plein air, studio, educational and inspirational

Mourning Art - Invitational Exhibit- April 2023

In partnership Falmouth Historical Society and Falmouth Art Center

The idea for the show came from Falmouth Historical Society Executive Director Rachel Lovett. Of the historic pieces in the show, she said, "The art evokes the emotion of loss that transcends 200 years of Falmouth history." Artists Invited to exhibit then created contemporary responses to the theme across a wide range of medium and styles.

This was not an easy subject to paint, not because I couldn't think 

of a million little things that would honor my parents but because it brought up so many memories of their lives, intertwined with joy and deep sadness.

To honor them together, I chose to think of Spring and the renewal of all things good in this world.

Tulips are the flower of our hometown of Albany, New York, and embraces our Dutch heritage as settlers in the Hudson Valley.

My vase with tulips sits on the table cloth my mother embroidered for me, and is a nod to the young girls that created Mourning Art such a very long time ago. My parents taught me to live with an open heart

and an open mind and for that I am eternally grateful.

To float and bob in the water is so "Effortless" for me .

I know I was meant to spend the rest of my life by the ocean. 

Honored to Receive 2nd place pastels/2D art  the Chatham Creative Arts Center

 Juried 26th Annual All Cape Art Show 

June 7-28, 2021

11 x 14 pastel on Pastelmat surface

"Peacemaker" Stand out there with all your glory!

Inspired by my time at the Brooklin Wooden Boat School.

https://www.pastelsocietyofmaine.org/virtual-gallery

Accepted into the Pastel Society of Maine National Pastel Exhibition 2020, juried by Lyn Asselta

100 selected paintings from 268 entries for the PSME first virtual natural exhibit

"Take Me Away"

I don't want to wait for someone to move me along but when I need help  there is always someone to guide me, and provide love and support.

Accepted into the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society's 2020 annual national juried exhibition.

"With You By My Side II" - it won't matter where the road takes me, or if storms get in my way, the journey will be my adventure.

A smaller studio painting was the catalyst to paint a larger version, with the  feeling to create an expansive horizon, what we dream for and the quest to push forward no matter the obstacles. I made the painting surface with gesso and pumice ground, applied an underpainting with acrylic inks before light strokes of soft pastel.

Awarded Honorable mention in the Falmouth Arts Center Summer Juried Exhibit 2019. Juror & Judge Sarah Holl.

"Trysting Spot"  10 x 10  plein air pastel painting.

Imagining earlier times when lovers would meet, whisper dreams to one another, hidden in plain sight in the shade of the summer sun. 

Painted on location on the front porch of  the historic Crosby Mansion in Brewster,MA

Accepted into the National Juried Small Works 2019 at the Shirt Factory Gallery in Glens Falls, NY. 

Opening reception  5-7 pm on February 23, 2019 

On display until March 16th

"Jarvis Street Crossing" 8 x 10 pastel  How could I pass by this building and not paint it!  I bet there are stories about its history in Sandwich, it exudes the character a story teller ( or painter) would embrace.    I wonder how many people sat at the train station opposite and looked at that building as they  anticipated a departing or arriving train. No longer a stop on the route, this view is relegated to those that take the time to pause. Painted on location at the Jarvis Street crossing  on the Cape Cod railroad for the Plein Air Sandwich event organized by the Sandwich Arts Alliance on 8/3/18.  Received 2nd place award in the People Choice vote. 

"This Day Belongs to Me" and I find myself in  a quiet alley that leads to the open sea. The clouds  hold the colors of the sky, and light dances in the reflections of the puddles and windows.    A rain storm has passed by, and the day is coming to an end leaving that wonderful bridge of dusk before the darkness engulfs me.  A reminder to make the most of what is left of my day. 

"This Day Belongs to Me" was accepted into the 2018 Adirondack Pastel Society's National Juried Exhibition held at the Shirt Factory Gallery in Glens Fall.  I am happy to share that it received the Dick Blick award from judge Alain Picard. The exhibit is on view until August 11, 2018.

"Marine Restoration" was painted on the bustling commercial end of the beach in Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard. The view looking into the work area was what attracted me to this scene.  The sun was strong and created a contrast between the lit buildings and the shaded interior.  I enjoyed the challenge of capturing the light hitting the folds of the plastic, and the hot metal roof.  People moved about and a faithful dog lingered nearby the entire time. Peaking across the Rosa Rugosa created a barrier between me and the scene. I could watch intently but not intrude, and the workers remained anonymous hidden in the shade. 

Selected for inclusion in “The National” exhibition at Cape Cod Art Center from July 16th through August 12th.  This annual open juried exhibit embraces talent from across the United States and is always one of Cape Cod Art Center’s biggest and most prestigious exhibits of the year. 

"Keep Searching" opens up my world:  purpose, knowledge, adventure and love.

We aspire to live a life that is full. I am very lucky and wouldn't change a thing, the past has delivered me to where I am.

