always kept myself in the arts a little bit.”
Then in 2012, “I needed to destress,” she said.
She found a relaxing outlet and hobby through the camera lens.
In the beginning, with just a small digital camera, she took shots of an elk in Estes Park, Colorado, blew up the photo, framed it and hung it on a wall at her place of work. Three people wanted to buy it, she said.
That’s when she knew the hobby that became a passion was worth pursuing.
Thousands of photos later and now armed with a couple Canon cameras and a distance lens, Hall has continued to expand her subject matter. She also serves on the board of the Janesville Art League.
At the Jan. 4 opening, the exhibit will include photos of sunsets, landmarks, birds, fog scenes, winter scenes, manipulated photos and much more.
While photos will be for sale, Hall says she does photography simply because she enjoys it.
“I like to just snap, snap, snap, and get that one shot,” she said.
And she has exhibited her work in the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program. One piece is headed for the state contest, she said.
While some of her work is not local, many of her photos have been taken in her own backyard, in rural Clinton, she said.
The Jan. 4 opening will be held from 5-8 p.m. and is a reception for the photographer who will be available to answer questions and talk about her pieces.
The exhibit will remain at the Beloit Art Center through January.
On Friday, Jan. 4, the public is invited to view her photos at the Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand Ave. when her exhibit opens.
Hall retired after working many years in customer service jobs, owning her own business, working in manufacturing and more.
She’s always been interested in art, however.
“I’ve always loved art. I took it all through high school,” she said.
And when she owned her own business, she created cookbooks and banners.
“I always kept myself in the arts a little bit.”
Then in 2012, “I needed to destress,” she said.
She found a relaxing outlet and hobby through the camera lens.
In the beginning, with just a small digital camera, she took shots of an elk in Estes Park, Colorado, blew up the photo, framed it and hung it on a wall at her place of work. Three people wanted to buy it, she said.
That’s when she knew the hobby that became a passion was worth pursuing.
Thousands of photos later and now armed with a couple Canon cameras and a distance lens, Hall has continued to expand her subject matter. She also serves on the board of the Janesville Art League.
At the Jan. 4 opening, the exhibit will include photos of sunsets, landmarks, birds, fog scenes, winter scenes, manipulated photos and much more.
While photos will be for sale, Hall says she does photography simply because she enjoys it.
“I like to just snap, snap, snap, and get that one shot,” she said.
And she has exhibited her work in the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program. One piece is headed for the state contest, she said.
While some of her work is not local, many of her photos have been taken in her own backyard, in rural Clinton, she said.
The Jan. 4 opening will be held from 5-8 p.m. and is a reception for the photographer who will be available to answer questions and talk about her pieces.
The exhibit will remain at the Beloit Art Center through January.
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The December show at the Beloit Art Center will feature the award-winning work of solo photographer Dr. John Spates.
Spates, a retired dentist, says of his work: “It’s a hobby that went berserk.”
Of his subject material, he says, “I am attracted to the abstract.”
Some of those interests can be seen in the 100 matted and framed Spates’ photos that will be on exhibit at the Beloit Art Center throughout December.
Often, a single subject dominates his art.
In one photo, the delicate, detailed nature of a pink rose shows through, so close to the camera lens veins of the petals can be seen. A park bench sits alone surrounded by lush green vegetation in another. The bright orange/rust shades of a canyon show the beauty of the formation. In yet another, a lone guitar is accompanied by a ruby-red pick stuck in the strings.
Much of his work was completed using the now old-fashioned way on 35 millimeter film and 4 x 5 negatives. Spates also has a dark room in his basement and there developed his own photos.
And, “I did just about everything on tripods,” he said.
Times have changed rapidly over the past decade and presently, he uses a digital camera and a printer.
Regardless, Spates says it is the composition that is the crucial element of a photo.
The important part is: “How can I best compose this?” he said.
While he has taken classes in the past, mostly he is self-taught. Other photographers he admires include Ansel Adams and John Shaw.
Over the years, “I did 90 juried shows and got awards at 50 of them,” he said.
The juried shows began when LaVonne Kunny, retired teacher, encouraged him to submit photos to an art fair at the Lincoln Center. The late artist Franklin Boggs judged his work and gave him two awards at one show.
The public is invited to attend the show opening and artist reception from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand Ave. Spates will be invited to talk about his work and answer questions at 6 p.m. Photos will be for sale.
