Siobhan Bedford Artist

SIOBHAN BEDFORD FINE ART

Begin again and again

Siobhan BedfordComment
Artist Brushes. Siobhan Bedford-06625.JPG

I often imagine my place in the world as an artist is not just about self-expression but what Victor Frankl called a “dedication to a cause greater than oneself.” For me that is striving to inspire and open a window to beauty.

Many times, I feel very pollyannish feeling this way. It seems naive and ridiculous. Especially in the face of the madness of 2020 that has surfaced in our country. It’s absolutely heart breaking, disappointing, aggravating, irresponsible, confusing, frustrating…I could go on and on but honestly I suspect like me you are all already exhausted.

There is nothing I can put into the words that you have not already read, felt or thought.

What I would like to share…and it maybe that I’m writing this as much for myself as to share with you.

I would like to say we must begin again. Cast aside any energy or anyone that nurtures hate and violence to feed the worst, lowest and ugliest side of our human selves. Focus and refocus again and again on what truly deserves our very precious energy. What we create matters.

Grab your tools. It’s a new year. Begin again.

Be Well.

For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.
— Viktor Frankl

More Pintalism....Into the Unknown

Siobhan Bedford
Siobhan Bedford, light in hand-05893.JPG

I continue following the pin-ta-lism pieces into the unknown…

It’s been a lot of paying attention and play. There are some interesting light effects catching my eye when the low winter sun makes its way into the studio. It’s about discovering the magical little changes that light brings more than making a finished piece of art.

details

details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Then there is the shadow play! I have not figured out a way to catch what I’m seeing in a photo…yet. Here are some snaps that give a glimpse of what I’m seeing.

light & shadow

light & shadow

shadow & light

shadow & light

I’m just going to keep following this exploration in photos and see what I can pull out of this experiment. I’m curious to see how it will find a way into future paintings.


Spectrum series...work in progress

Siobhan Bedford

Slowly closing in on finishing the nine Spectrum Series paintings. Sometimes when I look at them I see molecule shapes unraveling in chains. Other times they seem to me to be foggy like the smokey remnants of alchemic explosions.

details

details

details

details

details

details

It’s really starting to come together but I think it’s calling for another layer or two…it’s got a desire to glow.

It’s really starting to come together but I think it’s calling for another layer or two…it’s got a desire to glow.

Last of the rosemary from the garden…smells so good!

Last of the rosemary from the garden…smells so good!


Lucent Blues

Pintalism, Work In ProgressSiobhan Bedford
Lucent Blues - reflection in glass-05731.JPG

I’ve got three of these “Lucent Blue” watercolor pin-punch pieces in the works.

I’ve spent an insane amount of time punching these little holes. So many…the paper is starting to feel a bit like textured fabric.

They are still in progress. Very much in experiment mode with these pieces.

I had to set up in the kitchen to use a window big enough to shoot photos. I think I’ll shoot again at another time of day to see if I can catch the sunlight coming through or maybe on an overcast day…so it’s not so bright.

I’ve also been getting some very cool shadows when the light goes through. Still working out in my mind away to photograph that. We shall see…

Siobhan Bedford, Lucent Blues - detail 2-05738.JPG
Siobhan Bedford, Lucent Blues - detail 1-05741.JPG
Siobhan Bedford, Lucent Blues - detail 3-05744.JPG

pin-ta-lism : playing with light while pushing the potential of pin punching.

is there such a thing as too much alteration?

yes & I don’t care….it makes me pleased as punch;)

Lucent Blue full-05735.JPG