Keep Searching was accepted into the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod's  For Pastels Only National Pastel Exhibition  2018 on display at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod June 20- July 15 2018 . Previously accepted into the Connecticut Pastel Society Renaissance in Pastel 2017

"I'm Done Again" by Brooke Styche.

Your headlights don't belong here.

Convinced you'll swerve,

Correct the wrong-

I hear myself: there's just no way.

Yet your light intensify

And in a long quick second-

I end up utterly numb and alert: the simultaneous head-fog-alarm-bells.

Almost dead.

Acutely aware.

Too alive.

That's what this is.

This thing that keeps happening with you and me.

Just stay where you are.

Expecting a riot of colors I took my pastels plein air set up  when I visited the Wicked Tulip Farm in Johnston, RI with my artsy friends.  The farm is surreal with colorful rows of  tulips all for the picking.  I loved the contrast of the last sign of winter in the background colors of the trees, a true sign that the tulip is welcoming pop of color! 

On display at the Cotuit Center for the Arts "Bloom exhibit" through June  11, 2018.

"Pursing a Path"opens me up to so many choices.  The path isn't always direct and sometimes it feels far off in the distance.

Low tide on the bay side offers plenty of wet sand paths and ridges created by waves; and an opportunity to walk endlessly, often with soggy shoes and wet feet.

Awarded Best Cape Cod Landscape at the Cape Cod Art Center's "Bay State" National juried exhibit May 2018.

I love to travel with my pastel set-up and being prepared with supplies means I am ready for any painting opportunity that arises. One day my friends sent me off to the perfect location within walking distance of their home in Trowbridge, England. Sunset was approaching and I had about an hour before the light would change.  The landscape was softened by the warmth in the sky, the water and the reeds balanced all those greens. Those greens!

The subtle variations of site specific greens can pose a challenge when I am traveling. My pastel box is typically set up for the seasonal greens on Cape Cod. To prepare, I refer to photos of my destination and choose pastel sticks that represent the local colors. Greens are the most difficult, so I make sure that I have a selection of warm and cool pastel sticks in a range of values.  I often improvise by enhancing the greens with the other colors of similar values, and will skim neutral colors to soften greens that look garish.

"Final Precursor" was painted as my artist's response to the poem "Coming to Terms" written by Russell Karasik for the Mutual Muses IX Exhibition at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod Feb 2017.  This exhibit is organized by Lauren Wolk, multi-talented artist and writer.  Preparation for this exhibit began last December. Artists received poems.  Poets received artwork images.  Our goal was to create a response, literal or interpretative. The poem I received spoke to me of time and passage through life. As I painted in my studio it was the crisp leaves of winter, frozen in winter's ice that provided a reminder that there will be another new cycle to life when spring arrives. 

"Final Precursor" was painted with pastel on a gatorboard that I prepared with multiple layers of pumice ground, gesso, pieces of handmade paper and gel medium. The surface was also etched to provide a rough surface. 

What a great way to start the school year! One of my night time paintings, "Moon Watchers" was a awarded Best Pastel at the Fall Open Juried Exhibit at Falmouth Artists Guild. Many thanks to the judge of awards, Jonathan McPhillips who resides in Saunderstown, RI. The exhibit is on display until October 13th and also features floral interpretations of the artwork by the Falmouth Garden Club.

Much of my studio painting time has been focused on painting the solitude found at dusk or at night. I have collected many photos over the past few years, and just can't keep up with the ideas floating in my head!!

Join the fun of painting night time scenes in my one day workshop "Painting the Night" held at the Falmouth Artist Guild on Saturday, November 1st from 9-4 pm. This workshop will explore the changes that happen after the sun goes down and the landscape is lit by moonlight and lights. Our goal will be to capture the beauty of night time, while working with the limitations of selective lighting.

For more details go to www.falmouthart.org or contact me at [email protected]

Visit my website at www.BetsyPayneCook.com

When I am painting I am focused on my internal vision coming to life; and seeing it unfold can be exhilarating.  For "Early Morning Dune" it began one morning in the dunes at Sandy Neck completing sketches, taking photos and doing a preliminary painting. Fast forward to a weekend when I was painting in my studio, and then I felt like the sparks began to fly!   This is not to say that I wasn't challenged. The shadow on the dune caused me some grief, and that is when I set aside the photo. AHA, the shadow I wanted was part of my vision, not part of the photo image! 

I am happy to share that "Early Morning Dune" has been selected for the 24th International Association of Pastel Societies Juried Exhibition. This prestigious exhibition will be held at the Vose Galleries in Boston, the oldest family owned art gallery in America.    

On Saturday, May 10th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the public is invited to the opening festivities at Vose Galleries, 238 Newbury St., Boston, which will feature an afternoon of artist demonstrations and tours of the exhibition. 
If you can't make the opening, please visit Vose Galleries between May 10 to June 21, 2014.
 
Click on this link to view the selected paintings, it is an impressive exhibition!
http://www.pastelinternational.com/COMPETITIONS/twenty_fourth_2014/twenty_fourth_2014.html