Spates, a retired dentist, says of his work: “It’s a hobby that went berserk.”
Of his subject material, he says, “I am attracted to the abstract.”
Some of those interests can be seen in the 100 matted and framed Spates’ photos that will be on exhibit at the Beloit Art Center throughout December.
Often, a single subject dominates his art.
In one photo, the delicate, detailed nature of a pink rose shows through, so close to the camera lens veins of the petals can be seen. A park bench sits alone surrounded by lush green vegetation in another. The bright orange/rust shades of a canyon show the beauty of the formation. In yet another, a lone guitar is accompanied by a ruby-red pick stuck in the strings.
Much of his work was completed using the now old-fashioned way on 35 millimeter film and 4 x 5 negatives. Spates also has a dark room in his basement and there developed his own photos.
And, “I did just about everything on tripods,” he said.
Times have changed rapidly over the past decade and presently, he uses a digital camera and a printer.
Regardless, Spates says it is the composition that is the crucial element of a photo.
The important part is: “How can I best compose this?” he said.
While he has taken classes in the past, mostly he is self-taught. Other photographers he admires include Ansel Adams and John Shaw.
Over the years, “I did 90 juried shows and got awards at 50 of them,” he said.
The juried shows began when LaVonne Kunny, retired teacher, encouraged him to submit photos to an art fair at the Lincoln Center. The late artist Franklin Boggs judged his work and gave him two awards at one show.
The public is invited to attend the show opening and artist reception from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand Ave. Spates will be invited to talk about his work and answer questions at 6 p.m. Photos will be for sale.
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From acrylic, watercolor and oil paintings to charcoal drawings and more, 16 area artists will exhibit their work at the juried art show in November at the Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand Ave.
The public is invited to the show opening and reception for the artists on Friday, Nov. 2 from 5-8 p.m. Artists will speak about their work at 6 p.m. Exhibits will be both in the Main Gallery and in the Bell Gallery. Many pieces will be for sale.
Among those exhibiting in the main gallery will be award-winning artist Carol Spitznagel of Beloit. Carol earned a scholarship and attended Columbus School of Art and Design. After marrying and raising her daughter, she again began painting. Evidence of her passion can be seen even in her home’s livingroom where she has created scenic murals on walls and ceilings.
Carol also enjoys painting people. She is submitting three acrylic portraits for the juried show. “I search for things that intrigue me,” she said. One of her intriguing submissions is of a young woman titled “Waiting.”
Roscoe artist Mariclare Sheil is submitting several oil pieces. One was inspired by a local event titled “Rockton Market.” Watercolor artist Barbara Mathew of Janesville captures depth of emotion with her work, “Grief” and a sense of childhood innocence with “Dani.”
In “Deep Blue” and “Lost,” large acrylic paintings by Kassi Apel of Rockton, imagination soars with color.
In the Bell Gallery, the Beloit Art Center will offer the work of Ferd Klobucar, 92, of Beloit. Ferd began painting when he retired roughly 20-25 years ago from the Klobucar Construction company, he said. “Boredom” got him started in both oil and acrylic works. While he presently has diminished eyesight, the exhibit will show pieces from a few years back.
Still, he paints, however, using a palette knife. “I have a difficult time with straight lines. A palette knife can take away that difficulty,” he said.
First, second and third place prizes will be awarded to the participating artists. The Beloit Art Center is open Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 608-313-9083.
The public is invited to the show opening and reception for the artists on Friday, Nov. 2 from 5-8 p.m. Artists will speak about their work at 6 p.m. Exhibits will be both in the Main Gallery and in the Bell Gallery. Many pieces will be for sale.
Among those exhibiting in the main gallery will be award-winning artist Carol Spitznagel of Beloit. Carol earned a scholarship and attended Columbus School of Art and Design. After marrying and raising her daughter, she again began painting. Evidence of her passion can be seen even in her home’s livingroom where she has created scenic murals on walls and ceilings.
Carol also enjoys painting people. She is submitting three acrylic portraits for the juried show. “I search for things that intrigue me,” she said. One of her intriguing submissions is of a young woman titled “Waiting.”
Roscoe artist Mariclare Sheil is submitting several oil pieces. One was inspired by a local event titled “Rockton Market.” Watercolor artist Barbara Mathew of Janesville captures depth of emotion with her work, “Grief” and a sense of childhood innocence with “Dani.”
In “Deep Blue” and “Lost,” large acrylic paintings by Kassi Apel of Rockton, imagination soars with color.
