Studio Tour: The 2020 Edition

The Chester County Studio Tour is happening this weekend. I’m studio #7 in Phoenixville. 148 4th Ave. My downstairs space is open with a guest limit of 4. I’d love for you to come out but if you need to keep safe I’ve put together some videos to give you a virtual studio visit.

2020 Edition Video #1 Artist, Siobhan Bedford, her sharing her art studio for the 2020 Chester County Studio Tour. more info available at www.siobhanbedford.com

Artist, Siobhan Bedford. Chester County Studio Tour: 2020 Edition. How I make art.

Artist Siobhan Bedford, Chester County Open Studio Tour: The 2020 Edition. Art On View

Experiments

I’ve been in an experimental mood…

A shift started in the spring with the Doodle Ladies and it has just carried through all summer. I think the pandemic rattled something loose inside me and pushed me to take a detour into works on paper.

In the studio, I’ve been playing around with pinhole punching in some very tiny drawings. That led to pin punching some bigger abstract drawings. Then before I knew it I was pushing the needle into even bigger drawings that became more elaborate.

This is one…I call them “Light Bright Ladies.” Although they could just as easily be called “Poppy Ladies” because I’m pretty sure they got their start from all the poppy photos I took this spring.

What I find interesting about these mixed media pieces is the way the light plays on the surface and transforms it when backlit.

It’s a little exhausting on the fingertips to punch so many holes through the paper but also surprisingly soothing. I just splurged on a fancy Pergamano tool so that should save my little finger muscles…(in case you were concerned;)

I like the braille effect when I run my finger over the surface. I also like to think of the process as paper voodoo or acupuncture for paper…it depends on if I’m feeling vexed or in a healing mood;)

Front lit

You might not see her if you look too quick…but she is there. Look for the eyes.

Back lit

These ladies are a little unruly…I mean ripply…to get these photos I had to tape them to windows and walls. I’m not sure how I would display this work as I’m interested in both the front-lit and the backlit versions.

This work is all still very experimental so anything can happen…But, one idea is to frame them pressed between glass but then I would lose that ripply unruliness that I’ve come to love. Another is to print them up along with all my mixed media lady drawings from this strange pandemic time into a book.

I’m not sure how long that book would be…since this strange time still hangs over our days.

experiments to be continued…

“If I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it - keep going, keep going come what may.”

— Vincent van Gogh

PS….If you are not already on my list…Please be sure to send me your email at siobhan@siobhanbedford.com to be added to my VIP list so I can keep you updated as we get closer to the open studio coming September 19 -20.

Art on View

Wonderful to have my art on view at Visual Edge in Phoenixville. I love seeing how they look on the cool brick wall.

INFO: Walk on by to peek in the window or call ahead to mask up and check out up close

ADDRESS: 227 Church Street, Phoenixville PA, 19460

PHONE: 610-933-5137

Street parking available weekdays from 9-5 or Borough Parking Lot #1 is just steps away, look for the blue sign and use the Church Street entrance. (the parking lot takes quarters, or use the PassportParking App @ ppprk.com)

www.myvisualedge.com

TO PURCHASE: email siobhan@siobhanbedford.com or call 484-680-1532

Altar Of Your Sky

Oil On Canvas , 24 x 24 in $600.00

Cosmic Lace: Eternity Illuminated

Oil On Canvas , 36 x 36 in $1600.00

Emergence: Womb of Creation

Oil On Canvas , 60 x 36 in $3000.00

Beauty Break

I’m still obsessing with light & flowers.

Not yet sure where all this photo exploring is taking me. I hope to eventually find a bridge of energy between my paintings and plant life. Till it appears here is another “flower power” download as a beauty break for you!

Lately, I’ve been enjoying a little graininess in photos and hope you do too :)

oh…forgot to mention this is a Gladiola from my garden!

They are complete flowers…that means they have all “the parts” to keep themselves “in business” with self pollination. Enough with the plant porn:) Let’s see them as symbols of the marriage of divine feminine with divine masculine.

Ta da! Almost enlightenment;)

I do love me some super moody snaps…but let me try to brighten things up just a bit.

“And then there are the days
where you cannot breathe
because
everything has turned to beauty
and iridescence.
Because
you are a witness to this ordinary world.
”

— Jeff Foster

We’ll continue this botanical love affair with passion flower snaps next time…till then be well!