In the Bell Gallery, the Beloit Art Center will offer the work of Ferd Klobucar, 92, of Beloit. Ferd began painting when he retired roughly 20-25 years ago from the Klobucar Construction company, he said. “Boredom” got him started in both oil and acrylic works. While he presently has diminished eyesight, the exhibit will show pieces from a few years back.
Still, he paints, however, using a palette knife. “I have a difficult time with straight lines. A palette knife can take away that difficulty,” he said.
First, second and third place prizes will be awarded to the participating artists. The Beloit Art Center is open Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 608-313-9083.
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We are pleased to announce the following artists will have artwork on display during our 2018 Juried Art Show opening November 2nd through November 29th. Accepted artists will receive confirmation via email. Judging the show will be well-known local artists, Dan Wuthrich and Susan Swedlund.
- Kassi Apel
- Sue Herring
- Jean Apgar
- Jenny Hoople
- Alice Blue
- Barbara Mathew
- Leslie Crowhurst
- Sandra Sannes
- Molly Dillon
- Mariclare Sheil
- Roger Dutcher
- Deb Shimondle
- Connie Fry
- Carol Spitznagel
- Tina Glass
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From designer wall hangings to traditional coverlets and on to colorful banners, the joy of quilting will be shared with the public when the Beloit Art Center hosts its next show Friday, Oct. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at 520 E. Grand Ave.
The quilts will be in the Main Gallery. In the Bell Gallery will be a corresponding exhibit of mixed media on wood.
From 5-6 p.m., Steve Bogdonas will provide classical guitar music. At 6 p.m., the quilters will talk about their work.
The art quilters are Pam Moller and Karen Neuendorf.
Among the many quilts Moller will display is a four- panel series of wall hangings. The striking three-dimensional pieces measure a total of 14 feet and are titled “Falling Leaves.”
Moller says she loves trees and draws inspiration from nature and her surroundings. And she loves to experiment.
“There’s no end to it, I am learning something new all the time,” she said.
Neuendorf has been a quilter since 2008. Many of her quilts reflect the places she has traveled to. Others are based on her love of circles and bright colors.
“Art quilting gives me the opportunity to create with no boundaries,” she says.
Sally McFerren, longtime owner of Attic Quilts in downtown Beloit, will exhibit two traditional quilts with jewel tones rich in reds, greens, blues and purples. She also will display a special quilt created by her grandmother in 1928.
“I credit her with inspiring me to do quilting,” McFerren says.
The St. Paul Piecemakers have been meeting every Tuesday for 25 years at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Initially they made quilted banners representing the church year. That has grown to include quilts for high school graduates and Comfort Quilts for those who are ill or in in need of prayer and comfort. The Piecemakers include: Jean Neitzel, Billie Kenitzer, Jackie Nicholson and Karen Neaf.
In the Bell Gallery, Molly Dillon will exhibit “Putting the Pieces Together.” “The series was inspired by the pieces that make up a quilt, the colors, patterns and their placement that tell a story or at least set a certain feeling or mood,” Dillon says.
The mixed media pieces have a base of wood with added paint, felt, glue and stone to add texture and dimension.
Several items in both the Main Gallery and the Bell Gallery will be for sale.
The quilts will be in the Main Gallery. In the Bell Gallery will be a corresponding exhibit of mixed media on wood.
From 5-6 p.m., Steve Bogdonas will provide classical guitar music. At 6 p.m., the quilters will talk about their work.
The art quilters are Pam Moller and Karen Neuendorf.
Among the many quilts Moller will display is a four- panel series of wall hangings. The striking three-dimensional pieces measure a total of 14 feet and are titled “Falling Leaves.”
Moller says she loves trees and draws inspiration from nature and her surroundings. And she loves to experiment.
“There’s no end to it, I am learning something new all the time,” she said.
Neuendorf has been a quilter since 2008. Many of her quilts reflect the places she has traveled to. Others are based on her love of circles and bright colors.
“Art quilting gives me the opportunity to create with no boundaries,” she says.
Sally McFerren, longtime owner of Attic Quilts in downtown Beloit, will exhibit two traditional quilts with jewel tones rich in reds, greens, blues and purples. She also will display a special quilt created by her grandmother in 1928.
“I credit her with inspiring me to do quilting,” McFerren says.
The St. Paul Piecemakers have been meeting every Tuesday for 25 years at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Initially they made quilted banners representing the church year. That has grown to include quilts for high school graduates and Comfort Quilts for those who are ill or in in need of prayer and comfort. The Piecemakers include: Jean Neitzel, Billie Kenitzer, Jackie Nicholson and Karen Neaf.
In the Bell Gallery, Molly Dillon will exhibit “Putting the Pieces Together.” “The series was inspired by the pieces that make up a quilt, the colors, patterns and their placement that tell a story or at least set a certain feeling or mood,” Dillon says.
The mixed media pieces have a base of wood with added paint, felt, glue and stone to add texture and dimension.
Several items in both the Main Gallery and the Bell Gallery will be for sale.
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The Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the September Gallery Exhibits. The Main Gallery will feature ta-bu-la ra-sa, An Exhibition of Fine Art 2018 featuring the work of Lori Salamone-Limbachs and Ryan Kenny who are mother and son artists, both from Janesville, WI. Lori and Ryan work with multiple mediums from oil to acrylics, and glass, metal and photography. Their work varies from the pleasant to the uncomfortable and ranges in theme from realism, abstract, street art and sculpture. The exhibit opening will also feature Elevate-or Muse-ic live PA by: LaOnte Conner and Jonathon Janke.
The Bell Gallery will feature The 2018 Student Showcase Exhibit, featuring the work of Beloit Art Center class participants, including Summer Art Camp students. Artists as young as seven years-old will be exhibiting in the mediums of drawing, painting and pottery. Thursday Night Painters Group participants will also be featured. Come learn about the classes and groups the Beloit Art Center offers and how to get involved.
Both exhibits will open with a reception September 7 from 5pm to 8pm. A gallery talk with Lori, Ryan and select artists from the Bell Gallery exhibit will be held at 6pm. Artwork will be for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to support the Beloit Art Center. Both exhibits will be open until September 28. The Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Avenue in downtown Beloit. Hours are: Monday from 10am – 2pm, Tuesday – Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturday from 10am – 3pm. The gallery is free and open to the public.
The Bell Gallery will feature The 2018 Student Showcase Exhibit, featuring the work of Beloit Art Center class participants, including Summer Art Camp students. Artists as young as seven years-old will be exhibiting in the mediums of drawing, painting and pottery. Thursday Night Painters Group participants will also be featured. Come learn about the classes and groups the Beloit Art Center offers and how to get involved.
Both exhibits will open with a reception September 7 from 5pm to 8pm. A gallery talk with Lori, Ryan and select artists from the Bell Gallery exhibit will be held at 6pm. Artwork will be for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to support the Beloit Art Center. Both exhibits will be open until September 28. The Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Avenue in downtown Beloit. Hours are: Monday from 10am – 2pm, Tuesday – Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturday from 10am – 3pm. The gallery is free and open to the public.
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The Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the August Gallery Exhibits. The Main Gallery will feature the work of Karolyn Alexander, a life-long resident of Whitewater.
Karolyn has immersed herself in making art since her early retirement from UW-Whitewater. She has worked in various media including clay, watercolor, collage, acrylic and mixed media. Karolyn’s journey in abstraction began in earnest over three years ago when she participated in a “30 Paintings in 30 Days” challenge. For the challenge she created 30 abstract pieces all painted to music. Since that time her art making has focused on painting abstracts with acrylic paint and mixed media often working in series.
Karolyn’s most recent series employs mark making using various tools and techniques. Her painting process often starts intuitively with random marks and brushstrokes and proceeds with washes of color, veiling and more mark making. After thoughtful consideration a painting is brought to completion.
Abstract Journey consists of over 70 of Karolyn’s favorite pieces. Karolyn is an active member of the Janesville Art League and the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Her website is: www.karolyn.biz
In the Bell Gallery we are excited to feature, Soda Fountains to Robots, by Connie Sveum. This exhibit of antique pharmacy memorabilia will be on display as part of the launch of a photo-history book about independent pharmacies in Beloit. The antiques are loaned from the extensive collections of Elroy Wirtz of Drekmeier Pharmacy and Art and Kathy Carl of Grand Avenue Pharmacy.
Both exhibits will open with a reception August 3 from 5pm to 8pm. A gallery talk with Karolyn Alexander and Connie Sveum will be held at 6pm. Artwork will be for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to support the Beloit Art Center. Both exhibits will be open until August 31. The Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Avenue in downtown Beloit. Hours are: Monday from 10am – 2pm, Tuesday – Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturday from 10am – 3pm. The gallery is free and open to the public.
Karolyn has immersed herself in making art since her early retirement from UW-Whitewater. She has worked in various media including clay, watercolor, collage, acrylic and mixed media. Karolyn’s journey in abstraction began in earnest over three years ago when she participated in a “30 Paintings in 30 Days” challenge. For the challenge she created 30 abstract pieces all painted to music. Since that time her art making has focused on painting abstracts with acrylic paint and mixed media often working in series.
Karolyn’s most recent series employs mark making using various tools and techniques. Her painting process often starts intuitively with random marks and brushstrokes and proceeds with washes of color, veiling and more mark making. After thoughtful consideration a painting is brought to completion.
Abstract Journey consists of over 70 of Karolyn’s favorite pieces. Karolyn is an active member of the Janesville Art League and the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Her website is: www.karolyn.biz
In the Bell Gallery we are excited to feature, Soda Fountains to Robots, by Connie Sveum. This exhibit of antique pharmacy memorabilia will be on display as part of the launch of a photo-history book about independent pharmacies in Beloit. The antiques are loaned from the extensive collections of Elroy Wirtz of Drekmeier Pharmacy and Art and Kathy Carl of Grand Avenue Pharmacy.
Both exhibits will open with a reception August 3 from 5pm to 8pm. A gallery talk with Karolyn Alexander and Connie Sveum will be held at 6pm. Artwork will be for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to support the Beloit Art Center. Both exhibits will be open until August 31. The Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Avenue in downtown Beloit. Hours are: Monday from 10am – 2pm, Tuesday – Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturday from 10am – 3pm. The gallery is free and open to the public.
Soda Fountains to Robots, by Connie Sveum
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Opening Reception on Friday, July 6, 2018 - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Show will run from July 6 - 27, 2018.
Wisconsin artist Victoria Bein’s highly creative and imaginative pastel drawings will challenge your mind.
Over the past five years Victoria’s work has been selected for numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout Wisconsin and the Chicago area. At this years 61st Annual Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition, Victoria won the Peoples Choice Award for her drawing “Manipulation Station”. She is also included in the very competitive Rockford Midwestern Biennial 2018, juried by Chicago gallerist Aron Packer.
Although Victoria has some formal training, her intuitive approach is akin to the Outsider Artist. Her process begins with a simple line drawing.
Bein: “I just start doodling, much like the automatic drawings of the Surrealists, allowing my unconscious mind to create the content.”
These sketches are the foundation of her work and most of the original lines are retained in the final piece.
Bein: “I tell stories that are not necessarily in a known language; often they appear to me as a puzzle or mystery to be unveiled. When I finish a work I sit and view it, much like the audience would, and let it speak to me. It’s like having a dream, waking up, and trying to understand it.”
She encourages the viewer to create their own story from her work, and through this process, perhaps uncover their own unconscious mind.
As the viewer spends time with her drawings, they will discover hidden content and an incredible amount of detail. In her figurative work she often combines human and non-human animal forms, projecting a blend of whimsy and dis-ease. At first glance, the work may seem playful, but with a closer look you will often find a serious, darker narrative.
Victoria speaks about her work as a process of integrating the conflicts of both her inner and outer world. Information from her dreams, imagination, and memory is gathered and organized, creating new realities and patterns, perhaps more truthful than our commonly recognized ones. Although the iconography is personal, the resulting images tap into a collective unconscious.
Bein: “I find the distorted forms that spontaneously come out in my sketches express more deeply how I feel than if I were to realistically render the image, although I will sometimes do more traditional landscapes or portraits between works as a palette cleanser of sorts.”
Working with pastel and carbon pencil on paper allows her to emphasize linear marks, ranging from bold to barely visible, and to build a rich surface of texture and shading.
Bein: “I’ve always loved drawing, even the way the pencil sounds as it moves across the surface of the paper, or the musical taps of the pastel sticks making marks.”
Key to her vision and compositions are palette restriction, layering, and the creation of transparency within forms. Broken shapes and simultaneity reveal cubistic influences, while the frequent use of flat outlined shapes give her work a graphic feel. Each final piece reflects her journey, blending representational elements with abstraction, finding unity and harmony in the chaos of fragments.
All of Victoria’s work is framed with acid-free mats and foam board, and TruVue 99% UV protected glass.
www.victoriabein.com
Show will run from July 6 - 27, 2018.
Wisconsin artist Victoria Bein’s highly creative and imaginative pastel drawings will challenge your mind.
Over the past five years Victoria’s work has been selected for numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout Wisconsin and the Chicago area. At this years 61st Annual Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition, Victoria won the Peoples Choice Award for her drawing “Manipulation Station”. She is also included in the very competitive Rockford Midwestern Biennial 2018, juried by Chicago gallerist Aron Packer.
Although Victoria has some formal training, her intuitive approach is akin to the Outsider Artist. Her process begins with a simple line drawing.
Bein: “I just start doodling, much like the automatic drawings of the Surrealists, allowing my unconscious mind to create the content.”
These sketches are the foundation of her work and most of the original lines are retained in the final piece.
Bein: “I tell stories that are not necessarily in a known language; often they appear to me as a puzzle or mystery to be unveiled. When I finish a work I sit and view it, much like the audience would, and let it speak to me. It’s like having a dream, waking up, and trying to understand it.”
She encourages the viewer to create their own story from her work, and through this process, perhaps uncover their own unconscious mind.
As the viewer spends time with her drawings, they will discover hidden content and an incredible amount of detail. In her figurative work she often combines human and non-human animal forms, projecting a blend of whimsy and dis-ease. At first glance, the work may seem playful, but with a closer look you will often find a serious, darker narrative.
Victoria speaks about her work as a process of integrating the conflicts of both her inner and outer world. Information from her dreams, imagination, and memory is gathered and organized, creating new realities and patterns, perhaps more truthful than our commonly recognized ones. Although the iconography is personal, the resulting images tap into a collective unconscious.
Bein: “I find the distorted forms that spontaneously come out in my sketches express more deeply how I feel than if I were to realistically render the image, although I will sometimes do more traditional landscapes or portraits between works as a palette cleanser of sorts.”
Working with pastel and carbon pencil on paper allows her to emphasize linear marks, ranging from bold to barely visible, and to build a rich surface of texture and shading.
Bein: “I’ve always loved drawing, even the way the pencil sounds as it moves across the surface of the paper, or the musical taps of the pastel sticks making marks.”
Key to her vision and compositions are palette restriction, layering, and the creation of transparency within forms. Broken shapes and simultaneity reveal cubistic influences, while the frequent use of flat outlined shapes give her work a graphic feel. Each final piece reflects her journey, blending representational elements with abstraction, finding unity and harmony in the chaos of fragments.
All of Victoria’s work is framed with acid-free mats and foam board, and TruVue 99% UV protected glass.
www.victoriabein.com
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Opening Reception on Friday, June 1st, 2018 - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Show will run from June 1 - 20, 2018.
In our main gallery, the Beloit Art Center will host local artists who are competing in a sanctioned Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) exhibit. WRAP exhibits began in 1940 to encourage the creative growth of non-professional artists. The art will be judged and meritorious pieces will be selected to advance to the annual State Art Exhibition held in September in Madison.
In the Bell Gallery, Valerie Saxer is the featured artist. Saxer is a creative artist who uses paint, compounds, metals and found objects to create her expressive art. Her exhibit, “You take the cake! Find something to celebrate” is a series of small scale cake paintings on canvas and wood, which are meant to remind us to find something every day to celebrate in life.
Show will run from June 1 - 20, 2018.
In our main gallery, the Beloit Art Center will host local artists who are competing in a sanctioned Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) exhibit. WRAP exhibits began in 1940 to encourage the creative growth of non-professional artists. The art will be judged and meritorious pieces will be selected to advance to the annual State Art Exhibition held in September in Madison.
In the Bell Gallery, Valerie Saxer is the featured artist. Saxer is a creative artist who uses paint, compounds, metals and found objects to create her expressive art. Her exhibit, “You take the cake! Find something to celebrate” is a series of small scale cake paintings on canvas and wood, which are meant to remind us to find something every day to celebrate in life.
Valerie Saxer - Bell Gallery
The exhibition opens Friday June 1st with an artist reception from 5 to 8 pm where the public can meet the artists. The reception is free and open to the public. Many of the pieces of art will be offered for sale with the Beloit Art Center retaining 30% of the sale price to help support its non-profit offerings. The Beloit Art Center is located in downtown Beloit at 520 E. Grand Avenue. The exhibit will continue from June 5th through June 20th and is open Monday from 10 to 2; Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 5:30 and Saturday from 10 to 3.